Click below to join our Spiritual Journey group!
THE PRAYER WHEEL
We often desire to develop a prayer discipline in our life but may struggle with knowing what to pray. The more we pray, the more we get to know Him, and the more we change our world as we co-labor with Him. The more we know Him, the more we can pray in His will and He can work through us.
The guide below expounds on the sections listed on the prayer wheel to help guide you. You can expand on each section for as long as you would like. Some find it helpful to play worship music during prayer time, if this is you, click here for a playlist curated by our worship team. This is your time, so make yourself comfortable.
1. PRAISE: Psalm 22:3; 63:3; Hebrews 13:15 â Begin your prayer with praise. Praise esteems God for His greatness and virtue, focuses on His nature, and builds our faith as we reflect on His goodness and faithfulness. You donât have to thank Him for the same things or everything you can think of each day. Rather, consider taking one or two of His attributes and talk with Him about how they have affected your life, or the lives of others. Though we should develop a consistent habit of praise unto God, we donât want to develop a rote method that becomes more rehearsed than meaningful. Praise is not a method to convince God into listening to us; itâs bringing our mind back to seeing who He is, regardless of whatâs happening in our life.
2. KINGDOM PRAYING: Isaiah 54:2 â Focus your prayers towards the season our church is currently in. Reflect on devotions you have read and messages you have heard and pray that God will lead you and your family into what He has planned for you.
3. FORGIVENESS AND CONFESSION: Matthew 6:14-15; Psalm 139:23-24 Psalm 66:18 â Nothing blocks your spiritual progress more fatally than an unforgiving spirit. Forgiveness is a complete pouring out and release of any negative feeling that might be held against another person, church, or group. Itâs not holding a grudge, or desiring revenge. Itâs easy for us to become bitter against someone who has hurt us, but remember that you have also hurt others, including God. We all need to receive forgiveness, and we all need to give forgiveness. Include both of these areas during this time. In addition, accept Godâs forgiveness rather than holding onto your past mistakes. When God forgives, He releases, and we need to release ourselves as well. Thereâs too much effort needed to maintain bitterness and strife.
When there is nothing to hide or cause hesitation between you and God, you will be free to approach Him without fear and full of confidence. During this time, repent of things you have done that need addressed, but also ask God to show you anything else that He is not pleased with. Wait on Him and open your heart as He shares any issues with you. When He does, donât revert to feeling condemned. Scripture tells us that God corrects those He loves. He desires to commune with you, so when He shares issues, realize that itâs His love, not Him condemning you for your faults.
4. PETITION: James 4:2-3; Matthew 6:9-13 â This aspect of prayer deals with our personal needs and desires. God is interested in our personal life. Heâs interested in more than if we have a job, or good health. He also cares about our dreams, talents, and struggles. When you pray in this area, talk to God about my frustrations, my thoughts, and things Iâd like to do, even if they donât seem âspiritualâ. We need to remember that even the non-spiritual things of life can become spiritual when we bring God into them. When we make all of our lives spiritual, weâll begin seeing God more involved. He wonât intrude where Heâs not invited.
5. INTERCESSION: I Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 9:37-38 â Intercession is prayer for others. This includes our family, friends, church, city, nation, and world. As you go through your week, write down issues that you hear about in these areas and pray over them during this time. Keep up with the news so you know what issues are happening in your world. Remember that God is bigger than your personal life. He cares about all nations.
6. BIBLE READING: II Timothy 3:16; Psalm 19:9 â Read the Bible during prayer. The Word is enlightening to the eyes, giving us direction, understanding, and revelation. It is the primary way that God speaks to us. Donât rush through your reading. Read scripture slowly, thinking on what you are reading. When you get to a scripture that makes you pause or think, this may be God speaking to you. Reread it again, and ask God to reveal to you what He wants to share.
If you chose to read a chapter a day during our spiritual journey, this is a great time to accomplish this.
7. MEDITATION: Psalm 1:1-2; 46:10; 77:12 â Take time to âthink on these things.â This works well right after reading scripture. Ask God to give you understanding of what you read, and believe that He will. You will not hear if you donât have faith God will speak. You must be open and willing to listen. We have to hear with our ears, and with our heart.
