What To Pray For

As we continued our prayer series at Faith Baptist Church last Sunday we moved from an example of prayer (the prayer of Jabez) to a description of what kinds of things the Apostle Paul prayed when he prayed for the Christians in and around the city of Ephesus. That invited an important question – what should we pray for?

In Sunday’s message I noted: It is normal that our first instinct is to pray about the circumstances in our lives that seem most pressing. We pray for health and healing if we are sick, or someone close to us is struggling in this way. We pray for a new job when we’re unemployed, a way through money trouble when we’re in the red, or a solution to a relationship problem when we’re in conflict.

There’s nothing wrong with that – of course you’re going to pray about the most urgent or top-of-mind things that are affecting you. It’s not like God isn’t aware of your main sources of need, or stress or fear, and God’s promise to us is that he does not leave us or forsake us when we’re going through these things…

But that shouldn’t be all we pray about. God should be more to us than a way to get things to work out according to our wishes if He’s truly God to us.

But what should those other things be? There are many things worthy of prayer: that God would strengthen our faith, encourage our church leaders, give wisdom to our government, increase our love and grace, and many other things we may not regularly remember in our prayers.

One thing I really appreciate about examples of prayers from church history or from other Christian denominations and traditions is that you see different priorities and elements than you are used to. Praying a pre-written prayer on your own can be a way to delve into areas you might have overlooked. A well-crafted prayer from elsewhere can also give you a starting place when you’re stuck for how to begin in your own prayer. So, as simple devotional opportunity for this week I’m including three interesting prayers you try praying on your own to see what God might do.

From Jacob Astley (1579 - 1652)

Lord, help me to realize that you will be speaking to me through the events of the day, through people, through things, and through all creation. Give me ears, eyes and heart to perceive you, however veiled your presence may be. Give me insight to see through the exterior of things to the interior truth. Give me your Spirit of discernment. O Lord, you know how busy I must be this day. If I forget you, do not forget me. Amen.

From Henri Nouwen (1932 - 1996)

O Lord, please accept my distractions, my fatigue, my irritations, and my faithless wanderings. You know me more deeply and fully than I know myself. You love me with a greater love than I can love myself. You even offer me more than I can desire. Look at me, see me in all my misery and inner confusions, and let me sense your presence in the midst of my turmoil.... Take my tired body, my confused mind, and my restless soul into your arms and let me rest, simple quiet rest. Amen

From Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536)

Most merciful Savior, increase the faith of your servants, that we may never stray from your truth; our obedience, that we may never swerve from your commandments. Increase your grace in us, that, alive in you, we may fear nothing but you, because nothing is more mighty; love nothing but you, because nothing is more lovable; glory in nothing but you, who is the glory of all the saints; and finally desire nothing but you, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is the full and perfect felicity forever. Amen.

Lastly, a song that draws from Sunday’s scripture reading, with a slightly different feel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcf_iyz3GK8