Category: ESV First Person

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Healing of your Nation’s Unhappy Divisions and Success Against your Nation’s Enemies

Intercession 5.12 | ESV

For the healing of our unhappy divisions and the making up of our breaches.

For the divisions that are among us, there are great searchings of heart; Judges 5:16(ESV) for there are three against two and two against three in a house. Luke 12:52(ESV) But is the breach as vast as the sea, which cannot be healed? Lamentations 2:13(ESV) Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored? Jeremiah 8:22(ESV) Lord, repair the breaches of our land, for because of them it totters. Psalm 60:2(ESV)

I beg in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that there may be no divisions among us, but that we be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10(ESV)

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant us to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 15:5-6(ESV) and promote the common salvation. Jude 1:3(ESV)

Lord, keep us from judging one another and despising one another, Romans 14:10(ESV) and give us to pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding; Romans 14:19(ESV) that living in love and peace, the God of love and peace may be with us. 2 Corinthians 13:11(ESV)

Let nothing be done from rivalry or conceit, but in humility let me count others more significant than myself; Philippians 2:3(ESV) and grant that my reasonableness may be known to everyone, because the Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5(ESV)

For victory and success against our enemies abroad who seek our ruin.

Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you, but return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of your Israel. Numbers 10:35-36(ESV)

Grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man. With God let our forces do valiantly; yes, let God himself tread down our foes, Psalm 60:11-12(ESV) and make them like dust with your sword and like driven stubble with your bow. Isaiah 41:2(ESV)

Let us be a people saved by the LORD, as the shield of our help and the sword of our triumph; Deuteronomy 33:29(ESV) and make our enemies sensible that the LORD fights for us against them. Exodus 14:25(ESV)

Those who risk their lives to the death for us on the heights of the field, Judges 5:18(ESV) train their hands for war and their fingers for battle; Psalm 144:1(ESV) give them the shield of your salvation, and let your right hand support them, Psalm 18:35(ESV) and cover their heads in the day of battle. Psalm 140:7(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Moral Decency and Civility of your Nation

Intercession 5.11 | ESV

For the success of all endeavors for the reformation of manners, the suppression of vice and profaneness, the support of religion and virtue, and the bringing of them into reputation.

O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and establish the righteous – you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God. Psalm 7:9(ESV) Spirit many to rise up for you against the wicked and to stand up for you against evildoers. Psalm 94:16(ESV)

Let the Deliverer come to Zion and banish ungodliness from Jacob; Romans 11:26(ESV) and let the filth of Jerusalem be cleansed from its midst by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning. Isaiah 4:4(ESV)

Let all wickedness shut its mouth; Psalm 107:42(ESV) and let the infection of that plague be stayed by intervening judgment. Psalm 106:30(ESV)

Let those who are struggling against sin never grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:3-4(ESV)

Remove the spirit of uncleanness from the land, Zechariah 13:2(ESV) and change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that they may call upon the name of the LORD. Zephaniah 3:9(ESV)

Set your people high above all nations in praise and in fame and in honor by making us a people holy to the LORD our God. Deuteronomy 26:19(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Continuance of your Nation’s Outward Peace and Tranquility

Intercession 5.10 | ESV

For the continuance of our outward peace and tranquility, our liberty and plenty, for the prosperity of our trade, and a blessing upon the fruits of the earth.

Let God himself be a wall of fire all around us and the glory in the midst of us; Zechariah 2:5(ESV) yes, let his gospel be our glory, and upon all that glory let there be a defense; and create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Isaiah 4:5(ESV)

Peace be within our borders and security within our towers, Psalm 122:7(ESV) the prosperity both of merchandise and husbandry, that Zebulun may rejoice in his going out and Issachar in his tents. Deuteronomy 33:18(ESV)

Set up salvation for us as walls and bulwarks; and, to that end, let the gates be opened, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. Isaiah 26:1-2(ESV)

Make our overseers peace and our taskmasters righteousness; let violence never be heard in our gates, devastation or destruction in our borders, but let our walls be called Salvation and our gates Praise: Isaiah 60:17-18(ESV) Never let our land be termed Forsaken and Desolate, but let the Lord delight in us, and let our land be married to him. Isaiah 62:4(ESV)

Let our peace be like a river and, to that end, our righteousness like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18(ESV) Let that righteousness abound among us which exalts a nation, and deliver us from sin, which is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34(ESV)

