For three agonizing days Joseph and Mary searched for their precious Son. There have been a few times and places where I have lost track of one of my children. Those few anxious minutes felt like hours as the sickening feeling of anxiety welled up in my gut. How much more painful to lose track of a child for three days? Life need not deliver such extreme forms of distress in order to provoke my anxiety; its small doses produce dread and anxiety easily enough. My inner turmoil is a reflexive consequence of such circumstances.

Jesus taught, however, that I should not be anxious in view of the fact that my heavenly Father is sovereign – for not even a single bird falls to the ground apart from Him. All circumstances, including ones that cause me much anxiety are within His sovereign control – and He loves me and cares for me. Nevertheless, anxious circumstances invariably produce my anxious feelings.

God’s great power upholds His vast promises, and trusting in Him is the antidote to all my anxieties. While anxiety may be reflexive, it is also deadly, for it lives next door to unbelief – and faith in God is the cure for both. God’s strong promises will mitigate my worst fears.

It’s encouraging to me that even Joseph and Mary felt deep anxiety while looking for Jesus. After all, they had strong faith in the same sovereign God. Not only so, but they had specific promises concerning Jesus which should have upheld their faith in God. If I lose track of a child I have no specific promise other than God’s unconditional promise of goodness with respect to all circumstances. But Job lost all his children, and God was behind those terrible circumstances for good too. Faith in God kills anxiety, even in the face of the worst circumstance. So why didn’t God’s promises through Gabriel’s proclamation, or Simeon’s prophetic blessing, or Anna’s testimony, prevent their anxiety?

I’m sure God’s promises did strengthen Joseph and Mary over these three terrible days. They probably reminded themselves of these specific words over and over as they fought back thoughts of tragedy, shame, anger, and frustration. The point that captures my attention is that however successfully it they fought this fight of faith against fear, they still felt the affects of anxiety.

So then what is the difference between feeling anxiety and being anxious through unbelief? I think the difference is in what I do when I’m anxious, and the foundation for what I do with it. Anxious circumstances most certainly will arise, and gut wrenching turmoil shall accompany them. The tests of anxiety are eternal, faith-revealing occurrences that both humble me through my shameful failures, and bless me through Christ glorifying grace which sustains my faith.

What means might I use to avoid the shameful reproach of unbelief and uphold my faith in God’s promises during anxious trials?

1. O my soul, do not be arrogant, denying the presence of anxiety when it manifests itself in inner turmoil and troubled thoughts. You are no more immune to the affects of anxiety than a child is to the affects of tickling. The simple pressing of the right buttons will produce anxiety. Don’t add the sins of pride and self-reliance to the sins of unbelief.

2. O my soul, don’t rail against the circumstances that bring about your anxiety. Anxiety comes from within, not from without. God is in control of all circumstances – when such circumstances result in your anxious thoughts God is not at fault – you are. Don’t try to cure anxiety by fighting against the circumstances – especially when those circumstances delivered through the words or actions of other people! Such fighting might bend the circumstances, somewhat, to make more comfortable provisions for your flesh, but the poison of anxiety will remain.

3. O my soul, do cast all your anxiety on the Lord for He cares for you. God’s strength is glorified in His anxiety bearing capacity. Even if you could bear an anxiety yourself – which you can’t – your strength would then be exalted, not God’s. Don’t cast anxiety on the Lord only after you come to the end of your rope, as if you were almost able to bear it but needed a little boost. No, cast any and every anxiety on the Lord so that His faithfulness and His strength will be exalted through your weakness.

4. O my soul, by prayer and a petition make your needs known to the Lord. And be thankful – even for the desperate circumstances that have cast you upon the Lord for help. In such a way faith will have its work on anxiety, transforming it into the servant of your faith as it drives you desperately to the Lord, “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul,” Psalm 94: 19.

5. O my soul, lift your eyes up unto the hills from where your help comes. Why else would your sovereign, caring, loving Lord bring the sufferings of anxiety your way – but to cause you to rejoice and delight in His wonderful deliverance?

While developing the “F” (free and formed) part of the acronym, he broke it into several sub-points relating to the formed aspect of prayer. While the free aspect of prayer is also important – our words should flow freely from our minds through unplanned and unstructured expressions – counter balancing freedom in prayer is the use of “form.” Formed prayers are structured or modeled after patterns. Formed prayers follow outlines. Formed prayers do not rely on the mind’s capacity for self-expression.

My guess, based on my own experience, is that most evangelicals rely on and value freedom in prayer more than form. People like me embrace freedom, self-expression, and “genuine” experiences. This preference is even stronger in people who grew up in dry, liturgical, religious environments, where their disappointing experience with lifeless and formulaic prayer now makes formed prayer repulsive to them. Nevertheless, I think there is great value in embracing certain kinds of form in prayer. I’m not suggesting that praying in a formed way, without an engaged heart, is valuable. But in as much as my mind is weak, and my understanding of God is shallow, using forms to help me pray can deepen and strengthen my experience in prayer.

