Northwoods Family,
John Wesley (1703-1791) was a great man of God who was used to bring
revival to America and to plant hundreds of churches. He said, “God
does nothing but in answer to prayer.” It’s an awesome thought that, I
believe, accurately captures what the Bible teaches about the power and
importance of prayer, along with the place it should occupy in our lives.
Thus, I want to intentionally call us in these days to become a people
of prayer. Let’s adopt as our rally cry in every situation: “Pray First.” No
matter what is going on around us, whether good or bad, let’s deter-
mine to pray before we act. Many times people act first and then when
the situation doesn’t turn out as they had hoped, they want God to bail
them out. But prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
However, understanding the importance and necessity of prayer is not
enough. In order for it to become a part of our lives, it needs to become
something we look forward to doing. I’m convinced most people don’t
enjoy prayer because they have never been taught how to pray. That’s
where this simple prayer journal can help. It is designed not only to offer
you some simple guidance in developing your prayer life, but also to
bring joy into your time with God. When you discover the beauty of dai-
ly conversation with Him, you’ll experience a closer walk with God and a
deeper sense of His daily presence in your life.
Once you learn how to pray, prayer will become a natural part of your
everyday life. And then…
Before the day begins—
Before you go to bed—
Before you go to work or school—
Before you send that text—
Before you eat, drive or travel—
When bad things happen—
Before bad things happen—
In every situation—PRAY FIRST!
And you’ll likely discover that prayer changes everything!
Pastor Cal Rychener
1
A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER
How do we make prayer a part of our everyday life? We can learn from
three things that Jesus did…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up,
left the house and went off to a solitary place,
where he prayed (Mark 1:35)
A CERTAIN TIME
Jesus got up very early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly
Father. In order for prayer to work, we should do the same. Make a daily
appointment with God and keep it.
A CERTAIN PLACE
Jesus had a prayer place. Your prayer place needs to be an undistracted
environment where you can pray out loud and perhaps have some
worship music playing in the background.
A CERTAIN PLAN
Go into your prayer time with a plan. If it changes that’s fine. When Jesus
taught His disciples how to pray, He gave His disciples a prayer outline.
We call it the Lord’s Prayer. This outline along with several other tools are
available in this booklet.
2 PRAY FIRST
THE LORD’S PRAYER
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished,
one of His disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1)
“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. Forgive us
our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into tempta-
tion, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever” (Matthew 6:9-13)
1. CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY:
“Our Father in heaven...”
God loves for us to call Him our Father. Establish your intimate relation-
ship with Him and thank Him for the relationship you have with Him.
“You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you
received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call
him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 NLT)
2. WORSHIP HIS NAME:
“Hallowed be Your Name…”
What are His Names?
The Lord is my Righteousness – He makes me clean (Jeremiah 23:6)
The Lord is my Sanctifier – He has called me and set me apart
(Leviticus 20:7-8)
The Lord is my Healer– He heals all my diseases (Exodus 15:26)
The Lord is my Banner of Victory – He has defeated my enemy
(Exodus 17:15)
The Lord is my Shepherd – He speaks to me and leads me (Psalms 23:1)
The Lord is my Peace – He is my peace in every storm (Judges 6:24)
The Lord is my Provider – He supplies all of my needs (Genesis 22:14)
“God’s name is a place of protection—
the righteous can run there and be safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 MSG)
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3. PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST:
“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
God’s priorities:
• Saving the Lost
• Growing His people/His Church
• Helping the hurting and healing the sick
• Guiding those in authority – parental, spiritual, governmental,
workplace
• Bringing our lives into alignment with His will
“He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the
Kingdom of God your primary concern.” (Luke 12:31 TLB)
4. DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING:
“Give us this day our daily bread…”
Ask God for what you want and need, and then trust Him for the answer.
“I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes
from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT)
5. GET YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH GOD AND PEOPLE:
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors…”
Ask God to check your heart and motives. Receive His forgiveness for
any area that He brings to mind. Forgive anyone who has offended you
in any way. You can even forgive people in advance.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
4 PRAY FIRST
6. ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE:
“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one…”
Take your stand against the enemy and fight the good fight of faith.
