Prayer Practice

A wise person said: "Practice makes perfect"; indeed it does - and even if you do not become perfect, you sure become better at whatever you practise. This is true and applicable in every aspect of life and even with respect to Prayer. The only way to learn how to pray is to pray; the only way to get better at praying is to keep praying better prayers. The quality of our prayers improve with practice - at least mine have. In summary: "The only way to pray is to pray, and the way to pray well is to pray much." (Anonymous)

Taking on from this, there are at least 7 things I believe can make our prayers more effective...I pray you find it useful:
Purposeful - we must always pray on purpose and with purpose. Now, this does not mean that we must always come asking God for things - no not at all! Our purpose for prayer could (& should more often) be just to praise and worship Him for Who He is. One of my pastors said: "Praise is the highest form of prayer." Unfortunately, it is sometimes the most neglected part of prayer.
Regular - we must make prayer part of our daily routine...but never look upon it as a chore. It may be a special time of the day as well as special spots in the day. Realizing that prayer is just a breath away, we can actually pray "without ceasing" and "without season". (I like to pray while doing my chores too.)
Acknowledge God - prayer is an acknowledgement that we need God - well, I do. Indeed, when we realise that "without Him we can do nothing"* and begin to rely on Him continuously, we'll be and remain on the path to success. Proverbs 3:5 - 6 says: "Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Amplified Bible). God even promised that we will hear Him telling us where to go.**
Yearn for God - prayer is most beneficial when we desire for God, not His gifts. Prayer is an avenue to be like Moses, knowing God, His word and ways: "He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel." (Psalm 103:7; New King James Version)
Earnest - be sincere in your prayers; there's no point in being dishonest to God. God knows everything anyway and the sooner we tell Him as it is, the sooner He will address any issues and help us advance in life.
Respect - Our prayers must be said respectfully...God respects those who respect Him (1 Sam 2:30b).

Put together: I believe that effective prayers are those that are: Purposeful Regular Acknowledgement of & Yearning for God Earnestly and Respectfully. Now that's a mouthful...my prayer is that our mouths will be full of effective prayers. It all starts with practising and then making prayer a personal "practice" - yes just like any professional practice.

Open up your "Prayer Practice"...and go to "work" everyday.

God bless.

*John 15: 5: "I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." (Amplified Bible)
**Isaiah 30: 21: "And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left." (Amplified Bible)