A small prayer guide. Each step is supported by hundreds of verses in the Bible, but I only used one (or two) for each. I strongly encourage you to seek out others. Making this your own guide is part of the fun. I hardly ever get through all ten steps every day, but I keep trying. Special thanks to Joy Dawson who inspired me long ago with her guide to intercession.
I. Worship the Triune God II. Surrender your own will, desires and reasoning. III. Meditate on His love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace. IV. Acknowledge that you are helpless to pray without Him, but powerful in Him. V. Thank Him for today. The Holy Spirit has promised you so much. VI. Ask the Lord to protect, comfort, and forgive the people in your life. VII. Pray for more leaders who walk according to the Holy Spirit to be sent out. VIII. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do. IX. Ask the Lord what He wants you to know. X. Read the Bible.
Ten Steps
Worship the Lord Your God
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Ps 103
Surrender any right you have to make your own decisions, keep your own desires, live your own life, or accomplish your own will.
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42
Meditate on the Blood of the Lamb; Christ forgives you; you can forgive others.
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Heb 9:14
Acknowledge that you are helpless to pray effectively without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But that you are strong in the Lord, equipped for battle to resist the enemy.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10
Thank the Lord and praise Him for accomplishing His will in your life and in the prayer time you’re about to have.
The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Pray for the people near you.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1
Ask the Lord to send more workers.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matt 9:36
Ask the Lord what He wants you to do.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
Ask the Lord what He wants you to know.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8
Read the Bible.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:8