I shared in a devotion featured today at Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk.com that I used to struggle with what to say in my prayers. Then I learned about the practice of praying God’s Word, and experienced the power of praying God’s will. It completely changed my outlook on prayer and my outlook on life. It also really helped me hide God’s Word in my heart. The more I prayed it, the more I remembered what God’s Word promises and the more I believed.
Here are a few verses I pray for others and for myself. I either put I, me or my name in the blanks or someone else’s name, or both.
For really “getting” God’s love:
Lord, I pray that ________ would be rooted and established in Your love, and that ________ would have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that ______may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
Lord, I thank you that because of Your great love and compassion You said that “though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, Your unfailing love for (me) ______ will not be shaken, and Your covenant of peace will not be removed.” Today, I choose to believe and live in the security and promise of your unfailing love. Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)
For anxieties or worries:
Lord, please help ____ to remember that You are near. And because you are near, please help ______ to choose not to worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything. I pray that _______would simply tell you what ______ need and thank you for all that you have already done. Because when _____ do/does this, Your word says that the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Today, I commit to obey your word so that I can become a prayer warrior instead of a prayer worrier. Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)
Jesus , You said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust also in Me.” So, today I choose not to LET my heart fill with trouble and worries. When they start filling my heart, I will bring them to You and place them in Your trusting and capable hands. John 14:1 (NIV)
For hope and peace:
I pray that You God, the source of hope, will fill_____ completely with joy and peace because ______trusts in You. Then _____will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13 (NLT)
Lord, because You supply all of ________ needs, I pray that _________ would still and quiet _____ soul; like a weaned child with it’s mother, like a weaned child is ______soul within (me) _________. Help_______ put _______hope in You LORD both now and forevermore. Psalm131:2 (NIV)
For strength and faith:
Lord, I pray that out of Your glorious riches You would strengthen_______ with power through Your Spirit in______ inner being, so that Christ may dwell in _______heart through faith. Help me see your blessings and riches in my life that I so easily miss in my busy and exhausting schedule. Lord, reveal Your life to _______and through ________ as________rely on Your strength in me. Ephesians 3:1-17, (NIV)
For growing in our love for God and others:
“And this is my prayer for _________: that ________ love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” Philippians 1:9 (NIV)
I would love to hear your thoughts on prayer. Also, what are some of your favorite verses? Please click on the word “comments” below to share yours. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could print out a huge list after today and experience the fullness God intends for our lives, as we pray His Words and pray His will together?
Thanks Renee praying with God’s scriptures are a very powerful weapon in our daily prayers. So blessed with the guidelines you’ve given.
Dear sister in Christ Renee,
I thank you so much for your daily e-mails. They have kept me going when at times I felt weaker; they give me a new strength and hope in some situation in my life.
My favourite verses is: Psalm 23:1-6
He is really my shepherd because I hade very difficulty moment in my life but God always helped me and give me the solution, for the rest of my life I will praise and glorified Him
May God bless you and your family and your ministry!!!
In Jesus’ name Amen…
Léontine
Thank You so much Renee. I have always struggled with Prayer, always feeling that my words weren’t good enough. I needed this especially now, as I am going through some battles in my life.
May God Richly Bless You!
Thank you Renee. I have copied your Praying God’s Word. Praying God’s Will in a little book that I have made and I will use is regularly as the need may be. I have been looking for something like this and this was Godsent. God Bless You.
Yours in Christ
Cheryl
Thank you Renee. God had revealed to me further on praying His word thay we should PRAISE HIM. He has already conquered all! and we should affirm this through His word in PRAISE. His word says when we praise Him, He sets ambushments round about us for protection! 2 Chron 20:22 and sends His glory that we might not be able to contain it!the enemy can’t pass through it (PRAISE)! 1 Chron 29:11 reaffirms why. My verse is Is 41:10, when I first came to the Lord he encouraged me with this and I have trusted in this.
Thank you for your encouragement in our Lord whereby you have touched many for Him.
Gloria C
Thanks Joy – I did check out the website – it was helpful as I added to Renee’s list. I work in mental health and have printed out copies.
I found a wonderful site that has an entire list of scriptures of hope:
http://www.ourjourneyofhope.com/spiritual-support/helpful-scriptures.cfm
And of course, I’ll repeat my favorite, Jeremiah 29:11:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I hope this helps your friend. I’ll be praying for the Spirit to guide you in counseling him/her.
