5 habits that are killing your prayer life

Starting habits is good but we gotta get rid of the bad ones too

Welcome to our Wednesday Pep Talk. Open if you need a midweek motivation to keep praying!

Creating good habits to grow a prayer life are important. I’ll share some of those soon, but today I wanted to share some habits that many of us have in place that may be sabotaging us. It might be things that have become so routine, we don’t even notice them anymore. 

1. Checking your phone first thing.

Boring! Why is this on every list? Because it affects us way more than the 3 minutes we check our email or text messages right when we get up. We convince ourselves it will be quick and painless but has that ever happened? Sure we didn’t get an email with a customer cussing our lights out but did our focus shift even slightly?

Intake from the world before our quiet isn’t a good habit to keep. It puts me in a different mindset, and you might notice that even if you put it away and sit down to do your quiet time, you feel extra distracted. How do I know this? Because it still happens to me sometimes too. And every single time I regret it. But know what I’ve never regretted? Waiting to pick up my phone till after. 

2. Saving prayer for when you can focus.

We naively tell ourselves a better, quieter time is right around the corner, and it rarely comes. If you’re alone right now, just start praying out loud. You could pray in the car while washing dishes, making lunches, or doing your nightly skin routine. 

3. Ignoring the prompt to pray for someone.

Someone tells you about something heavy going on in their life, and you want to pray for them, but c’mon! You’re in the center of  a busy restaurant. You tell them you’ll pray for them but let’s be honest. We’ll forget. Maybe next time! If the Lord prompts you, don’t miss the opportunity!

4. Living an independent lifestyle.

The word co-dependant has a negative connotation, but this does not apply to our relationship with God. If you think it’s easier to fix your problem with a phone call, cash, or sweat equity, we won’t pray. If you pride yourself on being self-made or that you don’t need anyone you won’t pray. 

5. Turning a thought into a worry instead of a prayer.

Oh, y’all, this is easy to do! We don’t pray because we’re so distracted with things that we should be taking to God anyway. No one said you need to bury your feelings and put on a happy face to approach God in prayer. Let every time you worry be a trigger to pray. Those of us with anxiety are about to hit the jackpot in opportunities to pray! ;) #foundthesilverlining

Ok, I have more, but this is getting a little long, and I want you to think through these. Are any of these habits present in your own life? Do an inventory today! Share in the comments!

PSALM PRAYER

Each week I share one verse as I read through chapters of Psalms of something I can pray over. 

Psalm 45:17

“I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.”

Lord, I want to praise your name throughout my life and point everyone I know to you. Show me how to do that today. Show me what it looks like to make your name remembered in future generations. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

RESOURCE LIBRARY

We may have abruptly ended our podcast, Prayer in a Noisy World, (my podcast producer became our pastor ; ) but there’s a whole archive of encouraging posts to listen to on your commute, an afternoon walk or morning workout. Drop in the comments what topic you’d like to learn about and I’ll find you the perfect episode. 

JOURNAL HACK

Pray through one section of your prayer journal a day! This is such a simple tip, but I didn’t realize how many people assumed that you needed to pray through all the sections each day! Only try it if you want to quit. ;) I kid, but for the majority of us with limited time, make space for one section a day, and I think you will be blown away by how much you will pray for in a month that you wouldn’t pray for otherwise. 

Don’t have a prayer journal yet? Grab one right here.

ASKING QUESTIONS

Last week, we asked, “Is my life too full?” If you see cool things happening in the lives of believers around you, definitely check this post out!

Next week, we’re asking, “Is the Diderot effect making me miserable?”

Happy Wednesday, Friends! Genuinely, I am praying for you!

Val