Prayer for God’s intervention

Troubled times now, troubled times in Bible days….

This prayer from God’s Word can be prayed appropriately now and any time we place our praise, trust, and concerns before the Lord.

Psalm 71:1-12

paraphrased into everyday English

I put my trust in You, O Lord.

Help me never to be confused about that.

Rescue me. Free me for You do what’s right.

Stay inclined to listen to me and deliver me.

Be to me a Rock where I can safely hide.

Give Your command to rescue me,

for You are my high ridge and fortress.

Rescue me, my God, from the power of evil,

from the clutches of cruel oppressors.

O Lord, my only hope is in You.

From childhood I have trusted You, Lord.

Yes, from the moment of my birth

and even in my mother’s womb, You

have tended me.

No wonder I’m always praising You.

No wonder my life provides an example to many,

because You have been my strength and protection.

No wonder I daily declare Your praise and glory!

Now that I’m older, please don’t set me aside.

Please don’t leave me when my strength fails,

for people whisper against me and plot

to do me in. They say, “God has gone from him!

Let’s go get him, for who will help him now?”

O God, please don’t stay away.

Please hurry to help me, my God.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual Bible prayers from many translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Psalm 71:1-12

from the King James Version

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust:

let me never be put to confusion.

Deliver me in thy righteousness,

and cause me to escape: incline

thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong habitation,

whereunto I may continually resort:

thou hast given commandment

to save me; for thou art my rock

and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of

the hand of the wicked, out of

the hand of the unrighteous

and cruel man.

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute   and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

O God, be not far from me:

O my God, make haste for my help.

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

For additional translations and adaptations of this psalm, visit Bible Gateway website – my online go-to site for biblical research.

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Praying Psalm 70 in turbulent times

During his lifetime, King David often found himself surrounded by hate and ill will. In physical, mental, and spiritual danger – as we are today – this beloved man of faith turned to God, seeking protection, deliverance, and peace. 

In the midst of his own troubles, however, David prayed for others who sought God’s help. Like Christ, King David prayed for us.

Psalm 70 – prayer of David

from King James Version 

Make haste, O God,

to deliver me;

make haste to help me,

O Lord.

Let them be ashamed

and confounded that

seek after my soul:

let them be turned

backward, and put

to confusion, that

desire my hurt. Let

them be turned back

for a reward of their

shame that say,

Aha, aha.

Let all those that seek thee

rejoice and be glad in thee:

and let such as love

thy salvation say continually,

Let God be magnified.

But I am poor and needy:

make haste unto me, O God:

thou art my help and my deliverer;

O Lord, make no tarrying.

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

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Psalm 70 – prayer of David paraphrased

Deliver me, God!

Lord, hurry to help me!

Let anyone who seeks my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be driven away in embarrassment.

Let everyone who seeks You

rejoice and be happy in You.

Let those who love

Your deliverance

keep saying, “God is great!”

But, God, I am in distress

and in need!

You are my help.

You are my deliverer.

Oh please, Lord, do not delay.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers from God's Word collected from a variety of translations found on Bible Gateway and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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Bible Reviewer: Reviewing Bibles and Bible prayers

Bible Reviewer: Reviewing Bibles and Bible prayers

Praying for Salvation

Dis-ease, distress and unrest abound in our country, in the world, and in biblical times too. Here’s how King David prayed in such a time as this:

Psalm 69:13-21, 29-30 – a prayer of David

from the King James Version of the Bible

But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord,

in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude

of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink:

let me be delivered from them that hate me,

and out of the deep waters.

Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither

let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit

shut her mouth upon me.

Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good:

turn unto me according to the multitude of thy

tender mercies.

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I

am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it:

deliver me because of mine enemies.

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame,

and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all

before thee.

Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am

full of heaviness: and I looked for some

to take pity, but there was none; and

for comforters, but I found none.

They gave me also gall for my meat; and

in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

But I am poor and sorrowful:

let thy salvation,

O God, set me up on high.

I will praise the name of God

with a song, and will magnify him

with thanksgiving.

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

Psalm 69:13-21, 29-30 – a prayer of David

paraphrased into contemporary English

I keep on praying to You, Lord,

hoping You will show me favor.

In Your consistent love, O God,

answer my prayer with the truth

of Your salvation.

Rescue me from this mire!

Don’t let me sink any lower!

Save me from those who wish me ill

and pull me from deep waters.

Don’t let anything overwhelm me

or bottomless waters swallow me

or death traps devour me!

