Praying Scripture's Prayers

Something we have most assuredly lost is praying the prayers that Scripture calls us to pray. We can have so much confidence in our prayers when we simply ask God to do the things he has promised to do, and when we ask him for the things he calls us to ask him for.

For one of our Wednesday evening prayer meetings I put together a really quick list of "Prayer Requests and Commands of the Bible". Here is that list:

• Confession of sins (Ezra 10)
• Pray for the peace of God’s people (Psalm 122)
• Thanksgiving for God’s general and specific graces (Daniel 6)
• Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 6)
• Pray (Matthew 6)
  • For the coming Kingdom
  • For God’s revealed will to be carried out
  • For God’s name to be hallowed
  • For deliverance from evil and temptation
  • For our daily needs (like food, clothing, etc.)

• Pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest (Matthew 9)
• Pray for the grace to forgive (Mark 11)
• Pray that we do not lose heart in our struggles and trials (Luke 18)
• Pray for strength to endure tribulations now and in the end (Lu. 22)
• Pray for the presence and work of the Spirit (Acts 8)
• Pray for each other (Acts 21)
• Pray that the Spirit would help us pray when we don’t know how (Romans 8)
• Praise God for who and what he is (1 Cor. 14)
• Pray for restoration of hurt relationships in the church (2 Cor. 13)
• Pray for the defeat of evil and Satanic powers around you (Eph. 6)
• Pray for an open door for the Word to go forth (Col.1 )
• Thank God for each other (Col. 1)
• Pray that God would make us worthy of our calling (2 Thess. 1)
• Pray that the Word of God would be honored (2 Thess 3)
• Pray for unity in this church without anger (1 Tim. 2)
• Pray for those who are suffering (James 5)
• Pray for the forgiveness and cleansing of sins for others (James 5)
• Pray for those you see sinning (1 John 5)
• Pray that all may go well with us and that we continue in good health (2 John 2)

Comments

[Mary Hahn]

Praying scripures is one of my favorite ways to pray. I often find a promise or praise in God's word to use in my prayers. Here is an example that I am currently using.
Psalm 91:

V. 1 "Those who dwell (live) in the shelter (presence) of the Most High will find rest in the shadow (presence) of the Almighty. "
(This is a promise, a fact! So using the rest of the verses I pray:)

This I declare about you, my Lord: You alone are my refuge, my place of safety: you are my God, and I trust you.

For you will rescue me from every trap and protect me from deadly disease.

You will cover me with your feathers. You will shelter me with your wings. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection.

I will not be afraid of the terrors of night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

I will not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at my side, though ten thousand are dying around me, these evils will not touch me.

If I open my eyes, I will see how the wicked are punished.

If I make you, Lord, my refuge, if I make you, Most High my shelter no evil will conquer me; no plague will come near my home.

For you will order your angels to protect me wherever I go. They will hold me up with their hands so I won't even hurt my foot on a stone.

I will trample upon lions and cobras; I will crush feirce lions and serpents under my feet!

The Lord says " I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name." (Another promise, a fact, therefore, I will believe and will say:)

When I call on you, You will answer; you will be with me in trouble. You will rescue and honor me.

You will reward me with a long life and give me your salvation.

*****

I reailze this does not promise that nothing bad will ever come into my life, but I do believe it promises that whatever I face, I need not worry or be afraid, God will be with me and keep safe in His presence until that day I will truly be with Him and see Him face to face.