HOW TO BUILD A HABIT OF PRAYER

While growing up, we had a neighbour who loved dogs. Their dogs became the neighbourhood dogs- it was everyone’s pet. We had Jack, and we had Jill. 

Jack had an amazing pattern. A few minutes to 4 pm every weekday, Jack would come to our door and wait- that was the hour my mum would leave for the church to what is called the “Upper Room.” 

Jack would be right there. As we drove to church, Jack would race after the car, following us to church. It became Jack’s pattern. 

Anything that will become a pattern for you must be repeated again and again. Patterns are powerful. Positive patterns help our spiritual growth. One of the patterns you must develop is the Hour of Prayer. 

First, you should have a company that encourages you to pray. Like faithful Jack, keep friendship with those who pray. Lifestyle can be contagious. If you will contact anything at all, let it be a positive one- prayer is life-changing. 

Second, you should have a time of prayer. My mum would go to pray at 4 p.m. every day. She also woke up at 4 a.m. to have quiet time. We renamed the chiming of the clock at 4 a.m. as “Stand up fast hour.”

Third, make sure that time is honoured. To do this, ensure it is time you are free from distractions and other demands of life. This is why I encourage the Jesus pattern of waking up “long before dawn” (Mark 1:35). You have less distraction at those hours. Please deal with that phone and social media distraction!

Make it a regular pattern. Push yourself till you master that timing. Let your body clock adjust to the hour of prayer. It should be a sweet time for you, indeed. 

Let us close with this simple scripture: 

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Acts 3:1 NKJV

• Peter and John – a company of prayer. 

• Together – a commitment to the company. Do not keep friendships with all talk and no action friends. 

• Temple- A place of prayer. 

• At The Hour of Prayer- a fixed time. 

That is how you build a pattern and consistent habit of prayer. 

It is that simple! 

© temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa