Hi
@TruthSeek3r
If I want to go beyond theoretical ideas and anecdotal stories of other people, and have my own testimony and personal encounter with the Creator, is consistent daily prayer the way to go? Should I concentrate my efforts on developing a solid habit of daily prayer, before and after bedtime? What advice would you give to someone who is seeking an encounter with God?
You seek a worthy thing. If its truly your heart's desire to commune with the Creator, then you will find Him.
"And you will seek Me and find
Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13
So how to go about it?
Yes, prayer is the number one way to reach the Father. If you pray with all honesty and in the name of the Messiah, your prayer will ascend to Him. But again, full honesty is needed. So there is no point in praying what you think sounds holy and righteous or what you have heard someone else say. No, you must pray honestly from the heart with exactly what's on your mind. Yahweh can see your heart and your motives as clear as day. So any prayer that doesn't reflect this is pointless really and in danger of becoming pompous.
As it making it a habit, this is actually a good idea to get you into the routine of doing it. In the West, prayer doesn't typically feature as a core component of our every day life and so it can often be difficult to get into doing it regularly. But by setting a certain time, this will help it become habitual and soon your prayer life will soon become very important and precious to you. In the morning and evening is a great time. I personally do three times a day, which is what I see in the Bible, in the morning, midday and before sun down. But there are no rules you need to follow really, as long as you do it and keep it up. Honestly, it becomes much less of a chore and less rigid with repetition, so stick with it.
But prayer isn't the only way to commune with Him. Reading the Bible is a way to connect directly with Him in a way you probably don't realise. The Bible isn't just His book of guidance left conveniently for us, but rather a door way to Him. In reading it regularly, we are opening our minds and hearts to hear from Him. Sometimes He will speak through the words directly to you (they appear to jump off the page to you, so to speak), sometimes indirectly (helping you to understand an incident in your life), but at all times this is a way to hear from Him. The book will eventually seem as if it's alive and you'll understand it's purpose in communion with Him. Only be careful not to limit your reading to the NT only.
During and after prayer and reading the Bible, attune yourself to listen within. The voice of the Holy Spirit can be very gentle. So take time to listen within yourself. You will soon hear the difference between your own voice and the voice of the Spirit, but if you don't take the time to listen you may not hear at all. Now, the Spirit won't always talk or respond, and it will be for a reason. But don't get downhearted. But if you seek wisdom from Yahweh and the Spirit will find you.
I hope something in that ramble helps.
Peace.