Pray · On your knees

Pray like it matters.

Prayer is not a ritual before the real work. It is the real work. A warrior who does not pray is a warrior who is not actually in the fight. Here is how to start, how to keep going, and a place to keep your list.

I

Why we pray

Because He told us to, and because He answers. Prayer is talking to the living God who made you, who hears you, and who has promised to act. It is not positive thinking and it is not a performance. It is a son or daughter walking into the throne room and speaking to their Father, boldly, because the Son opened the door.

Jesus prayed. Before dawn, all night on the mountain, in the garden with blood on His face, on the cross. If the Son of God needed to pray, you need to pray.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6–7

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Jeremiah 33:3

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

James 5:16

The pattern Jesus gave

How to pray

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave them a pattern, not a script. Use the pattern. Four moves, in order, and you will never run out of things to say.

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:9–13
1

Adore

Start with who He is, not what you need.

Hallowed be thy name. Tell Him what He is: holy, faithful, mighty, good. Use a Psalm if you are stuck (Psalm 103, 145). Praise puts the fight in perspective before you say a word about it.

2

Confess

Bring the sin into the light.

Forgive us our debts. Name it. Specifically. Not “forgive me for anything I did wrong,” but the lie, the lust, the temper, the thing you did Tuesday. Then receive the forgiveness He already paid for, and forgive the people who owe you.

3

Thank

Count what He has done.

In every thing give thanks. Yesterday’s answers, today’s breath, the cross. Gratitude is a weapon; the enemy cannot get a foothold in a thankful heart.

4

Ask

Now bring the requests.

Give us this day. Your needs, your family, your brothers and sisters, your church, your leaders, your enemies, the lost. Big things. Specific things. Ask boldly and then leave it with Him.

Keep it going

  • Same time, same place, every day. Morning if at all possible, before the phone.
  • Out loud. It keeps your mind from wandering and it makes it real.
  • Pray the Bible. Open a Psalm and pray it back to Him line by line. The Pray the Text study walks you through it.
  • Write it down. A list you can look back on is a record of God answering, and you will need that record on the hard days.
  • Keep going. “Pray without ceasing” means the conversation never fully closes. Talk to Him in the truck, at the sink, in the meeting.

Orders

Who to pray for

Scripture is specific. Work down this list and you will have prayed for everyone God told you to.

  1. Your household

    By name, every one of them. Their faith, their protection, their purity, their calling.

    Numbers 6:24–26

  2. Your brothers and sisters

    The ones in your community, your church, your accountability partner. Pray for the one who went quiet.

    Ephesians 6:18

  3. Your pastor and your church

    That the Word would run and be glorified, and that your leaders would stand.

    2 Thessalonians 3:1

  4. Those in authority

    Kings, presidents, governors, bosses. Commanded, whether you voted for them or not.

    1 Timothy 2:1–2

  5. Your enemies

    Jesus did not make this optional. Bless them. It will change you before it changes them.

    Matthew 5:44

  6. The lost

    The person who came to mind just now. Pray for them by name, and then go tell them.

    Romans 10:1

  7. Workers for the harvest

    Jesus said to pray for this specifically. Then be ready to be the answer.

    Matthew 9:37–38

Your list

Prayer list.

Write it down. Pray through it. Mark what He answers, and look back on it when the enemy says He never does.

    Nothing here yet. Start with your household, by name.

    Iron sharpens iron

    Accountability partner.

    Name one brother or sister who has permission to ask you the hard questions. Their name and number stay on this device. One tap to check in.

    Text a check-inCall

    Ephesians 6

    Pray the armour on.

    Six short prayers, one per piece. Pray them in order and then stand.

    1. Belt of Truth

      Lord, gird me with Your truth today. Let no lie about You, about me, or about the fight take hold. Hold everything in place.

    2. Breastplate of Righteousness

      Father, cover my heart with the righteousness of Christ, not my own. Guard it against accusation and against my own compromise.

    3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

      Jesus, make me ready to move. Wherever You send my feet today, let me carry Your peace and Your good news.

    4. Shield of Faith

      Lord, I raise the shield of faith. Every dart of fear, doubt, and temptation the enemy fires today, put it out.

    5. Helmet of Salvation

      Father, guard my mind with the certainty that I am saved. I belong to You. Nothing can take me out of Your hand.

    6. Sword of the Spirit

      Holy Spirit, put Your Word in my mouth and in my hands. Let me answer every lie with what is written.

    Full Armor Up with verses
    II

    When it will not move

    Some battles do not move without fasting. Jesus said so. Fasting is not a hunger strike against God. It is telling your body that it is not in charge and telling God that you want Him more than you want lunch. If something in your life has not moved with ordinary prayer, skip a meal this week and give the time to Him.

    “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

    Matthew 17:21

    Pray with people.

    Prayer is stronger shield to shield. Join a Look Up community and bring your requests to brothers and sisters who will carry them with you.

    Find Your PeoplePray the Text study