Tammy Carnevale has been a member of Faithful Finish Lines 2.0 since January of 2020 and has lost 125 so far, bringing her starting weight of 349 pounds down to 224 pounds. She also manages her Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia with the tools she has learned in FFL program. Her passion is to use her writing and her own experience to help and support other women on their own weight loss journeys and managing chronic illness.
We all battle inconsistency at times. Discover prayers for consistency to help you build a more consistent spiritual practice and reignite your devotion.
Consistency has always been a struggle for me. I can be consistent for a week or two, but then get derailed.
I started reading the Bible cover to cover several times and made it through the first few books and then stopped.
I’ve also started many Biblical self-help books by Joyce Meyers, completed lesson 1 and 2, and then the rest of the workbook was left without my responses.
Do you have several plans for faith pursuits that are incomplete because you were not able to follow through?
We are all works in progress.
Spiritual consistency strengthens our faith, fosters our spiritual growth, and cultivates our relationship with God.
I do pray consistently and that has drawn me closer to God.
What is prayer?
Prayer is simply speaking to God.
The more we speak with God the closer we become to Him. Speaking to Him is a pleasure and a gift, not a chore.
Prayer is a powerful tool in seeking God’s help for consistency in our faith journey. It helps us connect to God.
Prayer allows us to seek God’s strength and guidance to navigate all life challenges that can take us away from consistency.
Regular prayer is a source of renewal and empowerment. It provides a spiritual reset and allows us to recommit daily to our goals. It allows us to align our thoughts with God’s plans.
Prayer is not just about words; it’s about faith in action. When we pray for consistency in our faith walk, we demonstrate our trust in God’s faithfulness and power to transform our lives.
Our faith is expressed not only in prayer but also in daily choices and actions that reflect our commitment to living according to God’s will.
In this article, we are going to look at 3 prayers that helped me to improve my consistency and strengthen my faith walk.
They can help you also, to stay spiritually focused and disciplined and overcome spiritual distractions.
Prayer #1: Prayer for Renewed Motivation
It is so easy to lose focus and become distracted by this world and by life events.
You may be a person who in times of stress and trouble automatically goes to God and consistently stays by His side until the stress and trouble dissipates and then you get caught up in the good times. But know that You are not alone.
You may be a person who revels in God and shares all the good, but when trouble comes, you hide within yourself and forget to reach out to God for help. You are not alone.
Sometimes we all get caught up in what is going on in the very moment, that we forget we have a savior who wants to help us. We forget to ask for guidance.
Each morning I like to start my day with a simple prayer. I say good morning to God and thank Him that I woke up. Then I ask Him to keep my family safe and be with me all day long.
I ask for a rekindled fire in my heart, and for God to give me the desires of my heart.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.“
Psalm 37:4
This Scripture does not mean that God will grant everything you humanly desire.
This Scripture means that God will place within your heart the desires that align with the plans He has for you. It took me quite a while to realize the meaning of this verse.
What does desire have to do with consistency? A lot.
What do you spend most of your time working on? What do you have the most motivation to complete? The things you love, the goals you want, and the desires of your heart.
Here is a short prayer that can start you on your journey to increased motivation and consistency:
Gracious God, in moments of doubt and weariness,
I come before You seeking renewed motivation and consistency in my faith journey.
Strengthen my spirit and ignite within me a passion for Your ways.
Help me to fix my eyes on You, finding joy and purpose in Your presence.
Guide me through the challenges and distractions that threaten my commitment to You.
Fill my heart with Your desires and renew my heart,
O Lord, and empower me to walk faithfully in Your love and grace each day.
Amen.
Prayer #2: Prayer for Discipline and Focus
We need to discipline ourselves to focus on our God-given purpose.
I attended a Christian workshop on building faith many years ago. There was one lesson that stayed with me and I still refer to today. It is about running our race – staying spiritually disciplined and focused.
We all stood outside on a bright, sunny day. Then, we were split into 2 groups and awaited our instructions. We read…
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
Hebrews 12: 1-2
We spoke about our goals and about being consistent and maintaining motivation to reach those goals. Every person spoke of their trials of staying on track with various goals.
We were told that group A, my group, was to always look at the large Oak tree about 500 yards in front of us to never look away from that tree.
Group B was told to never look at the tree, but always look at the ground as they progressed toward the tree.
Then both groups were told to walk to the tree.
I never took my eyes off that tree, I did stumble on some branches but didn’t fall. I walked slowly to make sure I didn’t fall.
When I reached the tree, I then looked around. My group was at the tree. The other group was all over the field.
We were told that if you always stay focused on Jesus and your goal, you will make it. You may stumble and you may even fall, but you can get back up.
But if you watch the path, and daily life obstacles, you will be distracted by all you encounter and won’t make it to your desired goal.
This so impacted me. I did this lesson 35 years ago and still today I remember it as if it was yesterday.
How do we keep our eyes on Jesus and on our goal? We pray for strength, for consistency, and for guidance.
Lord, in the midst of life’s distractions and busyness,
grant me unwavering focus to set aside quality time for spiritual connection with You.
Help me to prioritize moments of prayer, reflection, and study of Your Word above the noise of the world.
May my heart be attuned to Your presence, and my mind fixed on Your truth.
Strengthen my resolve to seek You diligently, knowing that in Your presence, I find peace, wisdom, and renewed strength for the journey ahead.
Amen.
You can also pray with these scriptures to help with strength to stay focused and consistent:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2
Prayer #3: Prayer for Grace and Perseverance
Dealing with inconsistency and experiencing spiritual setbacks can be incredibly frustrating.
It’s normal to feel discouraged when we find ourselves falling short of our own expectations or the standards we believe we should be meeting.
When we pray for God’s grace to forgive our shortcomings, we are acknowledging our need for Him.
Praying for strength to keep moving forward is crucial, especially when we’re tempted to give up.
But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Temptations and struggles are inevitable, but with God’s strength, we can overcome them. By seeking His guidance and relying on His power, we can persevere through difficult times.
It is important to remember that you are not alone.
Connecting with a supportive community of faith, whether it’s through a local church, small group, or online forum, can provide encouragement and accountability.
Sharing our burdens with others who understand can lighten the load and remind us that we’re not walking this journey alone.
I would encourage you to join the free Christian Weight Loss Facebook group to enhance your community.
Here is a sample prayer that can help you to persevere.
Heavenly Father,
In moments of frustration and weakness, I come before You seeking Your empowering grace.
Forgive me for my shortcomings and help me to let go of any feelings of discouragement or self-doubt.
Grant me the strength to keep moving forward, even when I feel tempted to give up.
Fill me with Your Spirit, Lord, that I may be empowered to overcome every obstacle and temptation in my path.
Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and to trust in Your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Give me a renewed commitment to strive for excellence in all that I do, knowing that with You, all things are possible.
May Your grace be my strength, and may Your presence guide me every step of the way.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Strategies for Consistency Beyond Prayer
Developing a personalized devotional routine is crucial for deepening our relationship with God. This plan can lead to improved:
The Power of Routine
Having a specific time and place set aside for devotions makes it more likely that other life events won’t distract you.
Just as regular exercise strengthens the body, consistent time spent with God strengthens the spirit. Having this set schedule creates a rhythm that becomes a natural part of your daily routine.
Focus and Intention
When you designate a specific time and place for your devotions, you’re signaling to yourself and to God that this time is sacred and set apart. It allows you to fully engage with God without distractions.
Make sure to tell your housemates/family about this time. I can tell you from experience that if you do not tell them, they will not know and will become a distraction at your designated time.
Stress Reduction
Having a specific scheduled time each day to connect with God provides a source of comfort, strength, and perspective amidst life’s challenges.
It offers a time-out from the busyness and stress of daily life, allowing you to find rest and refreshment for your soul.
While the plan is important, if you find yourself needing this stress reducing time during the day; take the time.
Just yesterday, stress at my job was very high and I needed God. Used to be that I would need Chocolate, but now I need God.
I went into the single bathroom at work and sat and prayed. I felt the tension lift and the presence of God was with me.
Spiritual Growth
It is through regular interaction with God’s Word, prayer, and reflection that we grow in our understanding of who God is and who He’s calling us to be. It’s a journey of transformation that unfolds as we commit ourselves to seeking God daily.
Accountability and Discipline
When you commit to a specific time and place for your devotions, you’re more likely to follow through and prioritize your spiritual life among competing demands.
Having a Christian community will help to keep you accountable.
This community can include your church, local small groups, friends, and/or family.
I encourage you to join the free Christian Weight Loss Support Group on Facebook to enhance your community.
If you are struggling with weight and health, please consider joining the Faithful Finish Lines Membership that consists of guidelines and immense support throughout your journey.
Tools to Make Your Prayer Consistent
We all need a tool box filled with ideas to use for consistency. I use these interchangeably, depending on what my goal is.
Bible Reading Plans
These plans offer structured approaches to reading the Bible daily, helping you stay consistent and explore Scripture in a systematic way. You can find many of these online. The Holy Mess offers a wonderful Free Bible Reading Plan 2024.
Devotional Books
Devotional books provide daily readings accompanied by reflections, prayers, and insights to deepen your understanding of Scripture and draw you closer to God. One that I find especially helpful is from So Very Blessed.
Prayer Journals
Writing down your prayers can help you remember your thoughts and feelings and recognize God’s faithfulness over time. Here is a great way to Start A Prayer Journal.
Accountability Partners
Forming accountability partnerships with trusted friends, family, or virtual friends can provide mutual support and encouragement in staying consistent with your devotional routines.
FAQs About Prayers for Consistency
Why do I struggle with consistency in my faith?
Struggling with consistency in your faith is a common experience shared by many people, and there can be various reasons behind it.
It is important to know that you are not alone, and that God can help you.
Here are some possible reasons why you may be struggling:
1. Busy and Demanding Lifestyle: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with commitments and responsibilities, leaving little time and energy for devotions and prayer.
If you set up a devotion plan, you will be amazed at the time and energy you will gain in your day.
2. Distractions and Temptations: Distractions, temptations, and worldly influences can pull your focus away from God, leading to inconsistency in your faith.
Whether it’s the pull of entertainment, material pursuits, or negative influences, these distractions can hurt your commitment to God.
Remember to pray for God to fill your heart with His desires. You will focus on the desires of your heart.
3. Lack of Accountability or Support: You may have a lack of community or encouragement, this can make it challenging to stay motivated and disciplined in your faith practices.
Think of expanding your community to virtual as well as in-person support, such as the Christian Weight Loss Group on Facebook..
4. Perfectionism or Fear of Failure: This is a big one for many people. If you feel like you’re not meeting certain standards or expectations, you may become discouraged and tempted to give up altogether.
It is not about perfection, it is about progress.
God is always here and He is here because He loves you, not because of what you do or don’t do.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2: 8-9.
Is it okay to ask God for help with consistency?
Absolutely, it’s not only okay but encouraged to ask God for help with consistency in your faith journey.
God wants a personal relationship with you and cares about every aspect of your life, including your struggles and challenges.
Bring your struggles, doubts, and desires before Him in prayer, trusting that He is faithful to answer and provide the help and strength you need.
God says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11: 28 – 30.
What are some additional ways to cultivate a consistent spiritual life?
We have looked at many ways to cultivate consistency to include prayer, creating a plan, having or joining a supportive community, following or creating bible reading plans, devotions, and prayer journals.
Here are some additional ways that may fit with your lifestyle to improve upon consistency in your faith walk.
1. Set Clear Goals: Define specific goals that align with your values and beliefs and God’s plans for your life. Know your “why”.
Why do you want to be consistent? Knowing this will help you to be consistent.
2. Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on God’s blessings and faithfulness in your life. Keep a gratitude journal and make it a habit to express thanks to God throughout your day.
3. Stay Flexible and Adaptable: It is important to be consistent, but also realize that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, so be willing to adjust your routines and priorities as needed while keeping your focus on God.
4. Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, as these aspects of your life can significantly impact your time with God.
Get enough rest, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and make time for activities that rejuvenate and replenish your spirit.
5. Celebrate Milestones: Whether it’s reaching a goal, experiencing a breakthrough, or overcoming a challenge, celebrate God’s faithfulness and your growth along the way.
Always remember: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4: 13.
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