Creative Prayer: Praying to Change Lives

Focus: Praying as the Bible guides

Before You Begin:

FYI: This prayer adventure is great for families with older kids in junior or senior high!

The Prayer Time!

During the next week, read a different passage from the following list each day. Discuss the questions together, then pray as you are directed in the Bible.

Day One: Psalm 122 (The peace of Jerusalem)

What is the significance of Jerusalem in this passage?
Why does the psalmist command the reader to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”?
What meaning does this command have for us today?
Pray according to what you have learned.

Day Two: Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-36 (Persecutors)

What prayer is commanded in these passages?
Why is it important to pray for our enemies?
Discuss and answer the questions in both passages.
How can you bless an enemy?
Pray as you are instructed.

Day Three: Mark 13:32-37 (Watch and pray)

What is this passage discussing?
Why is it necessary to be alert and praying?
How should you be acting and praying according to this passage?
Let your prayers be guided by what you have discovered today.

Day Four: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 and Hebrews 13:18 (Prayer for missionaries)

Who is requesting prayer in these passages and why?
Who do you know in similar positions to the writers of these passages?
How can your prayers help these people?
Pray for these people as directed here.

Day Five: Matthew 9:36-38 (Harvest)

What kind of harvest is Jesus referring to?
Who are the workers Jesus wants us to pray God will send?
Are you a worker? Explain.
Use this passage as a guide to prayer.

Day Six: Matthew 6:5-8 (Pray in secret)

What different kinds of people are described here?
Which are you most like and why?
Today, pray individually, as this verse instructs.

Day Seven: Luke 18:1-8 (Persistence in prayer)

What is the main point of this story?
Why did Jesus tell it?
In what areas do you need to be more persistent in prayer?
Determine how to be consistent and persistent in your prayers, beginning today.

After the week of studying and obeying the Bible’s instructions on prayer, what have you learned? Describe it.

If you like, continue this project by having family members find other references to prayer. (You may want to use a concordance or other reference books.) As you learn more about God’s instructions for prayer, you may find your understanding of prayer and your actual prayers changing!

For More:

We enthusiastically recommend Praying to Change Lives by Jody Brolsma for all members of your family ages 12 and older. Why not read it aloud as a family devotion once a week or so? Your whole family will be changed by this unique perspective on intercessory prayer (promise!).