Beginning, that is the hardest part.
When we have exhausted all of our ways, trying to do it all on our own and figure it all out on our own, prayer is where we come and surrender it all to God. In surrender, we find peace instead of worry and anxiety. It is in giving the situation over to the Lord where we realize that, when we thought the situation was in our control, it was actually too heavy of a burden for us to carry on our own. When we realize that we are not in control and that God is the One who is actually in control, we discover freedom, peace, and courage to do the right thing.
It is a daily battle. It is hard to do the right thing when it hurts. We have to keep surrendering to God the same situations over and over and over again. Trusting God to be in control of the situations that have us deep in prayer builds confidence and hope even though we do not see the whole story and the outcome.
When all we can see is the problem, we are a mess. We think, “We cannot do this.” We quit. When we seek the Lord for really tough situations, it grows our faith, we are reminded that God is real and good, and God gives us boldness to follow Him in obedience.
We see the power of answered prayer. God has had a plan the entire time that He is working out; sometimes it feels like the longest possible way to get there. God is writing our story.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)
—Joel and Sarah Boone
Thank you for joining us on this 10-week journey through the Lord’s Prayer as we examine prayer and the influence it has in and on our lives. This Journal is a companion piece meant to help you deepen your understanding of and relationship with prayer as we go through the teaching series, “Lord, Teach Us To Pray!”
Inside these pages, you will read 50 personal stories from 36 different writers within our church family—nearly all focus on learning to wait upon the Lord and trusting Him as He works in ways greater than we can see.
Unique to this journal, each section also contains pages thoughtfully designed to help you journal as you daily study and pray. The Appendix is full of various prayer prompts and practices that can help provide thoughtful direction as you pray and bring your burdens and concerns to the Lord. These are included to be used from beginning to end as needed, so please don’t wait till the end to check it out.
As with each of our Companion Journals, Scripture Memory Verses are included as an aid to help you long after the series is over. Simple, perforated cards are included in the back to help you in this process.
There is a mystery in regard to prayer. The Lord invites us to come to Him and cast all our cares upon Him. We are encouraged to trust in Him with all of our hearts because He cares deeply for us, and following Him is a far better journey than trying to go our own way.
Prayer also involves learning to listen to the Holy Spirit as you spend time with Him. As you pray, imagine you and the Lord are walking in the garden as Adam and Eve once did, and, as we will do when we see the Lord face to face.
May the Lord bless you throughout your time in this Journal as you read, study, write, and grow in your relationship and fellowship with the Lord.
—Pastor Lonnie Skiles
—THOMPSON, JANET. PRAYING FOR YOUR PRODIGAL DAUGHTER: HOPE, HELP & ENCOURAGEMENT FOR HURTING PARENTS(PP. 24-25, 26). HOWARD BOOKS. KINDLE EDITION. —
I find that praying using God’s Own words and promises keeps me in line with His will. I also begin my quiet time every morning with a prayer for protection based on the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18. “Lord, I put on the belt of truth. Thank You that You provide us with the truth and that the truth has set me free. Next, I put on the breastplate of righteousness, which I know I have protecting me because Jesus is in my heart. Then I fit my feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, and I pray that I will walk in peace today and take every opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those I meet. I take up the shield of faith to guard my heart against all the flaming arrows of the evil one. I put on the helmet of salvation to protect my mind. Then, fully clothed in my spiritual armor, I take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and the only true weapon I have to fight the raging battle that surrounds me.”
We’re not to take passive roles in our prayer life. God wants us to actively petition Him in prayer. To do that effectively, we must know God’s Word and use it. The Bible is called the Sword of the Spirit for a good reason—it’s our only offensive weapon to fend off Satan’s attacks on us and on our beloved.
—VERSES BELOW ARE FROM THE ESV VERSION—
MATTHEW 7:7-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
LUKE 11:9-13
“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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!”
MATTHEW 21:22
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
JOHN 14:13-14
“Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
MARK 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
JOHN 15:7
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
JOHN 15:16
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.”
JOHN 16:23-24
“In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
MATTHEW 18:19
“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
PSALM 91:14-16
“Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows My name.
When he calls to Me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him My salvation.”
PSALM 50:14-15
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
and call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
PSALM 10:17
O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear
EXODUS 22:22-23
You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me, I will surely hear their cry
PSALM 102:19-20
…that He looked down from His holy height; from heaven the LORD looked at the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,
ISAIAH 41:17
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
2 CHRONICLES 7:14
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
1 JOHN 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.
JEREMIAH 33:3
Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
ZECHARIAH 10:6
I will strengthen the house of Judah,
and I will save the house of Joseph.
I will bring them back because I have compassion on them,
and they shall be as though I had not rejected them,
for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
MEMORY VERSE
Daniel 6:10 —
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he hadwindows in his upper chamber open towardJerusalem. He got down on his knees three timesa day and prayed and gave thanks beforehis God, as he had done previously.
—BY CHARLES STANLEY, INTOUCH.ORG/READ/DAILY-DEVOTIONS/THE-PRIORITY-OF-PRAYER>
Prayer is not optional for a Christian. In fact, Jesus considered it essential, even for Himself. Though He was God’s Son, He still took time to be alone with His Father in prayer. His disciples saw this and asked Him to teach them how to pray. The prayer Jesus taught them is a model for every believer. It shows us how to:
—Come with a focus on the heavenly Father. When you praise the Lord, your mind lets go of earthly concerns and centers on His desires and glory.
—Surrender to Him as Lord and King. The goal of prayer is not to get God to do what you want but to align your desires and requests with His will. Such prayers are the ones He promises to answer.
—Approach the Lord with a humble, dependent spirit. Recognize that He is the one who provides for your needs and sustains your life.
—Seek His forgiveness and protection from temptation. Ask God to uncover anything unholy in your life and replace it with righteousness.
Developing a consistent prayer life takes commitment. Daily activities will crowd out time with the Lord unless you reserve a segment of each day to pray.
Matthew 6:33; 7:7-11; Deuteronomy 8:2-3 How high on my “priority list” is prayer in my life? How high should it be? One of the many things I am grateful for about hymns is that so many of them have helped me to commit Scripture to memory. The hymn, “Seek Ye
Luke 11:1-13 Prayer is a powerful and essential practice for every believer. Throughout the Bible, we find numerous examples of its significance in the lives of God’s people. As followers of Christ, we are called to make prayer a priority, just as Jesus Himself demonstrated. The Scriptures tell us that
Psalm 5:1-3 I love the mornings! We are blessed to have a kitchen window that faces the East, and on clear days we can see the Sierras. I love seeing the morning change from darkness to light. I love seeing the beauty the Lord paints each morning as a day
Ephesians 6:12-18; James 5:13-16 Have you ever had a season in life where it seemed like, at every turn, something was going wrong? Suffering, hardship, financial difficulties, relational problems, even struggling with depression—all fall under the category of spiritual battles. In Ephesians 6:17-18, we find the only offensive tool in
Luke 11:1 When was the last time you asked Jesus, “Lord, teach me how to pray?” When I became one of His new followers, I asked Him to teach me: “Lord, teach me how to have intimacy with the Father like you have.” Candidly, it’s time I asked Him again.
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:16-18 —
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
PSALMS OF LAMENT
During our life’s experience, we will encounter difficulties that can be overwhelming. Someone once described our lives as a series of tunnels: the sky is clear, and we are out of a tunnel, but approaching one; in a tunnel and not being able to see the end of the tunnel; approaching the end of the tunnel, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel; and back out of a tunnel, possibly headed for another one. The Lord has given us the Book of Psalms to comfort us, assure us, and lead us through those dark and painful moments in our life. If you are in one of those “tunnels,” read one or more of the Psalms listed below, make them your own lament, and pray them back to the Lord as an offering of praise, worship, and trust.
PSALM 6:1-10
O LORD, rebuke me not in Your anger,
nor discipline me in Your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But You, O LORD—how long?
Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of Your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of You;
in Sheol who will give You praise?
I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.
Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my plea;
the LORD accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
PSALM 13:1-6
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because He has dealt bountifully with me.
PSALM 25:1-2, 16-21
To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for You.
PSALM 86:1-4, 14-17
Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save Your servant, who trusts in You—You are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to You do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life,
and they do not set You before them.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give Your strength to Your servant,
and save the son of Your maidservant.
Show me a sign of Your favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
PSALM 130:1-8
Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with You there is forgiveness,
that You may be feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in His word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
O [YOUR NAME], hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with Him is plentiful redemption.
And He will redeem [ME]
from all [MY] iniquities.
