Pastor Thom O’Leary Embracing the Divine: Changing Your Prayer Life to Revitalize Your Spirit

As people, we all want to grow closer to God. However, some forms of prayer can be difficult. There are times when prayer can feel burdensome rather than inviting, and there are also moments when we may wonder if we are doing it correctly. Pastor Thom O'Leary stated that “prayer is not about articulating the right words; it is about praying with the right heart.” One way to look at prayer is that with every whisper of gratitude, every cry of despair, every gesture of love, or even silence, prayer is alive because God is the one listening.

Make It Personal

While praying, it's important to speak as we would normally. We do not need to try and put together fancy phrases. Instead, we should focus on using normal, everyday language when talking to a father. After all, He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Always bearing in mind that God is more concerned with who we are than how we perform, Thom O'Leary Mountainbrook Church tries to remind us. God is not seeking for us to dazzle Him, but simply to come forth in our nakedness without pretenses.

Find Your Rhythm

Some people prefer morning prayers with coffee, while others are energized the most when alone or even when physically active, like walking or driving. It is good to note that there is no one correct approach to prayer and that is its beauty. The most important part of it all is to identify that prayer style that resonates with us and make it a habit.

It is Communication, Not Monologue

Sometimes, we can forget to listen whilst we are so busy talking. Prayer is not only for speaking, but also for listening for when God speaks. While silence may seem out of place, it is in those silent moments that God gives us peace, direction, and love.

A good tip for this would be to conclude prayers by sitting in quiet for a couple of minutes. We do not need to put in too much effort. By relaxing in God's presence, He can talk to us.

Keep Going: It is Not Done After Saying "Amen"

To have an impactful prayer life, it is not about feeling as if you only have certain time slots to speak with God, but rather encouraging Him to be a part of every aspect of your day.

No matter where we are, be it at work, running errands, or spending time with our family and friends, short, sincere prayers can keep us connected with Him.

Thom O'Leary Mountainbrook Church reminds us that God is never far from us. He is always with us, in every moment. The more we try to recognize Him in our daily lives, the easier prayer becomes to us.

Final Thoughts

If praying has ever been hard or felt like something far away from you, there is no reason to overthink it. Just dive in and start from where you feel comfortable. God is not looking for the right words. He’s looking for you to speak. Embracing the idea of talking to God on a daily basis will help lighten up your heart, strengthen your faith, and feel His presence.