There is nothing more important. Pray God

 Luke 18:1–8

Luke 18:1–8 is a parable that the Lord uses to encourage His disciples to pray persistently.

Although I am not always consistent with keeping one, I would highly recommend using a prayer journal or perhaps, more simply, a prayer list. By this, I mean recording one’s petitions on paper and continuing to pray over them daily. There are two distinct advantages.

First, by keeping a record and praying until the Lord resolves the issue, one cannot help but notice God’s faithfulness in answering our prayers.

Second, and more pertinent to this month’s blog topic, a record facilitates persistence. As we all understand, the Lord answers some petitions quickly. Others can take months or even years. I distinctly recall petitions I brought before the Lord in prayer over a decade ago. Only now has He come to answer. I mention this not to lament over the Lord’s divine timing but to highlight His desire that we pray persistently.

Luke 18:1

And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

It is worth noting that the two Greek verbs used to express “to pray” and “lose heart” are both in the present tense. One sense of present tense Greek verbs is continuation. In other words, Jesus exhorts us to pray continuously, without end, regardless of time.

Yet there are at least three things that work against us as we try to pray continuously:

• The first thing that works against us is our sinful nature. Before the fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve petitioned the Lord and then anticipated His answer with rock-solid certainty. In our sinful nature, we are inclined to doubt and even distrust God, believing He is weak, distant, or indifferent.
• The second is our experience in the world. Life is replete with instances in which we petition others for many different needs. Human beings are inconsistent, forgetful, and selfish. Despite their best intentions, even those dearest to us fail to come through when we ask for help. We apply this negative experience to the Lord. People fail, so why should God be any different?
• Third, we reckon time from our own perspective. We pray to God not only with a petition but also with a timetable. God must answer my petition my way, according to my schedule.

Luke 18: 2–3

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ”

Recognizing the natures of the judge and the widow is central to understanding the force of the parable. The judge does not fear God. The Greek word for “fear” is also translated as “terror.” This is not the kind of fear based in love and respect that children are to have for their parents. Rather, this judge lacks the appropriate fear one should have for God, who can destroy the body and cast the soul into hell. The judge also does not respect—literally does not “turn aside”—any man. The widow petitions this judge for justice. Jesus wants His disciples to contrast the nature of the judge against the tender, faithful nature of God. We are also mindful that the widow has no real recourse of her own. Women have no legal standing in this context. We are to assume that she has no other male to plead her case or press her rights for her.

Luke 18: 4–5

“For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ”

While the judge gives justice to the widow, he, in keeping with his nature, does so to rid himself of her interminable clamoring, not out of compassion, the defense of justice, fear of God, or respect of men. He serves himself.

Luke 18:6–7

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them?”

Jesus composes His questions in such a manner that we can answer them with nothing but a resounding yes. This is the nature of God. If the Lord loves us enough to redeem us through the perfect life and innocent death of His beloved Son, certainly He would not hesitate to answer our prayers. The second question alludes to the reality that God answers in His own time, perfect and loving, regardless of how impatient and frustrated we become.

Luke 18:8

“I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

In His perfect teaching method, Jesus caps the parable with a warning regarding the future. Not only will some lose heart and cease praying to the Lord, there will also be those who have turned away from the Lord altogether by the time of His return. Persistent prayer and faith go together. God wants us to pray continually because doing so keeps us in touch with Him. There is nothing more important.

What beauty and peace is ahead!

 It's always a joy to relive the excitement of the gospel of Jesus Christ, every moment.

There is so much of the Lord for us to discover and enjoy. What beauty and peace is ahead!

Have you ever heard of praying through the Bible? 

Praying Scripture will bring life and power to your prayers.

Praying Scripture is using the words of the Bible to inform our prayers. In other words, when we pray through the Bible, we speak God's Word back to Him. 

We see this done throughout the Bible, as men like Nehemiah and Jonah prayed Scripture in their times of trouble. We also see this done by Christ himself on the cross when He prayed Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 

 Why? 

¶Praying through the Word gives us a greater understanding of Scripture as we slow down to meditate on it. 

¶It keeps us theologically grounded and gives us time to think on God's Word as it dwells deeply within our hearts.

¶Think with God.

 It helps us set our minds on things that are true, not on our ever-changing feelings (Philippians 4:8).

Philippians 4:8 is a biblical command by the Apostle Paul urging believers to curate their thought life by focusing exclusively on virtuous and godly attributes. The verse states: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things" 

Often when we pray on our own, we pray for the same blessings, topics, and fears over and over again. The problem is not that we pray persistently; it is a sign of great faith to continually bring our needs before the Lord (Luke 18:1-8).

