WHAT MUST I PRAY FOR EVERY DAY – WITHOUT FAIL?

One of the great difficulties I struggle with in praying is just the vast immensity of what I can pray for – and what I think I should pray for. I mean – there is a whole world out there to pray for! How much of it should I pray for daily?

We know that our Lord Jesus gave us a model to follow in what we call “The Lord’s Prayer,” or “The Disciple’s Prayer/Model Prayer.”  In that prayer, Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.”  But, in that single request, Jesus taught us to ask comprehensively that God’s will shall be fulfilled on earth as it is done in Heaven.

While we may not be able to express every one of these requests every day, there are some essential requests I must make every day without fail. Here are 10 of them. I will first list them without commentary; then I will add a few comments to explain the significance of each one.

1. I must pray every day…without fail to delight in God
2. I must pray every day…without fail with confession of my sins
3. I must pray every day…without fail for the grace of God to forgive those who have offended and violated me in any way
4. I must pray every day…without fail for the salvation of those who are lost
5. I must pray every day…without fail for my church’s ministry – for the pastors, elders, and leaders of my church
6. I must pray every day…without fail interceding for pressing needs I know of that are afflicting those I know
7. I must pray every day…without fail for my personal growth in grace and in knowing Jesus Christ – Christlikeness
8. I must pray every day…without fail for God’s will to be fulfilled and accomplished in my day’s activities
9. I must pray every day…without fail that God will improve my preaching, teaching, and witnessing to make me more effective in ministering His Word
10. I must pray every day…without fail that God’s Word will run throughout the whole earth and that Christ will be proclaimed, glorified, and believed on…here, there, and every where

EXPANSION AND COMMENTARY

Every one of these essential daily prayer requests is inspired by Jesus’ own words, example, and prayers.

1. I must pray every day…without fail to delight in God. “Our Father in Heaven, Your Name be honored as holy!” I must do this in conjunction with my reading of God’s Word. As I learn more about God’s perfections, Glory, excellencies, attributes, etc, I must reiterate and, if possible, voice them back to God in adoration, praise, and thanksgivings. Also, as I read about God either expressing or demonstrating His own perfections in His interactions in our human conditions, experiences, and situations, I must recognize His greatness and delight in Him.
2. I must pray every day…without fail with confession of my sins and for Christ’s mind, life, and power to be dynamic in my thinking and will to turn away from and forsake my sins. “…forgive us our sins…” I must pray with self-examination of my heart’s desires, my conduct, my temptations that I know about – and also that God will search my heart for hidden sins and blind spots that I am too willing to either accept, excuse, or self-justify. I must diligently seek a pure heart, clean hands, and an ever-growing and increasing love for Christ which purify my heart and conduct.
3. I must pray every day…without fail for the grace of God to forgive those who have offended and violated me in any way – and do this without self-pity or self-defense. “…for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us.” Jesus has repeatedly commanded that if we do not forgive others, our Heavenly Father will not forgive us. Matthew 6.14-15
4. I must pray every day…without fail for the salvation of those who are lost. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.” These names will begin with my children and immediate family. Then expand out to include those who are in my acquaintances, contacts, and neighbors. Jesus Himself is always seeking and saving those who are lost. Jesus Himself prayed in Gethsemane for all of others who would in time believe on His Name. John 17, especially verse 20. I am praying with Jesus when I pray for those who are without Christ.
5. I must pray every day…without fail for my church’s ministry – for the pastors, elders, and leaders of my church. “Your Kingdom come…” My church is my family in Christ and my field of His assigned service. I must fulfill my own service and ministry Christ has given me to do. I must pray for Christ to receive Glory through His church body and ministry.
6. I must pray every day…without fail for pressing needs I know of that are afflicting those I know: sickness, distress, and trials. “Give us each day our daily bread.” This will necessarily include not only those I like and who like me – but also those who don’t particularly like me. Jesus commanded us to pray also for our enemies and for those who mistreat us and use us for spite. Matthew 5.43-48. I must pray that God will make Himself known to all, and that He will get glory to Himself through all our trials and afflictions.
7. I must pray every day…without fail for my personal growth in grace and in knowing Jesus Christ – Christlikeness. “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” One of the purposes for praying is to bring our wills and lives into conformity to Jesus Christ in every aspect.
8. I must pray every day…without fail for God’s will to be fulfilled and accomplished in my day’s activities. “And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” I want God Himself to lay out my day’s path and order my steps into whatever He has planned for me. God will work out His own sovereign purposes and pleasures for me on a daily basis by leading into the activities that will bring His will into practical fruition.
9. I must pray every day…without fail that God will improve my preaching, teaching, and witnessing to make me more effective in ministering His Word. And that He will speak and work through me as I make my daily contacts and witness for Him. “Your Kingdom come…”
10. I must pray every day…without fail that God’s Word will run throughout the whole earth and that Christ will be proclaimed, glorified, and believed on…here, there, and every where. “Your Kingdom come…”