WHAT TO PRAY FOR!

WHAT TO PRAY FOR!

Rom 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Listening to prayer requests can be revealing and sometimes entertaining as people ask God for some interesting things. Too often we sound like Janis Joplin singing: “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz.” Perhaps it would be helpful to take another hard look at our prayer list. Even when he walked the earth Jesus refused to overturn a decision in an inheritance squabble.

Luke 12:13-14

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

I am told that Billy Graham had a list of worthy things for which to pray. Borrowing a bit from his list let me make these suggestions.

1. Pray against spiritual coldness!

Heb 3:12-13

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2. Pray for doctrinal purity – that you are not drawn into believing false doctrine!

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

3. Pray for those with whom you have personal conflict and for those who hate you!

Matt 5:44

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

4. Pray that the Gospel will be effective in these last days!

Col 4:2-4

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 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:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5. Pray against sexual impurity!

1 Thess 4:3-4 & 7

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel [how to control the urges in his own body] in sanctification and honour;

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

6. Pray against a greedy love of money and possessions!

Eccl 5:10

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:

7. Pray for peace!

2 Peter 1:2-3

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

8. Pray for the salvation of the lost!

Rom 10:1

10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.

9. Pray for those in authority!

1 Tim 2:1-2

2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

10. Pray for daily provision of needs!

Matt 6:11

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Matt 6:31-32

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Dear Lord, forgive me for my selfish praying and teach me by your Holy Spirit what to pray for. AMEN