The Broken Vessel

The Broken Vessel
BROKEN VESSEL

Friday, February 9, 2018

ALMOST EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE HAS A PRAYER

When we are at a loss for what to pray, there’s no better guidebook for petitions to our Heavenly Father than the very book He wrote, the Bible. Almost every book in the Bible contains a plea or request, and page after page points to another reason we need a Savior.  So, when you feel like you just don’t have words, turn first to the Word.

The Bible lists at least nine main types of prayer: prayer of faith (James 5:15), prayer of agreement (also known as corporate prayer) (Acts 2:42), prayer of request (also known as petition or supplication) (Philippians 4:6), prayer of thanksgiving (Psalm 95:2-3), prayer of worship (Acts 13:2-3), prayer of consecration (also known as dedication) (Matthew 26:39), prayer of intercession (1 Timothy 2:1),  prayer of imprecation (Psalms 69), and praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).  In Jesus model for how his disciples should pray (Luke 11:1-4), he provides five areas of focus:

Although prayer can (and should) be done from any bodily position, the Bible lists five specific postures: Sitting (2 Sam 7:18), standing (Mark 11:25), kneeling (Chronicles 6:13; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60, 9:40, 20:36, 21:5; Ephesians 3:14), with one's face to the ground (Matthew 26:39;Mark 14:35), and with hands lifted up (1 Timothy 2:8).

This is a prayer with real power: God’s kingdom come, God’s will be done, all that we need for the day. It’s true power packed. So, take a closer look at what it teaches:  That God's name be honored – the focus on his everlasting glory (“Father, hallowed be your name”); that God's kingdom come – the focus on his eternal will (“your kingdom come”); that God's provision is given – the focus on our present (“Give us each day our daily bread.”); that God's forgiveness is granted – the focus on our past (Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.); that God's deliverance will be provided – the focus on our future.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom comes, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”Amen

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