Acceptable Prayer

The prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. – Proverbs 15:8

The Bible shows us many examples of prayer. Adam and Eve talked to God in the Garden of Eden. Abraham and God discussed God’s promises of making a great nation from Abraham’s lineage. Abraham’s servant asked God for help to find a wife for Isaac and God led him straight to Abraham’s relatives. Moses talked to God as to a friend and led the nation of Israel out of Egypt. Joshua listened to God and did everything that God commanded. Jonah argued with God, but God had the last word by sending a fish to swallow him. Followers of Christ prayed for Peter when he was in jail and an angel came and rescued him.

Jesus talked to the Heavenly Father. He’d get off by himself and pray all night. On many occasions, He taught about prayer and how important it is and even gave His disciples a pattern with “the Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:5-18). In it, He taught them to acknowledge who God is, and pray for His will to be accomplished on Earth, for daily needs to be met, for forgiveness (with a forgiving heart), to be led away from temptation, and to escape evil.  

There is much to learn about prayer in the scriptures, but you won’t really learn about prayer unless you actually do it. Spend a regular time in prayer and daily thank God for His blessings and answers. Satan wanted to sift Peter as wheat, but Christ prayed (Luke 22:31-32). Satan has designs on the United States, but Christians are praying. Join in this chorus of prayer for the nation.

Today’s Verse: Proverbs 15:8

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 7:7-11

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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