Pre-prayer the Way with Zechariah

This prayer by the father of John the Baptist reminds us to prepare the way for Christ, our Christmas present from God presented in our homes then gifted to all peoples in need of God’s forgiving love.

 

Luke 1:68-70, 76, 77 – a prayer of Zechariah

from the King James Version of the Bible

 

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;

for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

 

And hath raised up an horn of salvation

for us in the house of his servant David;

 

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets,

which have been since the world began:

 

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet

of the Highest: for thou shalt go before

the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

 

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people

by the remission of their sins.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Sayler

 

Luke 1:68-70, 76, 77 – Zechariah’s prayer

paraphrased into contemporary English

 

Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel!

You have visited us and provided

redemption for Your people!

You have raised up a mighty Savior

from the house of David,

just as You promised ages ago

through the holy prophets.

 

And, now my child will be

a prophet of the Most High

to go before the Lord

and prepare the way

for You to give people

good news of salvation

as You forgive our sins.

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Sayler

 

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Prayer of the Mother of Jesus

Why did God choose Mary, an unwed youth, to be the Mother of His Child? Was it because she sought God’s purpose for her life? The young woman listened to God and obviously cared more about what God wanted than what people would say.

God did not force Mary to do anything against her will! She had faith – complete trust – in God’s Will, God’s goodness, and God’s Plan for her.

Mary agreed to God’s request, and, in due time, Jesus was born. The Son of Mary and Son of God came to earth as an Infant, Who grew into His purpose for our lives.

 

Luke 1:38 – a prayer of Mary
from the King James Version

And Mary said,

Behold

the handmaid of the Lord;

be it unto me

according to thy word. 

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Sayler

... 

 

Luke 1:38 – paraphrased prayer of Mary

Here I am, Lord!

Let it be to me

as You have said.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Sayler

 

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Praying for Mercy, Praying to See

 

When two blind men approached Jesus for healing, the people around Him criticized them and tried to shoo them away. Despite this ill treatment by others, the men kept calling out to the Lord – not for sight but for mercy. 

No wonder! If the reaction of the crowd was typical of the way these men were usually treated, their suffering and rejection by others might have felt worse than their blindness.

 

Reading the story in the King James Version below, Jesus’ response seems odd and unexpected. i.e., He doesn’t go to the blind men. He stands still and calls them to Him.

 

Jesus calls and gives us the choice to follow.

 

Although obvious to everyone, Jesus did not presume the men wanted to see. Remember? They had prayed only for mercy. So the Lord called them to Him. The Lord waited for them. Then Jesus asked them what they wanted to ask Him.

 

Matthew 20:30-33

from the King James Version

 

And, behold, two blind men

sitting by the way side,

when they heard

that Jesus passed by,

cried out, saying,

 

Have mercy on us,

O Lord, thou son of David.

 

And the multitude rebuked them,

because they should hold their peace:

but they cried the more, saying,

 

Have mercy on us,

O Lord, thou son of David.

 

And Jesus stood still, and called them,

and said,

 

What will ye

that I shall do unto you?

 

They say unto him,

Lord, that our eyes

may be opened.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Sayler

 

 

Matthew 20:31b-33

paraphrased

 

Lord, Son of David,

have mercy on us!

 

Lord, Son of David,

have mercy on us!

 

Lord Jesus,

we want to see.

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Sayler

 

Having the Lord Himself ask us to tell Him what we want shows His compassion, grace, and mercy! And so, we ask:

 

 

Dear Lord God, help us to receive Your mercy and see more clearly in Jesus’ Name.

 

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The Apostle Peter prays to be rescued

 

Simon Peter, a friend and apostle of Jesus, had enough faith to step out of the boat and onto the water. As long as he kept Jesus singularly in sight, Peter was able to walk across the surface of the lake. But then he looked away.

 

Peter saw the wind-driven waves. He felt the stout breeze. And as soon as he looked at his circumstances and looked to himself, he knew he could not possibly do what he was doing!

 

He was right. Peter could not walk on water on his own. Only his faith in Jesus had kept him afloat. As he likely flailed about in fear, he called Jesus to the rescue, and instantly, the Lord held out His hand.

 

 

Matthew 14:30 – a prayer of Peter

 

But when (Peter) saw the wind boisterous,

he was afraid; and beginning to sink,

he cried, saying,
 

Lord,

save me.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Sayler

 

 

Matthew 14:30 – a prayer of Peter

 

Lord, I’m frightened!

I’m starting to sink

too low to keep my head up.

Save me, Lord!

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Sayler

 

 

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Jesus thanks God for wisdom in childlike people

 

Have you ever known humble, childlike people who have uncanny insights? I have. For example, a Christian I’ve known for years has a learning disability but has often expressed unusual insight into God’s Word. Another believer in Christ lacks social skills yet hears angels praying. I’ve seen a gift of wisdom in preschoolers, too, and in a person slipping deeper and deeper into dementia. This prayer shows Jesus knows what I mean:

 

Matthew 11:25-26 – a prayer of Jesus

 

At that time Jesus answered and said,

I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because thou hast hid these things

from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them unto babes.

Even so, Father: for so it seemed

good in thy sight.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

 

Matthew 11:25-26 – a prayer of Jesus

 

O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

thank You for hiding Your wisdom

from those who think

they’re clever and wise  

but revealing Your insights

to childlike people.

Yes, Father!

What pleasure this brings!

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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A Bible Prayer to keep us afloat

 

As floods and overwhelming circumstances threaten to do us in, this Bible prayer from Jesus’ followers is here for us to pray today.

 

Matthew 8:25 – a prayer of Jesus’ followers
from the King James Version of the Bible:

 

And (Jesus’) disciples came to him,
and awoke him, saying,

Lord,
save us:

we perish.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

Matthew 8:25 – a prayer of Jesus’ followers,
Paraphrased in contemporary language:

 

Lord!
Save us! 

Do not let us
drown!

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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Prayer without borders

 

Oppressed during the time of Jesus, the people of Jerusalem held Roman soldiers in fear and/or contempt. Yet Jesus marveled over the faith of a Roman officer who came to Him on behalf of a servant who was ill.

 

Not only did the centurion ask a Jewish man for healing, this leader understood that God’s power extended far beyond the tassels bordering the hem of Jesus’ garment.

 

Matthew 8:8 – a prayer of a Roman officer
paraphrased into contemporary English

Lord, I am not worthy
to have You come under my roof, 

but speak only a word,
and healing will happen!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

Matthew 8:8 – a prayer of a Roman officer
from the King James Version of the Bible

The centurion answered and said, 

Lord, I am not worthy
that thou shouldest come
under my roof:
but speak the word only,
and my servant shall be healed.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

Lord Jesus, help us to know Your healing power extends to us even now from heaven to earth. In Your Name we pray.

 

©2021, Mary Sayler

 

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