I’ve spent a great deal of my summer study break reading about and working on my prayer life. I know it sounds weird to say that I was “working” on my prayer life but trust me, it needed work.
One of several resources which was very helpful to me was a book entitled Confessions of a Prayer Slacker
She says early on in the book that her goal is to “Help you find the joy of meeting God every single day, one-on-one, heart-to-heart, until you reach a point where you can’t even imagine starting your day without Him.”
I love that and I so desire that for my own prayer life!
So here’s the deal. Let me know on a scale of 1-10 (10 being absolutely amazing) how your prayer life is these days. Tomorrow I’ll choose 5 random winners and send you a copy of Diane’s new book.
unfortunately, I’d say a 4. I’m horrible at sitting still and praying, but I also understand you can pray as you walk, drive to work, even while working, and I try to do that often, thinking of friends, family and people in general and lifting them up in prayer. Although I must confess it is puzzling to know God knows our thoughts, so sometimes I get confused at the purpose of prayer….
So… yea I could not let this go… therefore a on the spot blog post came as a result titled “Be Still”… thanks Pete, I needed this.
It has been better, so I’d say a 4-5. The book sounds really good!
I’d have to say…..7
It’s hard to rank. Somedays are better than others so I’ll say 5
So I’ve probably averaged about a 3-4 my entire life with highs of 8 and lows of 1 or below. And I’ve been about average this summer.
Maybe a 3 or 4
I am a 5, but pray I could be a 10.
I’d rate it a 7 I pray each day and not just before meals, or when I want something. Still I could do better.
My church is about to launch into the multi site model. It’s a older church, so it’s like turning an oil tanker. Needless to say…i’m at about a 9.5 lately…
lol.
Good things, need a Great God…
I am so out of touch with my walk with God that I need all the help I can get. I would love to learn to pray the way I’m suppose to and know that both of us are getting something out of it. I feel this book would be a great inspiration and I need it.
I would prob be a 2.
If 10 is absolutely amazing, I would have to say a 10. I do wake up every morning excited to be able to talk to Him and share my every thought with Him. But AT the same time if you think I am sounding super spiritual, I must add I still feel a pull and a strong urge to come away more. I need more stillness, less interruption, more opportunity to hear what He has to say! I’ve been told by someone I respect in the ministry, that they saw me like Odie, always chasing after God saying “What’s next God, what’s next!” I hope that’s a good thing!
I was rocking out a 9-10 on prayer life and reading the scriptures … I fell and now have to pick myself back up… My Cup became over filled and I became complacent… Just what the Devil wants. I cracked that door again and he walked back in… Need some lifting up in prayers… and I need to get back on track…
2… and there’s no excuse for it. With all the blessings life presents there’s so much to be thankful for and with all the hurt and pain there’s so much to ask Him for help with…
I would say a 2. I think about it alot more than I acually do it. I get sid tracked alot. I would like to change this number to 10. Maybe this book would give me the push that I think I need. It sounds really exciting.
Embarrassingly a 2.
My heart desires an 11 and my flesh delivers a -9 for the 2.
4-ish… Summer + no schedule = a lot of things don’t get done.
3, but just bought Bruggemans book “prayers for a privileged people” and hope to be inspired to pray better, not just more.
I would guess three. I talk to God during the day as and when. But to be honest I know I need to have that closer one on one time that results in a more consciously empowered and accompanied wall with God.
for other people…a 6; for me…a 1-2
To be honest, I don’t think it will ever be what it should be. It is the nature of humanity and the nature of my wiring. The achiever and learner in me never seems satisfied and right now, I’d have to say it seems like a 4…so close to the tipping point, but not quite there.
sad to say that I’ve been at a 1 for a long time. i get so busy and wrapped up in all my work and the fact that so many depend on me for stuff that i start believing it’s me who is in control. i’ve left God (and communication with him about stuff) out for so long now and i’m exhausted!!! i guess the good thing now is that i’m realizing this and trying hard to improve in this area.
I would have to say between 0-2, that is if you count the many random and deperate shout outs to God…I am finding I need to reach for that 10. At one time…I prayed for months through Psalm 119. It was awesome and one of the most amazing times of my life. If it could make sense I was “out of this world” when I prayed.
I would give myself a 4, I pray everyday but usually not in a deep or meaningful way.
I would say my prayer life is a 4, hopefully a 5 soon.
4. And that’s on a good day. *sigh*
A month or two ago, I would equate it to a 3. I pretty much used prayer as venting my sins (not so much apologizing) and selfishly asking for stuff. I’ve noticed what I’ve been and still am doing, and have been trying to change that. So now, 5?
