by John Piper
(“The meat and potatoes of my prayer life”)
1) Pray for inclination. That is, pray for the want to know God and read His Word and draw near to Him. Psalm 119:36 “Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to gain.”
2) Pray for the eyes of the heart to be opened so that when inclination leads me to the Word, I see what is really there. Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”
3) Pray for the heart to be enlightened with these “wonders.” --To perceive glory and not just facts. Ephesians 1:18 teaches us to pray “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.”
4) Pray for the heart to be united for God. Psalm 86:11 says, “O LORD, I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.”
5) Pray that my heart will be satisfied with God. Psalm 90:14 teaches us to pray, “Satisfy us in the morning with Thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
6) Pray to be strong in joy, and persevering during the dark seasons. Ephesians 3:16 teaches us to pray, “That (God) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.”
7) Pray that that strength will produce good deeds and works of love for others, so that the glory of God will be seen in my life, and others will taste and see that the Lord is good. Colossians 1:10 teaches us to pray, “That (we) will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…bearing fruit in every good work.”
8) Pray day after day—as a kind of banner—“Hallowed be Thy name” (Matt.6:9). Lord, cause Your name to be known and feared and loved and cherished and admired and praised and trusted because of my life and ministry.
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