Whether you are a seasoned prayer warrior or new to a life of faith, we can all use ideas to deepen our prayer life. Talking to God can be a formal affair, or you can chat with Him out loud on your drive to work. There is no special dress code, and you don’t have to use a script. These 5 tips will help breathe new life into your prayer routine.

Pray with a spirit of gratitude.

It’s easy to fall into the habit of “grocery list” prayer – handing God your list of wants and needs without pausing to truly communicate with Him. Counting your blessings can help reframe your day and your circumstances — not to mention your relationship with the Lord.

Start a bedside list of things you’re grateful for, or post a list on the fridge. Try starting your prayers with, “Thank you God for ______.”

Expand your prayer horizons.

Meaningful prayer can take the form of words spoken aloud or silently, songs sung to God in prayer, or a prayer journal. If you are the pray-in-silence type, try mixing it up with another approach. Journaling is cathartic and a great way to pour all your thoughts out to God. If music is your thing, consider adding background music to your prayer time, or choosing a timeless hymn or contemporary Christian song to sing to the Savior, or even to focus on as your prayer.

There is power in the Word.

Choose a verse, passage, or entire book of the Bible as a prayer focus. If your life is in crisis mode, consider the book of Job. If you are seeking peace, consider the Psalms. If you are facing health challenges, spend a focus on scripture concerning healing. Begin your reading by asking God to bless your study, and speak to you through His Holy Word.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to make God’s Word part of your prayer life. If you aren’t sure where to begin, Google “Bible verses about ______.”

Pray in community.

Join a prayer group at church, an online prayer community, or even start your own group (such as a prayer group for cancer survivors, parents, or young adults). Ask a friend or family member to partner with you in prayer on a regular basis. There is great comfort in knowing others are praying for similar purposes.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

—Matthew 18:20

Pray for a specific cause.

Maybe you have missionary friends in another country. Maybe you are concerned for the state of our nation. Maybe you lost a parent to Alzheimer’s disease, and you hope fervently for a cure. Maybe you know a single mom struggling to make ends meet, or you are moved by the plight of homeless people in your community.

Ask God to bless the hands involved in behind-the-scenes work for your chosen cause. Ask Him for clarity for decision-makers, and for a clear path to success — whether that means a cure for a devastating disease, an end to conflict, or safety and provision for struggling people in your community.

God answers prayer — every day, everywhere. He longs to hear from you, and all you have to do is reach out to Him with your praise, your thoughts, and your concerns.

How can we pray for you today? Members of Team Kerusso meet on a regular basis to pray, and we would be honored to pray for you. Submit your request at kerusso.com/pray >>