Joy
Thank you for your great P31 devo on prayer. I, too, have found great comfort in praying God’s Word!
Thank you for reminding me.
Love, tammy
Renee and friends – I would like to have on hand prayer scripture for those who are depressed and suicidal? Any thoughts on this?
This was great!
There are times when I seem to stumble over my words.
Oh my gosh – this is just what I need. TODAY, I am going to print out the scripture in a notebook to keep with me throughout the day – an evening. Thank you so much. Judy.
Beth Moore has a wonderful book named praying gods word everyday. this book is an awesome and anointed devotional to read every morning for prayer and meditation. Thanks for the post I read your devotionals in my Encouragement for Today through Prov 31 ministries. God bless you.
Thank you, Renee. I used to pray these prayers as the Lord directed, but with time and pressure weighing on me, I got away from it somewhat.
I am getting back to it now thanks to your wonderful inspiration, and at the direction of the Lord.
One of my favorite word prayers recently is Psalm 43:3 "Oh,send out Your light & Your truth! Let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle." May God bless you richly.
Karen
Thank you so much for your devotion on P31 regarding prayer. I have also been struggling with my prayer life. I knew there had to be more than just reciting a list of needs. I have been asking God to help me and your devotion was an answer to that prayer. Thank you. Christine
Thank you so much for this post! It can never be stated enough about the importance of a vital, alive, vibrant prayer life. Also, hiding His Word in my heart means that the Holy Spirit can bring it to my mind to pray it for others. Listening is also important. We must “be still and know that He is God.” Wait. Listen for that still small voice. Let me share with you some of the verses the Lord is having me pray in this season of my life:
Daily
Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in You sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
James 1:19 – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
Healing (spiritual or physical)
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be saved, for You, O God, are my praise.
Crisis Moments:
Habakkuk 3:19-20 Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.
Isaiah 43:18,19 – Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Spiritual Growth/Realization of who we are to become:
Psalm 92:12-15 – The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock , and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Praise
Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 107:8 Oh, that maen would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul know very well.
May God continue to grow each of us into the women that He purposed us to be – that He bought us to become!
In His love and peace,
Karan
how do I be quiet and listen for Him to speak?
Earlier tonight 2 friends and I had a Bible study these are 2 women I’ve never met we did it on line but the Bible study was about prayer and tonight your devotional is also about prayer. I’ve been neglecting My Father I have not spend any alone time with Him here lately thank you so much for the devotion you give God, and for allowing Him to use you to feed His sheep. May He Bless You Every Day Od Your Life.
Renee, I loved your post. i use a great book, Scriptures for Prayer, by Barbara Arbo, http://www.arboministries,org. It covers every topic you can think of! Each topic is loaded with numerous scriptures.
God Bless you, Diane
God is Great…This morning I was struggling with the faith I beleive God has in me..I was so scared that I had falling out of God Grace…I just needed some confirmation that I was still favored by God when I came across this site I received that confirmation when I read this page…thank you
9/25/08 I enjoyed the video clip on “The truth”. Excellent.
The only problem I happened to notice was the other UTube videos advertised. I clicked on one to see if it would open. It definitely opened and I got what I expected.
Partial nudity. I know that was not your intent to have anyone go to other videos. I’m not sure how to solve this issue but I thought I would bring it to your attention.
Prayer is our one on one communication with God. I believe as we develop a very personal, daily relationship with God that he will teach us more about how to love ourselves and love others with grace.
I love the idea to use His Words in our prayers because His word never returns void. Praying is a genuine way to personalize His word and knit it into our mind, heart and soul.
Renee, I loved this post! Nothing is as rich or satisfying as God’s Word, and, as I pray it, I feel the Lord’s pleasure.
May He richly bless you for your faithfulness!
I am printing this out to tuck in my Bible right now! Thank you!
I love this! Last night in my women's bible study class I led the women utilizing MaryAnn Ruff's circle prayer method. It was amazing the way the women poured out their hearts to God. We utilized the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving & Supplication) prayer model. A few of the ladies had never prayed out loud in a group before and this method made it very easy for them.
Right now the prayer of my heart comes from James 1:21 (MSG) "In simple humility, let (my) gardener God, landscape (me) with the word, making a salvation-garden of (my) life."
