Practice
We know certain things in life require practice to master. Learning a new sport, playing an instrument, or preparing for a test all take work. There are other things at which we assume everyone should be naturally adept. If we find we do not intrinsically know them, they are given up easily. Prayer often falls into the latter category. However, focusing our minds only on God for more than two minutes doesn’t come naturally. If Jesus’ disciples had to ask Him how to pray (Luke 11:1), it follows that they practiced the examples He gave them. Initial feelings of awkwardness or inability to concentrate will lessen with time. The benefits of prayer are worth our maximum effort.
Write It Out
Part of spiritual warfare is being able to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and concentrate on what God is trying to tell us. Writing not only helps our concentration during prayer, but also brings clarity to our thoughts and makes them more real.i On days when I feel I do not know what to pray, getting out my journal gives me a focal point, and causes me to simply start. Once I’ve begun writing, my thoughts become more organized and centered. David, known for being a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22), spent much of his prayer time crafting psalms to God. Putting our thoughts clearly on paper can help us follow David’s example of pouring out our souls to God and putting our hope and trust in Him (Psalm 42).
Be Honest
Making Jesus our Lord requires complete surrender, including in prayer. Especially at first, we might be inclined to stay within a set rubric while praying, or be wary of admitting our faults (especially out loud or on paper). Even though God already knows all our thoughts and deeds, He will not force us to converse with Him. We must surrender our fears and insecurities to Him. If we are not sure what to pray, we can ask God. If we are angry, we should tell Him. If we have doubts, we can tell Him. If we are in sin, we must confess to Him. Prayer does not need to be lengthy and poetic, but it does need to be honest.
Pray the Word
Professor and author D.A. Carson has observed, “Scarcely less disturbing [than a lack of praying in the church] is the enthusiastic praying in some circles that overflows with emotional release but is utterly uncontrolled by any thoughtful reflection on the prayers of Scripture.”ii Why is Scripture so important in prayer? Jesus tells us that “…if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19) We are sure to agree in prayer when we are all praying God’s will. John later reinforces this idea in one of his letters. “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” (1 John 5:14-15) By praying God’s Word, we can have confidence we are praying His will and that He hears us. Prayer should be personal and specific, but we should not neglect the guide God has graciously given us.
Pray for Others
In her book Amazing Love, Corrie ten Boom recalls being frightened while riding on a winding mountain road. She tried to overcome her fear by singing, then by praying for safety, but her fear remained. Finally, she turned her thoughts toward others. “I prayed for everyone who came into my thoughts, people with whom I had traveled, those who had been in prison with me, my school friends of years ago. I do not know how long I continued in prayer, but this I do know, my fear was gone.” The peace we receive from prayer overcomes our fears, and also produces love. When Jesus says to pray for those who mistreat us (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28), He knows doing so will allow us to show love to our enemies and be able to turn the other cheek (Luke 6:29) rather than respond in kind. When the church prays, we are spreading God’s love and kingdom.
i The Benefits of Writing, M Cecil Smith, Ph.D. https://www.niu.edu/language-literacy/_pdf/the-benefits-of-writing.pdf
iiPraying With Paul, 2nd ed.,D.A. Carson