ADDITIONAL PSALMS OF LAMENT
Psalm 3
Psalm 22
Psalm 28
Psalm 44
Psalm 56
Psalm 57
Psalm 71
Psalm 77
Psalm 142
John 12:23-28 A while ago, I found myself driving across the country on my way to some places of ministry. These are the opportunities God has allowed me to share a song, a story, or a Word of Scripture with various people in various places. I count it a gift
Isaiah 58:4-7; Acts 13:2-3 The concept of fasting, from an Old Testament perspective, indicated one’s seriousness about following God and His commandments in a real sense placing prayer in front of everything else, including eating a meal. In Isaiah chapter 58, the prophet warns the people about making fasting a
Matthew 6:1-7 Have you been a Christian long enough that you thought prayers, especially public prayers, should be in King James English, or there were special “Christian” ways to do things? Fortunately, someone decided that simplicity could add to the depth of Christian practice. One of the primary principles of
Philippians 4:4-7 Do you ever feel like anxiety is in control of you? I have been there. And yet, we are told to NOT BE ANXIOUS. But how? Well, I am thankful for a God who doesn’t just tell us what not to do but what to do instead. REJOICE
Matthew 6:16-18 The Word of God presents fasting as good, profitable, necessary, and beneficial. The early Church was often found fasting before they made important decisions. And even though prayer and fasting are often linked together, fasting is slowly becoming silent in Christian churches today. The question that is often
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 7:7-8 — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
—BY REINHOLD NIEBUHR—
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
Matthew 7:7-11 My dad lived a life of intentional, focused passion for God. His main goal was to inspire people to develop a deep and satisfying relationship with their Heavenly Father through prayer. He accomplished this goal with me. My most cherished memories during the last ten years of his
Matthew 7:7-11 There is no power like that of prevailing prayer, of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heartbroken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweatof blood. Add to this list from the records
Matthew 6:6; Luke 18:1; Psalm 54:2 “I pray that God forgives them…” Corrie Ten Boom stood naked with her older sister Betsie, watching a concentration camp matron beating a prisoner. “Oh, the poor woman,” Corrie cried. “Yes. May God forgive her,” Betsie replied. And, once again, Corrie realized that it
Philippians 1:3-6 When I was growing up, one of the images deeply embedded in my memory was of my father each morning sitting in a large rocking chair in our kitchen, reading his Bible and praying. My dad, despite being busy, still seemed to consider getting up early to be
Luke 18:1-8 The Muslim world is a difficult place to share the good news of Jesus Christ. For centuries missionaries have gone to these difficult, even dangerous, places and had little to show for their sacrifice. For centuries Christians have prayed persistently, patiently, for Muslim nations. It may seem unbelievable,
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:13b — “For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, forever. AMEN.”
—WWW.MARKMERRILL.COM/8-BENEFITS-OF-PRAYING-TOGETHER-WITH-YOUR-SPOUSE/—
It’s so important for married couples to pray together. Praying with your spouse, if you haven’t made it a habit, can feel awkward at first, but will then become something you will find comforting and encouraging. We need to encourage couples everywhere to be intentional about praying together. Here are some of the benefits:
1. Praying together humbles you.
Praying about your concerns and struggles keeps you humble as you share with God and your spouse what things worry you and tempt you, or what you need to figure out. When you pray to God, you are not only talking and listening to Him but also recognizing that He knows all things and controls all things.
2. Praying teaches you to be other-focused.
Spending time talking and praying together about issues and concerns helps you see life and the troubles of your spouse in a better light. Praying helps you focus on your spouse and others, too.
3. Praying together encourages vulnerability and grace.
Prayers of confession or asking God for help against a temptation allows you to be vulnerable with each other, and to show forgiveness and grace towards each other. It may feel counter-intuitive, but that vulnerability can also strengthen the love and affection you feel for one another.
4. Praying together increases trust and intimacy with your spouse.
Intimacy is built on trust, and trust is built on how we respond to being vulnerable with each other. Praying together helps
you show and receive trust that strengthens the bonds of intimacy in your relationship.
5. Praying together strengthens the bond of the marriage.
Prayer is also a way to seek God’s wisdom together. As you pray and come to agreements on matters, that discipline then builds unity and strength in the marriage. And prayer is also where you can fight for your marriage together when the difficult days come.
6. Praying together helps your spouse know your struggles and needs better.
Praying together about your struggles and worries also helps you both know how to better pray for each other throughout the week because you get to know each other better. And prayer provides insight on how to help and love each other better, too.
7. Prayer changes people.
I really like the quote about prayer from an actor playing C.S. Lewis in the movie Shadowlands: “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God; it changes me.”