For example, I have found that in my prayer life, if I try and start off with free prayers I easily get distracted and therefore stop praying. In the weakness of my distracted mind I can’t seem to think of much to pray about. I get stuck in ruts and find my mind wandering. However, when I work up to prayer by using helpful forms such as devotional books, prayer guides, and prayer letters, my prayers go deeper, extend themselves and become more focused.

I have found that using forms, at least at first, tends to deepen and strengthen my prayer life. This leads to free prayer, and the deepest kind of free prayer – joyful communion with God expressed in spiritual praise. Conversely, I have found that my prayer, when I start off freely, rarely leads to deep communion with God.

As a result I have become deliberate as I use forms in prayer. Scripture itself is the best form for guiding prayer. Specifically, New Testament examples of prayer are extremely potent forms that elicit and enable depth and freedom in my prayer life. For example, Paul’s prayer captured in Ephesians 3:16-19 is chock full of fuel for prayer:

For this reason, I bow my knees… that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

As I meditate on the words in this passage and begin praying them for myself and for those who come to mind, a strong current of prayer builds. There is so much depth here, so much to ask for, so many promises held out, so much to strive after, so much to attain. There is just no way that I could ever form such prayer requests from the ground of my own free thoughts.

My deepening experience of prayer, using biblical forms, led me to take down some notes. I jotted down all the New Testament scripture references I could find that contained examples of prayer. I added to my list verses that, although not prayers in themselves, taught about prayer or referred to prayer. I have been using this list as a helpful tool for strengthening, guiding, deepening and vitalizing my prayer life. Of course the entire Bible can be used this way. The Word of God is like an oil well sitting on top of an endless reservoir of fuel for prayer. I limited my list to verses that either are prayers, or speak of prayer because I have found that are the “driest kindling” for stoking the fires of prayer. Once the flame catches, just about any passage thrown in will fuel the fire.

This document is a compilation of these verses. Rather than just listing them however, I have added some organization and structure to help use them. Some interpretation was necessary in structuring and categorizing, but I tried to do as little as possible. Most “directions” are simply restatements of the verses re-written in the form of a directive. For example in the Lord’s Prayer “give us this day our daily bread,” the direction is simply, “pray for practical daily needs.” Most of these directions are self-explanatory but I have learned not to underestimate how dry, tired, and deadened my mind and spirit can become, especially early in the morning! Simple statements to guide my prayers can be helpful when my mind is prone to distraction or eager to go back to sleep.

In addition to providing simple directions, I have done a bit of grouping. Many of the verses in this list contain common themes. By grouping verses together under similar themes they can become “prayer accelerators.” I think the effect of reading a series of verses, all oriented around a common theme, work like the electro-magnets that are used to propel roller coasters. By orienting a series of magnets in the same direction, as the coaster passes by, it is accelerated to intense speeds. As I pray along a particular theme and then meditate on a series of similar verses, my prayers often get pushed along and accelerate in terms of focus and intensity.

Two Primary Categories – How and What
Conspicuously absent from my two main categories, “How” and “What,” is the “Why” category. The purpose of this list is to provide practical help for Christians who want to pray. This list is fuel for the effort of prayer not an argument to persuade people that they ought to pray or a theological rationale for prayer, although those purposes are urgent if they are lacking.

Both the “How to Pray” list and the “What to Pray” list have some verses in common. This is because many verses can be applied both ways. Nevertheless, it has been helpful to me to separate them out into the two broad themes. “How” often functions as my motivational list. It helps me orient my heart and recognize the urgency and effort necessary in prayer. It helps me get my heart, mind and spirit into position. It girds me up and exhorts me to pray. Meditating on these verses from the “How” perspective gets me moving.

Once I find that my mind, heart and spirit are engaged, I use the “What” list. The “What” list provides practical, yet very spiritual subjects for prayer. One heart-warming example of how something practical can also be very spiritual is seen in how Paul often prayed for his times of reunion with the saints. He prayed that he would see and be restored to his beloved brethren, and not only that he would be restored, but that their reunion would result in joyful refreshment, encouragement, and the impartation of spiritual gifts. Wow! That kind of praying can really go to work on a heart, building up love for the saints, and enrich meaningful Christ-glorifying fellowship.

