Every Christian knows to pray, but sometimes, the hardest part is knowing what to pray for. The old standby’s are always there — health, comfort, healing, peace, forgiveness, et. al. — but what are some other ones that we’re missing that we absolutely should include?

Pray for a Stable Political System

You don’t need me to tell you how incredibly volatile things are right now (honestly though, has there ever been a time where it hasn’t?). It seems like things have gotten so bad lately that nothing could fix it, and that we’re doomed to watch as our nation eats itself apart bite by bite.

That wasn’t Paul’s attitude though. Instead of resigning himself to the idea that we’ll always have to live in this topsy-turvy political world that is filled with savagery, Paul encourages us to pray for peace as often as we can:

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Instead of bemoaning the situation, or just thinking that “the only thing we can do is vote,” why not go to your knees (instead of the ballot box), and pray to the only One who can create lasting, permanent change?

Pray for Spiritual Depression

Do you believe that God can heal your spiritual depression? Do you believe He wants to? Or do you believe that He wants you to stay guilt-ridden, hopeless, and despondent because of it?

I’m reminded of what God had to say to Cain just after his sacrifice was rejected: “Sin lies at the door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Sin might not be right at our door, but guilt is the one of Satan’s best gateways to it, which means we must do our best to keep our emotional depression at bay.

If we really believe in what 1 John 1:9 tells us — “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — then we’ll pray like it. And if we’re not praying like it, it means we believe God is a liar about His promises to us.

God forgives fully and completely. Pray like it.

Pray for Humility

Sometimes, what we need the most is a good dose of humble pie. It may feel like you’re receiving a steady dose of it already, but the truth is, until we actually take stock of our lives, it won’t do us any good.

Take Manasseh, for instance. Here was a man who lived his life doing whatever he wanted, but it wasn’t until he was taken to jail and had literal stakes driven through his nose, that he actually realized how far away from God he was.

Here’s a challenge for you: Get down on your knees and spend at least five minutes in prayer. The first two minutes will most likely be a repetition of what you’ve already paid for. That’s ok, because the next three minutes are where you’ll begin to dig deep down inside your soul and find what’s really there. You may like what you see, or you may not, but I guarantee you you’ll get a better vision of where you stand spiritually than you did before.

Last modified: September 22, 2021