Pray with us on Thursday, May 1 using this step-by-step guide.

This simple, 7-step prayer guide is designed to help you engage in meaningful prayer on the National Day of Prayer – or any other day of the year. You can use it during a walk, in a quiet moment at home, or in community with others. We hope you find it helpful as you seek the God of hope.

1. Begin with trust

Take a deep breath, and set your focus on God.

“God, I trust You. Open my eyes to see what You’re doing in me and around me. Help me listen and connect with You today.”

2. Pray for yourself

Invite God to renew your heart.

  • Ask Him to deepen your faith.
  • Pray for joy and peace in your own life.
  • Surrender your worries and listen.

“God, fill me with Your joy and peace. Help me trust You in every area of my life. Renew my hope and awaken my heart to what You want to do in me.”

3. Pray for people you know

Bring before God the names and needs of those in your life.

  • Pray for friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers who need hope.
  • Ask God to soften hearts, open doors for conversation, and give you boldness to love well.
  • Lift up specific needs: healing, peace, salvation, strength, or comfort.

“God, I lift up the people You’ve placed in my life. You know their needs even better than I do. Draw them to Yourself. Use me to encourage, love, and point them toward the hope found in Jesus.”

4. Pray for our church

Lift up your church family.

  • Pray for those who recently made a decision to follow Jesus.
  • Ask God to strengthen and encourage them.
  • Pray for boldness, unity, and overflowing hope at Fairhaven.

“Jesus, thank You for moving in our church. Draw people closer to You. Help new believers grow strong in faith. Let our church be a light of hope.”

5. Pray for our nation and leaders

Pray with hope, not fear.

  • Ask for wisdom and humility for those in authority.
  • Pray that followers of Jesus across the country would reflect His love and truth.
  • Ask God to bring spiritual renewal to our cities and communities.

“Lord, guide our leaders with wisdom. Stir the hearts of believers to live with faith and courage. Let Your light shine across our nation through Your people.”

6. Pray for the nations

Lift your eyes beyond borders.

  • Pray for churches around the world to be strengthened and unified.
  • Ask God to bring peace in places torn by war, poverty, or persecution.
  • Pray for missionaries, global partners, and those sharing the Gospel in hard places.

“God, You are at work in every nation. Strengthen believers across the globe. Bring peace where there is conflict. Hope where there is despair. And may the name of Jesus be lifted high in every language, tribe, and nation.”

7.  Close with gratitude and expectation

End your time in prayer with thankfulness and renewed hope.

“God of hope, thank You for hearing my prayers. Let joy, peace, and hope overflow in me and through me by Your Spirit. Use my life to point others to You. Amen.”