Pt. 18-Praying God's Word: Developing a Prayer Routine

Praying God’s Word daily isn’t just a habit—it’s a lifeline. Creating a routine rooted in Scripture brings peace, clarity, and deeper connection with Him

I am the queen of planning. I absolutely love planning—the stickers, the crisp, clean pages, the endless potential for what lies ahead. And lists! I love making them, color-coding them, and savoring each check mark as I complete a task. When new planners come out, I’ll spend months analyzing them, hoping to find one that’s the perfect fit for my next year. Without fail, I end up with at least 3 or 4 planners each year, only to return to my own custom-made planner that feels just right.

Developing a prayer routine can be a bit like finding that perfect planner. You can try every method out there, but in the end, the best routine will be the one that fits you best. That’s what the Lord wants too. God didn’t create us to be carbon copies of each other, so what works for one person might not work for you—and that’s perfectly okay. Our time in prayer is a unique relationship with Him, where the aim is simply to draw close to Him, to rest in His presence, and to pray without ceasing in our own way.

For me, prayer feels most natural through journaling. I used to write in notebooks, but now most of my prayers are typed out. In my prayer journal, I pour out everything—the blogs I’m working on, the verses I’m considering, my to-do lists, and even my “What should I focus on today?” list. I organize these journals in Google Drive, dating each entry and usually ending up with three or four files each year because I write so much! My mornings start early, usually after my first cup of coffee (I’m useless before that), and I’m at my laptop, writing out my thoughts, questions, and prayers to the Lord.

Some days, I follow a basic prayer outline—thanksgiving, confession, personal needs, forgiveness, intercession, and worship. Other days, my prayers are more of a flowing conversation. I’ll ask the Lord questions about a verse that confuses me or dig deeper into a passage that the Holy Spirit leads me to explore. Some days, He shows me areas of my life that need repentance, and I’ll spend that time seeking forgiveness and guidance. Each day in prayer is different, just as each day in life is different.

The key is finding what works for you, what feels natural as you spend time with God. There’s no right or wrong way; the goal is to create a rhythm that brings you into His presence, a routine you can return to daily. Start with any place, any time—no need to make it perfect. As you spend time with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will guide you, shaping and teaching you along the way. Some days may be full of focused prayers, while others may be brief moments of reaching out to Him. What matters is that you begin.

In time, your routine will become something you look forward to, something you need each day. Just like a new planner, at first, you may feel the urge to fill in every box and make everything perfect. But over time, you’ll find that prayer is about seeking God simply to know Him better, drawing nearer to Him throughout your day. Like Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God, the ultimate goal is to walk in His presence always, praying without ceasing.

So, let go of the pressure to create the “perfect” prayer time. God desires a relationship with the real you—your heart, your thoughts, and your struggles, not a polished version. If all you can say today is, “Help me, Jesus,” that’s more than enough. He’ll meet you right where you are. But for those of you who came today looking for ideas here are some to get you thinking:

Starting prayer with thanksgiving is a powerful way to align our hearts with God’s goodness, opening ourselves to His presence and inviting gratitude into our relationship with Him. The Bible emphasizes the importance of thanksgiving, showing us that it’s not just a ritual—it’s a way of drawing closer to God with a heart full of reverence, joy, and humility. Here are a few reasons why thanksgiving is such an essential beginning for prayer, grounded in Scripture:

1. Thanksgiving Honors God’s Presence Psalm 100:4 encourages us to, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Beginning our prayers with thanksgiving is like entering God’s presence with a grateful heart, recognizing that He is holy, good, and faithful. Thanksgiving shifts our focus from our own needs and challenges, centering our thoughts on His character and His works in our lives.

2. Thanksgiving Renews Our Perspective1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Offering thanks, especially in tough times, realigns our perspective. When we start with thanksgiving, we acknowledge that God is at work in every season. Even when life feels overwhelming, giving thanks reorients us to the truth that God is with us, guiding us through.

