When I was in college, my campus minister encouraged us to pray big prayers. He warned us that we could get so caught up in praying for physical problems that we would neglect praying for spiritual matters. His message concluded "Do not just pray through a medical textbook. Pray big prayers."
Imagine you live next door to a world class chef, who generously offers to cook you anything that you want every single evening. And every single day, when the chef asks you what you want, you request some form of potatoes. There are a great many ways to prepare a potato, but we aren't experiencing the full talents of this chef. In the same way, we should be praying a variety of prayers and noticing how God is answering and moving in a full variety of situations.
If we want to "track" our types of prayer, one way we can do this is by printing off a few images from the internet (such as a human body outline, a map of our country, a map of the world, and acquiring colored writing utensils). Brainstorm the different types of requests, such as healing, natural disaster, violence, injustice, etc. and assign each a color. (Make a key for the colors, so we can remember these categories). During a prayer session, write any physical requests on the body. Knee surgery recovery? Write it by the knee. Migraine sufferer? Write it by the head. Then use colored pens or pencils to write non-healing requests on the appropriate map. Storm devastation in our home country on the coast? Write it in blue in the effected area. Violence in Afghanistan? Write it in red on the correct map. Then after the prayer time, consider what regions and what requests aren't being addressed by the group.
Praying for healing is a valid part of prayer, but we should also be praying "BIG prayers". What are examples of big prayers? These are the long-term, ongoing requests that won't be answered in a week, a month, or even a year. These prayers are about situations involving many different people and groups. They may not come with weekly progress reports or updates.
Pray Big Prayers
-Pray for the persecuted: Pray for them to be faithful. Pray for them to share the Good News. Pray for them to have wisdom in knowing who to share with. Pray that they will be faithful no matter the cost.
-Pray for the persecutors: Pray for them to repent of their actions. Pray for them to come to faith in Christ. Pray for them to stop persecuting the Church and start proclaiming the Gospel.
-Pray for the people in Africa/Asia/Europe/the Middle East/North America/South America/Oceania: Pray for the people in these regions being affected by events, disasters, and trauma. Pray for them to encounter Christ. Pray that they will identify and remove idols from their lives.
-Pray for those who are "lost" (i.e. non-Christians): Pray for them to encounter Christ. Pray that they will identify and remove idols from their lives. Pray that they will meet and befriend Christians who will mentor them in their faith. Pray that they will be faithful no matter the cost.
-Pray for prodigals (those who have left the faith): Pray that they will be drawn back to God through whatever means necessary. Pray that they will not be satisfied by worldly treasure or esteem. Pray that they remember about God's character and commandments when they are weary and broken.
-Pray for peace/justice/those who are oppressed or marginalized: Pray for victims of war, violence, persecution, and hate. Pray for those suffering from injustices and oppression. Pray for God to intervene to make the world more just and peaceful. Pray for the oppressed and marginalized to experience redemption, restoration, and reconciliation.
These prayers will be on our list tomorrow and next month, and even next year. But they are prayers that we should be praying as well.
