Practical Ways to Pray

Before I share about some areas of prayer for us, I want to encourage you to be sure to swipe down and take a look at a number of important items on our church’s horizon. For instance our kickoff of the Fall Small Group Semester, a change to our 1st service time by 15 minutes, and an upcoming baptism date. So please don’t miss those details below.
Over the last few Sunday’s we have been working through Titus 1 and the qualifications of elders in a church. I have been sharing each week ways that I have been praying for these various qualifications in my own life for a number of years now. Today I wanted to compile them for you into one place here. They cover the qualities of both Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3. I also originally got these from a Tim Challis blog back in 2020. I went through and adapted a few of them for my own situation over the years too. Pastor Jeremy and I also use the Prayer Mate app for helping to pray intentionally.
Here are ways to practically pray in areas of your life:

Blameless
I pray…
… that I would have an unquestionable character.
… that I would maintain a credible reputation and be an example worthy of following.
… that my life would be so consistent that there are no opportunities for blame or disgrace to be attached to it.
… that I would walk in blamelessness before you and my neighbor. Make my conduct match my profession, so that my life does not display even a trace of hypocrisy.
… that when I sin I would be quick to seek your forgiveness and the forgiveness of those I sinned against.
… that through the power of the Holy Spirit I would identify, battle, and kill sin wherever it exists in my life.

A One-Woman Man
I pray…
… that I would be a one-woman kind of man, exemplary in love and faithfulness to my wife.
… that you would purify my heart so that the sin of adultery—expressed even in lustful thoughts and glances—would lose all of its power over me (Matthew 5:27–30).
… that I would regard older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, in all purity.
… that I would be appropriately discreet in my relationships with members of the opposite sex and that I would never be flirtatious, promiscuous, or involved in any questionable relationship.
… that I would be devoted to my wife, nurturing and cherishing her as Christ does the church.

Faithful Father
I pray…
… that I would serve as the head of my household.
… that I would spend sufficient time with my children and raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Mine: that I would spend sufficient time with my children and point them to the Lord.)
(Mine: …that I will live in such a way that my kids respect me and want to follow in my footsteps.)
(Mine: …that I would know how to navigate the life ups-and-downs they go through.)
… that I would not allow my children to be insubordinate or wild.
… that I would exercise a humble, loving leadership over my children and not be a tyrant who gains submission by force, manipulation, or oppression.
… that my children would display respect for me in public and private.

Humble
I pray…
… that I would be flexible in dealing with people and with ideas not clearly revealed in Scripture.
… that I would not be stubborn and insistent on getting my own way in matters of wisdom or personal preference.
… that I would not be so wrapped up in my own ideas that I become insensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.
… that you would expose the blind spots in my life and give me grace to turn from my sin.
… that I would not be so headstrong that I run over other people or fail to hear their wisdom and opinions.
… that I would put others first so that I do not think of myself more highly than I ought to think.

Sober-Minded
I pray…
… that I would be well-balanced, moderate, and free from excesses in my ideas and convictions.
… that I would be watchful and observant of what goes on around me.
… that I would not be the kind of person who misses what is crucial while focusing on what is of little importance.

Gentle
I pray…
… that you would make me more like Christ, so that I may be gentle just like he is gentle.
… that I would regularly consider all the ways you have been so patient and gentle with me.
… that I would not be pugnacious, combative, or prone to lash out at others.
… that I would be approachable even to people who disagree with me or who wish to confront me.
… that I would be kind and patient in dealing with others.
… that I would be sensitive to the feelings of others so my words and actions reflect tenderness and promote healing.

Temperate
I pray…
… that you would deepen my convictions about alcohol so that I can partake (or abstain) with freedom and confidence. Help me to never violate my conscience, never unfairly pass judgment on others, and never flaunt my freedom.
… that you would make me more like Christ, who was around alcohol and those who consumed it but never overindulged and always obeyed the Father.
… that I would be able to enjoy your gifts without becoming enslaved to them. I pray that you would give me victory over all drunkenness, indulgence, and addiction. I pray that you would help me to never relax my guard but always be vigilant.

