Review. The Writing Life Challenge, running through the month of August, is a devotional challenge I created with the hopes of building an online community of people dedicated to encouraging each other daily and challenging each other to grow in our faith in Jesus. Each day involves a bit of Bible reading, thinking, and praying. While it’s running through the month of August, though, please don’t feel bound by time! If you come across this in the middle of the challenge or days, weeks, months, or even years later, feel free to complete the challenge and participate in it.

The first five days of the challenge had us exploring different aspects of prayer, and the next five will continue to do so.

Today’s Inspiration. One little verse, eight words—but it says so much. The first five days of the challenge were inspired by Colossians 4:2, and the next five days will be as well:

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV)

This week, we will continue exploring how to pray by asking the “five W questions,” beginning with who.

Today’s Challenge. Who are we to pray for? There are so many answers—so many Biblical answers—to this question that it can become a bit overwhelming. As I was searching for a list and references to give you, I came across a good place to start: the website What The Bible Teaches, an adaptation of R. A. Torrey‘s work (an evangelist, pastor, and theologian in the 19th and 20th centuries). In it, the webmaster cites several Bible verses related to praying for ourselves, for other Christians, for our Christian leaders and pastors, for converts of our own ministry, for the sick, for our children, and for our rulers.

Your task today is to explore at least one “people group” the Bible tells us to pray for, perhaps starting by reading the scriptures cited in the website above (you could also Google verses yourself or use a tool like Bible Hub). Then spend a few moments in prayer for someone you know who falls into that category, or for the group of people as a whole.

Today’s Participation. Comment below or create your own post in Instagram telling us what you read, what you learned, and who you prayed for. If you use Instagram, using the hashtag #writinglifeaugustchallenge in a public account will allow others participating in the challenge to find it. I can’t wait to see what you post!