Prayer Goal for 2024: Praying More

Let us actually make the effort to devote time to prayer. 

For far too long, I have given lip service to the importance of prayer, but have failed to apply it to my life. 

I would read how spiritual giants like Martin Luther, John Wesley, George Whitefield, E.M. Bounds, and John Welch would spend at least 2-3 hours a day in prayer, and in some cases up to 4-8 hours in prayer and study. 

Normally, this would be where I gave up, because who has that kind of time? 

But, we tend to view things in absolutes. If I am praying, I am doing nothing else. I must be shut up in a room to properly prayer. 

Yet, for Christians, prayer can be any time, any place, and during any activity. We can pray while walking, washing dishes, or folding laundry. 

A monk by the name of Brother Lawrence wrote a book (The Practice of the Presence of God) which can instruct us in the art of praying while working.

Let us resolve to spend more time communing with God, sharing our day with Him and lifting up simple prayers in secret while we go about our days. 

Praying in Secret and Simply

Spoiler Alert: The next blogpost scheduled is about praying as we go about our day, so it seemed prudent to have this post about Jesus' command to pray in secret.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, gives us instructions/commands on how we should pray.

He tells us NOT to pray hypocritically, to be seen by others. 

He tells us to pray by going into our room and closing the door before praying.

He tells us NOT to pray with many words or by babbling on.

He reminds us that God knows our needs before we ask Him for anything.

(See Matthew 6:5-8)

Every few years, there is a storm of social media activity, because some Christian coach is in trouble for praying with their team on the sporting field. I sit back and watch people get upset at how "persecuted" we are because we are not being allowed to publicly lead prayer at a school event. But we shouldn't be surprised when we are facing opposition, when we are disobeying the commands of Jesus.

Jesus did not command His followers to make public prayer the hill that we die on.

In fact, he condemned public, showy prayers that are meant to be seen by people.

He commanded us to go off in private to pray in secret. 

So let us obey Jesus by praying in secret

Therefore, when the next post challenges us to pray throughout our days, I am not referring to verbal prayers or even whispered prayers, with folded hands or outstretched arms. We can pray silently, as we go through our daily activities, whether that is at work or at home. And no one will be the wiser. If people are noticing, then we are praying too publicly. 

Likewise, we are commanded NOT to pray with many words. 

We are not begging a distant god to listen to us and do good in our world.

He's not counting the number of words or repetitions in our prayers, so He can finally act once we hit the magic number.

So let our prayers be simple. We can pack a lot of prayers in a simple sentence or two. 

God, draw them closer to You.

Thank You, Lord, for a warm sweater today.

That person looks sad. Holy Spirit, comfort them.

I am here to be used by You today. 

Praying Holistic Prayer

Holistic is a fancy word that means that whole is more than the sum of its parts. In the medical field, it involves looking at the whole person, physically, socially, and psychologically when treating them.

We can also apply this to our prayers.

Holistic Intercession: to intercede for people entirely, as we pray for their physical needs, social needs, psychological needs, spiritual needs, and so on. 

When we are hurting physically, it impacts the other areas of our life.

When we are stressed financially, this stress shows up in our relationships, physical health, and emotions.

When we have a broken relationship, it strains the other areas of our life as well. 

Let us consider ways that we can pray for people's...

*Physical Needs: What are their health and environmental concerns? 

*Spiritual Needs: Are they in a relationship with God? Are they growing in that relationship? 

*Financial Needs: Do they have enough money to meet their needs? What debts or insecurity are they facing? 

*Mental Needs: What anxiety, worry, or stress is on their minds? What is taking up their brain-space? 

*Emotional Needs: What emotions are they experiencing this day? What emotions do they need? 

How can we pray for people holistically? 

Are we better at praying for their body, mind, or spirit?

What area is the Spirit challenging us to pray for? 

Praying for Leaders after Election Season Ends: Part 2

Paul exhorts Timothy (and us as well) in 1 Timothy 2: 1-2, "...that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

The previous blog post looked at the methods of prayer listed in verse 1. Today we will look at who we are told to be praying for. 

Notice, we are told to pray FOR people, not pray AGAINST them. If we are praying for their destruction, arrest, or punishment, then we are not praying on their behalf. We need to leave the judge's seat for God.

Now are all of our prayers for people to feel positive emotions or the warm fuzzies? Not necessarily. We are praying FOR people and what would benefit them, even if they may not want it.

What sorts of prayers might be included in this category? 

-That they would be convicted of sin and move to repentance.

