Do you ever have trouble knowing what to pray? Why is that? There are people who have no problem when it comes to praying. They seem to be able to pray about anything and everything. I think that is awesome. Then there are the rest of us.
How can we remedy not knowing what to pray about when we come before God? It seems to me that one of the problems that many Christians face is the lack of a tool to help them pray. When I was a kid my Dad use to say that he could fix anything, as long as he had the right tool. When something would break, he would go get his toolbox. He would look inside and pull out some item with a name I couldn’t pronounce. He would then fix what was broken, and smile.
I may have found a tool that may help you with your prayer life. Several years ago I heard Donald Whitney speak about the six basic things on which we generally focus our prayers. Using these on a regular basis can serve as a template of sorts to guide you through prayer. Let me go over the first three here, and the last three next time. I hope this will encourage you to enjoy praying and help you to pray more consistently.
1. PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY
It is easy to pray for your family. Make a list of names and needs and begin to pray. If you find yourself praying the same things day after day, stretch out that list over the course of a few praying times. For example, if everyday you pray for your family to be safe, healthy, full of joy, and growing in wisdom, then break it up. On one day pray for their safety. On the next day pray for their health, and so on. It can really help shake up the routine.
2. PRAY FOR YOUR FUTURE
Praying for the future includes everything coming at you in the next hour, the next week, next month or 20 years down the road. Maybe you are apprehensive about a test you have this morning. Pray about it. Maybe you are concerned about a future relationship, business venture, or trip. Pray about it. Maybe you have an upcoming surgery. Pray about it. Anything that is waiting for you in the future is something you can pray about today.
3. PRAY FOR YOUR FINANCES
In Phil 4.6 we read that we are not to worry, but tell God about our needs. Are you on a tight budget? Are you concerned about finances for a future event? Maybe you need direction on where you can give a special gift. Whatever the financial concern is that you have, tell them to God. He hears your prayers and is deeply concerned with every need in your life.
We all know that good relationships includes regular communication. We who have a relationship with God know we should communicate regularly with Him. So, how are you doing? Here are three topics that can help you know what to discuss with God in prayer. Next time we will look at the last three things on which we generally focus our prayers. Don’t wait until you have all six. Begin today using these two things to help guide you in prayer.
