Praying the Scripture (Part 1)

Ask, Seek, Knock...







Often, I take verses from the Bible and turn them into prayers.  Using these ancient words, these truths about God, helps me find the words for my own prayers.  I am astounded by how well I can relate to the cries of Moses, David, Paul and others as they call out to God for his mercy, help, forgiveness and wisdom.  Their outpouring to God becomes mine.  Many times, I stumble upon a promise in Scripture.  By praying that promise I am asking God to keep His word.  (He does.)  Sometimes I read a verse and think, "Whoa, that is a wake up call."  I use that verse to pray that I would "wake up" and be more like Christ as described in the verse.  All this to say, Scripture helps me pray and I know that if I am asking for something that is within God's will for my life, he will respond.  This week I found myself simply praying through tears "God, Help me..." and I couldn't get any farther without choking up.  So I just repeated those words over and over.  Guess what?  He DID help me.  And he knew exactly HOW to help me even though I hadn't spelled it out.  As Matthew 6 says, our Father in heaven knows what we need before we ask it and if we ask anything in His name, He will provide.

Here are some of those simple prayers I have created from Scripture:

Prayer from 1st Timothy
Father,
Fill me with the love that comes from a pure heart.  May my mind be clean and my faith strong.  God show me your kindness and mercy and give me peace of heart and mind.
Amen.

Prayers from 2nd Peter
Dear Lord,
Help me to be rich in faith.  May I do a wealth of good not for my sake, but because YOU are good.  May I grow in my wealth of knowledge of You and discover the treasure that is a life lived for you - a life of rich blessing that comes from loving others deeply.

And Lord,
Help me to know you better and show me what you would have me do.  Help me put aside my own desires and replace them with your's.  Help me to be fruitful by growing in my love for you and others.
Amen.

Prayer from Ephesians
Almighty God,
Give me wisdom to truly understand who Christ is and all that He has done for me.  Flood the eyes of my heart with light so that I can clearly see Him and the future with Him that awaits me.  Help me to understand that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is what God will use to help me, when I call on Him.
Amen.

Prayer from Isaiah 61
Dear Jesus,
You are the Annointed One who came to preach good tidings to the poor, heal the broken hearted, free the captives and to comfort those who mourn.  You still do all these things today!  Help me to be like you and do those same things in the world - to share Your love with others by healing, helping, freeing and comforting those around me who are trapped in poverty, loneliness and despair.  Give me the courage to share the message of hope that comes from You.  For You give beauty for ashes; you replace mourning with joy and you spread praise instead of doom.  Make me an oak of righteousness for your glory!
Amen.

Blessings,
Hope

Matthew 7:7