This devotional relates very closely with my other devotion on Col. 4:2 telling us to not babble on and on. Coming to the throne of Grace with intention is the key to being aligned with what it is that God has for you and me. Here are some things to do if you notice yourself babbling on and on.

1. Be sure that before you spend time in intentional prayer, you know exactly what/who it is you are praying for.

2. Evaluate if you are praying “just to pray” or if you are praying because you want God to move in yours and other people’s lives.

3. If you catch yourself repeating the same verbiage over and over again, praise God and end the prayer. Repeat with a different posture if necessary (example: if you were praying seated try walking around and praying or on your knees).

4. Say something different for the “routine” prayers (before bed, morning, eating, office, etc.)

Understand that God knows Every. Single. Thing. About us. There is NOTHING that we can possibly hide from God. Approach Him in that way for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him! Do not be afraid, do not be intimidated, but rather come boldly to the throne of our gracious God (Hebrews 4:16).

[5] “Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. [6] But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. [7] When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. [8] Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.

[9] “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [14] “For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. [15] But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.

Let’s break down the Lord’s Prayer describing to us how to pray:

(9) – Introduction

Position your mind to humbly know who we are praying to. We are praying to the God of our ancestors, the God of Abraham. He is the overseer of our souls and his residence is around us (the Father), next to us (Jesus), and within us (Holy Spirit) all at the same time. Therefore, we are to keep His name and every name associated with Him Holy.

(10) – Submission and Confession

Lay it all down and ask God to allow His kingdom to reign over our hearts and allow us to position ourselves to what He needs from us to get His will done. In doing this we allow God’s will to be done in our lives rather than our own. His purpose is far greater than what we ourselves can produce. Pray into those areas that you’ve fallen short.

(11) – Ask

By God being at the center of our lives, we can trust that He supplies every single thing that we need to be able to sustain ourselves to do His will. Even something as little as food. By keeping Him first, He can also trust us that what we ask for He can freely give because we will utilize His gifts for Him (James 4:3).

(12) – Forgiveness

Know and understand that we have been forgiven for our sins. Know that all of us are human and have fallen short of His mark. Forgive even the smallest things and people in your life daily, for the extent of God’s forgiveness was far greater than we could comprehend.

(13) – Armor

As we go throughout the day, we are going to endure temptation. Not from God, but from the adversary himself who wants to separate us from His unending love. Ask God to experience Him, nothing less and all the more. Place on ALL of the armor (Ephesians 6:10-20) and allow God to rescue us from the grips of the adversary. Ask God to allow you to overcome anything that satan and the world try and bring your way today. Everything.

There are many different ways to pray, however this is a great start for those who are unfamiliar with prayer and scripture. Please, let me know how this worked for you!

Health Tip:
BRRR! During the “rinse off” phase of your shower, turn it as cold as it can go. Cold exposure helps the body reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and lower the body’s stress levels.