A joyful prayer of Habakkuk

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19

 

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and no grapes huddle together on the vines….

Even though olive crops dry up,
and fields lie fruitless and empty….

Even though flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns stand empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation
For You, Sovereign Lord, are my strength!

You make me as surefooted as a deer,
able to leap across high places.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Prayer of Comfort

 

In times of need, the prayer of God’s people in Psalm 94 reminds us to seek and confess the comfort God brings. We, the people of now, can find consolation in this same prayer for our nation. Pray for yourself, of course! Then change “my” to “our” and “I” to “we.” Pray, too, for other nations (“their” and “they”) who need God’s comfort.

 

Psalm 94:17-19 – a prayer of God’s people

Unless the Lord had been my help,
my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

When I said, My foot slippeth;
thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.

In the multitude of my thoughts
within me thy comforts delight my soul.

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

 

Psalm 94:17-19 – a prayer of God’s people
in contemporary language

Unless You had been my help, Lord,
my soul would have lived in silence.

When I thought my foot slipped….
When I thought I was falling,
Your steady love,
Your unswerving mercy
held me up.

When I get anxious or
worried or upset,
You comfort my heart.
You console my soul.

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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Hope for godly nations

Leviticus 26:3-6, 11-12 – “If you faithfully follow and obey My instructions, I will give you seasonable rains, productive lands, and fruitful trees. Then you will have plenty to eat and will live in safety. I will dwell among you and will not turn away. I will walk with you and be your God.”

 

We want to follow You, Lord. We want to obey. We want to walk closer to You.

Thank You for letting us know what You want, so we don’t have to guess!  Please draw us into reading and remembering what the Bible says, so we can claim Your promises and take Your word to heart, soul, mind, and spirit.  

from the book Kneeling on the Promises of God

Praying before we speak or write!

This prayer of David reminds us to seek God's guidance and inspiration before we say or write a single word! What a blessed way to start the day! 

Poets, writers, pastors, priests, caretakers, and other communicators for Christ might find, as I did, that Psalm 19:14 is especially relevant to our lives and the work God has given us to do.

Psalm 19:14 – a prayer of David

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength
and my Redeemer.

Amen!

from the Book of Bible Prayers, researched on Bible Gateway and collected by Mary Sayler

God blesses us with His prayer, His Name

 Numbers 6:23-27 – “Bless My children. Tell them this:  'God blesses you and keeps you. The face of God shines upon you and is gracious to you. God looks upon you with peace.’  In this way, you will put My Name on My children, and I will bless them.”

We claim this blessing, Lord! Thank You for looking favorably upon us. Thank You for Your promise of grace and peace that give our faces such rest, such shine!

Praise You for receiving us and blessing us. Thank You for claiming us as Your children and giving us Your Family Name.

Mary Sayler, from Kneeling on the Promises of God

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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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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Bible prayer for the nations

 

With Memorial Day just behind us and the 4^th of July coming soon, we’re reminded of our patriotic past but also our future uncertainties, which gives us time to pray NOW!

May this and other Bible prayers guide us into keeping God’s Word as we pray, not only for our nation, but for all peoples who need God's help:

 

A prayer of God’s people from
the King James Version of
Lamentations 5:1-5, 19-21

Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us:

consider, and behold our reproach.

Our inheritance is turned to strangers,

our houses to aliens.

 

We are orphans and fatherless,

our mothers are as widows.

 

We have drunken our water for money;

our wood is sold unto us.

 

Our necks are under persecution:

we labour, and have no rest.

 

Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever;

thy throne from generation to generation.

 

Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever,

and forsake us so long time?

 

Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord,

and we shall be turned; renew our days

as of old.

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

 

 

A timely prayer of God’s people  as
paraphrased from many translations
of Lamentations 5:1-5, 19-21

Lord, do You remember

what has happened to us?

Can You see how disgraced

we have been?

 

Strangers

have our inheritance,

foreigners our homes.

We are orphaned

and fatherless.

Our mothers are widows.

 

We have to pay

for water to drink,

and firewood costs too much!

People who pursue us

close in on our heels.

 

We’re so tired, Lord,

and we have no rest.

But, You, Lord, remain

the same forever.

 

From generation to generation,

You remain on Your throne,

and yet You keep forgetting us.

Why have You let us go for so long?

 

Restore us, O Lord!

Bring us back to You!

Give us the joy we once had.

 

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, ©2019.

 

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