Job prays through to God

For many days, Job sat in shock, pain, and anger, looking for answers while listening to friends who didn’t believe in his innocence nor get why he kept questioning God. Although the Lord did not directly answer Job’s questions, His very presence quieted Job’s need to know.

 

Job 42:1-6 – a prayer of Job
from the King James Version of the Bible

 

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

 

I know that thou canst do every thing,

and that no thought can be

withholden from thee.

 

Who is he that hideth counsel

without knowledge? therefore

have I uttered that I understood not;

things too wonderful for me,

which I knew not.

 

Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak:

I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

 

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:

but now mine eye seeth thee.

 

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

 

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

 

 

Job 42:1-6 – a prayer of Job
in contemporary English

 

Lord, I know You can do anything!

No plan of Yours can be thwarted.

 

You asked why my ignorance hides

me from seeing Your view.

All I can say is, I didn’t understand

things too wonderful to know.

 

You told me to listen,

and You would speak.

 

You told me to answer Your questions

as I wanted You to answer mine!

 

I’ve heard a lot about You, Lord,

but now I’ve seen You for myself.

 

And so I take back my words

that questioned You, and I

repent in dust and ashes.

 

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

 

 

Bible Promise of joy for the New Year

 

Nehemiah 8:10 – “Let this day be holy unto the Lord! Let go of grief and sorrow because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Heavenly Father, You created our emotions, so You know we cannot help how we feel! You know our moods and mind-sets swing. You gave us emotions as outlets or ways to let go, for You know that holding our feelings in or trying to bury them only makes an eruption likely at an unexpected moment or untimely time!

 

Help us to be honest with ourselves about our grief and sorrows. Help us to embrace our emotions as the outlets You intended, but let go of them and hang on to You in faith, believing You will work out everything for our good.  Oh, what joy that brings!

 

From Kneeling on the Promises of God – book of God’s promises from God’s Word followed by a prayer response by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

 

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Bible prayer for God’s healing

As 2020 comes to an end, let’s pray for our nation(s) to return to the Lord God. Let’s seek God’s healing and salvation for ourselves and all peoples. Let's faithfully praise the Lord throughout the New Year.

Jeremiah 17:13-14 – a prayer of Jeremiah

from the King James Version of the Bible

 

O Lord, the hope of Israel,

all that forsake thee shall be ashamed,

and they that depart from me

shall be written in the earth,

because they have forsaken the Lord,

the fountain of living waters.

 

 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;

save me, and I shall be saved:

for thou art my praise.

 

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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Jeremiah 17:13-14 – a prayer of Jeremiah

in everyday English

 

Lord God and hope of Your people,

whoever abandons You will be put to shame!

 

All who turn away from You will find their whole lives

written only in dust,

for they have abandoned You and Your fountain

of living water.

 

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed. 

Save me, and I will be saved,

for You alone are my praise.

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

 

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Isaiah prays through misery

 

The prophet Isaiah had a close relationship with God but agonized over his own mistakes and the corruption around him. No matter how bad things seemed, however, Isaiah acknowledged the power of the Lord God and remained faithful.

 

Isaiah 6:5 – a prayer of Isaiah from the King James Version (KJV)

 

Then said I,

Woe is me!

 

for I am undone;

because I am a man

of unclean lips,

 

and I dwell in the midst

of a people of unclean lips:

for mine eyes have seen

the King,

the Lord of hosts.

 

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

 

Isaiah 6:5 – a prayer of Isaiah in contemporary English

 

It’s no use! It’s over!

I’m doomed!

 

I’m so sinful,

even my lips are filthy,

and I live among

such foul-mouthed people!

 

And yet, somehow

my eyes have recognized

You, the King –

You, the Lord of Hosts,

You, the Commander

of Heaven’s Armies.

 

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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Give thanks for God’s gifts!

 Matthew 7:11 – Jesus promised, “If you imperfect people know how to give good gifts to your children, don’t you think your Father in heaven will give good gifts to those who ask?”

 

Lord, if we’ve ever thought of You as anything but loving, fair, merciful, and kind, we don’t know You very well! Forgive us, Heavenly Father, for thinking the worst of You when, like demanding children, we don’t get what we want when we want it!

 

Praise You, Heavenly Father, for being The One pure, holy, and true parent on Whom we depend.

 

Even if we complain, we thank You, Lord, for not rewarding bad behavior. Thank You for giving Your “Amen!” to every prayer we pray that’s based on Your promises, Your word. Praise You for giving us Your Holy Spirit if we just ask. Fill us with You, Lord. Keep us filled.

 

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020, from Kneeling on the Promises of God – a book of Bible promises researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased with relevant prayers following. If the book blesses you or those to whom you give a copy, positive reviews would greatly help to pass on the blessings! Thank you.

 

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Talking with God

 Psalm 144 – a prayer of David

 

How blessed You are, my Lord, my Rock,

for You prepare me for every conflict

and strengthen me to take on whatever comes.

 

You are my fortress – loving and kind,

my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield,

and the One in Whom I take refuge

as You subdue everyone who’s against me.

 

O, Lord, who are we that You

take note of us?

 

What is humankind that You

give us any thought?

 

We’re like a mere breath

with our days like a passing shadow.

 

Come down from Your heavens, O Lord.

Touch the mountains. Flash forth lightning.

 

Scatter Your enemies. Send out arrows

and confuse them.

 

Stretch forth Your hand from on high.

 

Rescue me! Deliver me from deep waters,

from the hands of deceitful people.

I don’t know them or why they do what they do!

 

To You, I’ll sing a new song, O God.

 

With stringed instruments, I’ll sing praises to You –

Savior of leaders,

Rescuer of Your servants.

Rescue me now! Deliver me from the hands

of deceitful people, who behave falsely,

but let our young people be like growing plants,

like beautiful pillars fashioned for a palace.

 

Give us a plentiful harvest with every kind of produce.

Let our flocks multiple and cover our fields.

Let our cattle be healthy and free of mishaps.

Let there be no reason to cry in the streets!

 

How blessed are Your people!

How blessed are those whose God is You, 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 Harwell Sayler, ©2019. If you prefer prayers from the King James Version, see the Book of KJV Prayers. 

 

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Pray for our leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – “Make prayers, requests, intercession, and thanksgiving for everyone – for your leaders and all in authority – so we may lead a quiet and peaceable life of honesty and dignity. For this is good in the sight of God our Savior, Who wants everyone to be saved and come to know the truth.”

Lord, even if we despise someone in a position of authority, You don’t! Your will is for everyone to know the truth about You and be saved. And, who needs saving more than detestable people?

Give us Your prayers to pray, Lord, for our leaders at church, work, school, home, and country. Help us to intercede for those who don’t know You and desperately need You. To be honest, we don’t want to give thanks for unlikeable leaders! Yet we want to thank You for everything, and we choose to obey.

Thank You, Most High God, for the people You have placed in authority over us. Help them to lead with dignity, honor, honesty, and a mind set on You.

(c)2020, Mary Harwell Sayler, from book of Bible verses with contemporary prayers, Kneeling on the Promises of God

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