-That they would be humbled before God and surrender to Jesus' authority.

-That they would be drawn closer to God (this works for both non-believers and believers, since there's always a closer relationship with God). 

What other hard, yet beneficial, prayers can you think of? 

We are to be praying FOR...

For all people. Not just the people we like, or who look/act/think/vote like us. 

Who do you struggle to pray FOR? 

The other gender? 

The other side of the political aisle? 

The other religions? 

The other sexual orientations and gender identities? 

For kings. (or presidents, dictators, prime ministers, etc.)

Who are the leaders of your country? 

Continent? 

World? 

What struggles are they facing? 

For those in authority. (congressional representatives, judges, speaker of the house, justices, admirals, etc.)

Who are your congressional representatives? 

Judges or Justices? 

Leaders of the military and legislative branch? 

May we live peaceful and quiet lives. Not stirring up trouble or complaining.

Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of ways you have not been living peacefully or quietly. 

Include all areas of your life, including social media posts!!

May we live in all godliness and holiness. Not criticizing others for failing to live up to our holiness standards. 

We are called to live godly and holy lives. We are NOT called to enforce this lifestyle on everyone we meet, regardless of their religion.

Which parts of this post are difficult or challenging or even offensive? 

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying for Leaders after Election Season Ends: Part 1

Paul exhorts Timothy (and us as well) in 1 Timothy 2: 1-2, "...that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

Let's break these verses down a little. 

Petitions are requests, often formal, made to someone in authority (God), in a respectful and humble manner.

Similarly prayers are defined as a devout petition or communing with God through various ways (asking, rejoicing, adoring, confessing)

Intercessions are praying on behalf of another person. 

Thanksgiving involves giving thanks or gratefully acknowledging the benefits or favors received

Throughout today, try to use each of these styles of prayer.

-Petitions 

-Prayers

-Intercession

-Thanksgiving

Try to connect the prayer times with meals and bedtime, if that helps. 

Which method comes the most naturally to you? 

Which method is the most difficult to use? 

What petitions are you making? 

When do you struggle to be respectful and humble? 

What methods of prayers do you typically use? 

(Search for "12 types of prayer" and see well over 12 options. Both the "all" and "images" have plenty of options). 

How are you interceeding for others? 

Are you praying on their behalf or asking for their judgment and punishment? 

For their benefit or against them? 

How often are you giving thanks? 

What and who are you giving thanks for? 

Who is the Holy Spirit asking you to give thanks for? 

Which parts of this post are difficult or challenging or even offensive? 

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying for Jewish People

There are 7.8 billion people on this planet. Only 2.6 billion of them are Christians. We will consider blog post by blog post ways to pray for the remaining 5.2 billion people on the planet. 

There are 16 million Jews in the world. Today, we are going to focus on praying for them. 

Pray for Jews to encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and conversations.

Pray for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue with Jews, where questions can be asked, considered, and answered.

Pray for Jews to encounter and study Christian resources, such as radio stations, books, and other media.

As Christians, we believe there is only one way to heaven, namely through faith in Jesus Christ, so we ought to be interceding for those who do not accept Him as Savior and Lord. More than praying for Jews to become Christians, we ought to also be sharing the Good News with them, building friendships with them, and walking alongside them as we show them who Jesus is. 

Praying for Indigenous Religious People

There are 7.8 billion people on this planet. Only 2.6 billion of them are Christians. We will consider blog post by blog post ways to pray for the remaining 5.2 billion people on the planet. 

There are 400 million adherents of indigenous religions in the world. Today, we are going to focus on praying for them. 

Pray for practitioners of indigenous religions to encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and conversations.

Pray for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue with them, where questions can be asked, considered, and answered.

Pray for followers of indigenous religions to encounter and study Christian resources, such as radio stations, books, and other media.

As Christians, we believe there is only one way to heaven, namely through faith in Jesus Christ, so we ought to be interceding for those who do not accept Him as Savior and Lord. More than praying for them to become Christians, we ought to also be sharing the Good News with them, building friendships with them, and walking alongside them as we show them who Jesus is. 

Praying for Both Gaza and Israel

 Pray for Israel, but also pray for the civilians in Gaza as well.

Israel's defense minister was quoted as saying ""No electricity, no food, no water, no gas - it's all closed," he said, adding that "we are fighting animals and are acting accordingly.""
<https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67051292>

Let me be explicitly clear: People are not animals. When we dehumanize people, we begin to head toward genocide and we kill off a part of our own humanity inside us as well.

