Skip to content ↓

Teach Me How to Pray (II)

Articles Collection cover image

A few days ago I shared some wisdom from my friend Tim Kerr who told me how he organizes his prayer life. Obviously the most important part of a prayer life is just praying–I’m sure it’s very easy to get hung up on questions of procedure while forgetting to actually just pray–but I am also very eager to learn how other people collect and organize all of the things they may need to pray for in a day or in a week. After all, each of us has many things we could pray for on any given day. How do we pray for the right things? How do we pray for the best things? How do we ensure that we are consistently praying for all the people and all the things we ought to pray for? Experience shows that if I do not maintain some kind of a system, I will naturally gravitate toward praying for the things that are most urgent to me while neglecting many other good things I ought to pray.

I recently asked this question of Brian Croft. His answer was quite simple, but still useful.


Within the first hour I am up, I read God’s Word and spend time praying those truths I read for my own soul, my wife and children. It is in the form of praise and thanksgiving, confession of sin, requests for our lives. I pray the gospel to myself at this time and prepare to have it on my mind throughout my day. Then, I pray for my tasks as a pastor, praying for faithfulness in shepherding God’s people and the handling of God’s Word.

I pray throughout the day for God to open my heart and mind to His Word as I study to prepare to preach.

I try to take another time later in the day and pray specifically for the needs of our church. I systematically pray through the prayer directory so that in a month I have prayed for everyone. At our monthly pastor’s meeting, we pray for every member by name. It takes time, but it is worth it.

As I am with my people each day, I make sure I pray for them with them. I often ask the question, why and how should I pray, but the better question to ask as I am with my people is, “Why should I not pray with them now?” This approach leaves me praying several times a day on the phone or in person with our folks.

3 to 4 evenings a week we have family worship where we have a significant time of prayer as a family.

Monday through Thursday I meet with each of my children individually to read God’s Word and pray for them with them.


  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 3)

    A La Carte: Never too late to learn how to pray / Walking with those who weep / Rethinking the role of pastor’s wife / What does the Bible mean when it teaches wives to submit? / Does God want some to go to hell? / Kindle deals / and more.

  • The Most Pleasant Show on Television

    The Most Pleasant Show on Television

    I rarely review, recommend, or even mention movies and television programs. I rarely do so because I am aware that tastes vary and so too do family rules and personal consciences. Not only that, but I am not very adept at understanding the themes or messages in visual media and wouldn’t wish to inadvertently lead…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 2)

    A La Carte: Our dance with distinction / You are not your theology / The challenges of motherhood / God hates sin / Random thoughts on preaching / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 1)

    A La Carte: John Piper evaluates Jordon Peterson / Church coffee / Disciplines to help your marriage / “Love is Blind” / A knife at her throat / So many Kindle deals / and more.

  • Anxiety and Surrender

    Combat Anxiety Through Surrender

    Life is intimidating at times. Sometimes it’s intimidating, sometimes it’s scary, and sometimes it’s downright terrifying. As we gaze into a future that is uncertain or frightening, our natural tendency is to pursue comfort through control. If we can only gain control over the situation, then we can ward off what frightens us and usher…