Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 079 - The Power of Using Scripture in Prayers - A Guide for Christian Homes

Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 079 – The Power of Using Scripture in Prayers - A Guide for Christian Homes

When I was a little girl my sister and I shared a bedroom until my senior year of high school. I remember praying together, especially at night as we both lay in our bunk beds with whispered words in the dark. I don’t recall how we learned to pray, but I thank God for our clumsy attempts to reach His ears even before I knew who Jesus was or had studied His Word.

Luke 11:1-13 says, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

I’m so thankful God was already reaching down from Heaven to show us the way to Him through the unknown power of prayer. God was already making Himself and the power to reach Him known to little girls who sought hope and provision He alone can give.

As we consider the passage I read from Luke 11:1-13, we notice that there is order in the prayer. Although as a child I didn’t understand much beyond the fact that my spirit called out to speak to God, our Heavenly Father does desire order in life and in prayers.

In this section from Luke 11, you can see that the first thing Jesus did was praise God, beforemaking requests. As we lift praise to the Maker of Heaven and Earth first, recognizing Who He is, we humbly submit to Him and acknowledge His rightful place in our heart and life. God doesn’t want our prayers to be thoughtlessly thrown to Him as we think about other things. He wants us to be cognizant of Who we humbly bow before. He desires and deserves to be given recognition, honor, and glory.

As you study the passage I read earlier, you may notice that there is order in the passage after praise. The verses show three additional aspects of prayer: the content we lift to God, our persistence we should carry in coming before Him, and God’s faithfulnessand generosity to us.

Jesus’ mentorship of prayer provides a glimpse into His heart and the will of God. Our Heavenly Father desires that we praise Him, seek His daily provisions, keep a clear and connected relationship free of bitterness, unforgiveness, or temptation as we are sustained by God, lift godly requests, remain persistent with faithful expectation, and recognize God’s goodness and grace. As you mold your walk with God and your prayer life after the examples Jesus set for us, you are well-equipped to lift Scriptural prayers that God will receive with great joy.

Are you ready to deepen your prayer life and walk with God and mentor the power of using Scripture in prayers to your children?

Use God’s truths in His holy Word to craft Scriptural prayers.

1. Believers should regularly assess their heart and mind and ask God to purify thoughts, desires, actions, and reactions. As your relationship remains strong and you mature your walk moment by moment, you will be able to present yourself as one approved and lift your prayers to God without hindrance.

2. Make sure you regularly read God’s Word. The more you know and understand the Father, you are better able to pray according to His desires and will.

3. Any prayer need can be Scripturally-based and beautifully lifted to the Father. God loves hearing His children lift His sacred Words to Him in love, faith, and trust.

4. Find Scripture that fits your prayer requests and praises. You can pray God’s Word as it is or craft His holy Word into your prayers. You may also use the themes of the Bible to see God’s heart and purpose prayers to be lifted for His mighty hand to work in those topical areas of your life or in the world.

5. As your prayer life is shaped by God’s Word you will experience your holy heavenly Father working in ways you may not have yet experienced. Praying God’s Word works miracles in your life, your marriage, for your spouse, your work, your home, and your children. God’s Word applies to every area of life. So can the prayers you form from Scripture.

Let’s look at ways to craft powerful prayers from God’s Word. As you grow in studying and knowing God’s Word you will hear His voice more clearly as you pray.

1. If you are a beginner, or need more direction in your prayers, look for topics as you read the Bible. Keep a journal or notepad to reference Scripture of certain themes or use the Topical Index to search for verses that fit your need. Use the topics you desire to transform your needs, praises, and worship into powerful prayers that speak God’s truths back to Him.

2. Find verses applicable to your prayer purpose. You are preparing to humbly present yourself and your desires or gratitude before the sovereign, holy God of the Universe. When you come before Him with a need, know His Word so you will know His ways. When you pray according to His will, 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

3. After selecting Scripture pertaining to the prayer you want to offer God, speak your heart and use His Word to form the prayers you present.

I’ll share various examples you may use as templates to guide your prayers or you may use the examples to ignite your own ideas.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Father God, I rejoice in You and the treasures You given me through Jesus and the Holy Spirit inside me. Help me focus on You through the ups and downs of life and keep my focus where You call it to be.

Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Dear good and glorious Heavenly Father, help my walk with You focus on what You call to my attention. Enable me to care only for Your praise. Work through me to craft an intimate relationship that comes to You with problems and praise. May you be the One I cling to and seek for guidance in all areas.

Let’s examine specific topic examples of Scriptural prayers. First I’ll list various verses, then craft prayers that align with them.

Prayers for your walk with God:

Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Deuteronomy 8:6 says, “So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him.”