People need food and water. People with medical problems need electricity. People need medicine. The people living in Gaza are struggling with food insecurity because of the violence and now are having their access to water and electricity cut off.

This is breaking my heart. Yes, the group Hamas are terrorists and committed acts of terror, but Palestine, and Gaza in particular, is NOT 100% Hamas.

We have all these groups halting aid to Palestine, whereby Palestinians are suffering along with the Israelis (attacked by Israel and oppressed by Hamas).
<https://www.npr.org/2023/10/09/1204662594/europe-condemn-hamas-support-israel-suspend-palestinian-aid>

We can mourn the attack on Israel and condemn the actions of Hamas WITHOUT cutting off essentials to life. Pray for Israel, but also pray for the civilians in Gaza. 

Praying for the Non-Religious

There are 7.8 billion people on this planet. Only 2.6 billion of them are Christians. We will consider blog post by blog post ways to pray for the remaining 5.2 billion people on the planet. 

There are 1.1 billion non-religious people in the world. Today, we are going to focus on praying for them. 

Pray for non-religious people to encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and conversations.

Pray for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue with non-religious people, where questions can be asked, considered, and answered.

Pray for non-religious people to encounter and study Christian resources, such as radio stations, books, and other media.

As Christians, we believe there is only one way to heaven, namely through faith in Jesus Christ, so we ought to be interceding for those who do not accept Him as Savior and Lord. More than praying for them to become Christians, we ought to also be sharing the Good News with them, building friendships with them, and walking alongside them as we show them who Jesus is. 

Praying for Buddhists

There are 7.8 billion people on this planet. Only 2.6 billion of them are Christians. We will consider blog post by blog post ways to pray for the remaining 5.2 billion people on the planet. 

There are 400 million Buddhists in the world. Today, we are going to focus on praying for them. 

Pray for Buddhists to encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and conversations.

Pray for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue with Buddhists, where questions can be asked, considered, and answered.

Pray for Buddhists to encounter and study Christian resources, such as radio stations, books, and other media.

Each year, there is a prayer guide called 15 Days of Prayer for the Buddhist World. This is a great resource for those who don't know what to pray for Buddhists.

As Christians, we believe there is only one way to heaven, namely through faith in Jesus Christ, so we ought to be interceding for those who do not accept Him as Savior and Lord. More than praying for Buddhists to become Christians, we ought to also be sharing the Good News with them, building friendships with them, and walking alongside them as we show them who Jesus is. 

Praying for Hindus

There are 7.8 billion people on this planet. Only 2.6 billion of them are Christians. We will consider blog post by blog post ways to pray for the remaining 5.2 billion people on the planet. 

There are 1.2 billion Hindus in the world. Today, we are going to focus on praying for them. 

Pray for Hindus to encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and conversations.

Pray for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue with Hindus, where questions can be asked, considered, and answered.

Pray for Hindus to encounter and study Christian resources, such as radio stations, books, and other media.

Each year, there is a prayer guide called 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World. This is a great resource for those who don't know what to pray for Hindus .

As Christians, we believe there is only one way to heaven, namely through faith in Jesus Christ, so we ought to be interceding for those who do not accept Him as Savior and Lord. More than praying for Hindus to become Christians, we ought to also be sharing the Good News with them, building friendships with them, and walking alongside them as we show them who Jesus is. 

Praying for Muslims

There are 7.8 billion people on this planet. Only 2.6 billion of them are Christians. We will consider blog post by blog post ways to pray for the remaining 5.2 billion people on the planet. 

There are 1.8 billion Muslims in the world. Today, we are going to focus on praying for them. 

Pray for Muslims to encounter Christ through dreams, visions, and conversations.

Pray for Christians to engage in respectful dialogue with Muslims, where questions can be asked, considered, and answered.

Pray for Muslims to encounter and study Christian resources, such as radio stations, books, and other media.

Each year, there is a prayer guide called 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. This is a great resource for those who don't know what to pray for Muslims.

Books such as Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi and No God But One also by Nabeel Qureshi are wonderful ways to learn more about one Muslim's journey to Christ and his struggles along the way. 

As Christians, we believe there is only one way to heaven, namely through faith in Jesus Christ, so we ought to be interceding for those who do not accept Him as Savior and Lord. More than praying for Muslims to become Christians, we ought to also be sharing the Good News with them, building friendships with them, and walking alongside them as we show them who Jesus is. 

