What a great privilege we have to always have the ear of the supreme God who rules the universe. 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers.”  We call him Father, a Father who truly cares for us with only our best interests at heart. “ For the Father himself loves you.” John 16:27.

Jesus said, “If you abide in me and my Word abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.” God’s character is love (1 John 4:16) and He purposes to save all mankind from Adam’s penalty, “God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” 1 Timothy 2:4,5.  Based on this knowledge, we pray for the following —

  • His Kingdom here on earth where ALL will be truly blessed: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10.
  • His Holy Spirit: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13.
  • The Harvest: “Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest,” Matthew 9:38.
  • Forgiveness for our unintentional sins: “And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.” Luke 11:4.
  • Our enemies, because God is kind to the unthankful: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44.
  • Others: “pray one for another…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” James 5:16.
  • Spiritual understanding: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 20.

We should never offer selfish prayers for ourselves. The Apostle James tells us, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James 4:3. We are not taught to pray for money or luxuries. Our Father knows our needs. (Luke 12:30.)

And finally, prayers of thanksgiving are always in order and should be always on our lips. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.