My prayer life is dull and I need a new way to pray. Got any suggestions?

In my experience, the best way to bring new life and excitement to something is to change how you do it. It seems simple, but it works. To be honest, I have often struggled in my personal prayer time, but when I pray the Bible, my prayers come to life. When you pray the Scriptures, you are praying the words and will of God Himself. You can even combine it with any form of prayer: write it, sing it, meditate on it or, my favorite, shout it out loud! There is no wrong way to do this. Open your Bible. The Psalms are a great place to start and to pray God’s words to Him in communion. This will bring both your prayers and Bible reading to life.

Major Terrence Hale
Toronto, Canada

“…church isn’t just a place to go, but a community of people that God has ordained for His holy purpose.”

I’m feeling anxious and worries during COVID-19. How do I cope?

First of all, you are not alone in your feelings. Everyone is experiencing a certain amount of anxiety. Identify and acknowledge them. As believers in the Lord, we can know we are loved and are not alone. Take time to do the following (I’m talking to myself to). 

Pray—sounds simple, but the Lord may be the only one you have a conversation with on some days. 

Rest—give yourself a break from all the chatter; clear your head of stuff and take a deep breath. 

Think of others—there are many people all around the world facing difficulties during this time. Pray for them and then express gratitude to your Heavenly Father. Write it down so you won’t forget. Read Psalm 103:1-5.

Commissioner Sharron Hudson
Alexandria, Virginia

I’m feeling anxious and worries during COVID-19. How do I cope?

Of course you can grow on your own—but God’s intention has always been for His Church to be a group of unified believers encouraging each other in our calling, listening to the Holy Spirit together and growing as we wrestle with our faith together in community. We need each other. And while we can experience God on our own, there are aspects of God’s character and His voice that I will never experience until someone else points it out to me. In Matthew 18:20, Christ promised to be with us where two or more are gathered in His name (that’s church, right?). Church stretches far beyond just you and me. God’s plan for the redemption of this broken creation cannot be separated from the Church. And so, more than anything, church isn’t just a place to go, but a community of people that God has ordained for His holy purpose. 

Captain Joel Ashcraft
Cleveland, Ohio

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.

An officer in The Salvation Army is an ordained minister of Christian faith. They dedicate their lives, skills and service completely to God. Submit your question to an officer at peermag.org/contribute