Personal Prayer Plan

Challenging believers to renew a personal passion to pray unceasingly

 
Table of contents

I. Introduction

Purpose of the Guidebook

II. Why a Personal Prayer Plan Strategy?

III. What is a prayer ministry strategy?

IV. Steps to Great Commission Praying

V. Four Examples of Associational Prayer Strategies

VI. Conclusion

VII. Bibliography and Resources

North American Mission Board Resources

International Mission Board

LifeWay Christian Resources

Woman’s Missionary Union/New Hope Press.

Appendix A: Christian Growth Study Plan

Whatever happened to Prayer?

This guidebook is about prayer. It teaches human beings how to find and develop a relationship with the Creator God of the Universe through His only Son, Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Katy and Brian were new Christians. They were not sure how to pray but they knew they wanted to talk with their newfound Lord and Savior. They began to read everything they could find on prayer. Some of the books were biblical. Some of them were just weird. They learned very quickly that a lot of people talk about praying. But very few understand and practice biblical prayer.

James was one of the backbones of the church. He was there every time the doors opened. Everyone knew they could count on James. But it had been years since he had spent any time alone with God in prayer and Bible study.

Jose had been a Christian for many years. He realized that his relationship with the Lord was not as strong as it used to be. He often prayed for his family and safety and God’s blessings. Somewhere deep in his Spirit he knew there was more.

Panh was not a Christian. But he knew in his heart that the creator God was real. He prayed to this God and asked him to make himself known. Within in a year Panh had met a Christian, read the New Testament and became a follower of Jesus.

Jamal prayed five times a day. He was very devoted to his religion. He could not understand why doing the right things and trying to be good brought him no spiritual satisfaction. He could tell his prayers went no higher than th e ceiling of his room. Even praying in the temple brought no sense of talking with God.

Each of these people share a desire to know their creator. Humans are created with the need to have a relationship with the Creator God. This relationship only can happen through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. Fellowship with the Lord happen through prayer, worship and Bible Study.

Spiritual Warfare and the Enemy’s Plan

God’s enemy, Satan, works very hard to confuse people. He tries to tell us that God is not real. Humans know this is lie; which is why even an atheist will not let you pray for God to hurt his children. Satan is aware of the global awakening in prayer. His counterattack is with false or incomplete definitions of revival, prayer, and salvation. There is a lot of false teaching about prayer. Spiritual mapping, principalities and powers"

False teaching is made clear by studying the word of God. The Bible is the definitive source for understanding and practicing prayer.

Wise as Serpents and harmless as doves

Praying effectively requires the intercessor to categorize the fruit. There has been a lot of press about the difference in character and integrity,. In Luke 6:43-46 Jesus is clear that outward action is the result of inward morals. There is need for the culture to recognize that truth is not relative nor is it subject to public opinion. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (see John 14:6). Not one of many ways, part of the truth and some of the life.

It is mathematical truth that 1+1=2. This is true for all time and in every culture. There is a supra-cultural standard that always points to mathematical truth. It doesn’t matter if the current CNN poll says that 95% of those polled believe 1+1 should equal 3. It is not intolerance that precludes any other answer. It is the fact that truth by nature of the word is exclusive of error.

Scriptural truth is likewise the product of a supra-cultural standard for right and wrong. It is not socioculturally correct to call Christian believers intolerant because they have discovered the way, the truth and the life.

That becomes a difficult decision for the individual. Josh McDowell was most helpful to an earlier generation by challenging us with the logic of his theorum. For Jesus to make such a claim he must have been a liar, a lunatic or Lord. The fact that he is Lord precludes any other pathway to God. No matter how hard we wish it were true or how many people say otherwise.

The nature and source of truth needs to become the core of our cultural debate. Particularly when Christians have allowed the media to replace the Bible as our moral standard with moral statements from actors, politicians and reporters.

As Ravi Zacharias so often says "truth by sheer nature of the word is exclusive of error."

God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Gen. 3:8). When Adam and Eve chose to listen to Satan, they disobeyed God. The consequences of their disobedience, that is their sin, separated them from God. Separation from God results in living in a personal Hell on earth and eternal Hell separated from God.