Never make our heavens as bronze and our earth as iron, Deuteronomy 28:23(ESV) nor take back your grain in its time and your wine in its season; Hosea 2:9(ESV) but give us rain moderately, the early and the latter rains in their seasons, Joel 2:23(ESV) and keep for us the weeks appointed for the harvest, Jeremiah 5:24(ESV) giving us fair weather also in its season. Let our land yield its increase and the trees their fruit, that we may eat our bread to the full and dwell in our land securely. Leviticus 26:4-5(ESV)

Abundantly bless our provisions and satisfy our poor with bread, Psalm 132:15(ESV) that those who garner it may eat it and praise the LORD. Isaiah 62:9(ESV) Do not blow it away, for then when we look for much, it will come to little; Haggai 1:9(ESV) but bless our blessings, that all nations may call us blessed and a land of delight. Malachi 3:10-12(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray Earnestly for National Mercies and the Blessing of the Gospel Ministry in your Nation

Intercession 5.9 | ESV

We must pray earnestly for national mercies.

For the favors of God to us and the tokens of his presence among us, as that in which the happiness of our nation is bound up.

O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, be not like a stranger in the land or like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night; but be always in the midst of your people: We are called by your name, O do not leave us. Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name’s sake; though our backslidings are many, and we have sinned against you. Jeremiah 14:7-9(ESV)

Restore us to yourself, O Lord GOD of hosts, and let your face shine, that we may be saved! O stir up your might and come to save us! Psalm 80:2-3(ESV)

Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation; Psalm 85:7(ESV) yes, let your salvation be near to those who fear you, that glory may dwell in our land. Let steadfast love and faithfulness meet, righteousness and peace kiss each other: Let faithfulness spring up from the ground and righteousness look down from the sky; yes, let the LORD give what is good: Let righteousness go before him and make his footsteps a way. Psalm 85:9-13(ESV)

For the continuance of the gospel among us and the means of grace, and a national profession of Christ’s holy religion.

O let the throne of Christ endure forever among us, Psalm 45:6(ESV) even the place of your sanctuary, that glorious throne set on high from the beginning. Jeremiah 17:12(ESV)

Let our lampstand never be removed from its place, though that is what we deserve, because we have abandoned the love we had at first. Revelation 2:4-5(ESV) Never do to us as you did to your place that was in Shiloh, where you made your name dwell at first. Jeremiah 7:12(ESV)

Let us never know what a famine of the word means; nor ever be forced to wander from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth, to seek the word of God. Amos 8:11-12(ESV)

O Lord, be the stability of our times, our abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; and let the fear of the LORD be our treasure: Isaiah 33:6(ESV) Let the righteous flourish among us, and let there be those who fear you in our land, while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations; Psalm 72:5(ESV) that peace may abound, Psalm 72:7(ESV) and the children yet to be created may praise the LORD. Psalm 102:18(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Nations of the World and for your Own Nation

Intercession 5.8 | ESV

For the nations around us and all the countries of the world.

You, LORD, rule over the nations: Psalm 22:28(ESV) Who will not fear you, O King of the nations? Jeremiah 10:7(ESV) You sit on the throne, giving righteous judgment; Psalm 9:4(ESV) judge the world therefore with righteousness, and judge the peoples with uprightness. Psalm 9:8(ESV)

Lord, hasten the time when you will make wars cease to the end of the earth; Psalm 46:9(ESV) when nation shall no more lift up sword against nation, nor kingdom against kingdom, but swords shall be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, and they shall not learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4(ESV)

Make kings foster fathers, and their queens nursing mothers, to the Israel of God. Isaiah 49:23(ESV)

And in the days of these kings, let the God of heaven set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, Daniel 2:44(ESV) even the kingdom of the Redeemer. And whatever purposes there are in men’s minds, Lord, let your purposes stand, Proverbs 19:21(ESV) and fulfill the plans of your heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11(ESV)

For our own land and nation, which we ought in a special manner to seek the welfare of, that in its peace we may have peace.

We must be thankful to God for his mercies to our land.

