These are some helpful guidelines to use when your prayer life feels lifeless and cold. Kairos Pastor Chris Brooks instructed us to use as many of these as we needed, whether all of them or just one.

I think #9 might need a little explanation. My understanding is that you can pray within a framework, like using the ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) model while still allowing the freedom to pause on one part or sit in silence or go wherever the Spirit leads.

#11 might be hard for those who like to be seen as super spiritual. It’s humbling to confess to another that you need prayer for yourself, but even Jesus asked His disciples to pray for Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

#7 is best utilized in a park or on a nature trail or anyplace else where you can celebrate God’s creation. It’s refreshing and healing to be outdoors when you pray sometimes.

For #12, I personally use The Book of Common Prayer and on occasion, The Valley of Vision, which is an old Puritan book of prayers.

I believe prayer is a discipline, and the best way you improve isn’t by reading about prayer or talking about prayer (although these are good and helpful), but to pray as best you know how at every moment when you feel prompted to pray.

Just pray.