Post 17: The Power of Prayer—Staying Connected to God

Intentional prayer aligns the heart with God, deepens spiritual communion, and opens the door to peace, guidance, and divine intervention.

Feeling Disconnected in Prayer

Have you ever felt like your prayers were bouncing off the ceiling—like you were speaking into an empty room or simply checking a box on a spiritual to-do list? It’s easy to fall into this pattern, especially when life becomes crowded and hurried.

Yet prayer, as described in scripture, is far more than routine. It is sacred connection—a living exchange between you and your Heavenly Father.

Prayer Is Connection, Not a Checklist

In a conversation with Reuben Huntington, I explored the transformational power of prayer. Reuben described a moment when he suddenly realized he was offering what he called a “checkbox prayer.” Mid-routine, he stopped, recognizing that although the words were there, real intent and connection were not.

Instead of moving on with his day, he made a deliberate decision: to stay in prayer until he connected.

And then it happened.

He likened the experience to someone finally picking up the other end of the phone. His prayer ceased to be recitation and became conversation. That moment permanently changed his understanding—prayer is not about saying words; it is about aligning with God and creating space for Him to speak.

Practicing the Presence of God

This experience echoes the teachings of Brother Lawrence in The Practice of the Presence of God. Serving humbly as a cook and dishwasher in a monastery, Brother Lawrence learned that even the smallest tasks could become acts of prayerful communion. He wrote:

“In order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all you do to Him; you must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but after a little care you will find His love inwardly excite you to it without any difficulty.”

Prayer, then, is not confined to certain moments or postures. It is a continual orientation of the heart toward God.

Reuben’s insight—to stay until you connect—perfectly reflects this truth. As space is intentionally made for God, ordinary moments become sacred, and life itself becomes a conversation with Him.

God does not command in all things, but He extends many invitations in the process of coming to know Him. He speaks in your language and according to your understanding. You are His child, and He delights to commune with you. Practice His presence continually, and His guidance will quietly order your steps.

Walking the Path of Intentional Prayer

If you desire prayer to become relationship rather than routine, consider these practices:

1. Pause Before You Pray
Quiet your mind. Recognize who you are speaking to—your Father in Heaven.

2. Stay Until You Connect
Resist rushing. Remain present until you feel alignment, stillness, or spiritual clarity.

3. Carry the Connection Forward
Prayer does not end with “Amen.” Let the connection accompany you through your day.

As taught in the Bible Dictionary, prayer is the act by which “the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other.” Prayer does not change God’s will—it changes us, opening our hearts to receive what He is already willing to give.

Peace, Guidance, and Miracles

When prayer is approached with humility and intent, peace replaces anxiety. Direction emerges where confusion once reigned. Strength appears for burdens that once felt overwhelming.

As Reuben experienced, God fills the space deliberately made for Him. Prayer becomes not just an action—but a way of living.

Discover More

If you would like to explore this principle more deeply, you can watch the full conversation with Reuben Huntington, where we discuss prayer as connection and share practical insights for staying spiritually anchored.

👉 Watch here:

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Originally published December 9, 2024.