The safest way to know that you are praying in God’s will is to pray God’s Word! George Mueller (1805-1898) of Bristol, England was one of the mightiest men of prayer in his time. He raised over $8 million dollars (think of how much that would be in today’s money!) through prayer for the several orphanages that he founded. But, George Mueller never prayed for anything just because he wanted it, or even if he felt that it was needed for God’s work. Here’s what one author writes about Mueller’s prayer life:
“When it was laid upon George Mueller’s heart to pray for anything, he would search the Scriptures to find if there was some promise that covered the case. Sometimes he would search the Scriptures for days before he presented his petition to God. And then when he found the promise, with his open Bible before him and his finger upon that promise, he would plead that promise with an open Bible before him.” The Power of Prayer by R.A. Torrey
Are you that kind of a “pray-er”? Do you pray with complete confidence because you know it’s God’s will because it came from God’s Word? Or perhaps you are saying to yourself, “But, I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for passages that apply to my requests!” Here are a few to get you started:
Comfort, Peace: Psalm 42; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 4:7-12, 16-18;
Church Leaders: Ephesians 4:1-6, 11, 12; 1 Timothy 4:7-16; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:5-9;
Families: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 5:21-6:4
Growth in faith and character: Joshua 1:8; Ps 119:9, 11, 28, 34; Matthew 6:25-34; Galatians 5:16-26; Colossians 1:9-12; 3:13-15; James 3:17
Improving Communication: Proverbs 4:8, 20-23; 8:6-8; Ephesians 4:15 ,23-24; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:1-2;
Knowing God’s Will: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:9-11, 105; Proverbs 12:15; Matthew 7:7; John 7:17; 10:3-4; Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:6; James 1:5-8
Love for others: Mark 12:30-35; 1 Corinthians 13; Hebrews 10:24
Prayer for others: Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:3-6; 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-14; 3:12-17; 2 Peter 1:5-8
“Pre-Christians”: 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 19:10; John 16:7-15; John 12:31; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:9-15; 1 Corinthians 15:57
Providing for your needs: Matthew 6:25-34; 7:11
Rest: Psalm 62:1; 62:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; 41:10, 13; Jeremiah 31:25; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 11:28-29; John 14:1
Strength: Psalm 9:9; 34:4; 37:23; 46:1; 55:22; 69:22; 73:26; 138:7; 2 Corinthians 4:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:16-17; Hebrews 12:1-4;
Trials: Deuteronomy 4:30-31; Job 23:10; Psalm 94:12-13; Proverbs 3:11 -12; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3-5; 8:17-18; 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; 2 Timothy 2:12; James 1:2-3; 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7
Worry: Psalm 55:22; 138:8; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 1:13; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 5:6-7