7 beautiful prayers from the Bible to guide your prayer time

God's people are blessed with the gift and responsibility of prayer. One of the most discussed topics in the Bible, prayer is mentioned in practically every book of the Old and New Testaments. Although he gives us many direct lessons and warnings about prayer, the Lord has also provided wonderful examples of what we can see.

Looking at the prayers in the scriptures has several purposes for us. First of all, they inspire us with their beauty and power. The language and the emotions that derive from it can arouse our spirit. The prayers of the Bible also teach us: that a submissive heart can push God to work in a situation and that the unique voice of every believer must be heard.

What does the Bible say about prayer?

Throughout Scripture we can find guiding principles on the practice of prayer. Some concern the way we have to deal with it:

As a first answer, not as a last resort

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With that in mind, be careful and continue to pray for all the people of the Lord "(Ephesians 6:18).

As a necessary part of a vibrant cult life

“Always rejoice, pray continually, thank in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus ”(1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18).

As an act centered on God

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask for something according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him "(1 John 5: 14-15).

Another fundamental idea concerns the reason why we are called to pray:

To stay in touch with our Heavenly Father

"Call me and I will answer you and tell you great and unbearable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33: 3).

To receive the blessing and equipment for our lives

“Then I say to you: ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you ”(Luke 11: 9).

Helping to help others

“Are any of you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Are any of you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord "(James 5: 13-14).

7 wonderful examples of prayers from the scriptures

1. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane (John 17: 15-21)
“My prayer is not just for them. I also pray for those who will believe in me through their message, so that all may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they too be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. "

Jesus raises this prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Earlier that evening, He and his disciples ate in the upper room and sang a hymn together (Matthew 26: 26-30). Now, Jesus was waiting for his arrest and hideous crucifixion to come. But even while fighting a sense of intense anxiety, Jesus' prayer at this time turned into an intercession not only for His disciples, but for those who would become followers in the future.

The generous spirit of Jesus here inspires me to go beyond raising only my needs in prayer. If I ask God to increase my compassion for others, it will soften my heart and turn me into a warrior of prayer, even for people I don't know.

2. Daniel during Israel's exile (Daniel 9: 4-19)
"Lord, the great and wonderful God, who maintains his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and hurt ... Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! For my love, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name. "

Daniel was a student of scripture and knew the prophecy that God spoke through Jeremiah regarding the exile of Israel (Jeremiah 25: 11-12). He realized that the 70-year period decreed by God was about to end. So, in Daniel's own words, "he pleaded with him, in prayer and petition, and in sackcloth and ashes", so that people could go home.

Seeing Daniel's awareness and willingness to confess sin reminds me of how important it is to come before God with humility. When I recognize how much I need his goodness, my requests take on a deeper attitude of worship.

3. Simon in the temple (Luke 2: 29-32)
"Sovereign Lord, as you promised, you can now fire your servant in peace."

Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, met Mary and Joseph in the temple. They had come to observe the Jewish custom after the birth of a baby: to present the new baby to the Lord and offer a sacrifice. Because of the revelation Simeon had already received (Luke 2: 25-26), he recognized that this child was the Savior that God had promised. Cradling Jesus in his arms, Simeon savored a moment of adoration, immensely grateful for the gift of seeing the Messiah with his own eyes.

The expression of gratitude and contentment that springs from Simon here is the direct result of his life of prayerful devotion to God. If my prayer time is a priority rather than an option, I will learn to recognize and rejoice that God is working.

4. The disciples (Acts 4: 24-30)
“… Allow your servants to pronounce your word with great audacity. Extend your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. "

The apostles Peter and John were imprisoned for healing a man and publicly speaking about Jesus, and were subsequently released (Acts 3: 1-4: 22). When the other disciples learned how their brothers had been treated, they immediately sought God's help - not to hide from potential problems, but to move forward with the Grand Commission.

The disciples, as one, show a certain request that shows me how powerful times of corporate prayer can be. If I join my fellow believers in heart and mind to seek God, we will all be renewed in purpose and strength.

