Sometimes I don’t know what to say. I know that may seem crazy since I talk for a living. But when it comes to talking to God, I often find myself speechless. I get overwhelmed, confused, distracted, and frankly, I forget. I spend so much time talking to others that I forget to talk to God. I bet I’m not alone in this. 

When you think about it, there is probably nothing easier than prayer – simply talking to the Lord. The creator of the universe and lover of our soul desires to be in constant communication with us! And yet, the struggle is real. The enemy wants us to get all tangled up in lies believing that God doesn’t hear our prayers or that in order to approach him we need to check a whole bunch of boxes first. The enemy knows that when a child of God has confidence in their identity and open lines of communication with their Father they are powerful. So, he lies and distracts and attacks our beliefs trying to keep us disconnected. 

Connection is what he longs for. Connection is where we get our power. Jesus knew this was the key and he shared it in John 15:4-5.

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” 

Staying connected to the Lord means that we are aware and communicating through prayer (talking and listening) all day long. Sure, morning or evening prayer and devotional time or praying over meals is great, but what if there was a way to really pray all day? 

I realize that that seems extreme, but wait, it’s so easy! 

It’s called a “breath prayer.” You identify a short phrase that resonates with your heart and soul that can be said in one breath and you simply repeat it as much as you’d like throughout the day. For me, there are two. 

Thank you, God.

I love you, Lord. 

They each serve a purpose. 

“Thank you, God” is my version of, “HELP!” I decided to flip the script on that feeling of desperation and stand in victory. I say, “Thank you, God!” But what I mean is, “Thank you that you are already on the job! You know what I need and you have gone before me. Thank you for the victory in Jesus. Thank you for caring deeply about my feelings. Thank you for being near.” There are times when I say all of that, but most often, I just repeat, “Thank you, God!” It’s amazing how this little prayer has helped me walk in victory through the valley of the shadow of death. It’s brought me peace in the difficult times, and joy in the waiting. 

I love you, Lord is my worship. As a response to his goodness, his kindness, his abundant grace and mercy, I bow down in awe and wonder and I declare my love for him. “I love you, Lord.” This is the one that gets me. I feel so inadequate to express my love and gratitude for the Lord, so I say it on repeat. 

These are not the only prayers I pray but they have helped me overcome the fear of prayer and the feeling of shame that I just don’t do it enough. I pray that this idea brings you hope and freedom to bust through the lies of the enemy that want to keep you distant and distracted. The Lord longs for you to remain connected to him. Why? Well, in the words of Jesus in John 15:11, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” 

Joyfully,
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