How often do you sit, kneel, lie in bed, or stand for prayer and find yourself struggling? Struggling to find something to say to God beyond the same worn out phrases? Struggling to think of something fresh for once? I’ve been there.
If you’re a Christian, you know that we need to pray. Like M.C. Hammer once rapped, “We got to pray, just to make it today.” I know, I’m dating myself quoting M. C. Hammer, but some things are hard to forget. Of course the Apostle Paul stated, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2; NIV). 
Jesus reminded His disciples of the need to pray and not give up on coming before God with our needs in prayer (Luke 18:1-8). But what happens when prayer seems to become so routine that you feel like you’re just saying the words and forgetting what is behind those words?
May I encourage you to change things up here and there? If you would like to consider two ways to freshen up your prayer life by changing the context, keep reading.
1) Walk and pray. Why not go outside, in the midst of God’s incredible creation, and bear your heart out to God? Don’t worry about looking crazy. Have you seen the number of people on Bluetooth headsets talking to someone and looking real crazy? I have. If people can get away with talking to someone on a phone you can’t see, surely you can walk and pray. Of course, you don’t have to talk out loud to God, especially if people are around—and especially if you’re confessing sin. Praying while walking can remind you of how great God is, for as Romans 1 reminds us, creation reveals God’s “eternal power” and “divine nature.”
2) Write out your prayers. Every day many of us are writing emails, Facebook posts, and text messages. Why not write out your prayer to God? Writing out your prayer to God will help you get out of those ruts of saying the same thing over and over again. When you write out your prayers, it forces you to carefully articulate yourself before God. A journal may be a good place to write out your prayers before God. Think about this: the Psalms, for instance, are written out prayers before God! All we are doing when we write out our prayers before God is joining a tradition found in Scripture.
I know there are many other ways of praying, but the two above are worth a shot to change things up. If you would like to add some more ways you find helpful for keeping your prayer-life fresh, feel free to add them in the comment section below. Would love to hear from you.
It’s true at some point prayer feels like a routine probalbly since it’s the one prayer I have known all my life ever since I was a kid.
I really want to know how to pray, connect with God but I don’t know how or where to start.
Benard’s idea sounds hopeful since I too have a creative mind.
Thank for the great ideas.
Hi Rachel, glad this discussion could be of help to you. Wishing you God’s best in your journey with Him.
Josh! This is a nicely written article at just the right length. Sure you could have added more ways but as an often demonstrated, short-attentioned man especially when reading, I appreciated the brevity 🙂 Thanks to God for using you to refresh me about my prayer life today. A few years ago when I was a single man and abiding with God at a greater level I used to talk with God everywhere I went, even while shopping. I’d be walking, browsing aisles and thanking God for such a good life–generalizing here–and asking Him which item I should purchase. Ha! This is just one example of how I connected to Him. I find it a real challenge to maintain an effective prayer life now being 5 years married and daddy to both an eight month old boy and 2 year old girl. With the great responsibility of leading this precious family, I feel my prayer life should be flourishing. So, needless to say, I’m seeking a richer prayer life at this moment. I’ve never been one to write things down much–except my lil grocery lists and sentiments in greeting cards–but perhaps I should try putting down on paper what’s on my heart to God. Please remember me in prayer as I make a genuine attempt to do something new that I know will ultimately please Him.
**Wow! This is the most I’ve typed in a while outside of cover letters during my recent job searches. And I believe this is my first ever online comment to anyone’s blog, editorial, etc. A milestone since I’ve never had a MySpace, Facebook or Linked In. I just don’t feel the draw to social media. “God, are you on that’s potter’s wheel again?” 😀 ** (And thanks to my loving wife Jackie for her constant encouragement in my walk with God!)
Hi Paul, great to hear from you! And yeah, I’m honored you would respond in light of not being the type of person who engages on social media, etc. Praying in the mall, yeah, great thought, I’ve tried that too. Helpful in the winter! 🙂 And I totally hear you on prayer being a challenge at times with the more responsibilities at home. Will definitely remember you in the prayers Paul! Keep in touch!
One way that I encourage people who are very artistic and creative is that using art to be a part of their prayer life. Paint as you pray out and listen to God… play and jam with God on your guitar or your piano…
I believe God has wired us creatively with very unique pathways to Himself and we need to celebrate these unique ways 🙂
Hi Bernard, great to hear from you! Great thoughts, especially for those who are creative! I’ve seen a couple of people paint and pray in the past, I’d like to see more of that–quite fascinating. Keep in touch!