How to Pray: Pray Your Day

by David Chadwick

We are on day five of learning how to pray. If Jesus taught it in Scripture, I should be teaching it to those under my care. You’ve learned about keeping a prayer journal, persisting in prayer, using prayer to build faith as you wait, praying the Lord’s Prayer. Today’s lesson – pray your day!

I have found this to be a simple, yet profound way to better your prayer life. 

As you start your day, take a moment to slow down, take a few deep breaths, and look at your schedule for the day. Pray over each appointment. Each meeting. Each gathering. 

Pray for the people you will meet. Pray for strangers you may interact with at the gas station or the grocery store. Pray for wisdom in decision-making. Pray against hostility and enmity. Pray for God’s presence to follow you. For the Holy Spirit to guide you in all your ways. Pray that you will use your words to honor God and others.

If you’re married and have a family, pray for them and the unique things they are facing in their day. Pray for your kids. For their school and their teachers. Pray for their friendships and mentors. Pray for opportunities for them to encounter Jesus throughout their day.

Keep going. Pray for anyone coming to work at your house. Maybe it’s the yard guy, the appliance repair technician, the pest control company. Pray for opportunities to share Jesus with people when God opens that door. 

You are only given today! Don’t miss his daily bread! Take everything to Jesus in prayer. He loves to see his children recognize their need for him moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. 

I pray you will develop a deep and meaningful prayer life. I pray that these lessons will take root deep inside your heart and bear much fruit. I pray you will see your great need for the presence of God. That you will not take for granted one moment of your life. That you will see every opportunity as a God opportunity. 

Journal. Persist. Wait. Pray the Lord’s Prayer. And pray your day. 

Five suggestions that I hope will increase your prayer life—as it has mine.