7 Top Tips To Ignite Your Prayer Life

By Susan Freese

Why is prayer important?

God loves to talk with you. Maybe you wonder if He really listens to your prayers. When your prayers align with God’s will, He promises to hear you.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
1 John 5:14 Tweet

Why is prayer important? A consistent prayer life deepens your relationship with God. Just like with friends, you become closer to God when you talk with Him.

God instructs us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).

Without prayer, your relationship with God would be lifeless. Your prayer life keeps your friendship with God dynamic and personal as you seek to rely on Him for all your needs.

How do I pray?

God loves you. He does not judge or criticize your words. He does not want prayers that sound impressive—He wants prayers that speak from your heart.

When you pray, talk to God about what is in your heart.

“…for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45)

While the Bible contains examples of how to pray, you don’t need a formula. You can speak to God in your own words.

Remember, one purpose of prayer is to discover what is on God’s heart so you can align your heart to His. By talking to God as you would a friend, you grow to rely on God for everything in your life and discern His will for you.

Grow and strengthen your prayer life with these seven simple techniques.

7 Top Tips to Ignite Your Prayer Life

1) Pray alone

Put the phone away, turn off the tv, and make your space as distraction-free as possible.

When you pray alone, it helps you keep your motives pure. Your secret prayers—the ones heard only by God—are incredibly precious to 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 Tweet

2) Pray physically

Use your body to help you express your feelings.

Come to your prayer time with humbleness demonstrated through your actions and the right heart attitude.

Try kneeling before God.
Turn your face towards heaven and open your hands.
Lie flat on the ground before God.

God provides everything you need. Ready yourself to receive what He gives you with a humble attitude and heart.

3) Pray out loud

Speaking aloud may help you stay focused and remind you that you are talking to God—the Creator who made you—who is real and present.

4) Outline your prayer

If your prayer life could use even more focus, take notes.

Start a prayer journal to write out your questions or praises.
Write down what verses come to mind as you listen for God’s thoughts inside your thoughts.
Include these four elements as you pray: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. (Remember the acronym ACTS.)

Use our Daily Printable Journal Page created to complement our 50-Day faith journey, Your True Story, as a reminder to pray and listen using A.C.T.S.

5) Pray in a group

As you pray in a group, focus and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Be humble, genuine, and transparent when prompted to pray.
Don’t be afraid of making a mistake.
Don’t be concerned about others’ opinions of you as you pray.

Your contribution to a group prayer may bring encouragement or clarity to someone at a prayer gathering.

6) Pray to get more of God, not just to get more from God

Pray that your thoughts would be His thoughts; your heart, His heart; your will, His will.

When you pray in line with His desires for you, He will do what you ask in His perfect timing.

"I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
John 14:13-14 Tweet

7) Pray with authority to take a stand against the devil's schemes

Your prayers are not only a conversation with God but also a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare.

You can take action through prayer.

For example, when you are facing temptation, you can pray aloud: “I am a child of God, and in Christ I have victory over______.” Insert whatever sin or issue you’re addressing.

You have authority through Jesus to resist the enemy and place yourself under God’s protection.

Prayer changes your heart, but not always your circumstances.

God’s answers to your prayers may be a yes, no, or not now.

Even when God says “no” to a prayer, ask God to work in your heart to accept His answers.

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to escape intense suffering He knew was only hours away. “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matt. 26:39). Jesus wanted to escape suffering, but He wanted God’s will more. He did not get the answer He requested, but He came out of that prayer time with a heart fully submitted to His Father’s will and the courage to see that will accomplished.

You can trust that God’s will and His timing are always perfect. Prayer will not always change your circumstances, but it will help you trust God despite your circumstances.

"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."
James 5:16 Tweet

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God loves to talk with you, so spend some time talking with Him now. Then, listen for His answers. The results are life-changing.

What are you praying today?

7 Top Tips To Ignite Your Prayer Life