"Lighting the Fire"
Jotting – Week 14

Great Prayers of the Bible

In the past several weeks, we have looked at prayer: what prayer is, how to pray, different kinds of prayers, praying Scripture, praying for love to forgive, and praying through hymns and songs.

Today we want to look at some of the great prayers of the Bible and how we can use them as our own: for our personal growth and need; for others; for the church; in thanks and praise.

“Abraham still stood before the LORD. And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:22-23) This is the first recorded prayer, where Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Certainly, Abraham was asking God to spare the cities for the sake of his nephew who lived there, but here, it seems, God opened Himself up for Abraham to speak to Him (“shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?, v. 17). When God speaks to us in His Word, we need to discover what it is that God wants us to ask of Him. From Abraham’s prayer, we find that we can pray to God for those caught up in sin, that they would turn from their evil ways and seek the Lord and His forgiveness, and that the Lord would be merciful to them.

Several of Moses’ prayers are recorded for us. In Exodus 32:9-14, we read how he pleads with God not to destroy the Israelites in anger after their idolatry and turning away from the One who had just brought them out of slavery. Moses asks for God’s mercy for His people and reminds God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people” (Exodus 32:14). In these verses we can see God’s wrath at sin, but also that God listens to His children when they come before Him in prayer for others (i.e., “standing in the gap”).

Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14). Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would be open to the miracle God was performing (2 Kings 6:15-17). When we pray we can expect miracles, not because of who we are, but because God is pleased to use His power for us and to show us that He is on our side. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

Hannah wept for a child (1 Samuel 1:8-18), bringing her petition to the Lord at the tabernacle. Eli, the priest responded to her explanation, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him” (v. 17). Amazingly, Hannah “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (v. 18). Amazing because Hannah had not yet conceived–and didn’t until the family returned home. But her heart was satisfied in the Lord, knowing He would supply all her needs. We can remember with the psalmist, “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

Hannah’s response to the Lord’s gift of a son to her is recorded in her song of praise in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. When the Lord gives us what we seek, we can sing our praise and thanksgiving.

Judges 6:36-40 records Gideon’s prayer for a sign–not once, but twice. Gideon’s faith seemed to need bolstering at this point. And God gives the signs, not once, but twice. How good it is to know that we can come boldly to the throne of grace–over and over, confident that God hears our prayers and wants us to come to Him as dear children ask their dear Father. Jesus Himself told the story of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), so that we would not lose heart, but be tireless in our prayers.

David prays–again and again in the psalms. He prays for God’s glory (Psalm 24); acknowledges his sin (Psalm 32); come in  repentance and with heaviness of spirit asking for forgiveness (Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 11-12); for protection from enemies (Psalm 55); and at the end of his life (1 Chronicles 29:1-30). Among the Psalms are also David’s Good Shepherd psalm (23) and his many songs of praise and thanksgiving to God (Psalms 9, 18, 21, 30, 57, 65, 106). Almost every circumstance in which we find ourselves, there is a psalm to help us bring our need or our thanks before our loving Father.

Solomon prayed for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-9), and God granted him wealth and high honor as well. Our heavenly Father wants us to ask for what He wants to give us, but we have the assurance that He will give us so much more besides.

2 Chronicles 6:1-7:4 records Solomon’s first prayer as king, praying for the nation, for forgiveness and guidance. Many others prayed for the nation of Israel as well: Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:15-19), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20), and Esther and the Israelites (Esther 4–5) for deliverance and protection; Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1) and Daniel (Daniel 9:4-19) for national forgiveness. Use these prayers as your own, seeking God’s forgiveness for our national sins and for His help in seeking the right path, and for faithful leaders who seek to follow the Lord’s leading.

In the New Testament, there is Mary’s prayer of joy (Luke 1:46-56) when she responds to Elizabeth’s greeting to her as “the mother of my Lord.” This is followed by the prophecy prayer of Zacharias (Luke 1:68-79). Read those prayers aloud several times, letting the words touch your heart with the greatness of our God.

There are several of Jesus’ prayers in Scripture: the Lord’s Prayer, taught to His disciples when they asked, “Teach us to pray” (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4); His “farewell” prayer or prayer for His disciples–and for us (John 17); and His prayers of agony (Matthew 26:39-44, Mark 14:35-39, Luke 22:42-44), where His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44) and where He sent up “vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death” (Hebrews 5:7). Pray with the words Jesus Himself taught. Use the words of John 17 to pray for the Church, for workers and believers, that God’s glory might be made manifest in them, for sanctification and for truth. Do not be silent in your prayers, but come with loud cries and tears for the burdens you carry to your Lord. And be assured that even “the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

The early church abounded in prayer: the disciples to prepare for the Spirit’s coming and the work they would undertake (Acts 1:14); the gathering of God’s people for daily prayer (Acts 2:42); Stephen’s martyr prayer (Acts 7:54-60); Paul’s prayer of conversion (Acts 9:1-6, 11); Cornelius, praying for himself and his family (Acts 10:4, 30-31); the church, praying for Peter’s release from prison (Acts 12:5-17); Paul’s prayers for the church in Rome (Romans 1:9), in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:15-23); in Philippi (Philippians 1:3-7). Pray for the Church of God in all places, for missionaries, for those being persecuted for their faith, for faithful workers, for them to withstand temptation and preach the pure Word of God. Use the words of these and other texts to storm the throne of God on behalf of His people.

And finally, there are the prayers and praises in heaven: from the four living creatures (Revelation 4:9) and 24 elders (4:11); the saints (5:8-10) together with the four living creatures, the 24 elders and the angels (5:12), and all creatures (v. 13).

Pray: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" Amen and Amen. (Revelation 5:13-14)