LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

When David became king over all of Israel, he expected that there would be battles to fight. In 2 Samuel 5, shortly after David is named king over the northern tribes, the Philistines launched an assault against him. Perhaps they assumed that King David would be too preoccupied with moving the capital to Jerusalem to withstand such an attack. As the Philistine army assembled in the Valley of Rephaim, David wisely sought the Lord in prayer.

Three important verses stand out in 2 Samuel 5.

Verse19 says, “And David inquired of the LORD.”

Verse 23 says, “And when David inquired of the LORD.”

Verse 25 says, “And David did as the LORD commanded him.

In these three verses, David serves as a tremendous example of what dependence on the Lord looks like. Not only did David pray before taking action, he did exactly as the Lord commanded after praying. While there are innumerable reasons to pray, we still find plenty of excuses to avoid humbling ourselves before the Lord in prayer. Arguably, the most common reason for a lack of prayer is our propensity toward self-sufficiency. When we foolishly believe that we do not need the Lord’s strength, wisdom, and guidance, we will forgo the privilege of praying to our Heavenly Father and take matters into our own hands.

As Christians, we tend to pray only when we cannot work out a solution to our problems on our own. It’s only after we have exhausted all of our solutions and tricks that we consider prayer. When we are left with no other options, we pray. When we see something that we want and can’t figure out how to get it, we pray. When we are at the end of our rope, we pray. But otherwise, we tend to live depending on our own capabilities.

Prayer must never be reduced to a grocery list of items that we bring to the checkout counter and demand to get for free. Prayer is a conversation with our Creator in which we come humbly before Him to seek His majesty, wisdom, strength, and guidance. A.W. Tozer wrote, “Prayer is the respiratory function of the church; without it we suffocate and die.”[1] Tozer hit the nail on the head. Without prayer, we will shrivel up and die. Prayer is that important to the life of a Christian.

It is interesting to hear the prayers of most Christians. The typical prayer list includes plenty of items that we desire. We typically pray for health, protection, convenience, financial blessing, for God to “be with” many situations and people, and most importantly we pray for God to change everyone else along with the circumstances that we do not want. While I am not suggesting that all of these prayers are inherently wrong (some are inherently suspect), I would suggest that most of our prayer times are in need of a major overhaul.

          We are commanded to pray. As a result of my recent reading and study, I noticed that my prayer life had grown anemic. In an attempt to become more intentional in my times of prayer, I developed a personal prayer list that I have been praying through each day. This list is not inspired, nor is it exhaustive. I am not offering a legalistic tool that must be followed to be right with God. But I am presenting ten examples of daily prayers for you to consider. And remember, after David sought the Lord in prayer, he obeyed.

I encourage you to pray each day:

1.     Lord, remind me of your majesty.

Psalm 145:5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Exodus 33:17-18 And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”

2.     Lord, please forgive me for my sins (be specific).

1 John 1:8 - 2:1 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

Psalm 51:1-4 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

3.     Lord, fill my heart with the grace I need to love and forgive others.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-12 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.

Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

4.     Lord, bestow upon me the strength and wisdom that I require.

Colossians 1:9 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.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

5.     Lord, empower me to live in a manner worthy of Your name.

Ephesians 4:1-2 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

Colossians 1:9-10 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.

6.     Lord, empower me to be fruitful.

Colossians 1:10 Bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

7.     Lord, give me boldness to speak the truth.

Colossians 4:3-4 Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

8.     Lord, protect me from evil.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

9.     Lord, provide what I need today.

Proverbs 30:8-9 Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

10.  Lord, empower me to be generous with my time, talent, and money.

Psalm 112:5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.

Proverbs 11:24-26 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

Admittedly, this prayer list is far from perfect. But I pray that you will find this example to be a help to you as you commune with your Creator.

[1] A.W. Tozer, Prayer (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016), 159.