8. THANKSGIVING: Philippians 4:6 â Spend time thanking God aloud for His provision and goodness to you. Even the smallest of things are miraculous when we see them as the goodness of God. Consider thanking Him for something you donât often thank Him for, such as your talents, His thoughts toward you, music, silence, flowers, etc. Sometimes our life situations can seem hopeless, but when we think about what God has done, our faith builds again. God doesnât change. He is able to do the impossible.
9. PRAY THE WORD: Personally apply, out loud, the precepts of the Bible. Praying scripture is praying the Word and will of God. When you donât know what to pray for in a situation, find a scripture and pray it. God will not go against His Word, and is faithful to do what He said He would do. Pray His promises over your life.
10. SINGING: Psalm 100:2; Ephesians 5:19 â Singing refreshes the soul. It lifts our spirits, and causes praise to erupt. It releases emotions and gives us words to express what we are feeling. You can sing to God yourself, or sing along with a song. God doesnât care how you sound; to Him, your praise is always beautiful.
11. LISTENING: I Kings 19:11-12; Psalm 46:10 â Prayer is not all talking to God. Prayer is also listening. Quiet your mind and silence your words, even if it feels awkward. Remember, you will not hear if you donât have faith God will speak. And you cannot hear if you are doing all the talking. This is personal instruction time. When God shares things with you, consider writing down what He says in a journal. Review this often. If God speaks, itâs worth rereading again.
12. PRAISE: Matthew 6:13; Psalm 52:9 â Conclude every prayer with praise. Itâs not hard to praise Him again after everything youâve just experienced. When He reveals more of who He is, we canât help but simply enjoy Him. We need time in our moments of prayer to simply be with Him. To enjoy Him and to see Him in our everyday lives. When we do, we change. He no longer becomes a big God in the sky who might answer if we are good enough⌠He becomes personal â a loving father who delights in us, and we in Him.
Though this is a great guide to help you develop your prayer life, donât feel you have to follow this every time. Allow God to guide you. Sometimes He will take you on a âfield tripâ and allow you to experience your prayer time in a different way. But regardless of what method you use, enjoy Him. Get to know Him. The more you see His glory, the more youâll want to be in His presence.
We often desire to develop a prayer discipline in our life but may struggle with knowing what to pray. The more we pray, the more we get to know Him, and the more we change our world as we co-labor with Him. The more we know Him, the more we can pray in His will and He can work through us.
The guide below expounds on the sections listed on the prayer wheel to help guide you. You can expand on each section for as long as you would like. Some find it helpful to play worship music during prayer time, if this is you, click here for a playlist curated by our worship team. This is your time, so make yourself comfortable.
1. PRAISE: Psalm 22:3; 63:3; Hebrews 13:15 â Begin your prayer with praise. Praise esteems God for His greatness and virtue, focuses on His nature, and builds our faith as we reflect on His goodness and faithfulness. You donât have to thank Him for the same things or everything you can think of each day. Rather, consider taking one or two of His attributes and talk with Him about how they have affected your life, or the lives of others. Though we should develop a consistent habit of praise unto God, we donât want to develop a rote method that becomes more rehearsed than meaningful. Praise is not a method to convince God into listening to us; itâs bringing our mind back to seeing who He is, regardless of whatâs happening in our life.
2. KINGDOM PRAYING: Isaiah 54:2 â Focus your prayers towards the season our church is currently in. Reflect on devotions you have read and messages you have heard and pray that God will lead you and your family into what He has planned for you.
3. FORGIVENESS AND CONFESSION: Matthew 6:14-15; Psalm 139:23-24 Psalm 66:18 â Nothing blocks your spiritual progress more fatally than an unforgiving spirit. Forgiveness is a complete pouring out and release of any negative feeling that might be held against another person, church, or group. Itâs not holding a grudge, or desiring revenge. Itâs easy for us to become bitter against someone who has hurt us, but remember that you have also hurt others, including God. We all need to receive forgiveness, and we all need to give forgiveness. Include both of these areas during this time. In addition, accept Godâs forgiveness rather than holding onto your past mistakes. When God forgives, He releases, and we need to release ourselves as well. Thereâs too much effort needed to maintain bitterness and strife.