Every lie that the enemy has told you should be replaced with the truth
of God’s Word. (See prayers on pages 7-9.)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12)
7. CONFESS YOUR FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY:
“For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.”
End your prayer time by reminding yourself of God’s ability. Return to
praise and make your faith declarations:
Thank you Lord that you’re in control!
•
“Yours is the Kingdom”
Thank you Lord that nothing is impossible for you!
•
“Yours is the Power”
Thank you Lord that you reign victorious!
•
“Yours is the Glory”
“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth
by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard
for you” (Jeremiah 32:17)
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PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE DEVOTIONAL
This is a great prayer outline mixed with Scripture readings. Simply walk
through the outline while you look up the passages of Scripture.
1. T
HANKSGIVING AND PRAISE – PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD
(MARK 12:30)
• Think of a fresh reason to thank Him (Psalm 100:4, 118:24).
• Present your body in worship (Romans 12:1; Psalm 63-3,4) by:
Kneeling before Him as your Lord
Lifting your hands to Him as your Source
Standing in praise before Him as your King
Clapping your hands with rejoicing
Dancing with joy as a child
Bowing your head in humility
• Sing a new song to Him (Psalm 96:1,2; Colossians 3:16).
2. C
ONFESSION AND CLEANSING – PRESENT YOUR HEART TO GOD
(PROVERBS 4:23)
• Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23,24) for:
Sin – receive cleansing and righteousness
Selfishness – receive holiness and sanctification
Stress – receive life and power
Sickness – receive healing and strength
• Invite God to set a monitor on your mouth and heart
(Psalm 19:14, 49:3).
• Ask God to help you keep His purposes and goals in view
(Psalm 90:12; Philippians 3:13-14).
3. ORDER AND OBEDIENCE – PRESENT YOUR DAY TO GOD
(PSALM 37:5)
• Present the day’s details (Psalm 37:4,5, 31:14,15;
Deuteronomy 33:25):
Confess your trust in the Lord.
Commit your works to God.
• Indicate your dependence upon God (Proverbs 3:5-7;
Psalm 131:1-3).
• Request specific direction for actions and decisions
(Psalm 25:4-5; Isaiah 30:21).
• Choose to obey God’s explicit instructions (James 1:21-25; Mat-
thew 7:24-27).
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WARFARE PRAYERS
Prayer is not only communion with God; it is confrontation with the
enemy. The Bible explicitly spells out in Ephesians 6:11-18, not only the
nature of the battle we’re in, but also the mighty weapons God has giv-
en us so that we can stand victorious against the devil’s schemes.
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on
the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to
stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm
then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of
righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes
from the Gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the
helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 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 6:11-18).
The following prayers are very helpful in spiritual warfare:
THE ARMOR OF GOD
(based on Ephesians 6:13-17)
“Thank You, Lord, for my salvation. I believe and confess today that I have
taken my stand with Christ and that nothing can separate me from the
love of Christ and the place I have in Your kingdom. I wear Your righ-
teousness today against all condemnation and corruption. Cover me
with Your holiness and purity—defend me from all assaults against my
heart. Lord, I put on the belt of truth. I choose a lifestyle of honesty and
integrity. Expose the lies I have believed, and show me the truths I need
today. I choose to live for the Gospel in every moment. Show me where
You are working and lead me to it. Give me strength to walk daily with
You. I believe that You are powerful against every lie and assault of the
enemy. You have good in store for me. Nothing is coming today that can
overcome me because You are with me. Holy Spirit, show me the truths
of the Word of God that I will need to counter the traps of the enemy.
Bring those Scriptures to mind today. Finally, Holy Spirit, I agree to walk
in step with You in everything as my spirit communes with You in prayer
throughout the day.”
