How to inspire more people to pray

If you can write short, urgent, time-sensitive prayer requests, more people will pray for you and your ministry.

Imagine that you’re a commander in World War II, and a messenger runs into your office…

The messenger shouts “We’ve received two urgent messages from behind enemy lines!”

Message 1: “Commander, we are attacking the enemy at 0600 tomorrow. Expect heavy casualties. Send air cover at 0545 and as many reinforcements as you can spare. Your intervention will save many lives.”

Message 2: “Commander, sorry it’s been so long since I last wrote. My, how the time as flown! We won so many battles and did so much. Here are a bunch of places we hope to attack next. Please send air cover towards any of them when you think of it.”

Your resources are limited. Where will you allocate air support?

Your prayer team faces this same decision.

Keep it short, make it timely, and explain the impact of their prayer support

The examples above are intentionally exaggerated, but they help illustrate a few key points:

1. Being focused honors your prayer partners. A great way to serve them is to concisely communicate how the Lord is moving and how specifically they can pray.

2. Timeliness motivates action. Even if a prayer request isn’t for something immediate, asking someone to pray before a certain time can provide a sense of accountability and urgency.

3. Explain the kingdom impact of God answering their prayers. The work that you’re doing is transformational and has eternal significance. Help your prayer partners understand the beautiful and redemptive heart of God as they approach Him in prayer.