Evaluating Growth in Prayer: Paying Attention to God’s Movement

Prayer isn’t just about speaking to God; it’s about learning to pay attention. Too often, we approach prayer with an outcome in mind—a sense of accomplishment, resolution, or even peace. But the real question is, how are we growing in our ability to notice God’s movement in and around us?

Growth in prayer often mirrors the seasons of our spiritual lives. At times, it may feel vibrant and life-giving, while other times it may feel dry or even frustrating. The key to evaluating growth in prayer is not to measure how “effective” it feels but to ask deeper questions: Is prayer reshaping how I see myself, others, and God? Is it drawing me into greater alignment with God’s purposes?

‍ How Do We Know We’re Growing?  

Growth in prayer often manifests in subtle but profound ways. We begin to notice shifts in three key areas:

1.   Awareness of God’s Presence    

   Growth in prayer heightens our sensitivity to God’s presence in the ordinary. It’s not just about what happens during dedicated prayer times but how often we find ourselves noticing God throughout the day. Are we more aware of God’s love during moments of joy? Are we attuned to God’s grief in the brokenness we encounter? Prayer invites us to see the world with God’s eyes.

2.   A Spirit of Gratitude    

   One marker of growth is an increasing posture of gratitude. As we pray, we often begin to notice blessings we might otherwise overlook: the kindness of a stranger, the beauty of creation, the resilience to endure challenges. Gratitude transforms prayer from a transaction into a relationship.

3.   Response to Others    

   Prayer doesn’t just draw us closer to God—it draws us closer to others. Are we becoming more compassionate, patient, and attentive? Do our prayers for others shape how we interact with them? True growth in prayer leads us to live out the love we receive in prayer. 

‍Questions for Reflection  

Evaluating growth requires intentional reflection. Consider these questions as you review your prayer life:

- What themes or patterns are recurring in my prayers? Are there ways God might be speaking through them?  

- How has prayer affected the way I respond to situations that once overwhelmed me?  

- Are my prayers becoming more honest and vulnerable, or do I still feel the need to “perform” before God?  

These questions aren’t meant to be a checklist but a way to discern where God might be inviting deeper transformation.

‍ Practical Steps  

If evaluating your growth in prayer feels daunting, start small. Set aside time weekly or monthly to reflect on what God might be doing in your prayer life. Write down specific insights, emotions, or patterns you notice. Share these reflections with a trusted spiritual companion or discipling group. Often, others can help us see growth we might overlook in ourselves.

Growth in prayer isn’t about achieving a certain level of spirituality. It’s about becoming more attuned to God’s presence and letting that awareness shape how we live. When we begin to notice these shifts, we see that prayer is not just something we do—it’s something that transforms us.

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