When it comes to prayer, my real strength and common practice is to pray for other people. Truly, my great weakness is when I pray for myself. I’ve always been good about asking God for help and strength through storms. I’ve looked to him for healing and for wisdom and all of that, but it’s always been on an as needed basis. The thought of praying for myself every single day has never crossed my mind.
As many of you know, my husband Bill is a pastor. He gave our congregation this list. He adapted it from an organization he does mentoring with called Church Renewal.
When I was praying about this blog, I wondered if anyone else might benefit from a list like this. Here is Bill’s list for you. It took me 30 minutes to work through.
How to Pray for Yourself
To love God passionately
God, help me love You more
Give me a heart that pants for You- Psalm 42:1-2
Teach me to love You with all my heart soul, mind and strength -Mark 12:30
To Give Thanks in All Circumstances – 1 Thes.5:18
For obvious blessings, for daily mercies, answered prayers
Thank Him even in hardship for what He is producing through it.
For Understanding Scripture- Psalm 119:18; Luke 24:45
We do not naturally see what is in scripture, we need God to open our eyes.
Ask for a desire and ability to do God’s will- Phil 2:13
Give me the will to obey
Give me the desire to do what You want and the strength to follow through.
Ask for a word from God. 1 Samuel 3: 9-10
Speak Lord for your servant is listening. What do You to want to say to me today?
Give me wisdom, direction, correction, encouragement, strategy.
Prayer to be able to deny yourself and take up your cross- Matt 16:24
Lord, what are You asking me to lay down? I choose Your will over mine.
Help me to obey You when it is costly.
Pray for Character- Hebrews 12: 1-3; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
One character trait that God wants you to focus on; pray for this deliberately.
Grow this trait in me. Give me endurance to run the race You have set before me.
Confess sin and ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:9; Eph 5:18
Confess quickly and honestly
Ask for cleansing and to be filled with the Holy Spirit
Bring your petitions. James 4:2-3; Phil 4:6
Personal and family needs
Direction provision, protection and wisdom
Ministry needs and breakthrough
Dear Father,
Thank You for this reminder and pathway to pray for myself. Father, I confess to you I need to learn to pray better for myself. There’s always room to grow in prayer. Thank you for today and for all the lessons in it.
In Jesus Name,
Amen