Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” Luke 11:1
At a weekly Bible study I attended, the question was posed, “In what area is God calling you to a deeper level of obedience?” As we went around the table of 20 plus women, the majority mentioned prayer. The women had hearts for obediently following Jesus’ example to pray, but some wondered how to proceed. If you are reading this book, perhaps God is calling you in this area, too? How should you press on?
Let’s review: The place to begin is the Bible. God’s Word has all we need. When we don’t know what to say, God does. There are fantastic verses from Genesis to Revelations, but a great place to explore are the Psalms. Here we read the heart cries of other believers that we may also pray to the Lord.
To THANK the Lord, we may pray,
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1 (NKJV)
To EXALT (praise) our God, we may pray,
I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing to You among the nations.
For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens,
And Your truth unto the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:9-11 (NKJV)
To ADMIT our sins and ask for forgiveness, we may pray,
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. Psalm 51:1-2 (NKJV)
To seek God’s CALLING for our lives, we may pray,
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (NKJV)
To UNDERSTAND and talk with Jesus about our story, we may pray,
O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off. Psalm 139:1-2 (NKJV)
To claim one of God’s PROMISES for our lives, we may pray,
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NKJV)
To pour out our hearts and PETITION the Lord, we may pray,
Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation! Psalm 38:21-22 (NKJV)
And when we come to our final request, we will have had an intimate time of prayer with Jesus. My friend, encounter the Lord today in prayer. He is most certainly calling us all.
Today’s TEA CUPP: Continue to meet with Jesus for prayer and a cup of tea each day. Bring your Bible, open to the book of Psalms, and let God’s Word begin your conversation.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:22 (NKJV)
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8 (NKJV)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
Scripture from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.