Category: ESV First Person

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Address God with Reverence and Awe

Adoration 1.1 | ESV

Having thus engaged our hearts to approach God. Jeremiah 30:21(ESV)

We must solemnly address ourselves to that infinitely great and glorious Being with whom we have to do, as those who are possessed with a full belief of his presence and a holy awe and reverence of his Majesty, which we may do in such expressions as these:

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Revelation 4:8(ESV)

O you whose name is the LORD, who alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18(ESV)

O God, you are our God, earnestly we seek you; Psalm 63:1(ESV) our God, and we will praise you; our fathers’ God, and we will exalt you. Exodus 15:2(ESV)

O you who are the true God, the living God, the one only living and true God, 1 Thessalonians 1:9(ESV) and the everlasting King! Jeremiah 10:10(ESV) The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4(ESV)

And may we thus distinguish ourselves from the worshipers of false gods.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, they are vanity and a lie, the work of human hands; Psalm 115:4(ESV) those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them. Psalm 115:8(ESV) But the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name, Jeremiah 10:16(ESV) God over all, blessed forever. Romans 9:5(ESV)

Their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves, Deuteronomy 32:31(ESV) for he is the Rock of ages; the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock: Isaiah 26:4(ESV) His name endures forever, and his renown throughout all ages, Psalm 135:13(ESV) even when the gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Introduction to Adoration

Adoration 1.0 | ESV

Of the First Part of Prayer, which is Address to God, Adoration of Him, with Suitable Acknowledgements, Professions, and Preparatory Requests

My spirit being composed into a very reverent and serious frame, my thoughts gathered in, and all that is within me charged in the name of the great God carefully to attend the solemn and awful service that lies before me and to keep close to it, I must, with a fixed attention and application of mind and an active lively faith, set the Lord before me, see his eye upon me, and set myself in his special presence, presenting myself to him as a living sacrifice, which I desire may be holy and acceptable to God and a spiritual service; Romans 12:1(ESV)  and then bind this festal sacrifice with cords up to the horns of the altar, Psalm 118:27(ESV) in such thoughts as these:

Let me now lift up my heart, with my eyes and hands, to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41(ESV)

Let me rouse myself to take hold of God, Isaiah 64:7(ESV) to seek his face, Psalm 27:8(ESV) and to ascribe to him the glory due his name. Psalm 29:2(ESV)

Unto you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1(ESV)

Let me now with confidence enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for me through the curtain, that is, through his flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20(ESV)

Let me now attend to the Lord with undivided devotion, 1 Corinthians 7:35(ESV) and let not my heart be far from him when I draw near to him with my mouth and honor him with my lips. Isaiah 29:13(ESV)

Let me now worship God, who is spirit, in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23-24(ESV)

[Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Sum up your Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer

Conclusion 6.5 | ESV

It is very proper to sum up our prayers in that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Conclude with Solemn Praises of God

Conclusion 6.4 | ESV

We may conclude all with doxologies or solemn praises of God, ascribing honor and glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and sealing up all our praises and prayers with an affectionate Amen.

Now blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen. Psalm 41:13(ESV)

Forever blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:18-19(ESV) Yes, let all the people say, “Amen! Praise the LORD.” Psalm 106:48(ESV)

To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:27(ESV)

Now to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for my sins to deliver me from this present evil age, according to the will of my God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5(ESV)

To God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:21(ESV)

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17(ESV) To him be honor and eternal dominion; 1 Timothy 6:16(ESV) to him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:11(ESV)

Now to him who is able to keep me from stumbling and to present me blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God my Savior, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25(ESV)

Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to the LORD my God. Revelation 19:1(ESV) Amen, Hallelujah! Revelation 19:4(ESV)

And now, I prostrate my soul before the throne and worship God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to God forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 7:11-12(ESV) To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13(ESV) And let the whole creation say, “Amen. Amen.”

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Commend Yourself to the Grace of God

Conclusion 6.3 | ESV

We may then recommend ourselves to the conduct, protection, and government of the divine grace, in the further services that lie before us and in the whole course of our life.

And now, let me be enabled to go from strength to strength, until I appear before God in Zion; and while I pass through the valley of Baca, let it be made a place of springs, and let the rain of divine grace and blessing fill the pools. Psalm 84:6-7(ESV)

Now speak, Lord, for your servant hears. 1 Samuel 3:9(ESV) What does my Lord say to his servant? Joshua 5:14(ESV) Grant that I may not turn away my ear from hearing the law, for then my prayers would be an abomination; Proverbs 28:9(ESV) but may I listen to God, that he may listen to me. Judges 9:7(ESV)

And now, the LORD my God be with me, as he was with all my fathers in the faith; may he not leave me or forsake me, that he may incline my heart to himself, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules. 1 Kings 8:57-58(ESV) And let my heart be wholly true to the LORD my God all my days, 1 Kings 8:61(ESV) and continue so till the end; that then I may rest and may stand in my allotted place, and let it be a blessed place at the end of the days. Daniel 12:13(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Beg for the Forgiveness of What has been Amiss in your Prayers

Conclusion 6.2 | ESV

We may then beg for the forgiveness of what has been amiss in our prayers.

Lord, we have not prayed as we ought: Romans 8:26(ESV) who is there who does good and never sins? Ecclesiastes 7:20(ESV) Even when we want to do right, evil lies close at hand; and if we have the desire to do what is right, we seem not to have the ability to carry it out: For we do not do the good that we want, but the evil we do not want is what we keep on doing; Romans 7:18-21(ESV) so that you might justly refuse to hear, though we make many prayers. Isaiah 1:15(ESV) But we have a great High Priest, who bears the guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts; Exodus 28:38(ESV) for his sake, take away all that guilt from us, Hosea 14:2(ESV) even all the guilt and iniquity of our holy things, and receive us graciously and love us freely, Hosea 14:4(ESV) and deal not with us according to our folly. Job 42:8(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Beg for the Acceptance of your Prayers for Christ’s Sake

Conclusion 6.1 | ESV

We may then beg for the audience and acceptance of our poor weak prayers for Christ’s sake.

Now may the God of Israel grant me the things I have requested of him. 1 Samuel 1:17(ESV)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14(ESV)

Let your eyes be open to the plea of your servant and to the plea of your people Israel, giving ear to them whenever they call to you, for they are your people and your heritage. 1 Kings 8:51-52(ESV)

O my God, let your ears be attentive to the prayers that I have made: 2 Chronicles 6:40(ESV) O do not turn away the face of your Anointed One; remember your steadfast love for David your servant, 2 Chronicles 6:42(ESV) even Jesus, who is at your right hand interceding for me. Romans 8:34(ESV)

Lord, you have assured me that whatever I ask the Father in Christ’s name, you will give it to me. John 16:23(ESV) I ask all these things in that name, that powerful name that is above every name; Philippians 2:9(ESV) that precious name which is as oil poured out. Song of Solomon 1:3(ESV) O make your face to shine upon me, Numbers 6:25(ESV) for the Lord’s sake, Daniel 9:17(ESV) who is the Son of your love, Matthew 17:5(ESV) and whom you always hear. John 11:42(ESV) Good Lord, enable me to hear him, and be well pleased with me in him. Matthew 17:5(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Introduction and Comprehensive Petitions

Conclusion 6.0 | ESV

Of the Conclusion of our Prayers

I am commanded to pray always, Luke 21:36(ESV) to pray continually, 1 Thessalonians 5:17(ESV) to devote myself to prayer, Colossians 4:2(ESV) because I must always have in myself a disposition to the duty, must be constant in it, and never grow weary of it or give it up; and yet, I cannot be always praying, I must come down from this mount. Nor may I be over long, so as to make the duty a task or toil to myself or those who join with me. I have other work that calls for my attendance. Jacob wrestles with the angel, but he must go for the day breaks. Genesis 32:24(ESV) I must therefore think of concluding. The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, must be ended. Psalm 72:20(ESV) But how shall I conclude so as to have the impressions of the duty kept always in the imagination of the thought of my heart?

