If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
Sometimes God wakes me in the night and I feel such an urgency to pray, but to be honest I don’t always have the words.
That’s when I reach for the Word and simply pray scripture. The power of scripture shakes me, in a good way. It shakes off my fear of not knowing that to say. It shakes my own sense of inadequacy and reminds me of the power of His Word.
Today I’m sharing 10 of those scriptures and the intimate prayers that came from the when I had no words. I pray that you’ll take them as yours. ~ Suzie
When you are afraid
The Lord is my light and my salvationâ so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1 (NLT)
Lord, you are my light and my salvation, so help me see that over my fear. You are my fortress and protect me from danger. Still my fearful thoughts.Â
When you are angry with a loved one
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Donât repay evil for evil. Donât retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
Jesus, I’m angry and hurt. Help me see this the way you do. Step into my feelings and replace the anger with tenderness and a different attitude. Help me to turn the conversation in a new direction, one of healing over conflict or drama. Thank you for this person. Remind me of why I love them. Thank you that you love me right where I am.Â
When you don’t know how to respond
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1-4 (NLT)
Lord, some people tell me to take revenge or say the words that are boiling up on the inside of me. Help me. Close my ears to bad advice. Thank you that you will show me through Your word what to do. Help me stand strong, my roots deep in my faith. Let me live free regardless of what is going on around me.Â
When you are sad
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;Â he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18 (NLT)
Father, I’m sad. I feel crushed and I’m thankful that I have a place to go with those feelings. You rescued me before and I place my emotions and my heart in your hands one more time. Thank you for healing my broken heart.Â
When you are in mourning
Then you will experience Godâs peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NLT)
Lord, You allow sacred space for mourning and I’m grateful for that, but today I step into your promise that You will pour peace over my heart and my thoughts.Â
When people let you down
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him againâmy Savior and my God! Psalm 42:11 (NLT)
I’m not going to pretend with you, Jesus. I’m discouraged by how people mess up and how that impacts my life. Yet You are a safe place to share those thoughts.  I find my hope and establish my identity in You, a steadfast Savior and friend.Â
When you are afraid
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.â Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
Abba Father, my instinct is to run or hide and to live in fear. Yet You do not fail to walk through this with me. You are not unaware of the evil around us, but greater are You, Father. Let your strength be my courage.Â
When your temper is bigger than you
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
Jesus, help me see further down the road than this moment. Help me to hold back hasty words that only inflame and lead me to words that are wise and that will work through this conflict.
When nothing is going the way you thought it would
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Jesus, I thought it was going to happen one way and it hasn’t. I choose to believe that You have new strength for me, even in this hard place. Regardless of what is happening or not happening, take me to new places in my relationship with You. Show me that it’s not where I am, but who I am with that is the most transforming.Â
When you no longer feel your faith
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence,
and donât take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12 (NLT)
Lord, regardless of how I got here, open your arms as I run to You. Let’s start anew. Fresh. Reignite my love for You and fill me back up with Your Spirit. I desire to follow You, not like I’d follow a list of rules, but because following You gives me life and more abundantly.Â
What are your favorite scriptures? Will you share one and make it a prayer today? Let’s encourage each other.
Thank you so much for these bible verses….the Holy Spirit is interceding for me….please pray for my daughter Leanna….she cut herself and took some pills two days ago. She knows Jesus but she needs to be reminded that she is beautifully and wonderfully made!
Shannon, please know that you are not alone in your fear and heartbreak for your daughter. I will pray for you and Leanna. May God send the Holy Spirit to her and fill her with peace.
Father God, Your beautiful daughter is crying out for help as she cuts and takes pills. Lord, touch Her as only You can. Let her feel Your Holy presence, let Her hear Your words about her – she is unique, the apple of Your eye and put here for a purpose. May she blossom as You wrap a mantle of JOY around her, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Shannon, I can’t begin imagine how you feel right now… And I pray peace for you.