The problem is that we get stuck in praying only for ourselves and our own needs. Our prayers begin to look more like mindless repetitions than communing with the almighty God.

When we use Scripture to pray, it not only gives us words for our emotions and leads us in truth, it also reminds us to pray for others–for believers in prison, the poor, and injustices around the world. Instead of praying based solely on the things we can see, we pray for God's glory and global mission through the lens of Scripture. In the Bible, we find a bountiful resource to pray through as it joins us with the prayers of saints throughout history. How?

the book of Psalms is a great place to start. This is because the Psalms are, quite literally, prayers and songs to the Lord. To pray through Scripture:

 

Pick a Psalm or section of Scripture to pray through. Read it all the way through. Look up any words that you don't understand, and make sure you know what the passage means. Use a trusted study Bible to help you understand what the passage meant to its original hearers.

Read it again, this time more slowly.

Pause after every section or verse to pray, using its words to inspire and inform your prayer. Do not rush onto the next verse, but spend time thinking about the verse. Look for ways the verse encourages you–to worship God for who He is, to confess your sins, to pray for a need in your own life or in the lives of those around you, or to thank the Lord for His Word and for the blessings found in Scripture.

 

Here is a case study using Psalm 67. We begin by reading the Psalm, making sure we understand its words, phrases, and ideas. Then we go back and read it more slowly, stopping regularly to pray.

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah"

🗣️: Lord, we love You. You are beautiful. In You, all blessing and treasure is found. Just as the Psalmist prays, would You be gracious to me and my family? Would You show us Your favor and shine Your face upon us?

"That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations."

Speak 🗣️: Father God, may Your name and Your gospel be known to the ends of the earth. Lord, rise up and save the nations! Would You give me someone to share the gospel with? Send missionaries to the ends of the earth.

"Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you."

🗣️: Lord, would You be praised within our home? Would You bring revival within our churches and cities? (Spend time praying that you would honor and praise God in everything you do. Pray for your family, local church, city, and nation.)

1. Intercessory Prayer for Family Protection

Father, O Lord of Hosts, my Strong Tower, I stand in the gap for my family today. Be a wall of fire around us and the glory within. Hide us under the shadow of Your wings. Let no plague come near our dwelling, and no weapon formed against us prosper. Assign angels to every doorpost. I plead the blood of Jesus over our minds, bodies, and spirits. Let peace reign and confusion flee. You are our Refuge and Deliverer. I declare that as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord and live under divine protection. In Jesus Christ’s name.

2. Intercessory Prayer for Healing and Restoration

Father, Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals, I lift up the afflicted and broken. Stretch forth Your hand and heal every infirmity. You sent Your Word and healed them—let that Word manifest now. Restore what sickness, trauma, and sorrow have stolen. Bring healing to bones, flesh, and spirit. Where there has been pain, let there be peace. Where there was loss, let there be resurrection. I call forth divine recovery, for by His stripes we are healed. Let the breath of life return. I declare health, wholeness, and healing in Jesus Christ’s name. No more delay—Your restoration is here, Lord. 

3. Intercessory Prayer for Financial Breakthrough

Father, Jehovah Jireh, our Great Provider, I intercede for those burdened by lack and debt. Open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out provision we cannot contain. The silver and gold are Yours; release divine resources. As You fed Elijah by ravens, feed Your people. Let favor fall upon jobs, businesses, and opportunities. Rebuke the devourer for our sake and cause abundance to chase us. Let the blessing that makes rich and adds no sorrow be our portion. I speak overflow into dry places. Father, show Yourself as the God who supplies all our needs according to Your riches in glory.

4. Intercessory Prayer for Spiritual Warfare

Father, Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, we rise in authority against the schemes of darkness. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pull down strongholds. I bind every principality, silence every accuser, and cast down every imagination that exalts itself above the knowledge of God. Let every demonic altar against Your people catch fire! Raise a standard by the blood of Jesus. Arm us with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. We are more than conquerors. Victory is ours. Let Your Kingdom come, and every enemy scatter in Jesus Christ’s name!

5. Intercessory Prayer for Marital Reconciliation

Father, El Shaddai, God of covenant and restoration, I cry out for broken marriages today. Let love be resurrected where it has died. You are the God who binds up the brokenhearted and restores what the enemy tried to ruin. Where there’s unforgiveness, sow grace. Where there’s silence, plant understanding. Heal wounded hearts and reconnect divided souls. Let the threefold cord not be easily broken. Reignite unity, Lord, and be the glue that holds them together. Let no man put asunder what You have joined. Restore what has been torn and bring reconciliation by Your Spirit. In Jesus Christ’s powerful name, amen.

