How to Break Out of a Prayer Slump
Submitted by James Higginbotham on March 9, 2008 – 8:01 pmNo Comment
Until the last few months, I have been in a prayer slump. I would tell someone I was going to pray for them but often I would get busy and forget until it was much later. Lately though, I’ve been more focused on praying for others. Here are some quick thoughts on what has worked for me:
- Learn to listen to what others are really asking. This means preventing yourself from building a todo list for later while someone is pouring their heart out to you
- Get specific. I’ve learned from others to ask for clarifications or specifics for how to pray for them, whenever possible
- Write them down. There is nothing worse than forgetting to pray for someone because you didn’t write it down. Figure out a system for tracking prayers and stick with it. I use a sheet of paper inside my Bible both as a bookmark and as a reminder for those I need to pray for
- Start small. If you have lacked good habits in the past, focus on just a few people at a time, perhaps starting with your family and/or friends before committing to others
- Be consistent. If you say you are going to pray for someone, then pray for them. I’ve been on both sides of neglected opportunities for prayer and it isn’t fun
- Follow-up with others. Nothing indicates more that you care for someone than following-up with a prayer request or concern several times or until it is resolved
- Remember the big picture. God often wants you to pray to build your faith by seeing difficult circumstances overcome – give Him that opportunity!
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