Entering 2024, a really big focus of mine was to become more intentional in my prayer life and create prayer strategies that help deepen the intensity of my prayers. Well, I've created the foundation for this, and I am so excited to share with you guys the things that I have implemented! Even a few weeks in, I have noticed a difference in my prayer life and relationship with the Lord, and I am so grateful for that!
I began incorporating two new things into my Bible study/prayer life, and it has been so incredible. I truly believe that these are things that anyone can do, and it will most definitely make a difference. A lot of what I've started doing is inspired by the book "Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer, which is PHENOMENAL. She doesn't explicitly describe these specific strategies, but I've taken her wisdom and shifted it into a format that works and inspires me.
First off, I've created a prayer wall. I'm always adding to it, but it's on this wall that I add detailed, passionate, Scripture based prayers to fight in battle with. Every night at the beginning of my Bible study, I get on my knees for at least five minutes in front of the cross on my prayer wall and simply reflect on Jesus' sacrifice. This often moves into a time of repentance or praying one of the prayers on my wall, but it's an intimate time with the Lord that always sets my Bible study with the right tone.
These prayers on my wall are inspired by the book "Fervent" by Priscilla Shirer, with my own spin. I pray over my family, different aspects of my faith, my community, and more, but each of the prayers I have are intentionally connected with Scripture. For instance, whatever I pray over my family is also inspired over what the Bible says family should look like. I pray those characteristics and promises over my family, aligning my heart with the Lord's will and remembering how I need to play a godly role in my home as well. It's the same for my faith, my community, and every other aspect of my life. I look for what the Bible says over that area and incorporate it into my prayers.
This has been a game changer for me. I feel like my prayer life has so much more depth and purpose instead of just randomly asking God for things I want. I'm praying for the Lord's will and the Lord's kingdom, and that's an honor. And by so powerfully using Scripture during prayer, I'm fighting off the devil in a way I never had before. Through HIS words the enemy loses his power, and I'm becoming part of that process.
Before I created my prayer wall, I thought I would need a closet or a room. But I just settled in a corner of my room, laid down a blanket, and got to praying. Even if you don't have a full wall, closet, or room, use part of a wall or a corner and create your own prayer space. For me, it's become a place to go to war, to wrestle with the Lord, and to refocus on His truth for my identity and my life. It's such an intentional space, and if you have the means to, I would greatly encourage you to create that for yourself.
I've also created a prayer notebook, sort of a portable prayer wall with a twist. I was inspired by a video on Pinterest of a woman describing her prayer strategy, and it was so unique, but I decided to give it a try for myself. There were mixed opinions on it, but so far, I'm loving it.
In my notebook, I have sections for each area of my life that I'm praying over. My faith, family, community, future, future husband, health, etc. In each section, I write down specific prayers, and again, I work to align those prayers with Scripture. I pray for people to come to know Christ, for healing to happen, for my small group girls to grow in consistency in the Word, for peace over certain people and situations, and more, but I want to use the Word of God to fill my prayers and war against the enemy. Next to each prayer, I write the date which I prayed it, and at least one Scripture that inspires or supports that particular prayer. And every time I pray that prayer, I circle it.
This circling symbolizes multiple things for me. For one, it's a sign of consistent and fervent prayer. I don't just pray once and expect things to change, but instead I come before the Lord, again and again, surrendering and entrusting Him with these things on my heart. It's a reminder for me to pray over certain situations and people which I would have forgotten to cover in the first place. And, as the woman in the original video explained, the full circle is a symbol of complete surrender to the Lord. Every time I circle it, I give it to the Lord, over and over again, and to me, that's such a powerful, physical picture.
And then, once you see or experience an answered prayer or the Lord's hand on one of those prayers or situations, you can write "ANSWERED", the date you experienced that, and a little description of what happened. It's a simple way to document what Jesus is doing in your life and a testament of His faithfulness and how He has worked in the past. It's a reminder of what He has done, is doing, and will do, and that brings so much hope in both the good times and the bad.
Some people in the comments felt that this method was manipulating Scripture to manifest the life you want. While it certainly depends on your heart posture during prayer, for me, this has been a unique way for me to bring every aspect of my life to the Lord. I feel like I'm beginning to cover every part of my life in prayer and Scripture, and it's powerful to begin to see the way the Lord is working. I'm encouraged and challenged by this prayer strategy, and it's helping me to become more consistent in my prayer life.
It is important to note, though, that if you want to begin practicing praying Scripture or using Bible verses to inspire your prayer, be aware of the context of the verse. It is not helpful, godly, or obedient to twist the Bible to match whatever you want to happen. This is meant to twist your intentions and desires to match what the Lord wants to happen. I think this may be why some people were concerned that this was "manifesting", so be aware of your heart posture towards this prayer method.
Well, that's it, y'all! That's what my prayer life is looking like right now, and these simple shifts have been huge in my connection to the Lord and my heart. There is so much joy, peace, and faith that comes from praying powerfully and consistently, empowered by the Spirit and Scripture, and it has sparked a new enthusiasm for my time with the Lord.
How is your prayer life right now? Are there any strategies or methods that have encouraged your prayer life? Let me know down in the comments below; I love to hear from you!
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