Prayer can easily get squeezed out of our busy days. One way of being more intentional about making time for prayer in our daily lives is by committing to praying for a specific issue every day for a week. This can help you pray about a topic on a deeper level and spend more time connecting with God.
How to start your week of prayer
Choose your topic: You can pray about anything you like, but it could be a good opportunity to find out more about an issue that you don’t know a lot about but would like to start praying for.
Pick a time and place: Scheduling time each day to pray can help you get into a routine. Choose a comfortable place to pray, preferably somewhere you won’t be distracted.
Commit with others: Letting others know about your week of prayer can motivate you. You could also invite others to join in with your week of prayer and encourage each other by sharing your daily prayers.
An example week: praying for Myanmar
Hundreds of people have been killed in Myanmar since a military coup overthrew the government in February.
Protests against the military rule have been crushed with force, and thousands of people have fled and sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, those still in Myanmar face an escalating humanitarian crisis with food shortages, limited access to healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic, and the constant threat of violence.
Tearfund and our local partners are helping those who have fled Myanmar, and those who remain. Please join us in a week of prayer for this ongoing crisis.
Pray with us
Day one
Since February, more than 25,000 people have fled their homes to escape violence. Ask God to provide them with a safe refuge. Pray for strength and wisdom for Tearfund’s staff and our local partners as they support those affected by the crisis.
Day two
‘Seeing terrified children, the killing of innocent protestors, the grief of those who have lost their family members, and the news about the arrests of our close friends continues to raise anger, fear, and hopelessness in all of us,’ says a Tearfund staff member from Myanmar, who cannot be named for security reasons. Lament with our brothers and sisters in Myanmar for the trauma they are going through. Pray for God’s comfort and healing.
Day three
The National Unity Government in Myanmar – made up of previously elected legislators – has recently called for a ‘people’s defensive war’ against the military. This has resulted in an increased military presence on the streets and could lead to even more violence and conflict. Ask for protection and safety for all people living in Myanmar.
Day four
Tearfund and our local partners have already been able to support more than 3,000 people. Thank God that he has placed people and organisations in the region to serve the people of Myanmar during this crisis.
Day five
The World Bank has warned that poverty may double in Myanmar as a result of the coup and the coronavirus pandemic. Pray that people in positions of leadership will take action to protect the most vulnerable and lift the country out of economic crisis.
Day six
The military commander-in-chief has named himself the prime minister of Myanmar and said his ‘emergency rule’ may extend until 2023. Pray that there will be an end to conflict in the country and that God will make a way for a peaceful return to democratic rule.
Day seven
We are grateful that we have people who are constantly praying for us. I can confidently say that these prayers work powerfully in our lives so we can still have hope and joy,’ says a Tearfund staff member from Myanmar. Reflect on what you have prayed for this week for Myanmar and commit it once again to God.
Thank you for spending your week of prayer praying for Myanmar – your prayers are making a difference and bringing hope to those in the midst of the crisis.
If you have found this helpful and would like daily prayer prompts to help you pray for people living in poverty, sign up here to receive Tearfund’s Prayer Diary (and Tear Times magazine).
