We're looking at fundamentals that will cause you to thrive in 2009 - Core practices that will make a huge difference.

Bible-Reading, Praying, Attending church, Having the right friends, and Giving/Serving:  This is Christianity 101 - and it's never too late to get started.

Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals. - Jim Rohn

You have to monitor your fundamentals constantly because the only thing that changes will be your attention to them. The fundamentals will never change. - Michael Jordan

Phillippians 4:6-7

You can worry about things or pray.

Turn off the noise and get into the presence of God. The peace that comes from God will guard your heart and your mind. Prayer will bring you into peace.

Colossians 4:2

Devoting to an awesome prayer life is to attend to it constantly. You learn to pray by praying.

James 5:16

Prayer is getting heaven to earth!

Matthew 6:6

If you find God in a secret place something amazing happens in the open place.

Psalms 27:5

Psalms 31:19-20

5 Keys to an Awesome Prayer Life:

1. Run your life from your prayer closet.

Make your to do list in your prayer time.

Never deal with an issue that has not had at least one pass through your prayer closet. If you feel like you need to say something to somebody - Pray it before you say it.

You can process everything in your life and get perspective from prayer.

2. Touch heaven everyday on purpose.

Prayer is not a "have-to" duty - it's something you need.

Some days your prayer time may be longer, some days shorter - but you need to breathe in heaven's fresh air every day! 

3. Make a time that works for you.

You won't find time -You have to make time.

The most important things can get pushed aside by attending to the little brushfires of life.

Turn off the TV and figure out what works for you.  The price you pay for the presence of God in your life is time.

4. Create an Atmosphere for Prayer.

This is a practical step. If you're going to have a prayer life, it's worth it to establish an atmosphere for being alone with God.

It's not a formula - it's an opportunity to connect. Make time to spend time so the relationship does not drift.

Play worship music - dim the lights - remove distractions.

5. Cultivate a spirit of prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Living in a spirit of rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving is always the will of God.

Cultivate an awareness of the spirit of God in your life. Prayer is your access to resources well beyond your own capabilities.

Psalms 31:19

Tune in to find that secret place: Tuning in will help keep you in tune.