Thomas Nelson Gift Books - 100 Favorite Bible Prayers

100 Favorite Bible Prayers

2020 Thomas Nelson

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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INTRODUCTION
Favorite Bible Prayers

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that
if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 J OHN 5:14

Where do we turn in times of turmoil? Whom do we praise in moments of joy? As Christians, we take both our pain and praise to God in prayer, knowing that in His presence we find the One who knows and understands us completely. Weve all experienced times when someone didnt share our happiness like we had hoped. And weve certainly had plenty of miserable comforters (Job 16:2). It is never that way with God. He is our Father, comforter, provider, and creator, and His ear is always open to our cries. We can pour our hearts out to Him without pretense.

There is something so intimate about the words uttered in prayer from the lips of Gods people. Whether they are moments of intense pain or extreme joy, we can be completely open and vulnerable before Him. One of the many gifts of Scripture is our ability to be a silent witness to some of the most fervent prayers of the saints. Pleas for Gods protection, provision, and presence accompanied by prayers of praise and worship echo across generations and encourage us today.

As Solomon taught us, There is nothing new under the sun. That knowledge can bring great comfort as it reminds us that, whatever we are currently experiencing, God has walked with someone else through the same thing. Whether we are praying for physical protection like David, or for a child like Hannah, or for wisdom like Solomon, we can read the prayers of others and know that we are not alone. We are reminded time and again of Gods faithfulness and steadfast love toward His people.

In 100 Favorite Bible Prayers, we are able to step into the stories of men and women who experienced struggles and successes, battles and bewilderment, failures and fear, and who turned to God in the midst of it all. We find God faithful to answer their cries for forgiveness, restoration, comfort, and more. Their words give us hope that we can also overcome obstacles and survive trials. We are convicted by their honesty and humility as we read their pleas for forgiveness. Each prayer points us to God who hears every word.

Thank You, Father, for these prayers preserved for us within the pages of Your Word. Help us to remember that these are not simply stories. They are snapshots of real people who experienced real emotions. May the words of these men and women turn our hearts to You.

1

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of
my mouth and the
meditation of my
heart be acceptable
in Your sight, O Lord,
my strength and
my Redeemer.

E ach of us has probably received this instruction at some point: If you dont have something nice to say, then dont say anything at all. Its sound advice, to be sure. After all, many hearts have been hurt and relationships ruined over words that should have never been said.

While we should strive for wisdom when using our words, Davids prayer reflected that he knew God desired much more from His people. It was while examining Davids brothers as potential candidates for the throne, in fact, that the Lord told Samuel, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the L ORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Knowing this, David desired that both his words and thoughts would all be pleasing to the Lord.

We have all used our words to wound, and we all undoubtedly have had thoughts that did not honor the Lord. So, what is the solution? To paraphrase another parental axiomgarbage in, garbage outScripture tells us, Gospel in, gospel out. Jesus taught in Luke 6:45 that a man speaks from the overflow of his heart. In other words, what is in our hearts will come out of our mouths. Perhaps this is why we are instructed to meditate on Scripture day and night.

Like David, let us pray that our thoughts and our words, our motives and our actions, our attitudes toward Him and toward our neighbors are all acceptable in His sight.

Father, thank You for Your guidance and life