Pray How?

OCT 23  / Sunday – Read Rom 12:12 / 1 Thess 5:16-18 (especially v 17)

24 / Mon – For wisdom (Solomon)  |  Read 1 Kings 3:5-9

The Biblical record is sprinkled with prayers of God’s people throughout history. Solomon’s prayer is one example. He was the third king to lead the nation of Israel, following his father David. Notice it was God who asked Solomon what he wanted. What clues in Solomon’s answer help you see his character? Imagine God saying to you… “ask for whatever you want Me to give you.” How would you answer and why?

25 / Tue – In desperate times (Jehosophat) |  Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

By this time, rebellion had split God’s people into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Israel was conquered and taken into captivity but Judah had temporarily survived by remaining faithful to the Lord. Neighboring kingdoms banded together to fight Jehosphat’s army. How did the king respond to the news? Read his prayer and his request in v. 12. See God’s response in v. 15. How can you take this to heart in your life today?

26 / Wed – For his nation (Nehemiah)  |  Read Nehemiah 1:1-10

God had allowed the remaining Jews to be conquered by a foreign power. After years, the exiles were allowed to return home. Nehemiah was one who chose to stay at his post serving the foreign king but got reports of conditions in Jerusalem. Grieving, he was driven to fasting and prayer. Read this prayer, especially his confession in verse 6-7. Think about the condition of your own country. Is it possible individuals can confess the sins of their nation and find mercy? Are you willing to pray?

27 / Thu – Even if… (Habakkuk)  |  Read Habakkuk 3:17-19

Too many people have a trade relationship with God. If he does this for them, they will do that for him. Or they might believe God owes them blessings because they have done a lot for him. In this powerful prayer, Habakkuk described real possibilities. What are your ‘crops’ that may fail or the ‘cash cows’ that can disappear, leaving empty bank accounts and bare cupboards? How is this writer able to still rejoice? Can you echo his words in v. 18? Do you value God for who he is or because of what he does for you? It is an important question to answer honestly.

28 / Fri – Resolve (Esther)  |  Read Esther 4:1-16

Esther’s story is unique. You will probably never find yourself in this kind of rags-to-riches story, but you may face the kind of dilemma she did. Basically, her choice was to either keep quiet and try to save her own neck or speak up and put herself in the crosshairs of a powerful person who could destroy her. The story is silent about what happened during those three days and nights but prayer was surely prominent. Read her resolve in v. 16. Who can give you that kind of courage?

29 / Sat – Paul’s prayers, and Craig’s  |  Read Eph 1:15-19a, 3:14-20 / Phil 1:9-11 / Col 1:9-12

Do you have a list of people you pray for? Is it sometimes difficult to know what to pray? Paul wrote prayers you can use and personalize by inserting the name of someone on your list. Another simple prayer exercise, that Pastor Craig Groeschel uses, can be done anytime, anywhere. He asks God to bring someone’s name to mind as he takes a breath in. Then – as he breathes out – he lifts that person up in prayer. So many ways to pray. Borrow any that work for you.