PRAYER IN A BOX - Part 1

PRAYER IN A BOX – Part 1 

Note:  This may be uncomfortable to those of you who are “unstructured”.  If so, don’t worry about the system.  JUST PRAY! 

Years ago, when I was feeling guilty over my prayer life, the Lord gave me an idea for managing my prayer time.  I felt like there was much I was forgetting to pray for and in some cases I was only praying sporadically for very important things.  Then there were those people I’d said I’d pray for and forgot about afterward.  (No wonder I felt guilty!) 

So I got a 3 X 5 card box and some dividers.  I put tabs on cards for the days of the month, numbering them 1-31.  Then I began to put cards into each section for the following, layering in each category: 

• My children (and later their families) – I wrote their names and their needs on a card.  These got a pink highlighter stripe across the top.  I put a pink tab on another card.  I put two of my children’s cards in the first day, two more in the second day, and so on.  Then I put a pink tab in the day after these.  I would pray intently for them on the day their cards came up, then rotate them to the pink tabbed section and moving the tab back to the next day. 
• My extended family – I decided to pray for my siblings on Tuesdays.  These cards with their names and needs got a blue stripe.  They rotate back to the next Tuesday.  I put our parents on Wednesdays.  They also have a blue line across the top and “Tuesday” in the top corner.
• Big issues, including world affairs and current events – Modified from Dick Eastman’s Change the World School of Prayer*, these needs are on one card for each day of the week.  I pray for the following:

 

• Monday – world evangelism.  I pray for my personal friends who are on the mission field and for those who are involved in spreading the gospel throughout the world.
• For WORKERS – Mt. 9:38 – that they would be strengthened and faithful for the work
• For OPEN DOORS – Col. 4:2,3 – for all nations to allow the preaching of the gospel, especially Communistic & Muslim countries.
• For FRUIT that remains – 2 Thes. 3:1 – people to be saved and discipled who can then lead others to Christ
• For FINANCES for the work – Ro. 10:14, 15 – that workers would be encouraged, not slowed or disheartened by financial needs.
• Tuesday – my church. 
• For LEADERS WHO PRAY – Acts 6:4
• For SAINTS WHO SERVE – Gal. 6:2
• For PEOPLE WHO PRAISE – 1 Pet. 2:9
• Wednesday – world issues / current events
• For the counties involved in “The Arab Spring” and for religious liberty to come out of that. 
• That unjust or repressive leaders would be removed and replaced by those who favor religious freedom
• For natural disasters and national crises. 
• For the persecuted church. 
• For the nation of Israel.
• Thursday – for spiritual awakening / revival
• For HUMBLE REPENTANCE – 2 Chron. 7:14
• For HUNGRY DESPERATION – Jer. 29:13
• For HELPFUL GENEROSITY – Is. 58:10-12
• For HOLY UNITY – John 17:20-21
• Friday – my family – based on Luke 2:52
• SPIRITUALLY (in favor with God)
• SOCIALLY (in favor with man)
• MENTALLY (increasing in wisdom)
• PHYSICALLY (increasing in stature – good health)
• Saturday – political and civil leaders (Dan.2:19-22) – that they would realize their authority comes from God.  That they would be wise and judicious.  The foolish and ungodly leaders would be removed.
• National, state, and local office holders
• Legislation
• Judges
• Police & Fire
• Public services
• Sunday – myself
• That I will be “F.A.T.” – faithful, available & teachable
• That I will maintain integrity and purity
• For input that will cause spiritual and personal growth.  Sometimes this requires outside sources when the church is focused on new believers.  I pray the Lord would bring them into my path.
• My wishes and dreams

After I pray for these needs, I rotate the cards back to the next numbered day that matches the day of the week.

(To be continued...)

 

*You can find Dick Eastman’s prayer map at www.EveryHomeForChrist.com.