7 Ways to Increase Your Prayer Life

"It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone." - Hudson Taylor
 

"Why pray? Why love? We might as well ask, why breathe? One is as natural and necessary as the other. Where there is love, there is communication, there is prayer. It could not be otherwise." - M.L. Andreasen

Record Your Prayer Requests and Answers

I love recording my prayer requests and answers. Just looking back at them and remembering, helps me be hopeful - especially when I’m going through a difficult situation. I know that God has led me in the past, and He has my present and future. The Bible is full of references about remembering, and this is one way I can look back and praise God for His leading.

Pray In Your Free Time

Find and down time in your day and use the opportunity to pray. I have a 30-minute commute, and I have started using that time to pray. It has drastically enhanced my prayer life, and it has become more natural for me to just start talking with God as I go through my day.

Pray When It’s Quiet

In Mark 1, it describes how Jesus rose long before the sun even had risen and went to a solitary place to pray. As we are called to be like Jesus, I take my example from Him. I have found that when I rise early for prayer, there is such a quiet and a calm and I can really focus on my time with the Lord. My whole day goes by smoother as well.
 

Make It A Habit

Be intentional about making time for prayer. Set alarms if you need to, but be consistent. I know that some people may think this may be legalistic, however, it is far from that. We schedule times to exercise, eat and wake up and work, and these things all eventually become habits with time. Why should prayer not have a special place in our day? Prayer is the breath of our spiritual life - without breath, we are dead.

Get A Prayer Partner

Find someone to share and pray with.

“There is unusual power in united prayer. God has planned for His people to join together in prayer, not only for Christian fellowship, spiritual nurture, and growth, but also for accomplishing His divine purposes and reaching His chosen goals.” (Wesley L. Duewell, Mighty Prevailing Prayer, Zondervan, ©1990, page 123.)

Write Down Your Prayers or Pray Out Loud

I used to find myself very distracted in my thoughts when praying and started physically writing out every word of my prayers in journals. I then also found that praying out loud was a great help. If your mind is wandering during prayer, why not try one of these methods?

Pray and Claim Scripture Promises

God has given us literally thousands of promises in His Word! They were given to us to claim in faith! Write them down and take them with you, or even better yet, memorize them so they’re always in your heart 

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Though the Earth Be Removed

I like to consider myself a rather intellectual person. I'm pursuing my Master's (the first of two), I like technical and jargon-ridden conversation, and I'm endlessly curious. Yes, I'm book smart in the read-all-the-time-just-because kind of way, but I'm also street-smart. I have some sound common sense, and the scars to show where I veered off course. 

I say this not to brag (I'm not that smart), but to provide context.  //

The NKJV Bible contains over 100 instances of God telling His people to not be afraid. I find many of them encouraging--like, do not be afraid because God is with you (Joshua 1:9),  He will strengthen and help you (Isaiah 41:10), and because God desires to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32). All nice things. All cross-stitch-on-a-pillow-worthy. 

But there is one passage I have not found on a pillow.

"...We will not fear. Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling." (Ps. 46:2-3)

The first sentence is common enough, but even though? Even though Hurricane Matthew ravages land from the Caribbean to the Carolinas? Even though we're stuck in impossible political options? Even though ISIS advances bloodshed? We will not fear even though it makes sense to fear? 

The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear--so when we have it, it is not from Him (2 Timothy 1:7). The world paints fear as the reasonable response, the go-to response, the only response. How is it possible to not fear even though...?

The preceding verse: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear." God being very present is reason enough to obliterate all other reasons. Every. Single. One. 

But what of the smaller fears? The ones that news outlets don't cover, but our internal dialogue torture us with? I wont find the job, my children won't grow past my mistakes, my spouse won't understand, no one will respond, I can't understand it, the disease will take their life....

God is your refuge and strength, reader. He is your very present help in trouble. Therefore, based on this one truth, you have no need to fear. 

David, when being hunted by the king he would never harm, told his friends that he had put his trust in the Lord, so how could they tell him to flee? All of their fears were focused on the enemy--what the enemy was doing, what the enemy could do, what may happen. David's focus rested immovably on God (Psalm 11). He had put his trust in God and there His confidence and focus remained. //

Faith is not a departure from reality. Rather, it is a departure from the narrow view of here and human and expands to the greater reality of God's reach and love. As a college-educated wannabe-intellectual, I have faith in He who sits on His throne and brings us through every even though. For He can be trusted. Always.

