Tools to Help Us Grow Through Prayer
Prayer is one of the most vital aspects of our walk with God. It is how we communicate with Him, listen to His voice, and align our hearts with His will. Yet, many believers struggle to pray consistently or feel unsure of what to say when they do. Thankfully, God has provided various tools to help us grow through prayer—tools that can deepen our conversations with Him and increase our capacity for prayer.
One such tool is The Prayer Cycle, a simple yet powerful structure that helps believers engage in a full hour of meaningful prayer.
The Prayer Cycle: A Practical Guide to an Hour of Prayer
The Bible calls us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NASB), but many of us find that difficult to do. The Prayer Cycle provides twelve five-minute segments that lead us through twelve biblical types of prayer. By following this pattern, we can pray for a full hour and train ourselves in different aspects of prayer.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the Prayer Cycle:
1. PRAISE
Begin by praising the Lord for who He is and what He has done.
Praise Him for specific blessings in your life.
Reflect on His attributes—His faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Thank Him for His goodness to your family.
2. WAIT
Spend time waiting on the Lord in silence.
Be still before Him (Psalm 46:10).
Allow your heart to settle and focus on His presence.
Let Him bring reflections to your mind.
3. CONFESS
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life.
Confess both attitudes and actions that have displeased God.
Seek His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).
Accept the freedom and renewal that comes with confession.
4. READ THE WORD
Open your Bible and read a passage from Psalms, the Prophets, or the New Testament.
Let Scripture shape your prayers.
Listen for what God is highlighting for you today.
5. ASK
Bring your personal requests before God.
Pray about your needs, struggles, and desires.
Ask for wisdom, strength, and provision in specific areas of your life.
6. INTERCESSION
Lift up the needs of others in prayer.
Pray for family, friends, coworkers, and church members.
Intercede for the lost, asking God to bring them to salvation.
Pray for leaders, missionaries, and global issues.
7. PRAY THE WORD
Pray specific Scripture passages as part of your prayer.
Use Psalms and other biblical prayers.
Let God’s Word guide and shape your intercessions.
8. THANK
Express gratitude to God for all He has done.
Give thanks for answered prayers.
Thank Him for His faithfulness and provision.
9. SING
Worship God through singing a hymn or worship song.
Sing out loud or in your heart.
Use music as a way to draw near to Him.
10. MEDITATE
Ask the Lord to speak to you personally.
Have a pen and paper ready to record what He impresses upon your heart.
Let His voice guide your thoughts and responses.
11. LISTEN
Spend time merging everything you have read, prayed, and sung.
Listen for how God brings these elements together.
Be still and let Him speak to your heart.
12. PRAISE (Again!)
Close your prayer time by praising God again.
Thank Him for the time you have spent in His presence.
Worship Him for His majesty and power.
This prayer cycle is based on Dick Eastman’s book, The Hour That Changes the World. It is a powerful tool for deepening your prayer life and can be used individually or in groups.
Other Helpful Prayer Resources
One of the reasons I love the Prayer Cycle is that it expands our capacity for prayer. However, this is just one of many helpful prayer tools available.
I encourage you to explore other versions of the Prayer Cycle and additional prayer resources here:
Some of the key resources available at that link include:
1. Prayer Trails
A collection of 12-segment prayer guides that focus on various themes such as:
Praying in worship.
Praying for spiritual growth.
Praying for missions and the nations.
Etc.
2. Missions Prayer Guides
Specific guides designed to help believers pray strategically for the world, including:
Prayers for unreached people groups.
Prayers for missionaries and persecuted believers.
3. Equipping Children in Prayer
Resources to help train children to pray, making prayer a natural and powerful part of their lives.
4. The Blessing Booklet
One of my favorite tools! This guide provides specific prayers of blessing for children and grandchildren, covering areas like:
Their relationship with God.
Their character development.
Their future and calling.
5. The “Prayer List” Guide
A practical tool for daily prayer, offering:
Guided prayers for every day of the month.
Specific themes and focus areas to ensure balanced and consistent intercession.
Praying for the World with Prayer.Global
If you are looking for a dynamic way to pray for the world, I highly recommend Prayer.Global.
✔ This site provides clear guidance on what to pray for.
✔ It is engaging, easy to use, and highly effective.
✔ Many people find it addictive in the best possible way!
Praying for nations, people groups, and global issues allows us to join in God’s work worldwide.
Why Prayer Tools Matter
All of these tools exist for one reason: to help us listen to the Holy Spirit and respond to Him.
✔ They guide us in stewarding what God speaks to us.
✔ They help us grow in obedience and alignment with God’s will.
✔ They equip us to intercede for others more effectively.
As we incorporate these resources into our lives, our prayer lives will deepen, our faith will grow, and our relationship with God will strengthen.
A Challenge for You
1️⃣ Try the Prayer List guide this week. Download it on your phone and begin to use it as part of your daily time with the Lord.
2️⃣ Explore the resources linked above and find a tool that resonates with you.
3️⃣ Share what you learn with others—encourage friends, family, or small groups to grow in prayer together.
Prayer changes us. Prayer aligns us with God’s will. And prayer transforms the world around us.
Let’s commit to growing in prayer—one step at a time!