Helping Christians grow through prayer
by Dr. Alvin VanderGriend
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9–10,13)
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3–5)
One of the most exciting discoveries that I ever made about prayer was that, when we are praying for ourselves [petition], if our hearts are right with God and we ask in accord with His will, God will give us what we ask (1 John 5:14–15). In an effort to personally claim that promise and receive God’s riches, I made a list of seventy-five spiritual qualities and blessings mentioned in scripture—things I could be sure were “in accord with God’s will.” I understood these to be God’s purposes in my life. I asked God for these things several times each week. What I found was that God, true to His word, heard and answered these prayers. Little by little these qualities and graces became more and more real in my life. God was answering because I was praying for what He wanted. I was praying kingdom prayers.
When we intercede in faith for things that God purposes to do, we can pray with absolute assurance that He hears and answers these prayers. They may not always be answered according to our expectations or on our timetables, but they will surely be answered. Our prayers contribute to what God is doing—building His kingdom.
Spiritual Qualities & Blessings God Will Give to Those Who Ask
Use this list to form your kingdom prayers. Perhaps you will want to journal through this list as you ask God for what you desire Him to develop in you, and as you ask Him for His blessing in your life.
“The fruit of the Spirit is…love.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…joy.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…peace.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…patience.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…kindness.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…goodness.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness.” (Gal. 5:22)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness.” (Gal. 5:23)
“The fruit of the Spirit is…self–control.” (Gal. 5:23)
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth.” (Eph. 6:14)
“Take up the shield of faith.” (Eph. 6:16)
“We have this hope as an anchor.” (Heb. 6:19)
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom.” (Pr. 4:7)
“Make every effort to add goodness.” (2 Pet. 1:5)
“Make every effort to add…knowledge.” (2 Pet. 1:5)
“Make every effort to add…perseverance.” (2 Pet. 1:6)
“Make every effort to add…godliness.” (2 Pet. 1:7)
“abound…in depth of insight.” (Phil. 1:9)
“able to discern what is best.” (Phil. 1:9)
“able to be…blameless.” (Phil. 1:10)
“filled with the fruit of righteousness.” (Phil. 1:11)
“fill you with…spiritual…understanding.” (Col. 1:9)
“We pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord.” (Col. 1:10)
“We pray that you may…please God in every way.” (Col. 1:10)
“We pray that you may…bear fruit in every good work.” (Col.1:10)
“We pray that you may…be strengthened with all power.” (Col. 1:11)
“so that you may have great endurance.” (Col. 1:1l)
“We pray that you may…joyfully give thanks.” (Col. 1:12)
“Clothe yourselves with compassion.” (Col. 3:12)
“Clothe yourselves …with kindness.” (Col. 3:12)
“Clothe yourselves with…humility.” (Col. 3:12)
“Bear with each other.” (Col. 3:13)
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:13)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Col. 3:16)
“Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful.” (Col. 4:2)
“Let your conversation be seasoned with salt.” (Col. 4:6)
“If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching.” (Jn. 14:23)
“You ought to live holy and godly lives.” (2 Pet. 3:11)
“Be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18)
“Predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” (Rom. 8:29)
“Chosen…to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom.” (Jas. 2:5)
“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph. 4:1)
“But grow in the grace…of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18)
“Crave spiritual milk so that…you may grow.” (1 Pet. 2:2)
“Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” (Heb. 3:15)
“The Lord bless you and keep you.” (Num. 6:24)
“The Lord will keep you from all harm.” (Ps. 121:7)
“The Lord make his face to shine upon you.” (Num. 6:25)
“May your…spirit be kept blameless…” (1 Thess. 5:23)
“May your…soul be kept blameless…” (1 Thess. 5:23)
“May your…body be kept blameless…” (1 Thess. 5:23)
“Praise the Lord, O my soul…” (Psalm 146:1)
“Godly sorrow brings repentance…” (2 Co. 7:10)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God…” (Jas. 4:7)
“Devote yourselves to prayer.” (Col. 4:2)
“Meditate on it (the book of law) day and night…” (Jos. 1:8)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Matt. 5:3)
“Blessed are those who mourn.” (Matt. 5:4)
“Blessed are the meek.” (Matt. 5:5)
“Blessed are those who hunger…after righteousness.” (Matt. 5:6)
“Blessed are the merciful.” (Matt. 5:7)
“Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Matt. 5:8)
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matt. 5:9)
“You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt. 5:13)
“You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14-16)
“Deliver us from evil.” (Matt. 6:13)
“Abide in me and I will abide in you.” (John 15:4)
“Thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:17)
“The integrity of the upright guides them…” (Prov. 11:3)
“We have the mind of Christ.” (1 Co 2:16)
“The fruit…will be quietness and confidence forever.” (Isa:17)
“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (Ps. 139:17)
Made holy, useful to the master.” (2 Tim. 2:21)
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” (1 Ch.16:29)
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Ps. 42:2)
“Never be lacking in zeal, keep your spiritual fervor.” (Rom. 12:11)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth.” (Pr. 3:9)
“Do not give false testimony…” (Matt. 19:18)
“Your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit…” (Lk 11:13)
“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:23)
© Harvest Prayer Ministries
PRAYER, PEACE, and the PRESENCE of GOD by David Butts
As believers, we are supposed to walk in the peace of Christ, yet we all have stressful issues and circumstances that rob us of this peace. Subtitled “A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus,” Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God powerfully encourages the reader on how to hold onto that peace in any circumstance.
When author, David Butts (1953-2022), first started writing this book, he got word ten days into the project that he was in stage 4 with a rare form of lymphoma. God not only allowed him to complete the book, but to live for five more full-strength years. His 30-day devotional will encourage, inspire and challenge you to walk in the peace of Jesus no matter what situations or struggles you are walking through.
Harvest Prayer Ministries
P.O. Box 10667
Terre Haute, IN 47801
email: info@harvestprayer.com
Follow HPM on Facebook