Joy Exercise 14: Spend time daily in prayer

When you learn to quieten down and connect with God it brings a centre of peace in amongst the storms of life and you find joy there.
One simple way of developing a time with God is to spend 1 minute on each of the following areas and then over time expanding that time to 2-5 minutes in each area.

1. Spend time praising God for who he is. (Psalm 63:3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.)
2. Spend time in silence. (Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.)
3. Spend time confessing failures. (Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.)
4. Read a short bible passage and talk to God about whatever comes to mind. (Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.)
5. Talk to God about some of the things that concern you happening in the world. (Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.)
6. Pray for the needs of others. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.)
7. Pray for your personal needs. (Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.)
8. Give thanks to God for the circumstances of your life and the things around you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.)
9. Sing a song that honours God. (Psalm 100:2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.)
10. Read a verse of the bible and meditate on it for guidance and encouragement. (Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.)
11. Spend a moment to listen to what God is saying to you in your heart, through your emotions and with your mind. (Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.)
12. Finish with some more time in praising God for who he is. (Psalm 52:9 I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.)