Make Prayer Personal
The Divine Operating System. Component #1: Prayer
“Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon.” —Martin Luther
Too often, we approach prayer like a dull chore or a cosmic vending machine, rushing through our requests without truly connecting with the heart of God. But what if we saw prayer for what it really is—an intimate conversation with our loving heavenly Father, who longs to hear our every thought and catch our every tear?
In this edition, we'll discuss how to cultivate a prayer life that is sincere, surrendered, and marked by intense intimacy with our Creator.
We'll learn to bring our whole, unfiltered selves before Him, trusting in His compassionate acceptance. We'll practice yielding our own agendas to align with His perfect will. And we'll train our distracted minds to focus fully on Him, marveling at the wonder of unrestricted access to His throne of grace.
As we embark on this transformational journey, get ready to encounter the heart of the Father in fresh, powerful ways. Prepare to discover the profound joy and peace found in His presence, and watch as your life overflows with the fruit of a deepening union with Him.
It's time to move beyond duty-driven, distracted prayers and step into the delight of true communion with God. So come boldly before His throne, pour out your heart, and get ready to be amazed at the wonders He will do in and through you as you seek His face with wholehearted devotion.
Let's get real: prayer is meant to be an intimate heart-to-heart with God, not a stiff, formal ritual. It's an invitation to share your deepest thoughts, feelings, and desires with the One who loves you most.
So how do you make prayer personal?
Set aside at least 15 minutes each day to simply be with God.
Find a quiet spot, quiet your mind, and imagine Jesus sitting across from you, listening intently to every word.
Share your joys, fears, and struggles as if He's your closest confidant (because He is).
Laugh with Him, cry with Him, thank Him, and ask Him questions.
Then, take time to listen to His gentle whispers in return.
Remember, God delights in the details of your life. He wants to hear your unfiltered thoughts and feelings, without any pretense or performance. So come as you are, messy and marvelous, and soak in the wonder of His undivided attention and affection.
As you practice this personal, intimate prayer, you'll find your heart syncing up with His. You'll discover a deeper sense of security and belonging, rooted in the unshakable reality of His love. And you'll experience the transformative power of His presence as He molds you more and more into the image of Christ from the inside out.
[[Note: Excerpted from, The Divine Operating System: 16 Vital Components for Optimizing Your Daily Christian Life, a brand new book by Iann Schonken, released in June 2024.]]