Within the “How” and “What” lists there are my personal sub-categories. I’m certain that better, more useful categories could be developed. Regardless, I think simple categorization can be useful when we need to pray for certain things and in particular circumstances. The categories with the “How” and “What” lists are different from each other. The “How” list is broken into fifteen sub-categories. “How” are we to pray? We are to pray: alone, intimately, humbly, intensely, persistently, with belief, boldly, corporately, with praise, thankfully, alertly, happily, earnestly, desperately, and from a pure heart. The “What” list is broken into nine sub-categories. “What” are we to pray for? We are to pray for: love, God’s will, our needs (supplication), preservation, mission, direction, edification, power, and communion.

Form in prayer can provide help for God’s people, such that the incense (that is, the prayers of the saints) which will one day be presented before the Lamb will be increased.

* You can access the full manuscript of Piper’s sermon “Devoted to Prayer” on the Desiring God website, www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/02/122902.html.

How to Pray list… | What to Pray list…

How To Pray

PRAY ALERTLY

Pray for alertness and perseverance as you pray and make petition for the saints.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…” Ephesians 6:18

Be of sound judgment and of a sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7

Back up to “How” list

PRAY ALONE

Pray privately to your Father, in secret.

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

Arise early and seek solitude for prayer.

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Mark 1:35

Pray alone.

“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:16

Back up to “How” list

PRAY WITH BELIEF

Pray with faith that, believing in God, you will receive what you ask.

“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:24

Pray in faith that with God all things are possible.

“And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36

Draw near with sincere hearts and in full assurance of faith.

“…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22

Pray with faith, not doubting.

“But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6

Back up to “How” list

PRAY BOLDLY

Pray in Jesus’ name so that the Father will be glorified when the prayer is answered.

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13-14

Pray according to the riches of God’s glory.

“…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…” Ephesians 3:16

Pray at all times, in the Spirit.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…” Ephesians 6:18

Confidently draw near to the throne of grace to find mercy and help in time of need.

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Pray confidently based upon the fruit of your life, which by God’s grace, is being lived out, at least in some measure, consistently with your confession, such that your life is characterized by keeping His commandments and doing the things that are pleasing in His sight.

“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:21-22

Pray according to God’s will, with confidence that He hears us.

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” 1 John 5:14-15

Back up to “How” list

PRAY CORPORATELY

Be devoted to corporate prayer.

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me…” Acts 1:4

Be continually devoted to corporate prayer.

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

Pray with corporate unity.

“And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM..” Acts 4:24

Pray fervently as a church.

“So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.” Acts 12:5

Gather with many to prayer in times of distress.

“And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.” Acts 12:12

Back up to “How” list

PRAY DESPERATELY

Pray when suffering.

“Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.” James 5:13

Back up to “How” list

PRAY EARNESTLY

Pray with deep genuine concern.

“For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.” Colossians 4:13

Pray most earnestly night and day.

“…as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?” 1 Thessalonians 3:10

Pray with proper motives.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3

Pray earnestly and continually.

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:17-18

Pray anxiously waiting for the coming of the Lord.

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21

Back up to “How” list

PRAY HAPPILY

Pray with joy in every prayer, especially intercessory prayer.

“…always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all..” Philippians 1:4

Remembering your friends in prayer.

“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day…” 2 Timothy 1:3

Thankfully mention people in prayer.

“I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers…” Philem. 1:4

Back up to “How” list

PRAY HUMBLY

Pray from a forgiven, cleansed, and debt-free heart.

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

Pray with utter humility.

“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:13-14

Pray with groans too deep for words when you don’t know how to pray.

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words…” Romans 8:26

Pray that through groans the Spirit will intercede on behalf of the saints.

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words…” Romans 8:26

Back up to “How” list

PRAY INTENSELY

Pray hard with fasting for power against the spiritual forces of darkness.

“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21

Pray fervently.

“And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.’” Mark 9:29

Pray long and hard when facing intense circumstances and big decisions.

“It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

Be devoted to prayer and the Word.

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” Acts 6:4

Cry out in prayer during times of distress.

“And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying…” Acts 9:11

Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert and thankful.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving…” Colossians 4:2

Always labor earnestly in prayer.

“Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12

Pray with loud cries and tears.

“In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.” Hebrews 5:7

Pray remembering that our prayers are presented before the lamb as golden bowls full of incense.

“When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelation 5:8

Pray remembering that our prayers will one day be combined with angelic incense in the last days.

“Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:3-4

Back up to “How” list

PRAY INTIMATELY

Pray to God intimately as your abba (papa) Father. (cf. Romans 8:15)

“Pray, then, in this way: `Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’” Matthew 6:9

Pray remembering that the Jesus loves us and gives us eternal comfort and good hope by grace.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace…” 2 Thessalonians 2:16

Draw near to God in prayer through Christ.

“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 5:7

Back up to “How” list

PRAY PERSISTENTLY

Pray with perseverance in order to overcome the weakness of your flesh.

“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Pray with persistence, not giving up.

