Praying for Our World: Praying the Scriptures

Showing posts with label Praying the Scriptures. Show all posts

Saturday, February 8, 2025

A Beatitude Prayer

Lord, You say that the poor in spirit are blessed. We know that we are poor in spirit. We are spiritually dry and exhausted. May we remember that the Kingdom of Heaven is for the poor in spirit.

God, You call the mourners blessed. We are mourning the division, the lack of compassion, and the political toxicity in our world. May we receive Your comfort as we mourn.

Father, You called the meek blessed, even though our culture values steamrollering, blustering, and assertiveness. We trust that the meek will inherit the earth.

God of Justice, You say that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed. We want to hunger and thirst for righteousness. We trust that You will fill us with righteousness.

Merciful Father, You call the merciful blessed, even as our politicized culture is scorning the call to be merciful. May we receive the same amount of mercy that we bestow on others.

Holy Lord, You call the pure in heart blessed and say that we will see You. May we be people of integrity, justice, and purity.

God of Peace, You say that the peacemakers are blessed and that they will be called Your children. May we be advocates of a true peace that corrects the wrongs in our world. May we work through the problems to reach a true peace.

Sovereign Lord, You say that those who are persecuted because of righteousness are blessed, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. May we live rightly, humbly, and virtuously, and if we are persecuted, may we be faithful to You. May we have the same reaction as the early church, who rejoiced that they could suffer persecution for the sake of Your name. May we not return insult for insult, persecution for persecution, or lie for lie. May we take the higher road with our actions.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Praying for the Fatherless, Orphans, and Widows

God cares for those who are lonely, struggling, and without advocates.

One special group that appears over and over again are widows and orphans (or the fatherless).

The word "fatherless" appears 41 times in the NIV Bible.

The word "orphan" appears 4 times in the NIV Bible.

The word "widow" appears 103 times in the NIV Bible.

As you take time to read over these verses, let them guide your prayers. As you notice God's heart for these people, pray that your heart may be aligned with His.

How is the Spirit convicting you help widows and orphans (or the fatherless) today? This week? This month? This year?

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Praying For Our Enemies

I know. I know. You have no enemies.

Except, our nation and world are more divided than ever.

Praying for our enemies might be praying for those who hold the opposite position on the hill we die on.

Praying for our enemies might be praying for those across the aisle politically.

Praying for our enemies might be praying for the politician that you despise...errr...have no respect for.

Praying for our enemies might be praying for the side we don't support in the war, be it Russia or Ukraine, Gaza/Hamas or Israel, or even cultural wars.

What does the Bible have to say about our enemies?

1. We were once God's enemies; but He sent His Son to reconcile us to Him. (See Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21)

2. Jesus specifically commanded us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. (See Matthew 5:43-48)

3. Luke 6:27-36 takes #2 even further by commanding us to love our enemies, to do good to him, and lend to them without expectations of it being returned.

How can you pray for your enemies?

Saturday, November 25, 2023

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?

New International Version (NIV)

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Praying for Leaders after Election Season Ends: Part 1

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)

Saturday, June 10, 2023

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."

Saturday, May 13, 2023

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.

Saturday, April 1, 2023

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)

Saturday, March 18, 2023

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)

Saturday, March 4, 2023

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.

Saturday, February 18, 2023

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.

Saturday, February 4, 2023

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.

Saturday, January 21, 2023

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)

Saturday, January 7, 2023

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)

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Praying the Scriptures: Matthew 6:5-15

This section is a bit bigger than just the Lord's Prayer, because Jesus took the time before and after the prayer to give further instructions on prayer.

Prayer

“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. 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. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Pray the Scriptures: Ephesians 3:16-20

Advent is the start of the church year and therefore the start of my new Bible reading plan. This year, as I read through the Bible, I want to note and pray the prayers of the Bible.

Ephesians 3:16-20 is a beautiful prayer to pray over someone, even as it finishes by praising God.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.