Physical Pray-ers
Perhaps you ’ ve noticed that some biblical people approached or offered themselves to God in a physical manner . Jacob wrestled with the Lord , and Joshua responded with obedience . Many fasted as they sought God ’ s direction , safety , protection and help : Ezra , Nehemiah and Esther , for example . They put their whole body into their interaction with God .
Examining how people in the Bible prayed shows us there ’ s freedom in how we too can approach the Lord
Examining how people in the Bible prayed shows us there ’ s freedom in how we too can approach the Lord . God made each of us unique . We present ourselves to the world in different manners and look at life in divergent ways . We view and approach work and ministry from different perspectives . So too our spiritual practices , such as prayer , will not have a cookie-cutter sameness . We can even attempt to emulate Jesus and His praying practices and prayers , but we will have our own unique spin on our prayers .
So how do we find our natural praying style ? Over the last several decades , I ’ ve lived with a lot of guilt about what I felt I wasn ’ t doing . I tried writing out my prayers but found I couldn ’ t keep up with that practice . I tried a notebook system with different lists for each day of the week but that too went by the wayside . Others encouraged me to create a prayer closet — after all , didn ’ t Jesus tell us to go there every day ( Matthew 6:6 )? But with four kids and the teeniest closets , there was no room in any of those for me .
With prayerwalking , however , I found my prayer groove — a practice that helped develop not only a passion to pray for my community but also a praying-without-ceasing lifestyle . As we consider our God-given personality and all its traits and behaviors , we can find a prayer style that will make sense . And then we can experience God ’ s presence with us all day long . CRA
THE PRAYING PERSONALITIES
Problem Solver
• Approaches prayer quickly from a problem-solving perspective .
• Keeps prayers purposeful , succinct and focused .
• Prayer suggestions : go on a prayerwalk , pray while exercising , post reminders , fast .
Friend of God
• Approaches prayer as relational time with God .
• Loves praying with others .
• Prayer suggestions : use worship music , round up the family to pray daily , speak to God aloud .
Organized Pray-er ( Lamenter )
• Sees prayer as an emotional , yet disciplined practice .
• Needs to have a quiet place to pray away from the world .
• Prayer suggestions : use a notebook system , keep a journal of prayers , create a prayer spot in your home .
Peace Seeker
• Goes to prayer to restore personal peace .
• Sees prayer time as an informal but steady practice .
• Prayer suggestions : consider using prayer books to jumpstart a quiet time , use prayer apps , develop a simple prayer routine using an acronym such as ACTS ( adoration , confession , thanksgiving , supplication ). heart & soul
A national speaker , Janet McHenry has authored 26 books , including The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus . She serves as prayer ministries coordinator at The Bridge Church in Reno and on the California leadership team for the National Day of Prayer . She can be reached through her website : www . janetmchenry . com .
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