I remember being asked to pray in public as a child. I LOVED public speaking, but was terrified of public praying. What if you can’t think of something to say? What if you love your friends or family or students, but don’t know what to ask God for on their behalf? Does the Bible provide guidance? Absolutely. Find the scriptures.
Praying the scriptures will give you more confidence in your prayers. Not only that, bringing God’s own word to Him is like an attorney citing the law to a judge: you are more likely to get the result you desire when you can remind God of His own promises.
First, pray for people’s salvation:
“My prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved” Romans 10:1.
Then pray for spiritual growth:
“I am asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened will all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father….” Colossians 1:9-12.
Paul writes, “Brethren pray for us” 2 Thessalonians 3:1.
I’ll request it of you: PRAY FOR US.
Pray THAT WE—
- Be saved.
- Be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.
- Walk worthy of the Lord.
- Bear fruit in every good work.
- Grow in the knowledge of God.
- Be strengthened with all power.
- Joyfully give thanks in all things.
When you are young it is difficult to see how powerful and how vital prayer is. We want to be men and women of ACTION. But prayer is ESSENTIAL. Jesus gave up sleep to wake up early and spend hours in prayer—and He is our example.
God, teach us to pray MORE and to PRAY THE WORD.
ΑΩ
Pictured–the “Wailing Wall” or Prayer Wall in Jerusalem.
Household Words: 