Prayer is defined as a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or another deity.
Prayer has been part of human history since the earliest times, with some of the oldest literature, such as the 26th-century BC Kesh temple hymn, considered a form of prayer. It evolved across different cultures and religions, including ancient Egyptian, early Christian, and Hindu traditions, playing a central role in spiritual and cultural life and providing comfort, solace, and a connection to the divine.
Biblical earliest mention: In the Bible, the first mention of people praying is in Genesis 4:26, which says, "At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord". This is considered to be the first time people addressed God after the Fall.
Early Christian prayer: Early Christians devoted themselves to prayer, a practice central to their faith from the beginning. They prayed the Lord's Prayer, which was taught to them by Jesus and became a foundational prayer. By the 2nd century, Christians began praying in a specific direction, facing east.
In this blogpost are 5 prayer poems to boost your spirit and heal your soul.
King David
Pslams 86
Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.
These Inward Trials
I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
T’was He who taught me thus to pray
and He I trust has answered prayer,
but it has been in such a way
it almost drove me to despair.
I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request,
and by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
the hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
‘Lord, why is this?’ I trembling cried,
‘Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?’
‘This in this way,’ the Lord replied,
‘I answer prayer for grace and faith.
These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou mayst seek thy all in Me.’
John Newton
A Mother's Love Prayer
Published by Family Friend Poems January 2019 with permission of the Author.
Lord, help me be the Mother
You've chosen me to be,
One parent with a loving heart,
The mother of my three.
Give me wisdom and courage.
A righteous and faithful leader I'll be,
So I may live through you, Lord,
An example of good I may be.
Teach me patience and understanding,
Grant me compassion and kindness too,
So my daughters may desire a tender heart,
Being kind, forgiving, and true.
Help me show them the way to salvation,
Lord, and the value of their souls,
So they may sustain love, hope, and faith,
That will lead them on their pathway home.
Remind me to hold them tightly
And tenderly let them go
So they might feel my comfort and love
When at times they may feel alone.
And in our body's absence, Lord,
I'm praying they may know
The only need that they would have
Is what I've instilled in their heart and soul.
Jac Judy A. Campbell. "A Mother's Love Prayer. more by Jac Judy A. Campbell
A Prayer For You
Published by Family Friend Poems May 2018 with permission of the Author.
I lifted you to the Lord today
as I spent some time in prayer.
I asked God to be near you
and your burdens help you bear.
I could feel the Father smile
each time I called your name
because I talk to Him quite often
and my prayers are the same.
I pray that God will protect you
every minute of every day.
And to always direct your path
and guide you on your way.
I pray that God will give you joy
and shower you with His peace.
I pray He will smile down on you
so His blessings will not cease.
I pray God's love will keep you
So you won't waver in your faith.
And may His presence surround you
as He covers you with His grace.
Lenora McWhorter. "A Prayer For You." Family Friend Poems, May 10, 2018. https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/a-prayer-for-you
A Letter To God
Shannon Michelle Haynes
Dear God,
Can you hear me?
Can you please take my hand?
I need your loving arms around me-
I need to know you understand.
I’m feeling angry and helpless,
Even lonely and sad.
Am I wrong? Is Satan winning?
I know he wants me so bad!
Will I ever know freedom?
Will I always be bound?
How does he enter
When Your love’s all around?
When I can’t fight these feelings,
It helps to write them all down.
Then I find myself kneeling
With my face to the ground.
Thank You, God, once again
For lending an ear,
And that you not only listen,
But you care enough to hear.
Please help me, dear Jesus,
To find the strength deep within,
To fight these inner demons
That try to lead me to sin.
Please help me to smile
When what I wanna do is weep,
And please stay with me tonight.
Now I lay me down to sleep.
With all my heart,
I love You!
Amen
I hope you enjoyed this 5 poems about prayer. Is there a poem I should add to the list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below
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