Tools for Prayer

I've used many things in my prayer life, to remember to pray, to grow stronger in prayer, and to remember the people I'm praying for.

My first prayer journal (above), I started in Sept. 2011 and used till Nov. 2012. I wrote down everything I was praying for that day, everyday (skipping days here and there). When that became tedious, I used it to ponder on Bible verses or in a few cases to release anger by scribbling and/or writing out prayers of "anguish." This is the most filled prayer journal.

I kinda liked writing out prayers, so Nov. 2012 - Dec. 2012, I wrote out my prayers. It worked, in a way, but honestly I kinda slacked off. The next dated thing in it was from Feb. 2013 in which I did verse by verse study of Philemon. (Exciting, right? lol) In Oct. 2013 I used it for Becoming a Young Woman of Faith. In April of 2014 I used it for 30 Days of Love. This has a lot of empty pages still.

My current prayer journal is a much more usable prayer journal. Since July 8th I've written down the names of people I'm praying for, and I've been fairly diligent in remembering to pray for them. I divided the pages with a straight line down the middle, putting the request/person on one side and putting "answered!" on the cases in which they have. Because of this method, I've only used up a couple pages so far.

I've also used a couple prayer devotional books. One I think was 100 ways to Pray or something like that. I've also memorized a prayer from the Bible. I should work on a few more. I memorized Ephesians 3:14-21 a couple years ago. It is a prayer for Spiritual Strength.

I hope one of these ideas may spark your interest and that you would be able to use one in a diligent manner, yet at the same time, I pray it will be from your heart to God.

30 Days of Love: Day 30

(It wouldn't do if the last day of a series was late, now would it? ;)

Proverbs 24:26

Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

Tell the honestly how much you love them! And if they are related, give them a great big hug and kiss! ;~)

30 Days of Love: Day 29

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

Remind them today that God's love is the greatest love in the world. His love is greater than any earthly love!

30 Days of Love: Day 28

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another.

Encourage, compliment, and remind them that God has a special purpose for them.

30 Days of Love: Day 27

1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Show love to them, by spending time with them. Can be simple as watching a movie, or just hanging out together. They will feel important, special, and loved, when they see how much you love them.

30 Days of Love: Day 26

1 Corinthians 10:24

No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.

 

Don't seek what you think is best for you (or them for that matter) but what God thinks is best for you (and them). Trust him to show you what's right.

30 Days of Love: Day 25

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Give thanks to God for their love, companionship, and just that they are part of your life.

30 Days of Love: Day 24

1 Corinthians 13:13

Now these three remain:
faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.

 

Find a quiet time today to remind them that you'll always have faith & hope in God that your love for them will never change.

30 Days of Love: Day 23

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

Throughout the day, stop and pray for them. Prayers are an amazing way to show how much you love them!

30 Days of Love: Day 22

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Be spontaneous and show them that no matter what, you love them. Whether it's being silly or dancing with them, remind them in a fun spontaneous way!

30 Days of Love: Day 21

Romans 15:7

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Encourage them! I've said this before, but encouraging someone is one of the best things you can ever do! It lifts their spirits and yours!

30 Days of Love: Day 20

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Be joyful always!

No matter what comes your way, always be joyful with the fact that they are a part of your life. You'll won't be able to imagine life with them if you are truly joyful about this!

30 Days of Love: Day 19

Philippians 4:5

Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

Be gracious when they irritate you. Brush it off as best as you can. Regret will eat away at you if you choose to treat them poorly. So be gracious with them.

30 Days of Love: Day 18

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

 

Encourage them today! Remind them how proud you are of them. A few words go a long way. They may be remembered for a long time.

30 Days of Love: Day 17

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Rejoice when they rejoice! Be patient and be there when they have trials and tribulation. And pray for them when ever you see them or think of them.

30 Days of Love: Day 16

Philippians 2:14

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky!

This is pretty much self-explanatory. Put your differences aside, and just enjoy their company!

30 Days of Love: Day 15

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends

Love can be spoke, but often it is best shown through an action. It is often easier to remember actions than words. And of course there is the old saying that actions speak louder that words. While words are good, actions are great!

30 days of Love: Day 14

Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 

 With a mental raise of hands, how often do you spend time with someone but not with them? You can be with them, but you might not be with THEM. What do they like to do? See if you can find a way to spend time together, doing something THEY like to do.

30 Days of Love: Day 13

Matthew 25:40

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Small acts of kindness don't go unrewarded. Whether it's buttoning up a dress, finding shoes, or something simple as a hug. These things do not go unnoticed.

30 Days of Love: Day 12

Ephesians 4:31-32

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

These verses pretty much explain themselves. Get rid of any of the above things that still may hinder your relationship with them. Instead be kind, compassionate, and forgive each other. Forgiveness is like a breath of fresh air.