same old same old prayers... sound familiar?

5 methods of prayer that become all too common

I realized I don't pray. Not enough. And not in the right way. ~ Kristy Cambron     My prayer life was lacking... and too routine by Kristy Cambron, author of award-winning Christian fiction and the Bible study, Verse Mapping Acts I had just spent a glorious weekend at the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) annual conference.   I left St. Louis after four days of coffee dates with author friends, tons of hugs, amazing worship time, watching friends win Carol Awards, and laughing too many times to count. It was truly a weekend that uplifted and refreshed my writer's heart. And as you can imagine, the busy atmosphere could make it difficult to set aside specific quiet time with God. But in praying for a Godly connection this weekend, it just so happens I had a coffee shop meeting with an industry mentor that left me thinking on my prayer life for the four-hour drive home that followed…   I REALIZED I DON'T PRAY. NOT ENOUGH. AND NOT IN THE RIGHT WAY.   As a woman who loves Jesus and professes to follow Him, I began to realize that my prayer life had a pattern – and it's not exactly the one I was hoping for. As this mentor encouraged me over coffee, I began to realize that the presence I needed with Christ was not only lacking, I didn't even know how to strengthen it.   My prayers could be categorized (5) ways:   "I NEED YOU" PRAYERS —   These are big prayers. Immediate. They pour from our lips as we stand vigil by hospital beds, as we wait for a call from the doctor, when the bank account is in the red, and when we experience rejection and pain. We NEED God then, right? We're desperate. Reaching out. Nothing can help us but Him and in that moment of intense need, we fall to our knees. We make sure we have tissues in hand because we know we're going to be unloading a hefty amount of built-up burdens.   "DEAR SANTA" PRAYERS —    We have these prayers from time to time, when something really, really snazzy is just at the edge of our fingertips and we need Him to help us latch on. We may say a quick little prayer for a sports team to win that big game. Maybe our child could win that contest or score that goal. It'd be nice to get that promotion or take that dream vacation. It's the "Thanks for all you've given me, God, but can I have __________? Pretty, pretty please? I'd love that! Sincerely, the daughter you seldom hear from." prayers that make God less than the mighty, grace-filled, royal, loving, kind, redeeming, just, and jealous-for-our-whole-hearts God that He is and lowers him to the category of Santa in the sky. We'll pray to Him, sure. If we think it might turn into granting the wishes we let drop off our tongues.   "ROBOT" PRAYERS —    I've heard our little sons say it over and over: "Now I lay me down to sleep…" These prayers are the prescribed connections that we have with God. They start with a quick thanks, a request for what we want, and maybe a mention of someone who is sick or hurting. They may come during the daily devotional time we think we have to complete to stay in His good graces. We'll chat with Him for a bit, then sign-off with a flippant, "See ya!" and leave the conversation until we rush through it again tomorrow. These prayers are scripted, without depth, forgotten the moment they're said. More than the others, these prayers are dangerous because they leave us with a stilted, apathetic relationship with Christ the longer I allow the pattern to go on. Prayer: It's something the "good" Christian should do and in that, I think I'm safe.   "FINE. I'LL PRAY." PRAYERS —    By far, these are the most damaging prayers to our hearts. They are often born of regret, bitterness, frustration, and even outright anger with God. They start with, "Here's my problem God — the one you won't fix, by the way — and here's what You should be doing about it. You know my need, right? You know how that other person has hurt me. You know my finances, situation at work, my past and my pain… You know all of this and yet, you won't take it away. You're the God of the universe! So why are you putting me through this?" These prayers are long. Often unfocused. They're rants of the wounded and complaints of the righteous. They champion little in the our walk with Him, except to build walls between His face and ours.   "SUNDAY" PRAYERS —   It's Sunday. We're in the pew with head bowed. It's time we give God that nod He deserves. It's His time for the next 60 minutes, so we give that time block on our watch.  We'll do what the good child does and tip our hat to Him. We'll chat before we rush home to watch football. And we're super busy next week, so we think we could give Him another 60 minutes next Sunday morning.   Is any of this familiar? (Please tell me I'm not alone.)   All of the above prayers on focused on Productivity. And as this mentor talked me through over coffee, I was reminded to ask:   Where's the Presence? Where's the investment on my part? Where's the communion, the heart-full intimacy with God?    