Six Steps to a More Engaging Prayer LifeShembull

Possibly no one minister is more credited in bringing national revival to England in the 18th century than John Wesley. Beyond England, Wesley and his brother Charles were spiritual revolutionaries. They founded the Methodist Church, fundamentally changed American Christian history, and truth be told, affected worldwide Christendom forever. If you asked Wesley the secret of his success, he would unequivocally say that it was prayer that was catalytic for everything he did. As a matter of fact, John Wesley is credited for saying, “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” 

Wesley’s words actually give me great hope. Prayer is the great leveling ground for all believers. Although we may or may not be called to pioneer a global Christian reformation, prayer gives us all immediate and equal access to the God that John and Charles prayed to. This same miracle-working God is longing to meet us in prayer to partner with Him in reforming our spheres of influence! Interestingly, prayer is the only construct that we have a record of, that the disciples specifically asked Jesus to teach them. But how do we go about it? Years ago, I was asking this very question as there are countless books on prayer and even more thoughts of how it should look. In my time with the Lord, I felt Him impress my spirit to take the word “prayer” and make an acrostic out of it as a guide. I am sharing this example hoping that it will help you visualize a more effective way to pray. 

Prayer: Lord, I ask that as I intentionally draw near to You these next few moments, that You would draw near to me and speak to my heart in a fresh and transformative way.