More Creative Prayer Ideas: Personal Prayer

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My previous blog was about “Creative Ideas for Personal Prayer” action points that are being suggested by Pastor Randy Maxwell in his book: If My People Pray. ” His suggestions are very helpful when you are getting bored of praying the same prayer over and over. Here are more excerpts of Pastor Randy’s fresh, creative ideas and suggestions for personal prayer.

5. Pray for your spouse.
Not in general, vague way, but in specific terms, claiming certain Bible Promises for him or her that are tailored to individual needs.

I like to do this for Suzette and sometimes will leave her a  note with the verse that I’m claiming for on it. She has saved one of these notes and keeps it on the bathroom mirror, where she can see it every day. It reads:

For you today: That your delight will be in the law of the Lord, that you will meditate on it day and night. That you will be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season without withering. And whatever you do will prosper. (Psalm 1:2, 3)   Love ya.

You love your spouse. He or she has struggles, frustrations, goals, hopes, and needs that you probably know about. Take those things to God in prayer. Lift your husband or wife before the Father, and ask Him to meet his or her needs according to His unfailing love.

Search the Word for specific verses that fit his or her situation, and pray for those verses back to God, inserting your spouse’s name in the appropriate place. I did this recently for my wife while I was out of town and she was nervously awaiting the results  of some medical tests back home. We were both on edge, and I went to the Bible for a word of encouragement from the Lord. I found it in Psalm 33:18-22. I claimed the promise for Suzette and then prayed it back to God something like this:

Suzette wait in hope for you, Lord; be her help and her shield today. Let her heart rejoice in You and help her to trust in Your holy name. May Your unfailing love rest upon us both, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You. (verses 20-22)

Later, I called home and told her I was praying this promise for her. I could tell she was pleased. Nothing brings you closer together as a couple than praying earnestly and specifically for the man or woman who shares your life. (P.S. You can pray for your children the same way.)

And, singles, the absense of a spouse doesn’t indicate the absence of other individuals who love you and need your prayers. Claim promises on behalf of your best friend, co-worker, family member, nieces and nephews, or pastor, and let them know that you are praying for them. Any relationship will be strengthened by this prayerful act of love.

6. Pray (or speak) a blessing on your family members.
Anyone can do this. . . In the sixth chapter of Numbers. . . Aaron and  his sons were instructed to bless the Israelites. Read these words with me carefully:

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites.  Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:22-27)

. . . What father or mother wouldn’t want this blessing to be on their children?. . .

…We are to be channels through whom God will provide, protect, and profusedly spread His blessing. Men (and caregivers), as priests of our homes, God wants us to transmit that blessing to the children.

My wife and I have done this together. With our hands placed gently on the heads of our girls, I’ve prayed this blessing on them, saying:

“Candice, Crystal, Danielle: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Amen”

You can’t imagine the intensity of hugs and beaming faces that come after a prayer like this. Your children won’t forget, and neither will you. It’s not something to be done casually. At this writing, I’ve done it only once. But this is what a life of prayer is all about. It’s not just words and requests and routine. It’s love and power and relationship and heart and soul.

Speak a blessing over your wife or husband too. As I prepare to leave home for work, I occasionally will cup my wife’s face in my hands, kiss her gently, and say, “The Lord bless you real good day, sweetheart.” Or “The Lord’s blessings be all over you from head to toe!” This always evokes a big smile and the tightest squeeze you can imagine. She often blesses me in the same way.

One word of caution: Be sure your life supports whatever your lips speak. Words that are spoken in blessing are invalidated when a child (or spouse)  hasn’t sensed the daily touch, concern, interest, availability, and care of the blesser.  We must take care to build a platform of relationship from which to bless. Remember, the life we lead backs up the words we speak.

7. Pray through the newspaper.
For those who have trouble coming up with enough things to pray about and for those, who like many people, are addicted to the morning newspaper, this can revolutionize  your prayer life.

The paper is full of needs, crises, hurts, and troubles that should cause the heart of the Christian to break. . . . What fertile ground for prayer! There is something we can do! We can pray.

Each of these stories represents lives, real people who are hurting, desperate, and in need of Jesus. Read the paper with the eyes and heart of Christ, and ask God to mercifully intervene.

You may have noticed that the last few action points have touched on intercessory prayer. This one aspect of prayer is so powerful and vital to our experience as Christians. . .

So, there you have it. Seven suggestions for putting new passion into your personal prayer journey with God. Not an exhaustive list, by any stretch. You may already be experimenting with several creative forms of prayer that aren’t mentioned here. Great. Go for it. Whatever you do, though, pray. Don’t just read about it or mentally assent to it. Pray. Be real. Be consistent. Be creative. But above all, pray. There’s so much in store for you if you do.

A note from ChristianMomsCorner.com – In the next chaper of Pastor Randy’s “If My People Pray” he writes more about on intercessory prayer. If you are interested to get his book, you can find it here.

Previous blog: If My People Pray: Why Must We Pray

Creative Prayer Ideas:

• Creative Prayer Idea: Five-Finger Prayer
• Creative Prayer Ideas for Personal Prayer – “If My People Pray”
• “If My People Pray” – Too Bored to Pray?

Helpful Books on Creative Prayer

More Creative Prayer – Helpful Resources Here

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