Prayer is a powerful tool and our method of communication with God. There are so many ways to pray and lots of recommended methods, but ultimately I’ve found that the keys to a deeper prayer life with God are praying in every circumstance throughout each day, with intention, with scripture, and also to pray strategically. To pray strategically is to encompass all of these elements together within your personal relationship with the Lord and the circumstances of your life.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Colossians 4:2 NKJV

After the Apostle Paul gave the Colossians many instructions about running a Christian household, spiritual fullness and freedom in Christ, the supremacy of Christ, and doing all you do for the Lord, he closes his letter with this instruction about prayer. He goes on to name specific items the Colossians should be praying over and gives us some encouragement about how to pray for ourselves and one another.

He begins with the instruction to pray “earnestly” and to be “vigilant” with “thanksgiving”. To be vigilant is to be watchful, cautious, active, and to give “strict attention” (G1127). To be actively watchful and cautious requires a strategy to be successful. We must give strict attention to our prayers, and also to gratitude in our prayers.

How does Paul tell the Colossians to pray strategically?

³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Colossians 4:3-6 NKJV

1. Be watchful in prayer, giving no foothold to the enemy
   • 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 4:1; Ephesians 6:10-13
2. Be thankful in prayer
   • Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:14-17
3. Pray for God to use you and others to share His Truth
   • Colossians 3:17; Isaiah 6:8; Mark 16:15-18
4. Pray for God to guide our words
   • Proverbs 15:4; Ephesians 4:29; Galatians 5:22-25
5. Pray that you walk in wisdom toward unbelievers
   • James 1:4-6; 2 Chronicles 1:9-11; Matthew 4:19
6. Pray for guidance in using your time wisely for the Lord
   • Ephesians 5:15-16; Psalm 90:12; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Ecc 3:1-8

What is your prayer strategy?

For me, I have begun using a strategically planned prayer journal to help me to be praying strategically in these ways. I have found great benefit and growth in my relationship with God, and my reliance on Him. While praying intentionally, all throughout my day, and also praying scripture back to Him, and I developing an even stronger and more personal prayer strategy. Each of us has our very own personal relationship with the Lord, but none of us can grow in our relationship with Him without intentional, constant and strategic prayer.

We implement strategies in our homes, in raising our kids and having a strong marriage, with being successful in our jobs, making plans with our friends, and so many other areas of our lives. Why would we not implement intentional strategy in our relationships with God?

What is your prayer strategy and how might you encourage someone else with it? How does your prayer strategy help you to obey God’s call better? How does your prayer strategy help you grow in your personal relationship with God, and therefor help others to grow in theirs as well?

I’d love to hear about how you pray strateigically below!