There are times when prayer warriors are overwhelmed with the needs of others to the point their focus on growing in Christ through prayer becomes blurred. I found myself in this situation. My trajectories of intimate praises were random and growing less.
Even though my home library is a testimony to the endless information available on prayer, after studying and praying I knew something was missing. I was hungry for a deeper relationship with Christ through my prayers, while still developing my intercessory skills for others.
Yet it seemed impossible to incorporate the multitude of suggestions from the books with the increasing concerns for family, friends, self, and community. Not to mention each Sunday congregational and mission requests were thrown into the mix. Glorifying God was my greatest desire and I wanted the time with Him to be effective and personal. But without spending all day on my knees, how could I put it all together?
My efforts to implement the right “formula” left me nervous, exhausted and unsatisfied. In desperation I cried, “Lord, help! Please show me a way of praying so I may intimately fellowship with You and be an instrument of intercession for others.”
Our faithful Lord gave me more than I had requested with two specific organizational insights. These concepts are not new, but God brought them to mind knowing they would help me focus and keep my thoughts from scattering from one subject to another.
First, each day of the week was assigned a specific concern:
Monday – missions and missionaries
Tuesday – friends and special requests from church
Wednesday – ministries within the community and children we support in Thailand and Ghana
Thursday – relatives
Friday – immediate family members
Saturday – directly for myself
Sunday – pastors, Sunday school teachers, and insight from the sermon.
He also reminded me to begin my prayers with praise and thanksgiving for what I see or hear around me and for His inescapable love (“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2). If I’ve read Scripture before hand, I’ll meditate on the words and perhaps pray to the Lord on what I’ve read. Or I may simply sit quietly, drinking in His presence (“My soul finds rest in God alone…” Psalm 62:1).
Before bringing the specific needs of the day to Him, I ask the Lord’s forgiveness for sins or for offenses I’ve committed (“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” Psalm 32:1). The prayer concludes by asking for protection and guidance for my husband.
However, this outline is not rigid; it is a starting point. And for something fun, when an immediate family member has a birthday, for that entire month I pray for him/her daily.
The second insight was how to keep the prayer requests organized. So, I made a prayer book. Again, this method is not new, but it works for me. I turn a 5x7 spiral notebook sideways and divide it into four sections: Date, Request, Progress, and Answer.
To my surprise, this book has turned into a great witnessing tool. I have family and friends whom I love but are not Christians. When they share their problems or concerns with me, after consoling or offering my sympathies, I say, “I’m adding this to my prayer book.”
Often they will laugh and give me a hug from embarrassment. But some even call later and make additional requests, as they know I am praying for them. This opens the door for further dialogue about how Christ loves them.
Praying like someone else was not praying from the heart God gave me. But the ideas from this borrowed system revived my prayers. I am connected with those in need, while not neglecting my passion for Christ in my prayer.
If you desire to renew your time in prayer, your unique style will develop, as mine did, by seeking God’s divine inspiration and believing. Be encouraged. Belonging to God means He is present at all times, ready and anxious to hear our prayers day or night.
Is something on your heart?
Six intercessors will pray for your request for 21 days.
