Starting with Prayer

We all know by now that we should pray, and if you've been doing life with other people for any length of time you've probably realized that we need to pray, for ourselves and for them. So certainly when we start talking about leading an LH Group we can recognize that prayer is essential not just for survival but for transformation and growth.

Here are 3 tips to up your prayer game.

Have a When

The old saying goes, no one plans to fail they simply fail to plan, and if you haven’t put any thought into the question of when are you going to pray, then you will simply fail. Having a when figured out can make all the difference in your prayer life.

• Instead of trying to force yourself into being a morning person, or trying to allot 3 extra hours a day to prayer, find the times that are already available. Use the natural rhythms of your day to foster prayer. For example, most of us shower once a day. Commit to turning your shower time into praying for your group members and neighbors. Or we all eat 3-6 times a day, commit to not just thanking God for the meal, but taking an extra two minutes to pray. This could work with all sorts of things; time in the gym, your commute, etc.
• Set reminders. Whether on your calendar, phone, tablet, computer, whatever. Don’t expect yourself to remember, remind yourself.
• Listen for the Spirit’s prompts. Often someone or something, seemingly random will pop into your mind. Take the time in the moment to pray for that person or item. Take care to cultivate this habit, as being obedient to the Spirit’s leading will always take you deeper in your relationship with God.

Have a What

One of the most often cited reasons for people not praying, is they don’t know what to pray for. Eliminate this obstacle by being prepared.

• Keep a list of your group members names and their prayer requests handy (send it to your self in an email, or write them on a 3x5 card)
• Pray Scripture: Scripture tells us that if we ask in the name of Jesus, it will be given to us. Now this doesn’t mean that we just end every prayer with “in Jesus name” but rather that we pray in the authority of, and in the identity of Jesus, that we pray according to His will, and His desires. The best place to find out what God’s will and desire is, is to look at Scripture. Verses like, Ephesians 1:16-19, or Colossians 1:9-14 are great verses to pray for the growth of our group members; Romans 6:12-14 for our own battles with sin; or Romans 5:3-5 in the midst of suffering.

Know How

Prayer is not about a method, although a plan can be helpful, and prayer is not about a posture, although the posture of the body can help to shape the posture of the heart. Prayer is about a relationship. Because prayer is relational the how is shaped almost entirely by the participants, and that means that the how of each prayer life can be unique. But there are two points that apply to everyone, Humility and Honesty.

• Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking right of yourself. Humility is keeping yourself in your rightful spot in relationship to God and others. JR Vassar once said, “When it comes to prayer, we do not need to make bigger commitments to pray, rather we need to think truer thoughts about God.” This rings true when it comes to humility, because when we think truer thoughts about who God is, it not only should spark a desire to talk to Him, but it reminds us of who He is, and who we are in light of who He says we are. Yes we are sinners, but God says we are sons & daughters. Yes we fall an fail, but God says we are dressed in the righteousness of Jesus, and as such can boldly enter in to His throne room for grace and mercy. Humility keeps God elevated in our sights as our good Father, and us in our rightful spot as children loved by Him.
• Honesty. Honestly, nothing will kill a prayer life like false piety. Pretending to be ok with things when really inside we’re angry, or upset, or sad is not healthy emotionally or spiritually. Read Psalm, or Job. Hear the honesty in their voices as you read the words and understand the situation. These men pour their hearts and emotions out before God, and God hears them and responds to them. God is not afraid of your complaint or your emotion, He can handle it. Be honest with Him when you struggle, when you hurt, when you experience frustration. He already knows it’s in there, so let it out and let Him in.

"Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence” - Charles Spurgeon. God has chosen to arrange his world in such a way that our prayers have real impact. It is the power of God working through our faithful, faith filled, dependence upon Him that frees minds that are deceived, reconciles marriages that are broken, breaks chains of addiction and shame, and softens hearts of stone. Be faithful and fervent in prayer for your people and watch God flex His muscles in your group.