8. Praying together reminds you that God is the sole source of life, truth, love, and hope.
When you pray together, you are focusing your minds, hearts, and marriage on God. You are making your marriage God-centered. You are sharing with Him your deepest needs and desires, hopes and dreams—together.
Mark 9:14-29 There is a man I am acquainted with whose wife unexpectedly passed away from an illness. She was a kind and gracious person, as was he. Even in his grief, this man continued to manifest those qualities of grace. Though I have followed Jesus for a fairly long
John 15:4-8 I still remember the day I was a teenager walking to my grandma’s house when the thought struck me: If I 100 percent believe that God is all-powerful, all good, and works through every prayer, why am I slow to bring things to Him? How can I, at
Ephesians 3:14-17, 20-21 God’s divine power is not only available to us but resideswithin us through the Holy Spirit. This revelation is so over-whelming that we can’t even grasp it and oftentimes move pastit entirely. We often say we want to see His power, but do we really? Because if
Daniel 3 When the circumstances of life loom large, and the din of peer pressure calls for you to join, we need to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they stood firm in their faith of who God is and what He can do. Even with the threat of
Matthew 6:10; 26:36-46 One of the things that Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:10 was, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What are we actually praying for when we pray those words? God’s Kingdom is the place where He
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:13 — “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
—BY PAMELA PALMER, BIBLESTUDYTOOLS.COM/BIBLE-STUDY/TOPICAL-STUDIES/HOW-TO-PRAY-THROUGH-THE-ARMOR-OF-GOD.HTML —
The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church of Ephesus about the armor of God. Many of us are familiar with the armor of God, but may often wonder what this really means, and how it is relevant for Christians in today’s world. Did you know that one of the effective ways to use this Scripture is to pray through the armor of God over your life and those you love?
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11-12).
This passage in Scripture alerts us to the reality of the enemy who schemes against us and attempts to cause destruction in our lives. The power of this passage is the significant reminder that we are not left unprotected. There is an armor of God that we can put on as we face battles and challenges. Truly, it is a visual of God’s love surrounding and protecting his children.
Putting on the armor of God demonstrates our trust in God, His love for us, and His power over our lives. We can put on the armor of God each day by reciting in prayer this passage in Ephesians.
WHAT IS THE ARMOR OF GOD?
The Apostle Paul spent a great amount of time in Ephesus and ministered to that church longer than anywhere else he traveled. It is in his letter to the Ephesians that we find the passage about the armor of God.
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13).
Paul wrote in this letter about the spiritual battles we face as Christians. Scripture acknowledges the reality of demonic presence and forces. The Bible teaches that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the dark forces of this world. This passage in Ephesians affirms that God has not left us on our own. God equips us to resist the enemy and be protected in these circumstances.
The analogies Paul uses match what a Roman soldier wouldhave worn, which would have been easily understood by Paul’s original audience. Christians today can still envision the pieces of armor worn and how they protect and help us fight. The pieces of the armor of God include a belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. The armor of God includes mostly defensive pieces, but the sword is the piece of the armor of God which we can use in offense. It is God’s Word that we can use to fight false teachings and come against wickedness. Now let’s look at some specific armor of God prayers you can use each day.
A PRAYER TO PUT ON THE BELT OF TRUTH
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14a).
Gracious and Mighty Lord, today I put on the full armor of God so that I can withstand against the wicked plots of the enemy against me. I know I do not fight against flesh and blood but against evil spiritual forces. I stand firm, planted in You, my Savior. I put on the belt of truth around my waist. I affirm and believe in Your truth alone, Lord, and will not fall into the trap of believing the lies of the world. Guide me in Your truth, and to not lose sight of that. Help me to know Your truth versus the deceitfulness of the enemy.
A PRAYER TO PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
“…with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Ephesians 6:14b).
Lord, I put on the breastplate of righteousness, for I know that I have been forgiven and freed from death because of Jesus. I live in Christ as a new man/woman and pursue righteousness over sinfulness and the desires of my flesh. Help me walk in Your ways of goodness, humility, and love so that I live a life of righteousness that is pleasing to You and draws others to want to know more about You.
A PRAYER FOR FEET FITTED WITH READINESS FROM THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
“With your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).
Lord, I pray that my feet would be fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. I step into that readiness and live out a firm foundation of peace in my relationship with You. You have empowered me to be a peacemaker. By Your might, help me to foster real peace everywhere I go in Your name.
A PRAYER TO TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16).
Lord, I take up the shield of faith. I will not doubt. I will not worry. I will trust You to be faithful to Your promises, and that you will provide all that I need. This shield of faith will quench every fiery dart the enemy throws my way. I will not be shaken, rather, I will trust in You each day regardless of my circumstances.
A PRAYER TO PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION
“Take the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17a).
Lord, I take and put on the helmet of salvation. My salvation in Christ is a gift. I believe with all my heart and mind that Jesus died for my sins and has saved me from death. I will not doubt my salvation; instead, I will believe in the redemptive work Jesus accomplished on the cross and rejoice in His resurrection because I serve a living God Who rose again. Thank you for saving me and offering the gift of salvation to the whole world.
A PRAYER TO TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
“[Take] the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17b).
Lord, I take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Your Word helps me know who you are, become aware of my sin, and to know Your truth. I will use Your Word to fight against my enemies. Let Your Word be a lamp to my feet and allow it to purify my thoughts and intentions. I will read, learn, and live out what Your Word says so that I can share the Gospel and help others find their salvation in You.
BE ALERT AND AWARE
As followers of Jesus, we can pray every day to put on the armor of God. It is what protects us and equips us to fight back against the schemes of the enemy. Paul concludes his armor of God discourse with a reminder to pray often, be alert to attacks, and pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayersand requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
When we are equipped with the armor of God, we can battle through prayer and by declaring Scripture over ourselves, our lives, and on behalf of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord fights our battles and gives us protection from the enemy who tries to tempt and destroy the faith of believers. We are to be alert and aware of spiritual warfare taking place and to be diligent in prayer as a way to fight these spiritual battles.
God’s love for His children is overwhelming in that He is always with us and gives us exactly what we need for every circumstance so that we will not be overcome by evil when we have put our hope and trust in Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 In the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties, the apostle Paul’s words to the Philippians echo through the corridors of time, reminding us of the profound importance of prayer in the life of a believer. In this passage, Paul urges us not to be consumed by anxiety but
Matthew 26:40-41 Preemptive prayer was one of the weapons in my dad’s spiritual arsenal that he wielded and taught often. I regret not learning earlier. In the garden the night before the cross, Jesus tried to teach Peter this lesson. He knew Peter would be tempted beyond his ability to
Exodus 14:11-14 Have you been in situations that have looked so impossible, and there seemed to be no way out? Situations such as having to make the next month’s rent or mortgage payment or dealing with a cancer diagnosis or other medical diagnosis. Sometimes disaster seems just around the corner.
Ephesians 6:10-18 When I was a young single man, I decided to pay a little more attention to my appearance. While getting ready for a few errands, I threw on a nice polo shirt and nice pants instead of the standard shorts and t-shirt I had become accustomed to. On
Joshua 3:7-8, 14-16 We read in Joshua 3 not a story but a historical record of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River. I have paraphrased these verses (please read them in full): “The Lord told Joshua…, ‘Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant…when you
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:12 — “…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
—IBLP.ORG/WHAT-SIGNIFICANCE-USING-DIFFERENT-POSTURES-PRAYER/—
What is the significance of using different postures in prayer?In the Biblical accounts of prayer, many postures are described. Abraham fell upon his face before God (Genesis 17:3, 17). Moses prayed with his hands outstretched (Exodus 9:27–29). King Solomon knelt in prayer (I Kings 8:54). Jesus prayed, looking up into heaven (Mark 6:41; John 11:41, 17:1).
Communication with God does not require a certain physical position, but postures do give expression to the attitudes of our hearts. Here we will look at eight postures of prayer, discuss their symbolism, and see how they relate to the beatitudes Jesus presented in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3-12).
LYING PROSTRATE BEFORE GOD
No position symbolizes humility better than being on our faces before God. This position of prayer demonstrates the beatitude of being poor in spirit. When Jesus described Himself, He said He was “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
A wise way to begin each day is to get on our faces before God and acknowledge our unworthiness, inadequacy, and inability to accomplish His will. We should ask for His mercy, trusting that His strength and goodness will sustain us throughout the day. Lying prostrate before God expresses the following attitudes:
It is an acknowledgement of our total unworthiness (Genesis 17:1–22).
It is recognition of the need for God’s mercy (Luke 5:12).
It is a right response to a serious crisis (Numbers 20:2-6; Joshua 7:1-6).
KNEELING BEFORE GOD
When we repent of our sins, we appeal to the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. Kneeling before the Lord is a symbol of the heart attitude we should have to make such a petition. It reflects the beatitude of mourning over sin and expresses the following attitudes:
It acknowledges the lordship of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11).
It is a sign of earnest appeal (1 Kings 18:41-46).
It is a sign of personal humility (Psalm 95:6).
BOWING BEFORE THE LORD
One who bows before God conveys an attitude of honor, gratitude, and faith, acknowledging that all things come from His hand. When Job suffered great losses, he bowed down on the ground: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” (Job 1:20–21). This position of prayer reflects the beatitude of meekness and expresses the following attitudes:
It is a sign of reverence.
It is an expression of worship (Genesis 24:52).
STANDING BEFORE THE LORD
To stand before a ruler indicates that you have a legal right to be there. It is only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ that we are able to approach God as His children: “…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2).
This position of prayer reflects the beatitude of hungering and thirsting for righteousness and expresses the following attitudes:
It represents our position in Christ’s righteousness (Romans 5:1–2).
It symbolizes our preparation for battle (Ephesians 6:13-18).
It shows readiness to serve (Romans 6:1-18).
SITTING BEFORE THE LORD
In scripture, sitting is a position of authority. When the king or rulers of a city sat in their official places, they were in a position to rule and judge and to have their judgments carried out. This prayer position reflects the beatitude of giving and receiving mercy, and it expresses the following attitudes:
It reminds us that all believers are seated with Christin heaven (Ephesians 1:15-23; 2:4-7).
It represents God’s call to forgive offenders (Ephesians 4:31-32).
LOOKING UP TO HEAVEN
Looking a person in the face indicates confidence and honesty. It is indicative of an open, trusting relationship. The Gospels record many instances when Jesus prayed, looking up into heaven. This position of prayer reflects the beatitude of being pure in heart and expresses the following attitudes:
It demonstrates where our help comes from (Psalm 121:1-2).
It displays confident faith (John 11:41-42).
It indicates intimate fellowship with God (John 17:1-2).
STRETCHING FORTH THE ARM
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. . . . 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;” (1 Timothy 2:1-4, 8).
In the Scriptures, the outstretched arm was symbolic of seeking God’s mercy and blessing. This position of prayer reflects the beatitude of being a peacemaker and expresses the following attitudes:
It appeals to God’s sovereign power (Exodus 9:29; 17:11).
It reflects God’s redeeming work—salvation (Deuteronomy 7:18-19).
It demonstrates worship and petitions God’s blessing (1 Kings 8:22-23, 28-29).
LEAPING FOR JOY
Rather than being discouraged and defeated by trials and persecution, we are to “Rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:12). This phrase in the Greek indicates the outward action of leaping and skipping, an expression of great inward joy. This position of prayer reflects the beatitude of rejoicing in the midst of persecution and expresses the following attitudes:
It displays absolute confidence in God’s faithfulness (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
It confirms that eternal things are our highest priority (Romans 8:18).
Whatever posture you assume, prayer is an important part of your relationship with God. The Apostle Paul challenges us to be faithful in this discipline: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Ephesians 4:25-28 The term G.O.A.T. has taken hold in our house as of a few years ago. And everyone seems to be the G.O.A.T. at something. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it stands for Greatest Of All Time. I’ve heard Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Coby, and
Matthew 6:12, 14-15 Jesus teaches us that forgiveness ought to be a part of our daily prayer, and He gives us two essentials for knowing the victory, joy, and peace forgiveness brings. 1. We are to ask God to forgive us of our sins. “Forgive us our debts,” Daily we
Matthew 6:12; 18:23-35 As Jesus continued teaching the disciples to pray In Matthew 6:12, He said, “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Forgiveness is central to the Gospel. Jesus died for us so that we could be forgiven. It is fascinating that Jesus doesn’t
Matthew 5:43-48 Yes or No? Have you actually loved and prayed for your enemy? If you answer yes, then you know, like it or not, this must be done because: Praying for my enemy has changed my life. My walk with the Lord has not been the same since I
Matthew 6:12; 5:23-26 Do you know what is found in Christianity that is not found in any other faith? It is the FORGIVENESS of SIN. Forgiveness is relative and desperately needed today! Conflicts are raging everywhere—nations, corporations, marriages, personal lives, etc. What FORGIVENESS is NOT: So, HOW DO WE FORGIVE?”
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:11 — “Give us this day our daily bread,”
—RECOMMENDED BY PASTOR SCOTT STUBBERT—
A— ADORATION.
