How to Grow in Your Prayer Life

By

 Michael Guyer

 -

November 2, 2017

I can’t think of a year that I haven’t desired to grow more in my prayer life. This year is no different. As I listen to others, it seems this is a shared desire among many in the church. For some it is a lack of consistency. For others it is a lack of desire. Still others feel overwhelmed and distracted when they pray. What is it for you?

I was recently reminded of a sermon my pastor preached a few years ago on prayer. He gave this encouragement: Pray until you pray. Huh? That was my first reaction. What exactly does that mean?

In A Call to Spiritual Reformation, D.A. Carson explains:

Pray until you pray. That is Puritan advice. It is does not simply mean that persistence should mark much of our praying—though admittedly that is a point the Scriptures repeatedly make. … What they meant is that Christians should pray long enough and honestly enough, at a single session, to get past the feeling of formalism and unreality that attends not a little praying. We are especially prone to such feelings when we pray for only a few minutes, rushing to be done with a mere duty. … If we ‘pray until we pray,’ eventually we come to delight in God’s presence, to rest in His love, to cherish His will. … Such advice is not to become an excuse for a new legalism: there are startling examples of very short, rapid prayers in the Bible (e.g., Neh. 2:4). But in the Western world we urgently need this advice, for many of us in our praying are like nasty little boys who ring front door bells and run away before anyone answers. Pray until you pray.

This is how I will pursue growing in my prayer life this year. I want to slow down a bit, focus my mind on the Lord, and pray a little longer. I want to pray until I pray.

Pray until the pretense fades.

Pray until sin loses its appeal.

Pray until the burden is lifted.

Pray until I delight in God’s presence.

Pray until I’m seeking first the kingdom.

Pray until my heart is ready to sing His praise.

Pray until I’m emboldened to share.

Pray until I’m eager to love.

Pray until I’m resolved to do His will.

Pray until I’m at rest in his sovereign grace.

I’m not sure how you’re planning on growing in prayer, but I hope you’ll join me in praying until you pray.

This article originally appeared here.

Jat unspecified (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

Jat unspecified (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan All theories of origin for the Jat communities are speculative, but the Jat have been in Pakistan for many hundreds of years. Most likely the word jat is derived from jatta, a generic term for cattle-grazers and camel-breeders. Current research suggests that the Jat migrated from Central Asia. They were speakers of the languages of the Indo-Aryan language family. The Jat are a landowning community. In the latter half of the 19th century the Jats substantially benefited from the canal-irrigation system both in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Ministry Obstacles The Muslim Jat speak more than 30 languages. Evangelistic and church planting projects need to accommodate the language subdivisions. Outreach Ideas Much focused, sustained prayer is needed to prepare Muslim hearts to come to believe that Jesus is deity, the Son of God, and that his sacrificial death on the cross is offered to the Muslim. Pray for the followers of Christ There are few if any followers of Jesus among the large Muslim Jat community. Pray for these few, and for the many additional individuals that will soon join their numbers. Pray they will become quickly and firmly settled on Christ and His finished work on the cross. Pray they will clearly understand the Gospel of grace, and also understand the need to be obedient to Christ in order to become his disciples. Pray for the entire people group Pray for peace throughout Pakistan. Pray all Muslim communities will be drawn to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Scripture Focus "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38		People Name: Jat unspecified (Muslim traditions) Country: Pakistan 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 29,065,000 World Population: 29,604,000 Language: Punjabi, Western Primary Religion: Islam Bible: New Testament Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Nisu, Xinping in China

Nisu, Xinping in China This people group lives in southwest China, in Yunnan province. Roosters are held in great reverence and are even worshiped by the Xinping Nisu. They also believe the spirits of dragons and the ox can protect them. A study done in 1989 indicates there are a few hundred Christians among them. Ministry Obstacles The Xinping community worship created things rather than the creator God. Outreach Ideas Focused prayer is needed to help the Xinping learn of the creator God who loves them, and to come to the place of placing their faith in His provision. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the followers of Christ among the Xinping, that they will grow into the likeness of Christ, living consistently in the power of His Spirit. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Lord will cause the Xinping community to become increasingly aware of their need for a Savior, and that workers will be sent to tell them that Jesus has come to be their Deliverer. Scripture Focus "And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." Mark 13:10		People Name: Nisu, Xinping Country: China 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 252,000 World Population: 252,000 Language: Nisu, Northern Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions Bible: None Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: No Audio Recordings: No Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Tanti (Hindu traditions) in India

Tanti (Hindu traditions) in India The Tanti people are found across the northeastern portion of India. They are said to have originated as weavers, providers of cloth, back in history as far as ancient Bengal. Not too long ago, virtually every home would have had a loom and cloth present. Today, much of their trade has been taken over by factory production and imported goods. They are considered among the lower castes of India. Ministry Obstacles The Tanti community speaks over 15 languages, residing in 30 states of India. Reaching them with the Gospel of Christ will require a multi-pronged approach. Outreach Ideas Several church planting projects will likely be needed to communicate with this widely dispersed community. Pray for the followers of Christ Pray for the few followers of Jesus among the Tanti people, that they will live a life worthy of the calling they have received, being patient, bearing with one another in love. Pray for the entire people group The Tanti community has a great need for clean water to help with sanitation issues. Since so much of this group is found in rural India, they do not have ready access either to sanitation or medical facilities. Scripture Focus "I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples." Psalm 108:3		People Name: Tanti (Hindu traditions) Country: India 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 4,895,000 World Population: 5,093,000 Language: Bengali Primary Religion: Hinduism Bible: Complete Audio NT (FCBH): Yes Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Nubian, Arabized in Egypt