“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to 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 he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:8-10

Pray day and night.

“…now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?” Luke 18:7

Pray night and day.

“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day…” 2 Timothy 1:3

Pray in the middle of the day.

“On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.” Acts 10:9

Unceasingly make mention of people as you pray. (cf. 1 Sam. 12:22)

“…how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.” Romans 1:9-10

Do not cease praying.

“…do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers…” Ephesians 1:16

Pray without ceasing.

“…pray without ceasing…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray constantly as you bear in mind the work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope that saint’s have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father…” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Pray diligently (especially encourage widows to be diligent in prayer).

“Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.” 1 Timothy 5:5

Keep yourself in the love of God by praying in the Spirit.

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” Jude 1:20-21

Back up to “How” list

PRAISE GOD IN PRAYER

Pray and praise during times of distress.

“But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them…” Acts 16:25

Thank God that even though He gives us the strength to work, yet He still considers us faithful and puts us into His service.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service…” 1 Timothy 1:12

Lift up your hands in prayer.

“Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” 1 Timothy 2:8

Through Christ continually offer a sacrifice of praise.

“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15

Bless our God because He is our Savior.

“…to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:25

Bless our God because He has all glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time, now, and forever more.

“…to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:25

Pray in an unhindered way having searched your heart for any way in which you might not be considerate and understanding with your wife.

“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7

Back up to “How” list

PRAY THANKFULLY

Pray with thankfulness in view of the grace given to the saints.

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus…” 1 Corinthians 1:4

Pray thankfully as you make mention of the saints.

“…do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers…” Ephesians 1:16

Pray prayers of supplication with thanksgiving for all requests.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

Pray thankfully that we’ve been qualified to share the inheritance of the saints.

“…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” Colossians 1:12

Back up to “How” list

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

What To Pray

PRAY FOR COMMUNION WITH GOD

Pray for joy and peace in believing.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Pray that God will give the saints the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ.

“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17

Pray that the eyes of our hearts will be enlightened.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:18

Pray that we will know the hope of His calling.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…” Ephesians 1:18

Pray that Christ would dwell in our hearts by faith.

“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love…” Ephesians 3:17

Pray that the saints will be filled up to all the fullness of God.

“…and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19

Pray for joyful patience.

“…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously…” Colossians 1:11

Pray that the Lord may direct our hearts into the steadfastness of Christ.

“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Pray that the Lord of peace will continually grant us peace in every circumstance.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Bless our God who makes us stand in the presence of His glory.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…” Jude 1:24

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR GOD’S DIRECTION IN YOUR LIFE

Pray for specific direction in open decisions.

“And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen…” Acts 1:24

Pray in and around leadership and sending decisions.

“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:2-3

During times of transition commend people to the Lord in prayer.

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Acts 14:23

Pray for wisdom in making decisions.

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

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR THE EDIFICATION OF THE SAINTS

Pray for insightful questions that will help others experience revelation from God.

“And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, ‘Who do the people say that I am?’” Luke 9:18

Pray that there would be fellowship among the saints that would result in encouragement and the impartation of spiritual gifts.

“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established…” Romans 1:11

Strive in prayer that various ministries may be acceptable to the saints.

“…that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints…” Romans 15:31

Pray that in everything we will be enriched in Christ.

“…that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge…” 1 Corinthians 1:5

Pray that in everything we will be enriched in speech.

“…that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge… 1 Corinthians 1:5

Pray that in everything we will be enriched in knowledge.

“…that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge… 1 Corinthians 1:5

Pray that the saints will not lack in any spiritual gift.

“…so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…” 1 Corinthians 1:7

Pray that the saints will be complete.

“For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.” 2 Corinthians 13:9

Pray that we will know the rich inheritance in the saints.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

Pray that the saints may approve things that are excellent.

“…so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ…” Philippians 1:10

Pray that we will be filled with the fruit of righteousness.

“…having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11

Pray that we will have opportunity to see beloved brothers and sisters and have opportunity to help complete their faith.

“…as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith…” 1 Thessalonians 3:10

Pray that our hearts would be strengthened in every good work and word.

“…comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:17

Pray that the sharing of faith might have the effect of imparting the knowledge of every good thing we have in Christ.

“…and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.” Philemon 1:6

Pray that others may find much joy, comfort, love, and refreshment in Christ through us.

“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” Philemon 1:7

Pray for the saints that they will be blessed with a good conscience, and good, honorable conduct in all things.

“Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” Hebrews 13:18

Pray that loved brethren, who have gone out from us, will soon be restored to us.

“And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.” Hebrews 13:19

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR GOD’S WILL IN YOUR LIFE

Pray that the name of God would be hallowed – treasured, cherished, and valued.

