Vital Signs: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Strengthening the Flame: Extending Your Prayer Life

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”—Romans 8:26–27 (NKJV)

How Do I Increase My Times of Prayer to God?

We often want to grow closer to Jesus—but shutting out distractions and deepening our time in prayer can be a real struggle. Whether you’re used to praying for 15 minutes or seeking to stretch into hours, the journey begins with intentional choices and a yielded heart.

The first battlefield is your mind. Life is busy, yes—but one of the strongest distractions is internal. To shift prayer from a mental checklist to a heart-fueled connection, develop consistent habits. Schedule regular prayer appointments. Plan your approach: Who are you praying for? What areas need breakthrough? How will you begin and end your session?

Find a physical space that suits the way you express yourself in prayer—whether it’s still and silent, or passionate and vocal. Keep visible reminders of why you’re pressing in. As prayer becomes a rhythm, not a reaction, your ability to stay engaged and go deeper will expand.

But don’t stop at your prayer list. Sometimes the Holy Spirit wants to take you beyond it. Like Paul, who didn’t always know what to pray, you can lean into the Spirit’s intercession. Allow God to redirect your focus—toward others, their healing, their salvation, their families. Your list can anchor you, but the Holy Spirit leads you. And where He leads, power follows.

Even Jesus, though filled with the Spirit before His 40-day fast, gained power after the fast was completed. There is strength waiting on the other side of perseverance.

As you increase your prayer time, don’t be surprised by resistance. The flesh craves entertainment, comfort, and distractions. But spiritual growth often happens in the pressing through. Look for small “God moments” throughout your day—then pause and pray in response. Use frustration with evil, injustice, or sin to fuel your fervor in spiritual warfare.

Prayer is not just a discipline; it’s a weapon. Each extended moment builds spiritual muscle and endurance. As you grow, your heart will burn brighter, your mind clearer, and your intimacy with God deeper.