Keys to Enjoyable Prayer

Even them I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. – Isaiah 56:7

Anyone experienced in prayer meetings can testify to the monotony of prayer. Many of you reading this have facilitated such a meeting! It could be said that the happiest part of prayer is the concluding “Amen.” Extended prayer meetings are like penance! How then could Isaiah prophesy joy in a house of prayer? Included below are some helpful keys to enjoyable, extended prayer.

Music

Enough could not be said for the intermingling of worshipful music with prayer. Seconds become minutes, minutes become hours, and hours become days in the natural synergy of worship and prayer. Indeed David appointed hundreds of singers and musicians to fill the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 25:7). John’s description of the Throne in Revelation 5:8 includes both a harp for song and a bowl of incense representing the prayers of the saints. Here is a suggested progression:

1.    Start with worship and set your attention on praising the Lord. Songs of praise and gratitude align the heart rightly for prayer. Spend anywhere from 20 - 30 minutes worshiping until your heart and those gathered are at peace and ready to pray.

2.    Transition to prayer, spending 10-15 minutes speaking your prayers or praying in groups. User shorter times if focus is difficult and extend the prayer time as focus matures. Consider putting your prayers to the music and sing them spontaneously. Spontaneous singing, while potentially awkward at first, accelerates the growth of a flowing heart of prayer. This can be done with a live band or alone with your instrument or favorite worship album.

3.    As focus dissipates, naturally return to worship and prepare to reset the process with new songs and the next prayer topic.

This cycle of intermingled music and prayer is refreshing and energizing, and has been historically proven to sustain prayer for not just an hour, but decades.

Prayer Lists

Utilize the ArkansasPrays Prayer Outline and generate your own personal list of prayer topics. Relegating your list to memory diminishes your focus. Write it down and be sure to include a separate column to write and dismiss distracting thoughts. Write down people you wish to pray for, situations in your family, church or city, and key verses to pray through. Using a tangible list will greatly enhance your focus. Spend time on each topic and remember to spend time listening between topics.

The Enjoyable God

We must have a right perspective of God if we are to enjoy prayer. Seldom is God taught as enjoyable, and consequently many in the church approach the Throne with reluctance rather than boldness. Aligning our perspective with the truth of God’s character will greatly impact our engagement. David has much to say on this matter, including not only the joy found in God’s presence, but in the joy God finds in us.

[The Lord] rescued me, because he delighted in me. – Psalm 18:19

In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. – Psalm 16:11

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

Meditate on such verses and begin a journey of discovering the joy of God’s presence. Study passages on the joy of God and the joy He finds in his people. Understanding God’s pleasure in you will renew your prayers. You will begin to pray positively and hopefully and allow the Lord to carry your burdens. Before you know it prayer will be your escape from fleshly emotions and deliver you into the joy of God’s presence.

May you be blessed in your discovery of the ejoyability of God and in your times of extended prayer.

Contributor: Logan Bloom, Founder of Arkansas For Christ.