When you don’t know what to say, even the simplest prayer can carry the deepest faith straight to God. He hears every sincere cry.
Click here to receive today's free gift on the Radio Page:
Speaking God’s Language – Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to bring before him our worship and praise, confession, thanksgivings, intercessions, and petitions. As Christians grow in the discipline of praying, it becomes clear that there is always more to learn. Joni Eareckson Tada shares insights and personal stories that will hone your skill of including scripture in your prayers.
Use the coupon code: RADIOGIFT for free shipping!
*Limit one copy per person*
SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Here’s our friend Joni singing a very simple prayer:
(Joni sings:)
Search me, oh God and know my heart today
Try me oh Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.
JONI: Love that last line, “Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.” Right there, when it comes to petitions; right there might be one of the shortest prayers ever. “Cleanse me,” because sometimes short prayers – you know, the tiniest snippets of praise and petition, can be the most powerful. “Oh, Jesus, cleanse me.” Sometimes it’s great to use short prayers when you don’t know what or how to pray. Ken and I have felt that way lately. For several months, we’ve been praying nightly for a list of friends who have cancer. Some of the cases are pretty extensive; others look hopeful. Through it all, our friends are struggling through pain and disappointment – chemotherapy. And often we do not know how to pray, but we can never go wrong using simple words, like in Luke 4, when Peter’s friends saw how his mother- in-law was suffering from a high fever. They saw Jesus arrive on the scene, and they went to Him and said, “Lord, help her.” Just three little words – “Lord, help her” – straightforward, to-the-point, direct and, best of all, sincere.
Ken and I remembered that scene as we prayed for our friends who have cancer. We don't have to dig deep into the matter; we don’t have to question God’s will, after all, God knows best what would be helpful. And as long as our hearts are in it, a powerful prayer might not be more than just three words: “Lord, help her”.
Another short scripture prayer is found in Matthew 14. That’s the story of when Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. The 30th verse picks up with the story, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” Again, no fanfare, no digging deep into the matter. Just three little words: Lord, save me. You know, at times when pain overwhelms me and I completely run out of words to say to God, in my bewilderment, I, too, will borrow that short, sincere plea from the apostle: Lord, save me. Lord, rescue me. Lord, deliver me. Praying short, Scripture prayers like that – it makes me think of Peter’s desperation for the Savior. And it makes me feel his need of a deliverer.
SHAUNA: And friend, there's something else that’s wonderful about those Scriptures. “Lord, help her!” Or “Lord, save me!” They’re prayers, but they’re also the Word of God and it’s speaking God’s Word back to Jesus. It’s speaking the language Jesus speaks. And we want to share how to do more of that by sending you Joni’s booklet called, “Speaking God’s Language.” It’s yours for free at joniradio.org today.
© Joni and Friends