5 Powerful Prayers from the Bible

The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10)

When the author of Chronicles dutifully provides us with a list of Judah’s descendants, he can’t help but stop himself. Right in the midst of all these names, he comes to Jabez, a man he wants us to notice, a man of true honor. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve caused pain or if you’ve ever wanted to believe that God can do more than you can ask or imagine, this prayer is for you:

“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.”

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13)

This prayer is the true classic. Most of us have said this prayer and could likely recite it right now. But there’s much more to this model that Jesus gave us than rote recitation. This is a prayer with real power: God’s kingdom coming, God’s will being done, all that we need for the day. It’s truly power packed. So, take a closer look at what it teaches:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
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.”

Jonah’s Prayer for Salvation (Jonah 2:2–9)

We may never be swallowed by a great fish, but we can still experience the shame and regret that Jonah felt after he ran from God. The prophet’s plea to the Father provides a poignant scaffolding for our own prayers of repentance. And remember that God heard and answered this humble, honest prayer:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
    and you listened to my cry.

You hurled me into the depths,
    into the very heart of the seas,
    and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
    swept over me.

I said, ‘I have been banished
    from your sight;
yet I will look again
    toward your holy temple.’

The engulfing waters threatened me,
    the deep surrounded me;
    seaweed was wrapped around my head.

To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
    the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
    brought my life up from the pit.

“When my life was ebbing away,
    I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
    to your holy temple.

“Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.

But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

David’s Prayer for Deliverance (Psalm 3)

This one was a tough choice because the Psalms are stuffed full of cries and petitions. If you ever want a primer for prayer, you can’t go wrong with this wisdom book. But we chose Psalm 3 because it provides a concise portrait of crying out to God in the midst of great stress. David’s words are no less relevant to our modern workplace and lifestyle as they were to his battles:

Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.”

 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

I call out to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.

I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.

Arise, Lord!
    Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance.
    May your blessing be on your people.

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise (1 Samuel 2:1–10)

When Hannah received the child she begged God for, her first instinct is to praise the One who provided. She wants to thank Him for His greatness and His deliverance. Too often we pray before receiving, but then forget to pray after God answers. Let this prayer guide you in thanks:

“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.

“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
and on them he has set the world.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

The Bible is our source of instruction for living. When you cannot find the words to pray, turn to these Scriptures for guidance and experience the power of God's Word.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/inside-bst/5-powerful-prayers-from-scripture.html?utm_source=today%27s+topical+bible+study&utm_campaign=today%27s+topical+bible+study+-+biblestudytools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2851720&bcid=c3ebbfbd83674aa89d0d42748adc21c9&recip=548552100+

What is prayer

Prayer is the raising of the mind to God. When we pray we go to meet Christ, who is coming to us. If our Creator and Savior comes from heaven with such great love, it is only fitting that we should go to meet Him. And this is what we do when we spend some time in prayer.

- Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444), Feast day May 20

Thanksgiving prayer for everyone

Thank you, God.  I’m grateful, God, for so many things. Now, I know I’m not the most grateful person you know, God, so let me take some time to tell you what I’m thankful for.

I’m grateful, God, for the gift of life. Without you I wouldn’t be here. Without you nothing would be here. Without you nothing would be at all.

I’m grateful for my parents, God. Even if they weren’t perfect, or completely functional, they loved me the best they could, and they worked hard to make sure that I had enough to eat, that I was clothed and that I had a place to sleep. I’ll never know all that they did for me, like the things they did for me when I was a baby, but I can be grateful for the things that I know. Help me to be a grateful child, and remind me to be grateful in person. If my parents have ended their time on earth and are with you, help me to be thankful for their lives, and fill me with the hope of meeting them again in your company, where I’ll be able to say thanks again.

I’m grateful for my friends, God. Even if I have only one good friend in my life right now, I’m so grateful. God, you show your love for me through my friends in ways that I sometimes overlook. They give me advice, sometimes when I need it, sometimes when I don’t, which in both situations is a sign of their care for me. They listen to me complain, which I do too much, and they celebrate with me, even if things aren’t always going well for them. They help me to laugh. And they help me to laugh at myself. That alone is reason to be thankful. Help me to be a good friend in return.

I’m grateful for my family, God. Yes, I know that all families are a little nutty, and mine is no exception. Even Jesus’s family tree had its share of complications. But I’m thankful that, even with the nuttiness, I’m part of a family that has helped to make me the person I am. I know that they try to love me the best that they can. Help me to be a good family member, trying to help out when I can, make the phone call or pay a visit when they’re lonely, and keep my mouth shut when I should be listening, or when I don’t have anything sensible to add to the conversation.

