In light of the unimaginable importance and privilege of praying, I want to steward my focused prayer time well. The Lord wants us to pray constantly and spontaneously (1 Thes 5:16-18). But the Bible also encourages us to "devote" ourselves and be "steadfast" in prayer (e.g. Acts 1:14, Col 4:2), suggesting a kind of discipline and focus. We are also to pray in, for, and about everything (e.g. Phil 4:2). Not only about everything, but about nearly everyone--Paul's epistles indicate that a full prayer life includes supplication for lots and lots of people--groups of people (like whole churches) and specific people, like companions, friends, missionaries, and enemies. (For additional encouragement about focused supplication and the need to "take steps to see that it is part of your regular life, the same way eating and sleeping are" read or listen to this sermon by John Piper: Devote Yourselves to Prayer)
The enormity of importance and need for prayer can be overwhelming...and, if Satan has his way, defeating. There have been many times in my life, including very recently, where I got away from praying because I felt like I didn't know where to start. I would approach the throne of grace, feel lame and distracted, and shrink away into other activities. Earlier this week, I talked with a dear brother who confessed how much his heart would sink when someone asked him to pray for them, because he knew he wouldn't end up faithful to the request. I resonated very much with that feeling.
At the deepest level, my failure and that of my brother comes down to an overfocus on self--a "pride of worm" where I am stuck on the lameness I see in the mirror, instead of on the excellencies of Christ I would see if only I would turn away from the mirror and look through the window of His Word. So, the struggle here is the daily struggle to die to self and live in Christ. But that struggle happens at lots of levels--from the most mysterious to the most concrete. One of the purposes of this blog is to explore some concrete tools in that struggle, i.e. how can I set up my life to maximize the chances that I'll let go of it!
Many books have been written about the disciplines (tools) surrounding prayer, exploring lots of different aspects of it. I want to share one systematic supplication strategy that has helped keep me focused and encouraged in prayer. I have just returned to and retooled these structures, so I am excited to share them. I'm sure this level of lists and structures is not for everyone. But for my distracted and sometimes overwhelmed soul, these have been a Godsend.
My prayer life is richest when I simultaneously use two strategies: Concentric circles and Daily Themes. I got the concentric circles from John Piper, who describes his circles in the sermon I linked to above ("Taking Steps: How" section). The concentric circles approach starts with the one most in need of prayer (me), then moves out from there. I start needs I have, then move to my wife, then to my children, then to a list of others that is different each day the week. So, at the back of my journal I have something that looks like this:
Everyday
Me: Search me, forgive me, and help me (list of heart and other needs such as purity, integrity, gentleness as a husband...)
My wife (list of specific needs she has indicated or I have discerned)
My children (a list of 4 or 5 needs for each. These range broadly and evolve over time. For example, a list for one of my children right now reads, "Teachable spirit, Angry growl, Blessing others w/ joy, Intelligible speech, Kindergarten, Salvation")
Monday: Work, Career Direction, Coworkers (list of 2 specific co-workers). [On Monday since it starts the work week.]
Tuesday: Joy of the Lord for unsaved friends/family (list of 3 or 4 specific people)
Wednesday: Local church (list of groups and ministries I'm involved in or am considering involvement in, our pastors and staff, specific people at our church I want to pray for regularly)
Thursday: Universal Church. Pastors/ministers, other churches/ministries, persecuted church. (list of specific ministers/missionaries, churches, ministries) [This is a series of concentric circles that moves from specific people in ministry and missions, to larger entities.]
Friday: World and Current Events. City, state, country. Elected officials (list of a few, right now includes candidates too!). Secular organizations (like my undergrad college). Key issues (list of a few like racism, abortion, poverty).
Saturday: Family and Closest Friends. [On Saturday because I desire some of these prayers to prompt me to call people and Saturday is usually the best day for that.]
I can't say enough how freeing it can be to realize that I don't need to pray for everything and everyone every time. If I tell someone I'll keep them in prayer, it might mean I do that once a week when I reach the daily theme or list that pertains to that person. I also don't feel the need to hit every item on the daily theme lists every week. I let my heart, guided by the Spirit, lead me. After all, despite these detailed efforts to devote myself to prayer in a focused and diligent way, I don't really know what to pray for! There is a marvelous paradox at the center of Christian prayer: What we pray for really matters, really counts. We need to pray often, specifically, and steadfastly. AND our prayers are like the utterances of a tired baby who knows not what she really needs:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
Knowing this glorious truth should embolden all of us to pray freely and often. I am jealous for the joy that comes with such prayer, so I am zealous for any tool that will get me there...concentric circles, daily themes, lists, key verses, computer code, resolutions, and whatever else it takes!
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