Before we do any goal setting, resolutions, or plans, we can find success by putting God foremost on our agenda. Here are four ways to make prayer a priority this year and form a lasting habit.
As we begin a new year, computers and TVs are inundated with ads, emails, and talk shows that point electronic fingers at us, filling our minds with guilt if we don’t accomplish certain goals.
Programs that will incur the purchase of some kind of machine or gadget fill the airwaves. Don’t forget about that special sale. And of course, it’s for a limited time, so we better hurry and order.
All these marketing techniques focus on the physical aspects of our existence. No matter what we do or how we do it, our bodies, minds, and homes will still fade away with time. We should care for these parts of our lives, but why put a priority on a part of us that will not last forever?
If we change our attention primarily to the spiritual part of our being, we can build ourselves up in ways that do not deteriorate but instead will grow in abundance.
What if we make prayer a priority in 2024?
Before we do any goal setting, resolutions, or plans, we can find success by putting God foremost on our agenda.
Most of the book of Proverbs is attributed to King Solomon. In his wisdom, he wrote, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)
This Scripture tells us that anything we want to do should be committed to the Lord first. Our limited human brains can get confused. We require supernatural intervention to know the best way to accomplish a project or change our attitudes.
Why not talk to God before we do anything else?
Here are four ways to make prayer a priority this year and form a lasting habit:
1. Pray Scripture
There is no better way to pray than to use the Bible as a guideline. Look up Scripture that will correspond to the request you want to pray about, such as healing, financial advice, relationship restoration, wisdom, or child raising. Personalize the verses by inserting your name and praying them verbally rather than only mentally.
For example, 2 Corinthians 5:21, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God, can be prayed as God made him who had no sin to be sin for (insert your name or the word me), so that in him (I) might become the righteousness of God.
2. Pray Through a Journal
Pouring our souls out to the Father can be a way of cleansing our consciences. Once we have written what is on our hearts we can feel burdens lift. A recorded prayer can also be read repeatedly. Leaving a space to write the answer to the prayer will help build faith if we go through the same trial again. We can see how God brought the resolution to us.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)
3. Pray with a List
This isn’t intended to be a “what I want” type of list like children create at Christmas. But what about spiritual insight? Does our communion with our Lord need to be refreshed? Have we been praying out of duty rather than seeking to know our heavenly Father’s heart?
Paul gave us examples of praying for the most important gifts we could desire, such as wisdom, revelation, and understanding, in Ephesians chapter one.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people (Ephesians 1:16-18)
Our list can include what we feel is our soul’s deficiency at the time of our prayer. We can then find help to define the Scriptures we need to rely on. This doesn’t mean we don’t take our physical needs to the Lord. He will answer our appeals when we follow His will (Mark 11:24). Going to God with the desire to gain more comprehension regarding His Word can also reveal to us the resolution of those physical and material deficits we endure.
4. Pray and Listen
We shouldn’t just pray, say “Amen,” then leave. Prayer is not a one-sided conversation. It is a relationship with the Creator of the universe. To think that He wants to talk to us is astounding. Once we think deeply about this truth, we can realize there is nothing more important than hearing what He has to say.
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. (Hebrews 2:1)
Jesus, Himself separated from crowds and even from His disciples on many occasions so He could hear from His Father.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus, instituted this practice as she sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His Words (Luke 10:39-40). While this did agitate her sister somewhat, Jesus said Mary had found what was better.
Listening while we pray can show us we have found what is better also.
What’s the Difference Between a Prayer and a Petition?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
These verses in Philippians distinguish prayer and petition as two different ways to communicate with the Almighty. According to Strong’s G4335, the word prayer in this instance, and many others in the New Testament, means to come in. This can indicate prayer is to come into His presence and give Him glory.
In the King James Version, the word supplication is used in place of petition. Strong’s G1162 here means an earnest request. By using this order of prayer, we can see that we should begin with worship and praise before we bring our list of pleas to the throne.
Our heavenly Father hears our prayers. Making worship predominant reveals we have laid aside our egos. Focusing on Him as the Lord before our appeals are presented means our souls have taken the next step to seek His kingdom before all else (Matthew 6:33).
Establish the Habit
Paul tells us to continue to pray. Rejoice always, pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). But how do we pray continually when we all have busy lives and demands on our time?
If we can worry all day or all night, we can change our thoughts by praying all day and all night. Our minds can always be on the Lord in every task or event we encounter.
Paul probably didn’t mean we have to spend hours on our knees as soon as we get up, but we can speak to the Lord in gratitude before our feet hit the floor. We can speak to Him while we wake up children, prepare breakfast, and get dressed. Conversations with the Lord can take place as we drive.
If the Father is the first person we talk to each day, answers to what we may face in the hours ahead can be given to us before we head out the door.
A successful year depends upon where we place our priorities. Any attempt to live life on our own is already headed for disaster (Proverbs 3:4-5).
The Word of God in our hearts changes us. At the end of the year, we can look back and reflect on the growth we have experienced.
Prayer time with our Lord can be moments filled with joy that we look forward to each day. If we change the way we approach prayer by being diligent and consistent in some of these ways, we can establish a habit that can last a lifetime.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Khanchit Khirisutchalual
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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