Scripture Appendix: Prayers in God’s Word

The following scriptures on prayer are cited throughout this book. All quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise indicated.

Introduction Joel 2:28–29 — “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”

Acts 16:13 — “Where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.”

John 16:23–24 — “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Colossians 4:2 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Chapter 1 — Monica of Hippo Luke 18:1 — “That they should always pray and not give up.”

Psalm 56:8 — “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (NLT) 1 Timothy 2:1–4 — “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Lamentations 2:19 — “Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord.”

Psalm 126:5–6 — “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”

Chapter 2 — Teresa of Ávila Matthew 6:6 — “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 — “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

John 15:5 — “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Chapter 3 — Susanna Wesley Proverbs 22:6 — “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Psalm 119:147 — “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.”

Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Matthew 18:20 — “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Joshua 24:15 — “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Chapter 4 — Madame Guyon Philippians 4:11–12 — “I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.”

John 15:15 — “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Isaiah 43:2 — “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Philippians 4:7 — “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 — “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Chapter 5 — Amy Carmichael Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Luke 10:2 — “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Isaiah 41:10 — “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Luke 9:23 — “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Chapter 6 — Corrie ten Boom Philippians 4:6–7 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Romans 8:38–39 — “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Isaiah 40:31 — “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Chapter 7 — Lottie Moon Matthew 9:37–38 — “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

John 12:24 — “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Romans 1:16 — “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

Romans 10:14–15 — “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”

2 Corinthians 5:14 — “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”

Chapter 8 — Mary Slessor Joshua 1:9 — “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Isaiah 6:8 — “Here am I. Send me!”

Zechariah 4:6 — “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.

Matthew 4:16 — “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Hebrews 11:33–34 — “Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle.”

Chapter 9 — Gladys Aylward Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Psalm 121:1–2 — “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Mark 9:23 — “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

Chapter 10 — Evelyn Christenson James 5:16 — “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Matthew 18:19–20 — “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

1 John 5:14–15 — “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Colossians 4:2 — “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Acts 2:42 — “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

— Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)