An Idea From a Fellow Pilgrim
Pastor N. Dale Cook, Eastmont Community Church
(E. Wenatchee, WA)

In a recent sermon, I shared with the congregation something very personal about my prayer life. People might think that prayer comes easily for a pastor. Maybe it does for others, but I confess to being just as human as anyone in our church community. (If you don't believe that, just ask my wife.)

Prayer has always been a bit of a chore for me. I find that after talking with God for five or 10 minutes, I've run out of things to say. I guess I could just keep repeating the same things until an hour or two have passed, but I cannot believe that would honor God, who is not deaf and surely hears our prayers the first time. Also, the Bible says that God knows our needs even before we ask.

I voiced my concern about my prayer life to my friend Doug Murren, and he shared an idea with me that has revolutionized my prayer life since. Now I want to share it with you.

Doug told me he had purchased the book All the Prayers of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer and began praying the prayers found in God's Word. So I also purchased the book — and underlined each applicable portion of the prayers as I read.

Then the exciting part came! I have begun using that book as an addition to my daily talks with the Lord. After "running out" of my own words and thoughts, I begin praying the anointed prayers of the Bible, trying to make them relevant to today's world and my own particular situation. I've discovered that those inspired words from the heroes of Scripture are already so relevant that I find myself becoming absolutely and unashamedly open before my Lord in prayer. And they spur me to think of related subjects to pray about as well.

You, too, may want to consider this approach as a way to revitalize your prayer life.