Welcome back to part 3 of our 7 part series on “Praying Prayers That Get Answered” series. So far we’ve talked about who we pray to, how and how not to pray, and today we are covering what we should be praying for.
Christ’s example
When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray He gave them a very clear example for them to follow. In Matthew 6:9 Christ started off His prayer with “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” This says several things to me. One, it shows that He starts by worshipping and honoring God. So start by just taking some time to tell God how much you love Him, the things that you love about Him and how you are in awe of Him. You’re the apple of His eye, nothing brings Him more pleasure than to hear you taking time to simply love on Him. It’s also clear that Christ desired for God’s name to be exalted in the world. So ask God to make your life a vessel He uses to exalt His name. Ask Him to show you how you can lift His name up for others to see.
Next, Christ continued in verse 10, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We should be praying for Heaven to invade earth! We want to see God extend His kingdom throughout the whole world, and that the same love, joy, peace, unity, and life that characterizes Heaven would come to characterize earth as well as we collectively submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Pray for this in your own personal life, and for the earth as a whole.
Then, in verse 11 Jesus says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Pray for provision of necessities for yourself and for fellow believers. That we would all have everything we need to effectively and efficiently do our part to extend God’s kingdom.
The importance of forgiveness
Then, moving onto verse 12 He says, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” We are to pray for forgiveness of our sins, and it’s very interesting that this scripture includes the words “as we have forgiven our debtors.” It is imperative that we forgive those who have wronged us! It is one of the requirements for being a Christian. Just a couple of scriptures down Jesus says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” God requires us to forgive others because He knows that unforgiveness is a brutal trap that will fill your life with bitterness, rage, and resentment. He wants you to live free of that and experience the abundant life that can only be attained when you are willing to let go of the hurts from your past.
And lastly, Jesus concludes with, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” Pray that God would empower you with the strength to not succumb to temptation, but the wisdom to flee it. We may be living in this world, but we are not of it, and God has delivered us from the power of the evil one. There is no reason for you to ever fear the forces of darkness. Through Christ, you have been given authority over him.
Pray in concentric circles
When I say “prayer circles,” I’m not talking about circles of people that pray in a group, but concentric circles of people in your life. When it comes to praying for the needs around you, you will have to prioritize some people over others (at least consistently). Otherwise, you will do nothing but pray.
I pray outward in circles, beginning with my own soul, then for my wife, then for our families, then for our small group and our church, then for our nation, and lastly for the nations, especially the unreached in the world. I don’t hit every ring every time, but the circles lead me as I pray each morning.
The rings should not keep us from praying for the random stranger we met yesterday. They’re just meant to keep the consistent people in our life consistently before us in prayer. If prayer is the most important thing we can do for someone, shouldn’t we structure our schedules to do that for the most important people in our lives?
Try praying through your circles. And be willing to pray for someone or something that doesn’t quite fit.
Enjoying God
On top of all these things remember that the primary purpose of prayer is to enjoy a relationship with God. What would you talk to your dad about? You can talk to Father God about the same things. The Bible calls us the Bride of Christ. So what would you talk to your spouse about? You can talk to Jesus about the exact same things. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, counselor, and comforter. You can talk to Him as you would your very best friend, your mom, or a mentor. If you don’t have a dad, God will be your dad. If you don’t have a lover, Christ will be your spouse. Or if you don’t have a brother, He’ll be your brother. If you don’t have a mom, the Holy Spirit will be your comforter. God can and will be whatever you need Him to be, and He longs to fill any place of loneliness or longing you may have.
You can seriously talk to God about ANYTHING. That’s kinda the point! God desires for you to talk to Him about anything and everything just because He loves to hear the sound of your voice, and nothing brings Him more pleasure than simply spending time with you.
I’ll never forget what God said to me one time when I was feeling very lonely. In my heart, I felt Him say, “Chris, loneliness is just an invitation to intimacy with me.” So I challenge you to embark on the greatest adventure that you could ever take as you begin your journey into God’s heart through the miracle of prayer.
What did people in the Bible pray for?
Pray that God would exalt His name in the world
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’” (Matthew 6:9)
Pray that God would extend his kingdom in the world.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Pray that the gospel would speed ahead and be honored.
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13; cf. Ephesians 3:19)
Pray that God would vindicate his people in their cause.
“And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7 RSV)
Pray that God would save unbelievers.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)
Pray that God would direct the use of the sword.
Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:17–18)
Pray for boldness in proclamation.
[Pray] at all times in the Spirit . . . and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18–19)
“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” (Acts 4:29)
Pray for signs and wonders.
“And now, Lord, . . . grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness . . . while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29–30)
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (James 5:17–18)
Pray for the healing of wounded comrades.
Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:14–15)
Pray for the healing of unbelievers.
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. (Acts 28:8)
Pray for the casting out of demons.
And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29)
Pray for miraculous deliverances.
So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. . . . When he realized [he had been freed], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:5, 12)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake. (Acts 16:25–26)
Pray for the raising of the dead.
But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. (Acts 9:40)
Pray that God would supply his troops with necessities.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)
Pray for strategic wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
Pray that God would establish leadership in the outposts.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23)
Pray that God would send out reinforcements.
“Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2–3)
Pray for the success of other missionaries.
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints. (Romans 15:30–31)
Pray for unity and harmony in the ranks.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20–21)
Pray for the encouragement of togetherness.
We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:10)
Pray for a mind of discernment.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9–10)
Pray for a knowledge of God’s will.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9)
Pray to know God better.
[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10; cf. Ephesians 1:17)
Pray for power to comprehend the love of Christ.
I bow my knees before the Father . . . [that you] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. (Ephesians 3:14, 18–19)
Pray for a deeper sense of assured hope.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:16, 18)
Pray for strength and endurance.
[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11; cf. Ephesians 3:16)
Pray for a deeper sense of God’s power within you.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know . . . what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. (Ephesians 1:16, 18–19)
Pray that your faith not be destroyed.
“I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32)
“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
Pray for greater faith.
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24; cf. Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that you might not fall into temptation.
“Lead us not into temptation.” (Matthew 6:13)
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
Pray that God would complete your good resolves.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
Pray that you would do good works.
[We have not ceased to pray for you that you would] walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work. (Colossians 1:10)
Pray for the forgiveness of your sins.
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)
Pray for protection from the evil one.
“Deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)
Next: 5 keys to praying prayers that get answered
Next, I’ll be sharing 5 key principles you need to understand if you want to see your prayers answered! You don’t want to miss it! Click here for part 4 of our 7 part series “Praying Prayers That Get Answered!”
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