How Do I Pray for Myself?

Over the summer the All Souls devotions are about prayer. You can find all of them on our website under resources. Currently, we are in part 2 on the topic “How do I pray for myself?” Last week, we talked about praying over our personal past HERE.

Today I want to think about praying for our present lives. Here is the main key to praying in the present:

Be present with His presence.

He is there. He is everywhere. Sometimes we "feel” or “experience” something with the emotions and affections and sometimes we don’t. God did not promise the emotion, but he promised he would be there when we call.

Step 1: 

Take a moment to ground yourself in a verse or chapter from the Psalms. 

• Let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found….You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Psalm 32:6-7
• Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield. Psalm 33:20
• Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard. Psalm 66:8

In light of what you read and meditated on, place faith in God. Then take 30-60 seconds to be aware of Him.

Step 2: 

Pick 5-6 relationships that are important to you. Maybe three from your life outside of church and three people from your church.

Take 60 seconds or so to pray about each relationship. Bring to mind the blessings and the tensions in these relationships.

Ask God to give you insight. 

Where do you need to forgive?

Where do you need to intercede for someone in prayer?

Ask God for direction for these relationships and for affection to grow in these relationships.

Step 3: 

Take an inventory of your weaknesses, wounds and sins.Recognize that by the cross you are forgiven. Now ask the Lord for insight in how these things impact those around you.

Ask the Lord to shape you to

become a presence of blessing and humility. 

Ask God to show you where to make a change. 

Cry out to God for the help of the Holy Spirit.

Step 4: 

What opportunities and challenges do you have in your life? Pray about each thing and ask God for direction and the faith to follow where he leads.

Ask God how you can use these challenges and opportunities to bring blessing to the world.

Ask God to protect you from taking life into your own hands.

Of course there is so much more to say about all this, but this is a good start.

Homework: 

Take 20 minutes to pray through these steps. If you get distracted, don’t worry about it. That is normal and God is patient.

You will never regret the time you spend in prayer.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Harvey