The prayers of the Bible are truly a gift of God, and we can learn much from them.
The prayers of the Bible can help us talk to God as well as support and encourage us in our daily walk with Him. “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of his disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ So, He (Jesus) said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil.’” (Luke 11:1-4)
“And when you pray, you should not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; will reward you openly. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:5-6, 14)
When Jesus taught his disciples about prayer it was a departure for the Jewish culture of the time. The disciples learned through the Lord’s Prayer that God is good, merciful, compassionate, and that He would not forsake them. And even today if we pursue Him for help and guidance in our everyday needs, He is always with us. Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew’s account to take no thought for our lives but to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added (water, bread, clothing and shelter).
Why Should We Pray?
In (Psalm 50:15) God the Father tells us to “call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” The Lord cares about our cries regarding our troubles of the heart and sincerely and compassionately wants to heal us. In Luke 18:1, the Son tells us “…men always ought to pray…” “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Therefore, we are to ask, seek, and knock until we come into the very presence of God and the door of the holy sanctuary is opened to us.
Be Consistent in Prayer
Always be consistent in prayer at all times, and particularly during the time when hardship and challenges come into your life. During your trials you must be in constant communication with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to led and guide you through the storms of life. The Holy Spirit will help you through the storms of life. The Holy Spirit will intercede in your behalf. The Holy Spirit wants to pray through us and help us with our infirmities by making intercession for us that we cannot make for ourselves. (Romans 8:26) Therefore as you stay in contact with the Lord, He will help you to be patient during your trials. “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)
The Lord knows how weary life can be. For in this life, we struggle to keep our heads above difficulties and many times we fail if we are depending upon our own strength. But God wants us to rest in Him through prayer, praise, and the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, ask God the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and control your mind and thoughts and bring you peace and comfort from within.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)
“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:14)
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)
Prayer: Beginners and Endings
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalm 75:1)
“I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:21)
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’” (John 11:41-42)
“Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoiced, and with my song will I praise Him.” (Psalm 28:6-7)
Other Scriptural Readings on Prayer
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.” (Psalm 68:7)
“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” (Psalm 102:16-17)
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
“For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute and shall not despise their prayer.” (Psalm 102:16-17)
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
“Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” (Mark 9:23)
“So, Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.’” (Mark 11:22-24)
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at Hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Prayer:
God be merciful to me a sinner. I believe Christ died for me and that His precious blood will cleanse me from all my sin. By faith I now receive the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart as my Lord and Savior; and I trust Him for the salvation of my soul, mind, and strength and I love my neighbor as myself. In the Lord Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.
By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Moments of Meditation and Scripture Readings Volunteer Contributor; email: cburns@naavets.org.
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