How to have a Daily Prayer Time
For years, I went through the motions. I’d go to Church on Sundays and small group on Tuesdays. I loved the Lord and wanted to read the Word, but with young kids and a home to run, it slipped off my day. Until one day, I got to the end of myself and realized I had to get God back in my daily life if I was going to be the wife, mom, and friend I wanted to be. This is how to have a daily prayer time.
The “why” for prayer
As a believer, we choose to live for God. We surrender our life to Him and put God first in our life. Or do we? When we look at our days are they filled with the Lord? Or have we filled them with busyness, comparison, anxiety, and fear instead?
This blog is not for shame or condemnation. I am not where I want to be as a child and heir of the King, but I want to be closer to him and do life differently. We have to know our God and to know him, we need to spend time with Him and in His word.
A life of God’s favor and purpose isn’t going to happen to us as we are going through the motions. We have to seek Him first and then it’s given to us. (Matthew 6:33)
Friend, we can not afford to NOT spend daily time with the Lord. Our relationship with God is vital to our life and quality time is necessary.
P.S. If you want to recommit your life to Jesus or are unsure if you are saved and want to know more, message me. I’d love to hear from you.
When to Pray
Morning prayer is the most powerful way to start the day. I love slowly sitting up and casually talking to the Lord as I wake up before I see one person. Focusing on worship, gratitude, and the Lord, reminds me how big God is and how small all the other things are. It’s beautiful when I begin my day with this in mind.
Sometimes, first thing in the morning doesn’t make sense for a season. It takes five minutes or less to the Lord good morning. Then, after carpooling or a few minutes before you clock in, you can spend more time with Him. When I was a hair stylist, I would drop off at daycare and get to work 30 minutes early to do my quiet time in the car. Don’t over-complicate this. God is just waiting for you to draw near to him. He knows the desires of your heart!
How to Pray
Time with God is as simple as being still in His presence. There is no formula or textbook to read. However, there are different prayer plans in scripture, like the Lord’s Prayer or Tabernacle, so it’s appropriate to have a plan. Honestly, I have a daily quiet time plan to stay focused.
Daily Morning Prayer
My quiet time starts once the big kids are off to school. In the summer, I will wake up an hour before them to spend time with the Lord and to get ready for the day. I have a chair in my room for my morning time. I bring my coffee and follow this prayer plan:
- The Word
- Worship
- Prayer
- Goal journaling
The Word
God’s Word is the start of knowing Him and a playbook for life. In the past, I would read the word later in my time, but reading God’s living (Alive and necessary word) is essential to my walk with the Lord so I do this first.
Right now, I’m listening to the Bible recap after I read the passage for the day. The Bible Recap is a very popular podcast right now. Tara Lee Cobble does a great job explaining all the Bible terms and culture. I usually play the audio Bible while I read, then highlight or note anything that sticks out to me. This takes me 15 minutes or so.
Sometimes, I also do devotions or Bible studies during this time. Just keep it brief for now and come back later to do more time if necessary.
Worship
I begin worship with a Spotify playlist I’ve made over the years. Over time add praise and worship songs that stick out to me to my list. I always start with praise because the Word says that we enter his courts with Thanksgiving and praise, then play a worship song until I feel the presence of God.
One moment in God’s presence changes everything.
Prayer
I do have a penciled plan for prayer.
- Surrender
- The lost and the World
- Spiritual Authority
- My family
- Daily Focus
- Spiritual Warfare
Surrender
My prayer time begins with surrender. In the Tabernacle, people would go to the laver to wash clean after they sacrificed their lamb for their sins. Of course, Jesus is the ultimate lamb so I begin my time emptying of myself and inviting in the Lord. Here are some of the ways I surrender daily.
- Journal feelings and thoughts
- Confess sins
- Forgive others
- Offer my life and body to God’s will
- Ask for Fruits of the Spirit and gifts
He doesn’t make us do His will, we have to choose to surrender to it.
Daily prayer time
Once I’ve surrendered, I enter into prayer and petition.
- The Lost and the World: When you love someone, you love what they love and God loves the lost. They are on his heart so I pray for the few people in my life to know God. Then, I pray for God’s will in the world. Sometimes this is specific and sometimes more general. Don’t forget the missionaries.
- Spiritual Authority: You don’t have to like them or agree with them to pray for them. God honors authority and his Word says that authority is appointed by God. Pray for them! Pray for their wisdom and blessing! This is governmental, Church, Family, School, and work.
- My family: Every single day I pray Blessing, favor, presence, and protection for my husband and the kids. This is usually general and only mentioning pressing needs.
- Daily Focus: Each day I have a prayer focus. This can be me, finances, Kids, marriage, etc. I spend a few minutes of focused time asking and using verses to stand on promises
Spiritual Warfare
Listen, I’m not the devil under every rock kind of girl, but not acknowledging him doesn’t make the devil less real. There’s nothing to be afraid of and with the Word of God and the Armor of God we can stand victorious. Read Ephesians 6 and tell the Devil to go. Off your mind, heart, and soul. If we didn’t need this, it wouldn’t have been in the Bible. Priscilla Shrier is a great teacher on this subject.
Goal Journaling
I added Goal journaling about a year ago to the end of my quiet time. Here’s why. I want God to direct and guide every part of my life and I want nothing if It’s without Him. After time with God, I am my best self and refreshed. My goals are the mini mission statements of my life full of purpose.
After months of feeling stuck, I feel momentum and the path that seemed so confusing has become clear. I still have many things I don’t know yet, but I do know that God is leading me every step of the way and I’ve invited him into writing my story.
My post here explains more about how and why I do this, with a complete list of each area.
I added Goal journaling about a year ago to the end of my quiet time. Here’s why. I want God to direct and guide every part of my life and I want nothing if It’s without Him. After time with God, I am my best self and refreshed. My goals are the mini mission statements of my life full of purpose.
After months of feeling stuck, I feel momentum and the path that seemed so confusing has become clear. I still have many things I don’t know yet, but I do know that God is leading me every step of the way and I’ve invited him into writing my story.
Goal journaling could probably be its own post, but the short version is, writing down your goals every single day. I begin with the goals for the year and break them down into monthly, weekly, or daily goals. Honestly, most goals are habits that are formed daily. It takes me 5-7 minutes but reminds me of the GOAL.
How to have daily quiet time
I hope that was helpful for your quiet time! I know that was a lot, but just take what works for you and leave the rest for later. Most importantly, you are quieting the world and spending time with God. Having a relationship means considering the other person and knowing them. Just focus on getting to know God.
What do you do during your prayer time? Let me know in the comments!
Here is a great post on Living life God’s way and how I make prayer a priority in my daily life.