It's lacking. It's weak. And it's certainly nowhere to be found in the prayers above. Intimacy is gone and the marriage between God and my broken human heart is consistently fading away.   When do I sit in His presence just because I want to? Because I love Him. Because I desire grace. To have Him whisper my name and find that I run to the altar just because I was quiet enough to have heard His voice.   I'm sharing this song with you today because it speaks to who He is, and what our sincere prayer life can become.   He'll call us out.   He'll make us brave.   He'll banish the fear that can hinder us and stand steadfast in the promises He's made. But we have to know Him. We have to talk to Him. To listen and obey. We must desire genuine communion, with an open heart, more than we desire anything else on this earth. Daily. Without restraint. To make Him our Champion.   If you're walking the road of uncertainty, of desire for daily communion with the God of the universe – you're not alone. If this song spoke to you – you're not alone. And if you desire peace more than anything else – you are so not alone in it. We're walking the same road today. And the good news is – there's another prayer out there that will get us there. It's simple. It's open. It's beautiful and effective in turning our apathy to heart-hungry-humility before the throne.   JESUS + NOTHING = EVERYTHING   "EVERYTHING" PRAYERS —   I heard this once and my heart leapt with it… JESUS + NOTHING = EVERYTHING   This prayer is humble. It's open. Vulnerable and above all – it's true! Oh Jesus, you're everything. We know it. We may lose sight of it, but we still know it. And this prayer made of four little words says it all.   With Joy, Kristy   Originally published by Kristy Cambron at KristyCambron.com, copyright 2014-2021.   Your Turn   Maybe you can relate? How would you classify your prayers? Prayer doesn't have to complicated or routine... God simply wants your heart and to hear your most honest and real prayers!   If you'd love to learn more about the power of prayer, start reading the Book of Acts! There are about thirty references to prayer in the book of Acts— more than any book of the Bible! The book of Acts provides a recorded history of the vital role prayer played in the lives of the disciples and the early church.   Better yet, take it a step further and join us and Kristy Cambron for a six-week journey through the Book of Acts in our Verse Mapping: Acts Online Bible Study. We get started next Monday May 24th and you have one week left to sign up! JOIN THE STUDY SAVE ON STUDY RESOURCES Save up to 35% off each study resource when you purchase from FaithGateway Store and get FREE U.S. shipping on all orders over $30.00.    The Verse Mapping Study Guide is your recommended resource to go along with the FREE study videos. It includes charts, individual reflection space, and all the sample Verse Maps and your blank maps for each week of the study. If you are leading a group through this study, you may also like the combo kit (study guide + DVD study).  STUDY GUIDE The Verse Mapping: Acts study guide will get you started on your verse mapping journey! It offers 6 weeks of video teaching notes, Bible exploration, reflections, and blank verse maps for you to complete each week. This is your go-to resource to help you in your personal Bible study along with the free videos.   *Optional extras: you may also want a Bible concordance with Hebrew/Greek dictionaries and a good Study Bible. Study guide, regular: $12.99 Sale: $9.09 (30% off) LEARN MORE COMBO KIT While your access to the videos will be free via online streaming week-by-week, if you need to follow a different schedule, or if you're in a setting without a great Internet connection, consider the DVD too! Each combo pack includes one study guide and one DVD.   *Get the combo kit if you prefer DVD format for your videos  ** The DVD also includes lifetime access to streaming video of all sessions.   Combo pack, regular: $41.99 Sale: $26.99 (35% off) LEARN MORE   Plus, don't miss the NEW Verse Mapping Bibles   Save 30% off NIV Verse Mapping Bible the perfect Bible companion to our study Regular: $44.99 to $64.99 Sale: $31.49 - $45.49 (30% off) LEARN MORE In the NIV Verse Mapping Bible, author Kristy Cambron expands her verse mapping curriculum series to include verses from the entire Bible, showing you how to compare Bible translations, pick out meaningful words, and delve into the true meaning of each verse using starter verse maps and prompts. Verse mapping will help you study the historical context, transliteration, translation, connotation, and theological framework of a verse. This unique study technique includes exploring Hebrew and Greek word studies, finding connections in Scripture, comparing Bible translations, and learning as much as you can from your time in God's Word.   Shop now and save... Don't wait... study starts one week from today! * Sale prices valid through 6/30/2021. Free U.S. shipping on orders $30+ - excluding Alaska and Hawaii. If you have questions about an order, please email our customer service team for assistance at customercare@harpercollins.com

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