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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pray for Leaders and Those in Authority

The Bible instructs us to pray for leaders and those in authority.

Even when they belong to the OTHER political party.

Even when they belong to a DIFFERENT form of government in another nation.

Even when we DISAGREE with and DISAPPROVE of their choices.

How do you pray for leaders and those in authority? 

Breath Prayers

I was recently introduced to the practice of breath prayers.

These prayers are short, simple, and done in a breath.

As you deeply inhale, pray a name or title or description of God.

-Almighty God

-Lord Jesus

-God our Savior

As you slowly exhale, state your request.

-Reduce my anxiety

-Give me Your words to say

-Help this person

Feel free to repeat the prayer as needed.

Listen in Nature

One way that we can pray to God is out in nature.

In cities, we have so many noises and notifications, distractions and demands on our time.

At a state park, it is possible to hike far enough to let the sounds of civilization fade, as we are too far from the road to hear cars and our cell phones barely connect to the internet.

Instead of hearing our usual sounds, we can sit and breathe out in nature, as we listen to...

-birds

-animals moving

-a stream

-the wind in the trees

And once we have found silence, we can better listen for what God is telling us. 

Yes, we can bring our laundry list of requests to God out in nature, but I challenge us to use the time in nature to be still, be silent, and be attentive to what God is saying. 

Listen and notice what God has created.

Listen and notice what God is telling you.

Listen.