by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
Each of us could probably stand to improve our private prayer life. Prayer is a powerful
resource, and a gift from God, but we likely fail to realize just how important it is. Consequently,
we fail to take full advantage of the privilege of prayer in our private lives. Here are a few
suggestions for improving our use of this amazing “avenue of approach” given to us by God
himself:
- Find a time in your daily routine that works for a unique prayer. I am not talking here
about prayers before meals, or “programed” prayers written or led by others. I am referring to a
quiet time in your day when you can pour your heart out to God on a regular basis. This may be in
the early morning hours just after you get up from bed. Or, maybe during a daily commute or some
other activity which affords an opportunity for prayer. It may be in the evening hours before you
go to bed. Whenever it is, try to make it a regular “appointment” with God, so you can get into the
habit of doing it faithfully. - Don’t fret if sometimes you can’t keep the appointment. Schedules change, emergencies
happen, and sometimes we may not be able to pray at length at a given time. But prayer is a
welcome privilege, not a checkbox. We should not feel like we are praying because we have to
squeeze it in between other things. If for some reason, we are unable, or if it doesn’t work out one
day, just do it the next time. - Think of your private prayers as a conversation with a trusted friend. God loves us and
wants us to know He is there for us. He is the same God of whom Moses said, “And Jehovah, he
it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear
not, neither be dismayed,” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Private prayer is a time for “casting all your
anxiety upon him, because he careth for you,” (1 Peter 5:8). - Don’t hesitate to repeat prayer requests which are heavy on your heart. The Bible does not
condemn repetitions, but “vain” or useless repetitions. In fact, our Lord taught us the value of
persistent prayer, (see Luke 18:1-8). - Remember that God operates on His timetable, not necessarily on ours. Don’t be
discouraged if your request does not seem to be heard immediately. Sometimes the right answer
to our prayers is “No” or at least “Not now.” God is faithful and he knows what is best. He also
knows it is good for us to open our hearts to Him and bring our requests before His throne. - Be thankful in your private prayers. It must be disappointing for God to hear his children
who are so richly blessed regularly fail to acknowledge those blessings. I recognize that we have
many requests, and many issues heavy on our hearts. But if we stop and think about it, we are
blessed beyond measure, and surely our prayers should reflect that awareness on our part. As Paul
instructed the Philippians, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” (Philippians 4:6 emphasis added). - Don’t make a show of praying. Prayer is not a performance, or a time to impress someone.
Jesus said, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door,
pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee,”
(Matthew 6:6). - Change the time and place if necessary. Sometimes the house can be noisy and distracting.
Try to find a place to escape the confusion. A secluded spot in the yard or in the woods may be
better. Make it a place where you feel comfortable. God is ever present, and He will meet you
there, wherever it is.
Strong Christians are prayerful people. Prayer is part of their regular routine. It is not a
strange, contrived or unusual practice for them, and you can see by the way they live that they
are accustomed to comfortably speaking with God. Each of us should constantly strive to
improve our private prayer lives. We should remember that this is a beautiful privilege from
God, and we should take full advantage of it.
