I Don’t Know How to Spend Time with God

There are some very practical steps to building a powerful prayer life. When I first came to a relationship with Christ, I didn’t know how to spend time with God. I couldn’t see Him or feel Him, and no one gave me a manual to help me build a prayer life. 

I had never seen a normal person pray. I respected my priests and saw them lift up their hands or bow their heads, but they were special. They were holy in my mind, and I was a hockey player who cussed and drank too much.

Who taught you how to pray? How did you learn? 

The Bible tells us of a difficult season in the life of Jesus. “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.” (Matthew 26:40, NIV) When I read this verse, my immediate answer was absolutely not. One hour of prayer was not for me. I struggled with attention deficit disorder, and five minutes seemed like an eternity. 

How would I ever spend an hour in prayer with God? What would I do? What would I say? How could I hear God answer me? I had more questions and frustrations about prayer than any other spiritual issue. Can you relate to my frustrations? I felt like a failure.

I was so excited when my friends at A Miracle Every Day asked me to do this week-long series on tips to spend time with God. No one taught me how to create these times with God. I learned through trial and error. It’s my prayer these tips will help you build something pretty incredible. 

Today’s tip is purpose. Why are you praying? What would you like to get out of it? Take a few moments and ask yourself these questions. I believe God has a purpose: He wants to meet with you, speak to you, and be your friend. 

I’m praying your times in prayer will be times with God.

Because you’re a miracle,

And I’m Paul Marc Goulet.

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day . If you want to receive an email every day, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day. By subscribing, you will receive an E-book!