How to Add Minutes to Your Prayer Time

At some point, every follower of Jesus makes a decision to pray more. It usually happens during some kind of holy moment. Worship music is revved up, or a pastor is making an appeal to pray, or you are reading a book.And here comes the profound thought: "It would be so great if I could pray more."  The thought could bring discouragement (I've tried that before a thousand times), or inspiration (wow, that will change my life). But either way, the moment is exciting, because we imagine in that moment what life would be like with more prayer.But the the sound of the alarm clock on our phone usually isn't as inspiring. And so these holy moments are often confined to moments rather than consistent practices in our lives.In 2016, I had about fifty of these holy moments, when I knew that there was some kind of inner call to pray more. I kept pushing the idea off, as I couldn't seem to find time to fit it in. But still I felt that the inner voice of God kept saying that there was something more. And about one and a half years ago, I shifted my schedule. And the increase in prayer inaugurated a different season of intimacy with God and power and blessing in my work and ministry.But how did I shift from the internal sense that I should pray more to a practical increase in prayer in my life? I want to share several tips that were key for me, and I think they will help you respond to whatever call to prayer that God has put inside of you:

1. Make your prayer goal a time goal - Some people will tell you it doesn't matter how much time you pray, that you can pray throughout the day. This is true and it is false. It's important to pray throughout the day. I am sure Jesus never lost connection with the Father. But he went off to pray by himself, and so he sets an example for a lifestyle of prayer separate from others. A time goal doesn't need to be a law for us. But time goals help us establish establish time priorities, and it keeps us from having to make the same decision every day of how much we should pray. Invite God to help you make this goal.
2. Thoroughly examine your current morning routine - We do a lot of things in our morning routine because they are the essence of the word routine, which is defined as: "Performed as a part of a regular procedure rather than for a special reason." We've got to know why we do what we do. Write down what time you wake up. Then make a list of each thing you do before you start your day (i.e. workout, each breakfast, check email and facebook etc...). Next to each item, write three things: how long it takes, its purpose, and whether you can do it at another time. See if you can fit your prayer goal in with your current set up. If you can't, go on to the next point.
3. Move another part of your morning routine to another time - Most likely the things you are doing in the morning have purpose, but maybe that activity can be done at another time. Look for these items that you can do at a different time.
4. Look for ways to combine morning routine activities - For a lot of people who work out, they feel that they have to choose between working out and praying. But what if you turned working out or another morning routine activity into a time of prayer? You can listen to a sermon or worship music while you work out or intentionally pray for people while you drive. I often put on worship music as I am getting breakfast ready for the kids. I wouldn't combine all of my prayer with other activities, but a certain portion can be combined and it can increase our sense of connection with God.
5. Go to bed earlier - The biggest thing I had to give up to pray more was staying up late. I love staying up late. It's the best time to watch movies, hang out, and unwind. But I found that to meet the goal I had set, that I had to go to bed earlier. I used to hate it. But now I love it. I love feeling tired now and knowing that I am actually going to go to bed soon rather than pushing myself to watch one more episode.
6. Set up your prayer location the night before - Location is key, and sometimes having the coffee pot ready and your Bible, journal and pen next to a chair can give you that extra motivation you need to go and meet with God when you wake up.
7. Have a plan for your time of prayer - There's nothing worse than getting bored while you are sitting and praying. Have a plan and let the structure fill out your time. You can try this four-part quiet time that I describe here.

Do you have any other tips that have helped you to increase your life of prayer?