Oh how sweet it would be for God to bless me, to grow me in His garden, so that through my life I bring others to salvation through Jesus Christ!
May God rain His grace upon everyone this day!
I love this! Last night in my women's bible study class I led the women utilizing MaryAnn Ruff's circle prayer method. It was amazing the way the women poured out their hearts to God. We utilized the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving & Supplication) prayer model. A few of the ladies had never prayed out loud in a group before and this method made it very easy for them.
Right now the prayer of my heart comes from James 1:21 (MSG) "In simple humility, let (my) gardener God, landscape (me) with the word, making a salvation-garden of (my) life."
Oh how sweet it would be for God to bless me, to grow me in His garden, so that through my life I bring others to salvation through Jesus Christ!
May God rain His grace upon everyone this day!
I’m so happy I found this blog! I have been going through a painful divorce, and throughout all of it, I can honestly say “The joy of the Lord has been my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). The other thing that has sustained me through all of this turmoil is that I have developed an intimate prayer life with God, finally reaching the point of “praying without ceasing”. Instead of struggling with one or two committed times of prayer, I talk with God all day long: Thanking Him for blessings as I see them (there are SO many if you just look for them!), or just commenting on observations, or asking Him questions.
Just before my divorce “hit the fan” I finished reading Kay Arthur’s Lord, Teach ME to Pray in 28 Days. It was the most wonderful guide in teaching how to pray within God's will. (Seriously, do you really think it's God's will for you to drive a Lexus or have a 60" plasma TV?…). One of the best ways to pray within God's will is to stand on His promises which are provided in His Word (Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorites!).
Kay's study also taught me that Jesus did not intend for the Lord's prayer to be recited by rote, but rather as a pattern for prayer with a distinct six-part pattern:
1. Worship/reverence for Gods sovereignty
2. Allegiance & submission to God's Will
3. Petition and intercession (faith in Him to meet our needs
4. Confession – laying our faults, weaknesses and deficiencies at His feet.
5. Deliverance – help us to be watchful and not give in to temptation
6. More Worship – we can never give God enough glory!
Prayer is not intended to be a formal ritual – it's open, loving conversation with Abba, our loving father, our comforter, our wonderful counselor, our deliverer. And I’ve learned that if I can “be still and know that He is God”, His answers to my prayers come through loud and clear.
And one of the many roses that has come out of the ashes of my divorce was a blessed release from the anger and hurt, as well as forgiveness for my ex-husband. My daily prayer for him is that God would “create in him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him.” Psalm 51:10. God has blessed my life daily as has lead me and my daughter to a new home, an amazing new school for my daughter, and new friends and opportunities for me.
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;with my mouth I will make His faithfulness known through all generations!” Psalm 89:1
I loved your devotion today. It was so great! A friend and I were talking about it earlier and talking about how we pray when we drive in to work. I love to pray God’s Word. Especially the Psalms and even the Proverbs, the Words of Christ, and Paul especially. Much to be found in Jeremiah and Isaiah, as well. Great post!
Renee, the title of your devotional today grabbed me – as I just hung up the phone from a very unexpected call. I’ve been offerred another part-time job at a different Christian bookstore. It is to work two full days from 9-6. I asked for a couple of days to pray and talk to my husband. I saw the title of your devotional – and laughed – Lord, What should I say????
Thank you for reminding me that I will find all the answers I need in His Word. Thank you for reminding me that His Word speaks to every and any situation. I find most of what I pray back to the Lord comes from the Psalms – they are just a treasure of every situation and emotion.
I also pray daily to be dressed in God’s full armour. Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally,___ be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. _____ put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For ____, your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore ______, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, ______ you may be able to stand your ground, and after ______ has done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, _____, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this _____, take up the shield of faith, with which _____ can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.
I also use the two following verses in that passage to pray for myself and others when God calls us to speak for Him.
Vs. 19-20
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
Renee….I could fill your entire comment section with scripture I pray, but I’ll stop with this passage and look forward to reading what your other readers submit. This will be a treasure resource of prayers.
God recently called me to spend an additional hour in prayer with Him every day. I thought it would be hard, but it’s not. I schedule it in my daytimer every day so that the tyranny of the urgent can’t crowd it out. I’m finding I’m having even more time in the day to get things done. AMAZING!!! You can be sure that your name, your family, your ministry, your adoption, is all being brought before His throne of grace.
