Developing The Habit Of Praying

Q. I need help to develop a habit of praying.  I personally need help from the Lord to center my life around Him, but I forget to pray for it.  When I pray, I am easily distracted.  I “forget” what I am talking about and ramble foolishly, and never seem to “make contact” with the Lord.  What suggestions can you give me to “cure” this thing that keeps me away from the “closer walk” I want and need with God?

A. By definition a habit is an action repeated until it becomes automatic.  It begins with a conscious decision to do something that feels uncomfortable to do, then repeating it until it feels uncomfortable to not do.  If you want to form the habit of praying, start praying and don’t stop till it becomes a habit.  It can help to make a reminder and to set aside a specific time each day for prayer.  It can take as little as five minutes.

Remember, prayer is a just a conversation with God.  Don’t try make it into a formal presentation or think you have to use fancy language.  Begin by thanking Him for anything you feel grateful for, then ask him to forgive you for anything you need forgiveness for, then ask Him for anything you want, then thank him in advance for giving it to you. If you feel like saying something else say it. If not don’t.

As you become more comfortable it will come more easily and your conversation will become more casual.  When you finally realize He really is your constant companion, you’ll start making off hand comments to Him through out the day, thanking Him for little things that happen, asking for help or advice as needed, and so on.   But like all habits it all starts with a decision to begin.