We often find it natural to pray for our nation, community, family, and friends. Praying for a spouse or our children may feel like a priority, but when it comes to ourselves, many Christians struggle. Why is that? Are we focusing too much on external blessings, neglecting our own spiritual growth and inner transformation?
This blog explores how we can deepen our prayers for ourselves by aligning them with God’s will for our personal growth, using guidance from biblical teachings.
The Struggle with Personal Prayer
It’s easy to pray for external desires: the perfect job, financial blessings, or an ideal relationship. But when it comes to asking God for patience, grace, or the strength to forgive, we often falter. We may focus on the superficial, feeling uncertain about how to ask God to work within us. However, personal prayer is vital for growth. Many biblical figures grappled with their prayers for themselves, only to realize that God was more interested in their heart’s transformation than in fulfilling their external desires.
1. Pray in Secret: A Private Conversation with God
Jesus gave us a profound example of how we should pray for ourselves. In Matthew 6:5-7, He advises us not to pray publicly for admiration but to seek God in secret, where our hearts and intentions are laid bare. The quietness of secret prayer helps us focus on God without distractions or the pressure of others’ opinions. When you close the door and kneel before God alone, you open yourself to an honest conversation with Him. In this intimate space, God sees you fully and is eager to listen.
Action Point: Set aside time to pray privately. Pour your heart out to God, and trust that He will reward your vulnerability and humility.
2. Pray for Inner Transformation
It’s easy to pray for relief when things go wrong—a job loss, a relationship issue, or health problems—but God often uses these challenges to reveal areas in our hearts that need change. Prayer for yourself should include a request for growth and transformation. Ask God to help you develop patience when a family member tests you, to grant you forgiveness when you’re holding a grudge, or to soften your heart toward someone difficult in your life. The depth of prayer doesn’t stop at physical needs; it must reach your spirit.
Biblical Example: King David’s Vulnerable Prayers
King David’s prayers in the book of Psalms show an earnest yearning for change within himself. David repeatedly called upon God to examine his heart and make him more like the person God wanted him to be. His vulnerability and openness to God’s correction serve as an excellent example for our own prayer lives.
Action Point: The next time you pray for yourself, focus on areas where God is asking you to grow spiritually. Seek His guidance for deep, lasting change in your character.
3. Pray with Eternity in Mind
While it’s natural to pray for current situations—whether personal or related to the people you love—don’t forget to include prayers that prepare you for eternal life. We must pray to remain vigilant in our faith and spiritually ready for Jesus’ return. Paul’s reminder to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) encourages us to develop an ongoing dialogue with God about our earthly and eternal future.
Biblical Example: Jesus’ Prayers in Gethsemane
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed intensely, asking God to remove His suffering, but ultimately surrendered to God’s will (Matthew 26:39). Even in His most vulnerable moments, Jesus prioritized God’s eternal plan. This example shows the balance of praying for earthly needs while keeping our eyes fixed on God’s greater purpose.
Action Point: Include prayers in your routine that focus not just on the here and now but also on your spiritual readiness for eternity.
4. Lean on Biblical Prayer Warriors
When learning how to pray for yourself, looking to biblical role models can be a great source of encouragement.
Leah (Genesis 29): Struggling in her marriage, Leah prayed for God’s comfort and blessings through her children, whom she saw as answers to her prayers. Her persistence shows the power of trusting God through emotional pain.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1): Fervent in her prayers for a child, Hannah’s example teaches us how to pour out our desires to God, no matter how impossible they may seem.
King David (Psalms): As mentioned earlier, David’s openness to God’s correction through prayer reveals the importance of seeking transformation from within.
Jesus Christ: In moments of suffering, Jesus Himself teaches us the power of submission to God’s will. His prayers are the ultimate model of trust in God’s greater purpose.
Action Point: Study the prayers of these biblical figures and incorporate their examples into your prayers.
Final Thoughts: Trusting God with Our Hearts
Praying for yourself isn’t about turning God into a wish-granting genie; it’s about growing in faith, character, and love. The deeper your prayers for yourself, the more God will work within you. Remember that He cares as much for your spiritual development as He does for the well-being of others around you. By following these biblical principles and role models, we can approach God with confidence, knowing He sees us fully, loves us dearly, and desires to transform our hearts.
Conclusion: Personal Prayer as a Path to Growth
Incorporate these prayer practices into your life and watch as God’s guidance and love overflow into your heart. You will be amazed at how your prayers for personal transformation will lead to both spiritual and earthly blessings.