I know that prayer is an important critical part of our spiritual development and yet sometimes I find that I get a little “crusty” in my prayer life… a little ritualistic… a little mindless in my repetition!

I’m always looking for ways to re-invigorate my prayer life.

A few things that have been working for me lately…

• Praying through my calendar. Mark Batterson shared a GREAT idea some time ago that helped to shape my thinking on this. Bottom line… my calendar is my life. If I pray through my calendar I am praying for people, meetings, etc. This has been a HUGE bonus for my prayer life. This discipline also helps me to see, in the presence of God, where/when my priorities are getting out of line.

• Praying with my checkbook in my lap. They always say, “If you want to know someone’s priorities, check out their calendar and their checkbook.” That makes sense to me, so as I pray through my calendar I’m also putting my checkbook on my lap. I find that this is helping me in a couple ways: 1) It reminds me regularly that what I have is not mine! It’s His and I’m expected to manage it well! 2) It keeps me aware of spending habits.

Because the calendar and the checkbook reflect my pattern of living, this is a great way to review my life in the presence of God. Sometimes we celebrate and sometimes I feel like a jerk. But it’s always a good thing in the presence of a loving Father!

The final tip that is working for me these days is…

• Blogging. This blog is my journal. When I read, pray, travel, etc. I keep a notebook with me and make observations. Often those observations end up right here so that I can look back on them but also so that you can travel with me. I know that some of this stuff is pretty basic for some of you, but it’s my life and I’m traveling out. I kind of like looking back over what God has done and is doing in my life and I hope that it challenges, reminds, and teaches you as you travel with me!

Thanks again for taking this journey called life with me!