Is a life of prayer possible?

Is a life of prayer really possible? The ideal of “being in prayer at all times” can’t apply to those who have jobs, complex family schedules, and volunteer responsibilities, can it? Praying about everything simply isn’t a sustainable discipline. Or is it?

The Christian life is one of communion with God, community, and creation, and a crucial aspect of communion is conversation. Prayer is one of our avenues of conversation with God.

A life of prayer takes a significantly new path when we stop leaving messages on God’s answering machine or email in God’s inbox. Prayer becomes an attractive discipline when we engage with a living, dynamic God who speaks.

As a couple, we live with the assumption that God is speaking all the time. If a friend comes to mind while we’re washing dishes, we assume the Spirit is calling us to pray for that friend. If anger wells up within our hearts because of an injustice, we assume the Spirit is calling us to stand and pray with his authority and address the issue in a posture of peace. If emotions are stirred, we assume God is calling. We listen and reflect to discover the root of the emotion and submit it to the Spirit’s counsel.

But, how do we listen? Here are a few ways we’ve learned to attend to God.

Listening for truth

Consistent Bible reading has become the foundation of our listening practices. Regardless of the prayer technique we’re employing, God most often speaks through Scripture. The more Scripture we know, the more words God is able to bring forward when we’re listening. Like any discipline, listening prayer must be subject to testing, and our primary criterion is whether a prayer is aligned with Scripture.

White noise

God’s voice is often the “white noise” of everyday experience. We have to learn to tune into things we automatically tune out. We discover we can listen with our ears, eyes, taste buds, hands and feet, and even sense of smell.

During a period of fasting, I (Lloyd) was preparing a piece of toast for my son Benjamin. Out of habit I went to lick some honey off my fingertips but caught myself in time. I paused and enjoyed the texture and smell. I heard God in the moment and a deep appreciation for my senses of taste and smell welled up within me. I was called to thankfulness and worship for something as simple as the smell of toast and honey. Living with the assumption that God is speaking all the time, we learn to listen in new ways to the white noise of God’s whispers.

Prayer walks are a great way to tune into God’s white noise. In the mornings, we often walk the streets of our small town of Gretna and practice listening, worshipping, interceding, and standing up against injustice. The streets of Gretna have become our training ground for prayer. We take the lessons learned in our village into our mission work across the prairie provinces and around the world.

In addition, much debate can be avoided, and meetings can be more efficient, when we assume a posture of listening to the voice of God. Last March, during SOAR Heartland, a short-term mission program in Winnipeg with Mennonite Brethren Mission and Service International, our team met daily to review roles and schedules. Between each agenda item, we took 15–30 seconds to simply listen to Jesus. Time and again our hearts were drawn to the important, not the urgent. We were able to quickly discern the proper course of action. Jesus kept us aligned with the purposes and values of the mission, and the meetings became a place of encouragement.

A troupe of young girls raised their flags Easter Sunday at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. “Seeing these girls visually display their worship to God is a beautiful thing,” said dance director Sheryl Harris.

Prayer counselling

There are times when individuals or groups require help hearing the voice of God. Unresolved trauma, a life of disobedience, abuse, or addiction can prevent us from hearing God’s voice. There are times in our lives when deep wounds come to the surface, but we doubt we can be healed.

Many of us are like the hemorrhaging woman who desperately hoped Jesus’ tassels contained healing power. We’ve spent ourselves on medication, pop psychology, and self-help programs. We have nowhere to turn except Jesus.

In times like these, we must create space for people to hear the voice of the Healer. By facilitating listening prayer with others, we create environments for people to encounter a living God who loves them more than they can imagine.

There are many great prayer counselling methods available to the church, such as Freedom in Christ¹, Theophostic², and Listening Prayer³. Effective prayer counselling methods are based on listening to the voice of Jesus and embracing truth rather than lies and a loving Father rather than vows of self-preservation. Jesus invites us to encounter the living God who will transform our lives, minds, wills, and emotions.

Prophetic prayer

We also practice prophetic prayer in our community of faith, trusting the words of 1 Corinthians 14:3 that “those who prophesy speak to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” We listen for Scriptures, pictures, songs, or analogies that come to mind. By sharing these thoughts, recipients are blessed to go forward in faith. The prayers are tested in community to ensure the message is scriptural and in alignment with what we know to be God’s will.

As a couple, we keep a file with words of encouragement and prophetic prayers that have been given to us. Some words have been confirmed over time, others have been dismissed, and others are on the shelf – waiting for confirmation or rejection.

It’s possible

A life of sustainable prayer is possible, and abundantly so! We’re living in a season of freedom, where creative prayer practices are available to help us engage God in a variety of love languages.

However, a life of prayer, no matter what form it takes, requires discipline and work. A divine conversation is sustainable only if we listen carefully and speak truthfully.

1. ficm.org with founder Neil Anderson
2. theophostic.com with founder Ed Smith
3. bradjersak.com with founder Brad Jersak

Lloyd and Carol Letkeman serve with MBMS International as regional mobilizers for Central Canada. They live in Gretna, Man.