Prayer at christ in the canyons

In the model Jesus used with his disciples for prayer, (Luke 11:1-4), he provides five areas of focus:

* That God’s name be honored – the focus on his everlasting glory (“Father, hallowed be your name”)

* That God’s kingdom come – the focus on his eternal will (“your kingdom come”)

* That God’s provision is given – the focus on our present (“Give us each day our daily bread.”)

* That God’s forgiveness is granted – the focus on our past (Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.)

* That God’s deliverance will be provided – the focus on our future.

Sometimes, we don’t know what to say when we pray. Fortunately, we have the Bible to draw prayers from when our tongues are tied.

Here are some great Bible passages you can use for prayer when you can’t come up with your own words:

• Prayer for restful sleep: “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.”
•  (Psalm 3:5)
• Prayer to protect yourself from negative thinking and hurtful speech: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
• Prayer for God’s guidance: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” (Psalm 25:4)
• Prayer to protect yourself from fear: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
• Prayer to mend a broken heart: “The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18)
• Prayer to ask for mercy: “Have mercy on me O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out all my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)
• Prayer to ask for God’s protection: “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” (Psalm 61:2-3)

Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Praying for one another is a powerful way for us to bear one another's burdens. Taking another's hand and praying for them is a powerful blessing you can give another person.