It is “simple” to pray for ourselves. It seems like most days there is something that goes wrong and we need to ask God for help with. Or maybe things are going smoothly for you, but your prayers have become stale because it is always for the same thing – good health, safety, food, shelter. A simple way to change-up your prayer life is to include others in your prayers.
You can start small by praying for other family members you don’t normally pray for – a distant uncle or cousin you haven’t seen in a while. Or a neighbor who may be elderly and you feel like just needs prayers. As you become more comfortable with including others in your prayers, you can be more bold and post on your Facebook page asking people to comment or private message you for their intentions. As the people you pray for grows, you will pray less for your own intentions, but actually will enjoy praying for other people. This is the easy way to liven up your prayer life.
When your ready for it, also be sure to include prayers for people who you don’t necessarily get along with – your enemies. Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies, because it is a way for you to show them the mercy and forgiveness they are not showing you. Jesus says in Matthew 5:44-45, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of the Father who is in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” Jesus is saying that God gives your enemies the same daily blessing as He gives you, you must act with love instead of hate and make yourself ‘different’ from them. We are also called to “Love one another” (John 13:34-35). Jesus doesn’t tell us to just love your close family who love you, or only friends who love you in return, but ‘one another’. Therefore, include your enemies in your prayers, that their hearts may be softened towards you and others.
Catholic Upgrade:
Include prayers for family and friends, and expand to those who you do not get along with. Also pray for politicians and enemies of the state, who may condemn or persecute you for your Catholic faith.
God Bless!