Originally Posted November, 2016.
What the Word says pray-ers look like began as a personal Bible study this morning. But it is too rich to keep to myself.I’m glad that this post has very few thoughts of my own. It is simply what the Word says about pray-ers.
Remember to consider our novel called, The Pray-ers where men and women in a Christian Historical Fiction book model prayer for us in their daily lives.
THE VERSES & SECTIONS ARE NOT EXHAUSTIVE, NOR IS THERE ANY MAGIC TO THEIR ORDER:
(All verses are from the Berean Study Bible or are paraphrased by the author, Mark S Mirza)
What Do Pray-ers Look Like?
__________________
They Know God’s Will
- Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- Ephesians 5:17, Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
- Colossians 1:9m, . . . filled with the knowledge of His will. . . (HCSB)
__________________
They are Devoted to Prayer
- 1 Samuel 12:23m, . . . Let me not sin by ceasing to pray for you. . .
- Daniel 6:10, Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
- Luke 18:1, Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
- Colossians 4:2a, Devote yourselves to prayer . . .
- Even giving up sleep, Colossians 4:2m, being watchful
- Ephesians 6:18, Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11a, we always pray for you. . .
__________________
They Pray with Other Pray-ers
- Romans 15:30, Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
- 2 Corinthians 1:11, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.
- Hebrews 13:19, And I especially urge you to pray that I may be restored to you as soon as possible.
__________________
Their Prayers are Impactful
- Genesis 20:17, Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children.
- 1 Kings 13:6, The king said to the man of God, “Please entreat the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and it became as it was before.
- Job 42:8b, My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
- Philemon 1:22, In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers, I will be restored to you.
- James 5:16b, . . . the prayers of a righteous man availeth much
__________________
They are Obedient
- Psalm 34:15, The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.
- Proverbs 15:29b, He hears the prayer of the righteous
- John 9:31, We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. (for a laugh, note who said this)
__________________
They are NOT Disobedient
- Deuteronomy 1:45, “Then you returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD did not listen to your voice nor give ear to you.
- Psalm 66:18, If I regard iniquity (sin) in my heart, The Lord will not hear;
- Isaiah 1:15, “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
__________________
They Hear from the Spirit
- 2 Samuel 23:2, “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.
- Ezekiel 1:3a, the word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel
- Micah 1:1a, The word of the LORD which came to Micah
- Acts 8:29, The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”
- Acts 11:12a, The Spirit told me to accompany them
- Acts 13:2, While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul. . . (do not fall into the trap that this is ONLY in Acts, because every time you confirm a deacon you confirm him based on this, “hearing from God.”)
- Acts 16:7, And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them,
__________________
They Pray for Others
- 1 Samuel 12:23m, . . . Let me not sin by ceasing to pray for you. . .
- Ephesians 1:16, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers
- Colossians 1:9m, . . . we have not stopped praying for you. . .
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3a, continually recalling [you] before our God and Father
- 2 Thessalonians 1:3a, We are obligated to thank God for you all the time,
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11a, we always pray for you. . .
__________________
They Pray SPECIFICS for Others
- Romans 15:5-6, Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Ephesians 1:17-19a, asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe
- Philippians 1:9-11, And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and profound insight, so that you can discern what is best, that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- Colossians 1:9-12,For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3, continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,
Greetings in the Mighty AND Awesome name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ our soon coming KING! Dear Brother Mark how wonderful to have read this & hopefully soon to purchase this book. TGBATG so very thrilled to see your postings. What a blessing! Twin City Church Calendar is church outside the walls & Twin Cities my infamous home town. Amen Kingdom blessings ?Peace–n~Joy
Thank you my friend for your encouragement. It was a blessing for me too, to find your FB page.
Re: my books, I have been giving away my novels (which teach on prayer) for FREE, the digital versions, during Covid-19. It has been our way, at Common Thread Ministries, to help. Anyway, they will no longer be free on August 1st. Please take advantage of them now, and forward the link to ANYONE. We want nothing from this. It is our way of serving. (www.MarkMirza.com/FREE-Digital)
BTW, you can pray for me. I will be in DC next week. I go up there regularly to pray with our elected officials. I pray with people on BOTH sides of the aisle, because I believe our unity is in Christ, NOT the ballot box. You can go to my politics page (MarkMirza.com/Politics) and see how I’ll be praying with and for these men and women this month.
Again, blessings my new friend.