I lost a sister to suicide. When my mother told me, I physically felt a caress across my broken heart and heard, out loud, “I’ve got her, she’s MINE.” And the peace that passes understanding fell upon me. Never before or since have I experienced anything like any of these.
I pray your precious daughter experiences God in such a powerful way. It changed me from knowing God to KNOWING God.
Shannon I am interceding on your daughters behalf also. I am believing God to work in her life and provide peace to all of you in the process. 14 is such a hard age. Praying for her to realize how deep the Father’s love for her
Shannon,
As I read your post my breath caught, as I am in almost the same situation as you with my son. This morning I was telling God that I no longer know how to pray over this situation, that I am now at a loss for words. All of the actions that I have taken and all of the help that I have sought over the last two months have not brought any relief to this young man who is so desperate. I am growing weary and feel powerless. I know God is there, I know that He is in control, but yet, if I am honest, I am very fearful right now. I will pray for you and Leanna, know that you are not alone.
Lord, thank you for this beautiful daughter. Wrap this mama in comfort and strength. Show her what she can do, and what only You can do. I pray for healing to settle in the wounds of this beautiful child. Speak to her softly. Lead her to hope. In Jesus’ name.
Psalm 121: I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from where my help comes…….. another is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!
When I’m scared or overwhelmed I repeat these until I gather strength to continue on. Prayers for the Leanna, that she may see her body is a vessel God uses to inspire and bless all she encounters. Please Leanna, seek help and know you are cherished always! Amen
These are some of my favorite scriptures! Thank you for the reminder that God’s Word has the answer for every uncertain moment we face. Reading these ten verses was the perfect way to start my day today. Thanks, Suzie!
Beautiful Suzie and oh so powerful to read or remember scripture in our hard times.
My 911 Prayer is Psalms 91:11 For He Orders His angels to protect you wherever you go. Those were the words that poured forth when the 1st bomb exploded directly across the street from me in Boston at the marathon in 2013. So powerful.
My prayer following speaking the verse is “Lord, please order Your angels to protect me right now, right here. And I thank You for Your promise of protection by Your angels.”
They are His angels and His orders, not mine. Thank God we can call on Him!
Beautiful, encouraging words, as always. Thank you.
So many beautiful verses, Suzie. I love the idea of praying scripture when I don’t know how to pray for someone … thank you for sharing what this looks like in your own prayer life.
You are so welcome, Lois. Sometimes that little girl who had no words at the age of four resurfaces when faced with things greater than me. His Word fills that gap.
Thank you. I was praying and thinking about the horrible news about the shootings in California this morning. Your devo was perfect and I love the personalized prayers that include how you feel. Learning to process feelings with the Lord is of incredible value. Thanks again.
Thank you, Debbie. Events like those in CA stun us. It’s inconceivable to think that a person can leave their home with the motivation to destroy lives and families. I believe more than ever God is shaking us to pray, to stand together in belief and in trust. I have no words when it comes to “active” shootings, other than to take His word and lift them up.
Great post, Suzie! Such wonderful for Scriptures! Thanks so much for sharing, Love! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! đ
Thank you for these! There are several that apply to my life now, and that I want to share with others who are going through bad times. God bless!
Thank you Suzie! Holding onto “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
Now those are some weapons your shelling out today Suzie! Overcoming in prayer, Thank you:)
You are so right! The word is powerful. It reaches into the darkness and shares His power where we feel inadequate. <3
It’s powerful to pray scriptures! Thank you, Suzie, for sharing these here. Thank you for hosting us each week. It’s a joy to do life with you and these wonderful #livefree friends. Bless you!
I love hosting each week. I love the conversation. I love that you are a part!
Love this, Suzie! Will be sharing with my online prayer group. đ
I began praying God’s Word about two years ago after reading A Confident Heart and there is such power in it. Thank you for sharing these, Suzie. One of my favorites to pray is Philippians 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. So glad be part of this community.