Prayer is powerful! As we grow in our understanding of that, our desire to pray grows. As our prayers turn outward, beyond just our own concerns and needs, God stirs our hearts to pray more. He opens our eyes to the outer circle of our lives and calls us to pray there too.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
As God stirs your heart, you become aware of situations and people in your outer circle of life. You feel an interest and a concern. This is often God's call to pray. Learn to recognize it and embrace it as an opportunity to ask that God's Kingdom be established in that life or that situation.
This focus helps ward off judgment and criticism and asks the Holy Spirit to be at work in that particular life or circumstance.Pray for your church...especially for unity and for God to be glorified.Pray for your neighbors and your community. God may impress on you to pray for a specific home or for an area such as your schools or safety in your community.Pray for your city and your country and that the leaders would be led by God.Pray for missionaries or ministries God has brought to your attention.
Simply be alert. If a particular country or situation on the news pulls at your heart, quietly ask God to intervene there.
Ask God what is on His heart. Listen for His still, small voice to speak to you. Let God enlarge your circle of praying. When we invite Him to do that in us and through us it can become our natural response.