As the year comes to a close, many of us will take stock of where we are and make plans to improve our lives next year. Many Christians I know are planning to be more consistent with their quiet times by following a Bible reading plan and praying more. Resolutions usually only last a month to six weeks, so what can we do to turn a resolution into an integral part of our lives?
Resolutions fail because they are not reinforced with goals and rewards. The great thing about the goal of praying more is that it carries its own reward. When we see prayers answered, we are encouraged and excited to pray more. The key is getting started and following through long enough to see the benefits and blessings of committing to a plan. Let’s look at seven ways to help you pray more this year.
As in everything, we should follow Jesus’ example. In Luke 5:16 Luke tells us, “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Jesus was in the habit of meeting with His Father in prayer. Today, that means you must schedule it. Schedule a quiet time when you can read the Bible and pray because if you don’t schedule it, it won’t happen. It can be first thing in the morning or the last thing at night, depending on your preferences and other responsibilities. The key is setting a specific time.
In this technological world, we also have ways to schedule events with reminders. Set up a recurring reminder for your quiet time so that it is in your calendar, and your phone will notify you a few minutes before time. It will help keep you on track until your quiet time becomes an integral part of your daily routine.
One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that we will remember something without writing it down. When people share prayer requests at church or in Sunday school, write down the requests. I suggest keeping a notebook to keep track of prayer requests because those little slips of paper or used bulletins can get lost or forgotten. If you have a notebook, you have one place to list everything. You can also add places for dates when you prayed and for dates when the prayer was answered.
I also suggest making sections in the notebook for different types of prayer requests or groups of people. For example, you might have one section for church, one for friends, and another for family. I’m in several groups online, and they each take prayer requests. It can be overwhelming to pray over every prayer request each day. I have a friend who prays for church members on Monday, friends on Tuesday, and our government and schools on Wednesdays. You get the idea. It helps to focus your prayer time on specific needs in more detail. The key is to make a prayer list or notebook that works for you.
Prayer lists are great, but it can be even more rewarding to keep a prayer journal. Sometimes our minds are distracted by so many things that it is hard to focus. Writing out prayers can help us keep our focus on the task at hand. If I try to close my eyes and pray during my morning quiet time, I am prone to nodding off. If I write out my prayers, I am more alert, and my brain is engaged and focused.
Reading back through your prayer journal also motivates us to continue our prayer practice because we see all the prayers that God has answered. It’s also a place where we can praise God through words, pictures, or journaling techniques of any type. It’s just between you and God, and it gives you a variety of ways of expressing your prayers in a way that is unique and works for you.
One of the best ways to make sure you follow through on a goal is to have an accountability partner. If you know someone is going to ask if you had a quiet time every day, you are more likely to stick to a plan. You can encourage each other when you struggle or get off track.
An accountability partner not only helps you stick to your goal, but also helps you pray. Matthew 18:19-20 says:
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Praying together is powerful because it brings unity with each other and the Holy Spirit as you pray for each other as well as your prayer lists.
Another practice that can help you build your prayer life is to pray whenever you are leaving. I have what I call carport prayers where I pray over my house, my car, my day, and my cats. It sounds silly, but it helps me get my focus on God and remind myself that He is in control, which gives me peace.
You can also pray for people as you come or go. For example, when you pull into work, you could take a moment to pray for your boss and co-workers, or even other people you might deal with during the day. Pray to be a good Christian example. You can pray as you leave for everyone’s safety. Just a quick prayer can go a long way to keeping your spirit and mind focused on the right things.
Have you ever been talking with someone and been asked to pray for someone or something? We often agree to pray, but then it slips our mind amidst the busyness of life. Often, the best thing to do is stop and pray in that moment. Taking a moment to pray out loud with someone not only ensures we follow through on our commitment, but it also encourages and uplifts the person in real time.
James 5:16 reminds us to “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” However, we can’t be effective if we don’t take the time to pray. By praying immediately, we fulfill our promise, bless the person we’re interceding for, and cultivate a spiritual habit of turning to God in the moment. It’s a simple yet powerful act of faith that fosters connection, strengthens relationships, and keeps Christ at the center of our interactions.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” If taken too literally, it means we can do nothing else, but I like to think of it as having an open-ended conversation with God. Think about your parents or close friends that you talk to daily. God the Father wants to hear from his children, but He also wants us to listen to Him. This is the kind of relationship-building that can happen at any time.
We can offer a word of praise for answered prayer or a beautiful sunrise, or we can just share what’s on our hearts. You can talk to Him in spirit even when you’re among a crowd of people, or while driving down the road because you don’t have to close your eyes and fold your hands to pray. You can do it anytime and anywhere.
If you want to pray more, then you need to take every opportunity to talk with the Father. A daily quiet time where you lift specific prayers to Heaven is a must, but don’t forget the spontaneous or the everyday moments when we share our hearts with God and each other. Once we start building a prayer life, it becomes a means of communication instead of a formal ritual. Then, prayer will no longer be a chore on your to-do list; it will be something you look forward to, like a cup of tea or coffee with your best friend. What are you waiting for? You don’t have to wait for New Year’s Day. You can start right now.
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
This article is part of our Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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