Answer my prayers, O Lord,

for Your wonderful love does not fail.

Let Your abundant mercy care for me.

Don’t hide from me! Hurry

and answer me, for I am in trouble.

Come and redeem me. Free me

from whoever is against me.

You know I’ve been insulted,

humiliated, and disgraced,

for You see what’s been brought

against me. Such insults break

my heart, and I am in despair.

If only One would show pity!

If only One would turn and comfort me.

But they give me gall and, for my thirst,

sour wine to drink.

O God, I am suffering and in pain!

Rescue me by Your saving power.

Then I will praise Your Name with songs.

I will honor You by giving my thanks.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by MaryHarwell Sayler, ©2019

Lord God, Heavenly Father of us all, give us Your prayers to pray for ourselves, one another, and the world in the power of Jesus’ Name.

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Praying for God’s protection

In this prayer-psalm, King David asks God to protect him – not from the enemy, whoever or whatever that might be – but from fear. He also prays, in essence, to be kept untouched by the ills and ill-will around him.

Psalm 64:1-2 – a prayer of David

from the King James Version of the Bible

Hear my voice,

O God, in my prayer:

preserve my life

from fear of the enemy.

Hide me

from the secret counsel

of the wicked;

from the insurrection

of the workers of iniquity:

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

Psalm 64:1-2 – a prayer of David

paraphrased into contemporary English

Hear my voice, O God,

even when I complain!

Protect my life from fear

and dread of terror.

Hide me from hateful plots

and hate-filled people,
from trouble-making mobs.

From the Book of BiblePrayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Praise You, Lord God, for heeding our prayers and keeping us safely tucked into Your Holy Spirit.

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Pray for forgiveness, peace, healing!

As riots abound around our country and the world, Pentecost week has come, reminding us of the coming of the Law of Moses to bring God's people together and, centuries later, the coming of the Holy Spirit to empower us as we minister to and build up God's people everywhere. And so, in the Name of the Lord God and all that is Holy, let's do everything we can to communicate God's love:

• Let's try to truly hear what others have to say, especially if their lives differ greatly from ours.
• Let's aim to identify each problem and look for workable solutions instead of lumping everything into an impassible mountain.
• Let's pray together.
• Pray with the family of Korah.
• Pray for the Lord to remind us, we, too, are One in the Family of God.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring forgiveness, peace, and healing in Jesus’ Name.
• Pray for God’s Love to be clearly visible as the banner He places over ALL of His people.

Psalm 60:1-5 – a prayer of the family of Korah from the King James Version of the Bible

O God, thou hast cast us off,

thou hast scattered us, thou hast

been displeased;

O turn thyself to us again.

Thou hast made the earth

to tremble; thou hast broken it:

heal the breaches thereof;

for it shaketh.

Thou hast shewed

thy people hard things:

thou hast made us to drink

the wine of astonishment.

Thou hast given a banner to them

that fear thee, that it may be displayed

because of the truth. Selah.

That thy beloved may be delivered;

save with thy right hand, and hear me.

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

Psalm 60:1-5 – a prayer of the family of Korah - prayerfully paraphrased into everyday English

O God, have You rejected us?

You have been angry with us

and broken down our defenses.

Restore us now!

You made the land quake

and split open.

Now heal these rifts

before the world falls apart!

You made Your people

quake from hardships

and stagger from the cup

You gave us to drink.

And yet, You have raised a banner

over those who fear You,

so we can rally together

when we’re under attack.

Save us with Your hand of power!

Answer us, so those dear to You

may be delivered into safety.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by MaryHarwell Sayler, ©2019

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Praying for mercy

We often equate mercy with clemency and compassion, but God’s mercy offers much more. His mercy offers us forgiveness, redemption, and peace. That’s true for us individually and also for God's family. 

We’re all in this together! So let’s pray to receive God’s mercy over us and our country. Let's do all we can to be at peace with God, each other, and ourselves.

Deuteronomy 21:8-9 – a prayer of Moses

from the King James Version of the Bible

Be merciful, O Lord, unto thy people Israel,

whom thou hast redeemed,

and lay not innocent blood

unto thy people of Israel's charge.

And the blood shall be forgiven them.

So shalt thou put away the guilt

of innocent blood from among you,

when thou shalt do that which is right

in the sight of the Lord.

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

Deuteronomy 21:8 – a prayer of Moses

paraphrased into everyday language

Lord, You freed us!

Now please

make peace with us.

Don’t let the guilt

of unsolved offenses

reside with Your people.

Give us peace, Lord.

Give us peace.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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