Romans 13:14 says, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. I thank you for the ability to come before You with requests. I thank you for the merciful, sacrificial work of Jesus who became the bridge that carries me to You. Father, I desire a deeper walk, a deeper relationship with You. You have shown me what is good. All You require of me is to submit to Jesus as Savior, to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. I praise You for your mercy and love! Help me keep the commandments You expressed in Your Word as I allow You to carry me through this life. Give me the desire to walk in Your ways and carry a reverent fear of Your holiness. Your Word promises me that I am Your beautiful workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which You have already purposed and ordained for me. Help me please You in the way I seek and serve You and others in those ordained ways. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Prayers for your husband:

1 John 3:22 says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him.”

James 1:5-6 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Dear merciful and loving Heavenly Father, How we need Your loving and holy presence and guidance in our life and family. I thank you for my husband. May He seek You ever more each day. Help him be the man You purposed as You knit Him together in the secret place. I pray that when He comes before You his prayers are heard by You because he knows You intimately and follows Your commands and will. I pray His prayers are always in accordance with Your Word because he follows it. Help him remember that You have promised that he can do all things through You, His strength. Protect him - his thoughts and ways. Help him not to keep company with sinners or mockers who would lead him from You. Help his thoughts and actions not to be offensive to You. Help my husband take delight in Your Word day and night and be like a tree planted by streams of water. May all he do prosper because His follows You with his whole heart and soul. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Prayers for your children:

Proverbs 29:17 says, “Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.”

Colossians 3:21 says, "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Dear Heavenly Father, How I praise You for Your many good and loving gifts. You are kind and personal. Thank you for Your love for me and my family. I thank you for my precious children. Help my husband and I raise them in ways that delight Your soul and give us rest because they are obedient to You. Help my husband and I to be sweet honey, like a soothing balm, not embittering our children in any way that would discourage them or deter them from You. May they learn Your truths as preserved in Scripture, Your holy Word. May they cling to them in life, coming to a saving knowledge that lasts for eternity. May they uphold Your good and perfect Word and live a righteous life that equips them for every good work You have purposed for them. May they be a joy and blessing to Your heart and ours. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Prayers for your family:

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Colossians 1:9-10 says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You are so wise. How we need Your loving guidance. Help my husband and I continue to humble ourselves before You and each other so that it is Your wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and understanding that we cling to. Turn us from anything that is wicked in Your eyes. Heal the areas our family needs individually and as a unit under You. Help us to be godly examples that mentor You and lead our children to Your feet. I pray Your holiness fills us because we seek, find, and follow You in all the ways You desire. Please fill each of our family members with the wisdom and understanding the Holy Spirit desires so we may live a life worthy of You and please You in every way as we bear Your fruit. May our family encourage others who see us. May they experience something different and know that it is You. Cause the way we live, love, and act to send others straight to Your arms. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Other ways you may use Scripture to pray are to find a verse or passage you want to use and select a portion to focus on.

If you can’t express the deep desires or needs on your heart – Romans 8:26-27says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You are so far above me. Your ways so much higher. I need Your love and wisdom to guide me. I don’t know what to pray, but I know You listen. Your heart is attuned to my needs, but You want to hear my words. Father, my burden is too heavy. I don’t know what words to use. May the Holy Spirit inside me carry my requests to Your hands as I humbly ask You to intercede according to Your good and gracious will.

If you want to deepen your walk with God and carry deeper trust in Him – Psalm 119:18 says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”

Gracious, merciful Father, I long for a deeper walk with You. Please open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in Your law. Help me follow your will and ways and become the person You created me to be.

When you need His help - Matthew 14:30 says, “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

My Lord, I need You! Save me!

When you want to keep a pure heart before God - Psalm 51:2 says, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

Holy Father, I want to be clean before You. I want to be pleasing in every way. Continue to wash away my iniquities and keep me pure before You.

When you are in leadership - 1 Kings 3:9a says, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.”

Dear loving Heavenly Father, enable me to see others through Your eyes and know the ways to reach them. Give me a discerning heart that knows good from evil and right from wrong. Help me humbly allow Your work to shine through me.

When you want to remain close to God - Hebrews 4:16says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Dear Heavenly Father, You are my strength, my guide, my life. Help me draw nearer to You so You will draw nearer to me. May I always approach Your throne with confidence that comes from a pure and close walk with You. Thank you for the grace and mercy You extend so freely. Help me always walk with you in times of ease and call out to You in times of need.

You may also use Scripture as song and incorporate it into prayers of worship. Let your walk with God grow deeper and wider as You explore the various ways you can connect with Him more intimately through the power of His written Word.

Remember the mentorship of Jesus as He guided His disciples of the way to lift requests before our Holy God. Praise Him, seek Him moment by moment, letting Him purify your heart, mind, and walk. Lift godly requests that show Your Christlike character growing daily. As you remain persistent with faithful expectation and lift prayers that release God’s Words back to Him, God will receive your requests and praise with great joy and goodness. Your children won’t wonder how to pray or Who they pray to. They will grow in wisdom and understanding of the Lord and begin a journey you will nurture for a lifetime.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of Your Holy Word. Father, You have promised that if I remain in You and Your Words remain in me, I may ask You whatever I wish, and it will be done for me. Thank you for placing the Holy Spirit within me to teach that means I must walk closely with You to know Your will and ways. You don’t call for selfish desires to flow to You through my prayers, but You call for me to be humbled before You. Bring me closer to You. May my requests show the transformation of my heart, mind, and desires as I grow in You. God, You are so good. Thank you for reaching out to me and loving as I am, but showing me the way to become more Christlike moment by moment. May my prayers reflect You and be a joy to Your heart. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective.

Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a 15 minute call to chat about details. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ.

If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too.

Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection.