You will never intensify your prayer life on accident. In order to pray continually, you must first pray intentionally.

Worthwhile Examples

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 1:3–5 ESV³ And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” ⁴ As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵ And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Daniel

Daniel 6:10–11 ESV¹⁰ When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. ¹¹ Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

Jesus

Mark 1:35 ESV³⁵ And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 

Luke 6:12 ESV¹² In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 

Matthew 14:23 ESV²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 

Luke 22:39–41 ESV³⁹ And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” ⁴¹ And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 

Luke 11:1 ESV¹ Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

Scheduled Times

• The more we prioritize scheduled prayer, the more often we will gravitate towards spontaneous prayer.
• Most things happen in our life because we put a place and a time on our calendar.
• There are certain times of the day when you are less distracted or more alert.
• There are certain places that are less cluttered and more focused.
• You can pray anytime, anywhere about anything, but you can pray better at certain times in certain places about certain things.
• I will never pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17) if I don’t first pray intentionally.
• Relationships need times of deep communication to endure through times of rushed connection.

Prayer Strategies

• Daily Psalm – Use 1 psalm a day to direct your prayers.
• Weekly Schedule – Plan weekly what daily focus will be to avoid monotony.
• Occasional Emphasis – Incorporate unique ways to make prayer engaging.
• Seasonal Time – Schedule longer times for prayer and reflection.