“Pray, then, in this way: `Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’” Matthew 6:9

Pray that God’s kingdom would come here on earth (Maranatha!).

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

Pray that God’s will be done here on earth.

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

Pray that His will, not ours will be done.

“He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.’” Matthew 26:42

Pray that Jesus’ glory would make our joy full.

“But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.” John 17:13

Pray that we would have unity with each other and with the Father and the Son.

“…that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:21

Pray that the world would know the glory of Christ.

“I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” John 17:23

Pray that we would behold the glory of Christ.

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

Pray that the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ will bring glory and praise to God.

“…having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11

Pray that we will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and discernment

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…” Colossians 1:9

Pray that we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

“…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” Colossians 1:10

Pray that we will please Him in all respects.

“…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” Colossians 1:10

Pray that we will bear fruit in every good work.

“…so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” Colossians 1:10

Pray that the saints may stand perfect, fully assured in all the will of God.

“Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12

Pray that we would gain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!

“It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR LOVE

Pray for enemies and those who persecute you.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44

Pray blessing upon those who mistreat you.

“…bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28

Pray that the love of the Father would be in us.

“…and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26

Pray together when departing.

“When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.” Acts 20:36

Pray that we would be rooted and grounded in love.

“…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love…” Ephesians 3:17

Pray that we may comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love.

“…may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians. 3:18-19

Pray that love will abound more and more, in real knowledge and discernment.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment…” Philippians 1:9

Pray that the Lord will cause an abundant increase in the love of the saints.

“…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people…” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Pray thankfully that the faith and love of the saints will continue to be enlarged.

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater…” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Pray that the Lord may direct our hearts into the love of God.

“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Pray for friends in the Lord who are far away, longing for joyful reunion.

“I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.” 2 Timothy 1:3-4

Thank God for the love and faith of the saints toward Jesus and one another.

“…I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints…” Philemon 1:5

Pray for good health and prosperity for those we love.

“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

Pray that God’s love will be multiplied to us.

“May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 1:2

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH

Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send out workers.

“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38

Thank God for the faith of the saints becoming known.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” Romans 1:8

Pray for the salvation of the Jewish nation. (cf. Romans 11:15)

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” Romans 10:1

Strive in prayer that missionaries will be delivered from those who are disobedient.

“…that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints…” Romans 15:31

Pray for missionaries that they will have times of joyful and refreshing reunion with the saints.

“…so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.” Romans 15:32

Pray that the testimony of Christ will be confirmed in the saints.

“…even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you…” 1 Corinthians 1:6

Pray that the saints will do no wrong, but that they may do what is right.

“Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right…” 2 Corinthians 13:7

Pray that evangelists, preachers, and missionaries will be given bold utterance to make the gospel known.

“…and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…” Ephesians 6:19

Pray for missionaries that God will open up doors for the gospel.

“…praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned…” Colossians 4:3

Pray missionaries that God will enable them to speak forth the mystery of the gospel.

“…praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned…” Colossians 4:3

Pray for missionaries.

“Brethren, pray for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:25

Pray that God would count us worthy of our calling.

“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power…” 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Pray that God would fulfill our desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.

“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power…” 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Pray that the name of Jesus will be glorified in us, according to grace.

“…so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:12

Pray that the word of God will spread rapidly and be glorified.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you…” 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Pray that missionaries will be rescued from perverse and evil men.

“…and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.” 2 Thessalonians 3:2

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR THE SPIRIT’S POWER

Pray for miraculous demonstrations of the power of God.

“And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.” Acts 28:8

Pray that we will abound in hope by the power of the Spirit.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Pray that we will know the surpassing greatness of His power toward believers.

“…and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might…” Ephesians 1:19

Pray that the saints will be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, according to the riches of His glory.

“…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man..” Ephesians 3:16

Pray that we will be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might.

“…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously..” Colossians 1:11

Pray with faith as you pray for healing concerning those who are sick.

“…and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him…” James 5:15

Pray that we may be healed.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16

Back up to “What” list

PRAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FAITH

Pray for protection from and escape from evil and temptation.

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

Pray that our faith might not fail.

“…but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail…” Luke 22:32

Pray that we will be kept and preserved in His name.

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” John 17:12

Pray that we would be sanctified by the word of truth.

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:17

Pray that the saints will eagerly await the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“…so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…” 1 Corinthians 1:7

Pray that the saints will be confirmed to the end, blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“…who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:8

Pray that we will be sincere and blameless until the day.

“…so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ…” Philippians 1:10

Pray for deliverance for saints in distress.

“…for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:19

Pray that we will attain to all steadfastness.

“…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously…” Colossians 1:11

Pray that God will establish our hearts, keeping them blameless and holy until the coming of the Lord.

