Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you begin praying?

Do you ever wonder if you’re making a difference?

Or does it ever seem that your prayer list is forever long and you don’t know how you’ll pray for each request?

I’ve felt this way more times than I care to admit. However, today I am reminding myself AND you that prayer DOES make a difference. We should not be discouraged! And, we can NEVER give up or stop.

On the flip side, I have also been convicted that I need to start praying more specifically. To start praying with more purpose. To start praying more boldly.

Because of these things, I have complied the following prayer list. You don’t have to use it. I just felt led to post it. It’s a list to help us focus our prayers. To pray specifically. To pray with purpose. To pray believing.

______________

Lord, help me today as I pray to remember. . .

• That You are listening.
• That You are the ultimate Giver and Healer.
• That You answer each prayer, even if it’s with a “no” or a “wait.”
• That You know me, those I am praying for, and every single situation better than I do.
• That You have my best interest at heart.
• That You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

Lord, I pray for my husband. . .

• His heart
  • That he would guard his heart. Keep it. With all diligence.
  • That You would work on his heart and grow any areas that need improvement.
  • That he would share his heart with me, his wife.
• His mind
  • That he would think only on good & righteous things.
  • That he would fight against temptations of the mind & keep from falling.
• His eyes
  • That he would see my needs, as his wife, and seek to be my helpmeet.
  • That he would look to You for guidance and direction for our home.
  • That he would look away from any unholy, ungodly, or impure person or image.
  • That he would read Your Word and glean much from it.
• His hands
  • That You would bless his work and help him to find fulfillment in what he does.
  • That You would help him as he provides for our home.
• His feet
  • That he would walk where You lead.
  • That he would stay away from places that lead to sin and temptation.
• His mouth
  • That he would praise You and pray to You.
  • That he would encourage me.
  • That he would refrain from evil speaking (i.e. gossip, vulgar words, dirty jokes).
• His body
  • That he would stay healthy.
  • That he would be safe – day in and day out – wherever he may go.

 

Lord, I pray for my parents. . .

• That their love for one another would grow.
• That their jobs and/or places of ministry would be fruitful.
• That their burdens and trials would grow them, not make them bitter.
• That they would be encouraged and have true, unhindered joy.
• That you would keep them safe and keep them from falling.

 

Lord, I pray for my siblings. . .

• That their walk with You would be full of growth.
• That their marriages would stay strong.
• That their relationships would remain pure and beneficial.
• That their children would obey them and appreciate all that they do for them.
• That their jobs and/or places of ministry would be fruitful.
• That they would be encouraged and have true, unhindered joy.
• That the battles they face would only make them stronger, not bitter.
• That you would keep them safe and keep them from falling.

 

Lord, I pray for my church. . .

• That the devil would not have right-of-way in our place of worship.
• That my pastor would preach the Word clearly and that we (those attending) would listen.
• That my pastor & his family would be encouraged in their place of ministry. That they would feel loved and appreciated.
• That the church people would bind together in a sweet, unified way and grow together in love, grace, and truth.
• That those in leadership positions (i.e. Sunday school teachers, music leaders, youth leaders, children’s workers, etc.) would listen to Your leading, speak the truth, lead with discretion, and remain encouraged.
• That the needs of the church (spiritual, physical, financial, emotional, etc.) would be met in the way You see fit.
• That our financial needs would be met.
• That our missionaries would remain encouraged and effective.
• That we would grow and evangelize the lost.

 

Lord, I pray for my friends. . .

• That their focus would be on You, not their battles and hardships.
• That they would seek You above all else. Every day.
• That You would bless their work and/or area of ministry.
• That they would listen to Your voice, above all else.
• That they would speak truth into my life, if necessary.
• That You would keep them safe and keep them from falling.

 

Lord, I pray for my country. . .

• That our focus would return to You and Your principles.
• That our President and Vice President would lead with wisdom.
• That our Congressional leaders and all those in office would make wise decisions.
• That we would fight for the unborn.
• That we would remain safe from evil forces within and without.

 

Lord, I pray for myself. . .

• My heart
  • That I would keep it with all diligence.
  • That I would love You first, always.
• My mind
  • That I would think only on what is good, pure, and wholesome.
  • That I would say “no” to temptation.
  • That I would give my battles to You and not try to fight them on my own.
• My eyes
  • That I would see my husband’s needs and seek to be his helpmeet.
  • That I would look away from any unholy, ungodly, or impure person, image, movie, show, etc.
  • That I would look for ways to show love to the world around me.
  • That I would read Your Word and glean much from it.
• My hands
  • That you would bless my work – inside and outside the home. That I would find/have fulfillment in what I do.
  • Keep me busy doing Your will and following after You.
• My feet
  • That I would walk where You lead.
  • That I would stay away from places that lead to sin and temptation.
  • That I would share Your love and Your Word to those You send my way.
• My mouth
  • That I would praise You and pray to You – more than I ever have before.
  • That I would refrain from evil speaking (i.e. gossip, vulgar words, dirty jokes).
  • That I would encourage my husband – seek to lift him up, not tear him down.
  • That I would speak truth to all I come into contact with.
• My body
  • That I would stay healthy.
  • That I would be safe – day in and day out – wherever I may go.

_____________

Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash