6 simple things you can do to reignite your prayer life

Mark Batterson is famous for saying, “Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective.” A change of perspective can be powerful for our spiritual journey. A danger in our prayer life is that we get in a routine that turns into a rut. The routine that once gave it life and power becomes the rut that keeps us from experiencing life with God.

[tweetthis]A danger in our prayer life is that we get in a routine that turns into a rut.[/tweetthis]

Often when I am doing a conference or service at a church my assignment is to help people bring new life to their prayer times. This can include reintroducing them to what Pete Greig calls the “buffet” of prayer by showing all of the different types of prayer talked about in the Bible.

One way that the rut of a prayer routine can be escaped from is by a change of posture. Our physical position can change our thinking which can awaken our awareness of God. Even adding a posture to a good prayer life can change your perspective. Here are six ideas to get you started.

Lifting hands– This position can put us in a place of praise to God or acknowledging our dependence on Him. David said, “Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy…when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.” (Psalms 28:2 ESV) When Moses lifted up his hands in prayer it brought about a victory (Exodus 17)

Standing– Jesus said, “whenever you stand praying…” (Mark 11:25 ESV) I find this especially helpful if I am struggling with sleep while praying. Standing makes it very hard to fall asleep during my prayer time.

Sitting– Jesus was often sitting in conversation with people. I have done a video on a simple way to start a prayer life. It is like having coffee with Jesus.

Kneeling– Simply kneeling can put you in an attitude of humility that opens you up to hear from God. Solomon knelt in prayer at the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 6:13). Kneeling has long been associated with prayer and for good reason: it puts you in a position to pray.

Prostrate– Taking the humility of kneeling a step further you could lay flat on the floor in a prostrate position. Moses said he was in this position in repentance for the sins of Israel. (Deuteronomy 9:18) Although this may not be the best to try first while laying in bed while really tired, it is a great acknowledgement of our dependance on God.

Walking– Enoch and Noah are said to have walked with God. Whether this is a metaphor or not it is a great way to stay engaged while in prayer. The disciples definitely walked and talked with Jesus. If you enjoy the outdoors a prayer walk could be a great thing to try.

Which one of these could you add (or add back) to your prayer life? What other postures did I miss? Giving it a try could pull you out of a rut and into the fast lane with God again.

What are your callings in prayer?

 

One of the greatest things that I have to confront as I travel from place to place speaking on the subject of prayer is intimidation and condemnation. Talking to a wonderful lady who has been an encouragement to many in the area of prayer got me thinking. I hope that this is encouraging to you.

 

I mention two other posts in this video that could be helping if you would like to think about this a little deeper.

The danger of the “Gift of Intercession”

How to come out of the condemnation about your prayer life

 

 

Do you feel like a bronze or silver medalist in life?

As we wind down the Summer Olympics do you feel like a bronze or silver medalist? What do I mean? Mark Batterson in his excellent book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day shares,

“A fascinating study done by Professor Vicki Medvec reveals the relative importance of subjective attitudes over and above objective circumstances. Medvec studied Olympic medalists and discovered that bronze medalists were quantifiably happier than silver medalists. Here’s why: Silver medalists tended to focus on how close they came to winning gold, so they weren’t satisfied with silver; bronze medalists tended to focus on how close they came to not winning a medal at all, so they were just happy to be on the medal stand.

(Doubleday Religious Pub Group, 2008-08-19. iBooks.)

This got me thinking about how I think about my life. Am I full of gratefulness to God for all that He has done for me or am I simply unhappy for what I don’t have in life? Because of all that Jesus has done for us we are on the medal stand. I know this analogy breaks down quickly because with Jesus we really all won gold. But sometimes our mindset doesn’t show it.

[tweetthis]Because of all that Jesus has done for us we are on the medal stand[/tweetthis]

David when giving characteristics of those who dwell with God he says he, “speaks truth in his heart.” (Psalms 15:4) That seems to indicate that sometimes in our heart we might not be speaking truth. We might not be focused on how close we came to not winning a medal at all, as the study states.

David’s son takes up the call by saying that, “…the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15) This doesn’t not mean that we don’t have difficulty or even sadness, but we lay it on the foundation of gratefulness for our relationship with Jesus. As Paul write about it, from a prison cell, we are to- “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Philippians 4:4) He is saying no matter our circumstances we are on the medal stand because of what Jesus has done.

This mentality is not about not seeking to improve. The bronze medalist may want gold at the next Olympics. It is more about what is in our heart on the journey. I am a very goal oriented person so this is a lesson that I must constantly remind myself. Here are two things that I do to help myself with challenge.

I take a Sabbath– Part of the benefit of taking a day off is it reminds me that I am dependent on God for my life. By reminding myself of this fact it helps me to remember all the things that He has given to me. My salvation is not based on the work that I do. This helps me get my heart looking from the right perspective.

I keep a thankful journal– I have shared in detail how I have a simple journal method that can change your entire outlook on life. But that simple act of writing down five things I am thankful for everyday still causes me to pause and see myself on the podium of history. I win big with God.

What simple things could you do to change your perspective? The habit could be life changing. You may never win an Olympic medal, but with Jesus we won more than we could ever imagine.