Awaken The Dawn

First Things First

Lack of fresh content. When the ministers in the survey list- ed the fourth hindrance to consistency in prayer as “lack of fresh content,” they did not mean there was a lack of things to pray for; rather, they were saying there was a paucity of inspiration, incentive, concern, faith, and prob- ably most important—a sense of God’s involvement with their own concerns. It is indeed spiritually debilitating to pray daily in the same manner for the same things. Monotonous, ritualistic wooden prayer can easily impede even the most inspiring devotional prayer. How many times have I actually gone to sleep while on my knees, only to wake with a deeper shame that my prayer life is so anemic? Two things have helped me over- come this. First, I schedule a time for prayer. Second, at the appointed time for prayer, I stir myself to pray. I change my posture constantly. I stand, sit, walk, lie down, kneel, pray silently, pray out loud in English—at times, I pray in the Spirit-given prayer language of glossolalia or “tongues.” 9 Even if it seems your prayer life is dying, start praying with diligence and fervor each morning on a regular basis and you will soon discover a new fresh- ness and inspiration taking place. You will be surprised at the stimulating prayer-thoughts that the Holy Spirit will bring to you if you will take the time to listen! Do not be discouraged by dryness or low feelings. One of the most effective ways to involve your total per- son in prayer is to use the Bible. Learn to pray the words of the Bible; personalize the verses as your pray-read. Pump enthusiasm into your daily morning prayer, and you will reap a fresh, new, and vigorous spiritual life. Combine enthusiasm with proper time management and 17