Prayer Starters

One thing that helps motivate me to draw near to God more consistently is reading the thoughts of those who have walked with God for many years. Here are a few quotes and insights that have helped me:

My heart has heard you say, "Come talk to me." And my heartresponds, "Lord, I am coming." [Psalm 27:8]

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. [Psalm 63:1-5]

For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me — the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! [Jeremiah 2:13]

Jesus, thou joy of loving hearts, thou fount of life, thou light of men, from the best bless that life imparts … we turn unfilled to thee again." [Bernard of Clairvaux]

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear; What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; in his arms he'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there. [Hymn by Joseph Scriven and Charles C. Converse]

If you're looking for a good book on prayer, check out any works by E.M.Bounds. His words are enough to light a bonfire in any cold heart! 

Another good book on prayer I've been reading lately is Deepening Your Conversation with God: The Life Changing Power of Prayer by Ben Patterson.