“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7, ESV).
Most Christians feel they fall short in their prayer lives. Because our lives are full and busy, it is often hard for us to slow down and pray. We are distracted by our phones, notifications, emails, texts, and social media. Disconnect from the online world and focus on God. Sometimes we don’t know what to say. We lack faith and wonder if our prayers make a difference. An intentional prayer guide helps me with focus and direction in prayer. Prayer is communication that involves both listening and speaking to God. You may want to try the plan below.
A Prayer Plan
- Be still and silent. Ask God to speak to you as you pray. I often quote Psalm 139:23-24 to help me focus, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous [wicked] way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (ESV).
- Praise God for who he is. He is our creator, savior, redeemer, helper, healer, and so much more. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He never leaves or forsakes us. He is always present with us.
- Sing (or listen to) a song. Many great hymns of the faith are helpful (“How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “It Is Well with My Soul,” “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” etc.) as well as praise and worship songs like “Hear I Am to Worship,” “In Christ Alone” “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” “Living Hope,” “O Praise the Name (Anástasis)” etc. Personally, I often use “Stranger to Holiness” by Steve Camp.
- Confession and Repentance. We must come humbly before God confessing our sin and repenting (turning away from our sin and to Christ).
- Read the Word. Since praying is a conversation with God and the primary way that he speaks to us is from his Word, pray with your Bible open. Read a portion of the Bible and listen as God speaks to you. Respond in prayer to what you hear. The Psalms are very helpful since many of them are prayers as well as songs.
- Pray the Word. Respond to what God says to you through his Word by praying.
- Pray for an unreached people group and for missionaries. Such prayers remind us that the mission of God has always been global in nature. The Joshua Project is a helpful resource (https://joshuaproject.net/). They list an unreached people group daily.[1] Ask God to send laborers into these mission fields. May many receive Christ as Lord.
- Intercede for the needs of others. People all around us are hurting. Pray for those who need Christ. Pray for the spiritual and physical needs of others. Pray for your one; ask God to help you develop a relationship with someone who does not know Christ. Pray regularly for your one, a neighbor, friend, family member, co-worker, etc. Before you say a blessing over your food at a restaurant, ask the waiter or waitress how you can pray for them. God can use this conversation to encourage your server.
- Pray for your local church. God calls believers to local churches where they worship publicly, study and apply God’s Word, make disciples, build community, and serve others. Pray for your pastor, staff, and leaders at your church.
- Pray for your nation. Confess the sins of the nation and repent. Pray for those who are in authority over you, whether you agree with them or not. Pray for a national spiritual awakening. Only the gospel brings real reconciliation.
- Pray for your needs. While this is certainly appropriate, I place it near the end of my prayer time. I must confess that many of my prayers have been selfish and centered on my needs rather than the Kindgom of God. Walking through the previous areas of prayer keeps me from making my prayer time all about me.
- Thank God for what he has done. We were dead in our trespasses and sin, deserving the wrath of a holy God. But God is reach in mercy; he forgives our sin. Christ took our place on the cross, bearing our shame and guilt. We are saved by grace through faith. We can never earn salvation. It is never about what we do, but what Christ has done for us. Close your prayer by asking God for direction and guidance throughout the day.
Many of us struggle with concentrated times of prayer. If I spend 2 ½ minutes praying for each of the areas listed above, I spent 30 minutes in prayer. If I pray 5 minutes for each area, I spent one hour in prayer. Prayer is never about moving God. He is always on the move. Prayer aligns my will with his and gives me guidance as I follow Christ. Slow down. Don’t worry, pray. Then you will experience God’s peace.
[1]Unreached people groups are defined as those who have less than 2% evangelical Christians among them.