The Importance of Prayer

  

 Hello everyone! During this time of distress and worry, prayer is an essential tool that we should be using daily. Prayer is not just folding our hands and closing our eyes; it’s talking with God. He is the one who is guiding you and protecting you, so he should be the one that you look to for help in your anxiety, not friends or family! 

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family on heaven and on earth derives its name.” ~Ephesians 3:14-15

Prayer is an amazing privilege that we often take for granted. When we pray, we are communicating with the God of creation who made the universe and who made us. He has given us free access to Himself and talking to Him should not be taken lightly.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:17

On the flip side, God has called us His children. We can come to Him and tell Him anything and everything- He is our daddy! He loves to hear about your day, even the little things that would be insignificant to others but are important to you. He loves it when we praise Him for the creation around us, or when we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

~Philippians 4:12

Sometimes it can be hard to know how to pray. It might feel weird talking to an invisible God. In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives us a simple prayer to model our own prayers after. He tells us that we don’t need to use fancy words or pray where everyone can see how good we are. Instead, we should pray in private.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray:  ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

~‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:6-13‬

We should always remember that praying is NOT what gets us to heaven, and it’s NOT what saves us. One of my favorite songs highlights this:

“No humble dress, no fervent prayer;

No lifted hands, no tearful song,

No recitation of the truth

Can justify a single wrong.

For Jesus died and rose again,

The power of death is overthrown!

My God is merciful to me

And merciful in Christ alone.”

So even though praying is essential to the Christian life, no amount of it will ultimately save you. However, it is a very important tool to growing closer to Jesus. Especially right now, when many people have anxiety over COVID, spending time with God should be the number one thing we use to ease our grief and worry. Remember that God is always in control: he knew about COVID even before you were born! 

We put together this calendar so that you can have a guide if you are looking for specific ways to pray for our world during the pandemic. 

We hope that this was encouraging to you! 

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 1:3

~Lily and Alayna

PRAYER CALENDAR:

Day 1: Pray for the slow of the virus

Day 2: Pray for family members of those who have the virus

Day 3: Pray for church leaders

Day 4: Pray for small business owners who are struggling during this time

Day 5: Pray for people to feel God’s presence during COVID-19

Day 6: Pray for your neighbors

Day 7: Pray for personal opportunities to share the Gospel with people you encounter

Day 8: Pray for unreached people groups to hear about the gospel

Day 9: Pray for the high school and college seniors who just graduated

Day 10: Pray for healthcare workers 

Day 11: Pray for lower-income families who are struggling

Day 12: Pray for children as they go back to school

Day 13: Pray for local Christian ministries

Day 14: Pray for world leaders

Day 15: Pray for people to be able to reach out with the good news even during this crisis

Day 16: Pray for churches to make wise decisions while they open back up

Day 17: Pray for those who have the virus

Day 18: Pray for those who cannot see their families due to the pandemic

Day 19: Pray for assisted living homes affected by the virus

Day 20: Pray for your country’s economy 

Day 21: Pray for local leaders making decisions concerning COVID-19

Day 22: Pray for national peace in this time of trouble

Day 23: Pray for the school boards in the upcoming school year 

Day 24: Pray for a quick cure for the virus 

Day 25: Pray for missionaries unable to come home

Day 26: Pray for someone you know who is struggling

Day 27: Pray for third-world countries that have been devastated by COVID-19

Day 28: Pray for people dealing with anxiety because of the pandemic

Day 29: Pray for teachers in the upcoming school year

Day 30: Pray for parents with small children

Day 31: Pray that the world would see Jesus during this global pandemic

QUOTES:

“Open the Bible, start reading it, and pause at every verse and turn it into a prayer.” ~John Piper

“Turn the Bible into prayer…” ~ Robert Murray M’Cheyne 

“For me it is absolutely essential that my prayers be guided by, saturated by, and sustained and controlled by the word of God.” ~John Piper

BIBLE VERSES:

“And call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” ~Psalm 50:15

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” ~John 17:21

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” ~James 5:16

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” ~John 15:7

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” ~Ephesians 1:18

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven…” ~Matthew 5:44-45

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” ~Ephesians 6:18

“Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” ~Revelation 3:20-21

“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!” ~Psalms 66:20

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ~Colossians 4:2

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” ~Matthew 26:41

“Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.” ~Psalms 5:2