My, Devotion to Him #200
If you ever feel at a loss for what to pray, there’s no better guidebook for petitions to our Heavenly Father than the very book He wrote which is the Bible. Almost every book in there contains a plea or request, and page after page points to another reason we need a Savior. So, when you feel like you just don’t have words, turn first to the Word.
Although we could list dozens and even hundreds of prayers, I’ve picked out five that I believe are some of the most powerful.
1. A Jabez Prayer (Bless & Protect)
VERSE PASSAGE: 1 Chronicles 4:10 “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.” – NIV
What is interesting at first is Chronicles goes through a list of Kings and their lineage. Jabez is apart of that lineage but the author stops and adds a prayer that Jabez prayed. Which there are many times in the Bible where things like this happen. I think usually it’s because there is something that God is trying to be point out to us.
The author of Chronicles provides us with a list of Judah’s descendants as I stated earlier. It’s interesting and seems as if he can’t help but stop himself and insert something that has nothing to do with lineage. He comes to Jabez, a man he wants us to notice, a man of true honor. If you ever felt pain or if you have ever wanted to believe that God can do more than you could ever ask or imagine, this prayer is for you.
Jabez’ name means pain. But he lived a life that was opposite of his name. We are not bounded by what we have been labeled by others. We are not bounded by anything. We have the choice to prove all statements and assumptions completely and utterly wrong like Jabez.
2. A Jonah Prayer (The R&R: Repentance & Repentance)
VERSE PASSAGE: Jonah 2:2-9 “He said: “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.’” – NIV
Now we may never come to a situation where we are swallowed by a great fish, but we can still experience the same shame and regret that Jonah felt after he ran from God. The prophet’s plea to the Father provides a structure outline for our own prayers of repentance. And remember that God heard and answered this humble, honest prayer.
Jonah cries out a desperate plea of repentance. He not only understands that his current situation was the result of what he did but he also recognized the power and greatness of God. He recognized that false gods have not power and those who worship those have turned away from God’s great love. In his situation Jonah not only cried out for God to hear and to forgive him. Jonah also proclaimed to God that he would obey and say salvation comes from the Lord.
3. The David Prayer (The Call to Deliver)
VERSE PASSAGE: Psalm 3 “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.” – NIV
If anyone has ever read through all of Psalms they would see that this book is filled full of cries, prayers, and petitions. This book is basically like a instruction manual for prayers of all sorts. However this prayer is considered great to me because this centers around a tremendous stressful event. This prayer perhaps gives us a very clear and concise picture of what a deliverance prayer would look like. Also how confident we can be and brave our request can be even when we are in such a need for deliverance.
4. The Hannah Prayer (Exaltation Above All Else)
VERSE PASSAGE: 1 Samuel 2:1-10 “Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” – NIV
When Hannah got the child she had begged God for, she responded by giving praise to God. She wanted to thank Him for His greatness. You know I think too often we pray before receiving, but then forget to pray after receiving. This is a poster child guide prayer for giving to the One who provides for us. Never forget Him and all He has done. Give thanks for He is a good good Father.
5. The Lord’s Prayer (Unleashing Power)
VERSE PASSAGE: Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today 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 the evil one.” – NIV
This prayer has most likely been recited more than any other prayer that is within the Bible. It’s a 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. The Jesus prayer is a prayer that He has given us to use. He even said “this is how you should pray”. This is the cornerstone of power praying. It’s the holy crown of powerful prayers. This is the prayer that Jesus has laid out and has said “THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY” many people recite such a power packed prayer as a bland religious requirement prayer. Not truly understanding that this is the prayer of all prayers. It’s the one that I believe has more verse per verse power than any other prayer that could be prayed. It would be wise for Christians to take notice of such a powerhouse prayer and fully submit themselves to such an awesome prayer and be in tune to unleash the power that is held within.
God bless you my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Copyright © 2019 by Jacob D. Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 