How To Make A Personal Prayer

God communicates with us through His Word in the Scriptures, and we speak to God through prayer. Just as in any relationship, communication is essential. One-way communication won’t work in a healthy relationship. It must go both ways. That’s why prayer is so necessary for a Christian. Prayer is one of the means of grace that God has ordained. In other words, we receive grace whenever we pray to God. If we’re going through difficulties in life or if there are areas in our lives where we need God’s grace, it is hard to imagine going through life’s problems if we don’t pray at all.

Another thing we should keep in mind regarding prayer is that we should pray because we want to commune with God. While God has commanded us to pray to Him, which we should do because part of worshiping Him is praying to Him, we should also pray to God because we want to spend moments of solitude with God and dialogue with Him. That is something that Christians see as grace and a privilege to have. If we understood the Gospel and how we were alienated from God because of our sins, and then how Christ restored peace between God and us and broke down the dividing wall of hostility, we would always desire to commune with God and pray to Him.

Ephesians 2:14-16

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

What do we mean by personal prayer?

There are many things that Christians should pray for related to their walk with God. There are times when they should offer prayers of thanksgiving, in which they thank God for all the grace and mercy that He has shown them. There are also prayers of adoration, where Christians revere, respect, praise, and worship God in the highest regard. There are prayers of intercession for other people, wherein Christians pray for the well-being of their fellow believers and everyone else in the world. What we mean by “personal” prayer is a prayer regarding a Christian who is praying. It could be that a Christian is praying to God about a struggle with sin, financial need, something that he or she is believing God for, plans regarding his or her career, and so much more. Those things have one common denominator—they are all personal matters. In other words, a personal prayer is any prayer that concerns personal issues. 

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You can also say that personal prayer is a prayer where you pour out your heart to God. Personal prayer is not a formal prayer, where you would approach God with formality. While we should always approach God with respect and reverence, personal prayer is something that we pray with honesty and authenticity. One good example is King David. There are many Psalms where King David prayed to God with honesty and poured out his heart. David confessed his brokenness before God when he was grieving and broken because of his sin with Bathsheba. When David found himself on the run because King Saul was chasing him, David also cried out to God. When we read the book of Psalms, we can see David’s honesty towards God as he repeatedly cried out to God for help, refuge, mercy and grace. However, it is also important to note that there are many Psalms written by King David that are full of worship, praise, adoration, and thanksgiving towards God.

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psalm 22:16-21

16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalm 24:8-10

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Psalm 51:13-17

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Psalm 57:2

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

How do you write a personal prayer request?

While you can follow the pattern of prayer that Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer, where you begin with adoration towards God and prayers for His will to be done here on earth, you can also pray whatever you want to pray in the body of the prayer. Remember that personal prayer is like talking casually with God. You can tell God about the hard time you had at work, the challenges you’re going through as a Christian, the hopes that you have for the people to whom you are preaching the Gospel, the worries and anxieties you may have, the specific needs that you have, and much more. If you have observed the range of topics you can pray in a personal prayer towards God, it’s like talking to a close friend with whom you share everything about your personal life. You also have that close friend to ask for help if ever you need it. It is also the same with God when you pray a personal prayer. We are talking to Him as a friend and our Heavenly Father who loves and cares for us.

Matthew 6:30

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Certain biblical truths are great to consider as you offer a personal prayer to God. One is that if you are in Christ, God cares for you and values you. In Matthew 6:30, Jesus tells us that if God clothes the grass in the field, then how much more us? He was teaching us that we ought to have faith in God, who values us. He even said that if the birds can eat, how much more we who believe in Him? We are of far more value to God than the birds.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that if we’re going through difficulties, struggles and suffering in life, we can come to Christ and pour out our hearts to Him. We can explain every problem we are going through because He is gentle and lowly in heart. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Lastly, God cares deeply for us, which is why whenever we have anxieties or worries, we should not keep them to ourselves. Instead, we should cast them to God by praying and sharing with Him. God is our Heavenly Father. He loves us, His children in Christ. If we can share our problems with our close friends and celebrate with them when there are things to celebrate, we should also do the same with God.

What is an example of personal prayer?

Here is an example of how to offer a personal prayer to God:

Heavenly Father, You are always with me, for You never leave me nor forsake me. I thank You for all the grace and mercy You have shown me. Thank You for sustaining me all through my life. I pray that I shall always have a grateful heart, no matter what circumstance I may find myself in. I am having a hard time at work right now. I find it challenging to adjust to this new job, and sometimes I lag behind others. I pray that You will give me grace and help me keep up and be excellent in my work.

I sometimes feel frustrated with myself that I am not as good as others. But in the end, Father, remind me that it is You for whom I am working. Help me be bold in preaching the Gospel in my workplace, as sometimes I feel ashamed or fearful of what others may say. In the end, I am dependent on Your grace alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

The personal prayers we offer to God stem from our relationship and intimacy with Him. David cried out to God and adored Him because he had an intimate relationship with God. As with any person, we won’t share personal matters unless we know the person and trust them. It is the same with God. The bottom line of our prayer life with God is our relationship with Him, which is founded on Christ alone.