Prayer Ideas

In the Youth SS class we're currently looking at our mission - and on Saturday we focused on prayer as a way to get closer to God. Our challenge for the week is to try a style of prayer we haven't really done before and see how it goes - here's a list of suggestions:

1. The ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) - this model ensures your prayers are balanced and not just a shopping list for God! see http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/actsmodel.htm
2. Say Good morning to God - see Psalm 5:3 and try starting your day with God.
3. Begin a prayer list - keeping a record of the people and issues you pray for will help you remember, and you'll see when your prayers are answered.
4. “Practicing the presence of God” - look up Brother Lawrence and try short prayers throughout your day, to remind you that God is always there.
5. Write letters to God - sometimes it's easier to pray on paper, it's more natural for us to write a letter or email to somebody you can't hear or see. You can keep the letters as a prayer journal and use it like the list in #3.
6. Creating space in your day – we fill every crack and crevice of our lives with stuff (TV, blogs, radio, newspapers & magazines...) … what about leaving some space for God in these times instead? When you're driving or catching the train, try turning off the radio or your ipod and chatting to God.
   
7. For the brave: pray publicly – Daniel 6:10-11
8. Praying in groups - try setting a regular prayer time with your brother/sister/partner/ parents; Matt 18:19-20
9. Praying in the broom cupboard (or other secret place!) – Matt 6:5-8
10. Pray through the Psalms - try finding a psalm that expresses how you're feeling, read it to God, and think about how it applies in your situation. You might be surprised by how relevant they are (just make sure you have a good translation..!) Try Psalm 27 in the Message or the New Living Translation.
11. Try the same thing as #10 with Modern Worship Songs - there are many out there that have great words, which can be really relevant for whatever situation you're in. Try the golden oldie Shout to the Lord.
    
12. Observe nature - go for a walk in a park or garden, admire God's creation, and thank him for it.