Over the next several episodes, I want to talk about ten ways that will help you grow spiritually, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, and practically live the authentic Christian life.
Most Christians know that prayer is important and that they should pray more … but how?
One of the best ways to grow in our spiritual lives as believers is to spend intentional time with God in prayer.
In this episode, Nathan gives practical helps on what it means to cultivate a habit of prayer so that we deepen in our intimacy and communion with God.
Listen to or download the episode
Prayer and Communion with Christ
Paul had a burden for prayer for those he ministered to
- Romans 1:9 – For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how without ceasing I make mention of you …
- Philippians 1:3–5 – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, because of your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
- Colossians 1:9 – For this reason also, since the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Multiple types of prayer in Scripture
- Ephesians 6:18 – … praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints …
- Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Best way to learn how to start praying
The best way to learn how to pray is not picking up a book on it (though I do love E.M. Bounds) … but to actually pray.
A.W. Tozer wrote, “It is well that we accept the hard truth now: the man who would know God must give time to Him! He must count no time wasted, which is spent in the cultivation of His acquaintance. He must give himself to meditation and prayer hours on end. So did the saints of old, the glorious company of the apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets and the believing members of the holy Church in all generations. And so must we if we would follow in their train!”(1)
So the best way to learn how to pray is to start to pray … and as you pray, ask God to give you a heart and passion for prayer.
Start small. Like going to the gym—it is better to be consistent over time (even if it means less time at the beginning) than to have one amazing day and then never do it again.
Ideas to help you start praying
- ACTS – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
- Hour of Power – 12 things for 5 minutes each
- Pray Scripture
- The Psalms are great to pray through Scripture
- Ephesians 1:17–19 – I pray that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to me the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the full knowledge of You, I pray that the eyes of my heart having been enlightened—I will know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of Your power toward me who believes according to the working of the might of Your strength.
- Two books that might help you in learning how to pray Scripture:
- Handbook for Praying Scripture (William Varner)
- Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship (Kenneth Boa)
- Praying for key things on certain days (here is my list):
- Monday: Missionaries, Ministries
- Tuesday: Salvation of Souls, Areas of Growth in my life
- Wednesday: World issues, governmental authorities, other leadership
- Thursday: Friends
- Friday: Family
- Saturday: Marriages, Mentoring, and E.Alumni
- Sunday: Local Church, Persecuted Church
- Pray “Impossible” Prayers
- Spend time in prayer intentionally … and pray without ceasing
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without ceasing;
Listen to the series: 10 ways to grow spiritually
FOOTNOTES
(1) Aiden Wilson Tozer, God’s Pursuit of Man [former title: Divine Conquest] (Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread, 2007), 5.
Photo Credit: Pearl
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Question: How are you intentionally living a life of prayer? How is it deepening your spiritual life?
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About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is the host of the Deeper Christian Podcast and has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.
