Scripture: Romans 12:12
I can remember when I prayed for some of the things that I now have. When I was younger, I prayed for my future spouse. I prayed that he would be handsome, funny and love God. After marrying the man that I had begged God for, I can remember those painful days of praying that He would give us children. I can remember the days of praying that I would be strong enough to follow the calling God had placed on my heart. As I watch my two kids run around and my husband chase after them, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for how God has answered my prayers. He is such a good gift giver. One of His greatest gifts is prayer. He wants an intimate relationship with us, for us to communicate with Him daily.
Prayer is our way of talking to God. We don’t have to go through a middle man, put in a request, or adhere to some policy and procedure. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who covers the gap, you and I can talk to God whenever we want. What a blessing! Let’s take advantage of this beautiful gift we have been given.
Don’t worry about finding the “right words,” doing it the “right” way, or messing up. God isn’t picky about the specifics of your technique; He wants to talk with you. Whether you are chatting with God on the drive to the office, writing in a prayer journal, singing songs of praise, or praying scripture, God is interested in what you have to say.
Romans 12:12 tells us, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Pray faithfully, friends! Need help getting started? Here are some creative ways that can help add variety to your prayer life. Who knows, you may find your favorite among this list.
- Prayer Journals—There are plenty of options to choose from, between the Christian Book Distributors Club and Amazon. Google different things that you like. I prefer a blank composition notebook. I make lists (of those needing prayer), write letters to God, and copy songs, poetry and scripture. This is a great place to put those picture cards you receive during the holidays, for announcements and invitations. My prayer journals are a continued conversation with God that has lasted over seven years.
- Praying scripture—Get your Bible out, pick scripture (the book of Psalms is a great start), find some space, and start walking and reading. Feel free to read out loud or silently. After you finished a few sentences, let God speak into your life.
- Music and Reflection—Find some worship music that speaks to your soul. Sit back and sing the songs to God. If you love creativity, grab a coloring book and create art for God as you sing Him praises and prayers.
- Social Media requests—Get on social media and ask people how you can pray for them or celebrate with them for answered prayers. Write those prayers down and go before the Lord. You can add these to a prayer journal.
- Prayer Walk—Pick a building, a community, or specific streets in town. Walk along that area and pray for the people you pass. Pray blessings and safety over them. Speak words of transformation over the buildings, for the people who work and visit there, and for the business that is conducted in them. Pray for that space.
Activity: Prayer Journals
Supplies:
- Composition notebooks
- Pens/Pencils/Markers
- Stickers
- Photo cards (Holiday cards, announcements, invitations)
- Resources: Bibles, Songbook, Poems
Instructions and Ideas:
- Start writing! Be creative with stickers, colors and pictures. There’s no pressure if you want to stick with the classic ballpoint pen. Write “Volume 1” and the date on the inside.
- Give each family member or close friend a page. This will be where you write or draw your prayers for them.
- Find a song of praise, scripture, or poem that speaks to your heart and copy that into your journal. Turn those words into your prayers to the Creator of the universe.
- “Dear God”… Write a letter to God. I love writing letters to God. This avenue provides me a space to feel comfortable and talk to God as my friend and confidant.
- Ask others for prayer requests and make a list. Pray for those individuals, and then in a separate color make a note when those requests are answered. It is beautiful to look back and see what a good gift–giver God is.
- Keep this going throughout the year. Try to fill up an entire journal during the year. At the end, put the completed date on the inside cover next to the start date.
Activity: Group Prayer
Supplies:
- Writing utensil
- Scraps of paper to write on
- Container
Instructions:
- Have each woman write a topic on a piece of paper.
- Gather all the topics together in a container.
- Pass container around and have each woman pick a piece of paper.
- After every topic has been chosen, open in prayer, and allow for each member to pray for the subject they picked.
Topic Suggestions:
- The President
- Political leaders around the world
- State/City/Community
- Friends
- Family
- The Salvation Army (organization and leadership)
- Future generations
- Christians around the world
- Individuals who are not saved
- What you are grateful for
King David penned many of the chapters in the book of Psalms. They are prayers of thanksgiving, joyfulness, profound grief, brokenness, shame, overwhelming peace and assurance. Let’s take a note out of David’s playbook and be as authentic with God as we can. “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:1–3). Allow God to put a new song in your mouth, a song of prayer that is continually on your lips.
