But I'm not. Not even close.
Too often my prayers are quick flashes of "Bless my family" or "Please get me through this day!"
A few months ago I picked up a prayer calendar for women. No, it didn't automatically turn me into a praying saint with calloused knees but it has helped me pray for my family in a deliberate way.
This prayer calendar was compiled by the late Krystal Yoder. It contains a page for 31 days and is designed to be used each month. Each day has a specific prayer request for my husband, my children, and myself.
For example, on Day Seven, these are the requests. "Husband: That he would give first priority to spending time with the Lord every day in Bible reading, meditation, and prayer, and that it would be a source of encouragement and strength to him. Myself: That I would live in the fear of the Lord, realizing that God judges every one of my motives, and live to please Him and not seek after the praise and admiration of men.
Children: That their spirits would never become hardened to truth but that the soil of their hearts would be fertile, teachable, and ready to accept truth and correction."
There is also room each day to write in more requests.
I know I could have compiled my own list, and I've seen monthly lists like this online. But somehow having a beautifully designed calendar beside my Bible is the inspiration that I need.
This calendar is not available online or in stores. You can purchase your own copy by emailing Jennifer at jonjen@paulbunyan.net Calendars are $7.50 each plus shipping. If ordering 10 or more, there is a 25% discount.
And I am giving one of these calendars away to one of you. Leave a comment sharing the greatest challenge in your prayer life or your prayer for your family. Remember to give your email address.
Giveaway is open for one week and is for US residents. Winner chosen by Random.org.
I want to spend more time praying for others.
ReplyDeletemissweaver82atyahoodotcom
I would like to win this prayer calendar. The biggest challenge for me is setting aside time to just pray. I often say little prayers throughout the day, but I really would like to set aside a certain time period each day for prayer. Lanita joy_unspeakable.lk711@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was... Time. But no, it would be more like self-will. And to decide how I will use the time that I have been given...
ReplyDeletetonynwendy "at" att.net
Sounds like this calendar would be a real blessing.
ReplyDeletenolanmartin1@gmail.com
My biggest challenge is staying focused with my prayer time.
ReplyDeleterkas94@hotmail.com
my biggest challenge is self discipline. My mind starts to wonder before I get very far in my prayers.
ReplyDeletebzeiset195@comcast.net
I would say time alone is my biggest challenge. I have good intentions, but someone in my family always needs something. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeletemamabeanof4"at"verizon.net
Control of my mind is my hardest challenge; my thoughts quickly scatter to daily tasks. I have found that having a specific list (and having that list around in the many places I may pray) does help, so I love this calendar idea; thanks! belauvibes (at) yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSpending time in prayer and meditation can make a big difference in our lives.
ReplyDeleteglendafayemiller@juno.com
My biggest challenge is consistency.
ReplyDeletehannahkathryn2003@yahoo.com
My biggest challenge is remembering that I can bring anything to my Lord. Sometimes I feel like God wouldn't want to hear my small prayers and sometimes I worry that I may be praying for things that are not His plan. I am starting a new Bible class on prayer in my church. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTeresa Bottroff
ctbott@msn.com
Such a great giveaway! Discipline is my greatest challenge. I always have good intentions but have a hard time being consistent.
ReplyDeleteOne of our ministers is so good at reminding us to daily spend time in God's word. For me the challenge is being consistent in my daily devotions. I would love to win this prayer calendar and i like that it has extra space to write in more prayer concerns.
ReplyDeletemheisey7@comcast.net
Why is it that the heavier our burden the more we pray? Why can't I just pray fervently anyway? Because we're still human, that's why, and I thank you Lord, that you are so aware of that! janiceartman@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI also struggle with consistency but I know prayer is certainly the glue that holds my life together.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
queenbetsy2@gmail.com
I need to spend more time in focused prayer. Short prayers are easy but taking time for deep communication is harder. Lynellesbox @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis sound really great, I def need encouragement in my prayer life, mattmoyer80@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm challenged to specifically set aside time to just block every thing out and pray! I breathe prayers throughout my day as I'm working, but to set aside time for talking w/ the Father...I need help w/ that. eheatwole07atgmaildotcm
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge is setting time aside specifically for prayer.
ReplyDeletekookinkris at gmail dot com
The calendar looks like a blessing. I met Krystal once before she passed away and she was such a blessing to me! One of my greatest challenges is just disciplining myself to spend time in prayer. kurtzhomestead@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteFinding alone time to pray down on my knees... To pour out to God instead of just breathing little prayers all day... Which is ok too. But I feel like I need that time alone with God.
ReplyDeletedrseibel6@gmail.com
I would love to in this calendar. I am in spiritual warfare, as the calendar says, to save one of my children. fivefeathersranch@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge is making time to get in the secret place alone with God. Bob Sorge wrote a book, Secrets of the Secret Place. Clearly this is what is needed to get closer to God, to know His heart, to be intimate with Him. When I purpose to do it, the interruptions come. The enemy knows that if we get this we will be wise to his ploys. tpjpgby@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenges in my prayer life are consistency, focus and sometimes even putting words to the difficulties in life (what to ask and how).
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win this calendar. It looks very inspiring!
Michele
micheles@ameritech.net
My mind does not seem to stay focused very long during prayer. I do short prayers throughout the day also. I would love to have a dedicated prayer time after reading my through the bible in a year. The prayer calendar would be a good companion to my bible. Knichols@kuhncom.net
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletewould love to have this prayer calendar! It would be a big blessing to me to help me get back into my quiet time and focus on praying for my family! Since having our first reversal baby after 10 years of having a little one,it has been a major struggle for me,between caring for our family,homeschooling and really being able to put HIM first again! Also wanted to mention my biggest prayer challenge is a tie between praying for my husband to change for a better marriage ,when in reality coming to realize it is me that needs to!! The other one is when I was pregnant before my youngest now, and had decided to have a cerclage ,then finding out that isn't what our Heavenly Father had in mind!! So it was a very very hard time making the decision to have the cerclage removed in order to let my body do what it needed to do, even when knowing that my precious baby possibly wouldn't make it at 23 weeks(he was at 21 weeks development due to loss of amniotic fluid form taking a med that was supposed to make the contractions stop ,they said the water would come back and didn't!)SO we just had faith and prayed day and nite for HIS will! When we were in labor they asked us if we wanted them to do anything to keep him from dying,this was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make! I just knew though it was in HIS hands , so we agreed to leave it in the Father's hands! He was born and lived for 20 min. It was a peacefulness I could never describe! The Father had orchestrated the whole labor and delivery even as traumatizing as it was I was in total peace since we had prayed so much and looked to HIM instead of the doctors in the end! romans 8:28!!
thanks for giving me this opportunity to get my prayer life back in order!
blessings!
mary hughett
I am guilty of not spending enough time in prayer. Although, we are to pray without ceasing, alas I do not. I would love to win this calendar. mossere@etown.edu
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge would be taking the time to kneel in prayer. I tend to pray while I work and just on the go. I believe that taking that time to kneel gives me a greater "power".
ReplyDeletebusymomkh"at"gmail.com
Controlling my mind / staying focused is my biggest challenge.
ReplyDeletejewelyoder@ymail.com
I'm challenged to set aside time to pray and then I'm challenged again to stay Focused!
ReplyDeleteA wandering mind is one of my biggest challenges. And then when it is going well - somebody needs something and my concentration is broken. This looks like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteMary Beth
richlyblest@live.com
My challenge is to block out background noises and distractions to stay focused. Melanie2315 at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIts hard for me w/ 2 lil ones ...but I need to be more disciplined to take time for praying! This is be very helpful!
ReplyDeletesunnyone1985@hotmail.com
Sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSo many times in my life I realize that there's not much I can do about specific situations except pray! I would love to have this prayer calendar to help me be more specific in my prayer life. I think I'd like to buy these for my daughter/daughter in laws for gifts also! Thanks so much,
ReplyDeletekgsmith@seidata.com
I didn't know about this calendar...Krystal's life is such an inspiration! I think a consistent prayer time can be more of a challenge for mothers, at least for me, it's when a new baby comes, then schedules change and new habits need to be formed. But I also think that's when we need prayer time the most! Why is it that one of the greatest recources we have can become so neglected? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteStaying focused. I love to whisper little one line requests and praise throughout the day, but when I come to a dedicated time for.praying, I find it hard to stay focused. Thanks for the chance to win. Kim. Email:glennfamily87@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOne of my struggles in prayer is not just petitioning God but also listening to him during that time and letting him guide my prayers and who I should be lifting up to him daily.
