Praying With Purpose
I remember when I first decided to make prayer a habit in my life. I would go to my quiet place, full of faith, and begin to pray. A few minutes in, though, that faith and expectation would begin to wane as I ran out of things to pray for. I’d find myself not knowing what to say or how to continue. It became discouraging. It’s possible you’ve found yourself in that same place.
The enemy wants to do everything in his power to keep you and me from connecting with our heavenly Father through prayer, because prayer transforms us. It’s through prayer that we begin to have the heart of Christ and submit to His will. It’s through prayer that freedom, healing, and provision come. So as men of God, we must be devoted to prayer—specifically, prayer with purpose.
I’ve found it much easier to be faithful in prayer when I have a clear purpose behind it. We should be men who “boldly approach the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). Because of Jesus Christ, we can enter prayer with confidence, purpose, and power—and see our lives transformed. Here are some practical steps to help you pray with purpose:
- Have a scheduled prayer time. I know in my life that if it’s not written down, it’s probably not going to happen. We schedule time with friends, family, and work commitments—so why not with the Lord? Have a daily appointment with Him. This doesn’t replace talking with God throughout the day; it declares, “Lord, my relationship with You is a priority.”
- Have a prayer model. I believe the Lord’s Prayer is the greatest model for prayer. It begins with worship, moves to surrender and seeking God’s will, then to provision for ourselves and others, confession and forgiveness, and finally asking for protection and righteousness. Having structure removes the pressure of trying to come up with words on the spot.
- Keep a prayer journal. Write down what you’re praying for, including the needs others share with you. As the saying goes, “A short pencil is better than a long memory.” A journal helps focus your prayers—and it’s powerful to look back and see how God has answered them, especially during difficult seasons.
- Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Prayer is a conversation. Sometimes we do all the talking and never pause to listen. One prayer I often pray is the one Eli instructed Samuel to say: “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.” Take time to be still. God may impress something on your heart, bring a scripture to mind, or redirect your focus. I’ve often found that it’s in these quiet moments that God does His deepest work in me.
I pray this encourages you to develop a prayer life full of purpose and faith. There is something powerful and holy when men of God devote themselves to prayer. Make prayer a habit. Through it, the Lord will renew your mind, transform your heart, and reveal His good and pleasing will for your life. Pray with purpose, mighty man of God.