Reading your daily prayer routine helps you plan a path to knowledge and wisdom as a Christian. It will also make it easier to talk with other Christians, and to those who may be interested in coming to Christ Jesus. The Bible tells us to share our faith and His words with others to bring them to the Lord.
Cultivating trust in God’s plan should be a daily practice to strengthen your faith and deepen gratitude. Here are some practical ways to nurture that trust:
1. Pray with Surrender: Make prayer a place of surrender, not just requests. Instead of only asking God for outcomes, pray for the strength to trust His wisdom and timing. Saying, “Lord, I trust that You are working all things for my good” can shift your mindset.
2. Reflect on Past Faithfulness: Take time to recall moments when God has provided, guided, or comforted you in difficult times. Journaling about how He has been faithful in the past can build confidence that He will continue to lead you. I keep a journal of all the times the Lord has protected me and kept me safe, and there were many! Email me if I can help get you started: john@ourdividedworld.com
3. Meditate on Scripture: God’s Word is full of promises that remind us of His sovereignty. Verses like Romans 8:28 (“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him”) and Isaiah 55:8-9 (“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”) reinforce that His plans are greater than our own.
4. Choose Gratitude in Uncertainty: Actively practice gratitude even when life is unpredictable. Instead of focusing on what’s unknown, thank God for what is certain—His presence, love, and promises. Gratitude strengthens trust by reminding us that He is in control, and in today’s unstable world, we need to keep gratitude centered in our mind.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
5. Practice Patience: Trust is built through patience. When life’s timing doesn’t align with our expectations, use the waiting period as a time to grow spiritually—reading the Bible, deepening prayer life, or helping others. Trust grows in moments of perseverance.
6. Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Spend time with fellow believers who strengthen your faith. Hearing testimonies from others about God’s faithfulness can inspire confidence in His plan for your own life.
7. Release Anxiety Through Worship: Worship shifts focus from fear to faith. Whether through song, silent reflection, or reading Psalms, praising God reinforces trust and aligns your heart with His presence. Worship doesn’t always involve a church; it involves a quiet place to praise God silently anywhere you desire.
8. Take Small Steps of Faith: Trust isn’t built overnight—it grows through obedience. Acting on faith in small ways, such as forgiving someone, stepping into a new opportunity, or embracing a challenge with confidence, strengthens trust in God’s leading.
9. Give Your Worries to God Daily: Start each day by handing your concerns over to God. Whether through prayer, journaling, or simply speaking aloud, verbally releasing burdens to Him cultivates reliance on His plan.
The more you practice trust, the more you’ll see God’s hand at work, leading you with wisdom and love. What speaks to you most from this list?
Make Prayer a Consistent Part of Your Day
Incorporating prayer into your daily routine can strengthen your faith and deepen your relationship with God. Here are some practical ways to make prayer a consistent part of your day:
1. Start Your Day with Prayer: Begin each morning with a conversation with God. Before reaching for your phone or jumping into your schedule, take a moment to thank God for a new day and ask for His guidance.
2. Set Prayer Reminders: If life gets busy, set reminders on your phone or place sticky notes around your home to prompt moments of prayer throughout the day.
3. Pray During Daily Activities: Integrate prayer into routines like commuting, exercising, or cooking. Use these moments to speak with God or reflect on His presence.
4. Create a Prayer Journal: Writing down your prayers can help you stay focused and track God’s faithfulness. Note your concerns, gratitude, and answered prayers.
5. Pray Before Meals: Make it a habit to pause and give thanks before eating. A simple prayer of gratitude acknowledges God’s provision, and don’t be afraid to pray in public while dining out. We pray while dining out and have never had any problems with others, and we have seen people praying at restaurants. It’s a wonderful image and one that might even encourage others to do the same.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
6. Set Aside Quiet Time: Dedicate a few minutes in the morning or evening for intentional, uninterrupted prayer. Reading scripture alongside your prayers can deepen this time. I pray in my office first thing in the morning and Jean prays outside. It’s our private prayer moment.
7. Use Short, Spontaneous Prayers: Prayer doesn’t always have to be long or structured. Throughout the day, whisper short prayers like “Lord, give me wisdom” or “Thank You for this moment.” I do this while working on my writings and ideas for our Christian ministry website to let the Lord guide my thoughts and keep me focused.
8. Pray with Others: Joining a prayer group, praying with family, or simply sending a prayer over a text message can help you stay accountable and strengthen your faith. If you can’t find one, try to start one.
9. End Your Day in Prayer: Reflect on your day before bed—thanking God for blessings, seeking forgiveness, and resting in His peace.
Prayer is not just an act but a lifestyle. The more you integrate it into your routine, the more naturally it will become a continuous dialogue with God.