6. Intercessory Prayer for Deliverance from Strongholds

Father, Mighty Deliverer, Breaker of Chains, I stand in the gap for those imprisoned by addiction, fear, lust, pride, and every bondage. For whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Tear down the walls the enemy has built. Let every demonic stronghold crumble like Jericho. I speak liberty over the captives and declare, “Come out in Jesus Christ’s name!” Replace torment with peace and shame with joy. Holy Spirit, flood every dark place with light. I command every chain to break and declare a new beginning. Let them rise clothed in freedom. Deliver them, O Lord, and be glorified forever!

7. Intercessory Prayer for Wisdom and Divine Guidance

Father, O Ancient of Days, Fountain of Wisdom, I intercede for those seeking direction. You said, “If any lacks wisdom, let him ask,” so I ask boldly. Illuminate the path before them. Be their cloud by day and fire by night. Let Your Word be a lamp unto their feet. Remove confusion and every counterfeit door. Pour out discernment from above—pure, peaceable, full of mercy. Speak in dreams, whisper through peace, and thunder through confirmation. I declare clarity over chaos, and divine strategy over delay. Guide them with Your eye, Lord. Lead them in the way everlasting, in Jesus Christ’s name.

8. Intercessory Prayer for Church Leaders and Pastors

Father, Great Shepherd of the sheep, we lift up Your servants—pastors, teachers, and leaders You have anointed. Strengthen their hearts, refresh their spirits, and guard their families. Let no weapon formed against them prosper. Surround them with armor and angelic protection. Anoint their lips with fire, their hands with healing, and their words with power. Raise up Aaron and Hur to lift their arms in battle. May they not grow weary in doing good, for harvest is near. Pour fresh oil, O God, and let revival begin in the pulpit. Cover them, sustain them, and be glorified through them in Jesus Christ’s name.

9. Intercessory Prayer for National Revival

Father, Lord of Nations, King of Glory, we cry for revival in our land! Rend the heavens and come down! Let righteousness spring up from the ground and truth rain from Heaven. Forgive our sins and heal our land. Awaken the sleeping church. Shake every idol, expose every lie, and turn hearts back to You. Raise up intercessors like watchmen on the wall. Let repentance flood the streets and salvation sweep across cities. We speak life over dry bones—revive us again! From the government to the grassroots, let Your Spirit fall. Ignite a national awakening, Lord, for Your name’s sake!

10. Intercessory Prayer for the Lost and Unsaved

Father, Merciful Savior, Lover of Souls, I plead for the lost. Your Word says You desire none to perish but all to come to repentance. Draw them with cords of loving kindness. Pierce the veil from their eyes and soften their hearts. Remove stony places and sow seeds of truth. Send labourers into their path. Awaken their conscience; give them divine encounters. Let the prodigals return, the blind see, and the deaf hear Your voice. I cancel every assignment of the enemy against their salvation. Lord Jesus, rescue them from darkness and translate them into Your Kingdom of Light. Save them, O God!

11. Intercessory Prayer for Breakthrough in Career

Father, Jehovah El Elyon, God Most High, I lift those who feel stuck or stagnant in their careers. You said you open doors no man can shut. So arise, O Lord, and make a way in the wilderness. Let favour surround them like a shield. Reveal the next step. Provide divine connections, promotions, and breakthroughs. Remove limitations and lead them into divine placement. I cancel every spirit of delay and confusion. You are the God who promotes from the dust and lifts the humble. Let new levels of excellence, purpose, and provision manifest. Crown their efforts with success, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name.

12. Intercessory Prayer for Peace in Troubled Times

Father, Prince of Peace, Anchor in the storm, I intercede for those surrounded by chaos. Speak, “Peace, be still,” over every anxious heart. Let not their hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Pour out the peace that surpasses understanding. Guard minds and emotions through Christ Jesus. I silence every voice of fear, torment, and despair. Release stillness in the storm and calm in the battle. Be their refuge and hiding place. Wrap them in your shalom—completeness, safety, and rest. I declare peace over homes, minds, and nations. You are our calm in the whirlwind. Be glorified, O Lord!

13. Intercessory Prayer for Strength in Weakness

Father, El Gibbor, Mighty God, I cry out for those who feel weary and faint. As You strengthened Elijah beneath the juniper tree, strengthen Your children today. Your Word declares, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Just as Paul rejoiced in infirmities, let Your power rest upon them now. Father, be their rock and firm foundation. When they walk through fire, they shall not be burned. Renew their strength like the eagle. Let them mount up and not faint. Wrap them in Your power, Lord, and cause them to rise again in Jesus Christ’s name.

14. Intercessory Prayer for Favour and Open Doors

Father, O God of Joseph, the Door-Opener, I lift those waiting for favour. As you gave Esther favour before the king and Joseph in Pharaoh’s court, let divine doors swing open! Your Word says, “You shall rise and have mercy upon Zion, for the time to favour her has come.” Break delay. Overrule protocols. Promote them beyond qualifications. Let kings come to the brightness of their rising. Cause the hearts of men to be stirred in their favour. I decree open doors, divine access, and accelerated breakthrough. The keys of David are in Your hands. Open, O Lord, and none shall shut!

15. Intercessory Prayer for Children’s Destiny

Abba Father, You are the Author of destiny and the Keeper of generations. I lift every child into Your sovereign hands. As You called Samuel from a young age and raised David from the field to the throne, let destinies arise. I declare, “Our children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be their peace.” Cancel every satanic exchange and reverse every evil prophecy. Let their names be written in Heaven’s scroll. Plant them by rivers of living water. Protect them from every snare of darkness. Raise them as arrows in Your hand, and fulfill every divine assignment.

16. Intercessory Prayer for Overcoming Temptation

Father, Holy and Righteous Judge, I stand in the gap for those battling temptation. Strengthen them like you strengthened Jesus in the wilderness. Your Word declares, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man, but God is faithful…” Rescue them from the snare of the enemy. Let them not fall as Adam, but stand as Joseph did. Give them escape routes, strength, and spiritual resistance. I bind every lying spirit that glorifies sin and loose a hunger for righteousness. Let holiness rise like incense in their lives. Keep them blameless until the day of Christ. In Jesus Christ’s name, amen.

17. Intercessory Prayer for Emotional Healing

Father, Jehovah Shalom, God of Peace, I intercede for the brokenhearted. Your Word says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” I call forth healing into every scar, every trauma, and every silent pain. Be to them the Balm in Gilead. Restore what grief, betrayal, and abuse have stolen. Like Hannah, turn their mourning into song. Wipe every tear. Release joy for sorrow and praise for heaviness. Let peace reign in the depths of their soul. Holy Spirit, breathe healing into every wound. I declare divine restoration and emotional resurrection. May their hearts beat again in freedom and joy.

18. Intercessory Prayer for Unity in the Body of Christ

Father, Elohim, God of Unity, I cry out for oneness in Your Church. As Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one,” let this prayer echo now. Break the spirit of division, offense, and competition. Let love bind us together in perfect harmony. As the early church gathered in one accord, pour out fresh fire and unshakable unity. Let denominational walls crumble. Unite our hearts for revival, for missions, for truth. Empower leaders to walk in humility and members in servanthood. Let the Church arise in strength and beauty, a Bride without spot. For where there is unity, You command the blessing.

19. Intercessory Prayer for Missionaries and God's Five-Fold, Ministers; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Elders and deacons.

Father, Lord of the Harvest, Commander of Heaven’s army, I lift up every missionary and Your anointed ministers doing the work of the Gospel. As Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Spirit, empower these laborers with boldness, protection, and supernatural provision. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace!” Let signs and wonders follow their message. Give them open heavens, receptive hearts, and favour with men. Shield them from persecution and discouragement. Strengthen their hands and stir fresh fire in their bones. May nations be transformed through their witness. Use them, O God, for Your glory.

20. Intercessory Prayer for Government Leaders

Father, Ruler of Nations, King of all kings, I stand in the gap for presidents, governors, lawmakers, and judges. Your Word commands us to pray for those in authority so we may live in peace. As you gave wisdom to Solomon, give our leaders divine discernment. Remove wicked counselors. Raise up Daniels and Josephs—God-fearing men and women in government. Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Expose corruption, silence confusion, and establish truth. Protect those who walk in integrity. Lead our nation through righteous leadership. Rule through them, Lord, and be enthroned over every seat of power.

21. Intercessory Prayer for Supernatural Provision

Father, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, I intercede for those in need of Heaven’s supply. As you sent manna to Israel and multiplied loaves for the 5,000, provide miraculously again. “The young lions may lack, but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Open windows of Heaven. Pour out blessings they cannot contain. Break every cycle of lack and devourer. Release creative ideas, divine favours, and angelic help. Let debts be cancelled and storehouses overflow. You are the God who brings water from rocks and coins from fish. Let supernatural provision manifest today, in Jesus Christ’s powerful name!

22. Intercessory Prayer for Breaking Generational Curses

Father, Chain-Breaking God, the Curse Reverser, I cry out for freedom across generations. Your Word says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law.” Every inherited bondage—poverty, disease, addiction, failure—I uproot by the blood of Jesus! As Gideon tore down his father’s altar, let every evil pattern be destroyed. I decree: What bound my bloodline ends with me! From this moment, I walk in blessing and not curse. Let your fire consume every ancestral chain. Raise a new legacy of faith, favour, and freedom. I seal this family line with the covenant of Jesus Christ. No curse can stand, amen!

