Petition

It’s so easy to wake up on a given day and not force ourselves to live in dependence on God. Sometimes, the more stress, responsibilities, or opportunity we have, we pridefully look less to God, and more to our own ability.

Nehemiah is a helpful example of a leader who depended on God. When he was given the shot of a lifetime – with all the risks that accompany a reward like that – his first instinct was to stop and pray.

Nehemiah 2:4-5
Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king…

There isn’t any mention of the prayer itself. There wouldn’t have been time for anything more than an attitude of “help me!” before he needed to respond to the king in conversation.

This spontaneous prayer reveals the heart of this leader, one that was constantly dependent on God. Nehemiah offers spontaneous prayers throughout the book: 1:4; 4:4-5, 8-9; 5:19; 6:9; 13:14, 29, 31. Each prayer demonstrates an awareness that he needed God and that he sought immediate moments of present connection.

Prayers of petition like this are so often less about getting God to answer us, as they are about getting us to need him. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we’ll ask before we ask. He knows what we ultimately need and what he will ultimately do. But as we open our hopes and desires to him, and then choose to trust his wisdom and goodness, we honor him and train ourselves to depend on him.

Spend some time in prayer, opening your heart to God, asking him for the things you are hoping for, and sense that you need. As you ask, realize your dependence. Trust him and his gracious providence.

Here is a good place to begin (scriptures below have been modified as prayers directed to God): Heavenly Father…

I draw near to the throne of grace, that I may receive not only mercy to pardon, but grace to help in every time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Let me hear of your steadfast love and taste that you are good, 1 Peter 2:3 for in you I trust. Psalm 143:8

Let the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus; Philippians 4:7 and let that peace rule in my heart, to which I have been called. Colossians 3:15

May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Give me grace to serve you, the LORD my God, with joyfulness and gladness of heart in the abundance of all things; Deuteronomy 28:47 and to sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of my God. Psalm 138:5

Let me have that cheerfulness of heart which is like good medicine, Proverbs 17:22 and deliver me from that anxiety which weighs down the heart, Proverbs 12:25 and that worldly grief which produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Give me the food that is necessary to fuel me. Psalm 104:15 As it is your will, provide the fruit of our labor, Psalm 128:2 and having food and clothing, grant us to be content with these. 1 Timothy 6:8

Prayer Points

Consider praying for Bethel’s missionaries in the “Ministry Partners” section of the prayer points found here.