A daily time of connecting to God through prayer can be invaluable for spiritual growth. But sometimes it’s hard to find the time each day or make daily prayer time a regular habit.
Here are some ideas for cultivating a daily prayer practice that will help you establish it as an integral part of your life:
- Start a gratitude journal. Write a list of four or five things you are grateful for every day. You might want to bookend your gratitude entries with “Dear God” and end them, “Love, (your name).” Reading these entries aloud is a way to experiment with vocal prayer. Rereading the entries later can help you notice the ebb and flow of attention to different aspects of your life.
- Light a candle. This simple act of bringing your attention and intention to the practice of prayer can help bring you into the present and increase your awareness of your relationship with God. When you travel, you can take the candle with you to help establish a special prayer place wherever you go.
- Use a prayer chair and prayer shawl. Placing a shawl around your shoulders or a scarf around your neck is a way of engaging intentionally in prayer. It is an outward reminder of your intention to enter into your prayer practice. Similarly, sitting in the same chair or in a place designated in your home for your daily prayer helps you prepare your heart to meet God each day.
- Use a daily reader. Consider starting your daily prayer time with a short reading from the Bible or a daily inspirational reader. You might rotate different readers or take a break from them altogether if they aren’t helpful. A reader should be a tool, not a shackle. Sometimes it’s helpful to read, then journal, before beginning to pray.
A daily practice of prayer can change your life in many ways. By using these tools, you can begin to make this time a regular habit.
