To those I'm discipling in our local church, I recommend a prayer list made up of the kinds of things they will be glad to have consistently prayed for once they reach the end of their lives. Or to put it another way --- a list of those things or people they'd be ashamed to have neglected in prayer when they stand before God.

Here's a summary of mine:

(PERSONAL)

1. My own remembrance of the Gospel.

2. My personal growth in godliness in every sphere of responsibility (as a disciple, husband, father, grandfather, steward, neighbor, elder, etc.).

3. Power, character, and spiritual gifts to minister effectively.

(FAMILY)

4. My wife's flourishing.

5. The salvation and blessing of God upon my children and grandchildren.

6. Extended family.

(CHURCH)

7. The health and flourishing of my local church/fellow elders and their families, members, other leaders, missional communities, etc.

8. Other churches/ministers I'm in relationship with.

(GREAT COMMISSION/GOSPEL ADVANCE)

9. Salvation of specific neighbors, acquaintances, and for fruit in ongoing Gospel conversations

10. For my city and nation (governmental leaders, citizens, and churches)

11. For the salvation of the lost sheep of the house of Israel - through evangelism now and through the return of the Lord.

12. Mt. 9.37-38 - For Gospel advance among unreached/unengaged peoples.

Your prayer life shouldn't be confined to a list, but it can be helped by one. That has certainly been the case for me. Frankly, some of the things on my list I might forget to bring regularly before God if I didn't have them written down. I have the list posted in the front of my primary reading/studying Bible and turn to it morning by morning. 

I recommend something like this. Obviously, you don't have to do it just like I do -- however suits you best.

But a good number of our people have testified to this simple approach and how it's been helpful to them. If your prayer life has been inconsistent, or you've been neglecting specific focuses of petition that you know ought to be regular petitions, how about making a list? It's a simple and practical step towards a more focused prayer life.

Use it consistently, while asking the Holy Spirit to deepen and widen your devotion and enjoyment of prayer.

Remember, saints: The Father delights in the prayers and supplications of His people. "The righteous cry out and the Lord hears."

-BA Purtle