In my previous post, I explained five ways to pray for yourself. Click here It is important to do this so you can be healthy and effective in all areas of your life; but it’s not the only thing that needs praying for. If I claim to be a believer and only pray for myself then I am a liar and God’s love does not abide in me. Love isn’t meant to be kept; it is something to be given. One way we show our love for others is through prayer. Jesus Himself, prayed for others, so who am I to say it isn’t necessary.

Today, I want to share with you three essential areas that you really need to be praying for. Our own lives are intertwined in these areas on so many different levels. They affect how we live, work, worship and grow. I have made a file listing these three areas along with detailed sub-headings and prayer point suggestions. The link to it will be listed at the bottom of the page.

1. People You Know

Our lives are built upon relationships; some last a lifetime and others only a short time period. In so many ways they are interwoven and all need prayer. If we want healthy relationships, the first step is to pray and God’s word gives us plenty of examples.

Notice the multiple details covered in these verses. Not just blanket prayers of ‘God, please take care of so and so…’ These are specific requests, showing care and concern. We need to do the same for the people in our lives whether they are family or friends; neighbors or co-workers.

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers

Romans 1:9

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For this reason we also…do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will…that you may walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful in every good work… strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy…

Colossians 1:9-11

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And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment… that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ

Philippians 1:9-10

2. The Body of Christ

As believers we belong to another family, another body. Its members include Pastors and office workers; missionaries and Sunday school teachers and more. But like any body it requires effort and care to keep it functioning as God intended. Each part is important to the whole, so all areas need to be lifted up and covered in prayer.

I am blessed to live in the United States, where we still have freedom of religion and freedom to worship. Around the world, not all believers are able to worship freely. Some are even imprisoned for their faith. How much they need our prayers! According to the bible it is our responsibility as a part of the body to pray for them.

Brethren, pray for us.

1 Thessalonians 5:25

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Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Ephesians 6:18

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Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

Hebrews 13:3

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…meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:3

3. Our World

We live in a world of 228 nations and territories; almost 7.7 billion people. Over two-thirds of these people do not claim Jesus as their Savior. According to statistics shown by the Joshua Project¹, 41.5% have not been reached with the gospel. For most of these that means they may never have even heard of the name of Jesus. That is almost half the people on this planet! I don’t think I have to say much more, except that of those who have heard His name, there are 71 countries where religious freedom is not allowed, protected or guaranteed.

But, prayer can change things. Prayer can cause leaders to allow religious freedoms; can allow Christian workers and missionaries into the country, along with native missionaries; who can then carefully and prayerfully share their faith.

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it…

Ezekiel 22:30

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Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

Acts 4:29

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…that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1b-2

We need to take prayer more seriously than we do. I know I fail at times. Years ago it was common to hear of people who prayed for hours! I can say I have never known anyone personally who does that today. All of us need to put forth an effort to make time to pray. If that requires cutting into free time, planned activities, or even sleep, so be it. God will get us through. If you are thinking, ‘I can’t do it, I need to ________‘, I would like to see you telling God that!

Think if we just doubled our prayer time. From five minutes to ten; from fifteen minutes to thirty; or even more! Think of the impact that would make. Think of the lives that could be saved.

Prayer is the backbone of the church. It is the one thing besides God that holds it together and makes things happen. Prayer tells God that you feel serious about something. It tells Him that you trust that He can do it and that you have faith in Him to do it. This is also true for these areas. At this time in history it is more important than ever to pray.

Once you read the file and see how extensive it is, if it seems too overwhelming to do; I have also made up a file suggesting an easy way of dividing the requests up into a weekly list. This list is what I use in my prayer time and believe me it doesn’t take much time to cover them daily.

Until next time, God bless.

~Brenda

I have uploaded the files in two layout versions (portrait & landscape) and in two file formats (.odt & .doc). I did this because one file format worked on my laptop but not on my tablet. Let me know if you have any problems with any of these files.

Prayer Topics & Prayer Points :

Files using .odt format:

HOTJ- Prayer Topics & Prayer Points -Portrait-Version

HOTJ – Prayer Topics & Prayer Points – Landscape Version

Files using .doc format:

HOTJ- Prayer Topics & Prayer Points -Portrait-Version 

HOTJ – Prayer Topics & Prayer Points – Landscape Version

Suggested Daily/Weekly Prayer List Link:

Files using .odt format:

Using The Suggested Prayer Schedule

Files using .doc format:

Using The Suggested Prayer Schedule

Footnote:

¹https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/statistics