First, make prayer thoughtful. Obviously prayer is sometimes a “spur of the moment” action, but there should be certain times during the day at which prayer is planned and expected. Those occasions might be immediately after waking up, before each meal, before departing the house for the day, just before going to bed, or a variety of other times. Whether prayer is spurious or planned, thought should be put into what is being said. Now, do not confuse being thoughtful with scripting prayer with what Christ referred to as “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7). God, through Paul, gave suggestions as to those things upon which man may think and express gratitude to Him for providing. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there by any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Anything that is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or of good report comes from God and we should be thankful for them. If we were to address any powerful figure in the world, we would likely put thought into what we would say when meeting them. Should God receive anything less?
Second, make prayer personal. Just because prayer should be thoughtful does not mean that prayer cannot or should not be personal. Throughout the Bible are provided examples of people who would literally pour their hearts out in prayer unto God knowing that it was only upon Him they could rely. One need not read too far into the book of Psalms, especially, before they see it to be a reality. Psalms 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, etc. all are examples of occasions on which the Psalmist, David or other, literally laid it all out. Christ, Himself, multiple times in recorded prayers poured His heart out unto the Father, none more perhaps than in the Garden. In Luke 22:41-44, the physician poignantly illustrates the degree of anguish Christ felt and expressed in His prayer to His father:
“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Perhaps prayer had never been and never will be more personal. There are times in our lives in which we need to and can pour our hearts out unto God relying upon Him and Him alone for strength. That is His promise and that is our hope.
Third, make prayer effectual. James 5:16 is perhaps one of the most, if not the most, quoted verse from the Bible as pertaining to prayer. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer, then should be effectual and fervent, but what does that mean. The word translated “effecual fervent” is literally defined by Strong’s as “to be active, efficient.” To make prayer effectual then means we should have active prayer lives. Sadly, too many view prayer as a chore, and thus lead inactive, lazy, lackadaisical lives of prayer—and then often wonder why their prayers might not be answered according to their desire. If we want prayer to avail much as James says it can, we must effectually and fervently, be leading active lives of prayer. Ultimately it comes down to Paul’s words of I Thessalonians 5:17—”Pray without ceasing.” Prayer can be and is a powerful tool in the life of a child of God, thus DON’T GIVE UP!!!
Like most other parts of our lives, we should desire our prayer lives to grow and thrive. It is our greatest opportunity this side of heaven to commune with God. Thus in the words of the Hebrews writer, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).