Praying Through Your Calendar: For Prayer Times that Engage, Edify, and Exalt the Lord

One of the easiest prayer prompts I use to enliven my prayer time involves the alphabet and a calendar. On my calendar I’ve placed the letter of the alphabet that matches up with the day of the month. For example, on the first day of the month, “A” is listed, then on the second, the letter “B,” and so on until the 26th of the month, where “Z” is placed. After that, the 27th to the 30th or 31st of the month are empty because there aren’t any more letters to place there.

Then it’s time for the fun to begin. Usually in the morning while having my quiet time, I’ll look to see what letter is assigned for that date. Then I will pray for whatever I can think of that starts with that letter. For example, on the 8th of the month, I’ll pray for “H” things and people.

“Lord, You are high and holy. There is no one else like You. You, Lord, are so kind to minister to Your people, giving gifts simply to make your children happy. Rather than always looking for our own happiness, Lord, help us to find our greatest joy and happiness in You. May You be our portion and the height of all we love and enjoy.”

“Lord, I am burdened for those who hate You. May You rescue them from their unbelief, healing their souls from sin and their own dark ways. Lord, we hop toward and hope in so many other things. Hem in our souls with Your Word. Lord, may we be ever aware of how You hover over Your children to protect, guide, and help.”

And on I will pray until I can’t think of anymore “H” words. If I have time, then I will pray for as many people in my contacts list whose first or last names begin with “H.”

On the 27th day on my calendar, which is blank because no letter corresponds to that day, I will try praying for all the “ones” or “first” things I can think of. “May You be my Number One, the One, who has first place in my heart. Lord, I think of those who are sitting down to a place setting of one today and who may be feeling hurt and discouraged about that. May You be their first love, their one joy that is higher and more valuable than all other things. May all those who love You attend to the one thing necessary in spending time with You.” And on I will go until I can’t think of anything else.

On the 28th I will pray for anything that works with “two,” “too,” “to,” and “second.” Similarly, on the 29th, I might pray for any 3 things, families of 3, three ways to do things, three verses, whatever I can think of.

For the 30th and 31st, I will pray for random letter combinations or random letter and number combinations. For example, on the 30th I might pray for 5 “G or S” people or “G or S” things.

The goal in all this is not to make things complicated, but to make my time with the Lord a welcome treat, so that prayer is relished.