I am always open to new tricks and triggers for prayer, so when a friend recently mentioned that today would be “8/28 day,” I was excited by a new prayer possibility for the month based in scripture from the Bible.
August 28 is today’s date, of course. But it is also the day a new church is scheduled to be dedicated, and that church’s leaders have chosen not only the date but a theme for the dedication ceremonies corresponding to Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
So, I thought, what other dates can spur my praying—and, I hope, yours? I came up with 12 dates to pray throughout the year. Here they are, with examples of short prayers based on scripture from the Bible. Scripture quotations come from the NIV:
1) January 1 (based on Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1)
“God, just as ‘in the beginning’ You created the universe and the world by Your Word, so make today a new beginning for me.”
2) February 15 (based on Philippians 2:15)
“Lord, let me shine today like a bright star in the sky, blameless and pure, a child of God ‘without fault in a warped and crooked generation’.”
3) March 16 (based on John 3:16)
“God, thank You for loving the world so much that you gave Your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Let me live and breathe in that reality today.”
4) April 8 (based on Philippians 4:8)
“Teach me, Lord, to think on these things today and every day: ‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable [and] excellent or praiseworthy.’”
5) May 1 (based on Romans 5:1)
“Thank You, God, that since I have been justified through faith, I have peace with You through my Lord Jesus Christ!”
6) June 9 (based on Galatians 6:9)
“Lord, let me ‘not become weary in doing good,’ knowing that I will reap a harvest at the proper time if I do not give up.”
7) July 25 (based on Hebrews 7:25)
“Thank you, Lord Jesus, that You are able to save me completely because You are always interceding for me.”
8) August 28 (based on Romans 8:28)
“Whatever may come my way today, Father, remind me that in all things You are working for my good.”
9) September 10 (based on Ecclesiastes 9:10)
“Whatever my hand finds to do today, Lord, help me to do it with all my might.”
10) October 5 (based on 2 Corinthians 10:5)
“Lord Jesus Christ, let me take captive every thought I have today and make it obedient to You.”
11) November 19 (based on Ezekiel 11:19)
“God, thank You that You have fulfilled Your promise to me in giving me an undivided heart and putting a new spirit in me, removing my heart of stone and giving me a heart of flesh.”
12) December 3 (based on Isaiah 12:3)
“God, Your Word says, ‘With joy You will draw water from the wells of salvation.’ Help me to do that today and every day.”
Obviously, these dates only scratch the surface. There are many more opportunities throughout the year to “pray the date.” So why not start adding these and others to your calendar…perhaps beginning with “8/28 day?”