Prayer Challenges
Building a consistent prayer routine can be deeply rewarding, but like any habit, it comes with challenges. Here are some common obstacles you might encounter and ways to overcome them:
1. Distractions: Daily life is full of interruptions—notifications, responsibilities, or wandering thoughts can disrupt prayer time. Try setting a specific time and place for prayer, removing distractions, and using a prayer journal to stay focused. Admittedly, this one is the toughest for me. I start writing and a phone call or someone or something needs my attention distracts me, so it takes time to get focused again. I don’t have a problem with the distraction. It’s just getting back on track that is a little harder.
2. Lack of Time: Busy schedules can make prayer feel like an afterthought. The key is integrating prayer into daily activities like commuting (Lord, keep me safe during my travels), meals, or morning routines makes it more natural (Lord, thank you for waking me this morning). For me, I like to start early in the morning, before sunrise, when there are no or very few distractions.
3. Spiritual Dryness: There may be times when prayer feels uninspired or distant which we all experience. In such moments, lean on scripture, worship, and gratitude. Reading Psalms, listening to worship music, or even praying aloud can reignite connection. Admittedly, I have gone through feeling uninspired in prayer, so I will think about things that had happened to inspire my prayers.
4. Forgetfulness: It’s easy to forget prayer, especially when daily routines get hectic. Setting reminders, creating visual cues (like a Bible near your bedside), or linking prayer to existing habits can help.
5. Feeling Unworthy or Uncertain: Some struggle with feeling inadequate or not knowing what to say. Remember, prayer is a conversation with God—it doesn’t need to be perfect. Simply speaking to Him honestly strengthens faith. I speak to Him about my day, the things that were a little off, and ones that may have been problems to ask for guidance.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
6. Impatience for Answers: Waiting for answers to prayers can test trust in God’s timing. Practicing patience and reminding yourself that His plan is unfolding—even when unseen—helps nurture faith. Over time I have learned that God has a completely different timetable than we have. Patience is the best tool to help with His timing. If you are impatient, you might not see what God has for you.
7. Routine Becoming Mechanical: Repeating the same prayers every day can make them feel automatic rather than heartfelt. Incorporate new ways to pray, such as praying through scripture, spontaneous prayers, or writing out prayers.
8. Feeling Overwhelmed: Sometimes, prayer feels overwhelming—especially if there’s a lot on your heart. Start small; a simple “Thank You, God” or “Lord, guide me today” can keep prayer meaningful without feeling burdensome.
The good news is that overcoming these challenges strengthens your faith and helps build a lasting, authentic connection with God. Do any of these challenges feel familiar to you?
Building a consistent prayer routine can be deeply rewarding, but like any habit, it comes with challenges. Challenges that can be overcome with the Lord’s help and guidance.
Different Prayer Styles
There are many different styles of prayer, each offering a unique way to connect with God. Here are some you might find meaningful that you can use when prayers become stale or uninspired:
1. Adoration (Praise): This type of prayer focuses on worshiping God for who He is. Instead of asking for anything, you simply praise His greatness, love, and power. Example: “Lord, You are holy and mighty. I worship You for Your goodness and faithfulness.”
2. Thanksgiving: A prayer of gratitude, where you thank God for His blessings, guidance, and presence in your life. Example: “Thank You, Lord, for the ways You have shown Your love today.”
3. Supplication (Petition): This is a prayer of asking—whether for personal needs, guidance, or strength. Example: “Lord, please grant me wisdom in this situation and help me trust in Your plan.”
4. Intercession: Praying on behalf of others, lifting up their needs, struggles, and desires to God. Example: “Father, I pray for my friend who is struggling. Please bring them peace and healing.” Remember, there are also family members that may need your prayer, so keep then in mind.
5. Confession & Repentance: A prayer of acknowledging sins and seeking forgiveness. Example: “Lord, I confess my shortcomings. Please cleanse my heart and help me walk in Your ways.” FYI: Confess directly to God, no matter what any religion tells you. Read: 1 Timothy 2:5 – 1 John 1:8-10 – Psalm 32: 3-5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We would love to hear your thoughts by emailing us below or in the comments box.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
6. Lament: Expressing sorrow, grief, or frustration to God, trusting Him with your pain. Example: “God, I feel lost and overwhelmed. Please comfort me and remind me of Your presence.”
7. Listening Prayer: Instead of speaking, you sit in silence, listening for God’s guidance and presence. Example: Spend time in quiet reflection, asking God to speak to your heart.
8. Praying Scripture: Using Bible verses as prayers, aligning your heart with God’s Word. Example: Praying Psalm 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’
9. Breath Prayers: Short, simple prayers repeated throughout the day. Example: “Jesus, give me peace.” or “Lord, I trust You.”
10. Warfare Prayer: Praying against spiritual attacks, asking for God’s protection and strength. Example: “Lord, guard my heart and mind. Let Your truth be my shield.”
Each style of prayer serves a different purpose, and you can mix and match them depending on your needs and circumstances. Which one resonates most with you? We would love to hear from you with your thoughts, ideas or suggestions. You can email us at: john@ourdividedworld.com and jean@ourdividedworld.com.
H John & Jean
Our Divided World Ministry
john@ourdividedworld.com
jean@ourdividedworld.com
https://ourdividedworld.com
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