We plan our day, our shopping list, and our budget. We make a plan for the birthday party, a plan for retirement, and a plan for vacation. The Martha in us loves to make the list and relishes the joy that comes as we tick it off. (You know you are a true Martha when you remember something you did that was not on the list and add it just for the pleasure of checking it done!) Even so, while we may be deliberate, determined, and methodical with many of life’s daily duties, sometimes our prayer lives are prone to wander aimlessly. We intend to pray. We want to pray. There are so many people for whom we desire to pray.
But do we pray?
Pray has been at the top of our ‘Do It’ List from the beginning. If you’re like me, when you come to that box, some days you close your eyes, offer up a “Jesus, help me today!” and then check off the box.
Prayer is a conversation with God. There should be time for quiet as you listen, time for praise and thanksgiving, and time to confess. But certainly, much of our prayer life is also about intercession for those who we love, those who lead us, and those who serve us (just to name a few).
Without a plan, prayer for others becomes an aimless wandering that, even in your own ears, begins to sound more like a shopping list than holy intercession.
May is the month where we annually observe the National Day of Prayer – a perfect time, then, to challenge ourselves to get serious (and specific) about prayer. This month, in addition to our monthly ‘Do It’ List, we are including a download intended to help you plan for intercessory prayer. The goal will be to identify 31 specific people to pray for each day of each month. (On months with fewer days, you can double up.)
Will you accept this challenge? If so, print those cards and get ready:
- List 31 Names
Grab a piece of paper and number it 1-31. As you begin to add names, some will be obvious and flow quickly. Ask God who you should pray for and you may be surprised whom He brings to mind! Here’s a possible list:- Husband
- Children, Grandchildren
- Parents, in-laws
- Grandparents
- Extended family
- Close friends
- Not-so-close friends
- Neighbors
- Co-workers
- Pastors, Small Group leaders, Sunday School teachers
- Kids’ teachers, soccer coaches, piano teachers, etc.
- Missionaries
- Husband’s boss
- Mayor, governor, president
- Childhood, high school, and college friends
- Unbelievers in your life
- One Name Per Card
After narrowing down the list to 31 (wasn’t it harder than you thought?) write one name on each card. While you may pray for every member of your immediate family every day (on most days), it will be helpful and meaningful to pray specifically and intentionally for one person per day. - What and How to Pray
You may know the specific need, you may ask God to reveal it, or you may even ask the person you are praying for how to pray. Consider choosing a specific verse to pray over each person. You might also use the back of the card to list specific “bullet” prayers (and note the answers to prayer as they come).
This method is intended to bring freedom and intentionality – not legalism or inflexibility – to your prayer life. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. When you cry out for those closest to you, beg God to give you insight. “Lord, tell me your secrets!” is written in the margin of my Bible next to this verse in the Psalms:
The LORD confides in those who fear him…
Psalm 25:14
After preparing each card, I suggest punching a hole in the top left-hand corner, and fastening the cards together with a metal ring. Keep these with your Bible and journal and begin the joy of daily, intentional intercession. Each card includes a verse (or phrase) from Scripture to remind/encourage/bolster/spur you on to pray! 
Download your copies here:
May 2020 ‘Do It’ List – Daily Prayer Cards
Editor’s Note: We first introduced our ‘Do It’ List in January 2018 and it has since become a part of everyday life for many of our readers. If you are new to the blog (or just need a refresher), please check out some of our earlier blog posts that explain the method we use:
