Pray: 14 Daily Moments to Quiet Your Mind & Center Your SoulSample

How often, where, and when do you typically pray to God? Do you pray silently? Out loud? Do you pray with other people? Praying in a group setting is a powerful way to praise God and bring our joint requests to Him. God's Word encourages us to pray with other people and also encourages God's people to pray individually, find a secluded place, and communicate with God one-on-one. We can do both as we approach living a more prayerful life.

Take a second to relax. Go to a comfortable and cozy spot, a place where your focus can be on this time of reflection with God. Take a deep breath. As you exhale, quiet your spirit and focus your mind on receiving from God's Word today.

Developing a rich prayer life requires setting aside time and space to meet with God each day. God knows that prayer is an intimate connection. It requires time and energy just like any relationship does. You can't cultivate a prayer life when you are distracted and preoccupied. You need intimacy, privacy, humility, and honesty in your time with God to build an authentic connection between you and Him.

God wants to meet with you. He wants to hear your every thought, every need, every hope, every frustration. Coming to God in prayer is simply extending an invitation for Him to hear what is in your heart. There's no right way to do it, and there's no wrong way to do it. Trusting that God loves you and wants to be known by you allows for a prayer life that is rich and purposeful. Trust God with your heart today.

PRAYER

God, You are so good. Your patience and grace astound me. I praise You because Your mercy is new every morning. You see me when I am hiding and ashamed. You see me when I am out in the world living well for You. There is no part of me that You reject or turn from. Lord, I admit that my prayers are sometimes self-serving. Sometimes I pray for others. Sometimes out of obligation. Sometimes out of fear. I know that You just want my heart. Thank You for being a God who just wants me. Thank You that You don't require extra work or effort to be close to You. Thank You for being trustworthy and giving me a safe space to be just who I am. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace at every moment of the day. I know that even now You are with me and You hear my prayers. Search my heart, God. Know my thoughts. Challenge my priorities and draw me closer to You. Help me to live a life of sacrifice and humility. Give me supernatural strength and endurance for the day ahead. Amen.