Many of us have heard stories about Prayer Warriors, and either read the book or watched the movie “War Room: Prayer is a Powerful Weapon”, but how many of us actually follow through and pray diligently and intentionally? Most would say they pray when they think about it, or they go through spurts where they are committed, but then fall off because life gets in the way. 

What does the Bible say about Prayer? 

Mark 1:35 states “35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” 

Then, in Luke 11, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray: 

“11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jesus even went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before going to the cross.

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:39-46

In the same account of events in the book of Matthew 26, it states Jesus went to pray three times: 

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Jesus was the example to follow when it comes to praying. If we follow Him, we know we should find a quiet and private place to pray, pray with childlike abandon, pray with faith (even when we don’t feel it), pray persistently, pray with others, and pray with a forgiving heart (Matthew 6:5-8).

When I was younger, I turned a box my dad made for me into a Prayer Box. I would write my prayers out on a sheet of paper, fold them up and date them, then put them in the box. Every so often I would go back and read them, and if they had been answered I would write that next to the date. 

As I got a little older, I started using a prayer journal, which is much the same method, but instead the prayers are kept all in one place. Same idea though…I would still go through them and write which had been answered and when. 

Today, I’m going to discuss a different method for keeping track of prayers. Here Enters the PRAYER BOARD. Prayer boards are unique in they can be covering any topics the prayer wants, and they are a great visual for monitoring which prayers are still waiting to be fulfilled and which have been answered. Many people place these in an area that is designated for prayer. Some people have a prayer closet, some a prayer chair or prayer corner, some a prayer wall. The best way to use the Prayer Board is to place it somewhere you will see it easily. 

Here’s to making your own board!

Supplies:

• Board
• Push Pins (pick any shape, color or size that fits your whim!)
• Paper (I used scrapbooking paper and cardstock)
• Stickers (for inspiration and decoration)
• Washi Tape (for decoration)
• Envelopes (to place prayer requests)
• Markers (I use the Zebra chisel tipped and fine point pens)
• Empty card box or envelope (to hold blank papers for future prayers)

Step One: Decide where the board is going to hang/sit. Make sure it is in a place that is easy to see and easy to use. This also helps you place it in a position that you can look at it throughout the day and be reminded to slow down and be still, and keep the first things first.

Step Two: Choose a board! There are so many options out there: Cork board, White board, Magnetic board, Ribbon board, etc. The world is your oyster! I have always like using both cork and white boards, so I opted for a cork board because I like to pin things to it rather than tape or glue. The choice is yours!

Step Three: Gather your supplies! You can really use anything you like, and make it to fit your theme (maybe you want your prayer to focus on a specific word, like surrender), your personality or your lifestyle.

Step Four: Organize the board. I decided to create categories: Family, Health, Relationships, and Finance. These were the topics that felt greatest in my heart at that moment. The great thing is I can always go back and modify them when or if needed.

Step Five: Look for the Answers! We may not always know the how or when, but know God always hears us. 

God wants us to pray, it is His will for us. Pray doesn’t have to be this fancy, formal, extravagant thing. In fact, Jesus tells us, ”7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” He wants us to talk to God like a father and a friend.

Happy Praying!!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and may He be gracious to you. May He turn His countenance toward you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26