Prayer Action Plan1. Com

mit To Pray

Begin by committing to make prayer a habit using the 7•5•2 plan…

7 – Pray seven days a week individually for people in your life (family,

friends, neighbors, etc.)5 – Pray 5 times a week for the ministries at Altamesa (prayers of blessing

and where God might use you to serve).2 – Pray at least two times a week for our two upcoming mission efforts:

Saltillo, Mexico (Spring Break, March 12-16) and Inside/Out (April 24).

2. Select A Time

Note the days and “piggy back” time slots for prayer.

Examples:

#1: Pray for 10 minutes on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as a piggy back

at the end of my walk

#2: Monday and Thursday prayer before dinner with friends.

My prayer days will be: (circle days)Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday • Saturday My “piggy back” tim

es will be: _________________________________________________

3. Choose A StrategyJot down your thoughts on how to best guide the content of your prayers.

Examples:

#1: I will use the “Fill-in-the-blank” guide to focus my prayers.

#2: I will use “High/Low” at dinner and sentence prayers at bedtime.

I will use the following strategies: __________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Make PreparationsUnless you begin your prayer routine in the next five days the likelihood of following through is slim. Take out your schedule now and schedule one hour in which you will gather, purchase, prepare or display anything needed to implement the ideas listed above. List the preparation steps you need to take: 1.________________________________________________2.________________________________________________3.________________________________________________

Going Further Resources“Pray Always: W

hat the New Testament Teaches About

Prayer”By: Tony Ash

“The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dream

s and Greatest Fear”By: Mark Batterson

“Praying Circles Around Your Children”By: Mark Batterson

“Simple Prayers: A Daybook of Conversations W

ith God”By: Kenneth and Karen Boa

“Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home”

By: Richard Foster

“Too Busy Not to Pray”By: Bill Hybels

“Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy W

ith God”By: Timothy Keller

“Power of a Praying Parent ”By: Stormie Omartian

“Power of a Praying Husband/Wife”

By: Stormie Omartian

“Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?”By: Phillip Yancey

Why pray?

• Deepens your relationship with God

• Creates authentic community between believers

• Prayer is a powerful and effective way to make a difference

(James 5:16)

• Jesus faithfully practiced prayer

• Prayer is not only meant to be about words spoken, but

messages received.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which

transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your m

inds in Christ Jesus. ”Phillipians 4:6-7

Prayer Guide

Becoming Intentional About Prayer

Prayer

Overcoming Obstacles

Tips as you encounter obstacles to your prayer habit:

• Schedule: Just like any other important event, prayer needs to be included on the schedule and protected. If you use a calendar or device, consider creating an appointment for prayer – even if that appointment is at dinner, before bed, etc.• Travel: Even when on the road, you can participate in prayer. You might consider sending a text message or email saying “I am praying this for you right now…

” for those you have been praying for.• Tension: Confession (acknowledging one’s failures) in prayer can make it easier to resolve tension and heal wounds.• Group Prayer: Often times praying alone can be hard. Consider getting together with a group of friends and pray for each other.• The Nudge: Give someone you trust permission to “nudge” you back on track during the inevitable seasons when your prayer routine wanes. Be open to reminders from them and resist the temptation to become defensive or defeated.

Jump Start Prayers

Helpful ways to jump start a prayer routine:

• Silent Prayers: One easy way to start praying is to be silent. Develop a prayer list and then bow quietly. As you become more comfortable with the process, add sentence prayers to your routine.• Sentence Prayers: Start with sentences like “Please heal Uncle Paul.” Or “Thank you for giving me a new friend.” Or “I’m sorry for losing my temper with everyone earlier today.”• High/Low Prayers: Write your high point and low point of your day. Then give thanks for the high and ask for help with the low.• Fill-in-the-Blank Prayers: Use pre-written language to guide and focus your prayer times. For example, the following starter lines can be used…

God, I love you because…

Thank you God for…

God, please help…

God, I’m sorry for…

Prayer Reminder Tools

Ideas to make your prayer routine easier and more meaningful:

• Prayer Board: Buy a dry erase board to keep near the fridge or on the bathroom mirror and use it to keep track of prayer requests.• Recipe Prayer Cards: Keep a recipe box and cards on the table so that when concerns are discussed they can be captured on a card. You might want to create a section for answered prayers to keep as a reminder of God’s goodness.• Thanksgiving Jar: Keep a large mason jar with a stack of paper slips in a visible location to write down and keep reminders of answered prayer throughout the year. On Thanksgiving Day, empty the jar to reflect upon and give thanks for God’s goodness the prior months.• Prayer Journal: Keep a journal and pencil someplace in the house where you can record written prayers. • Prayer Card Basket: Rather than throw away Christmas & birthday cards, thank you notes, or party invitations received during the year, place them in a basket. Remove one each meal time as a reminder to pray for that person or family.

Piggy Back StrategiesExisting activities or special occasions to leverage for prayer:

• Meal time: Briefly give thanks for the food before you eat, then take time to

remember how God has provided for you in other areas.• Bedtim

e: End your day by taking time to reflect on your day.• Wake up: Pray about the upcoming activities of the day.• Drive tim

e: As you start the engine, pause for a brief prayer asking God to go with you and pray a sentence prayer for any concern or opportunity.• Special occasions: Birthdays, first day of work, first date, school test, job interview, or trip can trigger special occasion prayers - asking God’s blessing on those occasions.• Walks: Taking a walk is an ideal time to pray – or pause at the end to pray about the matters that came up during your walk.• Mirror prayers: Using a dry erase marker, write a list of prayer concerns on your bathroom mirror so you remember to pause and pray after brushing teeth.

What To Say

For those who would feel more comfortable with pre-scripted guidance, feel free to pray aloud using the following language…

• PRAYING FOR PERSPECTIVE: Almighty God, I recognize that you are my creator and provider. I also acknowledge I am weak and need you. Help me depend on you today as I…

(Describe specific activities tied to work, school, challenges, etc.)

• CONFESSION PRAYER: Lord, you have promised to forgive those who confess their sins. I come before you in humility today acknowledging my own unworthiness and my many failures. (Silently confesse your sins and failures) Now I ask that you give me the courage to apologize and forgive others when needed to keep harmony.

• REQUEST PRAYER: Father, you are the giver of all good gifts. I ask for your goodness today as I lift the following requests to you…

(Offer one sentence prayers for each request)

• THE LORD’S PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

• Insert sentence prayers about needs/concerns

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

• Pause and silently confess your sins

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

• Insert sentence prayers about fears, worries, temptations, etc.

Amen.