“…so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13

Pray for those that we see commit sins that “do not lead to death.”

“If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.” 1 John 5:16

Bless our God who keeps us from stumbling.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…” Jude 1:24

Bless our God who keeps us blameless with great joy.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy…” Jude 1:24

Pray thankfully for brethren loved by the Lord because He chose us from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13

Back up to “What” list

MAKE SUPPLICATION

Pray for practical daily needs.

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

Be on the alert, persevering in making petition for all the saints.

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…” Ephesians 6:18

Pray for authorities and rulers.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Pray that everything that we enjoy will be sanctified by the means of the word of God and prayer.

“…for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:5

Back up to “What” list

Download Fuel for Prayer as a PDF (256k)

Cornelius, the centurion from Ceasarea, prayed to God continually. Now on a certain day his prayers came before God as a memorial. As Cornelius prayed a most historic event was about to unfold, an event which would lead to the kingdom of God being extended to my people, that is, to the gentiles. This massive, history-altering event was inaugurated by the prayer of a devout centurion. The unfolding of this event was continued as another man, Simon Peter, was also attending to prayer on the roof Simon the Tanner.

The prayer lives of these two men were the medium through which God brought about this wonderful, destiny-directing event. I’m glad these two men were praying and that God used their prayers in accomplishing His glorious plan.

But it was not just the particular prayer made on this certain day that God heard and responded to. It says that God “remembered” all of Cornelius’s prayers and good deeds, and as a result, sent His angelic messenger. It is an awesome thing to know that God remembers all my prayers. It is wonderful enough that God promises to give me daily bread as I ask for it in prayer. Each day God’s promises of grace, faith, hope and power are made available through prayer. Receiving these gifts by prayer is a wonderful merciful and glorious part of my inheritance in Christ.

Yet look at what a multiplier of grace takes place in prayer; not only do I receive my daily needs through prayer, but each day’s prayers are also “stored up” and remembered by God as a memorial. Not only so, but all the prayers of the saints will one day rise up in golden bowls of incense before the Lord. What an encouragement to pray! Not only am I going to receive my daily bread of communion with God, but each day’s prayers are also remembered by God! How sobering that each day’s prayers will be added to a memorial that will one day come before the Lord and play a role in the consummation of the kingdom of God!

O my soul, pray! Pray daily for your daily needs, but remember that when praying day-by-day, that your praying is adding up to a memorial. God does not forget yesterday’s prayer or the day’s, week’s, month’s and year’s before. Build a memorial O my soul, a memorial of praise to God as you pray each day for your daily bread. In Jesus name. Amen.

Psalms 142:6

David’s spirit was overwhelmed and had fainted within him. His emotional stress was unavoidable since his life was threatened by enemies who sought to kill him, and they had the upper hand. David’s emotions did not run opposite to his circumstances. As a result he was troubled, he complained, and felt trapped. He felt weak and imprisoned. David’s piety however is that in such a low state he sought the Lord. He did not just cry; he cried to the Lord. He did not just pour out complaint; he poured out his complaint to the Lord. He did not just declare his troubles; he declared his troubles before the Lord.

Being overwhelmed was not just a result his external circumstances, his circumstances pressed him, but the fainting of his inner spirit in the circumstances caused him even more distress. His emotions were sapped, his joy had dried up. The piety of David though, is seen in where he directed his distress, or rather to whom it was directed. David’s feelings of being trapped resulted from the reality that he was in fact trapped in a cave. All the distress associated with such circumstances, caused his spirit to be brought low.

While in such a spiritually depressed state David does not pen Psalm 27. In Psalm 27 David declared God’s salvation and in it he deeply rejoices in God’s beauty. No, while in the cave he writes Psalm 142 where he pours out his complaint. But there is a connection between the two Psalms. In Psalm 27 David was looking back on having been delivered, and looking back he deeply rejoices in God’s faithfulness. God’s faithfulness to him in that time of trouble established his confidence that God was in total control, and that He would deliver him in this current trouble. David was trained to seek the Lord by such trials. By such refining he came to expect a true deep satisfying joy in the Lord would invariably follow such times.

Therefore in Psalm 142, when David finds himself yet again in trouble, even though his spirit faints, he is trained to lift up his head. He may have been “in prison,” physically trapped in a cave, and of course emotionally distressed, but rather than grumbling in darkness he sticks his head out between the bars to glimpse the light just outside his cell; he cries out to the Lord. His feelings of despondency are real, but they do not keep him from seeking the Lord! Such downcast moments only deepen his cry for the Lord. They remind him that the Lord is his true refuge and his portion forever.