Prayers for the School Year

Pray for teachers as they prepare for their new students.

Pray for administrators as they manage staff, students, and parents.

Pray for educational assistants as they step in to fill the gaps in the classroom, to help students who might otherwise struggle.

Pray for custodians and cafeteria workers as they prepare to do jobs and tasks that are so crucial, yet often unappreciated, until they go undone.

Pray for bus drivers, school protection officers, and crossing guards as they work to keep students safe. 

Pray for school nurses as they focus on keeping students healthy.

Pray for school counselors as they hear the highs and lows of students, and equip students to develop healthy relationships with others and themselves. 

Pray for students in new schools, new grades, and new classes. 

Pray for parents sending their children off to learn, grow, and mature. 

Pray Using Acronyms: JOY

There are many acronyms we can use to remind ourselves topics to pray for. This post will highlight one of them: the JOY method.

JOY gives us three categories to pray through:

J: Jesus

O: Others

Y: You

In our first section, we are focusing on requests close to Jesus' heart. 

Suggestions: 

-Pray for the lost (Luke 19:10)

-Pray for Christ-followers, including you and me, to obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

-Pray for people to repent (Matthew 4:17)

-Pray for those on the margins of society: the orphans, the widows, foreigners, the poor, people with disabilities (Matthew 25:31-46)

-Good news to be proclaimed to the poor, prisoners to be freed, the blind to see, and the oppressed to be set free (Luke 4:14-29)

-Pray for peace (John 16:33)

-Pray for those mentioned in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

-Pray for your enemies and persecutors (Matthew 5:43-48)

In our second section, we are focusing on requests of other people.

What have people asked you to pray for? 

What concerns do you have for your family and friends? 

In the third and final section, we are focusing on requests for yourself.

What vices is the Holy Spirit convicting you of?

What virtues is the Holy Spirit wanting to grow in you? 

What areas of your life do you need God's wisdom, guidance, and direction? 

Challenge: Take time this week to pray using the JOY method. 

Reflect on your experience. Which part was hard for you to do? Which part came the most naturally to you? 

Pray Using Acronyms: ACTS

There are many acronyms we can use to remind ourselves topics to pray for. This post will highlight one of them: the ACTS method.

ACTS gives us four categories to pray through:

A: Adoration

C: Confession

T: Thanksgiving

S: Supplication (making requests)

When we adore God, we can worship Him for who He is and praising Him for what He has done. We can focus on His characteristics and His faithful actions.

When we confess to God, we can admit the wrong things we have done (sins of commission) and the good things we have failed to do (sins of omission). We can repent of the nudges of the Spirit that we have ignored, as well as our tendency to be so busy that we drown out God's voice.

When we give thanks to God, we can be grateful for what He has provided in our lives. We can even be thankful for things that frustrate us, because we might see a blessing behind the frustration. For example, if dishes in the sink is frustrating, we can be grateful that we have eaten today.

Finally, when we make supplications to God, we are making requests of Him. We can make these requests on our behalf or on the behalf of others. Our tendency is to dictate to God what the problem is AND what we think the solution should be. It is humbling and unnerving to pray without telling God what outcome He should give, but to rather present the problem and trust in His solution in His timing. 

Challenge: Take time this week to pray using the ACTS method. 

Reflect on your experience. Which part was hard for you to do? Which part came the most naturally to you? 

Pharisaical Prayers

Luke 18 records the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. Jesus tells a group of people who were confident in their righteousness and who looked down on others this parable. A Pharisee and a tax collector went to pray. The Pharisee thanked God that he was not like robbers/evildoers/adulterers/tax collectors. The Pharisee tells God how often he fasts and how much he tithes. But the tax collector stood apart, looking down, and remorsefully asked God to have mercy on him, even though he was a sinner. The tax collector, instead of the Pharisee, when home justified before God. Jesus finishes by saying that those who humble themselves with be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.

Typically when we hear this parable, we all condemn the Pharisee and align ourselves with the tax collector's humility.

Except...we DO thank God that we aren't practicing <shameful sin>.

Except...we DO thank God that WE and those WE love aren't experiencing a disaster like <recent place>.

Except...we DO thank God that WE and those WE love don't have a disability like <recent person>. 

Except...we thank God that WE and those WE love are safe when the ambulance drives by.

Except...we do thank God that WE and those WE love aren't in <war-torn country>.

So let us stop praying like the Pharisee. 

Let us pray FOR those experiencing trauma, without thanking God that someone WE love isn't suffering.

