Journal of James's Journey with Jesus

October 2005 Mission Trip
Prayer Guide


1. Why Should We Pray?

(a) Our prayers are pleasing to God.
Isaiah 56:7
These I will bring to My holy mountain and give them joy in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."
Revelation 5:8
And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

(b) Because Jesus and other godly men did so.
Psalm 32:6
Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
Acts 2:42
[ The Fellowship of the Believers ] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

(c) God hears us and is eager to answer our prayers.
Deuteronomy 4:7
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Matthew 7:7-11
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!
Luke 18:1-8
[ The Parable of the Persistent Widow ] Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears
us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.
Psalm 2:8
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

(d) Because God will strengthen us.
Psalm 102:17
He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their plea.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."


2. Who/What Should We Pray For?

(a) The devil, evil men and men in authority.
John 17:15
My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:2
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
1 Timothy 2:1-3
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

(b) Faith and a right perspective.
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Ephesians 1:18
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

(c) Unbelievers.
John 17:20
[ Jesus Prays for All Believers ] "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message,
Colossians 4:3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

(d) Aid in spreading the gospel.
Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
2 Thessalonians 1:11
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
2 Thessalonians 1:12
We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(e) Fellow mission trippers.
Romans 15:30
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.
Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Philemon 1:6
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Colossians 1:9
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 through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Colossians 1:10
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,


3. How Should We Pray?
(a) Humble ourselves and seek God sincerely in a quiet place.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

(b) Believe in your heart that God will and has answered your prayers. Be persistent.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

(c) Forgive anyone you have a grudge with.
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins."
1 Timothy 2:8
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

(d) Pray in tongues.
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

(e) Be joyful and give thanks.
Philippians 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

(f) Be watchful and disciplined.
1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Colossians 4:2
[ Further Instructions ] Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

(g) Be righteous and obedient to God.
Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.
James 5:13-16
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.