Surely you’ve seen this sort of technique before. Potentially in the midst of your 7^th grade experience you had an English class where your teacher gave you a warm up that was to be completed before the bell rang. Or I’m guessing you’ve possibly pinned on Pinterest a list of ideas for dates, which you plan to write on Popsicle sticks for later luck of the draw, designed to construct an imaginative date night. Either way, the use of a supplementary tool, with the purpose of sparking creativity outside of your own person, is not a new concept.

It is for me however, a new paradigm of my prayer life.

For over a year now, I’ve borrowed the picture you see as my cover photo from Bethel Music’s Instagram. The moment I saw it, I fell in love and was so incredibly inspired with what it represented; prayer and the hope it brings, a community coming together to lift up the world, and a good, faithful, loving God listening to His people.

I made it my cover photo for Facebook and Twitter accounts and have constantly set it as the background on my phone so that I can see it most frequently. After a while, I began to align myself with Bethel’s worship team and pray with them in spirit for the very communities and situations they were praying for.

The reason I think this specific photo is so beneficial is that it takes me out of my own headspace. Just like we write what we know, I believe we also pray as we know. It is so easy to pray about the up’s and down’s in your own life or at least the lives of your closest friends and immediate family. PLEASE HEAR ME SAY THAT THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO GOD. Your life, the hardships you face and the joys you experience on a daily basis, DOES matter and God DOES want you to take these things to Him. But I am too convinced that the rest of the world needs our attention and so for me, I use this as a reminder that there is a whole world of lost and broken people who need hope, who need prayer.

Although the choosing of the city or purpose of the prayer is somewhat at random, the prayer is always intentional. For example I may pray for Seattle to experience a moment of peace. I have no connection to city or people of Seattle other than the fact that I am currently on the same continent as they are. I do not even know if they are going through a storm (naturally or spiritually). What I do know is that prayer is powerful and God listens to His children.

So, will you join me in this incredible experience of praying for the world?

You can start here with some of the examples I’ve taken from the banner, or even create your own and go from there. Either way, there’s a great chance I will indirectly pray for you some day. In fact, I’ll pray for you right now that you would know and truly, deeply feel that you are loved and that God would take His hand and bless you with a gentle whisper from His Spirit through whatever trial and tribulation you are trudging through right now. I love you, thank-you for joining me in prayer to our wonderful and marvelous God.

Love for Austin

Community in Florida

Peace surrounding India

Passion for Denmark

Justice for Pakistan

Healing for Israel

Boldness in Tennessee

Guidance for Australia

Transformation for North Carolina

Dreams for Portland

Purity for Africa

Joy for Russia

Mission work in Marion

Identity in God for Tacoma

Rest for our Brothers and Sisters in China