“This week we welcomed the start of the Prayer Practice. Like Sabbath and Solitude, Prayer is an ancient practice of Jesus that allows the Holy Spirit to transform us.
Prayer, as modeled by Jesus, invites us into a dynamic and multifaceted relationship with God. At Formation Church, we describe the Prayer Practice through four movements:
- Talking to God
- Talking with God
- Listening to God
- Being with God
Each movement reveals a different facet of the prayer life of a follower of Jesus.
This first movement includes what we call pre-made prayers. Many churches refer to these as part of their liturgy—prayers that are repeated regularly as a part of worship. Perhaps the most well-known example is The Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus gave in response to His disciples asking, “Teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)
Pre-made prayers are especially helpful when you find yourself at a loss for words. They offer language that helps focus the heart and guide the spirit. Each phrase can become a moment of reflection and connection with God.
One powerful example of this in action came during my time at Mountain View Church’s Healing Hearts workshop, led by Pastors Rob and Barb Gross. There, I was introduced to a 130-page prayer manual filled with specific prayers—blessings, prayers of repentance, and words designed to break spiritual strongholds such as abandonment, anxiety, or workaholism.
It was like a cabinet of spiritual prescriptions—each prayer intentionally written to bring freedom and healing through the authority of Jesus. I was deeply moved to witness how God used these prayers to bring breakthrough in people’s lives.
Here’s the key takeaway:
Words matter. Prayer matters. When you want to touch the spiritual realm and bring transformation, the portal through which you do this is prayer.
Another way to bring pre-made prayers into your life is the Book of Psalms. Here’s a few:
- Psalm 23 (Trust & Guidance)
- Psalm 25 (Trust & Surrender)
- Psalm 27 (Confidence & Courage)
- Psalm 42 (Spiritual formation)
- Psalm 51 (Repentance)
- Psalm 91 (Protection)
- Psalm 103 (Praise & Gratitude)
- Psalm 139 (Identity & Reflection)
Psalm 25 was my personal prayer during the COVID pandemic. I prayed this every day and at one point memorized it. I can tell you from personal experience, it has power.”