Prayers from the Bible in Classic Verse
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It is ironic that the man in Scripture we would think had the least need for prayer in his life prayed the most... (Jesus) rose early in the morning to pray..., spent all night in prayer..., prayed when alone (and with others)... He prayed before such critical moments as choosing the twelve apostles..., before Peter's recognition of him as the Messiah..., during the Transfiguration..., just before the apostles (finally )asked him to teach them to pray..., when facing the cross..., and his last words on the cross were prayers. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh (2 Co 12:7-10) Paul’s plea that God would remove the “thorn” in his flesh is a remarkable snapshot from his life, as it is one of the few times he acknowledges that God does not answer all of his prayers, at least not as he prayed God would. Yet, he recognizes it is for his good and subsequently exclaims, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Yea, brethren, every day I faced A vile conceit quite warmly fanned, For all the revelations giv’n, By God’s most gracious hand. A messenger the Lord then sent From Satan – in my flesh a thorn! Tormenting me throughout each night, And by first light of morn. Three times I knelt and pleaded that The Lord remove this thorn from me, That some relief I might obtain, And hoped he heard my plea. And surely, then, he heard my voice, He answered finally, firm and clear, But said there’d be no kind release, Though I had sought it dear. He further said, - I’ll not forget -, “My grace is most sufficient, for In weakness all its power finds, My strength thus to outpour.” And so will I boast all the more Of weaknesses within me found, That Christ’s great strength may rest on me, And power divine abound. For his sake, then, I take delight In trials and weakness every hour, In persecution and distress, For weak, I gain his power. From the pages of Scripture we have such helpful instruction as: how to pray, when to pray, where and why to pray, with whom to pray and how not to pray.
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About the Book
This collection presents forty-five poems in classic verse, including the major prayers in the Bible, serving as models of prayer for Christians and others in today’s world. These prayers were addressed to God in times of severe personal trial, in victory and defeat, in uncertainty and thankfulness. The historical context of each prayer is included in an introductory paragraph for each prayer. The prayers express virtually all the needs of people today along with praise to God for his many benefits.
About the Author
Dr. James Vasquez has been a Christian for more than fifty years, and over those years he has been much engaged in a prayer life, both in his private life and in small and larger groups. He has studied prayers intensely in the Scriptures and has recently published, in verse, the entire book of Psalms, which contains numerous prayers. He is a seminary graduate (Fuller Theological Seminary) and an ordained minister; as such he has preached and taught on prayer for some years.
Since his retirement from the University of Washington, he has felt an even deeper call to a prayer life by God. This has manifested itself in greater, more earnest prayer for family, for friends in and out of the church, and for God’s leading of our national leaders. This calling has been at the heart of his work in compiling the prayer poems of this book.
James currently lives in Spokane, Washington, with his wife and lives close to two of his grown children and their families. He is an active member of a local church where he has taught and presented through public readings his published poetry.