7
THE WEAPONS OF WARFARE
(based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
“Father, Your Word says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper
(Isaiah 54:17). Therefore I declare that no weapon formed against me
prospers this day or any day to come, in Jesus’ name. Your Word says that
trouble will not arise a second time (Nahum 1:9). Therefore I declare that
Satan cannot make trouble for me again, as he did in the past, in Jesus’
name. I declare all of these prayers accomplished and brought to pass
by trusting You through faith and expectation in the name of Jesus. Lord
Jesus, I confess to You all of my sins this day, yesterday and every day
past. I repent and renounce them, those known and unknown, those of
omission and commission, in what I have done and in what I have failed
to do. I lay down at Your feet all of the sins of my flesh, my tongue, my
heart and all unholy thoughts and actions. Thank You, Lord, for shedding
Your precious blood for me. I stand on Your Word. The enemy is driven
out from before me, above me, around me, and below me; from my
home, workplace, church and its ministries, from my children and loved
ones; from my works and labors, from my land, and from my presence. I
declare that he is not able to stand against me, and his works are taken
captive and destroyed. No weapon formed against me will prosper, for
the Spirit of the Lord shall raise a standard against them. I declare all
of these things accomplished by Your Word. Jesus, my Lord, I give You
thanksgiving, praise, glory, honor and worship for Your righteousness
and holiness given to me by Your Word on my behalf.”
PROTECTION PRAYER
(based on 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, 10:3-5; Romans 12:1-2)
“Heavenly Father, I bow in worship and praise before you. I cover myself
with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as my protection. I surrender my-
self completely and unreservedly in every area of my life to You. I submit
myself only to the true and living God and refuse any involvement of
the enemy in my life. I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my
mind. I pull down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge
of Christ. I pray and thank You for a sound mind, the mind of Christ.
Today and every day I ask for protection over my spouse; each of my
children; our immediate family members, relatives, friends, acquaintanc-
es and myself. I also ask today for protection during all of our travels; for
our provision, finances, possessions, health, safety, and welfare. I put all
of these things under the covering of Your precious blood and declare
that Satan cannot touch them, on this day or any day to come, in Jesus
mighty name.”
8 PRAY FIRST
GENERAL CONFESSION PRAYER
(based on Romans 10:10; James 5:16; I John 1:7-9, 3:8)
“Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God. You are the Messiah,
come in the flesh to destroy the works of the devil. You died on the cross
for my sins and rose again the third day from the dead. I now confess all
my sins and repent. I receive Your forgiveness and ask you to cleanse me
from all sin. Thank You for redeeming me, cleansing me, justifying me,
and sanctifying me in Your blood.”
FORGIVENESS PRAYER
(based on Matthew 6:14-15; Leviticus 19:18)
“Lord, I have a confession to make. I have not loved, but have resented
certain people and have unforgiveness in my heart. I call upon You, Lord,
to help me forgive them. I do now forgive (name them). I also forgive
and accept myself in the name of Jesus Christ.”
PRIDE PRAYER
(based on Proverbs 11:2, 16:18, 26:12; 1 Timothy 3:6)
“Father, I come to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know pride
is an abomination to You. I renounce anything that would cause me to
have pride in my heart in dealing with other people. I renounce these
and turn away from them. I humble myself before You and come to You
as a little child.“ [Study Proverbs 6:16-19 and remember that fasting is a
means by which a person humbles himself or herself before the Lord].
GENERATIONAL FREEDOM PRAYER
(based on Exodus 20:4-6, 34:7; Numbers 14:18)
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I now renounce, break, and loose
myself from all bondages or bonds of physical or mental illness upon
me, my family or family line as the result of parents or any other ances-
tors. I thank You, Lord, for setting me free.”
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PERSONAL PRAYER TARGETS
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases
God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge
of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Pray for those in authority and those under your authority.
MY GOVERNMENT
President
National leaders
State leaders
City leaders
MY FAMILY
Spouse
Children
Parents
Siblings
Extended family
MY CHURCH
Pastors
Small group leader
Small group members
10 PRAY FIRST
MY LIFE
Employer
Co-workers
Employees
Teachers/Professors
THOSE I INFLUENCE
Close friends
THOSE WHO NEED JESUS CHRIST
How to pray effectively for your unsaved friends!
• Pray the Father would draw them to Jesus!
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws
him.” (John 6:44).
• Bind the spirit the blinds their minds
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that
they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is
the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
• Loose the spirit of adoption/sonship over them
“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba,
Father.” (Romans 8:15).
• Pray that other believers will cross their paths and enter into
positive relationships with them.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his
harvest field.” (Matthew 9:38).
• Loose the spirit of wisdom and revelation on them so they can
know God better.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious
Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that
you may know Him better.” (Ephesians 1:17).
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MY NEEDS
PRAYER REQUEST DATE DATE ANSWERED
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