I’ve said (and written) it many times, and I’m sure I’ll do so again: you never pray alone.
It’s true. As followers of Jesus, however and whenever we pray, we are joining a panoply of saints, “a great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV), who are cheering for us, along with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who intercede for us as we pray (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:26).
So why not consciously unite your prayers with the prayers of the saints through history? Here’s how to pray anytime with these heavenly partners:
Abraham
If I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by (Genesis 18:3 NIV).
Jacob
I will not let you go unless you bless me (Genesis 32:26 NIV).
Jabez
Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV).
David
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14 ESV).
Mary
My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46 NIV).
Zechariah
Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them (Luke 1:68 NIV).
Clement
We beseech Thee, Lord and Master, to be our help and succor. Save those among us who are in tribulation; have mercy on the lowly; lift up the fallen; show Thyself unto the needy; heal the ungodly; convert the wanderers of Thy people; feed the hungry; release our prisoners; raise up the weak; comfort the fainthearted (1 Clement 59:4, Lightfoot translation).
St. Ephraim the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.
Augustine of Hippo
Here is my heart, O God, here it is with all its secrets; look into my thoughts, O my hope, and take away all my wrong feelings; let my eyes ever be on you and release my feet from the snare. Amen (from The Confessions of St. Augustine).
Martin Luther
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You (from the daily morning prayer of Martin Luther).
Teresa of Avila
From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, spare us, O Lord.
What a blessing it is to know that every time we pray, these and many, many others are praying with us.