No better than a 3-4 right now. It’s feeling contrived, not heart felt.
sigh… 1 or 2. i’ve never been very good at the prayer thing…
I would say about a 2.793. haha. It’s not where it needs to be. However, ‘working on my prayer life’ would be accurate for me too. I have a long way to go, and I have a desire to work on it!
Maybe a 4 on a good day.
Sad to say, but I would probably rate my prayer life at about 2-3. I want that type of prayer life that she describes though!
It’s a 3. I’m ready for it to be more.
This is a humbling question. It is probably a 2. The Word says “pray continually” so let me change my answer to a .5. That would be about .8 hours a day based on a 16 hour day of awake time. But who gets 8 hours sleep. But should my prayer life be ranked by quantity or quality? How is quality defined? If it is defined by the prayer life of our church fathers, slacker is not a sufficient word. With that said, I’m depressed and should go pray.
2
Most days I pray in the car going to work, so on a daily scale I would say a 6. On a time really spent with the LORD, maybe a 3. I find myself talking a lot more than listening. I am a farely new christian and I am still working on the “personal” relationship with the LORD. I keep trying.
1…
Probably a 3. When I write them down, I do better at staying focused, but unfortunately I just don’t write them as often as I should.
I would sadly have to say a 2 or 3. I used to be at about a 9 for consistency but felt like I was talking to the ceiling and kind of gave up. Looking forward to reading this book because I definitely want to have an amazing prayer life.
Wow – u got a lot of response here. Totally honest? Well I’d say a solid 3. Many times I find myself wanting God’s blessing more than God, himself, so my prayer life reflects this. Thanks for making me stop & think about it. I’m sure glad it’s a journey and he loves me in the midst of it!
Normally it would be, on a really good day, about a 4. Right now because of some serious stuff my wife and I have been going through it is an 8 or 9. It is interesting that when life goes to hell my thoughts finally go to heaven.
My prayer life has been about a 2 but so has the rest of my life.
I work with having inattentive ADD… I know, my sob story
I moved to a new country 3 months ago and those months have been a blur. I have been so scatter brained but I am starting to get a bit organized.
I want my prayer life, bible reading life, marriage (is life) to go from a 2 to a 10.
3-4, the desire is there, but the motivation is lacking
I would say a 3.5 for me. Something I desire to be much higher! Thanks for letting us know about the book; I plan to purchase it if I don’t win.
I do consistently talk with God, does that count as praying…I am serious about that. But my concern is NOT where I rank my prayer life but that I am talking enough to my Daddy God…doubt it if I go by I Thes. in addition, things are going fairly well right now so therefore not crying out which is so very sad that I pray more when I have issues because I desperately need His help. He does know my heart and my heart is 100% for Him so why then don’t I pray more
Need Diane’s book!
Pete, A quick question. I remember reading a LONG time ago about a prayer that you said before you went your house at night. It was about being a Father. Any idea where I could find that on your blog? I know, CRAZY, but it just wouldnt leave my head and I wanted to share it with my husband. THANKS!
I’ve talked about that in a message before. It changes up from time to time but I often pray as I’m pulling into the driveway….
God I ask that you give me focus, strength, vulnerability and lots of energy. I’m tired from a long day and I know I’m about to walk into the house and engage in the most important part of my day. Please equip me to be the husband and father you’ve called me to be. Help me to be patient, engaged, and understanding.
Scale of 1-10 my prayer life is a 3. Was doing really great until summer hit. I seem to go in waves of great prayer and then not so great
1 or 2. Kind of a ER call most of the time lately.
Eeesh!
I’m ashamed to sa… probably a 3 or 4.
But, am desiring for that 9 or 10!
2.5 at best. I find that i have to set an appointment on my calendar to make sure I “fit” it in most days.
I feel so ashamed admitting that most days it’s a 1 maybe 2. I want so badly to yearn to talk to my Creator…
Unfortunately, I would have to say a 1. From reading the other comments, I would say that a great deal of us could benefit from this book.
Probably a 3…unfortunately. Tends to only be when life is really bad or really good. I want to foster a better relationship with Him and know that can’t happen without communication.
Why is it so hard to talk to someone I can’t see?
1-2…..i need help!
Would love the book. I am a 3-4. Need to really work on that.
2-3 I am a slacker. Trying to do better.
a 1 – pretty pathetic and I miss it.
depends on the day, week, and month…could be 2, could be 8…
I have several books about prayer already on my shelf… unfortunately, I’d still say my prayer life is at about a 3.
