I spend a lot of time praying for people. Whether it’s assisting with my church’s prayer ministry or getting personal requests from friends, prayer is a huge part of my everyday life. One thing I’ve realized lately is that sometimes I am so busy praying for others that I forget to take the time to pray for myself.
Maybe you’re like me. You’re so busy praying for others that you forget to or feel guilty for not praying for yourself. Here are five things you can take the time today to pray for yourself.
- Your Strength. There’s been a few memes floating around social media lately imploring people to check on their “strong friends.” As women, we do a lot and wear so many hats—from wife to friend to mother. If you’re anything like me, you don’t admit how tired or overwhelmed you really are until things are really bad. Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Pray God gives you strength and the knowledge to know when you need to rest and when you’re not okay and the strength to ask for help if you need it.
- Your Dreams/Purpose. Remember when you were little and dreamed of doing __________ (fill in the blank) when you grew up? Did you fulfill that dream? Do you think about your dream every now and then and wonder what if? Do you have new dreams you don’t feel you have the time or energy to fulfill? Pray God shows you His will for your life and that your dreams line up with His dreams and purpose for you.
- Your Job. Whether you’re working inside the home or outside it, we all have jobs. Pray God will give you the right mind and right attitude to do whatever you are doing during this season of life.
- Your Health. Between making sure the kids, your hubby, your aging parents or extended family stay healthy, maybe you haven’t done what you need to do regarding your own health. Pray God will not only keep you healthy but give you a desire to want to eat the right foods and work out so you’re in the best shape possible to be around for those you love.
- Your Heart and Mind. Although this could be talking about your organs, I’m really talking more about your spirit. Every now and then, I find myself thinking and feeling things I know aren’t Christlike. I get jealous, I harbor hate and resentment… The list goes on and on. I know I’m not alone in these things. Follow the lead of Philippians 4:8 (The Message) and pray God helps you to think on things that are “true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”
Need a little help putting it all together? Here’s a simple prayer:
Lord, thank you for this day. Thank you for your many blessings. Thank you for waking me up this morning and for watching over me last night. I come before you today, Lord, praying for myself. Some of my needs, Lord, only you know. I come before you now repenting of any sins I may have committed knowingly or unknowingly, and I ask that you give me the strength to accomplish all that you have me to do. When I’m tired, Lord, bless me to turn my troubles over to you and rest with the confident assurance you will take care of me. I ask your blessings upon my dreams and purpose. Show me what you would have for me to do right now in this season. Help my dreams to line up with your dreams for me. If I’m on the wrong path, redirect me. Open doors for me no man can open and close doors no man can close. Bless me on my job this day. Help me to bring your presence with me and to use the skills you have given me for your glory and your glory alone. Bless my health. Bless me to live a long, prosperous life. Give me the desire to eat healthy and to work out so that I maintain a healthy lifestyle I can pass on to future generations. Finally, Lord, bless my heart and mind. Help me to think on things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. In all I do and say, help me to be a representative of you. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
