John Walt

Sixteen years ago, I began praying some courageous prayers. At the time, I didn’t really have an idea where they would take me or what they would require of me. Looking back, I can see how God has answered those prayers, even if His answers and mine looked very different. I think we all need to be willing to pray prayers that make us very uncomfortable.

So much of the time, we can treat God like a vending machine for our wants and needs. It's easy to pray when things are hard and when we feel lost, stuck, in pain, or confused. But those prayers are all about us and how we want God to do something for us. Usually, we are really just asking God to make us feel better. I don’t think those prayers are bad. We should go to God with anything and everything. I believe he wants to be with us in all parts of our lives. There is so much more to prayer, though, than just going to God when we need something.

I think the conversation God always wants to have with us is about what He wants to do in us. It’s the prayers where we surrender all that we are to Him and ask Him to remove from us the things that keep us from Him. I think these prayers are not popular because they are uncomfortable, and they remind us of our failures and weaknesses. We don’t want to focus on that stuff. We want God’s grace, and that's good because I believe He has infinite grace. But what is the point of all that grace? It’s to help us along the journey of pursuing Him. The purpose of our life is to become more like Jesus. Grace makes it possible for us to stay on that road no matter how far short we fall. Embracing our weakness and dependence on God is the doorway to freedom.

I have some prayers that I come back to time and again. They help me align my heart and mind with God and His reality. It is so easy to get caught up in the rush and grind of daily life and lose sight of the daily reality that God invites us to live from. When I stop and pray courageous prayers, I am retraining my brain and calling my spirit to attention. They wake me up from self-centered hurry and help me escape the dopamine economy we live in.

Scott recently told me he has been praying some A.W. Tozer prayers every day for months. I was deeply moved by these prayers, but struggled with the antiquated language used in them. I decided to rewrite some of them with more modern language that my mind more naturally resonates with. I have also added a short prayer of surrender that I pray regularly.

Please join me in praying these prayers daily for the next month. It should only take about 4-5 minutes to pray through these prayers. I cannot wait to see what God will do in us and in our lives as we do. If you decide to do this with me, please shoot me an email and let me know. I believe that the fruit of these kinds of prayers will be evident in our lives decades from now. These are powerful prayers.

Desiring God

God, I’ve experienced your goodness—it’s satisfied me, but it’s also left me wanting more of you. I know deep down how much I still need your grace, and honestly, I’m embarrassed by how little I sometimes desire you.

I want to want more of you, God. I wish I had a deeper hunger for you; I want my longing for you to keep growing. Please show me who you really are, so I can truly know you, not just know about you.

Start something new in my heart—a fresh work of love. Speak to me, “Get up, my beloved, and let’s go.” Then give me the strength to leave behind this foggy place where I’ve been stuck for too long, and help me follow you forward.

Letting go

Father, I want to truly know you, but my fearful heart is terrified of letting go of the things I've worked so hard for. I can't imagine giving them up without it hurting deeply, and I won't pretend I'm not scared of what that surrender might cost me.

I'm coming to you shaking, but I am coming. Please uproot everything from my heart that I've held onto for so long—my need for control, my drive for more success, my comforts that have become part of who I am. I want you to have first place, with nothing else competing for my attention or loyalty.

When you make your home in my heart, you'll transform that space into something glorious. My soul won't need external validation or achievements to feel fulfilled, because your presence will be all the light I need. There won't be any emptiness left.

Remove the veil

God, your ways are incredible—so much better than the complicated and often messed-up paths we take. Teach us what it means to let go of our old selves, so we can experience real, new life with you. Tear down the walls of pride, ego and self-obsession inside us, just like you tore the temple curtain from top to bottom.

We want to come close to you with real confidence, trusting you fully. Help us walk with you every day, right here in our ordinary lives, so we’re ready for the fullness of your presence when we finally see you face to face.

Wake me up God

God, wake up every part of me that's been sleepwalking through life, so I can grab hold of what really matters and live for things that last. Open my eyes to see what’s real; sharpen my spiritual awareness so I can experience your goodness firsthand, not just hear about it. Make heaven and your presence more real to me than anything this world could ever offer.

God’s presence

God, I'm sorry for getting so caught up in the stuff I can see and measure—my career, my goals, the endless stream of notifications and responsibilities. The world has consumed too much of my attention and energy. You've been right here with me, but I've been too distracted to notice. I've been blind to your presence in my daily life.

Open my eyes to see you in the ordinary moments—in my work, my relationships, even in the quiet spaces between all the noise. Help me recognize you're already here, not just waiting for me in some distant place.

God’s voice

God, teach me how to really listen. Life is loud, and I’m worn out from all the constant noise, distractions, and demands coming at me every day. Give me a heart like Samuel’s, ready to say, “Speak, I’m listening.” Help me tune in to your voice deep inside, so I can recognize it even in the middle of my busy life.

Help me hear your voice cutting through all the static in my head and heart. When everything else fades away, I want to hear your voice speaking and find peace in you.

Clear my vision

God, I’ve heard the call to look to you for real satisfaction, and deep down, that’s what I want. But honestly, my mistakes and distractions have clouded my vision—I can barely see you clearly right now. Please forgive me and clean out everything inside that keeps me from you, so I can see you with fresh eyes every day.

Use me God

I’m committed to putting you above everything. Let your priorities come before my desires. Even if it costs me comfort or means carrying heavy responsibilities. Be more important than my reputation or what people think of me. Make my main ambition to please you.

Take your rightful place above my ambitions, my desires, my family, my health, and even my own life. Help me step back so you can step forward; let me get smaller so you can be seen more clearly. Use me however you want. Let my life be a way for others to see and praise you.

Rest

God, help me approach life with the openness and honesty of a child. Free me from always feeling like I have to compete with others for status or recognition. I want to be genuine and straightforward, not putting on a show or pretending to be someone I’m not. Forgive me for being so focused on myself. Teach me to let go of self-centeredness and find real peace by focusing on you.

I humble myself before you so you can answer this prayer. Show me what it means to live with a lighter heart—letting go of ego and self-importance—so I can finally find rest.

Trusting God

God, I want to put my full trust in you—to be completely yours, and to put you first in every part of my life. Help me let go of the need to own or control anything outside of you. I want to be aware of your presence with me every day, and to recognize your voice guiding me.

I want to live with a sincere and peaceful heart. Help me live so fully connected to your Spirit that my thoughts and actions are like a constant act of worship.

Prayer of Surrender

God, I give you my past, my present, and my future. I surrender to you all that I am, was, and ever will be. I ask you to guide my life and have your way in me. Help me become the man/woman that you created me to be.

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