So Satan tries to tell us that we can create our own way to know God. This is why there are so many false religions. Religion can be defined as "Humans searching for God." Humans tried to build a tower to God in Babel so they could meet Him on their terms. God does not like us to follow Satan’s prideful example. When we follow Satan we try to make God like us instead of us becoming like God.

God’s Initiative

Living and dying in the consequences of our sin is not God’s desire. God has taken the initiative to seek out his creation. In Luke 19:10 Jesus said of Himself, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (NKJV)."

God is not hiding from His creation. He wants humans to know Him well. This is why He sent His Son Jesus. Everything we need to know about God we can discover by looking at Jesus. The record of the life and teachings of Jesus are found in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. We do not need to create a way to God. Christianity can be defined as God seeking Humans.

God has taken the initiative with his creation in prayer too.

Prayer a function for believers

(Torrey pp 60-63, eph 1:6)

Christian intervention- The role of an Intercessor/Prayer Warrior

The followers of Jesus Christ have been called Christians since the first century(Acts 11:26). This name implied that the followers of Jesus acted and sounded like Him. In the current culture the title "Christian" seldom carries the obligations and responsibilities that were accepted by the first followers.

We see in the Luke 19:10 passage that one of the ways to be like Christ is to be "seeking to save that which is lost."

Believers were made priests. As priests we have many priestly responsibilities.

Righteous prayer

James 5:16b reads "pray for one another…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (NKJV)."

There is a big difference in being religious and being a Christian. Religion often calls for people to be and act good. Christianity calls for humans to become Holy (2Tim.1:9, ). The only way to become Holy is to invite the Holy Spirit to come live inside of us. This act of obedience causes change. Religion calls for change in behavior from the outside in.

Persistent Prayer

In Luke 11:5-13 Jesus taught about persistent prayer.

ACTS acrostic

One way to begin your prayer time is to use the ACTS of prayer. The four part outline comes from the sample prayer given by Jesus in Matt. 6:9-13. This acrostic helps us remember to start with adoration then confession, thanksgiving and supplication. Begin with Adoration. The role of worship in prayer is often overlooked. Worship in Matt. 28:17 means to bow the knee. Some of what is currently called worship is not. Worship enters beleivers into th presence of God..

Having a personal prayer plan can enhance your prayer experience. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus teaches believers to pray in a certain way. A plan will provide direction and focus in your prayer life. Our desire should be to encounter the God who answers prayer. Believers should resist the temptation to allow this or any other plan to become a means to an end. Jesus warns against prayer being treated as simply a ritual or religious activity (see Matt. 6:7-8).

As you pray you can use the ACTS acrostic to guide your prayer time. These categories are broad enough to allow for adaptation to individual contexts. This acrostic contains the major elements given by Christ in the model prayer (see Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4).

Adoration - Spend time praising the Lord and adoring Him for who he is (Matt. 6:9). Use Scripture to praise Him (see Pss. 103, 145, 150; Rev. 4:8; 5:12-14). Love and cherish His presence and allow Him to work in and through your life (see Matt. 22:32-34). Be still before Him and enjoy His presence (see Ps. 46:10). Use this time to allow God to speak to you through His Word and Spirit (see Pss. 40:1-3; 90:12-17). Praise the Lord by praying scripture or hymns back to Him (see Ps. 84; Rev. 4:8; 5:9-10, 12-13 and "Great is Thy Faithfulness").

Confession - Confession should be a part of your continual walk with Christ (see Matt. 6:9-13). Spend time asking Christ to search your heart for areas that displease Him (see Ps. 139:23-24). Allow God to cleanse your heart of any unconfessed sin (see Ps. 51:10-13). Be sure to spend time confessing and repenting of (turning away from) specific sins (see 1 John 1:9). Accept His forgiveness and cleansing (see Jer. 31:34).

Thanksgiving - Giving thanks for all things should be a part of our everyday lives as God's people (see Phil. 4:6-7). This includes thanking God for specific things such as blessings, people, open doors, guidance, etc. Also give thanks for His salvation and the privilege to serve such a wonderful Savior. Thank Him for his goodness, loving-kindness, and faithfulness (see Ps. 100:4-6).

