O. S. Hawkins - The Prayer Code: 40 Scripture Prayers Every Believer Should Pray

P rayer, simply defined, is talking to God. Like all communication, it involves two-way conversation, listening, and speaking. Throughout the sixty-six books of our Bibles, there are over 650 different recorded prayers. Among them are prayers of penitence, prayers of praise, prayers of petition, prayers for protection, and prayers for provision. From the longest prayerJesus high intercessory prayer consuming the entire seventeenth chapter of Johns gospelto the shortest prayer, Peters desperate pleaLord, save me (Matthew 14:30)we find prayers from men and women from all walks of life in all types of real-life situations. From the first recorded prayer in the Bible, involving Gods conversation with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:89), to the last prayer in the Bible, Johns plea from Patmos, Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20), we find prayers to emulate no matter what our present needs may be today.

Prayer is the battlefield of the Christian life. Many believers clothe themselves with all the armor Paul described in Ephesians 6:1117. That is, we wear the helmet of salvation, we hold the shield of faith, we effectively use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We get all dressed for the battle, but many of us do not know where the battle is being fought. The very next verse tells us: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (v. 18). Again, prayer is the battlefield of the Christian life, the place where the struggles of life are won. It is impossible to win a war if we do not know where the battle is being fought.

It is fascinating that the only thing the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them to do was to pray. They never asked Him to teach them to preach, or heal, or evangelize, or organize. They had watched His every move for almost three years and knew the secret of His life was in the place of prayer. At times He went up into the mountains and prayed all night. Often, they watched as He arose before daylight to pray. He prayed before every great undertaking. He prayed after each significant achievement. The busier His life became, the more we find Him isolating Himself in the secret place of prayer. Thus, the only thing His faithful followers asked of Him was Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1).

In this book were making the same request in our time: Lord, teach us to pray. As we journey through these pages, we will find a pattern of prayer helping to lead us through our own time of calling on Him ourselves. The Prayer Code is not simply some analytical attempt to study prayer but an examination of people in Scripture who beat out these principles on the anvil of personal experience in order for us to apply these time-tested prayer principles in our own daily lives.

It is now time to begin the journey of unlocking forty Scripture prayers every believer should pray. The Prayer Code is written in the same vein as many of the preceding Code books. After each reading you will find a Code Word that will help you remember and live with the truth of the chapter each and every day. Write it down. Keep it with you throughout your day. You will also find a Prayer Promise that you can claim for your very own each day. So, lets begin the journey by making this ancient and earnest request our very own: Lord, teach us to pray.