A couple of months ago I wrote a post about how it's okay for your prayer life to go through seasons too, and since then, I feel like God has given me a lot of encouragement in that area. I've been challenged to take my place on the battlefield and use my weapon of prayer, fighting for myself and those I love. I've also been able to implement a few different strategies into my prayer life to help me find a renewed connection with the Lord, and I'm so excited to share that with you!

The beautiful thing about our relationship with God (and the somewhat difficult thing) is that it's ever-evolving. We are constantly changing as people, and even though God never changes, He's constantly teaching, refining, pruning, and encouraging us. The circumstances we live in are never the same, and neither are our emotions. Sometimes this can lead to a rollercoaster type faith, always going up or down, but it can also really strengthen our faith. We can use the ebbs and flows to lean into the Father even more, finding creative ways to connect with Him, and I think that's really special.

1. Pray using the different names of God.

I've only begun doing this recently, and it is actually SO powerful. I did a study going through and learning about the names of God, and then using those names and meanings to pray and praise in very specific ways, and I felt so close to God. It's so special to pray in that way because it takes your eyes off of yourself and gives you an opportunity to slow down and really meditate on who God is.

So often it's easy to fall into the habit of making our prayers all about us, all about what we want and are struggling with - and don't get me wrong, God wants to hear all about that. But we can miss out on experiencing His glory when we neglect to meditate on His character and praise Him for all that He is. As we pray using the names of God, we open the door and welcome Him to reveal Himself in both big and incredibly personal ways, and I don't know about you, but I want that more than anything.

2. Use Scripture to guide your prayers.

Scripture is our weapon and our prayers have authority, and I don't think there's anything more powerful than combining those two. In every season, we can use Scripture to inspire our prayers, giving us words to cover our people, ourselves, and to praise the Lord. God has given us the Bible as a tool for so many things, and I've only began to experience the fruit that can come from praying through it. The presence of the Father is so beautiful as we bring our requests and our thanksgiving to Him utilizing the Bible, and there is something special about seeing His promises be fulfilled in our life and in the lives of those we love.

And when we don't have the words to pray, we can turn to the Word of God to help us. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, but we can also integrate Scripture into our mind and heart to bring God what we're wrestling with. The more that we meditate on Scripture, the more that it will overflow from our hearts and minds, and that gives us a new tool to pray when we don't have the strength or the words for ourself.

Prayer is powerful, my friends, but it's okay if it's not always natural or easy. We are in an active relationship with the Lord, and that means that it's not perfect, but that it often evolves. We have to learn and grow so that we never become stagnant in our faith, but remain connected and in tune with the Father. Just as Koa and I have had to learn new ways to communicate and love each other during long distance, sometimes I also have to learn new ways to connect with my Abba, and that is okay! It doesn't mean that anything is wrong with your faith, or that you've "fallen away" - it just means that you may need some refreshment and intentional reconnection with the Lord.