Prayer, what is it? In scripture a couple words are mentioned. The Greek word for prayer is προσεύχομαι. It’s Strong’s G4336 – proseuchomai (pros-yoo’-khom-ahee). The Hebrew word is פָּלַל. It’s Strong’s H6419 – pālal (paw-lal’). Both words appear over 80 times each in scripture. Both words have the same or similar definitions meaning to supplicate, worship, to intervene, interpose, to mediate and to pray.
Prayer is the action of a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. It’s taking the time to have a moment of silence and speaking to him in your thoughts and heart or speaking those same thoughts and feelings out loud. God is omnipresent which means he’s everywhere and he knows all things. The book of Job does a beautiful job at showing this.
We can easily look at scripture for examples on how to pray or what to pray. Whether that is going to your quiet place (a prayer space) and praying alone or if it’s gathering together with others. We often see Yeshua/Jesus going off to be alone in order to pray. People were always searching for him in need of healing or listening to his teaching.
In Matthew & Luke Yeshua/Jesus tells us how to pray.
“And when you pray, don’t babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. You, therefore, pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven!
May your Name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us the food we need today. Forgive us what we have done wrong, as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us. And do not lead us into hard testing but keep us safe from the Evil One. For kingship, power and glory are yours forever. Amen.’”
Pray doesn’t have to complicated or hard. Prayer to God is simply being present with him. It’s sharing the things that are on our heart and mind. He already knows them, but he finds joy in the intimate time with you and the desire to be your focus. I would recommend if prayer is something new to you to set aside all distractions and set a timer for 5-minutes a day to pray. That 5-minutes will most likely grow to more time. You’ll begin desiring to spend more time with him and in his word. Sometimes when you first start praying you can get distracted by your own thoughts. It’s the reminder that “we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah.” Before praying I start with prayer over my own mind, praying over my thoughts and quiet time with God, then I begin in prayer.
It’s perfectly okay to not have a prayer space. The beautiful thing about prayer is it can happen when and wherever. You don’t need anything special to go to God or be able to speak to him. Just try to do it in the correct heart posture.
When I go into prayer and intercession it’s often to my prayer space that I created. I often call it my war room. Ephesians 6:10-18 shares who and what we fight against in this world. It also shares how we are to equip ourselves to fight these things. This space helps me in my relationship with God and gives me quiet time. Which having three littles can be hard to find!
In learning how to pray and become a prayer warrior I found a stronghold that I had placed on myself. I realized that my entire life I had been cursing myself by the words that I was speaking. I used to tell myself “I’m not good with words, I can’t write well.” I gave those things to God. I sit here and smile as I type, because he has been faithful. Those strongholds are broken and no longer have power over me. He has given me different opportunities to speak publicly and with the platform we have. It’s been a refinement process. Definitely not easy, but it’s been worth it. Remember the words you speak have power!
(Proverbs 11:9, Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 16:24)
Devotional I shared: What are You Speaking over Yourself? Blessings & Curses
Prayer and intercession for others
At the end of Ephesians 6:18 it tells us to be praying over God’s people. We should be praying over those close to us and also those who aren’t. We should be praying over the different nations around the world, including our own. Above all nations we should be praying over the nation of Israel. Praying over our pastors, teachers and leaders. Praying over those who are wealthy and those who are in poverty. Praying over people’s faith, that a fire ignites within them and within ourselves to be bold and share the gospel.
Prayers and verses to pray and speak over your spouse:
1) Their Mind:
Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of God.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of self-control.”
2) Faith:
Ephesians 3:12
“In whom we have boldness and access, with reliance, through belief in Him.”
3) Unity in Our Marriage:
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage is honorable in every respect; and, in particular, sex within marriage is pure. But God will indeed punish fornicators and adulterers.”
Ephesians 5:31
“Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother and remain with his wife, and the two will become one.”
4) Friendships:
Proverbs 13:20
“He who walks with the wise, shall be wise, But the companion of fools suffers evil.”
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
5) Health:
3 John 2:2
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
6) To be a Good Father:
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, don’t irritate your children and make them resentful; instead, raise them with the Lord’s kind of discipline and guidance.”
7) Favor at Work:
Proverbs 22:29
“Do you see a man skilled at his work? He will serve kings, not obscure people.”
Prayers and verses to pray and speak over our children.
