People who depend on God know that apart from Him “we can do nothing (John 15:5).”
They also know that “every good gift is from above, coming down from the Father (James 1:17).”
That’s why their prayers are full of thanksgiving.
The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but he delights in the prayer of the upright (Proverbs 15:8, bold mine).
For a downloadable copy of A Prayer Guide for . . . Praying like the sons of Korah, click here.
We were eating a dinner I made. My friend made sure to say that everything I served was delicious. Then she said, “You are a good cook.”
We can pray that way.
Thank God for what He does and for what that shows about who He is.
“Ruth made this promise to Naomi, ‘Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried (Ruth 1:16-17).’
We can turn Ruth’s words into a prayer. ‘Jesus, Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God and Father will be my God and Father. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.'”
*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.256.
Pray with total surrender.
“Lord, let your purpose for my life be fulfilled.”*
*Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.95.
Let Scripture inspire your prayer.
Read Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
Then pray: “Teach me to live a life of trust, and to stop leaning on my own understanding. For the sake of Jesus. Amen.”*
*Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.69.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).”
“Actively seek God. Pour effort and will into that seeking.”*
*Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.31.
“Do you ever grow fretful and anxious as you think about the future? Invite Jesus to take over your situation. Avoid telling him:
*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.92.
If you want to grow in prayer, take 1 Thessalonians 5:17 literally and seriously.
Pray without ceasing.