Supplication - We are called as believers to intercessory prayer (see Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 18:1; Col. 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:1-4). Thus, we are to come before God on behalf of others (see Heb. 10:19-25; Rev. 1:4-6). Spend time praying for specific people, events, states, countries, missionaries, etc. (see Acts 12:5; Rom. 10:1). In addition, spend time praying for personal needs (see Matt. 6:11-13). Make prayer lists for your time of supplication. Be sure to include a place for answers to be recorded. Recorded answers can become items for praise and thanksgiving.

II. What could happen through a daily, personal quiet time with God?

Daily Prayer Outline Instructions

There is so much to pray for that some may need a plan to help become better stewards of our prayer time.

Praying for self. In Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus uses the reflexive verbs to teach we can pray for ourselves. In the amplified In Luke 11:3-4 the model prayer is personal.

Praying for believers. Luke 10:2, 2 Cor. 13:9 Paul prayed for the corinthian believers to "be made complete." Phil. 1:4,9.

Praying for the lost by name. I Tim.2:1-4.Pray using the heart acrostic

Under these three categories you can create an number of additional subcategories. Family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, collegues, government and community leaders, athletic and entertainment figures, missionaries, denominational leaders and organizations, evangelistic and mission events or trips.

The number of categories and people on your list is only limited by the amount of time you pray. Some of those categories and some people you will want pray for daily. Others you will only be able to pray for weekly or monthly. It is overwhelming to realize how many people we should be praying for. One of the results of using these outline will be an increase int eh quality and quantity of prayer time.

It is quite a relief to realize that we cannot program prayer. Our relationship with Christ defies our attempts to manage or limit Him. God is the sovereign creator of the universe. He can act and work as He pleases. This guide can be helpful to organize prayer needs. It should be changed and used as the Spirit leads.

These guidelines can be used by those beginning a prayer time or by prayer warriors. Using these outlines can help maximize the short prayer time. The Lord may use this material to challenge each believer to increase the quality and quantity of prayer time.

III. Daily Intercession Schedules

Sunday. The missionary birthdays can be located in many places including Woman’s Missionary Union publications and online at NAMB. NET

Praying for divine encounters asks the Lord to put someone in your path that wants to hear about Jesus. The Holy Spirit is working in thousands of lost and backslidden people. He will gladly open encounters to share a witness about life with Jesus.

Sundays are busy days for church staff and teachers. Pray for them by name. Pray specifically and biblically. Pray Col.1:9-11, John 17:11-23, and Eph. 1:15-19 for them.

Pray also by name for the associational director of Missions and staff. Pray for encouragement, wisdom, humility, holiness, and submission to God.

Monday. Pray specifically for the principals and school board members. You can get this information from your county office or by calling the school. Use this as an opportunity to create a witnessing relationship with these people. Send them a note occasionally. Ask them periodically for specific prayer requests.

Tuesday. The United States has no hope to survive the 21^st century without a national revival.

Wednesday.

Thursday.

Friday.

Saturday.

Sunday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Believers: Pastor/staff, Deacons, Elders, Sunday School/Bible teachers, Associational leadership

Unbelievers: including lost prospects for church

Unknown:

Personal growth: in the fruit of the spirit (Galations 5:20)

Monday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Local Schools, teachers, administrators

Seminary Presidents, staff and professors

State Baptist Leadership for your state and partner state.

Personal growth in Godliness

Tuesday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Unbelievers: Global unreached people groups

State government leaders, governor, state representatives and senators

Believers:

Personal growth: in witnessing

Wednesday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Local, national and global revival

U.S. President, Vice President, your representatives and senators, supreme court justices,

Personal growth in humility

Thursday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Believers: North American Mission Board, Lifeway and ERLC leadership

Unbelievers: Police, Fire and Post Office officials in your community.

Personal growth: in Bible Study

Friday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Believers: International Mission Board, Annuity Board, and WMU

leadership

Unbelievers:

Neighbors, Neighborhoods near church, Coworkers, and people you meet

Military base or prison

Personal Growth: in Prayer

Saturday

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication: Missionary Birthdays, Divine appointments

Believers:

Unbelievers:

Local and national entertainment and sports figures.

