Prayer

Have you ever wondered how to pray for someone who is struggling, hurting, facing an important decision, or seeking God's wisdom and direction? Sometimes it's difficult to know exactly what to say or how to pray.

Rather than offering general prayers, we can pray with purpose by praying God's Word. Scripture gives us promises, truths, and prayers that reflect God's heart. When we use His Word as the foundation for our prayers, we can pray with greater confidence, knowing we're asking for the things that matter most. For example, when we pray His promises back to Him, we aren't trying to persuade God to do something He doesn't want to do. Instead, we agree with His heart and ask Him to work in the lives of those we love.

According to Paul, Ephesians 1:16–19 provides an excellent example of how to pray for others. In the passage below, I have bolded the specific prayer requests to highlight the things Paul asks God to do in the lives of believers.

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16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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Praying God's Word also helps us move beyond praying only for temporary circumstances. Instead of simply asking God to solve problems, we begin praying for transformed hearts, deeper faith, wisdom, strength, and Christlike character.

When you pray Ephesians 1:16–19, you're asking God to:

•Draw them into a deeper relationship with Him.

•Give them wisdom for every decision.

•Reveal His truth more clearly.

•Open their spiritual eyes.

•Fill them with hope.

•Help them understand who they are in Christ.

•Show them the blessings they have in Him.

•Strengthen them through His mighty power.

•Help them experience His presence every day.

One of the greatest ways we can love people is to bring them before the Lord in prayer faithfully. God's Word gives us confidence that we're praying for the things that matter most. Even when we don't know exactly what to ask, the Bible provides the words.