I bless you that you have planted me on a very fertile hill, Isaiah 5:1(ESV) and have not given the arid plain for my home or the salt land for my dwelling place, Job 39:6(ESV) but the land I inhabit yields her increase. Psalm 85:12(ESV)

Lord, you have been favorable to my land. Psalm 85:1(ESV) I have heard with my ears, and my fathers in the faith have told me, what deeds you performed for your church in their days, and in the times of old; Psalm 44:1(ESV) and as I have heard, so have I seen, for I have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. Psalm 48:8-9(ESV)

You have given your church a pleasant land, Jeremiah 3:19(ESV) it is Immanuel’s land, Isaiah 8:8(ESV) it is a valley of vision; Isaiah 22:1(ESV) you have set up your tabernacle among us, and your sanctuary is in the midst of us. Ezekiel 37:26-27(ESV)

We live safely under our own vine and fig tree, 1 Kings 4:25(ESV) and there is peace to him who goes out and to him who comes in. 2 Chronicles 15:5(ESV)

And because the Lord loved my people, therefore he has set a good government over us, to execute justice and righteousness; 1 Kings 10:9(ESV) to be a terror to bad conduct, and a protection and praise to those who do what is good. Romans 13:3(ESV)

We must be humbled before God for our national sins and provocations.

But my nation is a sinful people, a people laden with iniquity, an offspring of evildoers; Isaiah 1:4(ESV) and we have a great deal of reason to sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed among us. Ezekiel 9:4(ESV)

Iniquity abounds among us, and the love of many has grown cold. Matthew 24:12(ESV)

We have not been forsaken nor forgotten by God, though our land is full of guilt against the Holy One of Israel. Jeremiah 51:5(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Relief of Suffering Churches and Persecuted Christians

Intercession 5.7 | ESV

For the relief of suffering churches and the support, comfort, and deliverance of all who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

I desire in my prayers to remember those who are in prison for the testimony of Jesus, as in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since I also am in the body. Hebrews 13:3(ESV) O send from on high and rescue them from those who hate them, Psalm 18:16-17(ESV) and bring them out into a broad place. Psalm 18:19(ESV)

O let not the scepter of wickedness rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous should stretch out their hands to do wrong. Psalm 125:3(ESV)

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, as in the generations of long ago, and make the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed of the Lord to pass over. Isaiah 51:9-10(ESV)

Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, arise now, O LORD, and place them in the safety for which they long. Psalm 12:5(ESV)

O strengthen the endurance and faith of your suffering saints, Revelation 13:10(ESV) that they may wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26(ESV)

O let the year of your redemption come, Isaiah 63:4(ESV) and the year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Isaiah 34:8(ESV)

O that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion; and when the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. Psalm 14:7(ESV)

O let not the downtrodden turn back in shame, but let the poor and needy praise your name. Psalm 74:21(ESV)

Lord, arise and have pity on Zion, and let the time to favor her, the appointed time, come; Psalm 102:13(ESV) indeed, let the LORD build up Zion and appear in his glory. Lord, regard the prayer of the destitute and do not despise their prayer. Psalm 102:16-17(ESV)

O Lord GOD, please cease: How can Jacob stand, for he is so small? Amos 7:5(ESV) O make your face to shine upon that part of your sanctuary, which is desolate, for your own sake, O Lord. Daniel 9:17(ESV)

Let the groans of the prisoners come before you, and according to your great power, preserve those who for your name’s sake are doomed to die. Psalm 79:11(ESV)

Let those whose teachers have been removed, again see their teachers, though they have the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. Isaiah 30:20(KJV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer NIV First Person

Pray for the Relief of Suffering Churches and Persecuted Christians

Intercession 5.7 | NIV

For the relief of suffering churches and the support, comfort, and deliverance of all who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

I desire in my prayers to remember those in prison for the testimony of Jesus as if I was their fellow prisoner, and those who are being mistreated as if I myself were suffering. Hebrews 13:3(NIV) O reach down from on high and rescue them from their foes, Psalm 18:16-17(NIV) and bring them out into a spacious place. Psalm 18:19(NIV)

O let not the scepter of the wicked remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. Psalm 125:3(NIV)

Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old, and make a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed of the LORD might cross over. Isaiah 51:9-10(NIV)

Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, now arise, O LORD, and protect them from those who malign them. Psalm 12:5(NIV)

O strengthen the patient endurance and faithfulness of your suffering saints, Revelation 13:10(NIV) that they may wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26(NIV)

O let the year of your redemption come, Isaiah 63:4(NIV) and the year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause. Isaiah 34:8(NIV)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Psalm 14:7(NIV)

Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. Psalm 74:21(NIV)

Lord, arise and have compassion on Zion, and let the time to show favor to her, yes, the appointed time, come; Psalm 102:13(NIV) yes, let the Lord rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. Lord, respond to the prayer of the destitute and do not despise their plea. Psalm 102:16-17(NIV)

Sovereign LORD, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small! Amos 7:5(NIV) For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Daniel 9:17(NIV)

May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those who for your name’s sake are condemned to die. Psalm 79:11(NIV)

Let those whose teachers are hidden, again see their teachers, though they have the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. Isaiah 30:20(NIV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Defeat of the Enemies of the Church

Intercession 5.6 | ESV

For the breaking of the power of all the enemies of the church and the defeating of all their designs against her.

Let all who set themselves, and take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, who would burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from them, plot in vain. Let him who sits in the heavens laugh at them and hold them in derision; speak to them in your wrath, and terrify them in your fury. Psalm 2:1-5(ESV) Give them, O LORD, what you will give them; give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. Hosea 9:14(ESV)

O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind; Psalm 83:13(ESV) fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD, Psalm 83:16(ESV) and that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18(ESV)

Put them in fear, O LORD, that the nations may know that they are but men! Psalm 9:20(ESV) And wherein the proud enemies of your church deal arrogantly, make it to appear that you are above them. Exodus 18:11(ESV)

May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up. Psalm 129:5-6(ESV)

Let no weapon fashioned against your church succeed, and let every tongue that rises against it in judgment be confuted. Isaiah 54:17(ESV)

Make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples, and let all that lift it hurt themselves, though all the nations of the earth should gather against it; Zechariah 12:3(ESV) so may all your enemies perish, O LORD, but let your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might. Judges 5:31(ESV)

Lord, let the man of lawlessness be killed with the breath of your mouth and brought to nothing by the appearance of your coming: 2 Thessalonians 2:8(ESV) And let those be undeceived who have long been under the power of strong delusions to believe what is false, and let them love the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11(ESV)

Let Babylon fall and sink like a millstone into the sea; Revelation 18:21(ESV) and let the kings of the earth who have given their royal power and honor to the beast, Revelation 17:17(ESV) be wrought upon at length to bring them into the new Jerusalem. Revelation 21:26(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Health, Purity, and Holiness of the Church

Intercession 5.5 | ESV

For the amending of everything that is amiss in the church, the reviving of primitive Christianity and the power of godliness, and, to that end, the pouring out of the Spirit.

Lord, let your Spirit be poured out upon your churches from on high, and then the wilderness shall become a fruitful field; Isaiah 32:15(ESV) then justice shall return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. Psalm 94:15(ESV)

Let what remains be put into order, Titus 1:5(ESV) and let every plant that is not of my heavenly Father’s planting be rooted up. Matthew 15:13(ESV)

Let the Lord whom I seek come to his temple like a refiner’s fire and fullers’ soap, and let him purify the sons of Levi and all the seed of Israel, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may bring offerings of righteousness to the LORD, pleasing offerings to the LORD as in the days of old, as in former years. Malachi 3:2-4(ESV)

Let religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, flourish and prevail everywhere: James 1:27(ESV) that kingdom of God among men, which is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17(ESV) O revive this work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; Habakkuk 3:2(ESV) and let these times be times of reformation. Hebrews 9:10(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Conversion of Non-Christians who are Hostile to Christianity

Intercession 5.4 | ESV

For the conviction and conversion of atheists, deists, and infidels, and of all who are out of the way of truth, and of profane scoffers and those who disgrace Christianity by their vicious and immoral lives.

O teach transgressors your ways, and let sinners return to you. Psalm 51:13(ESV)

O give them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 2:25(ESV) the truth as it is in Jesus, Ephesians 4:21(ESV) the truth which accords with godliness; Titus 1:1(ESV) that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil. 2 Timothy 2:26(ESV)

Let those who are straying like sheep return to Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Overseer of his people’s souls. 1 Peter 2:25(ESV)

Show those fools their folly and misery who have said in their hearts, “There is no God,” and who are corrupt and do abominable deeds. Psalm 14:1(ESV)

Lord, maintain the honor of the Scriptures, the teaching and the testimony, and convince those who speak not according to that word, that it is because they have no dawn. Isaiah 8:20(ESV) You have exalted above all things your name and your word; Psalm 138:2(ESV) magnify the law, magnify the gospel, and make both glorious. Isaiah 42:21(ESV)

Let those who will not be won by the word, be won by the conduct of Christians, 1 Peter 3:1(ESV) which I beg may be such in everything that those who do not believe may be convicted by all and called to account by all, may be brought to worship God and to declare that God is really among them. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25(ESV)