For years I have struggled with how best to pray petitionary prayers. I am much more comfortable with prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and exaltation. It’s the prayers for things that I have a hard time praying.
Somewhere over the past few months I began categorizing my requests into particular days. At first it felt a bit mechanical and awkward, but after about two weeks it was really freeing. Here is how I do it. Please note that I offer this as a suggestion, not a rule!
Monday Is For Me
This may sound selfish, but after preaching and attending meetings most of the day before, I need to sync up with the Lord, shake off any pride or despair, and get my mind and heart ready for the week. Here I pray for, among other things, my heart to be stirred for the Gospel, my identity to be buried in Christ, and for my will to be bent toward obedience. Monday is for me in the sense that it’s for God’s glory and His purposes for me.
Tuesday Is For Heather
I have some “stock” prayers that I pray for her as well as things I’ve picked up on or things she’s told me over the week. I also let my Bible reading for the day shape the way I pray for her.
Wednesday Is For The Boys
I’ve written elsewhere about how I pray for them. Here I pray for things current as well as things future. In light of the events in Connecticut on Friday, I am currently praying for them to be tender, sweet, and compassionate, but also courageous, discerning, and brave in the face of evil.
Thursday Is For Church
Here I pray for all things Metro East. This includes our vision, our upcoming services, our staff, elders, deacons, and issues we are currently facing as a church. I also pray for the global spread of the Gospel and unreached people groups.
Friday Is For Friends And Family
I pray for the couples that Heather and I spend the most time with. I pray for the men I am discipling. I pray for my family.
Saturday Is For The Country
I pray for our city, state, nation, and all those in high positions (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
Sunday Is For The Service and Sermon
I bathe the day’s sermon in prayer. I beg for grace and wisdom to preach. I pray for the listeners, especially any non-Christians who will be present. I pray for clarity and boldness. I pray for the Gospel to be heard. I pray for our teachers, worship team, and volunteers. I pray for God’s blessing on the day both in our church and all the churches.
Try It
Of course there is overlap with all of these. If Heather asks me on Friday to pray for something she is struggling with I don’t say, “Can it wait until Tuesday?!” I also pray many other prayers on all these days. But this helps me to pray specific, thoughtful, and focused prayers for all these issues and people. If this sounds helpful, please use it. If it doesn’t, forget all you just read.
GB
