A few weeks ago I shared my thoughts about praying for the details while someone we love is on deployment. Today I’m going to change direction. I want you to join me in asking yourself, “Am I in a prayer rut?”
We all know how important, no matter our circumstances, to have a habit of regular prayer. That’s not the kind of rut I’m referring to. What I want us to consider is when our prayers themselves become rote, and we are praying on auto-pilot.
Here are three questions to evaluate if you’re in a prayer rut:
1) Has prayer time become boring, with no highs or lows?
It’s never a good idea to always judge our spiritual place by the way we feel. But if our prayers elicit no emotion, and especially no peace, it’s time to evaluate where we are.
2) Am I praying for the same things, in the exact same order every time?
Again, the Bible does teach us to be diligent and persistent. I’m not talking about that. What I’m referring to are prayers that ask for the same things, using the same words, at the same time in each prayer. If we don’t have any variation, our prayer time—very likely—doesn’t reflect our lives. We’ve become disconnected.
3) Am I only praying for generalities?
If I’m only praying for categories of things, then it’s likely that my prayers are losing their uniqueness. We feel differently on different days, and our prayers should reflect that.
Here are five simple ways to help revitalize your prayers:
1) Write down your prayers.
Get a small notebook and instead of speaking your prayers, write them down. Then go one step further. As your prayers are answered, go back and record how exactly God answered your prayer.
2) Add color to your prayers by drawing them.
Again, get a small notebook, some colored pens or pencils, and begin drawing. No one will see your drawings except you, so don’t over-think this. Just let your inhibitions go wild and see where God’s Holy Spirit takes you.
3) Change your routine.
If you normally pray in the morning, pray at night. Or add an additional prayer time to your routine.
4) Change the place you pray.
If you normally pray in your bedroom, get outside. Take a walk and pray as you’re walking.
We all find ourselves in a prayer rut sometimes. And getting out isn’t difficult, but it takes determination. No matter where you are, God is always with you. Try something different and experience His voice in a new and precious way.
