Day 4 - Effective Prayer

Some months ago I bought a little book (all of 63 pages) by Selwyn Hughes titled Fifteen Ways to a More Effective Prayer Life.  It was a real eye-opener for me and over the next couple of weeks I will regularly post something on these 15 principles.

Here are the 15 principles, just to give you an idea/outline of what is waiting:

1. Breathe a prayer for help as you begin
2. Establish a definite time
3. Keep your appointment
4. Find a suitable place
5. Relax and be receptive
6. Begin by reading the Bible
7. Use a notebook
8. Develop a prayer pattern
9. Pray in the Name of Jesus
10. Listen for God's voice
11. Open yourself to the flow of God's Spirit
12. Cultivate the power of your imagination
13. Capture wandering thoughts
14. Fast every now and then
15. Apply the principles of faith

These principles are quite simple and self-explanatory and there's nothing preventing you from starting to apply them right now, according to your understanding.  In fact, it would be great if you would post your perspective and or questions on any of these points.  I can then incorporate it when the specific principle is addressed.

Just one small remark on point 12 - the use of imagination.  I have found that christian people tend to associate this with new age spiritualism and such.  Let's be very clear about this:  You received your imagination from Almighty God and He gave it to you to use.  You didn't get it from satan and there's nothing to fear.  God is infinitely greater than satan. He is our Rock and our Fortress.  See Psalm 18:2, 31:3 and 71:3.

We use what God gave us to His honour and glory.