3. Thanksgiving Builds Faith Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Starting with thanksgiving not only expresses gratitude but also strengthens our faith. When we thank God, we are reminded of how He’s worked in our lives before, which builds our faith to trust Him with our current concerns.

4. Thanksgiving Draws Us into God’s Peace Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” When we give thanks, we are choosing to rest in God’s peace rather than be overwhelmed by life’s anxieties. Thanksgiving allows us to experience His peace, quieting our minds and helping us to settle into the awareness of His presence.

5. Thanksgiving Helps Us to Remember God’s Goodness Psalm 9:1 declares, “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Thankfulness reminds us of all the ways God has provided for us, encouraged us, and been faithful in our lives. It helps us to recall His wonderful deeds, creating an overflow of praise that leads us deeper into a genuine connection with Him.

6. Thanksgiving Draws Us into a Relationship with God James 1:17 reminds us that, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Giving thanks helps us to acknowledge the many blessings and gifts in our lives, even the small ones, deepening our relationship with God as we recognize Him as the source of all that is good.

When we begin our prayers with thanksgiving, we start from a place of worship, acknowledging God’s goodness, faithfulness, and grace this is vital for when we "aren't in the mood". Thanksgiving opens our hearts and minds to experience His presence in a fuller, more intimate way, allowing us to continue our prayers with faith, trust, and hope. As we practice thankfulness, we find that our hearts grow more attuned to His will and our spirits become more anchored in His unchanging love.

 Confession:

  Confession is a way of opening ourselves fully to God, allowing His grace to transform us. It’s not about dwelling on our mistakes but about acknowledging them, seeking God’s forgiveness, and experiencing the joy of restoration. Through confession, we let God cleanse us, renew us, and draw us closer to Him, embracing His mercy and love in our daily walk. More about this in another post.

Praying for ourselves and Others:

Sometimes, praying for ourselves can feel selfish, like we should skip straight to praying for everyone else. But over time, I've learned that when I take even just a few moments to focus on my own needs with God, it opens up something beautiful: I find myself more centered, refreshed, and truly ready to pray for others with a heart that’s focused and sincere.

When I sit down with my own struggles, desires, or questions, I’m reminded that God cares about me—not just as a person who prays for others but as His child, someone He wants to comfort, guide, and encourage. I think of what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." It’s almost like He’s saying, "Bring it all to me, first. I want to hear your heart." And when I do, it’s like letting out a deep breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

I’ve found that by taking this time for myself, I can let go of the “noise” in my own heart—the anxieties, uncertainties, or even the small things that keep my mind busy. When I hand them over to God, He gives me a peace that frees me to focus on others. It’s a bit like putting on my own oxygen mask first; I can’t help others breathe easier if I’m struggling to catch my own breath.

Praying for ourselves doesn’t mean we’re ignoring everyone else’s needs. Actually, it’s the opposite. By bringing my own burdens to God, I find my heart becomes more open to the burdens of others. When I let God heal my hurt, or give me clarity where I’m confused, or remind me of His love when I’m feeling empty, I’m suddenly able to come alongside others with more empathy and a deeper understanding. I’m not praying for them out of routine; I’m praying from a place that feels genuine, because I know how much they, too, need God’s comfort, wisdom, and strength.

It’s a humbling thing, really. When I’m honest with God about my own struggles, I become more aware of just how much we all need Him. James 5:16 says, "Pray for each other so that you may be healed." It’s a reminder that praying for each other can bring healing, both for the person we’re lifting up and for ourselves.

So, here’s what I’ve come to believe: taking time to pray for ourselves isn’t selfish at all. It’s actually a vital first step that lets us pour out our hearts for others with a fullness we can’t find on our own. When I’ve taken that time with God, my prayers for others don’t feel rushed or obligatory. They come from a place of peace, clarity, and love. And that, I think, is exactly what God intended.

Worship:

Ending my time with God in worship has become one of my favorite parts of prayer. After I’ve laid everything out—the worries, the thanks, the requests, and even the confessions—closing with worship is like putting my trust in His hands and saying, “Lord, I believe You’ve got this.” It’s a beautiful reminder that no matter what I’ve brought to Him, He’s still God, still faithful, and so worthy of my praise.

