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For What
Should We Pray?
Text:
Psalm 37:4
Introduction
Psalm 37:4 urges us to “delight” ourselves in the Lord and promises
that He will give us the desires of our heart. This is not a blank
check to fill a personal wish list, but rather a call to prayer in
harmony with God’s will. Scripture clearly teaches us what we should
pray for.
Pray for All
Men, Including Unbelievers
Paul exhorts Timothy that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
thanksgiving should be made for all people, including rulers and
authorities (1 Timothy 2:1–2). This includes civil leaders and all
people of every background. Jesus commanded His followers to pray
even for enemies, those who persecute and hate them (Matthew
5:44–45). Romans 12:19–21 reminds us that vengeance belongs to God;
our duty is to overcome evil with good. Paul himself prayed for his
fellow Israelites to be saved (Romans 10:1–2), even though many of
them rejected Christ. Likewise, we must pray for doors to be opened
for the gospel (Ephesians 6:18–19; Colossians 4:3).
Pray for
Believers
We must continually pray for the spiritual growth of fellow
Christians. Paul prayed that the Colossian Christians would be
filled with knowledge of God’s will, live worthy lives, bear fruit,
and be strengthened to endure trials with joy (Colossians 1:9–12).
He also gave thanks for their labor of love and steadfast hope (1
Thessalonians 1:2–3). We must thank God for the work of faithful
Christians in His kingdom. We are also commanded to pray for the
spiritually sick and wandering. James 5:14–16, 19–20 instructs us to
pray for the sick and seek to restore those who have strayed,
knowing that turning one sinner back saves a soul from death.
Pray for
Yourself
Jesus taught His disciples to ask for daily bread (Matthew 6:11),
reminding us of the promise that if we seek first the kingdom of
God, our physical needs will be met (Matthew 6:33). Proverbs 30:8
expresses the wisdom of praying for contentment—neither poverty nor
riches, but daily provision from God. We should also pray for relief
from worry and fear (Philippians 4:6–7). The peace of God will guard
our hearts when we turn everything over to Him in prayer. In times
of affliction, we are to pray, as Jonah did from the belly of the
fish (Jonah 2:1–2). We are to pray for deliverance from temptation
and protection from the evil one (Matthew 6:13; John 17:15). God
promises to provide a way of escape when we are tested (1
Corinthians 10:12–13). We should also pray for wisdom (James 1:5).
While not miraculous, God gives discernment generously when we seek
it.
Call to
Action
Prayer is not an empty ritual; it is the child of God’s avenue to
speak with the Father, to express dependence, and to seek His will.
For Christians, prayer provides access to forgiveness and
restoration when we sin (Acts 8:22; Psalm 32:1–5). For those outside
of Christ, baptism is the entrance into forgiveness and the new life
in Christ (Acts 2:38). Each of us must examine our prayer life. Are
we praying as God commands—for all people, for fellow believers, and
for ourselves? Are we praying with trust, faith, and submission?
Key
Takeaways
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Prayer is
commanded for all men, including rulers, enemies, and the lost
(1 Timothy 2:1–2; Matthew 5:44–45; Romans 10:1–2).
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We are to
pray for fellow believers to grow in knowledge, faith, and
endurance (Colossians 1:9–12; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3).
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We must pray
for the spiritually sick and those who wander (James 5:14–16,
19–20).
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Prayer for
ourselves includes physical needs, peace in trials, deliverance
from temptation, and wisdom (Matthew 6:11; Philippians 4:6–7;
Matthew 6:13; James 1:5).
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Prayer is
God’s gift to His people, leading to forgiveness, strength, and
eternal hope.
Scripture
Reference List
Psalm 37:4 – Delighting in the Lord
1 Timothy 2:1–2 – Pray for all men, including rulers
Matthew 5:44–45 – Pray for enemies
Romans 12:19–21 – Overcome evil with good
Romans 10:1–2 – Paul’s prayer for Israel’s salvation
Ephesians 6:18–19; Colossians 4:3 – Prayer for the spread of the
gospel
Colossians 1:9–12 – Prayer for spiritual growth
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 – Thanksgiving for believers’ faithfulness
James 5:14–16, 19–20 – Prayer for the sick and wandering
Matthew 6:11, 33 – Prayer for daily needs
Proverbs 30:8 – Contentment in God’s provision
Philippians 4:6–7 – Prayer removes worry and brings peace
Jonah 2:1–2 – Prayer in affliction
Matthew 6:13; John 17:15 – Prayer for deliverance from evil
1 Corinthians 10:12–13 – God provides a way of escape from
temptation
James 1:5 – Prayer for wisdom
Acts 8:22 – Prayer for forgiveness of Christians who sin
Psalm 32:1–5 – Confession and forgiveness
Acts 2:38 – Baptism for remission of sins
For What
Should We Pray? Sermon Outline
Text:
Psalm 37:4
Introduction
I. Pray for All
Men, Including Unbelievers
A. For rulers and authorities (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
B. For enemies and persecutors (Matthew 5:44–45; Romans 12:19–21).
C. For the lost, that they may be saved (Romans 10:1–2).
D. For the spread of the gospel (Ephesians 6:18–19; Colossians 4:3).
II. Pray for
Believers
A. For growth in knowledge, fruitfulness, endurance, and joy
(Colossians 1:9–12; Ephesians 4:1).
B. With thanksgiving for fellow Christians’ service (1 Thessalonians
1:2–3).
C. For the spiritually sick and straying (James 5:14–16, 19–20).
III. Pray for
Yourself
A. For physical needs (Matthew 6:11, 33; Proverbs 30:8).
B. For relief from worry and fear (Philippians 4:6–7; Psalm 4:1).
C. For deliverance in affliction (James 5:13; Jonah 2:1–2).
D. For deliverance from evil and temptation (Matthew 6:13; John
17:15; 1 Corinthians 10:12–13).
E. For deliverance from enemies (Psalm 18:6, 16–19).
F. For wisdom (James 1:5).
Conclusion /
Call to Action
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Prayer
connects us with God’s will and blessing.
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For
Christians, prayer restores fellowship and forgiveness when we
sin (Acts 8:22; Psalm 32:1–5).
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For those
outside Christ, baptism grants remission of sins and access to
the Father (Acts 2:38).
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Are you
praying as God commands?
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
