Praying through Every Emotion
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1 Corinthians 13:1–7 NLT
Lord, you’re so kind and tenderhearted
to those who don’t deserve it
and so patient with people who fail you!
Your love is like a flooding river
overflowing its banks with kindness.
Psalm 103:8 TPT
Lust
Dear Lord,
Sometimes I am tempted by my desires, desires that could lure me away from my holy walk with You. Help me not to fall into this trap, and forgive me when I do!
Help me to keep my thoughts on You and all that is good so that I don’t flirt with sin and lose control. If I fail, then my desires could become pregnant and give birth to sin. And if my sin grows up, it could give birth to death.
I choose life not death, so I am asking You for Your help. Help me to stay away from the kinds of lusts that tempt me. Help me to pursue faith, love, and peace as I worship You with a pure heart.
Help me to yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to abandon my cravings for sin and instead crave more of You. It is better to be filled with Your Spirit than to be full of myself.
It is Your will that I set myself apart and live a holy life, not polluting myself with sexual sin and defilement. Help me to take charge over my body and to maintain my purity and honor, because in this way I know that You will keep me free from lustful passions that could take over my life. I also break any spirit of lust that the enemy would try to use to trap me.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death.
James 1:14–15 GW
Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22 GW
As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.
Galatians 5:16 TPT
Now this is God’s will for you: set yourselves apart and live holy lives; avoid polluting yourselves with sexual defilement. Learn how to take charge over your own body, maintaining purity and honor. Don’t let the swells of lustful passion run your life as they do the outsiders who don’t know God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 VOICE
Offended
Dear Lord,
When it comes to an offense, help me to have good sense. Give me wisdom to overlook it or even to break through it. But if the offense continues or builds, help me to keep my emotions in check so that anger does not rule my life, not even for a day. Friends, family members, my marriage, opportunities, and my job could be lost if I lose this battle.
Help me to keep the devil, that slanderous accuser, at bay so that he does not have a chance to use anger to manipulate me.
If things get to a point where I do need to react, help me to react in love. If another believer sins against me, lead me to go privately to that person and point out how they hurt me. If they listen and respond with understanding, I will still have my friend.
But if the meeting is unsuccessful, give me the courage and the wisdom to select a wise friend or two to return and discuss the matter with my offending friend.
If my friend still refuses to listen, be with me as I take the matter to the church. If this meeting fails to bring resolution, then allow me to walk away from the relationship.
Give me wisdom and love so that I can hear Your heart, especially if this is nothing more than a misunderstanding, confusion, or even a lie from the enemy. May Your love direct me to reconciliation.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
A person with good sense is patient,
and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 GW
But don’t let the passion of your emotions lead you to sin! Don’t let anger control you or be fuel for revenge, not for even a day. Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!
Ephesians 4:26–27 TPT
If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
Matthew 18:15–17 NLT
Oppressed
Dear Lord,
My enemy Satan roams the earth like a roaring lion looking for an easy meal. He lays traps to capture me; he spreads lies and tries to lure me into sin.
I cannot be naive, for my enemy is not flesh and blood but evil rulers and authorities, and mighty powers and evil spirits in the unseen world and heavenly places.
This is why I must wear the protection of the armor of God. Lord, I will put on Your armor so that I can stand firm as I stand against the strategies of the devil. I will put on Your armor so that I can resist the enemy and his attacks.
I will stand my ground, putting on the belt of truth, which will destroy the enemy’s lies. I will wear the body armor of the righteousness of Jesus so that the enemy cannot accuse me. I will put on the shoes of peace, which comes from the Good News of Jesus Christ. I will hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil so that the enemy cannot hit his mark. I will put on the helmet of salvation given to me by Jesus and will take up the sword of the Spirit, the mighty Word of God. I will pray as the Spirit of God leads me. I will stay alert and pray for others as You put them on my heart.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NLT
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Ephesians 6:11–18 NLT
Overwhelmed
Dear Lord,
You tell me to come to You when I am overwhelmed and weary from carrying heavy burdens. So here I am! I accept the rest that You offer me.
I no longer carry the weight of my burdens by myself. From this moment on, I will be yoked to You, and You will do all the heavy pulling and lifting. You offer to teach me with Your gentle heart and humble Spirit so that I can find rest for my soul. My response is yes! Yes, I want to draw even closer to You. Yes, I want to hear all that You have to say to me through the power of Your Word and Your precious Holy Spirit.
Because I am made new in You, I have already won the victory over the world through my faith in You.
I will not lose heart. Even though I continue to age on the outside, I remain young on the inside as Your Spirit renews me. My troubles are only light and temporary. You count my faithfulness through my troubles as a solid path to Your eternal glory.
Help me to keep my eyes on You, not on the things of this world. When I focus on You and Your kingdom, I see t
he eternal.
I will press on in Your power and through Your Spirit. I will not be overcome with fatigue for doing what is right. I will continue on in my journey, refreshed in You.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28–29 NLT
Everyone who has been born from God has won the victory over the world. Our faith is what wins the victory over the world.
1 John 5:4 GW
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV
We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of doing what is right.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 GW
Pain
Dear Lord,
Thank You for loving me and for rescuing me. It’s wonderful that You protect me because I know Your name.
You have promised that when I call on You, You will answer me. I invite You into my trouble, for I know that You will save and honor me. You will satisfy me with a long life.
Thank You for restoring my health and healing my wounds. When You heal me, I am healed. When You rescue me, I am rescued, and I praise Your name.
When I think about how the prophet Isaiah described Christ Jesus, seven centuries before Jesus was born of a virgin, I marvel. Isaiah foretold of how Jesus took my pain, bore my suffering, and was stricken, afflicted, and punished by God for my sin. Lord, You were pierced for my wrongdoings. You were crushed for my sinful failures. Your punishment brought me peace, and by Your wounds I am healed.
I give you my pain, and I ask that You heal me and show me Your good and perfect will so that I can have all the faith I need to believe. Help my unbelief.
But if You heal me now, or if my healing is gradual, or if You heal me when You call me home to heaven, I will trust You. I admit that I do not understand all Your ways, but I trust You and praise You.
I trust You now. I do believe. Thank You!
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Because you love me, I will rescue you.
I will protect you because you know my name.
When you call to me, I will answer you.
I will be with you when you are in trouble.
I will save you and honor you.
I will satisfy you with a long life.
I will show you how I will save you.
Psalm 91:14–16 GW
“I’ll restore your health and heal your wounds,” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 30:17 GW
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed.
Rescue me, and I will be rescued.
You are the one I praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 GW
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4–5 NIV
Peace
Dear Lord,
I need more of Your peace. In fact, I need more of Your peace not only in my soul but also in the relationships in my life. Please let me be a peacemaker, for Jesus taught that I am blessed when I make peace and I will be called a child of God.
Also, let me be a peace finder. I will find Your peace when I sharpen my focus on You. When I sharpen my focus, I see more of who You are and discover that You are a God I can trust. When I trust in You, You give me an endless supply of peace.
Teach me how to receive your gift of perfect peace. When I have Your perfect peace, I am able to keep my mind on you. Having more of your perfect peace means I can stop worrying. I will be able to pray about everything and look to You for answers. As I look to You, I will give thanks every time I ask You for what I need, for I know that You will answer; I know that You will take good care of me.
When my trust in You grows, my peace will be greater than I can understand. Your peace will keep my heart and mind through Jesus Christ.
Lord, please give me peace at all times and in every way. Be by my side always.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 GW
Blessed are those who make peace.
They will be called God’s children.
Matthew 5:9 GW
You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NLV
Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7 NLV
May the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 GW
Perplexed
Dear Lord,
Life and all its trials and decisions can be perplexing. How do I know what to do? How do I know which way to turn, especially when I am fenced in with troubles and difficulties?
You cover me when I am perplexed. You help me when I am unsure of what to think or do about the problems in my life.
When I am pressed down, surrounded by troubles, I am not crushed. When I am perplexed by my circumstances, I am not driven to despair. When I am hunted down by the enemy, I am never abandoned by God. When I am knocked down, I am not destroyed.
Because You are the answer to my every question, I will trust You completely and not rely on my own opinions. With all my heart I will rely on You to guide me, and You will lead me in every decision I make.
The fear of You is wisdom. Turning my back on my own evil thoughts and deeds shows I have real understanding.
Open my ears to wisdom. Help me to turn my heart to understanding as I cry out to know right from wrong. I lift my voice and ask You to help me understand. I look for Your wisdom as one would look for silver and hidden riches.
As I learn to regard You with worship and honor, You will show me everything I need to know.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8–9 NLT
Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you,
and he will lead you in every decision you make.
Proverbs 3:5 TPT
The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
to forsake evil is real understanding.
Job 28:28 NLT
Make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding. If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding; if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God.
Proverbs 2:2–5 NLV
Powerless
Dear Lord,
How powerless I feel, which is why I need to look to You always!
You are the remedy for my weakness. Help me to be strong as I look to You and Your strength; keep me strong as I keep my eyes on You.
The best news is that I do not have to be powerless because I can receive power from the Holy Spirit, who will fill my soul and anoint
me with the power of Christ.
Lord, I call and You answer. You fill me with Your presence and make me bold and strong of spirit. You do not give me a spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a good, sound mind. I receive Your Spirit and trust You. I receive Your power, Your love, and Your might for strength of mind.
You have told me to be strong and to have strength of heart. This I can do when I stay in You. I have no need to fear or lose faith, for You are in me; You are with me wherever I go.
Even when I find myself in lack or in a tight situation, You give me contentment. Whether I’m fed or hungry, with or without, I am content because Your Spirit is in me. You and Your Spirit provide my power and strength.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Look to the Lord and ask for His strength. Look to Him all the time.
1 Chronicles 16:11 NLV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life.
Acts 1:8 NLV
When I called, you answered me.
You made me bold by strengthening my soul.
Psalm 138:3 GW
For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 NLV
Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go.
Joshua 1:9 NLV
I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength.
Philippians 4:12–13 VOICE
Prayerful
Dear Lord,
You have called me to make my life a prayer, to always talk to You about my thoughts, feelings, concerns, needs, and troubles.
How wonderful that I have a direct channel to You and that I never need to worry that You see me as an interruption. You always have time for me because You are outside of time.