In 2026, we are growing in prayer. We need to connect with our Father in Heaven in a meaningful, heart-felt way every day (every minute?). Many of us struggle with this because it feels like we are talking to ourselves or the ceiling. Or we just don’t what to say. Use the following guide to train yourself to pray. Whether you just read the prayer by itself or use it to spark a longer conversation with God, we hope this will help you build a strong, active, two-way relationship with Jesus.
There are multiple ways to access the guide:
- grab a paper booklet at church (great for keeping in your Bible and checking off the days)
- download the PDF
- access on Church Center (More…/First, Pray!)
- or use this page.
January 2026
1
Father, You are indescribably good. I want to know you more. Please help me understand you more by the end of the day than I do right now. Open my eyes. Help me see you more clearly.
2
Father, I want to tell you how great you are, how awesome, how good and how just. You are…[list the qualities about God that you find amazing].
3
“But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’
He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’”
[Sit for a few moments and listen for God’s voice calling for you. Are you hiding from him? Or trying to hide something? Why is he calling to you? Are you afraid? Listen for his voice and answer his question.]
4
Father, what good things do you want me to focus on this week? How can I help you build your kingdom over the next few days? Please give me a clear task this week and I will promise to work on it.
5
Adapted from “Prime Time with God” email list, submitted by Jamie Schuring:
Dear Lord God,
I want and need more of You in my life.
Please help me to hear Your voice in my day-to-day routines…
Please let my worship of You become the soundtrack of my heart, resounding louder than all other competing sounds.
Is there something You want me to hear today?
Speak Lord, I am listening…
Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears Your voice…
My Lord Jesus, I am listening for Your voice and I will follow You.
In the powerful name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
6
Hello, Lord. Today, I want to make you my refuge and safe place. If anything happens today that worries me, scares me, or angers me, please turn my mind to you. Teach me to give you my fears and trust you to protect me. I also repent of ways I’ve protected myself from my fears that are not holy. Cover me with your wings.
7
Father, I lift up to you today my family: [name those in your immediate family or your closest friends]. I want them to know you and love you. If they have not surrendered to you, please open their eyes. If they do believe in you, reveal yourself to them in a deeper way this week. If I can encourage them in any way, show me how and I will do it.
8
“In the long pull we pray only as well as we live.” –A.W. Tozer
Father, I know that I don’t earn your grace. I know that I cannot live well enough to demand that you listen to me. I know I make mistakes everyday, many that I’m not even aware of. So I come to you now completely dependant on your mercy. And also knowing that I need a heart change so that I want to live according to your love and wisdom. I want my behavior today to match my words. Help me. Help me live well. And help my prayers match the way I live.
9
I’m listening, LORD. Whether from the scriptures, your Spirit, or another person, I’m listening for you.
10
Father, you have done so much good for me. Teach me gratitude today. Teach me to be thankful for what I have, what I don’t have, and especially for Jesus my Savior.
11
Today, I want to clear my conscience, Father. I confess my sins to you, knowing that Jesus’ blood covers my failure. Bring to my mind the things I’ve done or said over the past few days that I need to ask forgivness for.
12
Lord, I pray for my church today. Please help First Reformed pursue your mission in your love. Help us be unified, strategic, and full of brotherly love in all we do. Help us represent the living Jesus to our neighbors in Portage and the other communities where we live.
13
Father, it’s been a few weeks since Christmas. If I’ve already forgotten the Spirit of Christmas, if I’m not living with love and charity, I recommit myself to the message of love that we celebrated over Christmas. Help me continue to be a light in the darkness around me.
14
Lord, help me discern truth today. Our world is full of noise, deception, and opinions. I need your wisdom and protection against lies. Motivate me to fill your mind with your Word first, and then weigh the things I hear today against your truth.
15
Father, I pray today for Pastor Kyle. Please help him seek you and listen to you. Help his mind work well to teach your word. Help him speak your truth in love to those of us he’s discipling and bring him wise counselors he can learn from.
16
Father, you have done so much good for me. Teach me gratitude today.
[On the hour throughout the day, say a prayer of gratitude for whatever is happening at that moment.]
17
Lord, please be with the poor and suffering, both in my community and through out the world. Provide what they need today to survive, and give them hope. I thank you for the people who have answered your call to care for those in need. If I see anyone in need today, help me to respond in a way that would please you.
18-24
[This week, we will pray the same prayer everyday. This is so that the words can really soak in and work into our hearts, while also helping us memorize a prayer that we can take with us the rest of our lives. Notice how your mind and heart handle this prayer differently over each day. Was there a day you began to connect to the Lord in a new or more intimate way? Did you receive anything from him after persevering in the prayer?]
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen.
25
Father, thank you for another day of life. You are the Author and Giver of life. Today, I confess to you the different ways I have not been satisfied with my life or ways I have pursued the world’s version of life. I ask for peace in my heart so that I can fully enjoy the life you have made for me. Show me one thing I can do today to live the joyful life you have made possible for me in Jesus.
26
Father, today I ask for wisdom. Make me smarter, according to your Word and in line with your perfect law of love. Help me submit my intellect to you, even if it feels counterintuitive. Keep me from being prideful; help me to be humble and listen in order to understand.
27
[Today, we will pray Psalm 4. It may help to read it through first, then pray it as your own prayer.]
“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.
Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.
Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.
Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
28
Father, I pray for my friend, _____________. [Pray for your friend to grow in knowledge and love for God. Think of something happening in his/her life right now, and ask God to work in that situation.]
29
I serve you, Lord. I offer you my whole heart. I am afraid to give you my whole self, but increase my faith. Increase my trust. I am all yours.
30
[Today, we have a prayer that we will meditate on and offer up all day. As often as you can, repeat this prayer in your mind, or speak softly under your breath.]
Christ, crucified for me.
31
Lord, keep me committed to speaking with you intentionally for another month. Help me form this discipline as a necessary part of my day, something I can’t live without. I need you, Lord. Thanks for being patient with me as I try to learn your voice.