Core Prayers

A number of years ago, I started keeping a list of what I call "core prayers" — prayers that are important to me in my discipleship journey and I believe they are helpful in the life of the church!

Of course, there are some core prayers in the Bible, including the Lord's Prayer …

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

I also love Psalm 139.23-24 (NLT) …

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

In addition to the ones in Scripture, here's my current list. I'm sure that many of you have heard some of these before …

O Lord …
 • Stir up a hunger in us! 
 • Give us hearts like yours!
 • Break our hearts for what breaks yours!
 • Do something unpredictable & uncontrollable!
 • Use us to make your name great!
 • Bind us together!
 • Restore what the locusts have eaten!

This last prayer came from my prayer time several years ago. It's a prayer from the book of the prophet Joel. Joel continues with a word of blessing: Don’t fear, fertile land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD is about to do great things! (Joel‬ ‭2.21‬).

Amen!