The Old Testament is a chorus of voices. Some trembling, and some bold. As we reflect on these prayers, we’re struck by how honestly God’s people spoke to Him, and how faithfully He responds.
Individual Intercession for Oneself
Moses cried out to know God. His plea, “Show me Your way…that I may know You,” resonates in our spirits. God’s response: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Solomon’s request for discernment teaches us that God delights in giving us wisdom. His appeal: “Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people that I may discern between good and evil…”
Jonah’s prayer from the depths reminds us that no place is beyond God’s hearing. His declaration, “I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.”1
Joining with King David in Prayer
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Don’t throw me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.2
Individual Intercession for Others
Moses’ intercession for his sister, Miriam, shows us how powerful it is to carry someone else’s pain before God. Moses wept, “O God, heal her, I pray!”
His prayer is a reminder that our intercession does not need elaborate words, only love and faith. God healed Miriam of her leprosy, reminding us that He longs to heal us and restore us back into community.
Intercession for the Nation
Nehemiah’s tears, Daniel’s confession, Ezra’s shame, and Habakkuk’s trembling remind us that intercession for a nation begins with humility. They acknowledged their shared sin and their shared need for forgiveness, deliverance, and restoration.
Nehemiah wept, fasted, and prayed for God’s mercy.
Please, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant of lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You, day and night, on behalf of Your servants, …confessing the sins…which we have committed against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. ~Nehemiah 1:5-6 AMP
Daniel confessed the nations’ sins
I directed my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed and said, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and extends lovingkindnesses toward those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed wrong, and have behaved wickedly and have rebelled, turning away from Your commandments and ordinances. ~Daniel 9:3-5 AMP
Ezra pleaded for mercy. “Our iniquities have risen above our heads, and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.”
Habakkuk implored God to revive, show compassion, and love. His request: “In wrath remember mercy.”3
Prayers for Blessings
The priestly prayer in Numbers lifts our eyes to the tenderness of God’s heart toward us.
The Lord bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; the Lord make His face shine upon you [with favor], and be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; the Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], and give you peace [a tranquil heart and life]. ~Numbers 6:24-26 AMP
Jabez’s prayer reminds us that when we ask God to enlarge us, we are asking Him to increase our role in stewardship. “Oh that You would indeed bless me and enlarge my border [property], and that Your hand would be with me, and You would keep me from evil so that it does not hurt me!” And God granted his request.”4
May each of us be encouraged to “draw near with confidence to His throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need,” whether that be for ourselves, others, or our nation.
Recommendations
Paul’s Prayers in the Bible – Strength with Dignity
18 Powerful Prayers of Repentance – Strength with Dignity
Pray for Everyone, Including Those in Authority – Strength with Dignity
References
1 Exodus 33:13-14 WEB; 1 Kings 3:9 WEB; Jonah 2:2 NASB
2 Psalms 51:1-4, 6 NASB; 51:10-12 WEB
3 Numbers 12:13 NASB; Nehemiah 1:5-6 AMP; Daniel 9:3-5 AMP; Ezra 9:6-7 NASB; Habakkuk 3:2 NASB
4 Numbers 6:24-26 AMP; 1 Chronicles 4:10 AMP
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
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Photo credits: Intertwined hands on Bible Photo by Peter Law on Unsplash. All other photos are from Stencil.
