PRAYING SCRIPTURES (3)

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” – 1 Timothy 2:1

The Practice of PRAYING SCRIPTURES can relate to different types of prayers: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1Tim.2: 1-3). There is a variety to Prayer: “Praying always with ALL PRAYER and SUPPLICATION in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph.6:18). The NIV says: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with ALL KINDS of PRAYERS and requests...”

There are many types of prayer we can draw from Scripture, as we pray for ourselves, for others, our local communities, and our nations. We can also apply scriptures to pray for the unsaved, the sick, the broken-hearted and hurting. The solution to people’s problems is in the WORD and as we begin to pray scriptures, we’ll see lives and circumstances transformed. Here are a few prayers we can find in Scripture:

Confession Prayers: Sometimes we have sin in our lives that need to be confessed. We can pray scripture to acknowledge and confess our sins, and receiving pardon or forgiveness: “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden, I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psa. 32:3). David pleaded: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (Psa.51:1-3). Proverbs 28:13 says: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Thanksgiving Prayers: These are found mainly in the Psalms. Prayer is not just about asking God for what we need. It also involves giving thanks to God. Here are a few examples of scriptures we can use to express thanksgiving to God: “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works” (Psa.9:1); “I will extol You, my God, O king; and I will bless Your name forever an ever…I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works” (Psa.145:1,5). Paul wrote: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col.3:17).

Prayers of Praise: We can use scripture to praise God for His goodness. Psalm 100:5 affirms: “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Paul reminded the Ephesians: “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph.5:19). Hebrews 13:15 says: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the SACRIFICE of PRAISE to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Praying God’s Promises: We can use scripture to help us hold fast to promises in God’s Word such as Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Moses assured Joshua in the sight of all Israel: “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Dt.31:8). Hebrews 13:5-6 gives a similar assurance: For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”