P.R.A.Y. God’s Word!

I have a prayer idiosyncrasy, which I’ve written about before, where I pray laps around the church sanctuary. I often use the acronym, P.R.A.Y., to guide my prayer at the church.

P.R.A.Y. stands for Praise, Repent, Ask, and Yield.

Several months ago, I felt led to ramp up my praying. So, I prayed more laps. In the process, I started writing down a long list of Scriptures, which I pray through periodically. Here is a slightly scaled-down list, which I keep in my Notes app so I can refer to it easily.


P.R.A.Y. God’s Word
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Colossians 4.2, NLT)

PRAISE

Deuteronomy 7.9 (CEB)
Know now then that the Lord your God is the only true God! He is the faithful God, who keeps the covenant and proves loyal to everyone who loves him and keeps his commands—even to the thousandth generation!

Psalm 50.14-15 (NLT)
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

Psalm 59.16 (NLT)
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

Psalm 108.1 (NET)
I am determined, O God! I will sing and praise you with my whole heart.

Psalm 111.2 (NET)
The Lord’s deeds are great, eagerly awaited by all who desire them.

Psalm 117 (CEB)
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Worship him, all you peoples! 2 Because God’s faithful love toward us is strong, the Lord’s faithfulness lasts forever! Praise the Lord!

Psalm 118.24 (NLT)
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 138.8 (CEB)
… Your faithful love lasts forever, Lord! Don’t let go of what your hands have made.

1 Corinthians 15.57 (CEB)
Thanks be to God, who gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

REPENT
Psalm 139.23-24 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 51.10 (NLT)
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

ASK
Matthew 6.9-13 (NLT)
Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Psalm 5.8 (NLT)
Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.

Psalm 25.4 (NLT)
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow.

Psalm 27.11 (CEV)
Teach me to follow, Lord, and lead me on the right path.

Psalm 32.8 (NLT)
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

Psalm 37.34 (NLT)
Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land.

Psalm 90.12 (CEV)
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.

Psalm 143.10 (NLT)
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

1 Corinthians 2.4 (CEB)
My message and my preaching weren’t presented with convincing wise words but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

1 Thessalonians 1.5 (CEB)
… our good news didn’t come to you just in speech but also with power and the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction …

Ephesians 4.27, 30-32 (CEB)
27 Don’t provide an opportunity for the devil. … 30 Don’t make the Holy Spirit of God unhappy—you were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 31 Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. 32 Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3.12 (NET)
And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all …

James 1.5 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Yield
1 Samuel 3.10 (CEB)
“Speak. Your servant is listening.” (Samuel)

Psalm 27.14 (NLT)
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Proverbs 3.5-6 (NET Bible)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

Matthew 6.130b (NLT)
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Luke 22.42b (NLT)
… I want your will to be done, not mine.

Luke 1.38 (CEB)
I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.

Romans 12.12 (CEB)
Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer.

Ephesians 3.20 (CEB)
Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us …

1 Thessalonians 5.18 (CEB)
Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.


You may have noticed the emphasis on praying for direction and “the right path” in the Ask section, especially in the Psalms. I’ve been collecting and compiling Psalms like these for about twenty years, which I wrote about nearly ten years ago (Prayers for the Journey).

I’m sure this list will continue to evolve and grow over time. What Scriptures do you pray regularly?

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