Strengthening Daily Prayer Habits

Prayer is like a muscle that must be exercised to make it stronger. Like physical training which requires repetition of certain body movements and perhaps the use of weights, bands, and other equipment to achieve a fitness goal, so it is with prayer. It is a discipline that must be developed. And the pros will tell you, there are no shortcuts.

To strengthen daily prayer habits requires us to not rely on inspiration, or “the leading of the Lord”. It begins with the simple decision to pray. Our Lord does not demand perfection in our language or in the articulation of our petition. The Holy Spirit helps us when we falter in finding the right words to pray, so we can unburden our souls knowing He receives us as we are and where we are.

Let’s work our prayer muscle until it becomes strong and prayer becomes a reflex in the soul that is Christ-centered.

Jesus took the time to train a crowd of prayer novices. And He did so without condemning them. You know His training prayer well. “Our Father, who art in Heaven…” Sometimes, if you’re like me you don’t know what to pray or how. Jesus said, ‘start here’. Build your muscle. Pray it over and over again until it becomes a part of your daily thinking. Until it becomes a part of how you view God, His world, as well as your place and work in it. Don’t rush the process. Take time every day and several times throughout the day and soon enough your prayer habit and the depth of your praying will grow.