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Praying Scripture-Based Prayers

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Praying Scripture-Based Prayers

We’ve already discussed and learned about the benefits and power of prayer in addition to some tips for how to pray (see the “Prayer” section on this link here). This week I’d like to specifically address scripture-based prayers. We’ll discuss what they are, how they are a powerful way of praying, why we should pray them, and how to make scripture-based prayers.

There is nothing new about these types of prayers. This has been a way of praying for generations. Additionally, we can see examples and instances of people quoting scripture in their prayers throughout the Old and New Testaments.

What are scripture-based prayers?

Scripture-based prayers are a type of prayer where we take a scripture or Bible verse and use the words from the scripture to formulate a specific prayer. Instead of coming up with our own words to pray to God, we just pray what’s already written in the Bible. These prayers are rooted in scripture.

Scripture-based prayers are essentially just praying scripture back to God. It’s a way of praying using Bible verses either in or to formulate our prayer. Furthermore, we can let the meaning of the verses inspire our thoughts and become our own prayer.

Scripture-based prayers are a powerful way of praying

We know from reading James 5:16 that prayer is powerful and effective.

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)

Additionally, Hebrews 4:12 tells us God’s Word (i.e. scripture) is living and powerful.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (NKJV)

Therefore, if prayer is powerful and God’s Word is powerful, it’s doubly powerful to pray scripture-based prayers!

It’s powerful to agree with and say the same thing as God

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When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request

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When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request ...

When Somebody Makes a Prayer Request

I think a lot of times people just flippantly say “I’m praying for you” or “I’ll pray for you”, but more often than not, it’s just lip-service.  They may truly mean it at the time, but then they might forget later or not make it a priority.  Sometimes people just don’t know WHAT or HOW to pray for the other person making the prayer request.  Today I’d like to help you out with this by giving you some suggestions for not just offering lip service when a prayer request is made of you and for how to actually pray for that person when they ask.

Pray right then and there

To address the first issue, I’ll give you some tips for how to actually pray for them and not just say that you will.  The first and best piece of advice that I can give you is what works for me.  Stop whatever you are doing, and pray for them right then and there.  You can’t forget to do it later if you do it right now.  It should only take you a couple of minutes, if that.  You don’t even have to pray out loud or even with them if that makes you uncomfortable.  Just take a second to say a silent prayer on their behalf.

Make a note to pray

The next thing you can do is to make yourself a note to pray for them.  Write yourself a reminder to pray for that person later and/or to check on them again to see how they are doing.  I’ve found myself writing things on post-it notes, index cards, adding a note to my phone, or setting a reminder alarm, and I even have a prayer request app on my phone that I use from time to time.  I also write prayers in my quiet time journal. Additionally, the Bible app has a place to make a prayer list.

One thing that I haven’t started yet that I would like to start is a separate prayer journal.  I’d like to have a place where I can write my own prayer requests to God along with others as a physical and tangible list and reminder.  Then I’ll also be able to go back and mark when they were answered.   Maybe a prayer journal would be a good idea for you too?  The point is, when you write things down, it’s easier to remember to do them.  Plus, you have a tangible reminder to do so.

As far as HOW to pray for them…

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8 Hindrances to Prayer

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Do you feel like you have hit some road blocks in your prayer life? Look at these 8 Hindrances to Prayer

8 Hindrances to Prayer

This week we’ll continue on the topic of prayer by discussing some hindrances to prayer.  Prayer is a very powerful and effective force, but there are actually some things we can do that will hinder our prayers and their effectiveness.  They are almost like roadblocks.

Prayer is a very powerful force, but there are things we do that can hinder our prayers.

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When I think of hindrances to prayer I always think of a humorous story that Joe McGee told when speaking at our church one time.  I can’t remember all of the details, but I remember him saying that he was praying one time when God spoke to him about how he was treating Denise, his wife.  He had either been encountering problems or wasn’t getting an answer to prayer (I don’t recall), and he asked God about it.

Joe said he heard clearly in his spirit that God told him to buy his wife the brand of soda and laundry detergent that she wanted.  He had always just bought what he grew up with and was used to, neglecting her preferences.  I think he even made a joke about the laundry detergent because she used Tide, and he said that was just sacrilegious since they were from Tennessee (major rivals of Alabama…aka Crimson TIDE).  He said that God reminded him of 1 Peter 3:7 which said “…Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”  God was trying to teach him to treat his wife well so that his prayers wouldn’t be hindered.

Aside from how we treat others, there are a few other things that can put a damper on our prayers.  I’ve actually learned about 8 hindrances to prayer that can have a negative impact.  Let’s take a look…

8 Hindrances to Prayer

  1. Wrong motives

Like it or not, we can sometimes approach God with wrong intentions, reasons, or motives.  We cannot be evil or completely selfish in our prayer life.  Yes, God wants us to have the desires of our hearts but not at the expense of others.  The Bible says we will not receive if we ask with the wrong motives.

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3 (NIV)

  1. Unforgiveness in our hearts

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How to Pray: Be Specific, Bold, Expectant, and Thankful

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There are some things a lot of people leave out in their prayer life. Learn how to pray by being specific, bold, expectant, and thankful in your prayers.

How to Pray: Be Specific, Bold, Expectant, and Thankful

This week we’re still on the topic of prayer.  Previously we discussed some of the reasons to pray, places/times to pray, and some examples of how to pray (here and here).  I’d like to continue discussing more on how to pray by being specific, bold, expectant, and thankful in our prayers.  These are some things I’ve learned over the years that I think a lot of people either leave out or are negligent in doing in their prayer life.

I’m so very thankful for my pastor teaching us these principles of prayer over the years.  These principles work.  Because I’ve learned these things and have put them into practice in my life, I have experienced a very powerful and effective prayer life.  My husband, Eric, was even joking with me once about my prayers getting answered.  A song that got on my nerves came on the radio, and I made a face at him and groaned.  Then, a few seconds later, the radio just went silent, and Eric said “Did you pray for that to happen?”  I replied with a smirk, “No, but I’m glad that you recognize the power of my prayers!”  If you will put these principles of how to pray into practice, you too will have a powerful and effective prayer life.

How to Pray: Be SPECIFIC when making requests of God and include scripture.

I learned early on from my pastor that God wants us to be specific in our prayers and when approaching Him with our needs.  We shouldn’t just go to God listing all of our problems.  We should tell Him how we want Him to help. When we are requesting something of God, we need to state our specific request.  I heard Kenneth Copeland say once that if you’re praying for “nothing in particular” that’s just about what you’re gonna get!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

The New Living Translation says “tell God what you need”.  I think it’s also important to remind God of His Word and promises.  In other words, find a scripture or a promise in the Bible to back up what you are asking for.  God wants us to remind Him.  In fact, He tells us to do so—to put Him in remembrance…

“Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.” Isaiah 43:26 (ESV)

Example: 

Instead of saying,

“God, we’re short on money.  I can’t afford to pay this unexpected medical expense.  Please help me.”

Be specific and say,

“God, we’re short on money.  I can’t afford to pay this unexpected medical expense.  Your word says in Philippians 4:19 that you will provide all of my needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  I need $800 to pay for this medical bill.  Please provide a way for this $800 need to be met—either by providing the money somehow or by providing an idea or means of obtaining this money.  Thank you for hearing me and for providing my need.”

The second approach states not only the problem but the specific request along with a scripture to remind God (and us) that He is our source and provider. 

Be specific when making requests of God and include scripture in your prayers.

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How to Pray: Be BOLD and have confidence when approaching God.

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