23. Intercessory Prayer for Divine Acceleration

Father, Lord of Speed and Suddenly, I stand in the gap for those who feel delayed. As Elijah outran Ahab’s chariot and Joseph rose from prison to palace in one day, let divine acceleration come! Your Word says, “I will do a quick work and cut it short in righteousness.” Redeem the years stolen by delay, fear, or failure. Send help swiftly. Shift times and seasons. Let what would take years happen in weeks. Place your hand upon them for supernatural speed. Let divine appointments, open doors, and answered prayers manifest now. No more delay! Arise, O God, and do it quickly!

24. Intercessory Prayer for Endurance and Perseverance

Father, God of Endurance, Strength of the weary, I intercede for those tempted to give up. As Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, let strength arise in their inner man. “He who endures to the end shall be saved.” Give them a spirit that does not quit. Let hope anchor their soul. When the storm rages, speak peace. When the road is long, walk beside them. Infuse them with supernatural grace to finish strong. Remind them that You are faithful. The crown awaits. They shall not faint but overcome. Let perseverance be their portion, in Lord Jesus Christ’s name.

"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon the earth. Selah"

🗣️: Lord, we joyfully praise You! May more and more people come to know You! You judge the world fairly. (Use this as a time of confession for unrepented sins.)

"Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!"

🗣️: Again, we cry out to You Lord, this time on behalf of our unbelieving friends and family. (Spend time interceding on behalf of friends and family who don't know the Lord. Call out their names.)

"The earth has produced its harvest; God, our God, blesses us."

 🗣️: Lord, You have blessed us. Thank You for saving us. Thank You for providing food for me to eat and a roof over my head. Thank You for all the blessings You have provided. (Spend time thinking through specific blessings God has given you.)

"God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!"

🗣️: Lord, You are good. You are a kind Father who longs to give good gifts to his children. You will bless us, and the ends of the earth will fear You. Use me to spread Your gospel to the ends of the Earth. We love you, Lord.

 

By using Scripture to inform our prayers, we use God's words and speak them back to Him. God promises that his Word never returns void, and praying Scripture is a beautiful way to know God's heart and pray in accordance with God's will. It guards our theology and helps guide our wandering hearts. May you be strengthened in prayer and in your love for His Word!

Psalms 67

An Invocation and a Doxology

To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

¹God be merciful to us and bless us,

And cause His face to shine upon us,

Selah

²That Your way may be known on earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

³Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

⁴Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!

For You shall judge the people righteously,

And govern the nations on earth.

Selah

⁵Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the peoples praise You.

⁶Then the earth shall yield her increase;

God, our own God, shall bless us.

⁷God shall bless us,

And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.

Teach us to pray God's Word Will

 We are praying meaning. We are not just praying words. Not just saying vain repetitions to Almighty God. 

So, I am just going to start with Colossians 2:6, because I have been in Colossians in my devotions, and I am going to show you how I turn Colossians 2:6–7 into prayer. And I will break it up in two pieces. It just turned out that way. So, here we go. This is reading from Colossians 2:6–7: “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Yes, Lord Jesus, I have received you and I do receive you afresh right now this morning. I welcome you to take full control of my life. If I am estranging you in any way, pushing you away at all, show me and help me to kill that sin. I want to walk in you, in your power, in your way, in your fellowship. I dedicate myself to this right now again, just like I have so many times in the past. And I turn from all others, anything else that would compete with you as my closest friend and helper. You have given rootedness and foundation to my life. Thank you.

I didn’t create these roots in you or these great foundation stones of faith. You did that. Thank you. Thank you for sending teachers into my life. Thank you for my parents and many Christians  and dozens of partners in ministry over the years that have exhorted me and kept me on the narrow way. Oh, how I thank you, Lord! It has all been owning to you. My reaching you and my walking in you and my rootedness and foundation in you, it is all owing to you. All my teachers were from you. You are kind and merciful, a mighty God. I love you this morning.

And then I keep reading: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy or empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:8–9).

Lord Jesus, I am not even sure I know what “the elemental spirits of the world” are. But until I find out, I pray that you would protect me from them. Your work in me is way more important than my perfect understanding. Guard me. But I know something of the dangers of human tradition and philosophy. I have felt the pull of forces away from you. Oh, thank you that I am still here, right now praying and not over the cliff of unbelief. Oh, give me discernment so I can see what is according to Christ, like you said, in the books that I read, in the TV shows that I watch, in the movies and the news.