We may then sum up our requests in some comprehensive petitions, as the conclusion of the whole matter.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip me with everything good that I may do his will, working in me that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:20-21(ESV)

Now may the Lord direct my heart to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5(ESV)

And the God of all grace, who has called me to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after I have suffered a little while, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me. 1 Peter 5:10(ESV)

And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? Truly my hope is in you; Psalm 39:7(ESV) and on you do I depend to be to me God Almighty, a God all-sufficient. Genesis 17:1(ESV)

Do for me far more abundantly than all that I am able to ask or think, according to the power at work within me: Ephesians 3:20(ESV) and supply all my needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Rich and the Poor, your Enemies and your Friends

Intercession 5.20 | ESV

For those who are rich and prosperous in the world, some of whom perhaps need prayers as much as those who request them.

Lord, keep those who are rich in this present age from being haughty and setting their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, and give them to trust in God, who richly provides everyone with everything to enjoy: That they may do good and be rich in good works, generous and ready to share; that they may store up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future. 1 Timothy 6:17-19(ESV)

Though it is hard for those who are rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 19:24(ESV) yet with you this is possible. Matthew 19:26(ESV)

For those who are poor and in affliction, for such we have always with us.

Lord, make those who are poor in the world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, James 2:5(ESV) and give to them to receive the gospel.

O that the poor of the flock may wait upon you and may know the word of the LORD. Zechariah 11:11(ESV)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous; good Lord, deliver them out of them all. Psalm 34:19(ESV) And though for the moment all affliction seems painful rather than pleasant; nevertheless, later let it yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11(ESV)

For our enemies and those who hate us.

Lord, give me to love my enemies, to bless those who curse me, and to pray for those who despitefully use me and persecute me. Matthew 5:44(ESV)

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do; Luke 23:34(ESV) and do not hold their malice against them; Acts 7:60(ESV) and work in me a disposition to bear with others and forgive in love, Colossians 3:13(ESV) as you require I should whenever I pray. Mark 11:25(ESV)

And grant that my ways may so please the LORD, that even my enemies may be at peace with me. Proverbs 16:7(ESV)

Let the wolf dwell with the lamb, Isaiah 11:6(ESV) and let there be none to hurt or destroy in all your holy mountain; Isaiah 11:9(ESV) let Ephraim not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah harass Ephraim. Isaiah 11:13(ESV)

For our friends and those who love us.

And I wish for all those whom I love in truth, that all may go well with them and that they may be in good health; I especially pray that it may go well with their souls. 3 John 1:2(ESV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with their spirits. Philemon 1:25(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Young and the Old

Intercession 5.19 | ESV

For the several ages and conditions of men, as they stand in need of mercy and grace.

For those who are young and setting out in the world.

Lord, give to those who are young to remember their Creator in the days of their youth; Ecclesiastes 12:1(ESV) that thereby they may be kept from the vanity which childhood and youth are subject to, and may be restrained from walking in the way of their heart and in the sight of their eyes, by considering that for all these things God will bring them into judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9(ESV)

Lord, make young people self-controlled; Titus 2:6(ESV) and let the word of God abide in them, that they may be strong and may overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14(ESV)

From the womb of the morning let Christ have the dew of your youth; Psalm 110:3(ESV) and let him be formed in the hearts of those who are young. Galatians 4:19(ESV)

Keep those who are setting out in the world from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire; 2 Peter 1:4(ESV) and give to those who have been well-educated, to hold fast the pattern of sound words, 2 Timothy 1:13(ESV) and to continue in what they have learned. 2 Timothy 3:14(ESV)

For those who are old and of long standing in profession.

There are some who are old disciples of Jesus Christ; Acts 21:16(KJV) Lord, give them still to bear fruit in old age, to declare that the LORD is upright, that he is their Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:14-15(ESV)

Now the evil days have come and the years of which they say, “I have no pleasure in them”; Ecclesiastes 12:1(ESV) let your consolations cheer their souls. Psalm 94:19(ESV)

You have said, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.” You have made them, Lord; I beg you, bear, yes, do carry and save them. Isaiah 46:4(ESV)

Those whom you have taught from their youth up and to whom you still proclaim your wondrous deeds, now, also, when they are old and gray headed, forsake them not; Psalm 71:17-18(ESV) cast them not off in the time of old age; forsake them not when their strength is spent. Psalm 71:9(ESV)

Let every gray head be a crown of glory to those who have it, being gained in a righteous life, Proverbs 16:31(ESV) and give them to know whom they have believed. 2 Timothy 1:12(ESV)