Hi Pete, I sent this earlier from my Blackberry, but couldn’t find it on here. You would think with all the prayer requesting I’ve been begging for lately for Jamie that I would be an eleven on that meter. Not true. I can’t get my head wrapped around the fact of where he’s at enough to immerse myself even now in the prayer and communication with God that I should. I think it’s just a matter of getting over this initial shock but even then if it’s anything like it was before he left, I’ll still be a solid umm 3. I do feel at times more attuned to His presence and can speak to the person of God, but more often than not I forget to even recite the needs much less any praise or gratitude. That’s pretty sad but it’s honest. Crappy Christian, huh?
I don’t know how I’d ever get by without time with God everyday. The last year and a half has been a series of one change after the next. Part of that has been my profession. Now I get to spend 2, 3, 4 hours a day uninterrupted with God reading His word and praying. I can’t wait to wake up and be with Him. I don’t know how I’d go back to the corporate world.
My prayer life is probably at a 3. Sad, I know. I definitely need to kick it up considerably.
4… praying for a 10
I’m going to say a solid 6 although that’s hard because it’s compared to what? How it used to be? How it could be? How I’m told it should be? I’m stickin’ with a 6
Definitely a 3. A 10 when times get rough, but otherwise a 3. Going to Jesus and being happy with him is something that he’s got to teach me every single day.
Can I say like 2-4? Geesh that looks bad, but really I love to pray as I drive and as I go to bed but I dont sit for an hour and just listen and pray.
It used to be better – but right now it’s a 1. Or a 0. But it’ll get better again.
2 or 3? I really wish it were higher. It’s been tough lately when I’m all by myself, I just can’t seem to get into it but I really really want to.
I would say a 4-5. Some days I am passionate and praying, others I am struggling. Lost my husband a month ago which has helped on some days and made it harder on some. So many emotions to work through but God is so very good to me.
Hope i’m not too late but here goes.
After the 2 years that i’ve had i’d have to say i’d be at the very low end 1 or 2 (i’ll avoid using negative numbers)
However it has started to improve recently, currently this only looks like remembering to thank God when nice things happen but i’m optimistic considering 18 months ago God was lucky if he didn’t get cursed and swore at while i was trying to figure out my plan B (bonus points for using your book title Pete?)
Still i could always use more help and this book sounds very good.
I think probably a 4-5. I have conversations with God as I go throughout the day, and pray for specifics when God puts them on my heart, and go into battle when called. But, to sit (or stand or move about) and pray, well not so much.
I’m a bit ashamed to admit that it ranges on a scale of 1 or 2. It isn’t intentional. I even have a little alarm reminder that goes off on my phone, but still sometimes ignore. It is the constant cycle of prayer when you need it and not as just a praise. I find myself in meditative state more than prayer state…is that still prayer?
probably a 3. i was awake this morning at 3 am and for some reason (????) it came to my mind that i just don’t pray for my grandchildren on a regular basis. WHY IS THAT? i understand the importance of prayer and believe in it so why don’t i just do it?
ugh 3.5 – 4 (that’s a good day). thanks for the chance to win, In God’s Love, sheila
I rate a 1 or 2 really been a struggle lately. Feeling as if my prayers are hitting the ceiling and really not going anywhere! Thank God I am still a work in progress, because if it depended on how my prayer life and faith were now I would fail miserably!
4ish?
I hate to admit this but my prayer life is at about a 4 these days. I’m working on putting God before everything else in my life and prayer is definitely the thing that I need to work on most
Hope it isn’t too late. In any case, I’d give it an 8 or thereabouts, primarily as a result of finding my prayer rhythm a few years ago, the way of weaving prayer into my life in a way that keeps me in the dance, so to speak, on a daily basis. Up until then, I was a seldom-praying pastor. Not that I’ve arrived, and the point isn’t performance anymore for me….it’s communion.
So yea I would so rate mine about a 3. I know that isn’t high by any means but I’m a work in progress. I’m always trying to do more but I just haven’t got to the point to where God is the first thing on my mind when I wake or go to sleep… or even throughout the day for that matter. OH by the way just wanted to say I picked up your book Plan B today and I’m super excited about reading it. That’s how I found your site, I wanted to read up on you before I jumped into your book… you seem to be pretty honest with who you are which is cool
Thanks bud!
I feel like I don’t know how to pray. But I “talk” to God all day about different things so I guess that would be praying. And I just can’t ever make myself pray out loud even in front of my husband. I feel like I’m never really connected.