Pleading in Prayer

Taking Time

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

John 15:4 ESV

God frequently tells us that we should grow in our spiritual walk.  John 15 gives us the words of Jesus, God’s Son.  We need to spend time learning about Jesus.  The best way to do that is to read God’s Word and spend time talking to Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Jesus’ words in the Bible. Please help me to spend time learning about You and growing in my spiritual walk.

I pray this in Jesus’ Name.

God is so good.

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

God gave us the Bible as a tool for life.  Many have rejected God’s Word, but I think if you look closely, you will find the value.  God carefully gave us the words we would need to help us along the way.  I pray you learn the power of the truth of God’s Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for giving us the valuable tool of Your Word.  I have been challenged and encouraged in all areas of my life. The Bible has given me a firm foundation that allows me to grow. Please help me to continue to seek the truth from Your Word and to live it in every area of my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-11 ESV

God tells us in 2 Peter 1:3 that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness.  As we continue reading the passage, we see that we have responsibility.  The Bible tells us to keep adding to our faith – and gives us a list:  faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.  These character qualities show that we remember we have been “cleansed from former sins”. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for cleansing me from sin.  Please help me to continue working on adding to my faith.  Please show me how each day.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

2 Peter 1:1-4

As we start off this new year, I want to make sure I have the right tools to serve God more.  As I have mentioned, God has been showing me what prayer is all about.  Last year my “word for the year” was prayer.  Since prayer is talking to God, I paired my blog posts about prayer with passages from the Bible (God’s Word).  I want to continue that theme, but focus more on God’s Word. 

In 2 Peter 1:3, we are told that God has given those who follow Him everything we need – for “life and godliness” through knowledge of God. God’s Word is a valuable source of information about God.  Talking to Him is a good way to be open to learn what He has for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing everything I need to become more like You despite my sin nature.  I want to seek You more this year and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ Name.

God is so good.

2019 was about praying. I went through Jesus’ Example Prayer and now I have prayed through Psalm 119. God timed that one perfectly! For 2020 I want to continue praying God’s Word, but with a greater emphasis on God’s Word rather. God’s Word is the best foundation for life.

Here is the last section of Psalm 119. God is so good!

Listen to my cry for help, O Lord!
Give me insight by Your word!
Listen to my appeal for mercy!
Deliver me, as You promised. 

Psalm 119:169-170

Dear Heavenly Father, I need You! Give me the understanding that Your Word provides.  Listen to my plea for compassion and deliverance according to Your promises.

May praise flow freely from my lips,
for You teach me your statutes.
May my tongue sing about Your instructions,
for all Your commands are just. 

Psalm 119:171-172

May I readily show appreciation for how You teach me and sing about Your justice.

May Your hand help me,
for I choose to obey Your precepts.
I long for Your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in Your law.
May I live and praise You!
May Your regulations help me!
I have wandered off like a lost sheep.
Come looking for Your servant,
for I do not forget Your commands.

Psalm 119:173-176

I need help to continue choosing to obey Your ways. I long for the freedom only You can provide.  I have joy in Your law.  May I praise You as long as I live.  I need the protection and help from Your ways. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Rulers pursue me for no reason,
yet I am more afraid of disobeying Your instructions.
I rejoice in Your instructions,
like one who finds much plunder.

Psalm 119:161-162

Dear Heavenly Father, even though there are those who want to hurt me I am more afraid of disobeying You.  Your ways are more exciting than treasure.

I hate and despise deceit;
I love Your law.
Seven times a day I praise You
because of Your just regulations.
Those who love Your law are completely secure;
nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalm 119:163-165

Deceit is disgusting.  Your law is truth, therefore I love it.  I praise You for Your just laws. Thank You for the security Your laws bring.

I hope for Your deliverance, O Lord,
and I obey Your commands.
I keep Your rules;
I love them greatly.
I keep Your precepts and rules,
for You are aware of everything I do.

Psalm 119:166-168

Thank you for the sure hope of deliverance by following Your laws.  I will keep Your rules.  I know You are watching me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

See my pain and rescue me!
For I do not forget Your law.
Fight for me and defend me!
Revive me with Your word!
The wicked have no chance for deliverance,
for they do not seek Your statutes.

Psalm 119:153-155 NET

Dear Heavenly Father, help me in my weakness, I work hard to follow Your ways. The wicked cannot be delivered; they do not follow Your laws.

Your compassion is great, O Lord.
Revive me, as You typically do!
The enemies who chase me are numerous.
Yet I do not turn aside from Your rules.
I take note of the treacherous and despise them,
because they do not keep Your instructions.

Psalm 119:156-158 NET

I am in awe of Your wonderful compassion.  Restore me as You always do.  There are so many who want me to fail, but I refuse to go against Your law.  I watch for those who seek to harm others and despise them, because they hate Your ways.

See how I love Your precepts!
O Lord, revive me with Your loyal love!
Your instructions are totally reliable;
all Your just regulations endure.

Psalm 119:159-160 NET

I will live Your ways!  Revive me with Your lovingkindness.  Your ways are trustworthy and will endure.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!
I will observe Your statutes.”
I cried out to You, “Deliver me,
so that I can keep Your rules.”
I am up before dawn crying for help.
I find hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:145-147 NET

Dear Heavenly Father – please hear me.  I need Your help to follow Your rules.  I call for help early in the day.  I find hope in Your word.

My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours,
so that I can meditate on Your word.
Listen to me because of Your loyal love!
O Lord, revive me, as You typically do!
Those who are eager to do wrong draw near;
they are far from Your law.
You are near, O Lord,
and all Your commands are reliable.
I learned long ago that
You ordained Your rules to last. 

Psalm 119:148-152 NET

I look forward to the time that I can meditate on Your word.  I need to talk to You and be strengthened by You. Those who cling to wrong are close by.  They do not want to follow Your law.  Thank you that You and Your rules are reliable and meant to last.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Your rules are marvelous.
Therefore I observe them.
Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines.
They give insight to the untrained.
I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for Your commands.

Psalm 119:129-131

Dear Heavenly Father, Your rules, Your ways are worth longing after.  They give us understanding, direction, and light.

Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,
as you typically do to Your loyal followers.
Direct my steps by Your word!
Do not let any sin dominate me!
Deliver me from oppressive men,
so that I can keep Your precepts.

Psalm 119:132-134

I seek the mercy that You give to Your loyal followers.  Guide me with Your word.  Do not let those who oppose You stop me from obeying Your rules.

Smile on Your servant!
Teach me Your statutes!
Tears stream down from my eyes,
because people do not keep Your law.

Psalm 119:135-136

Teach me the joy of Your ways.  I cry when I see those who do not obey You. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.