O Lord, these forces are so strong, and I am so prone to be entertained by ideas and actions that are not according to Christ. Have mercy upon me and give me the courage to say no to anything that tends to undermine my fellowship with you and my boldness in witness. How could I ever be lured away, Lord? For in you is the whole fullness of deity, Paul says, the whole fullness of deity dwelling bodily. Amazing. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. O Christ, help me all day, every day, this very day to be more amazed at you and your fullness of deity that I will never turn away — more amazed than I am at anything else. Let my amazement at your fullness of deity spill over at work today. Make me a means of others being amazed, I pray, in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Pray with the Bible with revelation knowledge, not the five-senses knowledge. Praying the Scriptures is so important in the Christian life. If we do not form the habit of praying the Scriptures, our prayers will almost certainly degenerate into vain repetitions that eventually revolve entirely around our immediate private concerns, rather than God’s larger purposes. 

First, we should notice that the early church prayed the Scriptures in Acts 4:24 and following. In fact, they explicitly quote Scriptures. Threats had been made against them and it says, “They lifted their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.’” They are exulting in what they know from God in Scripture. Then verses 25–26: “Who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.’” That is a quotation from Psalm 2. So, we know that the early church prayed back to God the very words that God had given them — for example, in the Psalms.

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How Do I Pray the Bible?

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Episode 999 February 6, 2017

Interview with John Piper

Founder & Teacher, Desiring God

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Audio Transcript

Welcome back to a new week on the Ask Pastor John podcast, with longtime author and pastor John Piper. Thanks for making us a part of your day. Today is episode number 999, and our question today comes from a listener named Dalibor — I think that name is Czech. “Pastor John, can you give an example or two on how to pray the Scriptures? This seems right, but also foreign to me. How do I read in such a way that the words become alive and speak to me here and now? How do my feelings reflect or get aligned with the text I’m reading now? Or even better, perhaps you would be willing to pray through a section of Scripture with us / for us?”

I love this question, because praying the Scriptures is so important in the Christian life. If we don’t form the habit of praying the Scriptures, our prayers will almost certainly degenerate into vain repetitions that eventually revolve entirely around our immediate private concerns, rather than God’s larger purposes. So, let me try to help Dalibor see this as less foreign. He said it felt foreign to him. Let me see if I can help make it feel less foreign.

First, we should notice that the early church prayed the Scriptures in Acts 4:24 and following. In fact, they explicitly quote Scriptures. Threats had been made against them and it says, “They lifted their voices together to God and said, ‘Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.’” They are exulting in what they know from God in Scripture. Then verses 25–26: “Who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.’” That is a quotation from Psalm 2. So, we know that the early church prayed back to God the very words that God had given them — for example, in the Psalms.

“We know that the early church prayed back to God the very words that God had given them.”

Here is a second thing. Don’t forget the obvious; namely, that many parts of the Scripture are prayers. So, simply to read them is to pray, if we are awake — if you are thinking about what you are doing. Paul has got numerous prayers that he prays for the people that he is writing his letters to. And every time we read that, we should pray with Paul. And a great portion of the Psalms are prayers, and Jesus gave us some prayers. I have used the acronym IOUS from the Psalms to guide how I pray the Scriptures:

I, Incline my heart to your testimonies (Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,and not to selfish gain!).

O, Open my eyes to see wonderful things (Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.).

U, Unite my heart to fear your name (Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O Lord,that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.).

S, Satisfy me in the morning with your steadfast love (Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.).

So, the Scripture models for us how to pray about reading the Scriptures and turning them into prayers.

And then think about this, which is so obvious: The Scriptures either tell us something about God and Christ when we are reading so that we can praise him. Or, they tell us something about what God and Christ and the Holy Spirit have done so that we can thank him and express faith in it. Or, they tell us what God expects from us so that we can cry out for his help. Or, they tell us about something we failed to do so that we can confess our sins. So, it seems to me that virtually all the Bible is doing one or more of those four things: something about God, something about what God has done, something about what God expects, something about how we have failed, so that they naturally lead into praise to God, thanks to God, crying for help to God, and confession of sin to God.

But one caution here: Let’s be realistic. What we are praying is the meaning of texts, not just words. This is important. So, for example, when reading part of the Old Testament history book that takes a whole chapter to tell a story, say, about Ahab’s wickedness I just read this morning (1 Kings 21). Ahab’s wickedness. And I also read this morning a whole chapter about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith and courage in front of that fiery furnace. Now, how do you pray Scripture like that? You don’t probably turn every verse into a prayer, because it takes more than one verse to make a point. And that is my point. We are praying meaning. We are not just praying words.

