(Click here to listen to Darryn Belieu’s message “20 Bible Prayers for a Believer”.)
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
—James 5:16 b
Here are 20 verses that you can prayer over yourself. Memorize them. Write them down. Personalize them. These are for you.
1. Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and walk daily in His power.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
—1 Corinthians 15:58
2. Pray to speak the Word of God with boldness.
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
—Acts 4:31
3. Pray to grow in humility.
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
—1 Peter 5:5-6
4. Pray for your missionaries
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
—Colossians 4:2-3
5. Pray for protection.
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
—2 Thessalonians 3:2-3
6. Prayer for loneliness and frustration.
(This one is HUGE for New Yorkers).
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”[a]6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”[b]—Hebrews 13:5-6
7. Pray to be a vessel of the love of God to others.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
—John 13:34-35
8. Pray for specific direction.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.—Psalm 37:4-5
9. Pray for a growing and intimate relationship with Jesus.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
—John 15:4-5
10. Pray for a deeper and clearer understanding of the Word of God.
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His ownauthority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
—John 16:13
11. Pray for your cares and your burdens
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
—1 Peter 5:7
12. Pray for joy in all situations
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
—Nehemiah 8:10
13. Pray for direction
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.—Proverbs 3:5-6
14. Pray to be able to present the Gospel clearly to friends and coworkers.
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
—Colossians 4:3-6
15. Pray for a renewed and growing zeal to share the Gospel with others.
15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
—Romans 1:15-16
16. Pray to be completely yielded to Christ and be willing to die to self.
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
—Mark 8:34-36
17. Pray for a thankful heart, especially in times of difficulty.
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
—Ephesians 5:20
18. Pray that all of your needs (physical, spiritual, emotional) will be met.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:19
19. Pray that you would long to be holy and live a life of obedience to the Word of God.
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
—1 Peter 1:15-16
20. Pray to not lose heart in your walk.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
—1 Corinthians 15:58