Dear Hugh,
I would like to know what Daily prayers are from the readers, including their wording. I am also interested in the Editor’s response, including JWR himself as I believe this will greatly assist fellow readers in the times ahead, including myself. Thank you, – M.S.
HJL’s Comment:
Daily prayers are a highly personal thing and your approach to it will generally reflect your background. On one side of the spectrum some use rote memorized prayers. On the other side, some use free form prayers of whatever comes to mind. Many use a combination where perhaps certain phrases are rote and are filled in by whatever is on the person’s mind.
While I used to participate in mostly free form prayer (and still do at times during the day) I have adopted a much more structured approach which helps me make the time that I need with God. I have borrowed the Jewish practice of praying three times a day based upon Deuteronomy 11:19
“…and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
I then use the Lord’s prayer as a model: Matthew 6:9-13
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
I do not just repeat that prayer, but structure my prayer after it. I do it in this order:
- Praise and honor the Lord for who He is. (Psalm 119:12)
- Recognize the promises that He has made to me through scripture. (Genesis 15:6)
- Acknowledge that His will is supreme and that I will submit myself to it. (Luke 22:42)
- I will then spend time studying His Word directly (rather than some study book). (Psalm 119:11)
- I then ask the Lord to reveal any imperfection in me that I may confess it to Him and ask forgiveness. (Psalm 51:10)
- I have a list that I have prepared beforehand of those whom I know have needs and I ask for the Lord’s intervention in each case, by name. (Philemon 1:4)
- Entreat the Lord to increase my faith. (Mark 9:24)
- Entreat the Lord to deliver me (my family) from the evil around us and affirm my faith in Him (Psalm 13).
This is not my only prayer, just my pre-planned, structured prayers. I speak to the Lord throughout the day as it occurs to me to do so. Am I having a particularly hard time at something? Have I just received good or bad news? Has anything out of the ordinary just occurred? These are times that I call out to the Lord. I also have times where I pray alongside others.
Additionally, I am adopting the practice of praising the Lord even in the mundane. I have recently learned of the Jewish practice of blessings. They have a blessing to the Lord for just about everything. We love bread and when bread is served at dinner, I consciously bless the Lord “Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the Universe, who brings bread from out of the earth.” or perhaps with your wine at dinner: “Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.” This summer, when the tree ripened peaches were coming off the tree and were so juicy that you literally had to eat it outside or leaning over the sink, I said this prayer every time I enjoyed one: “Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the Universe, who created the fruit of the tree.”
I would note that there have been times in my life when my grief has been so great that my prayer consisted of only a groan. I am quite sure that the Lord heard that groan and wept with me.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him,and he shall direct thy paths”- Proverbs 3:6
I Love that verse.
My wife and I pray together, out loud, her first and me last, each morning before getting out of bed. Our prayers are somewhat structured, to not leave out anyone or anything, always beginning with praising God for who He is. We pray individually and together throughout the day as we see fit. We have invited all family and friends to call upon us when they need prather above their daily personal prayers. Also, we lead corporate Prayer in our business via conference Call (we’re split geographically) every other week. We also play praise music as much as possible throughout the day.
Daily for our nation and all Christians before I start the day. Then I go about life with complete confidence. 2 Chronicles 6:28-31; 2 Chronicles 7:13-15; Ephesians 6:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-20; Romans 8:26,26; Philippians 4:8,9.
The Lord’s Prayer when I wake up at night, especially, Thy will be done on earth as it as in heaven. Merry Christmas to all!
People have already done a great job of posting on this discussion. To this I would add that as I arise I thank the Lord for ordering my steps Psalm 37:23 and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me Galatians 5. And I have recently started before bed asking the Lord to prepare our family for anything we will face the next day. HJL has excellent advice about the Lord’s prayer being a model. If you can learn to use scripture as you pray, it is powerful. Prayers That Avail Much is a little book that helps you learn to do that if you do not know how.
I see prayer as an ongoing conversation with God. After all we are told to pray without ceasing.It is difficult to focus sometimes so I normally maintain a list of things that I would like to talk to him about. It’s hard to avoid requests and I have consciously tried to focus on just spending time with him as opposed to asking him for this that and the other no matter how Noble or honorable the requests might be. As I have gotten older I have discovered that I am indeed grateful for the things that he has done for me. I think thankfulness and expressing that to Him is a key to helping us to understand who we are what we are. Personally I schedule prayer first thing in the morning and then throughout the day I try to converse with him instead of just wasting my time listening to music or drifting mentally. Oh by the way it’s fascinating to me how many great ideas I have when I’m asking him about something in particular. I think the primary thing about prayer is that it helps us to align with his revealed will in his word. Bottom line… Just do it.
