Short prayers based on the book of Proverbs
<aside> 🙏🏻 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)
Lord, we thank you that you have made yourself known to us as our glorious Creator and our gracious Saviour, so the right response is for us to fear you, not out of terror but in awe and worship, for there is no one like you. Nothing compares to you. No one is great and good, merciful and just, like you are. You have made this world for us to live in and to enjoy. Help us to live wisely in it. We don’t want to be like the fool who lives as if you don’t exist. We want to please you in every way. Instruct us by your Word and give us understanding by your Spirit, we ask, so that in every area of our lives we know how to act wisely, and as those whose faith is in you alone. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Lord, would you help us to trust in you with all our hearts. Help us to not rely on our own understanding which is so often lacking and faulty. We confess that we are often tempted by what seems right in our own eyes, but which is not in yours. By your Spirit, enable us to fix our eyes on you, to depend upon you, and to acknowledge you in all our ways by following what you have revealed to us in your Word. Thank you that you promise to make our paths straight we when do, so direct us as individuals and as a church we pray, along the narrow way of righteousness which leads to life. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin.” (Proverbs 5:22)
How quick we are to deceive ourselves gracious God and put ourselves in danger. We don’t see sin as seriously as we should. We think we can get away with pursuing wickedness for a time, and then turn from this behaviour when we want to. We don’t see the consequences of doing this, that the more we allow rebellion to take a foothold in our lives, the more we can become hardened by it, and the less we will desire to turn from it. Thank you that Jesus by His death has set us from slavery to sin. Help us to live out this freedom each day by being quick to repent every time we sin, to stay away from situations where we are likely to be tempted to, and to actively strive for holiness with the help you give. Holy Spirit, take away the love of sinning and increase our hatred of it we pray. In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare—he doesn’t know it will cost him his life.” (Proverbs 7:21-23)
God, we ask that you would keep us from sin. Help us to see it for what it is. Though the devil makes it look attractive, and entices us with it, may we not be fooled by it. Give us the strength we need to resist the temptation to embrace sin, and instead flee from every sin and temptation. Help us to hear the warning of God in His Word about how destructive it is. We pray for those who are toying with sin right now, who in their minds or desires or steps have embraced what you call evil. Take hold of them and draw them back to yourself and to faithfulness to your Word. Grant us all the wisdom we need to pursue holiness and purity, and to not be foolish and wicked. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says, “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.” (Proverbs 9:4-6)
Father, we recognise that there are two voices competing for our attention. Each day we face a choice as to whether we will listen to the voice of wisdom or the voice of folly. We hear the voice of folly bombard us with foolish ideas, foolish thoughts, foolish desires, foolish temptations, and we confess that we are prone to listen and go along with what the world around us says. Forgive us we pray. Help us instead by your Spirit, to listen to the voice of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found. As we hear His Word, we pray that you would teach us and correct us and place our feet on the path of true wisdom so that we live in a manner that pleases you and displays your glory. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but a cunning person takes lives.” (Proverbs 11:30)
What a privilege you have given to us, Lord, to be a tree of life to those around us. To be a blessing to others by helping them turn from evil to good, wickedness to righteousness, and sin to salvation. We pray you would give us opportunities today to share the gospel. Help us to speak and testify to what Jesus has done for us and what He will do for anyone who trusts in Him. May the fruit of our lives be more people coming to know you, to love you, and to believe in you. Use us to lead people off a path that ends in death and onto the road to eternal life, for your glory and their good. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
Father, we are aware of how powerful our words are. We know that what we say can pierce like a sword and cause great harm, or they can be like surgeon’s scalpel which is used to bring healing. We pray that you would help us to speak words that bring comfort, promote unity, encourage perseverance, spur on growth in godliness, and give wise counsel. May our words be seasoned with salt and full of grace. Keep us from spreading lies, rumours, or gossip, from rash words which we regret, and from foolish talking and crude joking. May the words of our mouths be pleasing in your sight, Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)
We thank you our God that you have made a way for us, who by nature are sinful and wicked in your sight, to draw near to you with our prayers and petitions, and with full confidence that you hear them. We thank you Lord Jesus that you have opened up this way for us by dealing with everything that would keep us from God. You have given us your righteousness. You died to forgive our sins so they are no longer counted against us. We hear your command that we should ask, seek, and knock, and we hear your promise that prayers, when they are asked in your Name, will be heard and answered. So, help us, by your Spirit, we pray, to approach the throne of grace with boldness, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Amen.
</aside>
<aside> 🙏🏻 “A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
Lord, you have given us the ability to make plans. To choose one way or another. Thank you that we do this with the wonderful assurance that you are the one who directs our steps. Thank you that you have given us your Word to lead and guide us, and ultimately you are able to redirect our plans at any moment so that your good purposes for our lives are fulfilled. We pray you would help us to make wise decisions so that our plans align with what you have determined for our lives. May we never doubt that your plans for us are good. May we trust you with our lives today. For your glory and praise. Amen.
</aside>