Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Thank God for the Many Instances of His Goodness and Kind Providence

Thanksgiving 4.2 | NASB

With reference to all the creatures and the world of mankind in general. [continued]

You did not leave Yourself without witness among the nations, in that You did good and gave them rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying their hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17(NASB)

You cover the heavens with clouds, and provide rain for the earth, and make grass to grow on the mountains. You give to the beast its food, and to the young ravens which cry. Psalm 147:8-9(NASB)

You bring rain on a desert without a man in it, to satisfy the waste and desolate land. Job 38:26-27(NASB)

You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; the stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth. You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth. You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness. Psalm 65:9-11(NASB)

You send forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the mountains; they give drink to every beast of the field; and beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they lift up their voices among the branches. Psalm 104:10-12(NASB)

You have established the earth upon its foundations, so that it will not totter forever and ever, Psalm 104:5(NASB) and set a boundary to the waters of the sea, so that they will not return to cover the earth. Psalm 104:9(NASB) You have enclosed the sea with doors, Job 38:8(NASB) and placed boundaries on it, saying, “Thus far you shall come, but no farther; and here shall your proud waves stop.” Job 38:10-11(NASB) And You have made good what You have sworn, that the waters of Noah would not flood the earth again. Isaiah 54:9(NASB)

Your covenant for the day and for the night is not broken; Jeremiah 33:20(NASB) but still You give the sun for light by day, and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Jeremiah 31:35(NASB) and are faithful to that covenant of providence: That while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Be Particular in your Thanks to God, Marvel at His Good Nature and Kind Providence

Thanksgiving 4.1 | NASB

I must be particular in my thanksgivings to God,

For the discoveries which He has made to me in His word of the goodness of His nature.

I give thanks to the God of gods, to the Lord of lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 136:2-3(NASB)

Your goodness is Your glory, Exodus 33:19(NASB) and it is for that which all Your works give thanks to You, and Your saints bless You. Psalm 145:10(NASB)

You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness, Psalm 145:8(NASB) and have told me that You do not afflict willingly or grieve the sons of men, but, if You cause grief, yet You will have compassion according to Your abundant lovingkindness. Lamentations 3:32-33(NASB)

You favor those who fear You, those who wait for Your lovingkindess. Psalm 147:11(NASB)

For the many instances of His goodness.

The goodness of His providence relating to my body and the life that now is; and this,

1st, With reference to all the creatures and the world of mankind in general.

You have stretched out the heavens like a tent curtain, Psalm 104:2(NASB) and in them You have placed a tent for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Psalm 19:4-5(NASB) And You cause Your sun to rise on the evil and the good, and send rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45(NASB)

When I consider the heavens, the work of Your fingers, the sun, the moon, and the stars, which You have ordained, Lord, what is man that You care for him? Psalm 8:3-4(NASB) For truly the light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun: Ecclesiastes 11:7(NASB) All glory be to the Father of light, James 1:17(NASB) who commands the morning and causes the dawn to know its place. Job 38:12(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Introduction and Exhortation to Stir Yourself Up to Praise God

Thanksgiving 4.0 | NASB

Of the Fourth Part of Prayer, which is Thanksgivings for the Mercies I have Received from God and the Many Favors of His I am Interested in and Have and Hope for Benefit by

My errand at the throne of grace is not only to seek the favor of God, but to ascribe to Him the glory due to His name, Psalm 29:2(NASB)  and that, not only by an awful adoration of His infinite perfections, but by a grateful acknowledgment of His goodness to me, which cannot indeed add anything to His glory, but He is pleased to accept of it and to reckon Himself glorified by it, if it comes from a heart that is humbly sensible of its own unworthiness to receive any favor from God, that values the gifts and loves the Giver of them.

I must stir up myself to praise God with the consideration both of the reason and of the encouragement I have to praise Him.

I give thanks to You, O God, I give thanks, for Your name is near; I declare Your wondrous works. Psalm 75:1(NASB)

Let my soul bless the LORD, and let all that is within me, bless His holy name; yes, let my soul bless the LORD and forget none of His benefits. Psalm 103:1-2(NASB)

I will praise the LORD, for it is good, it is pleasant, Psalm 92:1(NASB) and praise is becoming to the upright; Psalm 33:1(NASB) yes, it is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-2(NASB)

I will extol You, my God, O King, and will bless Your name forever and ever: Every day I will bless You, and will praise Your name forever and ever; Psalm 145:1-2(NASB) I will eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and shout joyfully of Your righteousness. Psalm 145:7(NASB)

I will sing to the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. Psalm 149:1-2(NASB) Let the godly ones exult in glory, and let the high praises of God be in their hearts and in their mouths. Psalm 149:5-6(NASB)

I will bless the LORD while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being; Psalm 146:2(NASB) and when I have no being on earth, I hope to have a being in heaven, to be doing it better.

I am here through Jesus Christ to offer up a sacrifice of praise to You, which I desire to do continually, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to Your name. Hebrews 13:15(NASB) And You have said that He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors You, Psalm 50:23(NASB) and that this will please the LORD better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs. Psalm 69:31(NASB)

I will make mention of the lovingkindness of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted me, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses. Isaiah 63:7(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Plead the Promises of God for the Enforcing of your Petitions

Petition 3.41 | NASB

I must plead the promises of God for the enforcing of all my petitions, put these promises in suit, and refer myself to them.

Lord, You have granted me many precious and magnificent promises, 2 Peter 1:4(NASB) which are all Yes and Amen in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20(NASB) Now may it be done to Your servant according to the word that You have spoken. 2 Samuel 7:25(NASB)

Give me to joyously draw water from the springs of salvation, Isaiah 12:3(NASB) to nurse and be satisfied with Jerusalem’s comforting breasts; Isaiah 66:11(NASB) and now, O LORD God, let the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant be established forever, and do as You have spoken. 1 Chronicles 17:23(NASB)

Deal with me according to the tenor of the everlasting covenant, which is well-ordered in all things and secured, and which is all my salvation and all my desire. 2 Samuel 23:5(NASB)

Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name; Psalm 119:132(NASB) do more for me than I am able to ask or think, Ephesians 3:20(NASB) and supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Pray for Daily Supplies of Comfort and Support

Petition 3.40 | NASB

I must pray to be supplied with the comforts and supports I daily stand in need of.

O that the favor of the Lord my God may be upon me; confirm for me the work of my hands; yes, establish the work of my hands. Psalm 90:17(NASB) O LORD, do save, I beseech You; O LORD, I beseech You, do send prosperity! Psalm 118:25(NASB)

Let my sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, and my daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace. Let my garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce; let there be no mishap or loss; and let there be no outcry in the streets of Your people. How blessed are the people who are so situated; how blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:12-15(NASB)

Let me be blessed in the city and blessed in the country; Deuteronomy 28:3(NASB) let my basket and my kneading bowl be blessed; let me be blessed when I come in and when I go out. Deuteronomy 28:5-6(NASB)

Let Your good providence so order all events concerning me that they may be made to work for good to me, as You have promised they shall to all who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Romans 8:28(NASB)

Give me to trust in the LORD and do good, and then I shall dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness; Psalm 37:3(NASB) and be pleased to bring forth my righteousness as the light and my judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:6(NASB)

Let me be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and not be afraid of violence when it comes; Job 5:21(NASB) let me be in league with the stones of the field, and let the beasts of the field be at peace with me; let me know that my tent is secure, and let me visit my abode and fear no loss. Job 5:23-24(NASB)

And if God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take during my pilgrimage in this world, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, so that I may come to my heavenly Father’s house in safety, then the LORD will be my God. Genesis 28:20-21(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Pray for the Good Things of Life and Preservation in Calamities

Petition 3.39 | NASB

I must pray for the good things of life, with a humble submission to the will of God.

Lord, You have told me that godliness holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come; 1 Timothy 4:8(NASB) and that if I seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, other things will be added to me; Matthew 6:33(NASB) and therefore, I cast all my anxiety about these things on You, who cares for me; 1 Peter 5:7(NASB) for my heavenly Father knows that I need all these things. Matthew 6:32(NASB)

I must pray to be preserved from the calamities to which I am exposed.

You, Lord, are my refuge and my fortress, Psalm 91:2(NASB) and under Your wings will I seek refuge; Your faithfulness is a shield and bulwark; let me therefore not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91:4-5(NASB) Having made the Lord my refuge and the Most High my dwelling place, let no evil befall me, nor any plague come near my tent. Psalm 91:9-10(NASB)

Let the LORD be my keeper, even He who keeps Israel and neither slumbers nor sleeps. Let the Lord be my shade on my right hand, that the sun may not smite me by day, nor the moon by night. Let the Lord protect me from all evil; the Lord keep my soul; the Lord guard my going out and my coming in, from this time forth and forever. Psalm 121:4-8(NASB)

Lord, make a hedge about me and my house and all that I have, on every side; Job 1:10(NASB) and remove sickness from my midst. Exodus 23:25(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Pray for Grace to Fit you for Heaven

Petition 3.38 | NASB

I must pray for grace to fit me for heaven, and that I may at length be put in possession of eternal life.

Lord, qualify me to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light; Colossians 1:12(NASB) let God Himself prepare me for this very purpose, and give me the Spirit as a pledge in my heart. 2 Corinthians 5:5(NASB)

O that I may know that my citizenship is in heaven, and that from there, with comfort, I eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, who will transform the body of my humble state into conformity with the body of His glory. Philippians 3:20-21(NASB)

O that I may set my mind on the things above, and that my life may be hidden with Christ in God; that when Christ, who is my life, is revealed, I also may be revealed with Him in glory; Colossians 3:2-4(NASB) that when He appears, I may be like Him, may see Him just as He is, 1 John 3:2(NASB) may behold His face in righteousness, and may be satisfied with His likeness when I awake. Psalm 17:15(NASB)

When I fail, let me be received into the eternal dwellings, Luke 16:9(NASB) in the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God; Hebrews 11:10(NASB) that I may always be together with the Lord, 1 Thessalonians 4:17(NASB) to see as I am seen and know as I have been fully known; 1 Corinthians 13:12(NASB) and, in the meantime, help me to comfort myself and others with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18(NASB) And having this hope fixed on Christ, may I purify myself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:3(NASB)

And now, may my Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God my Father, who has loved me and given me eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen my heart in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Pray for the Grace Needed to Die Well

Petition 3.37 | NASB

I must pray for grace to deliver me from death* and to carry me well through my dying moments.

Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; let me know and consider how transient I am, that my days are as handbreadths and every man at his best is a mere breath. Psalm 39:4-5(NASB) My days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 1 Chronicles 29:15(NASB)

Lord, so teach me to number my days, that I may present to You a heart of wisdom, Psalm 90:12(NASB) and make me to discern my future. Deuteronomy 32:29(NASB)

Lord, make me always ready, dressed in readiness with my lamp lit, Luke 12:35(NASB) because the Son of man is coming at an hour that I do not expect. Luke 12:40(NASB)

Keep me all the days of my struggle, waiting until my change comes; and then You will call, and I will answer. Job 14:14-15(NASB)

Bring me to my grave like the stacking of grain in its season; Job 5:26(NASB) satisfy me with life, whether it be long or short, and let me see Your salvation. Psalm 91:16(NASB)

And when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be with me, that I may fear no evil; let Your rod and Your staff comfort me. Psalm 23:4(NASB)

Let goodness and lovingkindness follow me all the days of my life, and let me dwell in the house of the LORD forever; Psalm 23:6(NASB) mercy and truth be with me. 2 Samuel 15:20(NASB)

Redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, and receive me; Psalm 49:15(NASB) guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me into glory. Psalm 73:24(NASB)

* We must all die (save those alive when the Lord comes), so the author directs us to ask for deliverance not from the inevitable fact of death, but from the fear and power of death. Editor.

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Pray for Preserving Grace

Petition 3.36 | NASB

I must pray for the effectual support and comfort under all the crosses and afflictions that I meet with in this world.

Lord, rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely to Your heavenly kingdom; 2 Timothy 4:18(NASB) being kept from stumbling, may I stand in Your presence, at the coming of Your glory, blameless with great joy. Jude 1:24(NASB)

Lord, cause me to increase and abound in love for Your people, and for all people, so that my heart may be established without blame in holiness before my God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13(NASB)

If Satan demands permission to sift me like wheat, yet let Christ’s intercession prevail for me, that my faith may not fail. Luke 22:31-32(NASB)

Until I am taken out of the world, let me be kept from the evil one, John 17:15(NASB) and sanctified in Your truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17(NASB)

Build me up, I pray, in my most holy faith, and keep me in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of my Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21(NASB)

Grant that I may continue to call upon You as long as I live; Psalm 116:2(NASB) and till I die, may I never put away my integrity from me; let me hold fast my righteousness and never let it go, and may my heart not reproach any of my days. Job 27:5-6(NASB)

Categories
Method for Prayer NASB First Person

Pray for the Support and Comfort you Need in your Afflictions

Petition 3.35 | NASB

I must pray for the effectual support and comfort under all the crosses and afflictions that I meet with in this world.

We know that we are born for trouble as sparks fly upward; Job 5:7(NASB) but from six troubles be pleased to deliver us, and in seven do not let evil touch us. Job 5:19(NASB)

Let the eternal God be our dwelling place, and underneath be the everlasting arms; Deuteronomy 33:27(NASB) that the spirit You have made may not grow faint before You, Isaiah 57:16(NASB) nor the soul that You have redeemed. Psalm 71:23(NASB)

Let us be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience. Colossians 1:11(NASB)

Let Your statutes be our songs in the house of our pilgrimage; Psalm 119:54(NASB) and let Your testimonies, which we have inherited forever, be always the joy of our hearts. Psalm 119:111(NASB)

When we are afflicted in every way, let us not be crushed; and when we are perplexed, let us not be despairing; 2 Corinthians 4:8(NASB) but as sorrowful, let us be always rejoicing, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:10(NASB)