7 Prayers You Should Be Praying in 2020- Part 1: Knowing Christ

Part 1      Part 2

Let’s suppose you’re new to the Christian walk (or maybe you've been a Christian for most of your life), and you’ve decided that 2018 is your year to KNOW Christ.

What’s that going to look like? Let me help.
 
KNOWING Christ means positioning yourself to hear Him and to see Him. One of the best ways to do this is through prayer.   

So what will you pray for? Again, let me help. 

Giving your life to Christ indicates your desire to be made new. The condition of your heart likely needs refining, and your mind needs training. 

Here are 7 Biblical Truths Every Christian Needs To Be Praying: 

1. Pray for God to shed light on the sin in your life—those hidden in your heart, buried in your thoughts

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away (Acts 3:19).

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these (Galatians 5:19-21).

Thank you, Father, for calling my name. Thank you that I now have ears to hear and eyes to see. Make me aware of the sin in my life. Show me what to lay down, what to put aside. Reveal to me the sin that separates me from you, the sin that is hindering my walk with you. God, I ask that you search my heart, search my mind. Leave nothing hidden. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

2. Pray to forgive past hurts--to release those who have hurt you

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you (Matthew 6:14).

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you (Colossians 3:13).

Father God, what a blessing that you would accept a sinner like me. Thank you for extending mercy and grace. Thank you for second chances and fresh starts. I ask, Lord, for a heart of forgiveness. I want to forgive those who have hurt me with their words. I want to forgive those who have hurt me with their actions. I release them to you, Lord. I will no longer carry these offenses but lay them down today in the name of Jesus. Amen.

3. Pray to tame your tongue--to stand guard over your mouth

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:6).

It is not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth (Matthew 15:11).

Lord, I thank you for the gift of speech. I thank you for opportunities to praise you with my mouth. I ask, Father, that you help me choose my words wisely. May they bless others. May what I say build others up. Let me speak life and love to those around me.  God, help me to think before I speak, to be quick to listen, and for patience and wisdom when responding. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

4. Pray for the Holy Spirit to expose wrong motives, wrong desires, hidden deceit

But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible (Ephesians 5:13).

God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

God, I thank you for the prompting of the Holy Spirit and acknowledge my need for you. As I go about my day, check my motives, Lord. Let the desires of your heart be the desires of my heart. I want what you want for my life, Father. Let it not be about me. Let what I say and do bring honor to your name, for you are worthy, God. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

5. Pray to submit to God’s will 

Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you (Job 22:21).

Submit therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Lord, your word says that the plans you have for me are good. So I stand on this promise, God, and seek to know your will for my life. May my will bend to yours. May your plans be my plans. May I accept with a right heart and right attitude what you choose, God. In Jesus name, Amen.

6. Pray To accept His answers, His plan

And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36).

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer (Provervs 16:1).

Father, I thank you that I don’t have to know it all--that I don’t have to figure it all out or have all the answers. Your word reminds me not to lean on my own understanding but to trust in you. Help me, Lord, to relinquish control. Show me how to let you lead. Less of me and more of you in the name of Jesus, Amen.

7. Pray to develop a heart and practice for praise and worship 

Let them praise your great and awesome name—he is holy…Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy (Psalm 99: 3 and 5).

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever (Revelations 4: 8-10).

Father, it is an honor to serve you. Teach me to praise.  Holy Spirit, prompt me to lift my arms, to lift my eyes, to lift my voice to the one true king. Loose a spirit of worship in me, O Lord. Fill my heart with a song and let it pour out to you. In Jesus name, Amen.

So, there you have it. Seven prayers that will bring you closer to the Jesus that you have declared is Lord and savior of your life.

I am so excited that you want to know Him better. Just think how excited He is too!  

Want more Prayers to Pray? Head over to Part 2.