The 5 Step Prayer Routine that Resurrects my Daily
The best thing to come out of quarantine? A consistent prayer routine. I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times before, prayer changes everything. But have you experienced those often talked about changes in your own life?
This routine has allowed me to see those miracles + changes unfold in my own life. If you keep consistent with it, I’m sure you will too.
We all want the perfect prayer practice. But where do you start?
I move through these 5 steps like clockwork and the holy spirit equips me for the day.
Let’s walk through each one.
Step 1: Prayer Pages
With coffee in hand, I open my journal, grab a pen and just start writing.
Here’s the key here … I write whatever I want. Sometimes it’s random thoughts, other times it's a poetic prayer. Sometimes these pages turn out to be an illegible list.
I make it my goal to fill 3 pages with passing thoughts and petition. When finished, both my brain and heart feels unblocked. I can then move into receiving what the Lord has to say to me for the day.
Step 2: Receive His Word
After the above brain dump, I read the daily readings using the iBreviary app or continue a bible study plan in the YouVersion bible app. This gives me something to digest and reflect on. After “dumping” everything out, I read The Word to fill up.
I ask The Holy Spirit to illuminate a certain verse and write it in my journal. I hang onto that verse for the rest of the day.
Steps 3 + 4: Today’s Surrenders and Yesterday’s Blessings
On this step, I make a literal t-chart in my journal. On one side I write the heading “today’s surrenders” and on the other heading I write “yesterday’s blessings.”
After writing my surrenders each day and listing blessings from the previous day, I soon pick up on a pattern and physically see how The Lord used my surrenders and delivered blessings over time. This has been a great physical way for me to see how The Lord has remained faithful and notice the miracles He is working.
Today’s Surrenders
What are surrenders? I consider them anything that I want The Lord to hold + cover. This includes people I’m praying for, projects I’m working on, parts of my heart that I want healed, and future situations I need taken care of.
Ultimately, a surrender is a prayer and a reminder that I can’t do anything without God. When ultimately surrendering my day and life, everything always works out for The Kingdom’s glory and not my own.
Yesterday’s Blessings
Next, I reflect on the previous day and make a big list of where I saw the Lord work. I try to list as many small moments as possible. It continually shows me where my fulfillment + happiness is coming from -- typically it’s from being present to my people.
Over time, these blessings add up to answered prayers. This gratitude practice also immediately changes my mindset to abundance over scarcity. I am reminded that The Lord is indeed moving in my life.
Step 5: Expectations
I like to end this prayer routine on a high note. This part is my favorite. I have SEEN SO MUCH happen from it.
Next, I write “Jesus, together we will …” at the top of the page.
Below, I list my biggest expectations.
What are expectations?
It’s the word I like to use for dreams and miracles.
It makes a big difference when we practice expectation instead of simply making wishes. If we really had big faith, we would expect The Lord to show up for us every time.
I try to keep things on this list big, bold and potentially miraculous. They are like goals but God-sized and Jesus is in on them. After all, we can do nothing without Him. I write the same ones every day until I reach the goal or the miracle occurs.
Need an example? Here’s a list.
I expect that we will have enough paying clients that I can work for myself after graduation
I expect that we will build a family set apart for your glory
I expect that we will [ENTER BIG DREAM HERE]
I expect that we will get hired by [DREAM COMPANY]
I expect that my mom will experience [ENTER MIRACLE]
In this case, the “we” is you + Jesus. You’re in this together.
Typically, this practice launches me into that day’s work. I’m focused and Jesus and I are set on the same vision. I know He holds everything.
It’s time to GO + GLORIFY The Lord with my life.
The key to prayer is choosing something that works for you and then showing up every single day to do it. Miracles happen when we show up at the feet of Jesus and say ‘let’s do this” …. Or something like that. ;-)
If you want to put this one into practice, I made this prayer routine cheat sheet for you. Click here, enter your email and it will be delivered straight to your inbox! It includes a printable bookmark with all the steps so you can place is right in your journal and keep on track.
Have some prayer intentions or miracles you are expecting in? Email me here. I’ll add them to my daily prayer list.