Extended and nuclear family

Personal growth: in relationships

Daily Prayer List Categories (The following items for prayer are included in days 1-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-27, and 29-31).

States/Province prayer requests.

More than one state or province is listed for each day. These specific elements are listed with each state or province:

Governor or Premier

SBC leaders.

Included are names of each corresponding Baptist State Convention Executive Director,State Evangelism Director, and State Mission Director. Also one specific state convention prayer request is listed.

Strategic Focus Cities

If a state has a major metropolitan area that is designated as a strategic focus city it will be listed with other state prayer needs. Strategic Focus Cities (SFC) is a partnership between state conventions, associations, churches, and the North American Mission Board where the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada are targeted with the gospel. Through prayer, evangelism, volunteer mobilization, and church planting efforts the gospel will be taken to each inhabitant of the selected SFC cities.

SBC PrayOver/CrossOver Cities

If a state contains a city where the annual Southern Baptist Convention is to be held over the next five years, then that city is listed. Prayover/Crossover is an intensive prayer evangelism effort that is held prior to and in conjunction with the annual SBC meetings.

Population.

Number of mission personnel.

International Mission Focus

Each day two of the 60 Praying Through the Window countries are listed. These countries are being prayed for specifically by many evangelical denominations and para-church ministries. They are virtually untouched by the gospel.

3. Other requests Blank spaces provided for additional requests.

Weekly Prayer List Items

The following items are listed on every seventh day-7, 14, 21, 28.

1. National political leaders.

2. Local government and community leaders.

Blank spaces are provided for local government

officials and community leaders.

3. Local church ministry staff members. Blank spaces are provided for ministers who serve in your local church or community.

4. NAMB Key Leadership Team.

5. SBC seminaries and seminary presidents.

* A Daily Prayer Items block is provided for additional personal specific prayer requests, (e.g. missionaries,non-Christians, neighbors, etc.)

How To Pray for Believers

It is interesting to note that much of the praying that was done in the New Testament was on behalf of believers. Jesus certainly modeled this pattern with His mission-centered prayer in John 17. Paul likewise models and teaches this practice all throughout his epistles (see Eph. 1: 15-19; 3:14-19; I Thess. 3:11-13). As Christians we should liftone another to the throne of grace daily. One writer said it well, "More believers on their knees praying will result in more Christians on their feet evangelizing." Prayer for believers that focuses on the fulfillment of the Great Commission should be at the heart of every Christians prayer life. The following prayer suggestions can help believers pray with a view toward the Great Commission.

Using Matthew 9:37-38,John 17:11-24, and Colossians 1:9-11 as a guide,pray for:

Christ to send believers into His harvest fields (Matt. 9:38)

Christ to keep Christians in His name and character (John 17:11)

Christians to have Christ’s joy made full in themselves (John 17:13)

Christ to guard and protect believers from the evil one (John 17:15)

Christ to sanctify (set apart) believers in the truth of God (John 17:17)

Christians to be unified in one mission, purpose and spirit even as the Father and Son are one (John 17:21-22)

Christians to be where Christ is and join His work ( John 17:24).

Christians to be filled with spiritual wisdom, pleasing in all ways to Christ, strengthened spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and bearing fruit in every good work (Col. 1:10-11).

How to pray for evangelism and mission efforts

The special evangelistic/mission efforts placed on this prayer map include Strategic Focus Cities, and Prayover/Crossover cities. These efforts offer great opportunities for God to use His people to influence the lost world for Christ. Below is a threefold prayer strategy for use with any evangelism event, but especially those included on this map.

Pray Before the Event

Pray for the lost (see Matt. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 2:1-4).

Pray for laborers to be sent into Christ's harvest fields (see Matt. 9:35-38)

Pray for holiness and unity among witnesses (see Ps. 51:10-13; John 17).

Pray for open doors for the gospel to be shared (see Col. 4:2-6).

Pray During the Event

Pray for witnesses to have boldness of speech and to witness with passion and love (see Acts 4:26-31).

Pray for proclamation to be powerful and Spiritled (see 1 Cor. 2:1-5; Eph. 3:18-20).

Pray for kairos timing for proclamation (see Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:2-6).

Pray for protection for witnesses (see Rom.15:30-33).