1) Their Mind:
Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of God.”
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of self-control.”
2) Their Faith:
Ephesians 3:12
“In whom we have boldness and access, with reliance, through belief in Him.”
3) Friendships:
Proverbs 13:20
“He who walks with the wise, shall be wise, But the companion of fools suffers evil.”
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
4) Health:
3 John 2:2
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
5) Compassionate Heart:
Proverbs 31:8
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
6) That they be a Godly Husband & Wife Someday – Future Spouse:
Ephesians 5:22-23
“Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Master. For the husband is head of the wife, as also the Messiah is head of the assembly, and He is Saviour of the body.”
If you know that someone is struggling with somethings specific, pray over that and call out whatever it might be. Back to Ephesians 6, it shares that the things we battle have spiritual roots. We can pray against things like the spirit of anger, spirit of depression, spirit of anxiety, spirit of addiction, spirit of lust/sexual perversion and the list goes on. Yes, there is free will and often times physical signs of these things. However, all those things aren’t too big for God. Those are some of the things we can pray over consistently. Those are the things that we “put in the basket” and allow him to work in his timing.
From personal experience in praying over these things, you might experience hardship. You might also see physical manifestations of things. I know that’s a touchy subject for some and can be scary if it’s something you’ve never experienced. That doesn’t mean you should stop praying. I have seen the physical manifestations of things on people. I’ve seen the spirit of addiction on someone who is very close to me, but I’ve watched God show up and cast out that said spirit out. I’ve watched and seen curses be broken, and freedom be given. I’ve seen faith grow and blossom in that person and it’s been beautiful.
Biblical Prayer & anointing Series
Anointing oil is typically made by combining a carrier oil with various essential oils, which are chosen for their spiritual and medicinal properties. Common ingredients include frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon, and olive oil. The oil is then blessed and set-apart for use.
My anointing oil is simply olive oil with some essential oils; lavender is the one I like best. You could skip the oils or add specific essential oils that you enjoy.
I say a simple prayer over the oil before I use it.
“Abba Father of the Most High, I just give this oil to you. That it is a representation of the blood of Yeshua/Jesus. Your son, whom you sent to live a sinless life and die for our sins. He is the one who gave and paid it all for us, out of love for us. That the oil doesn’t hold power, but you hold the power to heal, mend and make things new again. Abba, I know that all power comes from you every anointing comes from you. I ask that you bless this anointing oil for use as I pray over my family, my friends, others, physical things and myself. I pray that you will use it as an agent of your love and mercy towards us. I’m doing this according to your word James 5:14. Where you say we should anoint with oil when pray over the sick. I also do this as a symbol of your protection over my home and my family. That whatever and whomever this oil touches that evil roots be cut off from them. That curses that been placed on them be broken. That your shalom, your peace become palpable. That it’s a representation of Yeshua/Jesus’s blood and that it covers all things. I’m asking with a humble heart, that as I’m setting it apart to be use for your work. I thank you for your blessing and enriching it with your Holy Spirit. Speak to me whenever you need me to use this oil that I will use it only under the promoting of the Holy Spirit. I pray that in the spiritual realm, it’s seen as a symbol of your presence and protection.
Abba, you know what people and the objects it touches and will touch. You know what they need. I ask that you bless, heal, renew and restore all the things this oil touches. In Yeshua/Jesus’s name, Amen.
Praying over your home and things
Here is some scripture to read as you are praying over your home or praying over others.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8 (whole chapter is beautiful), Deuteronomy 28, Exodus 14:13, Numbers 6:22-27 “May Adonai bless you and keep you. May Adonai make his face shine on you and show you his favor. May Adonai lift up his face toward you and give you peace.”
Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my household, we will serve Adonai!”
1 Samuel 25:6, Psalm 30, Psalms 91,
Proverbs 14:1 “Every wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.”
Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is made secure, and by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of costly and pleasant possessions.”
2 Chronicles 7:15-16, “Now my eyes will be open, and my ears will pay attention to the prayer made in this place. For now, I have chosen and consecrated this house, so that my name can be there forever; my eyes and heart will always be there.”
Matthew 7:24-27, John 14:1-4, Acts 2:46-47 (kitchen prayer), Romans 12, Ephesians 6:10-18,
Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.”
1 Thessalonians 5:22, & James 5:14-15
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
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