How often do you intend to pray, but life gets busy and talking to God gets put on the backburner? I’ve been guilty of falling asleep while praying, especially during my years as a working mother. Can you relate? Christians often pray before bed, meals, and when needed. While these prayers are good, how many take the time for serious, specific, and strategic prayer?

God has blessed believers with a direct line of communication with Him through prayer. Communicating with Him is how we have a relationship. None of us want to hear “Depart from Me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23 NKJV) when we meet our Lord and Savior.

Prayer is also how we go into battle against the enemy, who is out to steal our joy, children, relationships, nation, and world (John 10:10). Praying will block Satan’s attacks, which waste our time and energy. Along with reading the Bible, our prayer life needs to be a priority for us to live the spiritually healthy life God intends.

Miracles happen every day because of prayer. Reading or seeing stories of miraculous answers to prayer is a surefire way to boost your faith. Harris Faulkner, in her book, Faith Still Moves Mountains: The Healing Power of Prayer, shares true-life, miraculous stories she has witnessed over the years as a journalist. CBN’s The 700 Club (www.cbn.com) also offers true-life, inspiring testimonies of answered prayers on their daily program.

The Bible instructs us on how we need to pray. Here are ten prayer boosters to improve prayer effectiveness based on Scripture (NKJV).

1. SCHEDULE strategic prayer time each day in a PRAYER SPACE.

Your prayer space can be a closet, room, or spot. Dedicate at least a fifteen-minute window each day for your strategic prayer time, in addition to praying throughout the day. The best option is to set your alarm early for strategic prayer time before your day gets started. If you’re a night owl like me, schedule it right before bed or after your children go to bed. I suggest a pillow or cushion for extra comfort if you’re able to kneel during prayers.

Allow time to LISTEN for Him to give you an answer or guidance after praying.

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6

2. ASK by making your REQUESTS known to God during prayer.

Write your prayer requests down in a prayer journal for memory and to record answered prayers. A prayer app is a good option for people who schedule their strategic prayer time outside of home. Free prayer apps, such as PrayerMate and Prayminder, can help manage your prayers. Research the app store to find the right one for you.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

3. BELIEVE and have FAITH in God to answer your prayers.

Write your prayers on individual cards or paper. Place them in a prayer jar with a cross to symbolize you are giving them to God. When you worry about a specific prayer, remove it from the jar to recognize you’re not trusting God with it. Pray over it again and place it back in the jar. You could also use a basket, bowl, or box instead of a jar. Another option is to stick Post-it notes or cards on the wall in your prayer area, as seen in the movie War Room.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

4. Ask according to GOD’S WILL.

Your prayers must be according to what is pleasing to God and in line with His holy character and nature.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14

5. Ask in the NAME OF JESUS.

One option to close prayers is to say, “In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.” It’s also good to mention God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit throughout your prayer time.

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

6. Pray in AGREEMENT with a PRAYER PARTNER or group.

Find a prayer partner or group you trust to pray in agreement over each other’s prayers.

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:19-20

7. CONFESS your sins, ask for FORGIVENESS, and REPENT.

Repenting means turning away from your sin. Extending forgiveness to others is also important. If you’re struggling with forgiving someone, I suggest praying about it and reading a book on forgiving others.

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
Luke 11:4

8. Pray with THANKFULNESS.

Thank God for your blessings and answered prayers. It’s also important to thank Him for His grace and mercy through Jesus. Opening prayers with thankfulness ensures it doesn’t get left out.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

9. PRAISE and TRUST Him, even if the answer isn’t what you want.

We serve an omniscient, all-knowing God. He loves you and wants what is best for you according to His will. Trust in Him and His ability to see the future and what you can’t see.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

10. Be in the WORD OF GOD daily and pray in the SPIRIT.

God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us through life. Incorporate His Word into your prayers by inserting the person’s name you are praying for into a Scripture to personalize it. If it is a healing prayer for yourself, claim and receive the Scripture.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:17-18
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Incorporating even small changes to your prayer life can bring big results over time. What other changes or strategies have you found helpful in increasing your prayer life? What results have you seen? Comment below with your suggestions and testimonies to answered prayer.

Jenny Stainback