On my knees,
Joy
These are some great prayers. I have recently been enlighted to the power of praying God’s word through one of Beth Moore’s studies.
Some my faves are Jer. 29:11, Prov. 3:5-6, Rom 8:28, Ps. 51:10,
Ps. 139:23-24 is not written on my heart yet but oh is it powerful:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.
I think I’ll commit to memorizing it starting today. It’ll be the next one on my car dashboard.
Ezekiel 11:19 to pray over someone who has a heart of stone to be removed and replaced with a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 also speaks of a new heart of flesh and removing a heart of stone.
Ps. 51:2 “Wash away all our iniquities and cleanse my beloved ____ from his sins.”
Ps.51:1 blot out all our transgressions
Sorry for the unorganized comment but I’m in a hurry, as always.
Thanks for this reminder Renee! My verse to claim today is Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!”
Renee: I can’t tell you how much your feature has moved me. The minute I began to read “What Should I Say”, I saw myself. I fully understood as I have made the comment so many times that I don’t know how to pray; this happens whenever I am asked to lead prayer in services.
When I began to read your words I experienced a might moveing of the Holy Spirit in my being and my heart.
I thanked God for you and for leading me to read the feature this morning.
I pray that God will continue to bless you.
G
PRAISE GOD,
After reading you about praying GODS word and will on the proverbs 31 ministries daily devotional, I prayed and asked GOD to send my a verse to pray back to him today, and in the next instance, I clikced on your blog, and there they were, so again I say PRAISE GOD and GOD Bless!!!
Thank you for sharing on such a personal level. That is so helpful to me. I was especially touched by the idea to listen BEFORE I try to pray. I have been learning about listening prayer in the last months, but this was a new idea to me.
Thank you for sharing.
Renee I have been up for hours this morning praying and crying because I feel as though I’m so out of sync with God and his plan for me. Everything my heart desires I feel is obviously not in God’s plan, so I’ve been questioning how can I be so out of touch with God and what he wants to do with my life. Then I read your devotion. I needed to remember not to worry and continue in prayer. I actually wondered if God feels the same about me? Maybe he’s thinking why I don’t see what he has already done for me. Prayer is a two way street. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow! Thank you so much for the devotional and the scriptures! I love the thought of being a prayer warrior, not a prayer worrier!
Two bits of scripture that I am claiming as my prayer this morning are:
Romans 12:2
2 Timothy 1:7
The word of God is alive and powerful, indeed!
Have a fabulous day 🙂
I LOVE this! God has been teaching me this very same thing! Here is my prayer today:
From Colossians 1:9-14
Lord, I ask that you would give me complete understanding of what You want to do in my life, and I ask that you make me wise with spiritual wisdom. May the way that I live always honor and please You, and may I continually do good, kind things for others. Lord, may I continue to learn to know You better and better. I also pray that I will be strengthened with Your glorious power so that I will have all the patience and endurance I need. May I be filled with Your joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled me to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. For He has rescued me from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought me into the Kingdom of His dear Son. Lord, You have purchased my freedom with Your blood and have forgiven all my sins.
Wow, thank you for sharing that today, Renee. I saw your devotional on Crosswalk and came over here to find JUST what I needed. I have been filled with worry lately, and the verses you shared spoke to me. I will be keeping them nearby and praying them throughout the day. Thanks so much.
I have a prayer calendar dealing with a variety of issues for each day. Each prayer is according to scripture. I tried to paste it into the comments, however, the formatting didn’t work. I would love to send it to you. It has been very useful to me. Maybe I’ll just forward it to Wendy. Thanks!
Thank you for a wonderful out line for praying. I need to develop a consistant prayer life and this is a start. May God bless you for your work.
Isn’t it amazaing how God brings his Word to us just when we need it. I have been studying and searching on how develop a closer more meaningful prayer life. I decided to open the devotional today, and God’s reminder to pray His Word is written there for me today. Thank you for choosing to be God’s instrument today. Blessings!
thank you for sending me How to prayer printed out Praying God Word, Praying God’s Will and I put my name in the blank. May God bless you.
Thank you Renee. As a “Present and participating” Christian have struggled with this for years. Always wondering why everyone else seems to have all the right words. God is stirring in my life and I never understood to be quiet and let him talk first. Thank you so much for your daily inspirations. You are truly a God send to me. Barbara