OLD TESTAMENT PRAYERS

Introduction

We are so glad you are joining us for these daily prayer posts. Over the next few weeks we are going to listen to the prayers we find in the Bible, and some of God’s most faithful saints and servants. Through their prayers, we will learn better how to pray and connect with our heavenly Father.

Each devotion will take less than ten minutes of your time.

  1. We will look at an insight from those who know something important about prayer.
  2. We will listen to the prayers of people in the Bible—people just like us. And to people who gained a deep measure of spiritual intimacy with God because they prayed.
  3. We will reflect, asking the same four questions each day that invites us to look and listen with intent.
  4. And we will pray, for it is in praying that we learn to pray. And it is in praying that the Spirit changes our hearts.

We want to encourage you to grab a journal or a notebook – something to write on as you walk through each prayer guide. Yes, it will add a few minutes to the time it takes to do the devotion, and it will also deepen your experience and shape your walk with God for years to come. This journal or notebook will be a keepsake to remind you of God’s faithfulness during this challenging season for all of us.

Look

“Asking means that you have come into the relationship of a child of God, and you now realise, with moral appreciation and spiritual understanding, that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17)
Oswald Chambers, As He Walked

Listen

In Genesis 12:1-3 God gave Abram a promise when He called him that one day He would make him into a great nation and that he would be blessed with a great name and that he would be a blessing.  But Abram looked at his age and Sarah’s age and honestly could not fathom how it was possible to have a child.  So he asked a very legitimate question: “Lord God, what can You give me, since I am childless?” 

Genesis 15:1-3

“After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram continued, “Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.”

Reflect

1. Having read the Word, sit silently for a minute and give God’s Word a moment to settle within you.

2. Re-read the verses slowly and write down some thoughts that resonate with you.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the deeper desires, motives or longings in your heart that those thoughts are pointing to. (for example: you might write down, “Abraham cannot see how God can fulfill the promise for his life.”) The Spirit can help you understand what God is saying to you in these moments

4. What are some elements in this “confused” prayer from Abram that guide you in praying in the midst of confusion?

Pray

Thinking about Abram’s honest prayer to God, what question arises from your heart regarding anything in your life right now that seems uncertain or confusing? God immediately answered Abram’s prayer by telling him his heir would come from his own body and that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. We don’t always get an immediate answer but we know that God’s timing is perfect. Just taking the time to lay out before Him your concern is a wonderful step. Knowing God loves you, do you have the freedom to ask Him, “Lord God, what can You give me?” God sees through confusion. Ask for His clear Word.

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These devotionals are adapted from various sources, including The Book of Common Prayer, Fenelon: The Seeking Heart, Fellowship Bible Church Nashville, Handbook to Prayer by Kenneth Boa and others.