Pray Daily – Personal Growth Resources

DAILY PRAYER GUIDE

Devote Yourselves to prayer, stay alert with an attitude of thanksgiving. Col 4:2

Here God’s Word tells us that He wants us to spend time in prayer. In order to balance the many prayer needs with the time available, this guide provides separate pages for various categories (such as family and friends), with the suggestion that each day you pray for at least one person or item on the page. You of course would add prayers for people and current issues that God brings to mind, but this approach ensures that over time you include all those whom you care about. May this guide become a blessing not only to you, but to those for whom you intercede.

A SUGGESTED SEQUENCE FOR YOUR PRAYER TIME:

1. PRAISE As we begin prayer by praising and thanking God, reflecting on his limitless power and love for us, we are assured that He is indeed in control, and able to supply all of our needs. Psalms 145 and 146 are inspiring praise psalms.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we THANK You, and PRAISE Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

2. CONFESSION and REPENTANCE As we recognize sinful thoughts and actions throughout the day it is best to confess right away, instead of waiting until later or the Sunday morning service. But in our scheduled prayer time it is also helpful to ask God to bring to mind any sins that we might not have recognized and need to confess. This is also a good time to dedicate your self and your day to God.

If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear… Psalm 66:18

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9. Also see Psalm 51.

3. PRAYER FOR OURSELVES:
PERSONAL QUALITIES. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12

STRENGTH. We need God’s strength to resist temptation and do His will. Build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of His mighty power. Eph 6:10

WORRIES. “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

GUIDANCE. “Teach me Your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to your truth , for You are my God, who saves me. I always trust in You. Psalm 25:4-5

GROWTH TO MATURITY. Hebrews 6:1 urges us to press on to maturity.

4. PRAYING FOR OTHERS: INTERCESSION

This prayer by Paul shows us the types of things we can pray for others: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully ¹²giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[ to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Col 1:9-12.

PERSONAL NEEDS
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.
The space at the right is to note answers to your prayers.

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FAMILY MEMBERS. You can pray for one each day, and mark to keep track
A sample prayer by Paul: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1: 17-19.

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FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, PAST AND PRESENT
A sample prayer by Paul: I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, … that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what isthe width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

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MY LOCAL CONGREGATION

CHURCH STAFF

LAY LEADERS: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ELDERS, AND OTHER LEADERS

CURRENT CHURCH NEEDS – INCLUDING BUDGETARY

MINISTRIES WITHIN THE CHURCH — GROUPS AND COMMITTEES

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MEMBERS IN THE MILITARY, and CHAPLAINS

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FOR OUTREACH INTO THE COMMUNITY.

USE CHURCH DIRECTORY TO PRAY FOR ONE MEMBER EACH DAY

FOR SCHOOL STAFF, SCHOOL BOARD, SCHOOL PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

FOR MY CHURCH’S NATIONAL LEVEL GROUPS

OFFICIALS AT NATIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVEL

WORLD RELIEF AND HUMAN CARE.

FOR THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

THE WHOLE BODY OF BELIEVERS (for revival and renewal)

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

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THOSE WHO ARE BEING PERSECUTED
(More people are suffering for their faith during our time than any previous time in history)

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MISSIONARIES
“Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God. At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach His message about the secret of Christ…Pray that I may speak as I should, in such a way as to make it clear.” Colossians 4:2-4.

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FOR OUR COUNTRY
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. PRAY FOR BLESSING, SPIRITUAL REVIVAL, PEACE

OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:

PRESIDENT AND CABINET

CONGRESSMEN

SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

OTHER

OUR STATE

GOVERNOR

LEGISLATORS

OTHER

OUR CITY

MAYOR

CITY COUNCIL

SCHOOL BOARD

FOR OUR CITIZENS TO FLOURISH AND TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY

PRAYING FOR THE WORLD

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

HEADLINE NEWS: (you can find the countries on the following pages)
(CONFLICTS WARS CORRUPTION NATURAL CALAMITIES)

ENEMIES (INCLUDING PERSONAL AND NATIONAL)
In Luke 6:27-28 Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

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NON CHRISTIANS.
Pray for God to change their hearts, for “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” 2 Corinthians 4:4

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PRAYING FOR REGIONS AND COUNTRIES
Pray for God to meet that region’s needs, and for evangelism there.

