It's just around the corner ... 2017! This time of year leads most people to ponder what changes - or improvements - they'll make for the new year. Healthier eating. Exercise. More time with family. Better discipline with finances. And the list could go on and on.
What resolution are you considering for 2017? Or better yet, what meaningful change could bring more joy and purpose to your life?
At Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, we want to encourage people to grow in their prayer life all throughout 2017.
The Bible tells us: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3.
And, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" Mark 11:24.
Developing our prayer lives builds our relationship with God in significant ways. In turn, we find such encouragement and more hope for living.
But what does it look like to grow in your prayer life?
Does it mean you have to set aside hours each day? Get up at the crack of dawn? Or have just the right words to say? No way!
We hope to inspire you and give you simple ideas for developing your prayer life in 2017:
1 - Start small by committing a few minutes each day to prayer. It's a beautiful act when we turn to God! Your prayer time could include saying a prayer each morning as you are getting ready (In the shower? As you blow dry your hair?) or as you are commuting to and from work or school.
2 - Set a reminder to build this routine. This could be an alarm on your phone or a note on your bathroom mirror or steering wheel. These reminders will help you build this habit in your life.
3 - Ask a friend or family member to encourage you. Find someone else who wants to grow their prayer life too. You could check in with each other on a regular basis for support and accountability. It might help you to text each other after you pray each day or check in with a weekly phone call to see what is working or what changes to make.
4 - Download and use Sherwood Oaks' monthly prayer guide for suggestions. Each month in 2017, we're offering a prayer guide. It will give all of us a suggestion of something to pray for each day. We hope this will encourage your prayer time, and it will be powerful as we all pray for things together throughout the year.
Download the January Prayer Guide Now
5 - Look for additional ways to build your prayer time. In the coming months, you may want to add a few minutes to your prayer time. You might start tracking your prayer requests (and answers!) in a prayer app on your phone or in a journal. You could add some Bible study or memorization to this time as well.