Saturday, April 25, 2009

Prayers from the Bible



















The Bible contains many prayers. There are the prayers of Jesus, including the familiar Lord’s Prayer. There are prayers or songs of praise and worship. There are prayers that changed the course of history. There are prayers for insight and wisdom.

Jesus said the Lord’s Prayer is a pattern. It contains all types of prayer—praise, petition, etc. We cannot go wrong when we pray the Lord's Prayer—as long as it does not become vain repetition. We are not truly talking to God unless we pray from the heart.

God gave us additional prayers as well. Some are in Paul's letters. They encourage us to pray for specific needs, and they also provide patterns that help us when we pray.

One example of a prayer from Paul's letters is found in Ephesians. It reads, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation . . . your understanding . . . being enlightened’ that you may know what is the hope of His calling. . . . (Eph. 1:17,18 NKJV)

Originally published April 24, 1987.
Picture: Commercial display, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

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