Praying through Scripture can sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! The same goes for writing out your prayers. Here are a few easy ways to kick your prayer life into gear! Start off by grabbing a new journal, pen, and a cup of coffee (or a smoothie, a cup of water, or whatever is your go-to focus drink)!
Pick a day once a week or once a month and set aside some time (30 minutes - 1 hour) to write out all your prayer requests and write out some Bible verses. This will be your prayer “guide” for the upcoming week/month.
Step 1: Write out all your prayer requests
It’s sometimes easier to categorize your requests. Some suggestions would be…
Friends & Family - no detail is needed here, just write down all the names the Lord puts on your heart!
Future - dreams, goals, desires.
Finances - surrender, wisdom, opportunities to give.
Future Relationships - future spouse, in-laws, children, co-workers.
Fruit of the Spirit.
Thanks - for answered prayer or blessings in your life.
Step 2: Write down Bible verses
In the back of your Bible, there should be a concordance. This is a great tool to search for Bible verses that align with your requests. Look up words like “prayer,” “peace,” or “faith” and write out some verses corresponding to the words that speak to you!
Here are some verses to get you started…
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ.”
~ Philippians 4:6-7
“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.”
~ Psalm 145:18
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
~ Psalm 118:24
Step 3: Pray!
Finally, the most important step in this process is this last one - Pray!
Take time each day to pray through these requests and thanks. Read the verses out loud and use them to affirm your prayers! You might spend 5 minutes in prayer one day and 45 the next day over these same requests but the key is that you are taking time to be with the Lord and asking Him to walk with you through this life on earth.
Having your prayer requests written down can help guide prayer when you feel lost and unsure of what to pray. Daily prayer is a healthy habit for all of us. This is a simple way to help build a posture of surrender to the Lord’s will for your life, ask for His wisdom and guidance, and track His faithfulness through answered prayers!