INTRODUCTION

Prayer can be really hard. Sometimes our thoughts are so jumbled, we don’t even know what to say. At other times, we’re not sure if we’re praying for the right thing. When we’re upset, our prayers feel like we’re just shouting at God. And all too frequently we’re not even sure if God is really listening. That’s why the prayers of Scripture are so important. They are totally relatable! Some people prayed for the wicked to be saved; others prayed for eternal justice. Some prayers shook the earth; others were whispered in private. Some poured out praise; others questions. Some were full of confidence; others doubt. Some rejoiced in the unknowable, others screamed “Why?”

These prayers were prayed everywhere—from tall mountaintops to the sunken depths of a fish’s belly. One of the people praying literally spread everything out before God, one curled up in a ball, one looked drunk and a couple even prayed as they died.

If that tells us anything, it’s that prayer doesn’t come from a rule book; it comes from the heart. Our hope is that these little introductions to the prayers of the Bible will inspire you to read and reflect on them for yourself. As you do, you’ll find more and more reasons to always fix your eyes on the Lord in your own unique and personal prayer life—and to go deeper in your intimacy with Him.

In Him, Your friends at Our Daily Bread Ministries

PRAYER: Genesis 18:16-33

ANSWER: Genesis 19:1-29