Categories
ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Grace of Hope

Petition 3.24 | ESV

We must pray for the grace of hope; a hope in God and Christ, and a hope of eternal life.

Let endurance produce character in me, and character produce hope – such a hope that does not put me to shame. Romans 5:4-5(ESV) Through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, let me have hope, Romans 15:4(ESV) and be saved by hope. Romans 8:24(ESV)

Let the God of Jacob be my help, and my hope always be in the LORD my God. Psalm 146:5(ESV)

Let me be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:3(ESV) and let that hope be to me as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, entering into the inner place behind the curtain, where the Forerunner has gone on my behalf. Hebrews 6:19-20(ESV)

Let me have Christ in me, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27(ESV) and never be shifting from the hope of the gospel; Colossians 1:23(ESV) but enable me to show earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end. Hebrews 6:11(ESV)

Categories
ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Graces of Contentment and Patience

Petition 3.23 | ESV

I must pray for the graces of contentment and patience, and a holy indifference to all the things of sense and time.

Lord, teach me in whatever situation I am to be content; let me know how to be brought low and how to abound; in any and every circumstance, let me learn the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Philippians 4:11-12(ESV) And let godliness with contentment be great gain to me, 1 Timothy 6:6(ESV) and a little with the fear of the LORD and quietness, be better than great treasure and trouble with it. Proverbs 15:16(ESV)

Lord, grant that my life may be free from the love of money, and I may always be content with what I have, Hebrews 13:5(ESV) ever saying, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” Acts 21:14(ESV)

Enable me in my endurance to possess my own soul; Luke 21:19(KJV) and let steadfastness always have its full effect, that I may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4(ESV)

Lord, give me grace to mourn as though I was not mourning, and to rejoice as though I was not rejoicing, and to buy as though I had no goods, and to deal with the world as though I had no dealings with it, because the appointed time has grown very short, and the present form of this world is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31(ESV)

Categories
ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Grace of Self-Denial and Humility

Petition 3.22 | ESV

We must pray for the grace of self-denial.

Lord, give me grace to deny myself, to take up my cross daily, and to follow Christ; Matthew 16:24(ESV) to discipline my body and keep it under control. 1 Corinthians 9:27(ESV)

Lord, keep me from being a lover of my own self, 2 Timothy 3:2(ESV) from being wise in my own eyes and leaning to my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-7(ESV)

Lord, give me to seek, not my own good only, but also the good of my neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:24(ESV)

And grant that I may not live to myself or die to myself, but whether I live or die, may I be the Lord’s, and live and die to him. Romans 14:7-8(ESV)

We must pray for humility and meekness.

Lord, give me to learn from Christ to be gentle and lowly in heart, that I may find rest for my soul; Matthew 11:29(ESV) and that herein the same mind may be in me that was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5(ESV)

Lord, conceal pride from me, Job 33:17(ESV) and clothe me with humility; 1 Peter 5:5(ESV) and put upon me the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in your sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4-5(ESV)

Lord, give me grace to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with others in love. Ephesians 4:1-2(ESV)

Let anger never lodge in my bosom, Ecclesiastes 7:9(ESV) nor the sun ever go down on my anger; Ephesians 4:26(ESV) but enable me to show perfect courtesy toward all people, because I myself was once foolish and disobedient. Titus 3:2-3(ESV)

Let me be clothed as becomes an elect child of God, holy and beloved, with a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12(ESV) that being merciful, even as my heavenly Father is merciful, Luke 6:36(ESV) I may be perfect as he is perfect. Matthew 5:48(ESV)

Categories
ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for a Tender Conscience and God-Wrought Love

Petition 3.21 | ESV

We must pray that our consciences may be always tender and that we may live a life of repentance.

Lord, put upon me that love which binds everything together in perfect harmony, Colossians 3:14(ESV) that I may maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:3(ESV) and may live in love of peace, that the God of love and peace may be with me. 2 Corinthians 13:11(ESV)

Lord, give me to love my neighbor as myself with that love which is the fulfilling of the law; Romans 13:9-10(ESV) to love others earnestly from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22(ESV) that by this all men may know that I am Christ’s disciple. John 13:35(ESV)

And as your people are taught by God to love one another, give me to abound therein more and more; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10(ESV) and as I have opportunity, let me do good to everyone; Galatians 6:10(ESV) and so far as it depends on me, let me live peaceably with all men, Romans 12:18(ESV) always pursuing what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19(ESV)

Lord, make me able to love my enemies, to bless those who curse me, to pray for those who despitefully use me, and to do good to those who hate me; Matthew 5:44(KJV) bearing with others and forgiving others in love, as Christ has forgiven me. Colossians 3:13(ESV)