Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
For most of my Christian life, I was immature in the area of prayer. Prayer was a rushed thing, an insincere thing done over a meal, and was usually routine and repetitive. There was no conversation between God and me. I was quickly checking a block on a daily spiritual checklist that I had created in my head.
When I finally reached a point of spiritual maturity that my prayers became intentional, heartfelt, sincere, and conversational, my life quickly began to change. I began to look forward to my prayer time. I was excited for it. I could not wait to have a conversation with God.
As a Christian warrior, prayer is one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal. Many Christians may not realize just how effective this weapon is. Like me, they may see it as more of a rote practice for meals and bedtime.
Imagine you are a general leading a battalion of soldiers in combat. Unlike the enemy general, you have a secret weapon. All of the great generals of the past are looking down upon this battlefield—Alexander the Great, Hannibal Barca of Carthage, Douglas MacArthur, George S. Patton, and dozens more. At any time, you can speak to whichever general you want, and if you are listening, you will get advice. This would give you a significant edge over your opponent.
Being a Christian warrior, you have an even greater privilege. You have 24/7 access to the Creator of the Universe. He wants you to go to Him about everything that is troubling you. The Bible says in Psalm 62:8, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
If your prayer life needs to change, then start today. Pour out your heart to God. Ask Him to give you a desire to pray and spend time with Him more.