“I’ve been listening carefully to people when they pray out loud. In church. Before eating. When someone is sick. It seems you need to change your voice. Maybe learn new words? I don’t think about these things when it’s just me. But I would like to pray with others.” 

A new believer was echoing some of my own thoughts.

The joy, mystery, and gift of prayer. This and subsequent conversations with my friend led me to memorize a few prayers in the Bible. Prayers divinely chosen to be recorded for us. I had no special method. Petitions kept coming up as I read so I just chose a few to work on. I was struck by the diversity of people’s conversations with their Maker. 

David thanked, praised, and screamed. 

Paul and Silas prayed and sang in a prison cell. 

Daniel stood by a window for all to see. 

Mary sang a song. 

Hannah just moved her lips. 

Nehemiah confessed his sins and the sins of his people. 

Moses and Jeremiah disagreed with God’s calling for them. 

Job questioned and questioned. 

Abraham pleaded for a city. 

Habakkuk asked why. 

Paul constantly expressed thanks.

Jesus spoke to his Father privately and in front of many. He gave his disciples words to follow and for 2,000 years believers have been using this prayer to honor, praise, seek forgiveness and find hope for the future.

Jehosaphat, king of Judah, spoke to God in a way that has stayed with me for years. In 2 Chronicles he is not crying out over a trivial matter. It’s the survival of his country. He begins with acknowledgement of all God has done and reminders of His promises. He reiterates his people’s stand. Then comes a fearful ‘but’. Standing on feet of clay he describes the current situation – the advance of the powerful troops of Ammon and Moab. “We have no power against this vast army…We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

No matter what the army we face today or what language we may use, may our eyes be upon Him.