David’s piety is also seen in how he acknowledges is that God was totally in control of his circumstances and in control of the condition of his spirit, “when my spirit was overwhelmed within me thou didst know my path.” David does not dismiss God from the circumstances or from his current emotional state. Instead he appeals to God to rescue, deliver, and restore him both circumstantially and emotionally. David knows that a genuine and deeply satisfying thanksgiving to God will soon follow, because he trusts that God will deal bountifully with him. However, David does not “jump the gun.” He does not break into a jubilant exaltation yet, for he is still trapped, and his spirit is still in a state of tears. It may be harmful for us to speak peace to our own hearts before God speaks peace.

John Owen in “The Mortification of Sin” Wrote:

“In case God disquiet the heart about the guilt of its distempers, either in respect of its root and indwelling, or in respect of any eruptions of it, take heed thou speakest not peace to thyself before God speaks it; but hearken what he says to thy soul… This is a business of great importance. It is a sad thing for a man to deceive his own soul herein. All the warnings God gives us, in tenderness to our souls, to try and examine ourselves, do tend to the preventing of this great evil of speaking peace groundlessly to ourselves; which is upon the issue to bless ourselves, in an opposition to God… it is the great prerogative and sovereignty of God to give grace to whom he pleases (“He hath mercy on whom he will,” Rom. 9:18; and among all the sons of men, he calls whom he will, and sanctifies whom he will), so among those so called and justified, and whom he will save, he yet reserves this privilege to himself, to speak peace to whom he pleaseth, and in what degree he pleaseth, even amongst them on whom he hath bestowed grace.”

I think remaining God-centered and continuing to cry out to God while in such low states – truly anticipating by faith the joy and thanksgiving to come, is better than trying to twist my emotions against their actual current condition and thereby praise from false spirit. Rather, I should not cease to praise – for God is always worthy of it, but in such times my praise should be like David’s here in Psalm 142. Truthful, honest about my complaints, always directed to God, always working to strengthen my soul’s satisfaction in Him alone, always clinging to hope that God will deliver, and truly anticipating the joy to come and the peace that will come when I can bring true, deep, soul drenched thanksgiving to Him.

God will deliver, and joy and thanksgiving will flow. My praise will reach its culmination having been anticipated with tears, it will be rich, full, and genuine. God wants my praise, and I want to give Him my best, fullest, and most genuine praise. Often God needs to squeeze it out, and I’m happy to be squeezed if it will produce the true oil of joy and gladness in Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for directing my path. Thank you that you work everything out, even distresses, to deliver me from the world and set my joy in you. Help me Lord to take heed to my spirit, knowing its true condition that I might seek you deeply and fully, and praise you deeply from the heart. I love you and need you. In your name. Amen.

Jonah 2:2-4

Listen carefully my soul. What do you say when God, in his inscrutable ways, casts you into the deep? What happens in your heart when you feel expelled from the Lord’s presence? Whether you are engulfed as the result of your own sin, fleeing from the Lord like Jonah, or whether your trial is for no apparent cause, such as Joseph’s experience in prison, listen carefully to what your heart says in that day. O that you would say “Nevertheless I will look again toward thy Holy Temple!” Trials, whether self-inflicted from sinning, or purely from your heavenly Father’s perfect design for your holiness and purity, will come. Such times of affliction are appointed to you. What will you say when you are in such distress? Will you look toward the one who afflicts you, the one who casts you into the deep, and cry out to Him for help? Will you set your face steadfast toward His Holy Temple? Will you remember the Lord and look to Him to bring you up from the depths?

Listen soul; in the day of trouble do not make your struggle worse by turning away from the one who saves. Do not raise a complaint against Him. Cry out to Him, call to Him, look to Him and He will raise you up out of the pit. O that my soul would look to God, even though He strike me. Such fruit of faith, such steadfastness, will produce confidence and strengthen my assurance in God, the God who holds me in His hands. That my heart would look to God in the midst of affliction is in itself a blessing from God, a blessing that demonstrates the preserving power of the God I trust.

But what if I do raise a complaint like Job? What if I turn my face away and declare God unjust in what He has done to me? Beware soul, such a response is deadly; such a response in your heart maybe the very thing God is raising to the surface in casting you under the waves. Perhaps such poisonous thoughts of God were killing your faith quietly, until His afflictions came. So if your find your heart turning away from His Holy Temple in affliction, tremble and repent. Turn your complaint into deeply felt gratitude that your heavenly father is willing to go to any lengths to purify out all dross and faith-killing poison from your heart. Confess your weakness, your faithlessness, your discontent, and turn your gaze toward His Holy Temple. Cry out to Him and hear His answer to you. Know that all His purposes for you are for your good and your eternal happiness. Trust Him in the day of trouble and let your roots grow deep in Him.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.
For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”

Jer. 17:7-8

“Then he said to me, ‘do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for 21 days …’”

“Then he said, ‘Do you understand why I came to you? …’”
Daniel 10:2, 12-13, 20

The time the angelic visitor was kept from getting to Daniel was the exact amount of time Daniel had spent crying out to God, praying and morning. I wonder if his question to Daniel “Do you understand why I came to you …” had in it a reference to the amount of time Daniel had spent praying? He came to deliver a vision to Daniel of the future, but did this question not only test whether Daniel understood the vision, but did it also point out the correspondence between the amount of time he prayed and the time it took for the answer to come? Was he pointing out to Daniel that his prayers were prompted by great spiritual battles, and that his praying was influencing the outcome?