When there is nothing to hide or cause hesitation between you and God, you will be free to approach Him without fear and full of confidence. During this time, repent of things you have done that need addressed, but also ask God to show you anything else that He is not pleased with. Wait on Him and open your heart as He shares any issues with you. When He does, donât revert to feeling condemned. Scripture tells us that God corrects those He loves. He desires to commune with you, so when He shares issues, realize that itâs His love, not Him condemning you for your faults.
4. PETITION: James 4:2-3; Matthew 6:9-13 â This aspect of prayer deals with our personal needs and desires. God is interested in our personal life. Heâs interested in more than if we have a job, or good health. He also cares about our dreams, talents, and struggles. When you pray in this area, talk to God about my frustrations, my thoughts, and things Iâd like to do, even if they donât seem âspiritualâ. We need to remember that even the non-spiritual things of life can become spiritual when we bring God into them. When we make all of our lives spiritual, weâll begin seeing God more involved. He wonât intrude where Heâs not invited.
5. INTERCESSION: I Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 9:37-38 â Intercession is prayer for others. This includes our family, friends, church, city, nation, and world. As you go through your week, write down issues that you hear about in these areas and pray over them during this time. Keep up with the news so you know what issues are happening in your world. Remember that God is bigger than your personal life. He cares about all nations.
6. BIBLE READING: II Timothy 3:16; Psalm 19:9 â Read the Bible during prayer. The Word is enlightening to the eyes, giving us direction, understanding, and revelation. It is the primary way that God speaks to us. Donât rush through your reading. Read scripture slowly, thinking on what you are reading. When you get to a scripture that makes you pause or think, this may be God speaking to you. Reread it again, and ask God to reveal to you what He wants to share.
If you chose to read a chapter a day during our spiritual journey, this is a great time to accomplish this.
7. MEDITATION: Psalm 1:1-2; 46:10; 77:12 â Take time to âthink on these things.â This works well right after reading scripture. Ask God to give you understanding of what you read, and believe that He will. You will not hear if you donât have faith God will speak. You must be open and willing to listen. We have to hear with our ears, and with our heart.
8. THANKSGIVING: Philippians 4:6 â Spend time thanking God aloud for His provision and goodness to you. Even the smallest of things are miraculous when we see them as the goodness of God. Consider thanking Him for something you donât often thank Him for, such as your talents, His thoughts toward you, music, silence, flowers, etc. Sometimes our life situations can seem hopeless, but when we think about what God has done, our faith builds again. God doesnât change. He is able to do the impossible.
9. PRAY THE WORD: Personally apply, out loud, the precepts of the Bible. Praying scripture is praying the Word and will of God. When you donât know what to pray for in a situation, find a scripture and pray it. God will not go against His Word, and is faithful to do what He said He would do. Pray His promises over your life.
10. SINGING: Psalm 100:2; Ephesians 5:19 â Singing refreshes the soul. It lifts our spirits, and causes praise to erupt. It releases emotions and gives us words to express what we are feeling. You can sing to God yourself, or sing along with a song. God doesnât care how you sound; to Him, your praise is always beautiful.
11. LISTENING: I Kings 19:11-12; Psalm 46:10 â Prayer is not all talking to God. Prayer is also listening. Quiet your mind and silence your words, even if it feels awkward. Remember, you will not hear if you donât have faith God will speak. And you cannot hear if you are doing all the talking. This is personal instruction time. When God shares things with you, consider writing down what He says in a journal. Review this often. If God speaks, itâs worth rereading again.
12. PRAISE: Matthew 6:13; Psalm 52:9 â Conclude every prayer with praise. Itâs not hard to praise Him again after everything youâve just experienced. When He reveals more of who He is, we canât help but simply enjoy Him. We need time in our moments of prayer to simply be with Him. To enjoy Him and to see Him in our everyday lives. When we do, we change. He no longer becomes a big God in the sky who might answer if we are good enough⌠He becomes personal â a loving father who delights in us, and we in Him.
Though this is a great guide to help you develop your prayer life, donât feel you have to follow this every time. Allow God to guide you. Sometimes He will take you on a âfield tripâ and allow you to experience your prayer time in a different way. But regardless of what method you use, enjoy Him. Get to know Him. The more you see His glory, the more youâll want to be in His presence.
