=WHEN YOU PRAY, 'FIND YOUR GROOVE'=
Matthew 6:5–8 (NIV)
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Our personal prayer life with our God should be exactly that: 'a personal thing'. So personal, in fact, that we realise and enjoy the fact that it will be different to other people's in certain ways, and this is OK! God wants your 'one-on-one time' with Him to be unique to you and Him, because then it will also have authenticity to it and not be some religious ceremony. He has made us all very different, which means the way we enjoy spending time with Him and communicating with Him is likely to differ from each other.
_It's a bit like dancing_
When it comes to dancing every person has to find their own style or groove. There are certain moves that you can imitate and we may have all in common but it is when you add the 'you' factor to your dancing that it truly becomes unique, alive and original (that may look good for some and bad for others!). Prayer is like this – we may do certain things in common because they work well for all but there should also be a personal touch to it, this is what makes it unique and real.
_Like buying a new suit_
When it comes to our prayer life the truth is that it is like a man getting himself a new suit: he can go for an 'off the peg' one from a department store, where you get one that kind of fits all people who are about your size and shape, or you can go for 'tailor made' where your suit is made to fit you perfectly and looks good on you when you're wearing it. I believe that your prayer life finds its fullest potential when it is 'tailor made' rather than having one just like someone else's. Prayer is the incredible privilege to discover and develop an intimate relationship with your God and Saviour that is unique and smells of authenticity – go for it. Designing a prayer life that is tailor made always fits much better than an 'off the peg' one ever will, and is far more enjoyable and natural to wear on a day-to-day basis.
Yes, be inspired by other people's methods and habits, but then take time to design your own prayer life. Answer some simple questions for yourself, like "When fits you best?", "Where do you find it easier to pray?", "Do you like a lot of worship?", "Do you read the Bible during?", "If you do, at the start or finish?". These are a few of the many questions you can ask if you really desire to design a prayer life you love to live in.
When it comes to communicating with God let's all cast off the restraints, be ourselves and find our own groove. Remember, He wants authenticity not performance, reality rather than entertainment!
God bless,
Andy
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