Rethinking Prayer #7: How to (Re)Build a Healthy Prayer Life

In our previous posts, we’ve addressed some misconceptions about prayer, many of which have been introduced or amplified by Pentecostal-charismatic and revivalist movements. But having cleared away some of the clutter, we now need to look again to Scripture and ask: How do we actually build a healthy, consistent, and joyful prayer life?

One of the most important principles is understanding what is truly happening when we pray. We often say that prayer is simply “a conversation with God,” but we must remember that we are speaking with the triune God. In fact, Scripture tells us that the persons of the Trinity also pray. In Romans 8, we learn that the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God and that Christ Himself, seated at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for His people.

So when we pray—whether for ourselves or for others—we are entering into the communion of God Himself. That means our imperfect words are joined with the perfect intercession of Jesus and the Spirit, making our prayers effective, heard, and accepted. This should fill us with both boldness and humility.

We also pray in light of our union with Christ. The Bible tells us that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. When we approach God, we do so clothed in Christ’s righteousness, not our own. As James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” In Christ, we are that righteous person. Our prayers are not empty words floating into space—we speak as sons and daughters to a Father who delights to hear and answer us. That’s why we pray “in Jesus’ name.”

These two realities alone—the intercession of the Trinity and our union with Christ—should radically reshape how we think about prayer. They give us confidence, humility, and joy.

The real reason most of us struggle with prayer isn’t time or discipline—it’s unbelief. We don’t consistently pray because we don’t truly believe it matters. Think of it this way: you go to work every day because you believe you’ll be paid. That belief creates consistency. But if you doubted your paycheck, your motivation would quickly vanish. The same is true for prayer. When we believe that prayer is effective, we won’t need to drag ourselves into it. We’ll come willingly, because we trust the God who listens and acts.

Satan knows this. One of his most subtle and dangerous weapons is to discourage the saints from praying. Because it is through prayer that the Kingdom comes, and God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

So may God strengthen our faith, not just in His power, but in the power of prayer.

Nino Marques