Don't over-rationalize. Don't cite the news. Don't focus on your fears. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, of power, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

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Callie Williams is a quintessential reader and writer. She's not 100% sure when to say "whom", but she's still an English teacher. She also has a thing for elephants. And the color blue. And Jesus. Mostly Jesus. You can check out her reflections at Worried Sapling.

How to Keep Going When You Lack Motivation

Feeling unmotivated now and then is a part of life. Plenty of days, I don't feel like getting out of bed, I second guess myself when I have a new idea, and of course, when something I tried fails, it only makes matters worst.

However, there will never be an excuse good enough to make me not want to keep going. It is understandable that we all have bad days, but remembering where we came from, where we are now and where we want to be is the key to staying motivated.

I find that there are a few simple rules to live by that has helped me stay motivated a driven to accomplishing my goals.

Remember why you started in the first place.

We all have our reasons for getting out of bed every morning, and when we start something new, we sometimes get caught up in a bunch of other things and forget why we started in the first place.

For example:

I started my blog, The Quiet Girl Diaries because I have this urge to tell my story, and I have so many stories to tell. I also enjoy the pure gratification of having something I wrote published and possibly being enjoyed by someone out there in the world. Either way, it is cheaper than going to therapy.

However, I do get caught up in promotion, getting my statistics higher and trying to find pieces to write that will get the most views, likes, and shares. All of that is a distraction for me, and honestly, if I kept looking at my stats, I would not have the motivation to keep blogging. The one thing that does keep me going is knowing that I am doing what I love. I am working on my dreams, the big picture. So, success may not come in one day, but if I don’t give up, someday I will be one of those successful people mentoring younger generations about what it means to follow your dreams.

What I am saying is, whether it was quitting your job in pursuit of your own business, ending a relationship, or moving across the world, searching for freedom, or whatever pushed you to make that drastic decision in your life, always remember it and how importing it is to you.

Keep going back to why you made that decision in the first place. And if you find that maybe your heart or mind wasn't in the right place, it was still for the better because you learned something.

Let the past go

Dwelling in the past is never a good idea. No one can undo the past; it will only hold you back if you let it. So, I suggest you make a mental list of what you've learned, what has helped you get ahead, the good memories and just leave the rest in the past where it belongs.

Remember that you're not the only one

Whatever you're going through, remember that it is almost certain that somebody else out there is going through or has been through the same thing. For this reason, you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help, and the best part is that there is always someone who is willing to listen or even offer help.

Whether it’s close family and friends or even someone from an online community you talk to; chances are someone is more than willing to give you some advice or just tell you their story, and by sharing each other’s experiences, you will find a reason to get your motivation back.

Surround yourself with positivity

Make no room for negativity in your life. That includes your thoughts, toxic relationships or trolls of any form. Make the decision only to focus on the positive side of things while learning from the past, the failure, and mistakes; and then move on.

If you are a spiritual person, pray and ask God to give you strength.

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What do you do when you lack motivation?

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Judith Francois was born in Haiti and raised in Chicago, IL. She recently started blogging; sharing stories from her life, book reviews, blogging tips, and more. Her passions include writing and sharing tips and tricks from things she learns. Judith believes that God has a great purpose for her life

This was a guest post by Judith, who blogs at her blog, The Quiet Girl Diaries.
Connect with Judith: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

If you are interested in guest posting, check out the guest posting guidelines for Maple Alps, here. 

Women of Intention Week Fifteen: Biblical Womanhood

Welcome to week fifteen of the series, Women of Intention! This is our final post and I'm so glad you've come along as we interview Women of Intention! For more information, and a list of topics, visit our introduction post HERE. 

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THIS WEEK'S INTENTIONAL WOMAN:

Today, we are going to meet Aiane of Aiane Karla; a blog that inspires the intentional life. Today, she will be talking about Biblical womanhood and intentionality.

This is the very last (but not least!) interview in the Women of Intention series, and I really think it just puts the cherry right on top of the cake. I am thrilled to share this with you today!

After reading this post, be sure to check out Aiane's beautiful blog and share this post :)

Find Aiane on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Tell us a bit about yourself: What are your passions, work and interests?

Hi! I’m Aiane Karla, a grateful wife, homemaker, prayer warrior, songwriter, and blogger. Most days, I teach piano and help children discover their God-given musical talents. On other days, I design intentional brands for bloggers, creatives, and entrepreneurs. On my blog at aianekarla.com, I share healthy plant-based recipes, as well as tips and resources to inspire women to discover the joy of intentional and Biblical womanhood.