Start by praising God for who He is. He’s gracious, just, and good through and through. Remind yourself of His all-powerful, all-loving character. Recite Scripture you might know about Him, like Isaiah 40:28: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.” Adoring God takes our eyes off ourselves and directs them up to the One we can trust.
C— CONFESSION.
Now, take some time to admit your wrongdoings. Have you been gossiping? Acting hateful towards friends or family? Struggling with pride? Let God search your heart and point out dark places so that His light can shine in. Confessing our sins breaks their hold on us and clears the way for the forgiveness of Christ to fill us.
T— THANKSGIVING.
Thanksgiving. Move into gratitude for every big and little thing you can think of. Your body is able to walk or run on the treadmill, so start there! Thanking God helps us notice all the ways He is taking care of us. It brings peace to anxious thoughts. Calling attention to God’s faithfulness today gives us hope that it will continue tomorrow.
S— SUPPLICATION.
Finally, our spirits are prepared to ask God to meet our needs and desires. The Bible tells us to present our requests to Him, so go for it! He knows the longings of our hearts, but sometimes we aren’t fully aware of them until we talk with our Creator. What do you want God to do in your life? Don’t hold back. Ask Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 In 1984 I came to Modesto for a church conference, which led unexpectedly to a summer internship required by my seminary. Driving by an Open House sign, I was curious about the price. I was attracted to the trees, the Midwest feel of the city, and immediately to
Psalm 23 This Psalm is a wonderful passage to memorize and to use in our private times of worship. It is good to be reminded that the Shepherd of our life, the Captain of our ship, our Life Coach, is the Wonderful Counselor, the Almighty God, the Everlasting and Eternal
Isaiah 40:27-31 One thing I have learned is that our wonderful, Almighty God is faithful. He is beyond faithful! We pray for the things we need and the things we want, and He grants them to us most of the time. I have learned recently how God has answered prayers
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Habakkuk 3:17-19 is a powerful reminder that our joy and contentment should not be dependent on our circumstances. Habakkuk expresses his faith and trust in God in the face of adversity. He recognizes that even when everything else fails, God remains faithful and worthy of our praise. This
Luke 11:9-13 As we pray, knowing that our God is a good Father is vital! A good father is trustworthy, provides for his family, sets boundaries, gives guidance, listens to his kids, and loves to bring them joy. Our God is all of these things—and more, of course! He just
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:10 — “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.”
—CELEBRATE RECOVERY BVG. (2017, JULY 11). S.P.A.R.T.S.L.A. [VIDEO]. YOUTUBE. WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/LIVE/1VBGDZDJHSU?FEATURE=SHARE—
S— SURRENDER.
P— Read a PSALM. Take your time.
A— ADMIT. Write out your struggles (Psalm 139).
R— REQUEST. Write it out (helps transform selfish desires into God’s concerns).
T— THANKSGIVING for what God is going to do with those requests.
S— SCRIPTURE. Every day read one chapter in New Testament, one chapter in Old Testament and one Proverb.
L— LISTEN. While reading, pray, “Lord, show me a verse or phrase”. Evaluate three voices:
– Demon’s voice that takes me away from God
– Self’s voice
– God’s voice
A— APPLICATION for the day. That we might know God and His Son.
Colossians 4:2-4 Our life group recently finished Colossians. I’ve read Colossians before, so “be watchful and thankful” wasn’t new, but this time I stopped at the word “watchful” (NIV). Watchful for what and why? My first thought, of course, was the garden, the disciples, Jesus telling them to watch and
Philippians 4:11-12 So many times, we are hit with unexpected troubles and “bumps” in the road, and we are left wondering why. We pray, and we wonder if God is answering our prayer because our situation does not change. We have only to look to Paul in Philippians 4:11-12 when
1 John 5:14-15 The verses in 1 John 5:14-15 promise that if we ask God for anything according to His will, He hears us. However, it isn’t a carte blanch promise that God will answer our prayers exactly as we have asked. God will answer either “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait.”
Matthew 21:21-22 April 13, 2023, I was driving alone from Ripon to Hollywood. I stopped at the rest stop on the Grapevine, heading southbound on Interstate 5. After using the restroom, I continued down to my brother’s place in Hollywood. I found a place to park and texted my brother
Matthew 6:10, 13 When we were professors in a Christian college in the Philippines, we were often in discussions with the students about our cultures. The students were interested in my Jewish background. One of them knew about the Jewish American Prince (or Princess)—the offspring of a holocaust survivor that
MEMORY VERSE
Matthew 6:9 — Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
—FROM STEVE R. SMITH, THE SPIRIT WALK, (2414 VENTURES, KINGWOOD, TEXAS, 2018)—
S— SURRENDER to His will and every Word.
