Have you ever watched a child learn to ride a bike? They start with training wheels, wobbling and uncertain. Then, gradually, they gain confidence until one day, those training wheels come off, and they’re flying down the sidewalk with joy. Developing a consistent prayer life follows a similar pattern—it starts with simple, steady steps that build into a natural, life-giving rhythm.
I know the struggle firsthand. For years, I tried to establish a daily prayer time, only to find myself frustrated when my ambitious plans fell apart. I’d start with grand intentions of praying for an hour each morning, only to give up entirely when life got busy or I overslept. But through trial and error, I discovered that building a sustainable prayer habit isn’t necessarily about dramatic commitments. No, more often than not, it starts small and builds steadily.
For that reason, I offer three practical tips that transformed my approach to daily prayer, and I believe they can help you too:
1. Start With Five Minutes – Yes, Really
When Jesus taught about prayer, He criticized those who “think that they will be heard for their many words” (Mt 6:7). The length of our prayers doesn’t impress God; He cares about the sincerity of our hearts. Begin with just five minutes of focused prayer time—perhaps right after you pour your morning coffee or just before you go to bed.
This might seem too simple, but there’s profound wisdom in starting small. When we begin with manageable commitments, we’re more likely to follow through. Those five minutes will gradually expand naturally as you develop the habit and discover the joy of God's presence.
Choose a specific trigger for your prayer time—maybe it’s right after you brush your teeth or when you first sit down at your desk. Research shows that habits stick better when they’re tied to existing routines. “Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice” (Ps 55:17).
2. Keep Your Prayer Tools in One Place
Just as you wouldn’t scatter your workout equipment all over the house, create a dedicated prayer space with everything you need. This might be as simple as a corner of your bedroom with:
Your Bible
A simple prayer journal or notebook
A pen
A comfortable chair
A list of prayer requests
Having everything in one place eliminates the friction that often prevents us from praying. When Jesus taught about prayer, He said, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret” (Mt 6:6). While this wasn’t meant to be a rigid rule, there’s wisdom in having a consistent, dedicated place for prayer.
3. Use a Simple Framework
One reason people struggle with prayer is that they feel uncertain about what to say. Remember, prayer isn't about impressive words—it’s about honest conversation with God. Start with a simple framework of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (often referred to as ACTS):
· Adoration: Begin by praising God for who He is
· Confession: Acknowledge any sins or struggles
· Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for specific blessings
· Supplication: Bring your requests to God
This framework isn’t meant to be an immutable formula but a helpful guide, like training wheels on a bike. As you grow more comfortable in prayer, you’ll naturally develop your own rhythm. After all, Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model, not a mandate (Mt 6:9-13).
Making It Stick
The key to maintaining your prayer habit is grace-filled consistency. If you miss a day, don’t give up—simply forgive yourself and begin again the next day. God isn’t keeping score; He delights in every moment we turn our hearts toward Him. “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Ps 145:18).
Consider using your smartphone productively. Set a gentle reminder for your prayer time, but keep the phone on “do not disturb” during your actual prayer. Some people find prayer apps helpful for getting started, while others prefer simple paper and pen.
As you establish this habit, you’ll likely face resistance, both internal (forgetting, procrastinating) and external (interruptions, busy schedules). Remember that this is normal. Even Jesus faced obstacles to prayer and had to be intentional about finding time to commune with His Father, often rising “very early in the morning, while it was still dark” (Mk 1:35).
Start Today
Don’t wait for the perfect time or circumstances to begin. Start today with five minutes. Choose your trigger, set up your prayer space, and use the simple ACTS framework. Remember, the goal isn’t perfect prayer—it’s regular connection with a perfect God who already loves you completely.
As you develop this habit, you’ll find that prayer becomes less of a duty and more of a delight. Those initial five minutes may naturally grow into longer periods, not because you’re forcing it, but because you’re discovering the joy of God’s presence. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4).
Your journey to consistent prayer might start with small steps, but like learning to ride a bike, you’ll soon find yourself moving forward with confidence and joy. The training wheels won’t be necessary forever, but they’re a perfect place to start.