Prayer Guide
Life isn’t always smooth sailing. There are times when we face difficulties that feel overwhelming—loss, illness, financial hardship, or relational conflict. During these storms, it can be hard to find the right words to pray. We might feel distant from God or unsure if our prayers even matter.
This prayer guide is designed to help you connect with God in the midst of your struggles. It’s not a formula, but a framework to help you express your heart to the One who cares for you deeply. Remember, God’s love isn’t dependent on the perfection of your prayers, but on the sincerity of your heart.
The 3 Stages of Prayer
While our prayer life can feel chaotic, many spiritual teachers throughout history have identified a natural progression or “stages” that help us deepen our relationship with God. These stages aren’t rigid rules but a helpful way to understand the journey from simply talking to God to being with Him in a profound way.
Stage 1: Vocal Prayer
This is the most common and foundational stage. It involves using words, whether spoken aloud or in our minds, to communicate with God. This includes both formal prayers (like the Lord’s Prayer) and spontaneous prayers of our own words. Vocal prayer helps us to focus our minds and to consciously express our thoughts, needs, and feelings to God. It’s the starting point of conversation, where we learn to articulate our hearts to the divine.
Stage 2: Mental Prayer (Meditation in Christ)
As we grow in our faith, our prayer often moves from simply talking to God to also listening. Mental prayer or meditation is a more focused effort to reflect on God’s truth, often through Scripture. We might read a passage, ponder its meaning, and ask God to speak to us through it. This stage moves beyond just what we want to say and invites us to listen for God’s voice, to be present to His thoughts and His perspective. It’s a dialogue, not a monologue.
Stage 3: Contemplative Prayer
This is the deepest and most advanced stage, often described as a gift from God. In contemplative prayer, words and even thoughts fall away. It’s not about doing, but about being. It’s a quiet, loving gaze at God, a simple resting in His presence without the need for words. It’s a state of profound peace and union with God that can only come through His grace. This is where prayer becomes less of an activity and more of a state of being, where we simply rest in the loving embrace of our Father.
A Prayer Guide for the Storms of Life
No matter what stage of prayer you are in, the following guide can help you navigate difficult times.
1. The Prayer of Honesty
Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply being honest with God about how you feel. You don’t have to pretend everything is okay. God already knows your pain, your anger, and your fear. Speaking these feelings out loud to Him is an act of trust. It’s permission to be fully human and fully seen in His presence.
Scripture to meditate on: “I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.” (Psalm 142:2)
A prayer to get you started: “God, I’m hurting. I feel so [weary, angry, scared, lost]. I don’t understand why this is happening. Please help me, and please show me you are with me in this.”
2. The Prayer of Surrender
When we’re in a storm, we often try to control the outcome. We may try to fix things in our own strength, but this can lead to even more anxiety. The prayer of surrender is about releasing control to God, trusting that His plan is better than your own, even if you can’t see it yet. This isn’t a passive giving up, but an active choice to place your hope in His wisdom and timing.
Scripture to meditate on: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
A prayer to get you started: “Lord, I give you this situation. I release my need to control it and ask that your will be done. I trust that you will work all things together for good, even if it feels impossible right now.”
3. The Prayer of Trust
Even when we can’t see the path forward, we can trust in God’s character. He is faithful, loving, and powerful. The prayer of trust isn’t about ignoring your pain, but about choosing to believe in His promises despite your circumstances. It’s a declaration of faith that He is the anchor in the storm, and He will not let you be swept away.
Scripture to meditate on: “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9)
A prayer to get you started: “Heavenly Father, I choose to trust in you. I know you are good, and I know you are in control. Strengthen my faith and help me to remember your faithfulness to me in the past.”
4. The Prayer of Gratitude
It might seem counterintuitive to be thankful during a difficult time, but gratitude can shift our perspective. It forces us to look for the small blessings and to remember all that God has already done for us. This doesn’t diminish our pain, but it helps us to see God’s presence in the midst of it—a kind word from a friend, a moment of unexpected peace, or the promise of a new day.
Scripture to meditate on: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
A prayer to get you started: “Thank you, God, for your constant presence, even when I don’t feel it. Thank you for the small things—a friend’s call, a moment of peace, the promise of a new day. Help me to find joy even in my sorrow.”
5. The Prayer for Others
When we’re focused on our own pain, it can be healing to pray for others who are also struggling. This act of empathy reminds us that we aren’t alone and connects us to a larger community of faith. Praying for others takes the focus off our own problems for a moment and directs our hearts toward compassion, fulfilling the call to carry one another’s burdens.
Prayer groups are a great way to support each other, considering Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Scripture to meditate on: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
A prayer to get you started: “Lord, I lift up [name of person] who is also going through a difficult time. Please comfort them, provide for their needs, and let them feel your love and peace. Use me to be a source of encouragement to them.”
Prayer in a storm is a lifeline. It’s a way to hold on to the anchor of hope, even when the waves are crashing around you. Take one of these prayers and make it your own. Speak to God from your heart, and know that He is listening. Fasting will make your prayer reach even closer to the Lord, consider it when possible.
Prayer Schedule
Having a prayer schedule can help us focus and get organized. Christian prayer schedule ideas include setting consistent, short daily times for prayer, integrating prayer into your daily routine like commutes or meals, creating a sacred prayer space, and focusing on different themes like intercession for others, personal gratitude, or Scripture reflection. Historical Christian practices like the “hours” of prayer (9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm) can also provide structure, while tools like prayer journals or apps can help maintain consistency.
Morning Prayer
Time: As soon as you wake up.
Focus: Start your day by dedicating it to God. This is a great time for praise and gratitude.
Praise and Gratitude: Thank God for a new day, for His love, and for the blessings in your life.
Surrender the Day: Ask for His guidance and wisdom for the day ahead. Pray for strength to face any challenges and for opportunities to show His love to others.
Scripture: Read a short devotional or a few verses from the Bible to set a spiritual tone for your morning. A great place to start is with the Psalms or Proverbs.
Midday Prayer
Time: During lunch or a break from work/school.
Focus: This prayer time is an opportunity to pause, reset, and re-center your thoughts on God in the middle of a busy day.
Intercession: Pray for others. Think of your family, friends, coworkers, or people who are sick or struggling. You can also pray for your community and the world.
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your morning. Ask for forgiveness for any wrongdoings and thank God for His grace.
Recharge: Ask for renewed strength and focus for the rest of your day.
Evening Prayer
Time: Before dinner or right before bed.
Focus: This is a time to wind down, reflect on your day, and prepare for rest.
Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for everything that happened during the day, both the big and small moments.
Confession and Release: Confess any sins or worries from the day. Lay them at God’s feet so you can go to sleep with a peaceful mind.
Protection: Pray for a peaceful night’s sleep and for God’s protection over you and your loved ones.
Looking Ahead: Ask for guidance for the following day.
Remember, the most important part of a prayer schedule is not the rigid timing, but the intentional time you spend communicating with God. You can adjust the times and the focus of each prayer to fit your personal routine and needs.
Our Father
“Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever.
Amen”
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