God wants us to sign the blank paper of surrender daily. We cannot be filled with the Spirit until we are emptied of ourselves—our will, primarily. To fill a wineskin or a bottle with wine, we must empty the current contents. We must pour everything onto the ground and let the container be filled afresh. Are you willing to let God empty you of your own control? (p. 61)
W—WAIT on God in prayer.
Waiting in prayer allows time for God to work deeply in your heart, to root out any thinking, speaking, and acting that does not align with Him and His purposes in your life. When you allow God the time for a deep work in you, then you stick to the contract of life He gives you. Whatever He has written on the blank paper is what you live out—no matter the pressures on you. (p. 82)
A— AVOID sin and let God root out all unrighteousness.
We root out sin because we surrender to God. And we surrender to God so that we can imitate Him and live free from the pervasive stench of sin. Sometimes this process takes a good deal of waiting on God—waiting for Him to change our desires. (p. 170)
P— PURSUE the promptings of the Spirit.
Most often, the Holy Spirit will speak to you through emphasizing various parts of the Bible at various times. It is difficult to hear the Holy Spirit speak when you do not spend time daily reading the Word of God. It is hard to hear the Holy Spirit speak when you do not know the Word of God in your heart. Knowing the Word of God is the foundation for hearing the voice of the Spirit. This is why it is vital to maintain the life-giving practices of daily quiet time and periodic SWAPmeets. (pp. 221-222)
Too often we want . . . the things of God, but not God . . . His presents, but not His presence . . . the fruit, but not the source . . .the promises of God, but not the person of God. God wants to give you Himself, not just His promises. He is the treasure. He is the delight. (p. 96)
2 Chronicles 7:14 I can’t tell you how many times someone has said to me something like this: “Pastor Rick, I’ve tried prayer and it didn’t work. I mean, I had a need and so I prayed about it over and over again, but nothing happened. So, I’m really having
Jeremiah 33:1-3 For 23 years we have written a monthly prayer guide for Slovenia in English and Slovenian, which is one year longer than we have been missionaries! Why? Because the Great Commission is not yet complete. Slovenia only has 2,000 believers in 40 small churches among 2 million people.
Job 13:13-15 What happens when our prayer is answered with a “No” or a “Not yet”? But as far as we are concerned, a “Not yet” is a “No.” What if our request is valid, good, proper, nothing wrong with it, but the worst happens? People suffer. God allowed people
Matthew 6:9; Psalm 68:5 Seeing God as a Father was a difficult image in my early Christian walk. My earthly father abandoned me when I was an infant and I never knew him. I could not conceive how to trust in a Heavenly Father when I could not trust the
Matthew 6:9 Of the sixty-five words in the Lord’s prayer, these four words are the least understood. Let us take a deep dive together and see something incredibly special in these words. Hollowed means: “Holy be Your name.” Something uniquely treasured and respected. Thy Name means: YAHWEH. This is all
MEMORY VERSE
Ephesians 6:10-12 — Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
—VERSES BELOW ARE FROM THE ESV VERSION—
EPHESIANS 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 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, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11
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, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
COLOSSIANS 1:9-12
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, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
2 THESSALONIANS 1:11-12
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, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Samuel 3:1-10 I was invited to a White House briefing one time and heard the Vice-President of the United States talk about various issues of concern for the country. Never once did anyone ask my opinion, seek out my counsel, or just invite me into a conversation. It was
Luke 1:8-17 In Luke 1, Zechariah is told by an angel of the Lord that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child in their old age. The Lord looked down with compassion and granted them their desire. When Elizabeth heard the news, she said, “How kind the Lord
1 Thessalonians 5:17 How well do you think you would know your father if you never talked to him? How well would you know him if you talked for 5 minutes a day? Once a day? Every other day? If you wanted a deeper relationship, wouldn’t you take the time
Matthew 6:10; Romans 12:1-2 “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.” This is an example of a pattern for prayer, not merely a model for rote recitation. The prayer, “Your will be done,” is all about GOD’S will, not about our own self-centered needs
Matthew 6:7-9 You may have never thought about this, but when you talk to someone you usually change the way you talk and what you talk about, depending on who they are. For example, when I talk to my doctor, I focus on talking about my health and I speak