Nubian, Arabized in Egypt The name Nubian was given to the original inhabitants of Nubia, a thin settlement along the Nile River in southern Egypt. The Arabs, who invaded much of North Africa in the seventh and eleventh centuries, displaced some Nubian groups and absorbed others. As a result, thousands of Nubians are now "Arabized," influenced by the Arab culture, language, and religion. Some Arabized Nubians seasonally migrate with their herds, living in temporary camps. Most are peasants who live in villages in rural areas. Their houses are simple, round dwellings with grass-thatched roofs. Ministry Obstacles The Nubians have held to their current worldview and religion for centuries. Change is very difficult. Outreach Ideas Scripture is available in the Egyptian dialect of Arabic, as are many other resources which communicate the Gospel. Pray Egyptian Christians will be lead to take the Gospel to the Nubians. Pray for the followers of Christ There are no known followers of Christ among the Arabized Nubians. But Rev. 5:9 says men were purchased from every tribe. Pray for the Nubians who will soon come to Christ, that they will be accurately taught the ways of Christ, and will follow him with a whole heart. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Lord's Spirit will increasingly draw the Nubians to Jesus (Isa in the Koran), giving them a growing desire to learn about this man. Perhaps the Lord will communicate to some via dreams and visions. Scripture Focus "The time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory." Isaiah 66:18		People Name: Nubian, Arabized Country: Egypt 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 509,000 World Population: 509,000 Language: Arabic, Egyptian Spoken Primary Religion: Islam Bible: New Testament Audio NT (FCBH): Yes Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Brahui, Kur Galli in Pakistan

Brahui, Kur Galli in Pakistan The Brahui overthrew a dynasty of Hindu kings and rose to power in the 1600s. Brahui can be distinguished from their Pushtun and Baluchi neighbors by their Dravidian language, called Brahuidi. The number of Brahui nomads has consistently declined over the past hundred years, and today there are many fully-settled villages dependent on underground water irrigation. Divorce is rare among the Brahui. The ideal family consists of married sons who live with their parents. Most Brahui are Sunni Muslims, and are deeply rooted in their faith. Ministry Obstacles There is much spiritual darkness to overcome, in Pakistan. Outreach Ideas Much sustained, focused prayer is needed for all the peoples of Pakistan. Prayer to prepare hearts, and prayer to overcome the darkness with the light of Christ's Gospel. Pray for the followers of Christ There are few if any Brahui who know and follow Jesus Christ. But pray for those that the Lord will soon call to himself. Pray they will have Scripture available, as well as other resources to help them grow. Pray for teachers, also. These believers will need outside prayer support. Pray for the entire people group Pray for the Brahui people to be able to live in a peaceful Pakistan. Pray also they will have the light of the Gospel of Christ widely and freely available, overcoming the darkness that has prevailed for so long in Pakistan. Scripture Focus "And you shall be my witnesses, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8		People Name: Brahui, Kur Galli Country: Pakistan 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 2,618,000 World Population: 2,929,000 Language: Brahui Primary Religion: Islam Bible: New Testament Audio NT (FCBH): No Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level:

Herki in Turkey

Herki in Turkey The Herki Kurds are a confederacy of tribes of Northern Kurdistan. They live primarily in the mountainous area where the borders of Turkey, Iran, and Iraq meet, near Lake Urmia and the town of Orumiyeh. Although their farming methods seem primitive and their technology outdated, the Herki Kurds are faring well in Turkey's rugged terrain. They are noted for their elaborate national costumes. Ministry Obstacles The Kurdish people have been Muslim for centuries. Islam is part of their identity. Outreach Ideas Perhaps Kurdish believers in other parts of the Kurdish regions will be led by the Lord's Spirit to carry the message of Christ to the Herki Kurds. Pray for this possibility. Pray for the followers of Christ There are few if any followers of Jesus among the Herki Kurds today, but the Lord is calling many Kurds to himself from other Kurdish groups. Pray for the Herki believers that will soon join their ranks. Pray they will faithfully fellowship together, and be zealous to study the Scriptures and grow as believers. Pray for the entire people group Pray the Herki Kurds will live in peace with the Turkish government, and be able to raise their families in safe conditions. Pray for peace in the region of Kurdistan. Scripture Focus "You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9		People Name: Herki Country: Turkey 10/40 Window: Yes Population: 41,000 World Population: 103,000 Language: Kurdish, Northern Primary Religion: Islam Bible: Complete Audio NT (FCBH): Yes Jesus Film: Yes Audio Recordings: Yes Christ Followers: Few, less than 2% Status: Unreached Progress Level: