Category: ESV First Person

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Grace of Self-Denial and Humility

Petition 3.22 | ESV

We must pray for the grace of self-denial.

Lord, give me grace to deny myself, to take up my cross daily, and to follow Christ; Matthew 16:24(ESV) to discipline my body and keep it under control. 1 Corinthians 9:27(ESV)

Lord, keep me from being a lover of my own self, 2 Timothy 3:2(ESV) from being wise in my own eyes and leaning to my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-7(ESV)

Lord, give me to seek, not my own good only, but also the good of my neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:24(ESV)

And grant that I may not live to myself or die to myself, but whether I live or die, may I be the Lord’s, and live and die to him. Romans 14:7-8(ESV)

We must pray for humility and meekness.

Lord, give me to learn from Christ to be gentle and lowly in heart, that I may find rest for my soul; Matthew 11:29(ESV) and that herein the same mind may be in me that was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5(ESV)

Lord, conceal pride from me, Job 33:17(ESV) and clothe me with humility; 1 Peter 5:5(ESV) and put upon me the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in your sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4-5(ESV)

Lord, give me grace to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which I have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with others in love. Ephesians 4:1-2(ESV)

Let anger never lodge in my bosom, Ecclesiastes 7:9(ESV) nor the sun ever go down on my anger; Ephesians 4:26(ESV) but enable me to show perfect courtesy toward all people, because I myself was once foolish and disobedient. Titus 3:2-3(ESV)

Let me be clothed as becomes an elect child of God, holy and beloved, with a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12(ESV) that being merciful, even as my heavenly Father is merciful, Luke 6:36(ESV) I may be perfect as he is perfect. Matthew 5:48(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for a Tender Conscience and God-Wrought Love

Petition 3.21 | ESV

We must pray that our consciences may be always tender and that we may live a life of repentance.

Lord, put upon me that love which binds everything together in perfect harmony, Colossians 3:14(ESV) that I may maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:3(ESV) and may live in love of peace, that the God of love and peace may be with me. 2 Corinthians 13:11(ESV)

Lord, give me to love my neighbor as myself with that love which is the fulfilling of the law; Romans 13:9-10(ESV) to love others earnestly from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22(ESV) that by this all men may know that I am Christ’s disciple. John 13:35(ESV)

And as your people are taught by God to love one another, give me to abound therein more and more; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10(ESV) and as I have opportunity, let me do good to everyone; Galatians 6:10(ESV) and so far as it depends on me, let me live peaceably with all men, Romans 12:18(ESV) always pursuing what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Romans 14:19(ESV)

Lord, make me able to love my enemies, to bless those who curse me, to pray for those who despitefully use me, and to do good to those who hate me; Matthew 5:44(KJV) bearing with others and forgiving others in love, as Christ has forgiven me. Colossians 3:13(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for the Fear of God and for the Love of God to be Rooted in you

Petition 3.20 | ESV

We must pray for the fear of God.

Lord, work in me that fear of you, which is the beginning of wisdom, Psalm 111:10(ESV) which is instruction in wisdom, Proverbs 15:33(ESV) and which is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27(ESV)

Unite my heart to fear your name, Psalm 86:11(ESV) that I may keep your commandments, which is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13(ESV)

O put the fear of you in my heart, that I may not turn from you. Jeremiah 32:40(ESV) Let me be devoted to your fear; Psalm 119:38(KJV) and let me continue in the fear of the LORD everyday and all the day. Proverbs 23:17(ESV)

We must pray that the love of God and Christ may be rooted in us and, in order to that end, that the love of the world may be rooted out of us.

Give me grace, I beg you, to love you, the Lord my God, with all my heart and soul and mind and strength, Mark 12:30(ESV) which is the great and first commandment; Matthew 22:37-38(ESV) to hold fast to you in love; Psalm 91:14(ESV) and to delight myself always in you; and therein I shall have the desires of my heart. Psalm 37:4(ESV)

Circumcise my heart to love you, the LORD my God, with all my heart and with all my soul, that I may live. Deuteronomy 30:6(ESV)

O that God’s love may be poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5(ESV)

O that Jesus Christ may be very precious to me, as he is to all who believe; 1 Peter 2:7(KJV) that he may be in my account distinguished among ten thousand, Song of Solomon 5:10(ESV) and altogether desirable; and that he may be my beloved and my friend: Song of Solomon 5:16(ESV) That though I have not seen him, yet I may love him; and though I do not now see him, yet I may believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. 1 Peter 1:8(ESV)

Let the love of Christ to me control me to live, not to myself, but to him who for my sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15(ESV)

And, Lord, grant that I may not love the world or the things in the world, because if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 1 John 2:15(ESV) that I may set my mind on things above, and not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for Faith

Petition 3.19 | ESV

I must pray for faith.

Lord, let it be granted to me to believe; Philippians 1:29(ESV) for the faith by which I am saved is not my own doing, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8(ESV)

Lord, increase my faith, Luke 17:5(ESV) and supply what is lacking in it, 1 Thessalonians 3:10(ESV) that I may grow strong in faith, as I give glory to God. Romans 4:20(ESV)

Lord, give me so to be crucified with Christ, as that the life I may now live in the flesh, I may live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me; Galatians 2:20(ESV) and so to carry in me continually the death of Jesus, as that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in my mortal body. 2 Corinthians 4:10(ESV)

As I have received Christ Jesus the Lord, enable me so also to walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as I was taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7(ESV)

Let every word of yours benefit me, being united by faith, Hebrews 4:2(ESV) by which I receive your testimony and set my seal to this: that God is true. John 3:33(ESV)

I beg you, work in me that faith which is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1(ESV) by which I may look above the things that are seen, that are transient, and may look at the things that are unseen, that are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18(ESV)

Enable me by faith to set the LORD always before me, Psalm 16:8(ESV) and to have my eyes ever towards him, Psalm 25:15(ESV) that I may act in everything, as seeing him who is invisible, and may look to the reward. Hebrews 11:26-27(ESV)

Let my heart be cleansed by faith, Acts 15:9(ESV) and let it be my victory to overcome the world; 1 John 5:4(ESV) and let me be kept from fainting by believing that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for Grace to Sanctify your Nature

Petition 3.18 | ESV

To sanctify our nature, to plant in us all holy principles and dispositions, and to increase every grace in us.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify me completely, and may my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls me is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24(ESV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit away from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12(ESV)

Write your law on my heart and put it within me, Jeremiah 31:33(ESV) that I may be a letter from Christ, written by the Spirit of the living God, not on a tablet of stone but on a tablet of human heart; 2 Corinthians 3:3(ESV) that the law of my God being in my heart, none of my steps may slip; Psalm 37:31(ESV) and that I may delight to do your will, O God; Psalm 40:8(ESV) may delight in the law of God in my inner being. Romans 7:22(ESV)

O that I may become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which I desire to be committed, as into a mold, Romans 6:17(ESV) that my whole soul may be leavened by it; Matthew 13:33(ESV) and that I may not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of my mind; Romans 12:2(ESV) may not be conformed to the passions of my former ignorance, but as an obedient child, may be holy in all my conduct, as he who called me is holy. 1 Peter 1:14-15(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for Grace to Direct your Conscience and Make you Wise

Petition 3.17 | ESV

To direct our consciences, to show us the way of our duty, and to make us wise, knowing, judicious Christians.

Lord, give me a wise and understanding mind, 1 Kings 3:9(ESV) that wisdom which in all cases helps one to succeed; Ecclesiastes 10:10(ESV) that wisdom of the prudent which is to discern his way. Proverbs 14:8(ESV)

This I pray, that my love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that I may discern things that differ and may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11(ESV)

O that I may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of God, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10(ESV)

Teach me your way, O God, and lead me on a level path because of my observers. Psalm 27:11(ESV)

When I do not know what to do, my eyes are on you; 2 Chronicles 20:12(ESV) then let me hear the Lord behind me, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when I turn to the right or when I turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21(ESV)

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for Grace to Bring God’s Truth to your Memory

Petition 3.16 | ESV

To help our memory, that the truths of God may be ready to us whenever we have occasion to use them.

Lord, let your Spirit teach me all things and bring to my remembrance all that you have said to me, John 14:26(ESV) that the word of Christ may dwell richly in me in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Colossians 3:16(ESV)

Lord, grant that I may pay much closer attention to what I have heard, lest I drift away from it; Hebrews 2:1(ESV) and may I hold fast to the word that has been preached to me, and not believe in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2(ESV)

Lord, make me ready and competent in the Scriptures, Acts 18:24(ESV) that I may be competent, equipped for every good work; 2 Timothy 3:17(ESV) and, being well trained for the kingdom of heaven, may I, like a good master of a house, bring out of my treasure what is new and what is old. Matthew 13:52(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for Grace to Keep you in the Way of Truth

Petition 3.15 | ESV

To lead us into and keep us in the way of truth; and if in anything we are in error, to rectify our mistake.

Let the Spirit of truth guide me into all truth, John 16:13(ESV) and make me understand how I have gone astray. Job 6:24(ESV)

Teach me what I do not see; Job 34:32(ESV) and enable me to test everything, so as to hold fast to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21(ESV)

Lord, grant that I may not be as a child, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning; rather, speaking the truth in love, may I grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head. Ephesians 4:14-15(ESV)

Lord, give me so to do your will, as that I may know that the teaching is from God; John 7:17(ESV) and so to know the truth, as that the truth may set me free, John 8:32(ESV) may set me free indeed. John 8:36(ESV)

Enable me, I pray, to follow the pattern of sound words that I have heard in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:13(ESV) and to continue in what I have learned and have firmly believed. 2 Timothy 3:14(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for Grace to Instruct you in the Things of God

Petition 3.14 | ESV

More particularly, we must pray for grace:

To teach and instruct us, and make us knowing and intelligent in the things of God.

Give me so to call out for insight and to raise my voice for understanding, to seek for it like silver and to search for it as for hidden treasure, that I may understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5(ESV)

Grant that all your people might know you, from the least even to the greatest, Hebrews 8:11(ESV) and to press on to know you; and so to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, that it may be eternal life to us. John 17:3(ESV)

Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, that, having the eyes of my heart enlightened, I may know what is the hope to which he has called me and what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and may experience what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward those who believe, according to the working of his great might. Ephesians 1:17-19(ESV)

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law and gospel. Psalm 119:18(ESV)

Give me to have certainty concerning the things I have been taught; Luke 1:4(ESV) and let my knowledge grow up to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. Colossians 2:2(ESV) Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! Psalm 119:124-125(ESV) Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word, Psalm 119:169(ESV) that good understanding which they have who do your commandments, whose praise endures forever! Psalm 111:10(ESV)

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ESV First Person Method for Prayer

Pray for God’s Grace to Equip you for Everything Good and to Beget and Sustain New Life

Petition 3.13 | ESV

We must pray for grace to equip us for every good thought, word, and work, that we may not only be kept from sin, but may be in everything as we should be, and do as we should do.

Let Christ be made of God to me not only righteousness, but wisdom, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30(ESV)

Let me be planted together in the likeness of Christ’s death and resurrection, that just as he was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so may I too walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4(ESV)

That the work of grace may be wrought where it has not yet begun.

Lord, teach transgressors your ways, and let sinners return to you; Psalm 51:13(ESV) and let the disobedient be turned to the wisdom of the just, and make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Luke 1:17(ESV)

Let those be quickened who are yet dead in trespasses and sins: Ephesians 2:1(ESV) Say to them, “Live!” Yes, say to them, “Live!” Ezekiel 16:6(ESV) And the time shall be a time of love. Ezekiel 16:8(KJV)

Open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified. Acts 26:18(ESV)

Because of the blood of the covenant, set the prisoners free from the waterless pit, that they may return to the stronghold as prisoners of hope. Zechariah 9:11-12(ESV)

Let the word of God prevail to the destroying of strongholds and the destroying of arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and let every thought be taken captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5(ESV)

That where it has begun it may be carried on and at length perfected, and the foundation that has been well laid may be happily built upon.

Fulfill in me every resolve for good and every work of faith by your power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11(ESV)

Let the God who began a good work in me bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6(ESV)

Fulfill, O God, your purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever: do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8(ESV)

Lord, let your grace be sufficient for me, and let your power be made perfect in weakness, that where I am weak, there I may be strong, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10(ESV) strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10(ESV)