Soul Care - Stronger Prayer

by Mary Elsbury

Prayer. It’s woven throughout my day and life. It might be said out loud, whispered, or even breathed. God strengthens me when I approach the throne on behalf of others and myself. Prayer is a conversation with God. We can connect with Him on an intimate basis every day, but it takes practice. I have learned throughout my many years of walking with Jesus, that I need to have some quiet in this loud world. I must start my day with giving Him adoration and praise for life. My day just doesn’t seem to go right without that time with God.  

So many are probably saying, “Yeah, right, but I’ve got (fill in the blank: kids, work, etc.).” My reply is “Make time.” Get up 10 minutes earlier for a conversation with the Creator of the Universe. If you have a busy schedule, then add a 15-minute block for yourself to just be still. 

I found a great method that I have used for years that helps me develop a focus for prayer. I use a monthly journal that is broken down into sections. This allows me to set goals, meditate on Scripture prompts, offer prayers for the world, nation, church, family, friends, and personal prayers, remember salvation opportunities am I seeking to share with others, and pursue monthly challenges. I fill each section out before the month starts and then use a different section daily as I pray for what is listed. 

Daily prayer starts with getting fed on the Word and then flows into gratitude for what God is doing in and through my life. It reminds me to look around for what can only be accomplished by God in a particular situation and allows me to question if I am letting God mold and shape me as His child. Using a journal has given purpose to my prayer life and has allowed me to look back over notes and prayers to see how far I have come and how God has gone before me, walked beside me, and is always present. 

Prayer with purpose takes time to develop. I have been blessed to be part of a women’s Bible Study group for almost 20 years. In that time, we have studied many different topics, but recently have run across two books that delve into prayers found in God’s Word: On Bended Knee and Before the Throne, both by Crickett Keeth. Each one offers glimpses into the lives of Biblical characters that relied on God during the best and worst of times. 

We don’t have to limp through our prayer lives carrying the weights of every distraction. My prayer is that you will learn to orient yourself thoughtfully and prayerfully toward the Lord with greater purpose.

I would love to share some resources with four women – so the first woman to email me (melsbury@indiamission.org) will receive a copy of Before the Throne. The other three will receive prayer journals.