Pray After the Event

Pray that the seed of God's Word that was shared will bear fruit in people's lives (see 2 Thess. 3:9-11)

Pray for new converts to abound in love for believers and all men (see 1 Thess. 3:9-11).

Pray that new converts will know and do God's will in their lives (see Eph. 1:17-18;

Col. 1:9).

Pray that new converts will know and do God's will in their lives (see Eph. 1:17-18; Col. 1:9).

Pray that new converts will know and do God's will in their lives (see Eph. 1:17-18; Col. 1:9).

Pray that new converts will know and do God's will in their lives (see Eph. 1:17-18; Col. 1:9).

Pray that new converts will know and do God's will in their lives (see Eph. 1:17-18; Col. 1:9).

Pray for new converts to bear fruit in every good work (see John 15:16; Col. 1:10).

Pray for God's people to have a desire to follow up and nurture new believers (see Matt. 5:2; 42; 1 Thess. 2:5-12).

How To Pray For States, Provinces and Countries

The new millennium believers everywhere are deeply concerned about the vast multitudes of people in North America that are without Christ. Another major concern is the moral degradation present in the United States and in Canada. Without the transforming power of the gospel, there is little hope for any change of hearts and culture. God must intervene person by person, state by state, and country by country. Below are focused prayers that can be prayed for the states, provinces, and countries listed on this map.

Pray for revival and spiritual awakening (see 2 Chron. 7:14; Psalm 85:6).

Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest fields (see Luke 10.2).

Pray that God would place His people in political leadership and that political leader-ship and that politcal leaders who are not believers would come to know Christ (see Prov. 14:34; Rom. 13:1; 1Tim. 2:1-4).

Pray for state SBC leaders to increase in God's wisdom, conduct themselves honorably

In all things, and grow in favor with God and man (see Luke 2:52; Col. 1:9; Heb. 13:18).

Pray for open doors for the gospel to be taken to the lost (see Col. 4:2-6).

How To Pray For Unbelievers

Evangelistic praying should include prayer for believers, evangelism events, and unbelievers. Prayer on behalf of lost people is clearly mandated by Christ in Matthew 6:9-10. The Apostle Paul models and exhorts believers concerning prayer for the lost (see Rom. 10:1-2; I Tim. 2:1-4). R.A. Torrey, great evangelist and president of Moody Bible Institute around the turn of this past century, so fittingly said in How to Pray (Springdale: Whitaker House, 1983), "Prayer avails for the conversion of others. There are few converted in this world in any other way than in connection with someone’s prayers . . .By prayer, the bitterest enemies of the gospel have become its most valiant defenders." What might a believer pray for someone that is without Christ? Below is an acrostic that can be used to pray biblically and effectively for those that are lost.

( The idea for this acrostic is taken from Praying Your Friends to Christ Instructors Manual, Alpharetta; NAMB, 1998)

Pray for their HEARTS to be changed.

Pray for Receptive and Repentant Hearts (Luke 8:5-12)

Pray for their spiritual Eyes and Ears to be opened to the truth of Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Matt. 13:15).

Pray for them to have God’s Attitude toward sin (John 16:8).

Pray for the person to be Released to believe (2 Cor. 10:3-4; 2 Tim 2:25-26)

Pray for a Transforming life (Rom. 12:1-2).

Pray for God to Send them into his harvest field (Matt 9:35)

"God’s great movements of history have repeatedly been preceded by a movement of prayer. Join us in unified focused prayer that is not designed primarily to bring god’s will in line with His. Claim Jeremiah 33:3 as you call upon His name with us."

Dr. Bob Reccord
President/CEO
North American Mission Board

Daily prayer list items:

In a 31 day period, believers will pray for all the states/provinces in the US and Canada. This includes prayer for state government and Southern Baptist leadership, specific State Baptist Convention prayer requests, and special mission/evangelism efforts that are to take place in each state. In addition, each day has an international prayer focus and blank spaces are provided where Missionaries, non-Christians, and other prayer requests can be placed.

Weekly prayer lists items:

Every 7^th day, believers will pray for national political leaders, the North American Mission Board executive leadership team, Southern Baptists seminaries and their presidents, as well as local church and community leadership.

VI. Conclusion