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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

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

Thanksgiving 4.2 | NIV

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

You have not left yourself without testimony among the nations: You have shown kindness by giving them rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; you provide them with plenty of food and fill their hearts with joy. Acts 14:17(NIV)

You cover the sky with clouds; you supply the earth with rain and make grass grow on the hills. You provide food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. Psalm 147:8-9(NIV)

You cause it to rain on a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland. Job 38:26-27(NIV)

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it; you drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. Psalm 65:9-11(NIV)

You make springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; and by them the birds of the air nest, they sing among the branches. Psalm 104:10-12(NIV)

You have set the earth on its foundations, it can never be moved; Psalm 104:5(NIV) and have set a boundary the waters of the sea cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. Psalm 104:9(NIV) You have shut up the sea with doors, Job 38:8(NIV) and fixed limits for it, saying, “This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt.” Job 38:10-11(NIV) And you have made good what you have sworn: that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. Isaiah 54:9(NIV)

Your covenant with the day and with the night is not broken; Jeremiah 33:20(NIV) but still you appoint the sun to shine by day and decree the moon and stars to shine by night, Jeremiah 31:35(NIV) and are faithful to that covenant of providence: That as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. Genesis 8:22(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

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

Thanksgiving 4.1 | NIV

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 love endures forever. Psalm 136:2-3(NIV)

Your goodness is your glory, Exodus 33:19(NIV) and it is for that which all you have made praises you, and your saints extol you. Psalm 145:10(NIV)

You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love, Psalm 145:8(NIV) and have told your people that you do not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men, but, though you bring grief, yet you will show compassion, so great is your unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32-33(NIV)

You delight in those who fear you, who put their hope in your unfailing love. Psalm 147:11(NIV)

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, Psalm 104:2(NIV) and in them you have pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. Psalm 19:4-5(NIV) 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(NIV)

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the sun, the moon, and the stars, which you have set in place, Lord, what is man that you are mindful of him? Psalm 8:3-4(NIV) For truly the light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun: Ecclesiastes 11:7(NIV) All glory be to the Father of the heavenly light, James 1:17(NIV) who gives orders to the morning and shows the dawn its place. Job 38:12(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Introduction and Exhortation to Stir Yourself Up to Praise God

Thanksgiving 4.0 | NIV

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 his name, Psalm 29:2(NIV) 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 tell of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 75:1(NIV)

Let my soul praise the LORD, and let all my inmost being praise his holy name; yes, let my soul praise the LORD and not forget any of his benefits. Psalm 103:1-2(NIV)

I will praise the Lord, for it is good, it is pleasant, Psalm 92:1(NIV) and it is fitting for the upright to praise him; Psalm 33:1(NIV) yes, it is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. Psalm 92:1-2(NIV)

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever: Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever; Psalm 145:1-2(NIV) I will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:7(NIV)

I will sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. O let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Psalm 149:1-2(NIV) Let the saints rejoice in this honor, and may the praises of God be in their hearts and in their mouths. Psalm 149:5-6(NIV)

I will bless the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 146:2(NIV) 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 to you a sacrifice of praise, which I desire to do continually – the fruit of lips that confess your name. Hebrews 13:15(NIV) And you have said that he who sacrifices thank offerings honors you, Psalm 50:23(NIV) and that this also will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. Psalm 69:31(NIV)

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for his people – yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Plead the Promises of God for the Enforcing of your Petitions

Petition 3.41 | NIV

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 given me many great and precious promises, 2 Peter 1:4(NIV) which are all “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20(NIV) Now may it be to your servant as you have said. Luke 1:38(NIV)

Grant me to draw water with joy from these wells of salvation, Isaiah 12:3(NIV) to nurse and be satisfied at those comforting breasts; Isaiah 66:11(NIV) and now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant, and do as you have promised. 1 Chronicles 17:23(NIV)

Deal with me according to the tenor of the everlasting covenant, which is arranged and secured in every part, and which is all my salvation and all my desire. 2 Samuel 23:5(KJV)

Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name; Psalm 119:132(NIV) do immeasurably more for me than I am able to ask or imagine, Ephesians 3:20(NIV) and meet all my needs according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for Daily Supplies of Comfort and Support

Petition 3.40 | NIV

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

O may the favor of the Lord my God rest upon me; establish the work of my hands for me—yes, establish the work of my hands. Psalm 90:17(NIV) O LORD, save me; O LORD, grant me success. Psalm 118:25(NIV)

Let my sons in their youth be like well-nurtured plants, and my daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Let my barns be filled with every kind of provision; and let there be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in the streets of your people. Blessed are the people of whom this is true; indeed, rather, blessed are the people whose God is the LORD. Psalm 144:12-15(NIV)

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

Let your good providence so order all events concerning me that they may be made to work for my good, as you have promised they shall to all who love you, who have been called according to your purpose. Romans 8:28(NIV)

Grant me to trust in the LORD and do good, and then I shall dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture; Psalm 37:3(NIV) be pleased also to make my righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of my cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:6(NIV)

Let me be protected from the lash of the tongue and not fear when destruction comes; Job 5:21(NIV) let me have a covenant with the stones of the field, and let the wild animals be at peace with me; let me know that my tent is secure, and let me take stock of my property and find nothing missing. Job 5:23-24(NIV)

And if God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey during my pilgrimage in this world, and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I may return safely to my heavenly Father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. Genesis 28:20-21(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for the Good Things of Life and Preservation in Calamities

Petition 3.39 | NIV

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 has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life, as well as the life to come; 1 Timothy 4:8(NIV) and that if I seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, other things will be given to me; Matthew 6:33(NIV) and therefore, I cast all my care about these things on you, who cares for me; 1 Peter 5:7(NIV) for my heavenly Father knows that I have need of all these things. Matthew 6:32(NIV)

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(NIV) and under your wings will I find refuge; your faithfulness will be my shield and rampart; let me therefore not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91:4-5(NIV) Having made the Most High my dwelling and the LORD my refuge, let no harm befall me and no disaster come near my tent. Psalm 91:9-10(NIV)

Let the LORD be my keeper, even he who watches over Israel and neither slumbers nor sleeps. Let the LORD be my shade at my right hand, that the sun may not harm me by day, nor the moon by night. Let the LORD keep me from all harm; let him watch over my life; the Lord watch over my coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:4-8(NIV)

Lord, put a hedge around me and my house and everything I have; Job 1:10(NIV) and take away sickness from me. Exodus 23:25(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for Grace to Fit you for Heaven

Petition 3.38 | NIV

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 the kingdom of light; Colossians 1:12(NIV) let God himself work me to this very purpose, and give me the Spirit as a deposit in my heart, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:5(NIV)

O that I may now have my citizenship in heaven and may eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus, who will transform my lowly body so that it will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21(NIV)

O that I may set my mind on things above, and that my life may be hidden with Christ in God; that when Christ, who is my life, appears, I also may appear with him in glory; Colossians 3:2-4(NIV) that when he appears, I may be like him, may see him as he is, 1 John 3:2(NIV) may see his face in righteousness, and when I awake, may be satisfied with seeing his likeness. Psalm 17:15(NIV)

When I am gone, let me be welcomed into eternal dwellings, Luke 16:9(NIV) in the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God; Hebrews 11:10(NIV) that I may be together with the Lord forever, 1 Thessalonians 4:17(NIV) to see as I am seen and know as I am fully known; 1 Corinthians 13:12(NIV) and, in the meantime, help me to encourage others with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18(NIV) And having this hope in me, may I purify myself, just as Christ is pure. 1 John 3:3(NIV)

And now, may my Lord Jesus Christ himself and God my Father, who loved me and by his grace gave me eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage my heart and strengthen me in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for the Grace Needed to Die Well

Petition 3.37 | NIV

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

Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life and that my days are a mere handbreadth; that each man’s life is but a breath, Psalm 39:4-5(NIV) and my days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 1 Chronicles 29:15(NIV)

Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom, Psalm 90:12(NIV) and make me to discern what my end will be! Deuteronomy 32:29(NIV)

Lord, make me always ready, dressed ready for service with my lamp kept burning, Luke 12:35(NIV) because the Son of man will come at an hour when I do not expect him. Luke 12:40(NIV)

Keep me all the days of my hard service, waiting for my renewal to come; and then you will call, and I will answer. Job 14:14-15(NIV)

Bring me to the grave like a sheave gathered in season; Job 5:26(NIV) satisfy me with life, whether it be long or short, and show me your salvation. Psalm 91:16(NIV)

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(NIV)

Let goodness and love follow me all the days of my life, and let me dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6(NIV) May kindness and faithfulness be with me. 2 Samuel 15:20(NIV)

Redeem my life from the grave, and take me to yourself; Psalm 49:15(NIV) guide me with your counsel, and afterward take me into glory. Psalm 73:24(NIV)

* 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.

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for Preserving Grace

Petition 3.36 | NIV

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 attack and bring me safely to your heavenly kingdom; 2 Timothy 4:8(NIV) keep me from falling, that I may be presented before your glorious presence without fault and with great joy. Jude 1:24(NIV)

Lord, make my love increase and overflow for your people and for everyone else; strengthen my heart so that I will be blameless and holy in the presence of my God and Father when my Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13(NIV)

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

Until I am taken out of the world, protect me from the evil one, John 17:15(NIV) and sanctify me by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17(NIV)

Build me up, I pray, in the most holy faith, and keep me in God’s love as I wait for the mercy of my Lord Jesus Christ to bring me to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21(NIV)

Grant that I may continue to call on you as long as I live; Psalm 116:2(NIV) and until I die, may I not deny my integrity; that I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; and that my conscience may not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:5-6(NIV)

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Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for the Support and Comfort you Need in your Afflictions

Petition 3.35 | NIV

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

I know that I am born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward; Job 5:7(NIV) but in six calamities be pleased to rescue me, and in seven let no harm befall me. Job 5:19(NIV)

Let the eternal God be my refuge, and underneath be the everlasting arms; Deuteronomy 33:27(NIV) so that the spirit you have made may not grow faint before you, Isaiah 57:16(NIV) nor the soul that you have redeemed. Psalm 71:23(NIV)

Let me be strengthened with all power according to your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience and joy. Colossians 1:11(NIV)

Let your decrees be the theme of my song wherever I lodge; Psalm 119:54(NIV) and let your statutes, which are my heritage forever, be always the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111(NIV)

When I am hard pressed on every side, yet let me not be crushed; and when I am perplexed, let me not be in despair; 2 Corinthians 4:8(NIV) if sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; if having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10(NIV)