Sunday, March 31, 2019

Using Scripture for Intercessory Prayer

Last week I received a phone call from a friend who used to live in Vincennes, Indiana, where we lived before moving to Fishers.

We taught together at Vincennes University, shared an office for a semester, and developed a friendship that included studying God's word and praying for each other.

When Mike was appointed to serve a church in Fishers, we corresponded frequently, and continued to pray for each other and our families. Over the years, the letters dwindled when she moved to Florida. We kept in touch on birthdays and at Christmas.

Her call came unexpectedly, but with joy. We talked and caught up on our families and places in life. Her main purpose for contacting me was to ask for prayer when she had surgery the following week. She had chosen two scriptures to guide her through the challenges of hospitalization and recovery.

"I'll pray for you using the scripture. We will be united before God," I said.

She liked my idea and gave me these two passages:

           Psalm 34:4 - I prayed to the Lord and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears.

           Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good; he protects his people in times of trouble.

My Prayer for Her Using Her Scripture

When I brought her name, Elizabeth, to God each day, I prayed the scripture inserting her name:

           Psalm 34:4 - Elizabeth prayed to the Lord and he answered her; he freed her from all her fears.

            Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good; he protects Elizabeth, his child, in times of trouble.


Praying for Elizabeth using the scripture she chose helped me connect with her and God. I felt my prayers were more personal because I was using scripture that had meaning for her.

Next time someone asks me to pray for him or her, I plan to ask if there is scripture to which he/she feels close, and use those words in prayer.

Even though Elizabeth lives far away, I felt close to her heart and united in prayer for her procedure and recovery.


Prayer: Thank you, God, for your written word that becomes personal when we look at what we are experiencing and realize the connection we have to you. We are grateful to be able to pray for one another often using scripture. Your goodness and love abide in us always. Amen.

1 comment:

  1. I found this helpful when asked to pray for a particular person this morning. They didn’t add any scriptures, so I’ll have to improvise with their need. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete