From Girlfriends in God:

"Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 )

Friend to Friend
Over the past few years, my spiritual life has changed dramatically. I've witnessed the LORD move in amazing ways, and have felt His hand guide me like never before. What's the big secret? Why the big change? Simple: prayer. There is unexplainable power in prayer.
No, prayer isn't new to me. I've prayed ever since I was a child. But even though I love God, I've often struggled to remain focused during my quiet time...or even to carve out a daily quiet time, for that matter. My creative mind has a strong tendency to wander. So a few years back, I began keeping a prayer journal...and my faith has really grown as a result.
My journal isn't fancy or expensive, just a notebook that can be picked up anywhere, but it has been a power tool for God's movement in and through my life. By keeping my heart focused in prayer, my journal has fanned the flame of my prayers, and has fueled the fire in my soul to connect with our active and living God who longs to be the center of our attention.
It's not rocket science, and there aren't any special tricks. A prayer journal can be an effective tool for spiritual growth, but the power is in the praying! How do I put my power tool to work? I start by writing the date. Then I jot down who and what I want to pray about. I also love to write out scripture passages that have spoken to my heart. Then I go to my Father...focused and fearless. God is the source of all power, and prayer is essential to experiencing His power in our lives.
Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Prayer moves the hand of God, yet, statistically; most Christians spend less than 5 minutes a day in prayer. That's just crazy! Why would we expect God to show His power in our lives if we don't give Him more time than we spend brushing our teeth each day?
Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? He wants you to come to Him in prayer: when you are hurting, when you are angry, when you need direction, when you need answers, when you need hope, when you need healing. He wants you to come to Him for forgiveness, courage, strength, confidence, and perspective. Come with praise, adoration, humility, honor, and worship.
So -- grab a journal and focus your heart and thoughts on God...or, if that idea yucks you out, banish the thought. What matters is that you pray. He just wants you to come.
A GIG PLEDGE: Let's commit together to spend more time on our knees in 2008! Raise your right hand and say out loud: "Lord, it is my sincere intention to seek you more fervently in 2008." God assures us, that when we seek Him, we will find Him! As Girlfriends in God, we are growing rapidly in numbers. All around the globe, close to 50,000 women come together in devotion to seek God's face. As we grow in width, may we, as GiGs, also grow in depth. I pray that 2008 will lead us, collectively and individually, deeper and wider into the life changing presence of God.
Let's Pray
Holy Father, Thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer. I humbly bow before Your throne of grace and ask that You would forgive me for all of the times I have failed to come. I need You more than I know. Please help me experience the fullness of Your life-changing presence in a fresh and powerful way this year. For Your glory and In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
Consider keeping a prayer journal! Grab a pen and a notebook and get started! If you don't know where to start, use this as a template to begin:
Begin reading the Psalms during your quiet time. Journal what you learn and write down the verses that stir your heart. (There are 150 of them and if you meditate on one or two each day, you could be kept busy for a few months!)

More from the Girlfriends
One morning, as I was reading in the Psalms, I came across a great scripture prayer. It is Psalm 143:8: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." As I read it over and over, a song came to my heart.
Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. Visit her website at: www.GwenSmith.net, or stop by her e-store to grab a few of her worship CDs.
"http://www.girlfriendsingod.com"