Prayer - what puts you off?

Guys did you know big things happen when we pray? Satan knows it, it scares the Hell out of him - so he will try and stop us praying at all costs. If he can distract us from praying it's like stealing the bullets so the guns aren't effective... rendering us open to attack and the battle influenced. There is a very real battle going on all around in the spirit realm which we can totally miss in our busy lives and it's why prayer matters. Have you noticed though, when you try to make time to pray somethings always comes up? If it's not the phone or the postman, it's the sudden feeling of exhaustion which washes over you as soon as you begin to make a start. Or perhaps like many you feel daunted by the mechanics of 'how to pray'. Prayer can also at times feel a bit one way and this can effect our motivation and our faith. May I share some really practical keys I've found helpful?

• Know from the outset you'll be distracted press through this.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you, direct you as you pray.
• Look at what Jesus says about prayer (Mathew 6 v 5-15).
• Have a notepad beside you so you can write stuff down. (God is ok with this!)
• Personalise scriptures – write them out, declare them till they become your own. (here’s one of my fave’s Psalm 37 5-6)
• Write out the days of the week… allocate a person/situation to a day. Monday - Dad & Mum  Tuesday - people trafficking... and so on.
• Watch the news – what’s happening in our nation is our responsibility prayer wise (even covering one news item in prayer is brill).
• Pray with other people.

Beloved prayer is not fancy words or clever phrases it just you talking to the one person who really really cares about what you have to say and is listening to your every word.Why not go and have a chat with Him now, I know He'd just love to hear from you!

hugs Ruth x