Worship at the end of prayer feels like taking a deep breath and shifting my focus. Instead of staying focused on my needs or emotions, I turn my heart back to who He is. It’s a way of saying, “God, You are greater than any of this. I trust You with every part of my life.” It’s like ending a letter with love or a hug goodbye—finishing on a note that says, “I know I’m safe with You.”

Ending in worship also changes my perspective. Sometimes I can go into prayer feeling overwhelmed, but when I end by praising God for His goodness, His power, or His faithfulness, it reminds me that He’s bigger than anything I’m facing. Revelation 4:11 comes to mind: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” God’s glory is bigger than my struggles, and there’s peace in knowing that He’s already in control.

And there’s something so calming about ending with worship. It’s like letting go of any lingering worry, leaving my burdens with Him, and resting in the truth that He’s already at work, even if I don’t see it yet. Philippians 4:6-7 is a beautiful reminder of this peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Worship lets me step into that peace, letting God’s love and presence fill up any spaces of doubt or fear.

Sometimes worship is as simple as whispering, “Thank You, Lord,” or singing a quiet song that feels close to my heart. Other times, I’ll just sit in silence, letting the peace of His presence wash over me. Ending with worship, no matter how simple, reminds me that He’s the One in control and that I’m held in His love. And honestly, that’s all I need to carry with me into the day.

Listening for God’s voice—it sounds simple, but for me, it’s often the part of prayer I struggle with the most. After I’ve poured out my heart, laid down my worries, and praised God for His goodness, my mind is already racing toward the day ahead. Yet I know that listening is where the real connection happens, where I’m reminded that God isn’t just hearing me—He’s wanting to speak to me too. I try to practice listening every day, though I’ll admit, some days I’m successful, and some days I rush right past it.

In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This verse reminds me that God isn’t distant or unreachable; He knows us and wants us to hear Him. But listening requires a willingness to pause and quiet my own thoughts long enough to be open to whatever He might want to say. I often picture it as sitting with a friend—just being quiet and letting them speak, because I truly want to hear what’s on their heart.

Listening isn’t always easy. God’s voice often isn’t loud or flashy, but more like a gentle whisper, a thought that nudges me or a verse that seems to pop into my mind. I think of Elijah on the mountain in 1 Kings 19:12, where God’s voice wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a “gentle whisper.” It takes time and practice to catch that whisper, especially with all the noise around us. But as I keep practicing, I’m learning to tune into His voice more, recognizing when He’s gently leading me or comforting me in ways I might have missed before.

What I’ve found is that when I make room to listen, God often brings me the peace or clarity I didn’t even know I needed. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” God wants to guide us, to reassure us that He’s with us every step of the way. Taking even a few moments to pause and listen gives me that sense of peace and helps me feel grounded, knowing He’s already ahead of me in whatever comes next.

Of course, making space to listen can be challenging. I’m often tempted to jump right into the day’s to-do list, promising myself I’ll listen later (and sometimes “later” never comes). But I’ve learned that even if I can pause for just a few moments, God meets me there. Some days I don’t hear anything specific, but other times, He’ll bring to mind a scripture or a simple thought that stays with me through the day. It’s like a little reminder that He’s with me, guiding me even when I don’t have all the answers.

Listening is an act of trust—trusting that God will speak, and that what He has to say is worth the wait. It’s about slowing down, even for just a moment, and allowing His love, wisdom, and peace to fill the spaces we’ve opened up in prayer. It’s not about getting it right every day; it’s about practicing, about showing up and giving God a chance to speak to us. And each time I take that quiet moment, I’m reminded of just how real, personal, and beautiful this relationship with Him can be.

This journey is unique for each of us. The most important thing is to make that start and to let your prayer time become a conversation that transforms your day. And if obstacles come up—don’t worry, I’ll tackle that topic in an upcoming blog. Just remember: God meets us where we are, in the simple moments, in our real, unfiltered selves.

In Faith and friendship,

Maria

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