Prayer should have first priority in the life of the Christian. A full reception of God’s blessings and complete life in Christ depends on making prayer a vital part of life. The finite creature before the infinite Creator! But what can we do to improve our prayer lives? Here’s some suggestions:

• Pray more! The average Christian spends a limited amount of time in prayer. We often use is for emergencies only. How much time did you spend in prayer last week? (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• Be more specific! Prayers are often too general, too vague (Matthew 6:9-13). Yes, we pray for the sick, but how about naming them?
• Pray with great faith! Doubts and uncertainties hinder prayers. The source for a great faith is the word of God (James 1:6).
• Rise above the sin of covetousness! Selfish hearts do not gain the ear of God. A loving and giving God is seeking to bless those with a generous spirit (James 4:2).
• Pray with greater zeal! Prayers that come from the lips and not from the heart is hallow and empty (Matthew 23:14).
• Grow more Godly! The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man does much (James 5:16).
• Improve marital relationships! The relationship with your spouse can hinder or help your prayers (1 Peter 3:7).
• Grow in humility! The proud heart is rejected by God (Matthew 5:3).
• Cultivate a forgiving spirit! We cannot expect forgiveness from God if we refuse to forgive our fellow man (Matthew 6:12).
• Be persistent in prayer! Perseverance is an active ingredient to success (Luke 18:1).
• Combine action with prayer! Pray as if everything depends on God, then work as if everything depends on you (James 2:17).

To the believer, prayer is a sacred privilege as well as an obligation. Prayer epitomizes the follower of God!

By: Justin Odom