What Should We Pray For?
Prayer is like a wartime walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom, and praying as the New Testament does is a safe and powerful way to pray. “Our prayers need a jolt out of the rut they have fallen into from time to time.”
Pray that God would exalt his name in the world.
“Then pray as this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,'” Jesus says (Matthew 6:9).
Pray that God would extend his kingdom in the world.
“Pray for us, brothers,” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 says, “that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as it was among you.” “Pray also that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:10 says.
Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
“How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” says Jesus (Luke 11:13; cf. Ephesians 3:19) if you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children.
Pray that God would vindicate his people in their cause.
“And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night?” Jesus says in Luke 18:7 RSV.
Pray that God would direct the use of the sword.
Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and pray at all times in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication, for God’s Kingdom on earth and Christ Jesus, according to Ephesians 6:17u201318.
Pray for boldness in proclamation.
“Pray that God’s word may be heard in me, and that I may boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel,” says Ephesians 6:18u201319. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to continue speaking your word with all boldness,” says Acts 4:29.
Pray for signs and wonders.
“It did not rain on the earth for three years and six months” (Acts 4:29u201330). Elijah, a man like us, prayed fervently that it would not rain, then prayed again, and heaven sent rain.
Pray for the healing of wounded comrades.
Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the Lord will save the sick person and raise him up, according to James 5:14-15.
Pray for the healing of unbelievers.
Paul the Apostle went to Publius’ sick father, who was dying of fever and dysentery, and healed him by laying his hands on him (Acts 28:8).
Pray for the casting out of demons.
And he told them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything except prayer,” and he told them to pray for help in dealing with the evil that they had committed against the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Pray for miraculous deliverances.
After Jesus was released from prison, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John, whose other name was Mark, where Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening, when a great earthquake struck.
Pray for the raising of the dead.
Tabitha sat up and asked Peter, “Who is this man?” Acts 9:40 – When Tabitha opened her eyes and saw Peter, she sat up and asked, “Who is this man?”
Pray that God would supply his troops with necessities.
“Give us this day our daily bread,” Jesus said (Matthew 6:11).
Pray for strategic wisdom.
If any of you lack wisdom, ask God, who generously gives to all without reproach, and it will be given to you.
Pray that God would establish leadership in the outposts.
They laid their hands on them and sent them off after fasting and praying. “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers,” Matthew 9:38 says.
Pray for the success of other missionaries.
Romans 15:30u201331: I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the love of the Spirit, to join me in praying to God on my behalf, and Paul also asks that he be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that his service for Jerusalem be acceptable to the saints.
Pray for unity and harmony in the ranks.
“I do not ask for these things,” Jesus says, “but 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.”
Pray for the encouragement of togetherness.
Night and day, we pray earnestly that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in faith (1 Thessalonians 3:10).
Pray for a mind of discernment.
And it is my prayer that your love abound more and more, along with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is good, and thus be pure and blameless for Christ’s day (Philippians 1:9u201310).
Pray for a knowledge of God’s will.
We have prayed for you since the day we learned of your birth, asking that you be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9), and we have not stopped praying for you since then.
Pray to know God better.
(Colossians 1:10; cf. Ephesians 1-17) In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he says, “[We have not ceased to pray for you] increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Pray for power to comprehend the love of Christ.
I bow my knees before the Father, 18u201319, that you may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge.
Pray for a deeper sense of assured hope.
Paul: I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, so that you may understand what is the hope to which he has called you, and what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:16, 18).
Pray for strength and endurance.
(Colossians 1:11; cf. Ephesians 3:16). Philippians 4:8: [We have not stopped praying for you to be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
Pray for a deeper sense of God’s power within you.
Ephesians 1:16-19: I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, so that you may understand the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward those who believe.
Pray that your faith not be destroyed.
“Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things,” Jesus tells his followers in Luke 21:36, “and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers,” in Luke 22:32, and “to stand before the Son of Man,” in Mark 12:35.
Pray for greater faith.
Mark 9:24: The child’s father immediately cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9-24; cf. Ephesians 3:17).
Pray that you might not fall into temptation.
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41). “Lead us not into temptation.” (Matthew 6:13).
Pray that God would complete your good resolves.
1 Thessalonians 2:11.
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), according to Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
Pray for the forgiveness of your sins.
“Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors,” Jesus said (Matthew 6:12), and he asked the church to forgive their debts, as well as those of us who have committed no crime or sin.
What does God want us to pray for?
We turn to prayer because it is the most personal way to encounter God, encounter Him, and grow in knowledge of Him; according to Ephesians 6:18, God desires for us to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
What should I ask God for?
When you don’t know what you need, ask God for these seven things.
- Wisdom. “Ask our generous God for wisdom, and he will give it to you.” u2014
- Strength. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” u2014
- Guidance.
- Confidence.
- Courage.
- Peace.
- Fearlessness.
What are good things to pray for?
40 Things to Be Thankful For
- Growth in the Fruit of the Spirit.
- Courage and boldness in Christ.
- Spiritual growth of your spouse.
- To be a good, faithful marriage partner.
- A Christ-centered marriage.
- To hear God clearly.
What should I pray for everyday?
Dear Lord, remind me of the difference it makes when I make time for You first thing in the morning; awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to face the day; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
What are the 4 types of prayer?
u201cPrayer is the raising of the mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God,u201d writes John Damascene. This definition encompasses the four main types of prayer: adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication.
Does the Bible tell us to pray for others?
u201cConfess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed; the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.u201d James 5:16.
How do I receive God’s blessings?
“Cleanse your mind; clean up your act,” in the fullest sense, as God himself removes your desire for impure thinking and impure ways of acting, purifying your being from the inside out. “Seeing” God: the blessing promised in this beatitude is to know Him as your Father (by being in His presence).
What is the best prayer to God?
Loved God, I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering, strengthen the hands of my healers, and bless the methods used to cure me; give me such faith in the power of your grace that I may put my complete trust in you even when I am afraid; through our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
How do I talk to God?
It’s fine to pray with your eyes open and your head held high, just as it’s fine to pray kneeling and silent. It’s common to recite some traditional prayers out loud, but it’s also very common to pray silently to yourself.
How do I pray to God for a miracle?
Repeat the Catholic “Miracle Prayer” to help you focus: “Lord Jesus, I come before Thee, just as I am, I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me, and I forgive all others for what they have done against me in Thy Name.”
What is the most common prayer?
The “Lord’s Prayer” is the most popular Christian prayer, and it is how Jesus taught his disciples to pray, according to the gospel accounts (e.g. Matthew 6:9-13).
How do you ask God for something you really want?
God can answer vague prayers, but being specific creates a stronger bond between you and Him. Tell God what you want or need and ask Him to provide it for you.
What is a good prayer to say before bed?
Dear God, as I lay down to sleep, relieve my body’s tension; calm my mind’s restlessness; still my worrying and perplexing thoughts; and help me to rest myself and all my problems in your strong and loving arms.