Practices Godly Self-Restraint
I pray…
… that I would have control over my passions and emotions.
… that I would run my life in accordance with the New Testament’s ethical commands.

Respectable
I pray…
… that my life would be disciplined and orderly rather than slipshod, scattered, or disorganized.
… that I would be responsible, completing all my tasks and finishing what I begin.
… that I would be wise and level-headed in all my dealings.
… that I would practice prudence, recognizing and applying biblical principles when making decisions.
… that I would display a sanctified common sense.
… that there would be an appropriate kind of dignity about me.

Not a Lover of Money
I pray…
…that I would not make material possessions the ambition of my life.
… that I would refuse to pursue financial gain above eternal things, preferring to store up treasure in heaven than on earth.
… that I would not sacrifice my family or my spiritual health on the “altar” of my job.
… that I would not be greedy or covetous, but instead be generous and quick to give to those in need.
… that I would give a generous portion of my income to the church and rejoice when doing so.

Hospitable
I pray…
… that I would be warm, friendly, and welcoming.
… that I would open my home to friends and strangers alike.
… that you would fill me with your Spirit so that my life bears fruit through good deeds that benefit others.
… that I would hold loosely to all you have given me and know that my home, my food, my time, and everything else belong to you. Help me faithfully steward all of them.
… that my motivation in hospitality would be to glorify you by showing others your perfect love. Please give me great joy and freedom in hospitality.

Loving What Is Good
I pray…
… that I would take delight in whatever delights God.
… that I would willingly avoid whatever has an evil influence over me or those I care for.
… that I would not be known only for the evils I am against but also for the good I am for.

Peacemaking
I pray…
… that I would not be contentious or eager for a fight.
… that I would always seek to make peace with others.
… that I would be quick to apologize to those I’ve offended and quick to overlook offenses committed against me.
… that I would eagerly and joyfully cooperate with others rather than being quarrelsome or competitive.
… that I would not be easily drawn into arguments or into playing devil’s advocate.

Righteous
I pray…
… that I would be reasonable in my decisions and counsel.
… that I would be fair in all my dealings.
… that I would treat all people equally.
… that I would not overlook those who are unlike me or who are easily missed.

Holy Life
I pray…
… that the Scriptures would be my standard for living.
… that I would have an obvious desire to be like Jesus Christ.
… that I would constantly and obviously battle against sin and seek to please God.

Self-Controlled
I pray…
… that I would be a sound, reasonable thinker.
… that the pride remaining in me would be tempered by a sobering awareness of remaining sin and personal frailty.
… that I would demonstrate a thoughtful restraint and modesty in all areas of my life.

Respected by Outsiders
I pray…
… that I would be known by people outside the church and that they would respect me for my godly conduct and consistency of life.
… that I would have good reputation with neighbors, relatives, and colleagues.
… that I would be submissive to authority in the church, at work, and in government.
… that my name would be without blemish in my community.
… that I would be a model of good works at home, at work, and in my neighborhood so that by doing good to others God will be glorified.

Able to Teach
I pray…
… that I would constantly apply myself to the discipline of studying the Bible, so I would be a student before I am a teacher.
… that I would grow in my ability to take my knowledge of the Scriptures and apply it to the church for their edification and growth.
… that others would profit by listening to my teaching.
… that I would grow in my ability to hold people’s attention and apply God’s truth in an interesting and engaging manner.

Not a Rookie
I pray…
… that I would resist temptation and endure tests to prove my faith is genuine.
… that I would show continual growth in my character and conduct.
… that I would grow in my knowledge of the Scriptures and their application to my life.
… that I would not allow any kind of prominence or position to incite pride within me.
… that I would carefully seek out blind spots in my life to ensure I am not overlooking any area of remaining sin.

Desirous of Ministry
I pray…
… that I would maintain my desire to serve the Lord as one of his under-shepherds.
… that I would delight to carry out the ministry God has called me to.
You can write these out on your own prayer cards. You can add them to a prayer app. You can rewrite them for your own prayer. You can pray these for me and our elders and others in ministry. I encourage you to personalize them. It is all about learning and growing in a relationship with the Lord who is with us.

Happy praying!

Nothing On My Own,
Pastor John