What To Pray For

by W.E.A. Thomson, Aberdeen | Category: General | Nov 1971

We frequently sing,

Oh the pure delight of a single hour

That before Thy throne I spend,

When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,

I commune as friend with friend

If we were honest, few of us could say this with complete truth. In all possibility our periods of private prayer do not extend to a full hour. This is the more remarkable when we consider that the Lord Jesus on occasions spent a whole night in prayer. We have been exhorted much as to the value of prayer and much has been written on the subject. But excellent as this is the writer believes that there is a lack of direction as to what to pray for, and consequently much of our praying is limited in its scope and comprehension. There is in our prayer meetings, we suggest, a lack of what might be described as perceptive thinking on matters which should be subjects for prayer. To help to this end the following is a suggested list of prayer subjects which may help in private and public prayer

Confession and contrition (Dan. 9).

Personal sin (Psalm 51:4).

Personal success (1 Chron. 4:10).

Blessing on one's house (2 Sam. 7:29).

Success on a mission (Gen. 24:12).

For a son (1 Sam. 1:11).

For moderation and contrition (Prov. 30:8).

For mercy on others (Gen. 18:23).

For others to see the light (2 Kings 6:17).

When seriously ill(2 Kings 20:5).

For revival (Hab. 3:2).

For comfort (Jer. 15:15).

Thankfulness for guidance (Neh. 9:5).

For wisdom (1 Kings 3:9).

For more faith (Luke 17:5).

Making the right choice (Acts 1:24).

The sinner's prayer (Luke 18:13).

Relief from personal trial (2 Cor. 12:8).

Where 10 pray (Matt. 6:6).

How to pray (Matt. 6:10).

For God's will to be done (Matt. 6:10).

Bread for the coming day (Matt. 6:11).

Forgiveness for debts and shortcomings (Matt. 6:12).

For your persecutors (Matt. 5:44).

Encouragement to pray (Malt. 7:7).

Perseverance in prayer (Acts 2:42).

This list by no means covers all material or subjects for prayer, and in general we can pray for the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, for peace and prosperity, for a decided spiritual life, ability to speak to people, to be fishers of men, for all aggressive work, as is evident the scope is unlimited. Readers may well use this list for reference, and we trust for inspiration so that in effect our prayers may be more subjective and objective. The apostle Paul was anxious that we pray in the spirit and with the understanding also, having intelligent appreciation of what we pray for. In closing, the prayer of the apostle should perhaps be our most fervent:

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift."

W.E.A. Thomson, Aberdeen | Nov 1971
General