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5 Prayers for Spiritual Growth

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What does spiritual growth look like?

Healthy relationships require hard work, good habits, and time spent together. That’s why becoming spiritually mature involves drawing near to God every day.

Below are five prayers that focus on different pathways toward intimacy with God. As you read through them, pick one area to focus on this week, and allow God to transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

A Prayer for Living Generously

God,

Without You, I have nothing. Every good and perfect gift comes from You—but sometimes, I view the gifts You’ve given me as something I deserve. Sometimes I am tempted to hoard my wealth, time, and resources instead of sharing them with others. Ultimately, I know that I am blessed to be a blessing—so please help me wisely steward the gifts You’ve entrusted to me. Turn me into someone who lives—and gives—generously.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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A Prayer for Rest

God,

In a world that glorifies busyness, it is so easy to fill my time with things that don’t matter. If I’m not careful, I numb out or burn out because I don’t create enough space to rest in Your presence each day. I need You to change the way I think and the way I live. I need You to help me make space for rest. Help me come to You daily—I want to simply be with You.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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A Prayer for Reading God’s Word

God,

Thank You for showing me the paths that lead to life. I am so grateful that I can experience joy in Your presence forever! Help me to live in a manner that is worthy of the calling to which You have called me by spending time in Your Word. I never want to forget that having access to Scripture is a gift. So please make me eager to read Your words. Reveal Your will to me as I spend time in Your presence. Teach me Your word, which is truth.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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A Prayer for Serving

God,

You are so kind to me. And when You gave up Your only Son to save me, You provided me with an example of humble obedience. Thank You for showing me what servant leadership should look like. Instead of seeking my own way, help me to seek Yours. I want to serve You by serving others. So change my heart and help me love others genuinely. Shape me into someone who considers others as better than myself.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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A Prayer for Talking with God

God,

Sometimes I don’t feel like I have the words to pray. I don’t always know what to say to You. What do I say to someone who is perfect in every way? Please help me remember that You want to hear from me. Give me the confidence to speak what’s on my heart with You, but help me to do so with respect. And please let these honest conversations lead me to a deeper sense of awe, wonder, and love for You. Show me how to talk with You, and then make me eager to do it regularly.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Teach your kids to pray like Jesus.

Bible App for Kids

It can be intimidating trying to teach your kids how to pray—especially if no one ever taught you. But prayer is simply an ongoing conversation between us and God.

Explore prayer together, at a level that’s appropriate for their age, and practice—together. How will you know if you’re doing it right?

You’ll all enjoy praying together so much that you look forward to it.

Your children learn best in fun, meaningful activities that you do together. Take advantage of natural opportunities throughout the day to pray for the different areas Jesus outlined in the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4):

Early in the day. Thank God for today, and ask Him to help you be who He wants you to be.

Mealtimes. Thank God for your food, and ask Him to continue providing for your family.

When we’re upset. Ask God to help you feel better, apologize, forgive—and love each other better.

Bedtime. Here’s a simple prayer modeled after Jesus’ prayer in Luke 11:1-4. Tap below to save it to your Bible App:

Our Family’s Bedtime Prayer: God, we love you. Thank You for today. We’re excited for tomorrow. Please wrap Your angels around us and keep us safe. Help us have a good sleep tonight, with only good dreams. Amen

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How to Pray: A 6-Step Guide to Prayer

Person praying

“Prayer.” When you see that word, what thoughts or images come to mind? Does talking to God come easy to you? Or do you struggle to pray?

Knowing what to say to God doesn’t always feel easy, and sometimes, prayer gets weighed down by our misconceptions about what a conversation with God should look like.

“Pray then like this…”

2,000 years ago, Jesus taught His disciples to pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those
who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.

MATTHEW 6:9-13

This is now a famous example on how to pray. But how do we apply it to our everyday 21st-century lives?

