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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for Every Spirit-Wrought Inward Change

Thanksgiving 4.35 | ESV

We must bless God if there is a saving change wrought in us by his blessed Spirit.

And has God by his grace transferred me out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son? Colossians 1:13(ESV) Has he called me into the fellowship of Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:9(ESV) and brought me near by his blood, who by nature was far off? Ephesians 2:13(ESV) Not to myself, O LORD, not to myself, but to your name I give glory. Psalm 115:1(ESV)

I give thanks to God always for those to whom the gospel has come not only in word, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:5(ESV)

You have loved me with an everlasting love; therefore you have continued your faithfulness to me. Jeremiah 31:3(ESV) You have led me with cords of kindness, with the bands of love. Hosea 11:4(ESV)

When the strong man, fully armed, guarded his palace in my heart, and his goods were safe, it was One stronger than he who attacked him and took away his armor in which he trusted and divided the spoil. Luke 11:21-22(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Hope of Eternal Life and for the Work of the Spirit within you

Thanksgiving 4.34 | ESV

For the prospect and hope of eternal life, when time shall be no more.

I thank you for the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him; James 1:12(ESV) the inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me. 1 Peter 1:4(ESV)

That having here no lasting city, Hebrews 13:14(ESV) I am encouraged to seek the better country, that is, the heavenly one; Hebrews 11:16(ESV) the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10(ESV)

That I am in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, has promised; Titus 1:2(ESV) and that all true believers, through grace, Acts 18:27(ESV) have eternal life abiding in them. 1 John 3:15(ESV)

2dly, We must give God thanks for the spiritual mercies bestowed upon us in particular, especially if we are called with an effectual call and have a good work of grace begun in us.

We must bless God for the striving of his Spirit with us, and the admonitions and checks of our own consciences.

I bless you that you have not given me up to a debased mind; Romans 1:28(ESV) that my conscience is not seared; 1 Timothy 4:2(ESV) that you have not said concerning me, “He is joined to idols, leave him alone”; Hosea 4:17(ESV) but that your Spirit is still contending with me. Genesis 6:3(ESV)

I thank you for the work of the law written on my heart, my own conscience also bearing witness, and my own conflicting thoughts accusing or excusing me. Romans 2:15(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Communion of Saints

Thanksgiving 4.33 | ESV

For the communion of saints, that spiritual communion which we have in faith and hope and holy love, and in prayers and praises with all good Christians.

I bless you that if your people walk in the light, they have fellowship with one another, 1 John 1:7(ESV) even with all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and mine. 1 Corinthians 1:2(ESV)

That your people, who are many, are one bread and one body; 1 Corinthians 10:17(ESV) and that though there are varieties of gifts and service and activities, yet there is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God, who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6(ESV)

I thank you that all the children of God who are scattered abroad, John 11:52(ESV) are united in him who is the head of the body, the church; Colossians 1:18(ESV) so they are all my brothers and partners in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus. Revelation 1:9(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Martyrs and Confessors who have Gone Before you

Thanksgiving 4.32 | ESV

For the martyrs and confessors, the lights of the church, and the good examples of those who have gone before us to heaven.

I bless you for all those who have been enabled to commend themselves to God by great endurance, in afflictions and calamities; 2 Corinthians 6:4(ESV) who when they have been brought before kings and governors for Christ’s sake, it has turned to them for an opportunity to bear witness, Luke 21:12-13(ESV) and you have given them a mouth and wisdom, which none of their adversaries were able to withstand or contradict. Luke 21:15(ESV)

That those who for Christ’s sake were killed all the day long and regarded as sheep to be slaughtered, were yet in all these things more than conquerors through him who loved them. Romans 8:36-37(ESV)

That they conquered the accuser of the brothers by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:10-11(ESV)

I bless you for the cloud of witnesses with which I am surrounded, Hebrews 12:1(ESV) for the tracks of the flock, Song of Solomon 1:8(ESV) for the people of old who received their commendation, Hebrews 11:2(ESV) and are now, through faith and patience, inheriting the promises. Hebrews 6:12(ESV) Lord, give me to follow them, as they followed Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Preservation of Christianity in the World to this Day

Thanksgiving 4.31 | ESV

For the preservation of Christianity in the world unto this day.

I bless you that though the enemies of Israel have afflicted them from their youth up, have greatly afflicted them, yet they have not prevailed against them; though the plowers have plowed on their back, yet the LORD is righteous, he has cut the cords of the wicked. Psalm 129:1-4(ESV)

That Jesus Christ has built his church upon a rock, which the gates of hell cannot prevail against; Matthew 16:18(ESV) but his offspring will be established forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. Psalm 89:29(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for Planting His Church in the World

Thanksgiving 4.30 | ESV

For the planting of the Christian religion in the world and the setting up of the gospel-church, in spite of all the opposition of the powers of darkness.

I thank you that the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the command of the eternal God, and the gospel which has been made known to all nations for the obedience of faith, Romans 16:25-26(ESV) has divine power to destroy strongholds: 2 Corinthians 10:4(ESV) That the Lord worked with it and confirmed the message by accompanying signs, Mark 16:20(ESV) so that Satan fell like lightning from heaven. Luke 10:18(ESV)

That though the gospel was preached in the midst of much conflict, 1 Thessalonians 2:2(ESV) yet it continued to increase and prevail mightily, Acts 19:20(ESV) and multitudes turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10(ESV)

Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of God and the authority of his Christ have come: Revelation 12:10(ESV) And the exalted Redeemer rode forth with his bow and with his crown, conquering and to conquer, Revelation 6:2(ESV) and nations were brought forth in one moment. Isaiah 66:8(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Ministry and Other Ordinances

Thanksgiving 4.29 | ESV

For the institution of ordinances, and particularly that of the ministry.

I thank you that you have not only declared your word to Jacob, but your statutes and rules to Israel, to your people: You have not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know your rules. Psalm 147:19-20(ESV)

That the dwelling place of God is with man, and he will dwell with them; Revelation 21:3(ESV) and that he has set his sanctuary in their midst forevermore, Ezekiel 37:26(ESV) and there will meet with the people of Israel. Exodus 29:43(ESV)

I thank you that you have made known to your people your holy Sabbaths, Nehemiah 9:14(ESV) and that there still remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9(ESV)

And that when the Lord Jesus ascended on high he gave gifts to men, Ephesians 4:8(ESV) not only prophets, apostles, and evangelists, but shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all the people of God attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Ephesians 4:11-13(ESV) and that while they teach your people to observe all things which Christ has commanded, he has promised to be with them always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Scriptures

Thanksgiving 4.28 | ESV

For the writing of the Scriptures and the preserving of them pure and entire to this day.

I thank you that I have the Scriptures to search, and that in them I have eternal life, for it is they that bear witness about Christ; John 5:39(ESV) and that all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16(ESV)

That whatever was written in former days was written for my instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures I might have hope; Romans 15:4(ESV) and that I have this sure prophetic word, as a lamp shining in a dark place. 2 Peter 1:19(ESV)

That the vision has not become to me like the words of a book that is sealed, Isaiah 29:11(ESV) but that I hear in my own tongue the mighty works of God. Acts 2:11(ESV)

I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that the things which you have hidden from the wise and understanding and which many prophets and kings desired to see but did not, 1 Peter 1:10(ESV) are revealed to little children like myself; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Luke 10:21(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Covenant of Grace

Thanksgiving 4.27 | ESV

For the covenant of grace made with us in Jesus Christ and all the exceedingly great and precious privileges of that covenant, and for the seals of it.

I thank you that in Jesus Christ you have made an everlasting covenant with me, your steadfast, sure love for David; Isaiah 55:3(ESV) and that though the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, yet this, your covenant of peace, shall never be removed. Isaiah 54:10(ESV)

That you have given to me precious and very great promises, that through them I might become a partaker of the divine nature; 2 Peter 1:4(ESV) and that the covenant Jesus Christ mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 8:6(ESV)

That though you punish my transgression with the rod and my iniquity with stripes, yet you will not remove your steadfast love or be false to your faithfulness; you will not violate your covenant or alter the word that has gone forth from your lips. Psalm 89:32-34(ESV)

That being willing to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of your purpose, you have guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, I who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before me. Hebrews 6:17-18(ESV)

That baptism is appointed to be a seal of the righteousness which is by faith, as circumcision was; Romans 4:11(ESV) that it assures me of the forgiveness of my sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit; and that this promise is for God’s people and their children. Acts 2:38-39(ESV) And that the cup in the Lord’s Supper is the blood of the covenant, which was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Thank God for the Sending of the Holy Spirit

Thanksgiving 4.26 | ESV

For the sending of the Holy Spirit to supply the want of Christ’s bodily presence, to carry on his undertaking, and to prepare things for his second coming.

I bless you that when the Lord Jesus went away, he sent his people another Helper to be with them forever, even the Spirit of truth, John 14:16-17(ESV) who shall glorify the Son, for he will take what is his and declare it to them. John 16:14(ESV)

That being exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:33(ESV) he poured it forth as rivers of living water. John 7:38(ESV)

Blessed be God for the signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, with which God bore witness to the great salvation. Hebrews 2:3-4(ESV)

And blessed be God for the promise that as earthly parents, though evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, so my heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him, Luke 11:13(ESV) that promised Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of my inheritance until I acquire the possession of it. Ephesians 1:13-14(ESV)