© 2008 by Barbour Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-1-60260-066-9 Manuscript written and prepared in association with Snapdragon Groupsm Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher. Churches and other noncommercial interests may reproduce portions of this book without the express written permission of Barbour Publishing, provided that the text does not exceed 500 words and that the text is not material quoted from another publisher. When reproducing text from this book, include the following credit line: “From Bible Prayers for Bedtime, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.” All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. niv®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ncv are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked nirv are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked tlb are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked the message are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P. O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.barbourbooks.com Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
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With love to my precious grandsons, Lane and Cody, who bring joy and fulfillment to our lives.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them. Matthew 19:14 tlb
Contents The First Prayers.................................................. 10 Praying for Your Family....................................... 14 “Deliver Me from Destruction”........................... 18 A Special Piece of Wood..................................... 22 Water from a Rock.............................................. 26 “Help Me to Know You, Lord”............................ 30 Loud Horns and Broken Walls . ......................... 34 “Sun, Stand Still”................................................ 38 Deborah’s Song of Praise..................................... 42 “Give Me a Sign”................................................. 46 “Remember Me”.................................................. 50 “Speak to Me, Lord”............................................ 54 “Don’t Stop Praying”........................................... 58 A New King......................................................... 62 When God Says “No”......................................... 66 Keep Praying........................................................ 70 Behind Closed Doors........................................... 74 “Deliver Us”......................................................... 78 “Enlarge My Territory”........................................ 82 “Give Me Wisdom”............................................. 86 “We Trust in You”................................................ 90
The Battle Is the Lord’s....................................... 94 A Safe Trip........................................................... 98 “Grant Me Favor”.............................................. 102 “Why Is This Happening to Me?”..................... 106 “Hear Me When I Call”.................................... 110 “Here Am I. Send Me!”..................................... 114 “I’m Only a Child”............................................ 118 One, Two, Three Times..................................... 122 Praying Anywhere............................................. 126 “Just Ask Believing”.......................................... 130 “Lord, Save Us!”................................................ 134 “Have Mercy on Us”.......................................... 138 Loaves and Fish.................................................. 142 “Lord, Save Me!”............................................... 146 “Hosanna in the Highest!”................................ 150 “She Is Only Sleeping”...................................... 154 A Silent Prayer.................................................. 158 “I Do Believe!”................................................... 162 “Have Mercy on Me!”....................................... 166 Thank You for Sending Jesus............................. 170 Mary’s Song........................................................ 174 Ask Jesus to Help............................................... 178
“I Need Some Men to Help Me”...................... 182 “Tell My Sister to Help Me!”............................ 186 “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”................................... 190 She Praised Him................................................ 194 Saying Thank You............................................. 198 “Father, Forgive Them”..................................... 202 Begging for Help................................................ 206 “I Have No One to Help Me”........................... 210 Praying for Self, Family, and Others................. 214 “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”................................ 218 Special Helpers.................................................. 222 “Who Are You, Lord?”....................................... 226 “Dorcas, Get Up!”............................................. 230 “What Is It, Lord?”............................................. 234 The Church Prayed........................................... 238 Thank You for My Church................................ 242 Praying and Singing........................................... 246 “Don’t Be Afraid, Pray”..................................... 250
The First Prayers
That’s when men and women began praying and worshiping in the name of God. Genesis 4:26 the message
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A long time ago, God created the
world. He made plants and birds and fish and animals. And then He made people. The first people were named Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden called Eden. God talked with Adam and Eve in the garden. It was a perfect place. But then Adam and Eve did something wrong. They disobeyed God by eating fruit from a special tree. God had said, “Don’t!” Because they did wrong, God made Adam and Eve leave their beautiful garden. Now they had to work hard for their food. God told them that someday they would die. The wrong they did messed up everything! 11
Before long, Adam and Eve started a family. They had a baby boy they named Cain. Then they had another baby boy they called Abel. When the boys grew up, the wrong that Adam and Eve did caused more trouble. Cain got mad at his younger brother and killed him. People could see that doing wrong things was a big problem. They knew that they needed help. And they knew that only God could help them. So they started to call out to God. They asked Him for help. They prayed the first prayers. And people have been praying to God ever since.
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Dear God, I’m so glad that I can talk to You. Thank You for listening to my prayers! Amen.
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Praying for Your Family
Isaac’s wife could not have children, so Isaac prayed to the Lord for her. The Lord heard Isaac’s prayer. Genesis 25:21 ncv
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God wants us to pray for each of our family members—Mom, Dad, sisters and brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Isaac asked God to give his wife, Rebekah, something she wanted—children. And God heard his prayer. Isaac knew that Rebekah wanted a child. No one knew why, but she had not had any babies. Abraham, Isaac’s father, loved and worshipped God. He taught Isaac to pray to God about everything. So he prayed. “God, Rebekah is a good wife. I love her very much. Would You please give her what she wants most—a baby of her own?”
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God answered Isaac’s prayer in a special way. Soon Rebekah learned that she was going to have a baby. And not just one but two! She was going to have twins. She could tell because she could feel them tumbling around inside her. Soon the day came when Rebekah had the babies. First came one boy. Isaac and Rebekah named him Esau. Then came another boy. They named him Jacob. The boys grew. Isaac and Rebekah were happy with their new family. Isaac thanked God for answering his prayer.
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Dear heavenly Father, thank You for my family—Mom, Dad, sisters, and brothers. Help me remember to pray for each one of them every day. Amen.
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