What can you do today to strengthen your prayer life?

Having a relationship with God is not something that we check off on the list of must-do’s-in-life one time and then we are done with it. The reward of having a relationship with Jesus is more than “ a ticket into heaven,” it is being able to commune with him regularly!

But, if you never do this, can you even say you have a relationship with Him?

Maybe so, but I would say a very distant one at best!

As with any other relationship in life, the more time you spend with him/her, the closer you are together. But when our relationship with God begins to fade, it is usually because we have stopped spending time with Him - not that He has stopped spending time with us.

Where are you today? Can you honestly say that you have a strong prayer life?

Don’t be afraid to admit that your prayer life could use a little work because, honestly, we could all do a lot better!

Every day, we have a choice to make: are we going to spend time with God or not?

Prayer is the most integral aspect of your relationship with God because it is the direct line of communication between you and the God of the Universe!

Maybe, for you,  praying is awkward? Maybe, you are upset with God? Maybe, you just don’t feel like you have the time? Or maybe you don’t think that it’s even worth the time?

I guarantee that when you look back on your life, neither you nor your family will regret spending more time with God. In fact, as a father/mentor, your God-ordained responsibility is to lead your son(s) and mentees in a relationship with God. But remember, we must lead by example first and foremost. It is not only good enough to talk-the-talk but we must also walk-the-walk.

Will you answer the call?

God has given us the Bible - His very own words - with the intention that it would change the way that we live. Everything that God says demands a response. This means the Bible demands a response from us as well.  As the spiritual leader of your household, you have the responsibility of raising your family in the way that God would have us live and studying the Bible is necessary to doing this. In fact, I would dare say that you cannot do this or make any progress in your relationship with God if you are not reading and studying His Word regularly. Studying God’s Word is what fuels your relationship with Him and allows you to gain traction in your walk with God.

So I ask again, are you struggling to be consistent? Is it hard to find the motivation? Are you lost on where to begin?

Below, are four practical tips to help you develop this habit in your life so that you can begin to disciple your family and mentor your son’s and the young men in your life who need a role model.

Let’s be real. Many men (especially myself) struggle with their relationship with God. Often times it is difficult to make the time for it and then even when we do it feels more like a chore than it does a relationship. We’ve tried praying more, reading the bible more, going to church more but something just seems to be missing - something crucial. Maybe you’ve even given up or stopped trying altogether? Don’t quit now. God has called you to lead your family into a closer relationship with Him, but how can you lead them somewhere you are uncomfortable going yourself? The truth is your family is depending on you.

There is a verse in Genesis that often gets overlooked. It says, “they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). Picture it: the sound of the God of the universe coming down to earth to spend special time with you in the outdoors. What if this verse has the key to what may be missing in your relationship with God? There is a very special connection between man and nature; it is one that God established himself and one that He said was “good”. God wants for us to enjoy the earth He created for us as our home. But more than this, He wants us to enjoy Him while we are here on earth and for all of eternity. This verse paints the picture that God actually came to earth to spend time with Adam in the garden and even today, God wants to spending time with us in nature - in His creation. What if God is waiting for you to spend time with Him today?

You’re pushing back.

“I don’t have time…”

“I just don’t get it…”

“I don’t know what to do…”

“All I ever get is uncomfortable silence…”

This spiritual practice is one of the easiest and most effective ways that we can connect with God and, in fact, He created it to display His glory and power for us to enjoy. Spending time with God in creation is a spiritual discipline that can deepen our relationship with Him.

This is why BMA exists. We want to help you make this a reality in your own life. We want to help you grow in your relationship with God so that you can better lead your family, your son(s) or even the boy in your life that needs a role mode. God has called us to live and lead a life of Biblical Manhood. We want to see men rise to this challenge and grow deeper in their relationship with Christ so that they can be better fathers, husbands, mentors, and godly men.

Will you answer the call?