If you're like me, and you'd rather focus your attention on something else, something of importance and meaning, I ask you to join me on this quest of Fifty Ways to Pray. With the movie opening in theaters this weekend, I plan on starting to dive deeper into my prayer life after this post goes live. Not only because I'd rather focus my attention on godly things, but it challenges me to be a better prayer warrior. Now I am NOT putting myself on a pedestal or giving off a "holier than thou" vibe. Please, do not misunderstand my motives. If you choose to read the book or see the movie, that is your prerogative. I am simply here to state I will not be doing either (although my curiosity is at large, just being honest and fleshly! Hence why I need Jesus :P) and will instead be kicking off a personal challenge to dive deeper into my relationship with Christ, and pray my little heart out. Are you with me?
Now I've compiled a list of 50 prayer topics that you can certainly glean from. But maybe it will be more meaningful to you to create your own list. Some pertain to me personally, some are more general. Here it goes...
1. "Teach my song to rise to you, when temptation comes my way" ("Lord I Need You" by Matt Maher). We'll start here, because conforming to the things of this world is SO tempting, such as how easy it would be to see this book or movie or anything else for that matter. I pray when ANY temptation comes my way, I will surrender my all to Christ in that very moment.
2. Guidance on my role in my family (whether it be wife, mother, sister, daughter.. or if you're a fella: son, brother, husband, father, ect)
3. Better serve my community. Use me, Lord!
4. A revival in this city, state, nation, WORLD! Pray for many to come to Jesus!
5. For peace between religions. I am not all about that "Coexist" bumper sticker, because I firmly believe there is one God, one Jesus that saves us, and we shouldn't be complacent/tolerant Christians. BUT I am about loving others as Christ loved us. He died for ALL. Racial division is running rampant in our world, people are dying. This does not sit well with me.
6. Have a heart of grace when I've been wronged. Oh Lord, how I need You for this.
7. Holy Spirit, dwell within me. I thirst for You.
8. Tame my tongue. I need a better filter between my thoughts and my words. Once they've been spoken, they cannot be erased.
9. Help me with the fine and gracious line between discernment and judgement.
10. Let my actions, my every day way of living, radiate the love of Christ through me.
11. Help me to trust in You and Your perfect timing, in ALL things, no matter what.
12. For the missionaries, those living out of their comfort zone or away from their families, to proclaim the name of Jesus and to be faithful to His calling for them!
13. For our service men and women: military, police, fire, EMS and beyond.
14. For the parent who is grieving a loss of a child, whether born or unborn.
15. For the child grieving the loss of a parent.
16. For the women who are in abusive relationships or have been in one. For healing and protection and a way out. And to know there is One who loves like no one else can - Jesus.
17. For children who have been abused or are being abused in any form. For healing and protection and a way out.
18. For the abuser in any situation. For their heart to be broken and revived and to know there is someone who died to forgive them of that sin and repentance is always an option.
19. For the marriages that are failing. Marriage is hard, it's sacrificial. Pray for revival and for them to know the only One who can help is Jesus.
20. For parents of children with special needs. Wow, do I give them major credit. Pray for them to have strength, patience, and grace.
21. For those with special needs, whether they comprehend it or not, they are loved and valued!
22. For our rising generation. That they would be respectful, gracious, and over all well rounded. Pray for them to make a difference in this world, and to ultimately find the need for a Savior.
23. For God's people, the Israelites. Pray for peace in this country and for their protection. Also, for them to see the Messiah has already come and died for them, and for them to be saved!
24. For all the unrest in the middle east.
25. For the unborn. That their lives would be valued and given a chance to live.
26. For the pregnant woman weighing the decision to abort. For grace and comfort to enter her heart, to know she CAN be a mother, and she would decide to let the baby live.
27. For the woman who has had an abortion and is struggling with guilt. To know she is loved, she is forgiven.
28. For those afflicted with mental illness. Pray for healing and a way to be freed from the chains by ways of medication or supernatural healing.
29. For people to see what TRUE love really means. How God intended it to be within a marital relationship. Nothing like what Fifty Shades of Grey depicts.
30. For the man (or woman!) struggling with sexual temptations/desires whether married or not. Pray for freedom from this bondage and victory over it through Christ alone.
31. For the church you attend. Pray they would be diligent in growing disciples and being a huge impact in their community and abroad. And most importantly, they are sharing the true Gospel message and aren't distorting God's Word.
32. For the Christian church as a whole. That all the division among us would subside and we would be of ONE mind of ONE accord.
33. For pastors and those in church leadership. That they would seek God daily and make wise decisions in their work and in their personal lives.
34. For wives to better understand their role and how to respect and honor their husbands.
35. For hushands to better understand their role and how to love and admire their wives.
36. For Christians to better understand how to love on those who are "different" from them. Whether it be race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, ect. The gospel message is for all, not just you.
37. For those struggling with addictions. Pray for their chains to be broken!
38. For families who are broken and hurting. Pray for healing and restoration!
39. For anyone who feels alone and is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts. They are not alone, Jesus is always there, just a prayer away.
40. To be content with what you have. We were created for a purpose, not to be prosperous. If God blesses you materially or not, find contentment in what you already have.
41. To give like nothing else. To give until it makes you feel uncomfortable or unsure. This is when God can truly work within you and grow your faith!
42. To learn when to say "no". Sometimes we put too much on our plate. Pray for guidance on every new thing you add to your plate. Stretching yourself too thin doesn't benefit you or others.
43. For my business (this may or may not pertain to you). For it to go where God sees fit. To put my utmost trust in Him for all business matters.
44. For restoration in broken friendships. It's amazing what prayer can do.
45. For the elderly. Give them joy and peace in their final days, months, or years. If they have not received Christ, that they would see the need for a Savior in their last stage of life!
46. To listen more than we speak.
47. To worship God in every moment of my day, to reflect on Him and His goodness ALL. THE. TIME.
48. To be available to be used in any manner God has for me. The only ability God requires is availability.
49. For anyone in the medical profession. To have knowledge, strength, and patience with their patients.
50. To reach the lost, to share Christ, to be BOLD for Him!
Wow, I could actually write more. I thought for sure I was going to have a hard time writing 50 things to pray about. But this is definitely a start. Well, writing it and actually praying through this list are two different things. My first prayer will be having the desire to pray for each of these things!
So there you have it, I hope this speaks to you and compels you to put your eyes on Christ when the other things in this world can be such a distraction.
xo,
Jess
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