I’m grateful for my job, God. It’s not always a bed of roses, but at least I have a place to work and I am able to make ends meet. That’s more than many people have. And I know the people I work with can drive me crazy, but they are doing their best, too. Help me to be a good co-worker, to give people the benefit of the doubt, to care for the people with whom I work, and not to take everything so seriously on the job. And help me remember that all work done freely and with a loving heart is worthy in your sight.

I’m grateful, God, for all the things that I know many people in this world don’t have. And that’s a long list. So I’m grateful for food. And clean water that is easily available. And clothes. And heat in the winter and air conditioning and screens in the summer. I’m grateful that I can go to the doctor and get a check up and even get shots to help me avoid illness. That’s a lot more than most people have. Help me to be grateful, and help me remember that I can help those who have less by being generous. That’s one way of thanking you.

Did I mention how much I appreciate all the things you created? For the color of orange autumn leaves against the deep blue sky? For the smell of the sidewalk after a thunderstorm on a hot summer afternoon? For the way that the frost makes crazy patterns on windows in the winter? For the amazing smell of daffodils in the springtime? While I’m at it, I’m also grateful for the beach (that’s a pretty great thing you created); the mountains (also great); and sunsets (really great). And hamburgers, too.

Most of all, God, I’m grateful for your presence in my life. You’re everywhere, and if I remember to pay attention I can see your invitation to meet you in every moment of the day. I know that it is you who turn my mind to thoughts of gratitude. And when I’m tempted to focus only on the problems and worries and fears, I know that I’m being led away from you.

Now, I’m not always as thankful as I should be, but today I am. Today I will try to be grateful all day, since you are generous all day to me, like you are every day.

Amen.

http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/11/a-thanksgiving-prayer-for-everyone/

Serenity Prayer

O God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time. Accepting hardships as the parthway to peace. Taking, as he did, the sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that he will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever. Amen!

Two Prayer

The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' - Luke 18:11-13

Here we have two kinds of prayer set side by side for our instruction. The first really is no prayer at all; it is only a bit of self-praising in the presence of God. According to his own words the Pharisee was better than certain other men, but he never thought of comparing himself with God, the only true thing to do.

This Pharisee has many followers. Many people's self-worth is rooted in their view that they are not as bad as some other people. The dishonest man soothes his conscience with the reflection that he is not a drunk. The lying man is thankful that he pays his debts. The gossiping woman finds great comfort in the fact that she is not a heathen like her neighbor, who never goes to church at all. But it is a poor kind of virtue which has nothing better to build on than such imperfect relative goodness. One may be clear of a great many ugly faults that his neighbors have, and yet not be a saint himself.

The other man's prayer was completely different. There was comparing himself with other men to see whether he or they were the worse. There was no going over sins he had not committed. He said nothing about his neighbor's sins, but was very honest in speaking about his own sins. He stood before God burdened with the consciousness of his own personal guilt, and cried to God for mercy -- mercy wholly undeserved, to be granted only through grace. It is very obvious which was the true and acceptable prayer. It is the humble persons prayer that reaches heaven. God wants honesty in our requests of Him. He wants humility. It is not enough to be worried about other people's sins -- the sinner with whose sins we ought to be most concerned about is our own.

http://www.thevine.co.nz

Psalm 139

Psalms 23.

Psalm 91 - music by John Michael Talbot

Love Letter From God

Baptism of the Lord

Today our church celebrate the feast of the baptism of our Lord, at the same time is the commisioning of the Catechist and the RCIA facilitator.

Catechist's Prayer

Loving Father, you have called me and I have responded, here I am, Lord!

You invite me to a personal relationship with you

that I may share the Good news of your son, Juseus Christ,

with those you have entrusted to me.

My mind and will are yours.

Through the Holy Spirit, enlighted me with your wisdom,

set my heart on fire with your love,

strengthen me and guide me so that my life faithfully echoes the Gospel.

Grant that, having deepened my understanding and appreciation

of the treasure that is the Catholic faith,

I may share it fullly with others.

May I find in the parish community the wisdom,

support, and inspiration that I need to serve you

in this essential ministry of the church.

Amen.

Prayer for Family

Dear Lord, bless our family.

Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace and mutual love

that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

St Joseph bless the head of our family.

Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom and the prudence

he needs to support and direct those under his care.

Mother Mary, bless the mother of our family.

Help her to be pure and kind,

Gentle and self-sacrificing.

For the more she resembles you,

the better will be our family be.

Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family.

Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents.

Make them more and more like You.

Let them grow, as You did in wisdom and age

and grace before God and man.

Holy family of Nazareth,

make our family and home more and more like Yours

until we are all one family, happy and

at peace in our true home

with you.

Amen

Our Father