Archive | November 2015

Using My Bible’s Concordance to Pray

Nov27

HAVE YOU EVER USED YOUR BIBLE’S CONCORDANCE as a source of Bible Study or Devotional?

I don’t mean to find a particular scripture you need, but to choose A WORD, then go down the list of references on that word in your Bible – one-by-one – and consider what God might say to you about your subject… for that day or week.

(You can also use a Topical Bible, such as Nave’s if you have one.)

Recently, I’ve been wanting my prayer life to be stronger, meatier. I’ve read a few books on how to do that and heard a few sermons. Then I decided to go to the Book of Books and see how God would instruct me there.

BibleConcordanceUsing the concordance on my old KJV (which has many more references to subjects than the ESV version I read), I looked up the word PRAY, and beginning at the first one in the Old Testament, I read the referenced verse, then the surrounding verses in the passage.

I am amazed each time I do this to discover how and for what God wants me to pray. Thus far in the last couple weeks ( from Genesis, 1 Samuel, 2 Chronicles & Ezra), I’ve found:

1. pray for “good” people who need salvation (I listed a few friends who came mind.)

2. pray for believers struggling with sin in their lives (a few more listed – including myself)

3. pray for those who willfully sin and need discipline

4. pray for our country (America specifically) and the repentance and seeking God that needs to happen…beginning with believers.

5. pray for “the king & his sons” which I took to mean our president and his family. (I admit this is a hard one for me, but when I wrote down all their names, it got easier.) I begin by praying another verse from 3 John for them; “I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

I’m looking forward to what is next on the list – in a few days.

Does this sound like something YOU might like to do with prayer or perhaps with other subjects?  I’d love to hear your journey.

A month’s worth of daily prayers from James

Nov2

A way to use scripture to direct my heart to Him each day in prayer. (Copy and print them out in two columns, fold over and put in your Bible for your quiet times.)

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  1. Help me to joyfully thank You for trials and testing today, knowing that they produce patience and spiritual maturity in me. (1:2-4)
  1. Remind me to confidently ask for wisdom and help in trials, knowing that you will give it. (1:5)
  1. Strengthen my faith, keep me from doubting Your promises. (1:6-7)
  1. Help me recognize and resist the temptations that come from my own flesh and from the world. (1:13-14, 27 b)
  1. Thank You for all the good and perfect gifts You give me. (1:17)
  1. Thank You for being unchangeable, steadfast and faithful. (1:17)
  1. Help me to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (1:19)
  1. Thank You for saving me! (1:21 b)
  1. Help me to truly hear and obey Your word, and not just study it intellectually. (1:22-25)
  1. Keep me from sinning with my words today. (1:26)
  1. Show me how to demonstrate Your love and compassion to the sick and needy today.  (1:27)
  1. Keep me from showing partiality to others for what it will profit me. (2:1-7)
  1. Help me to demonstrate love for others by my actions. Show me how to be merciful and kind. (2:12-13)
  1. Teach me to give generously to the needy. (2:15-16)
  1. Keep me from being proud of my salvation. Remind me that faith is a gift and not something that I have worked for. (2:19-23)
  1. In my desire to teach others, protect me from error, and keep me from arrogant pride. (3:1-2a)
  1. Teach me how to bridal my tongue, knowing that I am otherwise useless to You. (3:3-4)
  1. Remind me how much evil and hurt my words can do to others. May my words today contain only blessings and affirmation. (3:5-10)
  1. Give me a wise and understanding heart. Let Your perfect wisdom guide every decision. (3:13)
  1. Cleanse me of bitterness, jealousy, and selfish ambition. (3:14-16)
  1. Help me be open to reason, peaceful, gentle, sincere, and full of good fruit and works. (3:1 7-18)
  1. Keep me from a quarrelsome attitude. (4:1-2)
  1. Teach me how to pray unselfishly.(4:3)
  1. Show me how to humble myself before You today. Thank You for your promise of grace. (4:6-10)
  1. Keep me from speaking evil of fellow believers, from criticizing or belittling them. (4:11-12)
  1. Help me always to seek Your will before making plans for the day and to wait patiently for Your direction. (4:13-16)
  1. Help me to do the right thing, even if it is hard or costly or humbling. (4:17)
  1. Keep me from loving money. Instead, focus my eyes on Your faithfulness and care for me. (5:1-3)
  1. Help me to be content in every hard situation and trial, and to rest in Your promises and presence. (5:7-11)
  1. Help my words to always be trustworthy. Keep me from any lies or deceit. (5:12)
  1. Teach me to pray with faith in all ways and circumstances: joyfully praise You, fervently intercede for others and myself, honestly confess my sins, knowing You hear and answer. (5:13-16)