Let us pray FOR those trapped in addictions, sins, and problems, without thanking God that WE don't have that struggle.

Let us pray FOR those experiencing disasters, without thanking God that OUR area is safe.

Let us pray FOR those adjusting to new disabilities or living with a long-term disability, without thanking God that WE are still "normal". 

Let us pray FOR those in the ambulance, without thanking God that no one WE love is injured.

Let us pray FOR those in war-torn countries, without thanking God that WE are safe. 

Because when we hear about a tragedy or a disaster and our first instinct is to thank God that it happened to someone else, we are not exhibiting Christlike love. 

So let us pray less like the Pharisee and more like the tax collector. 

Praying the Scriptures: Col. 4:2-4

Paul tells us that we should devote ourselves to prayer. We should be watchful of what to pray for and thankful when we pray.

We should pray for those spreading the Gospel and shepherding the churches, so that doors will be opened so that Christ may be proclaimed.

Even though Paul is in chains due to the Gospel, his prayer is for him to proclaim it clearly, instead of for his safety, freedom, or revenge.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying for the Lost with an App

I was recently introduced to a digital service to help us to specifically pray for unreached people groups: Unreached of the Day by Joshua Project.

It gives you the option of downloading an app or signing up for emails.

It gives helpful prayer points, such as a summary of the people group (including country of origin), ministry obstacles, outreach ideas, scripture focus, scripture prayer, and statistics. We can click on their full profile, prayer cards, a bulletin insert, or a handout as well. 

If we are Christians, we should be praying for the lost to come to faith in Christ. It is good to be personally praying for the non-Christians we know, but we should also be praying big prayers for entire groups all around the world to encounter Christ.

Prayer Instructions in the Scriptures: Matt 6:5-8

This selection isn't a prayer per say, but before the Lord's Prayer, Jesus gave instructions on how to pray.

We are to pray in secret, not standing in front of people to be seen by them. 

We are to pray simply, not babbling, repeating ourselves, or being extra wordy.

 
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Spring Prayers

What sorts of prayers should we pray in the spring? Below are several questions. These aren't meant for you to quickly answer and move on, but prayerfully consider and invite the Holy Spirit to show you the answer.

Prayers of Growth

-What spiritual virtues does the Spirit need to grow in us? 

-What hibernating qualities does the Spirit need to awaken in us? 

-Holy Spirit, what is the state of my heart's soil? (Prayerfully read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13)

Prayers of Cleaning

-What dead leaves and sticks does the Spirit need to pick up in our lives? 

-Holy Spirit, what trash has blown into our hearts from the world? 

-Holy Spirit, what dust has accumulated in the corners of my heart and life? 

-Holy Spirit, what resources am I hoarding for myself instead of sharing with others? 

What other prayers and prayerful questions can you think of? 

Prayer App: PrayerMate

I sometimes forget to do things if there's not a reminder. If I don't write down my shopping list, I forget to buy everything I need.

PrayerMate is a delightful app to help me remember to pray (and what I want to pray for). 

It lets a person create lists to pray and add sub-categories to that list. 

Prayer reminders can be set at certain times, and in fact, prayer frequency can be adjusted from every time to once a week.

The app tracks your prayer requests to make sure that nothing is being skipped or forgotten. 

I've really enjoyed learning to use this prayer app, and get the reminders to pray each day.

Praying the Scriptures: Romans 15:13

Romans 15:13 has Paul praying that God will fill us with joy and peace. He prays that we trust God and overflow with hope through the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying the Scriptures: Romans 15:5-6

Romans 15:5-6 has Paul acknowledging that God is the source of endurance and encouragement. He prays that we may have a Christ-like attitude and be unified so that we may glorify God and Jesus.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 is another benediction prayer and ends with a reminder about God's faithfulness. 

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 3:16

2 Thessalonians 3:16 is a benediction prayer to be prayed over another person, or rather a group of people. 

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

This prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 is both a petition (prayer by the writer for the writer) and an intercession (praying for others)

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying the Scriptures: Hebrews 13:20-21

This prayer from Hebrews 13:20-21 is a benediction, a prayer that comes at the end of a letter, is spoken over someone, or said before a service finishes.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying the Scriptures: Proverbs 30:7-9

This prayer from Proverbs 30:7-9 is a petition to God on our own behalf. 

“Two things I ask of you, Lord;

    do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

    give me neither poverty nor riches,

    but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’

Or I may become poor and steal,

    and so dishonor the name of my God.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.