How to Create A Prayer Strategy That Actually Works

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Do you have questions about creating a solid prayer strategy? What is strategic prayer? Why do we need it?

As a woman whose life has been radically changed by prayer, this topic is especially close to my heart. I haven’t always had a solid prayer life, but my life has been deeply impacted by women who have and I can’t thank them enough. One thing I’ve learned from these women is that when it comes to battling in prayer we don’t pray aimlessly. We pray strategically. These women knew God’s word, they were obedient to His voice, they prayed what He said to pray, and even when it looked impossible, they weren’t budging from their foundation of faith. They were real-life prayer warriors and they entered into battle with real-life prayer strategies.

So this one is for the prayer warriors and every woman who wants to be one; every woman who wants to use her voice to advocate before her King on the behalf of her community and loved ones and lost (spiritually) ones. I know there are things pressing on your heart that you want to bring before the Lord. Today we’re walking through how to create a prayer strategy that actually works so you can establish a rhythm, cultivate a prayer life, and be that prayer warrior God created you to be.

This Isn’t the Prosperity Gospel

Before we step into “how” I want to clarify something. What I’m about to share with you is not a “get rich, get what you want, name it and claim it” kind of prayer strategy.

This is for the women who genuinely want to build with Jesus. Who can agree with the prayer,

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-13).

I believe that God answers prayer. But more importantly, I believe God is honored when we come to him humbled ready to seek Him and walk with Him. Our biggest priority should always be to serve God well and I believe our prayer lives should reflect that. It’s okay to ask for things we would be blessed by, but let’s not run to God out of selfish ambition. Let’s be women who genuinely and persistently seek God and His will for our lives and others. That is the sole purpose of prayer. Keep that in mind as you move into creating your war room prayer strategy.

5 Keys to Effective War Room Prayers

In these next few minutes, you’ll learn 5 basic steps for effective war room prayers. When we say effective, remember, effective prayers are prayers that align with the will of God. It’s also worth mentioning, this strategy is very different than most you will come across on the internet. Why? Because our aim is to keep God’s will front and center. If there is anyone we align in prayer with, it is Him. So we’re going to take Him at His word and follow His lead when making our prayers.

An effective prayer strategy includes 5 key things:

1. Surrender
2. Acknowledging a need/problem
3. Confidence that God is the solution
4. The ability to stand on Scripture
5. Persistence

Ready to start creating prayer strategies that are backed by scripture?

Creating A Prayer Strategy That Is Backed By Scripture

Intent matters. I touched on this briefly but I want to offer all the clarity that I possibly can so both God and scripture are accurately represented. Prayer has a purpose. When we examine the way that Jesus taught His disciples to pray the priorities of His requests are very clear.

1. God’s will and His kingdom take priority.
2. Our needs (though important) are secondary.
3. He always gets the glory.

This isn’t to say that God doesn’t care about our needs. In fact, Jesus addresses this concern pretty well in Matthew chapter 6,

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:31-34

When we put God first, He’ll cover the rest.

So remember HIS will.

His will takes precedent.

That being said, God has given us permission in scripture to boldly come before Him and bring our needs to Him. A prayer strategy is simply the combination of those needs and the scripture God’s given you to lean on while you present them. Here are 5 simple steps to crafting a prayer strategy. 

Need help organizing your prayer life? This post can help you create a Prayer plan you can stick to!

Prayer Strategy #1 – Come with Sincerity and Surrender.

Maybe you’re wondering, what is the best way to start a prayer? The answer is simple; with sincerity. Sometimes that means tears. Somedays you’ll show up with a boldness you never knew you had. Other times it means showing up for no other reason than you should. In fact, that’s probably one of the most important times to show up. The life of a prayer warrior is not one based on emotion. There will be days when showing up is a battle. Show up anyway. With reverence and sincerity; ready to battle. Ready to praise.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

So much warfare is done when we praise. Part of positioning ourselves for the good work of prayer is posturing our hearts before our Lord. Remember that even in our hurt, brokenness, loss or confusion – He is God and He is worthy. So we’re going to seek Him. And we’re going to praise Him. Even if (like the woman who crashed the Pharisee’s dinner to meet Jesus) our praise is accompanied by tears.

The life of a prayer warrior is not one based on emotion. There will be days when showing up is a battle. Show up anyway. Share on X

Prayer Strategy #2 – Acknowledge the Need and Put It In God’s Hands.

