Pray Over It. Pray Through It.

So, this is going to be a longer post. On Sunday, we learned how to pray, but today we are putting what we learned into practice. This is a short compilation of prayers and verses for everyday situations. Bookmark it and come back to it whenever you need help.

Prayer is communication with God, and there are many reasons to pray. Whether your prayers are those of blessings and praise, a petition for yourself, intercession for another, or a prayer of thanksgiving, you will find that there is always a reason to pray. And while there are many reasons to pray, there are equally, if not more, reasons in this world that threaten your fellowship with God. 

I don’t write these posts simply for the sake of knowledge, but rather with the hope of encouraging you to purposefully and intentionally encounter God. Don’t be a spectator in your faith, but become an active participant. If you do not encounter God, your fellowship with Him will grow cold. This is why we pray.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people.” 1Timothy 2:1

A Prayer for Thankfulness

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Lord, I bow before You with a humble heart, acknowledging Your goodness that knows no bounds. Your steadfast love never fades or fails; it sustains me and fills me with hope. Grant me the grace to live each day with thanksgiving. May Your love guide me, strengthen me, and lead me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28

Almighty God, I stand in awe of Your unshakeable kingdom. An inheritance that was given to me through Christ Jesus. In reverence of Your Holy presence, I acknowledge Your sovereignty and majesty. I’m here to worship You. May my heart and life be a reflection of Your glory as I surrender to Your refining fire. Overflowing with gratitude, I’m consumed by You. Allow your Spirit to refine and transform me forevermore. Amen

A Prayer for Strength

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lord, I come before You in my weakness, acknowledging my limitations. Through every trial, it is Your abundant grace that sustains me. It is an anchor through the storms of this life. I trust in Your promise that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. As I face challenges and uncertainties, remind me of Your unfailing love. May Your grace abound in my life and be a constant source of comfort and courage. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalms 73:26

Gracious God, in my weakness and despair, I cling to the promise of Your strength. My flesh may fail and my heart may falter, but You are my portion. Amidst these trials, it is Your presence that I seek. Give me the resilience and fortitude to face each day with confidence. Hold me securely in Your hands, Lord, and fill me with Your enduring peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Prayer for Healing

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 14:17

Merciful Lord, I lift my voice to You, seeking Your healing touch. You alone have the power to restore and renew me. Save me from my affliction, O God. You are my refuge, my strength, and my source of hope. I praise You, Lord, and ask that You will pour out Your mercy on me. Heal me, Father, according to Your will, and let Your name be glorified through this restored life. Amen. 

“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast. Jeremiah 30:17 ESV

Sovereign Lord, I humbly receive Your declaration of restoration and healing. Thank you for Your promise of restoration and healing. You declare that You will bring health to my bodies and mend my brokenness. In moments when I feel cast aside, I will cling to Your promise of healing. May Your compassion shine through in my life as I bear witness to Your healing power. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

A Prayer for Protection

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Lord, it is in Your faithfulness that I find assurance. Shield me from the schemes of the evil one. Protect me from the enemy’s attack and grant me Your peace. Guard my heart and mind. Strengthen me with Your divine power, preserving me in Your awesome love and grace. I walk confidently because I know You will faithfully protect me. Amen

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Lord, You are my source of strength and courage. Your empowering words give me the strength to face my challenges with faith and perseverance. The assurance of Your companionship gives me confidence because I know You will never leave nor forsake me. Your presence alone dispels fear. Thank you for calming my anxious heart, Lord. Amen. 

A Prayer for Forgiveness

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:31

Lord, I humbly come before You, acknowledging the burden of bitterness, rage, and anger. As Your child, I seek Your guidance and strength to release these destructive emotions from my heart. Replace the negativity with Your peace and love. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions to reflect Your goodness and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

Father, soften my heart to forgive those who have wronged me. Release me from the burden of holding grudges. Let Your forgiveness flow through me. Grant me the strength to forgive, just as You have forgiven me. Fill my heart with Your mercy and love, so that I may experience the freedom of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Prayer for Peace

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Heavenly Father, in a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, I seek Your perfect peace. As I fix my thoughts on Your goodness and faithfulness, fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. May Your peace reign in my heart as I rely on You for help. In Your presence, may I find rest for my soul. Amen.

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9

Lord, empower me to live out the truths I have learned from Your Word. Help me to be a doer of Your Word, and let my actions reflect the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. As I follow You, let me be an example to those around me. And as I walk in obedience with Your will, may Your abiding peace surround me. I am a faithful servant who wants to reflect Your grace, drawing others near You. Guide my steps, Lord, amen. 

A Prayer for Fear & Anxiety

“You who fear him, trust in the Lord – he is their help and shield.” Psalms 115

Lord, I trust in Your unshakeable sovereignty. You are a beacon of hope, and Your help is my ultimate refuge. Your ever-present help is a fortress of strength for my faith. Your presence provides solace in times of distress. You are my shield. I will testify about Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

Lord, Thank you for Your promise to fight for me. Because of this, I can stand firm in the face of adversity. I know You are with me. Your mighty presence shields me. Help me to relinquish my fears and anxieties. Help me to overcome my fears by equipping me with Your divine courage, assuring my victory. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

A Prayer for Wisdom & Guidance

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Matthew 7:24

Heavenly Father, grant me the wisdom to hear Your words and put them into action. Show me how to heed Your teaching. Let my faith be the evidence that my actions reflect Your truth and is built on a solid foundation. Help me to live wisely and stand firm in my faith. Amen.

“If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5

Jesus, Thank you for Your promise to give wisdom generously to all who seek it. Pour out your wisdom on me. Grant me the ability to discern and navigate life’s complexities. I trust Your abundant grace, knowing that You give without finding fault. Thank you for Your generosity. I receive Your wisdom with an open heart and mind. Amen.

A Prayer for Those Grieving

“For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion; so great is his unfailing love.” Lamentations 3:31-32

Loving Father, in this time of sorrow, I find solace in Your promise that no one is abandoned by You. Even in moments of grief, Your compassion shines through, revealing the depth of Your unfailing love. Though I may experience hardships, Your compassion brings comfort and healing. My hope in You remains constant. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

God, You ordain every season and time under the heavens. Grant me the wisdom to recognize Your timing in my life. Help me to embrace the ebb and flow of life’s seasons, whether we sow or reap. I trust in Your divine plan. Help me to navigate faith and hope while resting in Your unchanging love. I surrender to Your will and sovereign rule. Amen. 

A Prayer for Today

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 ESV

Lord, Thank you for this gift of a new day. My heart overflows with gratitude and rejoices in Your goodness. Help me to seize this day and celebrate the beauty of Your creation and blessings. Thank you for the opportunities and challenges this day brings. Help me to approach each moment with a heart full of thanksgiving. Amen. 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

God, Thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ. His love, grace, and teachings endure through all generations. Guide us to build our lives on His foundation. You are the cornerstone of our faith. Strengthen my faith as I navigate through life’s twists and turns. I find comfort in knowing Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.

Take some time to reflect on why you might be struggling to pray. Are you feeling disconnected from God? Are you experiencing doubt or uncertainty? Or are you new and looking for a place to begin? Identifying the root cause can help you address it more effectively.

But remember that meaningful prayer takes practice and patience. So, if you are struggling, start small and persist. If you show up consistently, it will get easier. 

If you can’t do it alone, find support and seek guidance. Christianity is about community, so don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow believers for advice or encouragement.

Comment on your favorite Bible verse below that could help others going through troubling times. For prayer requests, please complete the form on my contact page. I would love to pray for you.