ReplyDeletebnbsorenson@gmail.com
I just bought myself a journal for this exact cause, feeling the need to write needs down so that I can remember them, but this journal looks great! As a busy mom, I often feel guilty for not spending more deliberate time in prayer, but God has encouraged my heart so many times in answering the prayers I do pray as I serve my family. He honors our prayers, when he sees faith in our hearts! rhonz84atgmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would benefit greatly from something like this I think. I so often whisper a pray as we drive down the road, or while multi tasking. This would give me a more focused prayer life especially for my family. joanneshenk@aol.com
ReplyDeleteMy challenge is to stay focus and not let my mind wonder.
ReplyDeleterichlyblest6@verizon.net
I'm challenged to boldly share God's word through my voice, actions are easier so this would also be my prayer request that I boldly proclaim God's word not shrink from opportunities.
ReplyDeletejnj1000@netzero.net my prayer for my family is that people would see Jesus in us! and be drawn to HIM!!! thank you for making me aware of this calendar, great gift idea!
ReplyDeleteI have SOOO struggled, after having 7 children, to find a quiet time to pray together with my husband before we start our respective busy days. We decided to get up with our alarm's help 15 minutes earlier each day to read a devotional together and then pray for names from our prayer list. The first few weeks were hard, but then it got to be a part of our day we try very hard, with the Lord's help, not to skip. We really have begun seeing some answers to prayer. This calendar sounds like a great resource to further expand my own prayer horizons:-) God bless my sisters in Christ wherever you are today:-) jonnafromny@cleaninter.net
ReplyDeleteMost mornings my feet hit the floor running. Before I realize it, I'm in the middle of a task and I've not spent time alone with God to begin my day. There's that "ingratitude" taking over! I haven't even stopped long enough to thank God for waking me up to begin a new day. I've really been trying to be more mindful of talking to God first before I even get out of bed each morning but my mother has dementia and some days we get off to a rough start. My precious husband never complains when he has to take a second place position to all that I'm strapped into doing each day. I need to lift him up before the Lord first thing as well. I’m really not depending on this Prayer Calendar to make ME be more diligent and faithful in my prayer life but I’m sure it will serve as a reminder each day to help me “Do” what I need to do to begin my day the right way!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win
chephtsiybahh AT gmail DOT com
I see the waves around me and forget that my Master will help if I only ask .I`m learning that He is supernatural and helps me beyond what I can ask or think!!!
ReplyDeleteWe can never pray enough! So, why does it take us so long to get started?
ReplyDeleteMarinda
mmebersole@netins.net
The greatest obstacle to praying is business & technology!:( Would love to win -- thanks for the opportunity! jropro@mi.rr.com
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenges are designating a special prayer closet for my devotions away from family noise and not being distracted during devotions. As of late, I have been listening to Bible scripture (downloaded free on iTunes) while reading it in my Bible and it has helped to keep my mind focused. The prayer calendar looks precious! God bless, Karen === haleyandcersley@embarqmail.com
ReplyDeletemy prayer for my family would be that God would make something beautiful...... mjeby96@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis is awful to admit, but my biggest challenge is not letting my mind wonder here and there and everywhere except where I want it to be.
ReplyDeleteAs a mom of mostly boys it seems I can always find things I need to remember to pray for. A prayer calendar would be so nice. loisrosenberry@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! We can not pray enough. What a difference prayer can make! -Lori R. (hometownhauling@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteI need to pray more.
