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I think we often assume that we know how to pray. And sadly, I think we think that without ever looking at what the scriptures say about prayer. I found this to be a very helpful exercise. Just searching for and sorting them brought me more clarity. And, they challenged me.
Welcome to Powerful Prayer Tip Tuesday!
These Scriptures shined a tiny little flashlight in to dark, undiscovered spaces in my prayer life. They have changed my prayer life. Wonder what they will do for yours???
HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2
Pray without ceasing.1 Thessalonians 5:17
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 1 John 5:14
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:5
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25
I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. Psalm 142:1
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 2 Corinthians 9:14
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy Philippians 1:4
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. James 5:15
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
(How NOT to Pray)
You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts. James 4:3
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Matthew 6:5-15
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew 6:7
And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1
WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?
Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. Psalm 5:2
Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Psalm 86:1
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6
As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision: Daniel 9:23
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:11
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. James 5:15
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12
WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: you have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Psalm 88:13
Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthian 7:5
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:10
WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY FOR?
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. Psalm 122:6
Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers. Psalm 141:5
these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Matthew 19:13
therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Matthew 9:38
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32
I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. John 17:9
Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. Acts 8:22
in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. Romans 1:10
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, Colossians 1:9
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. Colossians 4:3
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 1 Timothy 2:1
I urge, then, first of all, 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. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” 1 Timothy 2:1-3
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. Hebrews 13:18
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. James 5:15
Rich, aren’t they? Rich in wisdom. Rich in comfort. Rich in instruction. Please share your thoughts of what came to you during your time of meditation in the comments section below.
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Award-winning author Gina Duke is a wife, mom and the Director of Women’s Ministry at her local church. With a B.S. in Organizational Leadership, she is able to bring a clear word for authentic Christian living. Through her book, Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray (Abingdon Press), she imparts 1 Peter 4:7 with the gift of structured prayer journaling. If you would like to schedule Gina to speak on prayer or host a prayer journaling workshop, click here for more information. You may also follow her on Twitter and Instagram @TheGinaDuke.
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