Where do you need God to move?

Where do you need His wisdom, clarity, or instruction?

A lot of times we like to come to God with our solutions. What we should be doing instead is coming to God with our surrender. God, I know what I want this to look like. I know how I want this to work out. But more importantly, I want your will for this situation. Let go and let God. 

And listen, it’s ok to pour out your heart about your situation and share your desires. You can even share with God what your picture-perfect solution would be. At the same time, we have to understand that to truly trust God means that it’s ok for Him to take our plans and solutions and change them.

We have to realize that even in our needs, God is often already working. How can we partner with what He is doing? If you aren’t sure, ask Him. God, what is your hope for this situation? What good are you bringing from this? 

It could be that God is using our needs to refine our character. Maybe the hardship we’re enduring is a testimony in the making. Maybe God’s using an uncomfortable situation to put you in front of someone who needs hope (or simply needs Him).

Acknowledge your need, but also acknowledge God’s heart. Consider both as you move into prayer strategy #3.

Tip #3 – Ask God for the next step

I don’t know about you, but not knowing the outcome of a situation tends to drive me a little bit crazy. I’m learning to get over that because the truth is God doesn’t owe me an explanation. What He does promise though is that if I am in need of wisdom, He will give it to me.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Trust Him with the end game, ask Him for wisdom for today, and lean on Him for your next step.

There isn’t a need in the world God can’t provide for. He’s a big God! He’s got it.

Strategy #4 –  Prioritize Obedience

When we’re waiting for a miracle it’s really easy to put all our expectations on God and forget that in this story of restoration, we have a role to play as well. “Blessing follows obedience.” 

What’s has God asked you to do concerning the needs you’re praying for? Have you stepped out in faith and done them? What’s holding you back?

Obedience should always be a part of your prayer strategy. It is always the next best step. Obedience may not change things instantly, but it does ensure that in every step of your journey, as much as it depends on you, God is honored with your choices. And that is HUGE! Do it to glorify God.

Prayer Strategy #5 – Stand On God’s Promises

We talked about praying for God’s will over our desires. Part of that is learning to pray what God speaks. The Bible is full of promises and declarations that God has spoken over us, and more than likely there’s a promise or two in there from God that fits your situation. Find those promises and write them down alongside your request.

This step is hard for some people. They sit down to create a prayer strategy and start looking for scripture that will support the outcome they want and realize… there isn’t one. There isn’t a scripture that guarantees your loved ones will be healed here and now or that we’ll wake up rich. We might not get that job we wanted, the house we wanted, the answer we wanted. Sometimes, God’s will for us is to surrender. More often than not He intends for us to go through the storm, but He also promises to be with us through it. This is the story of many of the disciples; John the Baptist, Peter, Stephen, and Paul.

So while you’re developing your war room strategy, cultivating this steadfast prayer life remember, this is not your escape. This is God’s invitation to have His Will in your situation and be present through it, even if His will is different than you imagined.

A prayer strategy isn't a plan for escaping a situation. It's a plan that invites God into it. Share on X

Last Tip for Your War Room Prayer Strategy – Persist.

Pray expecting God to come through for you. And never give up hope. Maybe you’re wondering, “What if my prayer isn’t answered?’

Persist.

I am continually amazed at how my life has been impacted by the prayers of women who simply would not quit. That’s the thing about God and His timing; though perfect, His timing is often different than ours. We take that to me He isn’t answering when the reality is, He’s working it out. Keep bringing your request to God. Stay standing on God’s Word. Keep our eyes on the next step of obedience instead of solely on the outcome you desire. Feed your faith. Trust that you are not forgotten. God’s answer may not always fit around our timeline or be what we expected. Our confidence comes in trusting that He is God and He is faithful. Trust that His timing is perfect and His answer is coming.

If you’ve ever wondered what the fuss about war room prayers and prayer strategies was all about, I hope this post answered your questions! And gave you some practical tips for how to get started with your own war room strategy.

We’ve loved using these prayer journaling pages to keep track of our prayers and how God responds to them! Get yours here!

Learn More About War Room Prayers and Prayer Strategies

These books helped me understand the biblical and God-honoring approach to how to create a prayer strategy.

1. Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer
2. The Battle Plan For Prayer: Basic Training for Targeted Prayer

3. Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God’s Face

View the Full List of Prayer Strategy Resources Here!