Prayer may be the most heavily used word in the Christian lexicon, but it also may be the most misunderstood, taken-for-granted, confusing part of our faith.
We all need a clear understanding of prayer; what to pray for, how to pray, and how to lead others in prayer. Even more, we need to learn how to listen to God. We talk, talk, talk to God, and never give Him a chance to speak to us.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts our Heavenly Father has given us. May your vision be enlarged for how God can use your life to make “His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” Amen!
Tools & Challenges for Growth
Scripture Memory:
One of the best ways to grow spiritually is simply by memorizing scripture and praying it back to God. Bury His Word in your heart:
Use the wallpaper below to put on your phone (press + hold your finger on the pic).
Print it to use as a bookmark.
Write it down in your journal or on index cards.
Pray it out loud each day throughout the month.
Challenge yourself to recite it without peeking.
Quiet Time:
Make it your goal to have quiet time 5 times per week.
Suggested Book:
Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer -Priscilla Shirer
Other Book Choices:
A Praying Life: Connecting With God in a Distracted World - Paul E. Miller
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools – Tyler Staton
Prayer - Tim Keller
Prayer: The Ultimate Conversation - Charles Stanley
As you read or when you’re finished with the book, write a summary of the key insights God gave you and any applications to your life. Think through the following questions:
In what ways did God encourage or challenge me through this book?
Are there any new truths I need to apply to my life?
Personal Challenge:
Prayer Log - Your assignment is to pray every day between now and your next session using the Prayer Log. List your key prayer requests for your life and family right now. At the bottom of the Prayer Log, write your one big prayer request for this year, and start praying for it every day.
And because prayer is a conversation, spend as much time listening to God as you do talking to Him. Read 1 Samuel 3 and watch how young Samuel was instructed to say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Each day this month, do as Samuel did and write in your journal what comes to you. Ask God to give you the opportunity to be the answer to someone else’s prayer. Then be on the lookout. Watch for places where God invites you to be involved in what He’s doing. Keep notes on what happens and come back to the group ready to share.
Marriage Focus (if applicable):
Praying With Your Husband - Ask your husband if you can begin praying together. Discuss the best time to do this, in the morning, over lunch, before bed, etc. Then find a quiet place where you can kneel or sit close, hold hands, and pray. Make this your special place to meet God together. Use this time to bring your concerns, disagreements, and needs to God, and thank Him for His provision and blessing.
Be careful not to pray to your husband. While he’s (hopefully) listening in and agreeing with your prayers as you talk aloud to God, remember you’re talking to God, not him. When you first start to pray with your husband, you might be tempted to lecture him through your prayers. Resolve that you’re going to authentically connect with your Heavenly Father and have no other agenda besides praise, confession, gratitude, and submission of your requests to His will.
In the beginning, you or your husband may be hesitant about praying out loud. You can start by both of you silently praying. Don’t force anything. Even if your husband isn’t open to this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer for him and your marriage. Ask him if you can have your own prayer times but come together at the end of the day or week and talk about what you are each praying about. Talking about it will help you connect and see how you both can be praying for each other, your marriage, and your family.
Growth Partner Challenge:
Share with each other your key prayer requests. Discuss what you’re asking God to do and why. Then discuss your experience to date with the prayer log, sharing any answered prayers you’ve experienced. Finally, talk about any situations you’ve experienced where you were clearly the answer to someone else’s prayers.
Other Resources:
10 Things You Should Know About Prayer
31 Days of Praying for Your Husband
