Prayer Calendar
Ever wonder how to make praying for others a daily habit? Then the Prayer Calendar—a simple tool that takes only 5 minutes a day—is for you!
1. Number a sheet of paper from 1-30.
Number a sheet of paper from 1-30.2. Beside each number, write the name of a friend.
Beside each number, write the name of a Christian friend.3. Contact the person on the corresponding date.
For example, on the 5th of the month, contact the 5th name on your list, and say something like, “Hey, you’re on my prayer calendar today! That means I’ll be paying for you throughout the day. Is there anything specific you’d like prayer for?”
Contact the person on the corresponding date.Pray for them on the spot, either by a text or a phone call.
Pray for them on the spot, either by a text or a phone call.Notes and Tips
1. Don’t just pray for—pray with.
Whether in-person or online, nearby or faraway, make a point to connect and personally pray for and with your friends.
Granted, it might be easier (and perhaps less awkward) to simply pray for your friends, and not let them know about it. But, let’s remember the example of Paul, who often let others know he was praying for them—and even wrote those prayers out for them to see. Here’s a couple examples.
Philemon 4–6 (NIV), “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.”
Ephesians 1:16–17 (NIV), “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”
2. Be flexible.
Be flexible in when, where, and how you pray. It can happen in-person or online; take a few seconds to several minutes; and can be live, recorded, or written.
Basically, The when, where, and how isn’t as important as the what and why — which is to pray and encourage. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
- send a text message
- send an audio or video recording of of you praying
- make an audio or video call (Zoom, FaceTime, Instagram, etc).
- meet for coffee
- go on a walk or hike
- send a card in the mail
3. Expect and accept prayer for yourself.
Just after Paul told the Ephesians to, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people" (Ephesians 6:18)…
…Paul went on to say, “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
In other words, Paul was just as willing and desirous to receive prayer as he was to pray for others.
4. Pray the scripture.
Not sure what to pray for in regards to others and their needs? Use a few examples in scripture as your inspiration.
Ephesians 1:15–19 (NIV) 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe…
Ephesians 3:14–21 (NIV) 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 6:18–20 (NIV) 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Colossians 1:9–14 (NIV) 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
2 Corinthians 1:10–11 (NIV) 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Luke 22:32 (NIV) But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
