Book recommendation

Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray- A very readable and a quick read, this book is guaranteed to jump-start your prayer life. Hybels offers patterns and techniques to aid you on whatever stage you may be in your prayer path, yet also encourages you to “customize an approach that will still your racing mind and body, soften your heart and enable you to hear God’s still, small voice”. One of my favorite techniques is writing out your prayer. Maybe you, like me, sometimes find yourself repeating words over in your prayer without thinking about their meaning (“…holy God…heavenly father…”). I find myself doing this when my mind is distracted; the repeated words act as a sort of filler while I focus on the distracting thought. I’ve found that I do not include any needless repetitions when writing out my prayer (which takes some time). I also love to go back and read my prayers and see answered prayer. Hybels also addresses the age-old question of why some prayer is answered, and some not.

Written Prayer

Dear Jesus, How desperately I need to learn to pray. And yet, when I am honest, I know that I often do not even want to pray.
I am distracted!
I am stubborn!
I am self-centered!
In Your mercy, Jesus, bring my “wants” more in line with my “needs”, so that  
I can come to want what I need.
In Your name and for Your sake, I pray. – Amen.

Prayer Scripture

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He’s done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard you hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 & 7 (NLT)

Try This - Breathe Prayer ( A great way to stay connected in the midst of a busy day)

Start with a short phrase (no more than 7-8 syllables) that focuses on something you’d like be done to you or in you; a short portion of a Psalm works great here, such as “God, fill me with your love.” Or “Create in me a clean heart God”, “God, fulfill Your purpose in me.” Or something Psalm-like such as “My soul waits for you O God.” Repeat it over and over, with each breathe, thinking about what it means. Another great way to use this is with each inhale to think of the phrase “More of You” while visualizing taking in God. With each exhale think the words, “Less of me”. It’s also great to add a single word after each phrase, ie, “More of You – peace. (Inhale) “Less of me- stress” (Exhale). Even on the busiest days, I find this keeps me connected.

Prayer Quote

“Prayer is the center of the Christian life. It is the only necessary thing…” Henri Nouwen.  Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?