So, you have to read enough of the Bible to catch the meaning. What is the author trying to say here about boldness and courage and faith in Daniel 3? And so, you might wait during three or four minutes of reading and then pause and say, “O God, make me like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and forgive me for my pansy like relation to feeling embarrassed” or whatever. And the same thing with Ahab. I just got so mad at him this morning when he took Naboth’s vineyard and killed him (1 Kings 21:1–16). Oh! And the prophet came and really laid into him and told him: You are going to be in big trouble (1 Kings 21:17–24). There is so much there to pray about. But you have to read the whole chapter before you can get it right in your head and heart. 

dopamine dressing colours

 Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are the most effective for boosting energy, confidence, and alertness, while cool colors like blue and green promote calmness and stability. 

Red: The most energetic color, associated with passion, strength, and leadership; it increases heart rate and blood pressure, making it ideal for making bold statements or attracting attention. 

Orange: Linked to enthusiasm, balance, and social interaction; it stimulates the brain, enhances focus, and conveys approachability and zest for life. 

Yellow: Represents joy, optimism, and creativity; wearing bright yellow can uplift spirits and provide a mental boost, acting as a "pick-me-up" for fatigue. 

Blue: Induces calm, trust, and serenity; best used when you need to convey competence, focus, or maintain a steady, professional demeanor. 

Green: Symbolizes balance, growth, and harmony; it has a relaxing effect on the eyes and mind, helping to ground energy and reduce stress. 

Black and White: Black conveys authority, mystery, and elegance, often used for protection or a neutral backdrop, while white represents purity, clarity, and new beginnings. 

The concept of "dopamine dressing" suggests that wearing vibrant or personally meaningful colors can physically boost mood and energy levels by influencing brain chemistry and hormone responses like cortisol. 

DON'T WEAR BLACK CLOTHES WHEN YOU GO TO THE HOSPITAL . DOCTORS ALWAYS WEAR WHITE COLOURS. DO YOU KNOW WHY? BUT YOU CAN WEAR BLACK WHEN YOU'RE STUDYING OR TAKING AN EXAM . WHEN YOU HAVE AN INTERVIEW OR A MEETING 🤝 WITH CLIENTS , IT'S BETTER TO WEAR BLUE COLOUR . IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR FINANCIAL LUCK , TRY WEARING YELLOW COLOUR . WHEN YOU'RE IN A BAD MOOD, WEAR ORANGE COLOUR . IT WILL INSTANTLY FILL YOU WITH ENERGY. IF YOU FEEL ANXIOUS OR STRESSED, WEAR GREEN 💚 COLOURS . THAT GREEN COLOUR WILL HELP YOU CALM DOWN. LATELY, EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG, AND YOU FEEL LOW ON ENERGY, WEARING RED CLOTHES WILL DEFINITELY WORK.

Discover The Science of Color and Energy

Wearing specific colors can trigger measurable psychological and physiological responses. Research indicates that colors are processed by the brain instantly, influencing mood, confidence, and even bodily functions like heart rate. 

• Warm Colors (Red, Orange, Yellow): These are universally linked to energy, stimulation, and action.

~ Red is the most potent, scientifically associated with increased heart rate, feelings of dominance, and heightened confidence. It's ideal for situations requiring power and attention.

~ Orange combines the energy of red with the joy of yellow, promoting enthusiasm, creativity, and social engagement.

~ Yellow is linked to optimism and mental stimulation, acting as a "burst of vibrancy" that can lift your mood and combat fatigue. 

•Cool Colors (Blue, Green): These promote calm, stability, and focus.

~ Blue is associated with trust, calmness, and improved concentration, making it excellent for professional settings.

~ Green, the color of nature, evokes balance, harmony, and tranquility, helping to reduce stress. 

• Neutrals (Black, White, Gray): These convey different forms of power and stability. Black signifies authority, sophistication, and mystery, while white represents clarity, purity, and a fresh start.

The trend of dopamine dressing—choosing clothes that make you feel good—is backed by psychological principles. 

• Enclothed Cognition: This theory, supported by research, shows that clothing doesn't just change how others see us, but how we see ourselves. For example, wearing a lab coat described as a "doctor's coat" improved focus and attention in studies. This means that wearing an outfit you associate with confidence or success can actually make you perform with more confidence. 

• The Dopamine Connection: While direct brain scans measuring dopamine from clothing are lacking, the principle is sound. Wearing colors, textures, and styles that you personally find joyful or empowering sends positive visual cues to your brain. This can stimulate the brain's reward system, leading to a genuine boost in mood, motivation, and energy. The key is personal resonance—the right color for you is the one that makes you feel energized and like your best self. 

The visible light spectrum, ranging from approximately 380 to 750 nanometers in wavelength, corresponds to a frequency band of 400 to 790 terahertz (THz). Violet light occupies the high-frequency end of this spectrum, while red light occupies the low-frequency end. 

