Alphabetical Prayer

Prayer should be spontaneous and natural. But sometimes we need help focusing (Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2).

Recently I woke in the middle of the night, feeling God wanted me to pray for a friend, but I couldn’t really pray beyond a sentence or two. 

I admit I was tired, but sometimes I have this problem when I’m wide awake. 

So I decided to do an alphabet prayer, praying through the alphabet.

For example:
A – Attitudes, Abilities, Acceptance, Alertness
B – Balance, Beliefs, Boldness, overcoming Bitterness
C – Courage, Comfort, Creativity, Commitment, Contentment
D – Decisions, Desires, Discouragement, Dependence on God

If I couldn’t think of something fitting for a letter, I went on to the next. But as I prayed, I discovered more areas where prayer was needed.

Next time you’re having difficulty praying, why not give it a try. It’s also a great way to "count your blessings" or list characteristics of God for thanksgiving and praise (Philippians 4:6).

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See also Prompts & Prayers and Set Your Mind or Set Your Alarm
Some additional examples of praying the alphabet:
E – Effectiveness, Enthusiasm, overcoming Evil
F – Friends, Family, Favor, Faithfulness, Fear, Forgiveness, Fruitfulness
G – Graciousness, Gratefulness, Gentleness
H – Help, Holiness, Health, Humility, Hope
I – Influences, Inspiration, Insight
J – Joy, Justice
K – Kindness, Knowledge 
L – Love, Loyalty, Losses
M – Meekness, Motivation, Modesty
N – New life, Needs, spiritual Nurture
O – Overcoming sin, Optimism, Obedience
P – Peace, Purpose, Patience, overcoming Pride
Q – Quality of Quiet times, gentle and Quiet spirit
R – Relationships, Righteousness, Resisting the Devil
S – Self-control, Self-denial, Stability, Submission, Service, Strength
T – Trust, Thankfulness, Teachable
U – Unity, Uncompromising, Understanding
V – Victorious, Values
W – Wisdom, Work, Weariness, Witness
X – Xenial (hospitable)
Y – Yielding to God’s will, Yearning for God’s truth
Z – Zeal, Zest for God
Can you think of other good prompts from the alphabet?
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