Can prayer points change the way you pray? How effective are prayer points?Read on to find out more..

What are prayer points?

Prayer points are ways of expressing a request, thought or point to God. It involves consciously taking note of what you would like to pray for.

How can prayer points be effective?

Writing down prayer points can be an effective way to help express and build on the conversation and time in prayer with God. Knowing what you are going to pray for can also incorporate a sense of purpose and structure to your prayers.

How to use prayer points?

There are many different ways to structure prayer points. A helpful hint would be to group points together under the following headings:

1. Praise and Thanksgiving

2. Confession

3. Awe and Wonder

4. Faith

5. Surrender

6. Family and Friends

7. Knowledge of God

8. Commitment

The above list can be used as a template and altered according to specific prayer needs. Alternative topics could include perseverance, priorities, listening to God, forgiveness, acceptance of self, seeking God, God’s power, encouragement, honesty, perspective on life etc

Journalling your Prayer Points

Whether you have tried these methods or others of your own; you may find that expressing prayer points- that you have consciously taken note of-in different ways may help you to pray more passionately; making you more aware of what you are saying and integrating a purpose for your prayers.

Keeping a record of what you are going to ask for allows you to be able to reflect on it at a later stage. In doing so, you may realize that God has in fact already answered some your prayers!

Different Ways of Praying:

• Writing a letter to God in prayer.
• Reading a verse from the Book of Psalms and then repeating it out aloud.
• Singing a hymn in prayer.
• Making up your own song of prayer.
• Taking a stroll outdoors (with list in hand) and praying.
• Finding a favorite prayer and incorporating some of your own prayer points into it.
• Praying with a prayer partner.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV)

'If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer'.

Prayer is actually having a conversation with God. Just as a friendship needs time to build and develop; so does a relationship with God. There is an exchange that needs to take place, a desire to share thoughts, experiences and struggles as well as active listening intertwined with trust.