5. Solomon after becoming king (1 Kings 3: 6-9)
“Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a demanding heart to rule your people and distinguish between right and wrong. For whom is this great people capable of governing you? "

Solomon was just ordained by his father, King David, to take over the throne. (1 Ki. 1: 28-40) One night God appeared to him in a dream, inviting Solomon to ask him anything he desired. Instead of asking for power and wealth, Solomon recognizes his youth and inexperience, and prays for wisdom on how to govern the nation.

Solomon's ambition was to be righteous rather than rich, and to focus on the things of God. When I ask God to make me grow in the likeness of Christ before anything else, my prayers become an invitation to God to change and use me.

6. King David in Adoration (Psalm 61)
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call you, I call as my heart becomes weak; guide me to the rock that is taller than me. "

During his reign over Israel, King David faced a rebellion led by his son Absalom. The threat to him and the people of Jerusalem led David to flee (2 Samuel 15: 1-18). He was literally hiding in exile, but he knew that God's presence was near. David has used God's faithfulness in the past as a basis for appealing to him for his future.

The intimacy and passion with which David prayed were born from a life of experiences with his Lord. Remembering the prayers answered and the touches of God's grace in my life will help me pray in advance.

7. Nehemiah for the Restoration of Israel (Nehemiah 1: 5-11)
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who rejoice to see your name again. Give success to your servant by granting him the favor ... "

Jerusalem was invaded by Babylon in 586 BC, leaving the city in ruins and the people in exile (2 Chronicles 36: 15-21). Nehemiah, an exile and a cupbearer to the Persian king, learned that although some had returned, the walls of Jerusalem were still in ruins. Driven to cry and fast, he fell before God, raising a heartfelt confession from the Israelites and a reason for being involved in the reconstruction process.

The declarations of God's goodness, the quotations from Scripture and the emotions they show are all part of Nehemiah's fervent but respectful prayer. Finding a balance of honesty with God and awe of who he is will make my prayer a more pleasant sacrifice.

How should we pray?
There is no "only way" to pray. Indeed, the Bible shows a variety of styles, from simple and straightforward to more lyrical. We can look at Scripture for insights and directions on how we should approach God in prayer. However, the most powerful prayers include some elements, usually in combination with these below:

Lode

Example: Daniel's reverence for God formed the beginning of his prayer. "Lord, the great and wonderful God ..." (Daniel 9: 4).

Confession

Example: Nehemiah began his prayer bowed to God.

“I confess the sins that we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly towards you "(Nehemiah 1: 6-7).

Using the scriptures

Example: the disciples quoted Psalm 2 to present their cause to God.

“'Why do nations rage and peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the sovereigns unite against the Lord and against his anointed one ”(Acts 4: 25-26).

declare

Example: David uses personal testimony to strengthen his trust in God's faithfulness.

"Because you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy" (Psalm 61: 3).

Petition

Example: Solomon presents a caring and humble request to God.

“So give your servant a demanding heart to rule your people and distinguish between right and wrong. For whom is this great people capable of governing? " (1 Kings 3: 9).

An example prayer
Lord God,

You are the Creator of the universe, omnipotent and fantastic. Still, you know me by name and you numbered all the hairs on my head!

Father, I know I have sinned in my thoughts and actions and have saddened you without realizing it today, because we are not all up to it. But when we confess our sin, you forgive us and wash us pure. Help me come to you faster.

I praise you, God, because you promise to solve things for our good in every situation. I still don't see an answer for the problem I have, but as I wait, let my confidence in you grow. Please calm my mind and cool my emotions. Open my ears to hear your guide.

Thank you that you are my Heavenly Father. I want to bring you glory with the way I manage myself every day, and especially in difficult times.

I pray this in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

If we follow the instructions of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4, then we will pray "in every situation". In other words, we must pray for everything that weighs on our hearts, whenever we need it. In Scripture, prayers are exclamations of joy, outbursts of anger and all sorts of things in between. They teach us that when our motivation is to seek him and humiliate our hearts, God is happy to listen and respond.