In the God’s Book of Prayers edition of this project, all Bible prayers are divided by category (the categories are in alphabetical sequence, i.e. blessings first, confession second, etc. with worship last). Each category of prayer has two parts. The first part contains full prayers of that particular category; the second part lists only verses that fit the definition of that category from all the other Biblical prayers (i.e. part two typically does not have full prayers). These two parts of each category are divided by a row indicating the division. Within each part the prayers are listed in Biblical sequence. For example, in the middle of the category of ‘Prayers of Thanks’ you will find:
We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy Great Power, and hast reigned Revelation 11:17
And the nations were angry, and Thy Wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy Servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy Name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth Revelation 11:18
(Revelation 11:17-18 was the last, in the Bible, of the full prayers considered to be one of ‘Thanks’.)
Prayer portions that contain Thanks in them (Here is the row dividing the full ‘Prayers of Thanks’ and the prayers that have verses with ‘Thanks’ in them.)
It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me. And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: Thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy Name 2 Samuel 22:48-50 [Psalm 18]
(The full prayer of 2 Samuel 22 verses 2 – 51 is a “Prayer of Praise’ and can be found in part 1 of the Praise category; however, within verses 48-51 of that prayer are Words of Thanks, thus only that portion is found here. [Note that the prayer of 2 Samuel 22 is the same prayer found in Psalm 18.]
Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to Thy Holy Name, and glory in Thy Praise 1 Chronicles 16:35 [Psalm 106:47]
from the Rationale and Instructional Guide:
Other benefits of God’s Word are listed in Proverbs 4:20 (KJV) and on. The Lord says, “Attend to My Words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Indicating how we should speak, God tells us to “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse [corrupt] lips put far from thee.” We should not speak evil of anyone but instead speak blessings to, and for, others as our Lord taught us by what He did and does, including on the last day He was on earth. We can do this through our prayers to God speaking His Very Own Words. Also, our Lord, shows us that we can approach Himself with peace, confidence, joy, boldness and so many more positive ways in Hebrews 12:18-24, needing not be afraid at all.
Jesus last earthly act was to bless us
The Arbitrator that Job longed for is, in reality, Jesus, Who “lay[s] His Hand upon us both” [God and the one praying] (Job 9:32-35 KJV). Luke 22:32 describes Jesus praying for one of His Disciples, while John 17:9 lets us know that Jesus prayed for all of His Disciples. He doesn’t stop His Prayers with this group only, Jesus even prays for all of us who, throughout history, will believe on Himself through the Word of the disciples, including the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, yea even all the agents God employed to pen Holy Scripture (see also John 17:20; Hebrews 7:25; and Romans 8:34).
Jesus started off His Risen Life by comforting one of us, opening up the Scripture to a pair of us, helping the business enterprise of some, physically feeding others breakfast, restoring yet another, and, as if foretelling His eternal ministry, He concluded His Stay on earth and began His Future Life the same way, by praying, in fact blessing, those fortunate enough to be in attendance near Bethany when He ascended in the air from earth to heaven on that historical day, see Luke 24:50-51.
Jesus continues His Post Earthly Risen Life concerned about your comfort, your business, your cares, your restoration, your understanding of Scripture, your family, and of your overall blessing. Remember that Bethany was the community where Martha was from and who had issued the proclamation that God would give to Jesus anything that He asked. So what did Jesus ask for when He concluded His First Earthly Visit at this very locale? Nothing less than blessings for His People! and still Jesus continues requesting this of the Father to this very day (Luke 24:50-51)! Blessed Savior and Lord AND Blesser!!
The ABC’s of the Pray-er (the one praying) for successful praying (the Attitudes, Behaviors, and Conditions):
From the Analysis Portion:
Much analysis can be made using this diagram. This Prayer Words Cloud shows the most common major Words found in the prayers of the Bible, along with other interesting Words (66 in all). The larger the Word appears in the cloud, the more times it is mentioned in the prayers (the quantity is beside each Word).