First, we need to understand how not to pray. Before teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus told His disciples, “when you pray, pray to your Father in private…” and, “do not heap up empty phrases…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

If God already knows what we need, then prayer isn’t simply about the words we say. If we’re praying to impress people, or if we’re treating prayer like a box to check, then we’re missing out on the power of prayer.

Prayer is, and always will be, a dynamic conversation with God. When we realize this, the Lord’s Prayer becomes a freeing framework that helps us talk to God every day.

Here’s a 6-step guide to prayer that can help:

  1. Refocus on God.

    2. “Our Father in heaven, holy is Your Name …”

    Inhale deeply and focus on these words: “Our Father in heaven.”

    Slowly exhale as you say: “Holy is Your name.”

    Repeat this several times, and pay attention to any aspects of God’s character that come to mind. Spend this time focusing on how great God is.

  1. Realign your will.

    2. “Your kingdom come …”

    God has always been in the process of carrying out His will on earth. So right now, reflect on this: when you align your will with God’s will, you are actively seeking His Kingdom.

    Quiet any noise around you, and ask God to show you how you can take part in doing His will today.

  1. Release your concerns.

    2. “Give us today the food we need …”

    Imagine holding your hands out in front of you, as if you want God to put something in them. As you give God your concerns, what does He give you in return?

    List your concerns, and say them one at a time. Each time you voice a concern, try asking God to, “give us this day our daily bread.”

    Sit with this exercise for as long as you need.

  1. Repent and respond.

    2. “And forgive us … as we forgive …”

    What are you holding onto that you need to lay down? Is there anything you need to confess right now? Maybe it’s a hurt you can’t let go of, a behavior you’re struggling to change, an addiction you haven’t conquered, or a mistake you keep making.

    God invites you to come as you are, and respond to Him. Tell him whatever is on your mind, then create space to hear from Him.

  1. Request God’s protection.

    2. “… deliver us from evil …”

    We’ve all been rescued from something. What has God rescued you from?

    Thank Him for His faithfulness, and let Him know where you need help. Consider praying on behalf of other people who may also need protection. Remember that even when situations seem hopeless, there is nothing God cannot do.

  1. Rejoice and reflect.

    2. Celebrate what God has done in your life, and look for ways to worship Him throughout your day.

    Then, spend a few minutes reflecting on this time with God. What has He shown you? Consider adding anything that stands out to your YouVersion Prayer List.

Did you enjoy this prayer guide? You can get more prayer content like this by using the Guided Prayer experience inside your YouVersion App.

Try Guided Prayer

When we start to pray like Jesus did, we will start to experience intimacy with God like Jesus did. And when we let prayer shape the way we live, we start to realize that we can approach God at all times with confidence, vulnerability, and trust.

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Refocus on what matters through prayer.

Person looking over a cove

Take a deep breath…

Silencing the noise in our lives takes time, but it’s one of the reasons for Lent. Today, refocus your life on Jesus by praying with us.

A Prayer to Refocus

God, I want more of You.

Too often, I choose to pursue momentary things and push You aside. Please forgive me, and change me. I don’t want to live a life that isn’t focused on You.

As I prepare for Resurrection Sunday, help me to silence the noise in my life. Show me what steps I need to take to refocus my heart, mind, and will on You alone.

Search my heart, and know me. Clean out my life, point out anything that offends You, and make me more like You. Show me the paths that lead to life, and fill me with joy in Your presence.

I love You, and I want to fix my eyes on You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Prayer for 2021

2021

God, You know me. Before I was even born, You loved me and knew every detail of my life.

So as I enter 2021, please fill me with Your peace that passes understanding and keep my eyes fixed on You.

No matter what I face this year, give me strength and hope, and help me to dream with You. Even when it may feel like dreaming isn’t possible, show me that nothing is impossible for You.

In 2021, please bless me and protect me. Let Your face shine upon me and be gracious to me. Please give me Your peace and make this a year of breakthrough.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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