I remember reading a story about a church in the US that had launched a 24/7 prayer room. Around that time, a lady named Aimee was chatting to her friend, John, when she suddenly remembered that it was time for her slot in the prayer room.
“I’ve got to go,” she excused herself, “I have an appointment with God”.
John looked confused, so Aimee explained and invited him to join her. During that hour, John encountered the Holy Spirit and gave his life to Christ!
John was living in a fraternity house with 33 other men. He began regularly visiting the prayer room and, one day, spotted a card simply asking for prayer for “The lost”. Immediately, his mind turned to his fraternity brothers. He shared this with Aimee and she prayed that God would give him boldness and courage to share his faith. Over the next six months, John led every one of those 33 men to Christ, one by one!!
That story always challenges me because it shows what can happen when prayer stops being something we squeeze into our schedules and becomes something we build our life around. Aimee didn’t change a campus by strategy, influence or platform. She simply kept showing up for her appointment with God, and God did the rest.
The early church “devoted themselves… to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Prayer wasn’t an occasional activity. It was woven into the fabric of their lives and relationships.
Perhaps the question for us isn’t whether we believe prayer works, but whether we’ll prioritise it. What could change in our families, workplaces, friendships, even our city, if we simply started showing up?
Wherever you’re at today, keep praying! And, if you’d like to go deeper, here are five simple ways to grow in prayer:
1. BOOK IT
Pick a time and place and stick to it. If home is too chaotic, go outside for a walk. If you do a 20-minute commute each day, use it (just don’t shut your eyes!). If you want a peaceful space, book into the Upper Room, our prayer room, at King’s House.
2. SLOW IT
The world wants everything to be fast and instantaneous but time with our Heavenly Father shouldn’t be rushed. Pausing and recognising Whom you are coming to is vital.
3. SILENCE IT
Prayer isn’t only about speaking. Of course, God loves to hear us but He also wants to speak to us. Create moments of silence and listen. A journal can be a helpful way to reflect on what God may be saying.
4. STRUCTURE IT
If you’re unsure where to start, use simple frameworks such as S.T.A.R.T. (this can be found in our Devoted resource booklets), P.R.A.Y. or following through the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, which are a few of my favourites (more info here).
5. UNLOAD IT
Lean into how you’re really feeling. The Psalms are full of emotion, God can take the frustration and anger, He doesn’t need a performance.
Let’s be a people who don’t merely talk about prayer but devote ourselves to it! As we do, we’ll discover that the greatest reward isn’t simply answered requests. It’s a deeper relationship with the God who loves us and is already at work all around us.
Much love,
Mike Saunders and the eFocus Team