I love how you talk about intentionality and biblical womanhood on your blog. Could you briefly tell us what your views are on this and how it translates into how you live?

As a Christian, I’ve learned that intentionality is impossible without guidance from the inspired Word of God. I’ve also realized that Biblical womanhood requires prayerful intentionality. Without it, my relationship with God becomes an afterthought, rather than a priority. Living God’s way requires conscious effort. It’s not always easy, but God equips and helps those who pray for strength.

My greatest desire is to glorify God in everything I do. This means God and His Word must come first, so I may be a reflection of His love and character.

 Here are some intentions I focus on:

-    Keeping God’s Word as the compass for my life and marriage

-    Making time to actively serve God in my church

-    Seeking ways to affirm my husband and praying for God’s will to be done in his life

-    Establishing boundaries to protect my time with loved ones

-    Seeking God’s guidance in my role as a homemaker 

What is the hardest part of living up to the standard of Biblical Womanhood? The easiest?

The hardest part of living up to the standard of Biblical womanhood is maintaining an attitude of complete surrender. As a detail-oriented perfectionist, I have a tendency to want to fix everything and be in control. I’m guilty of worrying more than I trust, and I struggle with staying out of God’s way so His will may be done in my life.

The easiest part is knowing that when I live up to God’s standard of womanhood, I experience genuine peace and contentment. There’s no room for others’ expectations of who I should be or what I should do. It’s just me, God, and His Word. 

How else does intentional living affect your lifestyle?

I have been inspired to genuinely study the Bible, which is God’s perfect manual on intentional living. It has propelled me toward Christ-centered and prayer-filled relationships, and has given me a desire to serve God in ministry, both personally and together with my husband.

 At home, we use natural remedies and a plant-based diet to heal and prevent sickness. It may not be the fastest method, but it has long-lasting results. Our decision was inspired by the following verses:

 “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” – Genesis 1:29

“He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” – Psalm 104:14

God has convicted and led us to take proactive steps to guard the avenues of our hearts, which means eliminating any form of entertainment or activity that does not glorify Him. The entertainment industry shows us counterfeit versions of love, respect and purity. Letting go of secular entertainment has allowed us to stay tuned to God’s Word, and it has also deepened our desire to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

What would you say to encourage someone who is struggling in this area of their life?

Surrender. Completely and wholeheartedly surrender your hurts, worries, doubts, burdens, pain, insecurities, weaknesses and fears to God. God yearns for us to take Him at His word.

Develop an attitude of prayer and commit to praying through the Bible. Ask God to help you through your struggles by claiming His Promises. When discouragement comes, pray. When you’re tempted to fight on your own, pray. When you would rather be selfish instead of selfless, pray. When it seems like all hope is gone, pray. When you don’t feel like praying, pray. And especially in your rejoicing, pray. Prayer is to our souls what air is to our lungs. Make it a habit and a life discipline to communion with God. You will never regret it!

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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What about you? Were you inspired by this post on intentionality? This series? Why don't you tell me about it in the comments, and connect with me on social media?

(Don't forget to use the hashtag #WomenOfIntention16 so no one misses it!)

Women of Intention Week Eight: Faith

Welcome to week eight of the series, Women of Intention! We are about halfway through and Maple Alps will continue to feature a woman every week who will talk about intentionality in specific areas in her life. So glad you've decided to stop by! For more information, and a list of topics, visit our introduction post HERE. 

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THIS WEEK'S INTENTIONAL WOMAN:

Today, we are going to meet Courtney of, Sown with Strength.

Courtney is a an inspiring woman who lives out her faith and today, she will be sharing her story and some valuable points with us! I hope you are encouraged and inspired but her interview - I know I was! 

After reading this, don't forget to check out Courtney's website, and share this post! :) 

Find Courtney on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Tell Us A Bit About Yourself: What are your passions, work and interests?

I grew up expecting BIG things from God. I wanted to travel the world, work a job I was passionate about, marry the man of my dreams and live happily ever after.

When I graduated college, I lived in China for a year, teaching English and serving to share more about what Jesus has done in my life. When the year finished, I was left with no choice but to return home because of student loan debt. Thankfully my parents were generous and allowed me to live at home while I worked on paying my debt. The debt was so heavy on me, I began to feel my dreams and expectations of God diminish. I felt stuck. No longer believing God had incredible plans for me, my faith faced a crossroads. I needed to CHOOSE to believe God wasn’t finished me with yet and He would STILL use me.

