Prayer
By Keila Mingo
If you’ve ever been at Impact on a Tuesday night and your prayer request has been, “I just need prayer to improve my prayer life” or “spend more time praying” or some other version of that same sentiment — homie, trust me, you’re not alone. It's tough! Between assignments piling up, drama with friends, and all the ups and downs of family life, it's no wonder we sometimes feel like taking care of our Spiritual walk gets shoved to the back burner! And unfortunately, prayer is usually the first thing to get tossed out the window when life gets busy (that is, until the big Math test comes up and you feel like you’re going to pass out because you don’t remember anything you learned in class. Yikes. “Jesus, help me, please!” ammirite!?).
What can we do to combat this? How do we maintain a beautiful, real, and consistent prayer life amidst the chaos of every day life?
Before we jump into some pointers on how to make your prayer life pop, let's take a sec to understand what prayer's all about (or maybe it would be more beneficial to know what it’s not about!).
Prayer is not about summoning some mysterious force (like “speaking something into the Universe” or “manifesting”) or treating God like a celestial butler. It’s not a form of “rub-a-lanternand-out-pops-a-magic-genie,” and it definitely shouldn’t be a ritualistic, “say some magic words and things happen,” superstitious (or even a little-stitious), religious, check-this-box moment of the day where you spend hours on your knees. It’s not a way to earn God’s love or lose God’s love for you. No matter how often or how little you pray, His love for you 👏 does 👏 not 👏 change.
So, what is prayer and how can we make sure we’re enjoying a flourishing life of prayer? How do we become people who pray?
I’m sure you’ve heard it before: prayer is just a conversation with God — and while, yes, it is exactly that, there is so much more to it! Prayer is the energy that fuels your heart and Spiritual walk. It’s what keeps your engine running, baby! It’s your chance to deepen your relationship with God, whether you're saying thanks, asking for a little direction, finding comfort, or just wanting to be in His presence intentionally. It's not about having to sit in a certain way or pray at a certain time — it’s more like an ongoing chat that's happening all the time, interwoven into every part of your life, with a very real God.
One of the most important aspects of prayer, and why it packs such a spiritual punch, is that prayer creates dependence. Prayer is the admittance that we can't handle everything on our own and we need God to do life. When we realise this, we start to understand how lost we are and how dependent we are on His guidance and direction. This pushes us to call out to Him and depend on His strength rather than our own. We were never meant to be independent from Him (take it back to the beginning in the Garden of Eden — Adam & Eve sought independence from God and look where that got us!). Prayer is the practical expression of that concept. It’s us seeking Him rather than hiding from Him. It’s turning ourselves towards Him instead of turning our backs on Him.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Earlier I mentioned that no matter how often or how little you pray, God’s love for you doesn’t waver. But I want you to think about the following statements: Think about where you spend your time — it's a dead giveaway of what really matters to you, right? Whether it's hanging out with friends, binge-watching your favourite show, or pursuing your hobbies, your schedule shouts out your priorities loud and clear
Now, let's talk prayer. If we claim to love God, shouldn't we make time for Him, just like we do for our friends or hobbies? I mean, if you really dig someone, you wanna hang out with them, share stuff with them, and just be in their company, right?
Here's the kicker: it's not just about clocking in the hours with God. It's about being real, being sincere. Treating prayer like a wish list or only hitting up God when we need something is not genuine love — it's more like using Him as a get-out-of-jail-free-card. Real love for God goes beyond the gimme-gimme mentality. It's about appreciating Him for who He is, not just what He can do for us. It's about craving His presence, not just His blessings. It's about delighting in communion with Him, finding joy in His company, and aligning our hearts with His will.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”Psalm 16:11
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
Now that we’ve got a clearer understanding on what prayer is and isn’t, here are some practical tips on how to improve your prayer life:
Set Up Your Prayer Zone: Although we can and should be talking with the Lord throughout the day, it’s important to carve out intentional prayer time as well. Just like you blow up the group chat all day, so should you blow up the lines of communication with the Lord; however, nothing really beats an intentional, in person hang-out. There is something that screams “I love you and you are so special to me!” when you put someone on the calendar to hang out. It should be the same with God. Make that relationship a priority and carve out time in your day to grow your relationship with Him. “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
Life can also be unpredictable, so don't stress if your prayer spot occasionally changes — it’s not really about where you’re praying; nevertheless, we can often take the freedom and flexibility we have to pray everywhere and then never pray anywhere. The important thing is to establish a routine that works for you, whether it's a cozy corner in your room or a peaceful spot in nature. Make it an intentional choice to step away from the hustle and bustle of your life to spend time with the Lord. Do your best to eliminate distractions (leave your phone in the other room, close your door, etc.). You are catching up with God and enjoying His company!Stay Steady and Keep at It: Consistency is key, homie. Even when life's throwing curveballs and distractions left and right, stick to your prayer routine. Keep showing up, keep praying, and watch the Lord work. It might seem like no one is really there but the Bible tells us that there is always someone else on the other side of prayer. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” Matthew 7:7–8
There is Someone there Who is actively listening to you — Who gives, Who leads, Who invites you in! At first it might seem strange… it kind of feels like you’re writing a letter out loud or sending a really long voice memo. But the more you do it, the more natural it will feel. Consistency and persistency are two key factors in faith: you trust He hears you and He will answer you, because His Word says He will. Real faith leads to action.Dive into the Word: Spend some quality time listening to God as well. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. Prayer is a conversation — conversations go both ways. It’s important to meditate on God’s Word and know what He actually says. God speaks to us through different ways, but one of the most obvious ways is through the Bible. Delving into the Bible isn't just about passive reading — it's an active engagement with the living Word of God. Take time to reflect on Scripture, allowing its truths to penetrate your heart and mind. Consider incorporating study tools like commentaries or devotionals to deepen your understanding.
Make it Personal: Remember, prayer is about building a relationship with God. It's not about reciting fancy words or following a strict formula. Share your joys, fears, hopes, and dreams with God as you would with a trusted friend. Be authentic and vulnerable in your prayers, knowing that God loves you just as you are. “Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2
So, friend, may prayer be your anchor amidst the stormy seas of life. May it be your song in moments of rejoicing and your solace in times of sorrow. May you always find comfort in the knowledge that in the quiet and stillness of prayer, you are enveloped in the warmth of God’s love. May your prayers rise like incense, a fragrant offering to the heavens. And may you discover, time and again, that in the gentle whisper of prayer, you encounter the infinite grace and boundless mercy of our Saviour.
REFLECTION
How often do you find yourself prioritizing prayer in your daily life? Reflect on your current prayer habits and consider whether they align with your desire to deepen your relationship with God.
Take a moment to reconsider your understanding of prayer. Do you view prayer as merely a means to ask for blessings or assistance, or do you approach it as a genuine conversation with God, rooted in love and intimacy?
Evaluate the authenticity of your prayers. Do you tend to recite rehearsed phrases or speak from the heart with sincerity and vulnerability? Reflect on ways you can cultivate a more personal and genuine connection with God in your prayers.
Challenge: take 10-15 minutes to pray and write it out word for word. Consider keeping a prayer journal and writing out your prayers in this way. How might this impact your prayer life?