Spoken prayers are not the only way to pray.

I have found that written prayers can be just as rewarding!

Often, the struggle is coming up with what to write. For me, it seems harder to write a prayer to God instead of just speaking one. Perhaps it’s because I don’t put much thought into my spoken prayers!

Nevertheless, there are two methods of writing prayers that have aided me in this process. The great thing is that both methods use prayers from the Bible! The first method is adding your own line-by-line commentary and the second is paraphrasing a prayer in your own words.

Since both methods don’t need much explanation, why not just show you examples of my own personal prayers?

Written Prayer 1: Adding Commentary

The prayer that I expanded is from Hebrews 13:20-21. The original verses are in green.

Now may the God of peace
Father, I am desperate for Your peace that passes all understanding.
I ask that You fill me with Your perfect peace.

who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
I praise You for Your awesome power to bring Jesus back from the dead!
You alone have power over death! May this power flow through my life.

the great shepherd of the sheep,
I am but a helpless sheep. I am unaware of where to turn or take my next step. Lead me by Your grace. Like a sheep, may I follow You wherever You go, with no questions asked.

by the blood of the eternal covenant,
I rest in the truth that Christ’s blood has forever ransomed me, and will never lose its power. Your covenant will last forever with me, because You have made it and cannot fail.

equip you with everything good that you may do his will,
Apart from You, I can do nothing. I need Your help, Your guidance and Your strength to do what You have called me to do. I seek these good things from You, and my desire is to obey Your will for my life.

working in us that which is pleasing in his sight,
At the same time, I know that it is You working in me all along the way. I am pleasing to You only because You have chosen to make me holy.

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus, my Savior, my Redeemer. You are worthy of everything good and glorious. May my life simply be a reflection of Your glory for all eternity! Amen.

Written Prayer 2: Paraphrase

This paraphrase is from the well-known Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

Gracious Father, Who sits on His throne, fully in control,
May the name of Yahweh be set apart from all others.
May You rule completely in the hearts of Your children.
May Your good and perfect desires be done through us, and
May our hearts align with You, just as angels heed Your every word.
Be our portion and meet our physical needs today,
Have mercy on our souls and hold not our sins against us,
As we graciously extend forgiveness to those who have hurt us.
Lead us close to You and further away from temptation,
And bring us through untouched by the evils of this world.
Amen.

Your Turn!

Writing your prayers is another simple way to enrich your personal prayer life. These are just two methods that you might consider trying. To me, any effort to deepen our prayer lives is well worth it!

If you end up trying one of these methods, I would love to read your prayer. So feel free to paste it in the comments below!