A Way to Pray (Part Three)

By Tom Castor | February 28, 2017 |

This excerpt from Matthew Henry’s (1662-1714) A Method of Prayer is quoted here to assist you in your own prayer for “missions”. Look [here] for a more complete introduction.

Pray for the Universal Church

For the universal church, wherever dispersed, and for all the interests of it.

Our heart’s desire and prayer to God for the gospel-Israel is that it may be saved. 

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem.  Peace be within her walls and security within her towers. For our brothers and companions’ sake, we will now say, “Peace be within her.” 

O that we may see the prosperity of the gospel-Jerusalem all the days of our life and peace upon Israel.  And that, thus, we may have reason to answer the messengers of the nations, saying, “The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge.” 

Save your people, O Lord, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd and carry them forever.  Give strength to your people, and bless your people with peace;  cover them with favor as with a shield. 

Grace be with all who love the Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible; for you know those who are yours, and give to all who name the name of Christ to depart from iniquity. 

We pray for all who believe in Christ, that they may all be one;  and since there is one body and one Spirit and one hope that belongs to our call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all,  give to all Christians to be of one heart and one way. 

Let the word of the Lord in all places speed ahead, and let it be honored. 

Romans 10:1; Psalm 51:18; Psalm 122:7-8; Psalm 128:5-6; Isaiah 14:32; Psalm 28:9; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 5:12; Ephesians 6:24; 2 Timothy 2:19; John 17:20-21; Ephesians 4:4-6; Jeremiah 32:39; 2 Thessalonians 3:1 

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

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. 

O give them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, the truth as it is in Jesus, the truth which accords with godliness; that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil. 

Let those who are straying like sheep return to Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. 

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. 

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.  You have exalted above all things your name and your word; magnify the law, magnify the gospel, and make both glorious. 

Let those who will not be won by the word, be won by the conduct of Christians,  which we 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.

Psalm 51:13; 2 Timothy 2:25; Ephesians 4:21; Titus 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 2:25; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 8:20; Psalm 138:2; Isaiah 42:21; 1 Peter 3:1

There are several options, should you want to secure a copy of Henry’s book for yourself. The original can be found in some rare bookshops. A .pdf copy of the original is available [here].  Two modern revisions are available [here] and [here]. Eight Versions are available as free eBooks. [here]. Differences are based on Bible versions used (NIV, ESV, NASB) and the perspective taken (First Person, Corporate). For 13 Convincing Arguments on Why to Pray the Scripture, take a look [here].

Tom Castor

Thomas Castor, founder of Clear and Simple Media Group, is a seasoned writer and communicator who has been delivering content with clarity and simplicity for 30 years.