The specific frequency ranges for the primary spectral colors are:

Violet: 670–790 THz (Wavelength: 380–450 nm)

Blue: 620–670 THz (Wavelength: 450–485 nm)

Cyan: 600–620 THz (Wavelength: 485–500 nm)

Green: 530–600 THz (Wavelength: 500–565 nm)

Yellow: 510–530 THz (Wavelength: 565–590 nm)

Orange: 480–510 THz (Wavelength: 590–625 nm)

Red: 400–480 THz (Wavelength: 625–750 nm) 

Because wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional, colors with shorter wavelengths (like violet) have higher frequencies and higher photon energy, whereas colors with longer wavelengths (like red) have lower frequencies and lower energy. 

Light frequency (or wavelength) determines how electromagnetic radiation interacts with the human body, influencing everything from cellular regeneration to circadian rhythm regulation. Shorter wavelengths, such as blue light (380–550 nm), are highly effective at suppressing melatonin and regulating sleep-wake cycles but may disrupt sleep if encountered at night. Longer wavelengths, like red and infrared light (620–1100 nm), penetrate deeper into tissues to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cellular regeneration without affecting circadian rhythms. 

Key health impacts include:

1. Circadian Regulation: Exposure to short-wavelength blue light during the day supports alertness and mood, while evening exposure can delay sleep onset and disrupt biological clocks. 

2. Tissue Healing: Specific frequencies in the red (630–660 nm) and near-infrared (810–850 nm) spectrums accelerate wound healing, collagen production, and muscle recovery by stimulating mitochondrial activity. 

3. Thermal Effects: Higher frequency radio waves (above 10 MHz) primarily cause tissue heating through water molecule agitation, which is managed by the body’s thermoregulation systems at typical exposure levels. 

4. Visual Comfort: Artificial light sources often exhibit flicker at frequencies related to power cycles (e.g., 100–120 Hz), which can cause eye strain, headaches, and reduced concentration in sensitive individuals. 

The optimal light frequency for improving mood is primarily found in the blue to cool white spectrum (460–480 nm or 5,000–6,500K color temperature). This range is most effective at stimulating intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which regulate circadian rhythms and boost serotonin production, a key neurotransmitter for mood stabilization. 

A. Bright Light Therapy (10,000 lux) using full-spectrum or blue-enriched light is a clinically validated treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and shows benefits for non-seasonal depression. Exposure for 20–30 minutes shortly after waking maximizes mood-enhancing effects by aligning the body's internal clock.

B. Timing is critical: Morning exposure to blue-enriched light elevates alertness and mood, while evening exposure can disrupt sleep and worsen mood. 

C. Red and near-infrared light (660 nm and 850 nm) also show promise for mood enhancement by supporting mitochondrial function in brain tissue, though they are less studied than blue/white light for depression. 

Nude sun tanning offers no tan lines, providing a more natural and even skin tone, which is particularly advantageous for those wearing revealing clothing like tank tops or swimsuits. This practice also allows for maximum vitamin D production by exposing the entire body’s surface area to UV rays, which some argue is safer than concentrating exposure on smaller areas like the face and arms, potentially reducing the risk of localized skin mutations. 

Additionally, nude sunbathing allows the skin to breathe freely and prevents the reabsorption of toxins that can occur when sweat is trapped against the skin by restrictive clothing. For women, it may also offer specific health benefits by reducing heat and moisture buildup in sensitive areas, thereby lowering the risk of bacterial or fungal infections. 

My girlfriend asked me why I had blocked off a section of my outdoor, second story deck with white panels. “For privacy. Because come spring and summer, the sun is just right in the morning for my 15-minute nude sunbathing.”

This was the second woman my age; the first was my neighbor, who expressed visible shock at the thought of being naked outside. I was shocked that they were shocked. It’s completely out of view of any neighbor and the finches that fly in for their morning seeds could care less.

I asked my girlfriend, “Haven’t you ever experienced the pleasure of being nude in the sun? Sixty-six years and never…..?” She shook her head, still staring at the panels. “Well, it’s a wonderful sensation. It lifts my mood, activates all kind of healthy melatonin, serotonin, provides me my Vitamin D in it’s healthiest form and honestly, makes me feel so happy.”

Not to mention how sensually invigorating it is. And these days some added invigorating is as important to my overall well being as all my healthy eating, daily workouts, and twice a day vitamins.

Lying there nude in the sun for those blissful 15 minutes heightens all my senses to such a great degree that I had to research and confirm what I knew I’d…How it lifts my spirit and makes me feel good all over. Doctor recommended!