Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

For the longest time in my life, my prayer life was all but non-existent. I believed in prayer, I valued prayer, but I always seemed to get bored in prayer. I would start to nod off. I would get distracted. I would attempt to be better by using big fancy words because, for some reason, I thought that was how you were supposed to be in prayer. And then even though I said I would pray for you, I would forget about it when I got to a ‘prayer’ moment in my day. My prayer life really kicked rocks.

Then I learned that prayer did not have to be lofty or full of big fancy words. It was suggested that I pick a time of day for every day to make a routine of having a conversation with God. So, I made my time driving to work my prayer time. I made a valiant effort at it; however, since I was a workaholic, my mind would shift into details of work and what I needed to prepare for in the day. Though it improved slightly, it still kicked rocks.

I am not sure what changed in my thoughts and desires other than I wanted a better prayer life, I wanted better communication with Him, and I wanted more of His Peace. It was then that I started the before my head hits the pillow at night and before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I will give thanks for my blessings. I will offer up prayers of protection and healing. I will add to my prayer those who have asked for prayer. And … when I am done with my prayer, I will close with the Lord’s prayer.

Now, the Lord’s prayer is a model of how we are to pray, not just a prayer. We acknowledge Him in his glory both on earth and in heaven. Then we ask for his wisdom and his protection and his forgiveness. We then close by giving honor to his might. In saying this model prayer, my mind will drift here and there, at which point I will remember areas that I forgot to pray about, and I can stop in mid-prayer, go back to my prayer, and make the additions, then start the Lord’s prayer again. It is a great reminder for me to stay on track.

In following this thought process of prayer, I have had a steady pace and consistency for prayer. With that consistency, I have found balance and peace. With balance and peace, my days are so much smoother … even when the storm rages. I do not.

I want to encourage you to find a routine to improve your prayer life, or to start a prayer routine in your life. This concept that I follow may not work for you; however, if you ask Him for guidance, He will give you ideas. Trust in Him and He will guide you. Prayer is a powerful tool to hold off the enemy.

Be blessed.

**I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” –Psalm 91:2