ReplyDeletejamielovesweeping@gmail.com
I would like to spend more time in prayer...it is so valuable! singin4Jesus10@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI never feel that I pray enough. natenjo01@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy problem is a rebellious spirit; there is simply nothing else that could prevent me from just dropping to my knees first thing in the morning and right before bed. Maybe this calendar would help humble me. hessler.16@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteMy morning group has been discussing prayer for about a month. This would be a great resource. We have discuss how to plan our prayer life so it is intentional, this would help me out by giving me specifics every day to focus on. trekceles@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to stay engaged & focused on prayer for lengthy amounts of time...I can send prayers sprinkled throughout my day, but to really spend quality time with God daily is difficult. glenn.rach@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful addition to a morning devotion and prayer time! It's always so helpful to have specifics to pray purposefully.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my greatest challenge....I would say slowing down enough (physically and mentally) to actually spend time with the Lord, rather than just rushing through the motions of Bible reading and prayer.
Jen
jcmichigan@gmail.com
My desire is to abide in Him all through the day and keep that communication open. Too many times I lose focus.
ReplyDeleteyoder4@gmail.com
My challenge is to really give it to God and leave it in His hands. So maybe I would say the faith part is lacking.
ReplyDeleteCheryl Weaver
The greatest challenge in my prayer life is not praying when I need to. My husband is always saying to me why don't you just pray about it. Sometime I just can't pray or I don't know what to pray. Ever since we moved from FL to Sc I just haven't been the same. I really miss my Mennonite friends from FL they were always so encouraging and they actually talked about their faith. I don't miss Fl but I do miss the people I left behind!
ReplyDeleteI know I struggle with self-discipline in making prayer happen more. I need my Savior to walk with me each moment of the day, not just when things don't go my way. (s_peachey@yahoo.com)
ReplyDeleteIn my Bible/book study we are doing Praying Circles by Mark Batterson. I need to remember to pray circles around my families needs. Thanks for the chance to win this sixrubner@iowatelecom.net
ReplyDeleteI would love the accountability ! we always have room for improvement !
ReplyDeletedehurst7@gmail.com
A great reminding-tool! When God gives us friends and family there's that great responsibility to pray for them and love them with His kind of love! mjfulford@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhen God gives us family and friends there comes the great responsibility of praying for them and loving them with His kind of love!!! mjfulford@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt is so difficult to keep my scattered thought focused on prayer in those few minutes each morning before I hear little feet coming down the steps. Kathy foxyfarners@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy prayer for my family is that we all come to know Him as our Lord and Savior. Cindy @ cnrclc@teleclipse.net
ReplyDeleteOne of the hardest things for me, is being patient in waiting for the Lord to answer my prayers. When He does answer, it's not always how I wanted it to be, and I need to accept His will. He does know what is best for His sheep. This calendar looks to be a wonderful blessing for women. Hope to get one :) Blessings, Jamie
ReplyDeleteffemttaz@yahoo.com
Last year I had used something like this and would love to give it a go again.I need the discipline.
ReplyDeleteplainlady4jc@gmail.com
The greatest challenge for my prayer life involves the word "discipline." Ouch, but so needed for a vital daily walk with the Lord.
ReplyDeletesaplynd@frontiernet.net
I would love to win this prayer calendar. My biggest challenge is self-discipline.
ReplyDeletenissleyfamily(at)yahoo(dot)com
Greatest challenge: doing it!! :(
ReplyDeletefeby (at) frontiernet (dot) net
I need to pray every day... and be more specific in my prayers :)
ReplyDeletekellyblazon@gmail.com
My challenge is to have the time or maybe it making the time to do it.
ReplyDeleteI may have gotten in on this too late....My great challenge is not to grow weary when there seems to be no change in someone I pray for God to save. Perhaps for many years. I need to be persistent and continue to fervently pray for their salvation. I need the Lord to grant me faith to believe He will do it.(in His own time).
ReplyDeleteMy challenge is to let go and let God...
ReplyDeleteJo Ann in VA
A lady friend gave this book to me as a wedding gift. I admit I have not used it much in the past few years, but i was so blessed in the years I did use it. Your comment on this post made me think of it and want to use it again on a more regular basis. I love the new format of the book pictured here. :)
ReplyDeleteI believe in the power of prayer but when I evaluate my prayer life, I wonder if I really do? I need to spend more time in prayer. joysngirls@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteMy biggest challenge is just rushing . I should really make the time
ReplyDeleteso that I can get everything to God.
Amanda T
athornoton@rocketmail.com