3 steps to a new prayer lifestyle

Do you sometimes feel drained and think that your prayer life is falling short? Maybe you are new to faith and don't have much experience with prayer yet. Maybe you currently only pray in emergencies or your prayers feel a bit mechanical and lifeless. Jesus shows us that prayer is not the last resort, but the foundation for your relationship with God.

Step 1: Pray

Although Jesus was a busy man, he deliberately made time for prayer. He got up early when it was still dark or withdrew to pray (cf. Mark 1:35). He shows us that prayer is not the last resort in crisis situations, but a priority in our everyday lives that gives us the strength to overcome our challenges. When we repeatedly seek God's perspective, our thinking also changes and we receive new strength and new love for our fellow human beings.

Step 2: Observe

Jesus was aware of how God worked in his surroundings. He said that he did nothing on his own initiative, but only what he saw the Father doing. We too are invited to observe God's actions in our lives and our surroundings - especially the miracles in our everyday lives that we so easily overlook. How often do we go through the day and miss the signs of God's presence? Perhaps an unexpected moment of peace, an encouraging conversation with a friend or a surprising turn of events in a hopeless situation. God wants to bless you, but if you're not paying attention, you may miss God's small and big miracles around you.

Step 3: Confess

Paul and Silas prayed and praised God loudly in prison. Their time of praise was not hidden - the other prisoners heard them. This shows how courageously they testified to their faith, even in their greatest affliction. And that is exactly where God performed a great miracle. Their worship also led to the prison guard and his family coming to faith. Public confession often has a greater effect than we think. And God always gives us opportunities to share a short prayer or encouraging word with strangers and make a life-changing difference in another person's life.

Next Step: Find a quiet place for intentional prayer today. Trust that He only has good ideas for your life. If there is an opportunity to share your faith in the next few days, stay bold and share the experiences you have had with God. Perhaps it is your story that will lead another person to Jesus.