Now Daniel was not praying about anything to do with regard to this spiritual battle. He had no idea such things were going on. He was praying for his people, and for understanding, and for humility. Nevertheless, the prayerful activity of God’s people, even when they are not directly praying about invisible spiritual events, can have a direct impact on such events.

Perhaps this visitor was saying “do you see that your prayers are working and that you’re having been prompted to pray was no random occurrence?” If this aspect was present in this question, then perhaps he is also saying, as he returns to battle, “keep praying Daniel!”

“Do you understand why I came to you?” Your prayers are being heard Daniel, they are having an affect on the outcome of the spiritual battle. Keep praying Daniel, the battle is not over. Keep praying saints for when this battle is over there will be another against the Prince of Greece. Keep praying church because the battle belongs to the Lord and we are his people. The war is not over, our prayers have an impact; they make a difference. Keep praying.

This Psalm was troubling to read. The complaint of the Psalmist continues throughout the entire Psalm and is not answered. His cry, it seems, goes unheard. Unlike many of David’s Psalms, which contain equally impassioned cries for help, this Psalm does not end with a positive declaration of the Psalmist’s plea having been answered. David cried but ultimately said things like “Why are you in despair O my soul, and why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 42:11). But this Psalmist does not testify to any answer from God, he remains in his distress. Nor does he give any hope from his past experience, he does not ask for a restoring to a previous better condition because he seems to have always been in distress, “I was afflicted in about to die from my youth on.” The experience of this Psalmist seems inconsistent with God’s promises to provide help and fill us with joy and gladness. Why would God seemingly pass this praying man over, and include his hopeless plea in his Word?

Conjecture:

1. This kind of experience is atypical. God normally displays his faithfulness through abundance not through sparseness. The experience of David is far more normal, we can expect God to answer our cries for help with abundant grace.

2. God does, at times, withhold blessing. He is sovereign over the bestowing of help, joy, and peace. He can delay our blessing for his good purposes (and our ultimate good) for as long as he sees fit.

3. Such delays are normally not very long. The Lord will come quickly to save his Holy ones. The Lord knows how much we can bear; he knows exactly what He’s doing when He delays, like when Jesus delayed in visiting His sick friend Lazarus.

4. There are many circumstances and experience where the delay is long. This Psalmist’s delay was perhaps lifelong. Others, like David, experience long seasons of struggle, some saints have been imprisoned and suffered for years on end.

5. Whether God answers quickly, or in his wisdom delays, He is perfect in His timing and always acts for the glory of His name and for the maximum joy of His saints and their enjoyment of His glory.

6. Struggle and suffering, in Christ, is always rewarded. “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

7. If little affliction results in a greater weight of glory, how much more glory is in store for those who are afflicted much? Perhaps such saints will receive an even greater external weight of glory, more than others, precisely because they suffered so much, and for so long. What if God withheld earthly rescue from this Psalmist holding out instead for a much better eternal rescue? Would not this Psalmist consider it worth it all once he arrived in glory? Would not his complaint then be turned to resounding praise?

8. God preserves his saints in affliction. He knows what we can bear and is able to preserve us in our trouble. However much this man languished under despair, he did ultimately persevere in prayer. He did not give up crying out to God. He continued to lift up his hands to the Lord. He did not stop asking for help from the Lord. He did not give up. God’s sovereign preserving, keeping power was made manifest in this man’s life. God’s grace was provided. It kept him faithful to the end. It kept him crying out. It kept him praying. If he had truly lost hope he would have ceased praying and looked elsewhere for help or at least relief. He would have left God and sought comfort in the things of the world and would have been ultimately and finally abandoned. Yet God kept him. The Psalmist kept his eyes on the Lord and prayed. He did not give up, even though the Lord delayed perhaps until his death. This is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and an encouragement for me to keep praying no matter how long God may delay in answering my prayer.

O Lord, please help me to persevere in prayer, especially when I don’t receive what I ask, or your answer is delayed. Thank you Lord, that I can depend on your grace to keep me praying at such times. Please do not let my momentary afflictions cause me to cease praying, rather let afflictions strengthen my resolve and intensify my cry. You are so good. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.