Psalm 5:3 LORD, at sunrise you will hear my voice. I will watch and pray early in the morning. ERV
I start every day with prayer, thanking God for watching over me and being with me throughout the day. It makes His presence felt even more.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear the first of three CDs from the audio book “Killing England”. I was surprised by the revelation that King George prayed for hours each day and was reportedly a devout man. We also know the history of his edicts directing tyrannical savagery on the people of Boston and the colonies in general. Prayer must be scripturally informed and based in a desire to put God and his agenda on the thrown of our life and motivations. Position, title, membership in any unchallenged echo chamber (King George and his house of Lords) can not make or prayers just or effectual.Sincerity is not a test for the truth. May God always set our agenda through his word.
I do the Lord’s Prayer, pray for others that need help. Ask for forgiveness and always thank Him each day for what he has provided me in all things for the day. He blesses me so much each and every day. To others what He provides may not be much but to me in these days having food, water and a place to live each day that is warm and dry is a big deal.
I can learn a lot from the Old Testament and the Gospels about prayer (James chapter five says so); but the Epistles, being the current operating system, has better connectivity. I don’t use prayer as a shopping list, but as a recognition of, and thankfulness for, what God has freely given: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” Col 4:2
If I suffer evil, I pray about it; when all is well I rejoice: “Doth any one suffer evil among you? let him pray; is any of good cheer? let him sing psalms;” James 5:13
The most predominate prayer theme in the Epistles is that we may find opportunity to speak the Word of God, and that we would have the boldness to speak it:
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” 2Th 3:1
“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:” Col 4:3
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,” Ephesians 6:18&19
Most important, I try not to complicate prayer, I just talk with God, always: “Pray without ceasing.” 1Th 5:17
I have a home rehab underway. Each day I pray over it. I place it in His hands, asking for his blessing, wisdom to be a good steward of what he owns, and his protection, while acknowledging that if he takes it all away from me then I will thank him for something of far greater value- His wondrous love for we who love Him.
Thank you Hugh, and all the excellent comments from fellow preppers.
It means alot to myself, my family; and even all those I come in contact with.
God bless,
Luke 22:36
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
Every morning I ask the Lord for blessings and protection for my wife, family, and myself. I thank him for our jobs and for providing us the means to provide for ourselves. I ask blessings for our bosses and our activities on the day, and that He grant us favour in the eyes of those he has placed in authority over us so that we might continue to grow in our work. I ask him Daily for travel mercies as both my wife and I commute long distances to work. I ask him to increase my faith in him so that I might improve
my reliance on him for our needs. I ask for forgiveness of my (many) sins, and strength of character to not repeat them. Throughout the day, I praise him for his providence in what he gives me, and ask for forgiveness when I am convicted for my (many) sins. I am a miserable sinner, and spend much of my time requesting forgiveness and grace. I’m not proud of this at all, but it is what I do.
That’s half the battle right there Jason. Better to be a repentant sinner than a self-righteous liar. There’s no fooling him. He knows your heart.
While I commune with the Lord throughout the day, I do make a point to start my day with this one. It is a combination of several well known prayers along with some of my own thoughts.
Lord Jesus, Son of God.
Have mercy on us for we are sinners.
Give us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change.
The strength to change the things we can.
And wisdom, that we may know the difference.
We thank you for our daily bread.
For shielding us from temptation.
And for the gift of discernment,
That we may do what is right in your sight,
And reflect your everlasting love, mercy and goodness,
Upon our fellow creatures, that they may know you,
As the Living God who dwells with us and within us,
On Earth as in Heaven, for all eternity.
In your Name we pray.
Amen
I converse with God all the day. But at night, I bow my head and sing the Doxology under the stars. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I adore Him and try to live it, as that too is prayer.
Hugh, thank you for your thoughts on daily prayer. I am touched by your reply.
BD, that’s a great prayer. Much to be gleaned, eloquent.
I always thank God as I roll into bed. Praise and thanks for another great day. My morning is likely to be a “here we go again Lord”. I see the hand of God daily in my minute by hour day. It is fun to be in that God realm of the Spirit. It’s a mighty thing to trust God in all things, asking his Will to be done, knowing it will as you give your mind to him. I pretty much make it clear I’m a Christian if I find myself spending ten or fifteen minutes with someone. It’s not hard to go there and get into the Bible, given the world today, as the news is shocking, but not surprising to those in the Word.
Lots of great insite above, thanks. It reminds me of the Promise keeper Rally’s. Nothing like a group of God Loving Men. It’s a powerful thing. (By the way, that goes for those who worship Mohammed. They have Lucifer for a God, and he is the real deal.) But he is defeated. God Bless you all, and Merry Christmas!