7 Steps to a Consistent Prayer Life

Prayer can change your life in several ways, but the most important aspect is deepening your relationship with God. Over the years, I have established a daily prayer routine and learned the steps for building a consistent prayer life.

Before you start the seven steps to a consistent prayer life, please be sure to give yourself grace. No one in this life is perfect, and no one does prayer perfectly, either. This is an opportunity to grow and hopefully learn something new that will enrich your prayer life.

He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, – Luke 18:1 (WEB)

The most important thing to remember is to use this as an opportunity to form your relationship with Christ. Prayer is not a burden; it is a privilege to approach the throne of grace with boldness.

Step 1: Dedicated Prayer Schedule

When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before. – Daniel 6:10 (WEB)

Recently, I tried switching my prayer to nighttime instead of in the morning before I began work. While I think this was beneficial, it was challenging to change my routine.

Once you establish a rhythm and routine for your prayer, it will be difficult to stop praying or even skip a day.

I was so used to my morning prayer that I could not change it to prayer in the evening. I don’t think the time is important, and I can see the benefit of praying at different times of the day. However, making changes to a routine is difficult, and it will take time to establish a new prayer time.

Daniel 6:10 shows that he prayed three times a day. I pray throughout the day, but I have a dedicated time in the morning for structured prayer. I think structure is essential and creates discipline and consistency in prayer. This is especially important when life is hard, or you are going through a trial.

Just like Daniel’s prayer when a trial arose, once you have a prayer routine, you will know what to do when you are struggling or facing a trial: pray.

Step 2: Create A Peaceful And Distraction Free Environment

But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. – Matthew 6:6 (WEB)

Having a distraction-free environment is best for structured prayer times throughout the day. While your prayer life does not have to be centered around a perfectly aesthetic environment, having a place to go will help you stay focused on prayer.

Step 3: Use Different Postures In Prayer

Oh come, let’s worship and bow down. Let’s kneel before Yahweh, our Maker, – Psalm 95:6 (WEB)

I don’t kneel while praying. However, changing your posture during prayer can be helpful if you feel like your current prayer routine isn’t working.

Changing your posture is also a good opportunity to shift your focus if you are praying at work or outside of your structured prayer time.

For example, you could simply fold your hands and close your eyes when you are praying at work or somewhere else besides your favorite prayer room.

Step 4: Start Small And Build Consistency

 Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are Yahweh’s eyes, which run back and forth through the whole earth.” – Zechariah 4:10 (WEB)

Christians can put a lot of pressure on themselves regarding their prayer life. It is vital to approach prayer with fear of God and reverence towards your time with Him. But I think the most important thing to remember is the goal of prayer.

Prayer is an opportunity for you to go to God and share what is on your heart. God knows what you need before you even ask Him, but showing up to the throne of grace through prayer means a lot to Him and your spiritual growth.

God knows your needs, but do you? Becoming aware of what you share with God through prayer is key to being fruitful in your life.

Step 5: Incorporate Scripture Into Prayer

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path. – Psalm 119:105 (WEB)

I think we all get a little stumped about what to pray for. There are many times in my life when I feel like a “broken record,” asking God for the same thing repeatedly. But knowing God’s Word, His character, and His will is helpful in deepening our requests.

You have to remember what God promises and what He wants for those around you. When you incorporate scripture into your prayer, you will be praying for what is on God’s heart, too.

Step 6: Use A Prayer Journal

Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it. – Habakkuk 2:2 (WEB)

My morning structured prayer time includes using this prayer journal.

My prayer journal uses the ACTS prayer model, and every single day, I write down the following:

• Bible Verse: I use the Youversion Bible app’s verse of the day.
• Adoration: I use this moment to validate God’s character.
• Confession: One of my favorite parts of my prayer time is sharing the unfiltered parts of my heart with God.
• Requests: I have a spot for my requests, family requests, friends requests, community (My Church) requests, and requests for my country.
• Gratitude: I have a spot to write down seven things I am grateful for.

My prayer journal brings a lot of structure and routine to my morning prayer time.

Step 7: Stay Accountable And Pray With Others

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.” – Matthew 18:20 (WEB)

If you ever have an opportunity to pray with someone, do it. Participate in your church’s prayer and fasting seasons. Praying with and for others has grown my prayer life so much.

When I feel overwhelmed and depressed about my own needs and my prayers not getting answered as quickly or in the ways I had hoped, I am always encouraged and honored to pray for the needs within my community. Sometimes, I ask about how I can pray for them, or I just visit my church’s prayer board and go through those requests.

Conclusion

Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (WEB)

You do not need a structured prayer time, routine, or a special prayer closet to go to God and make your requests known to Him. It is God’s will for every believer to pray without ceasing. This means He wants you to pray about everything, especially the things weighing on your heart and keeping you from Him.

However, having a structured prayer routine and place will help you form that habit and ensure you bring everything to Him. Cultivating a lifestyle of prayer is an opportunity for you to grow your relationship with God and invite Him into your life every single day, multiple times per day.