MORE VERSES ON THE CATEGORIES OF PRAYER

PRAISE

Psalm 100:3-5. Know that the Lord Himself is God…Enter His gates with THANKSGIVING and His courts with PRAISE. For the Lord is good. His loving kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 145:1-3. I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE

Psalm 51:1-4. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

Isaiah 59:2. Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he does not hear.

FOR ONE’S SELF

Psalm 139:23. Search (examine) me, O Lord, and know my thoughts. Point out anything that offends you, and lead me in the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 141:3-4. Take control of what I say, O Lord, and keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart to drawn to what is evil, and from joining those who are evildoers.

Psalm 119:37. Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless.

Philippians 4:8. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and admirable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on those things.

Psalm 19:12-14. Who can discern his errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins. Don’t let them control me … May my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you.

Build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of His mighty power…For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now…Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Ephesians 6:10-18

Colossians 3 excerpts: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry…⁸But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator… ¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

TWO SAMPLE PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH:

Lord, gracious and merciful, You have not only created and preserved my body to this day, but also have redeemed and cleansed my soul from sin through Your Son Jesus Christ. By doing so You have made me heir of eternal life. At this moment You alone can brighten my day and lighten my burdens. Ease my suffering and give me a restful day. Give me the grace to put aside all worrisome thoughts and instead think about the many blessings which You have showered upon me through the years. Put from me all self-pity and let me hopefully look ahead and at this moment count the blessings which still are mine because of Your goodness, through Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, I’m upset and disturbed, and I pray that you will grant me the grace of inner peace. As you commanded the storm winds at sea to be calm, command the storms in my life to be calmed. Give me the patience I need to cope with the burdens and anxieties of my life. Grant me the strength to better deal with my problems and the understanding to be more tolerant and kind to others. Teach me to seek after your will which alone brings peace of mind and peace of heart. Amen

MORE SAMPLE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21.

PROMISES TO HEAR YOUR PRAYER

God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases Him. Philippians 2:13

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. John 15:16.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8.

In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 16:23-24.

And this is the confidence — the assurance, the [privilege of] boldness — which we have in him; [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan) He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possession] the requests made of Him. 1 John 5:14-15. Amplified Bible.

A PERSON OF PRAYER

Charles Cowman, founder and first president of the Oriental Missionary Society, won international attention when, from 1912 to 1918, his “Every Creature Crusade” was responsible for visiting 10,320,000 homes in Japan, completely evangelizing the Empire. A heart condition developed during this campaign from which he never recovered. He returned to America and friends from around the world came to pray with him for his healing. “God had miraculously healed him in his earlier days. Now, it seemed God’s purpose to keep him in the prison-house to pray. As he neared the end of these six Gethsemane years he could say, ‘These have been the best years of my lifetime and I believe the most fruitful. Doubtless more has been accomplished for my Lord than when I was in my most active days.’ His cheer was such that he became known as ‘the smiling invalid.” To ease the night agony he would sit in a large leather chair. Before him on the wall were maps of every country, island and continent. For six years, now, he could do nothing, had done nothing – but pray! … He prayed with maps of the world on the walls, prayed with burning tears on his cheeks, prayed with the faith of God in his soul, prayed for a church that slept, prayed for leaders that scorned, prayed for a world that sinned, prayed believing, prayed in expectancy…He knew God loves to answer prayer.”

From But If It Dies by B. H. Pearson, Montreal: Christian Literature Crusade © 1970, pages 11, 89, 90. For more on prayer, click on “nurture” at www.foundbytes.com. All verses here are from New International Version except those marked NASB (New American Standard Version) or otherwise specified.

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