 When I made this choice, my life began to shift. I grew in understanding of how to honour God daily even if my life looked different than I expected or hoped. As time went on, He brought me my husband. And with my husband, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel the world with him as his cheerleader for his career as a professional basketball player! So far we have lived in Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, and Hungary! Because of his job, I have the travel I always dreamed of. But I was still missing purpose.

I believe God has created each of us for a divine purpose with a unique story. But I was having a hard time finding my own voice as a new wife following my husband on the journey God had him on. So I began praying, “God what is MY purpose?” A few weeks later, He opened up the door for me to begin pursuing a new ministry. I became an online health + fitness coach! I run monthly online fitness bootcamps, and I mentor others to successfully start and build their own businesses as coaches! It’s the perfect ministry and business fit for me! Despite the hard times to get to this point, God has totally had an incredible plan for me all along. It may take time to get to where you hope to be, but God has a reason and purpose for each season. I’m so blessed to now be living that life I was always praying for; living on purpose for the Kingdom, and being able to travel the world with my best friend!

The steps along the way have been challenging at times, but it has refined my faith and given me the chance to rely on God even more! 

How Do You Intentionally Live a Faith Filled Life?

I intentionally live a faith-filled life by filling my life with Jesus. Always Jesus. As much as I can! My husband and I keep each other accountable. We are reading “Me and You Forever” by Francis and Lisa Chan. In that book, they mentioned how their family had a house rule where they could only watch TV after spending time with Jesus. So we decided to commit to the same thing. Currently, we are reading the Bible in a Year through our Bible App. We spend at least one night a week praying together. I also am intentional to live a faith-filled life through my business. Growing is an important foundation as a coach, so it encourages me to be growing and create life-giving, faith-producing content that encourages + equips others. 

I loved your post, “Confessions of a Christian Fitness Coach.” It’s refreshing to see a fitness page that is quite different than the ones we’re used to seeing. Could you tell us just briefly why you’ve chosen to go this route?

Aww thank you so much. That was hard to post. Even as I narrowed down my boundaries as a fitness page, one that would honour both my God and my husband, I still had temptation. It’s so easy to look at other fitness accounts and see how successful their posts and numbers are attributing it to them showing more skin. Many times I would think, if only I post more ab shots or in my sports bra, then maybe I would have the same engagement. But when I began this business, I knew two things for sure: 1. This was from God and 2. This was for God. I knew deep in my heart I would feel guilty and not have confidence in my ministry/business if I wasn’t being true to my identity in Christ. I feel confident in my choice now. I believe that God is blessing my obedience and ultimately, regardless of the money or numbers I get from my job as a fitness coach, I am making a difference for the Kingdom and that is the only thing that matters when it comes down to it. 

How else does your intentional faith translate into your every-day activities and work?

I want everything I do to be done with the Gospel in mind. I’m constantly growing as a leader in my business, as an entrepreneur networking, as a wife, as a coach, as a daughter and friend how to communicate in love; how to offer gentleness instead of selfish gain. For example, I had a situation come up where I was utilizing a marketing company to grow my business. Somehow it got linked to liking inappropriate pictures on Instagram. While many would see that as just a sacrifice worth making to grow a network, I was not on board with that. My commitment was to God first and being pure in my business practices. It is damaging to my business to have others see my account linked to those. Therefore, I chose to have faith that God would grow my business in authentic, organic ways instead of compromising on my image as a believer in Christ with a marketing company.

I also am intentional with everyday things. For example, I have written bible verses on notecards and taped them around the house as reminders. I have one right by kitchen sink so I’m reminded even washing the dishes or preparing dinner for my husband can honour and glorify God. It’s about inviting God into our everyday activities that may seem mundane at the time but cultivate within us an awareness and intentionality that God is our focus. 

What would you say to encourage someone who is struggling with intentionality in this area of their life?

Set up accountability. It’s the same thing that makes the difference between people trying to get in shape on their own and people who work with me in my online bootcamps. You can have all the right intentions and tools, but if you don’t have accountability to change and transform, you won’t see that actually play out. Same can be said about growing in your faith. To be intentional about anything, it takes commitment. A new commitment can be difficult to stay consistent with. Therefore, accountability plays a healthy, important role to make sure that commitment is consistent. For me, I am not good at remembering to sit down with Jesus every day unless I feel depleted. But I want this to be my habit no matter how I feel. So I need accountability. My husband keeps me accountable each day. 

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What about you? What helps you live faithfully and intentionality in life? Why don't you tell us about it in the comments, and connect with us on social media?

(Don't forget to use the hashtag #WomenOfIntention16 so no one misses it!)