Praying Scripture
Praying Scripture
Cooper developed for us a phenomenal resource that points us to Scriptures we can pray through when we are feeling certain emotions. The reality is that life is not always steady and easy. At times you feel great joy and peace—we want to help you pray then. At times you feel sadness and gloom—Scripture speaks to this. Anxiety, depression, confusion, and disappointment are all emotions that show up.
In the midst of change, loss, fear, and frustration, you can pray.
Look at the options below and pick one emotion you are feeling. Click the link or flip to the chapter to read and pray through that passage or verse.
Prayer Places
Prayer Places
Nearly every single person reading this text would admit they wish they prayed more and prayed better. We all consider ourselves to be failing in some aspect of prayer. I want to help!
Below is a list of 23 different places you could pray. They are spread throughout the day and in different locations you may find yourself. I encourage you to pick five places from the list and pray in those places today.
Why do this?
If we break the seal of praying in some of these places or times in our day, it might just lead to praying during that time or in that place again in the future. As a pastor, my goal is to help you know and follow Jesus, which includes helping you pray more.
Pick five places you will pray today. If you need to, write them down, text them to yourself, make a plan. I don’t know what you need to do—but pray today.
What to pray?
They can be short prayers:
“Thank you for _______.”
“I am worried about _______.”
“Help me with _______.”
“I need you, God, _______.”
Wise “No”s
James 5:12
Some of us need to learn to say no.
I’m talking to people pleasers. Helpers. Servers. Parents. Friends in unhealthy relationships. Those suffering in abusive situations.
Your no must be no.
In parenting, inconsistency breeds chaos.
In marriage, dishonesty erodes trust.
At work, a weak no destroys credibility.
With your time, a weak no leads to burnout.
With sin, a weak no leads to destruction (James 1:15).
Every yes is also a no to something else.
If you say yes to Dancing with the Stars, you’re saying no to The Voice. You can’t be in two places at once.
Learning to say no allows you to say yes to what matters most.
Reflect:
Where do you need to say no to something you’ve allowed to become a yes—against your better judgment?
Yes be Yes
James 5:12
“But above all… let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no.”
Would you be described as trustworthy?
When you agree to something, do you follow through—or flake out?
When you speak, is it fully truthful or selectively honest?
As James concludes his letter, he begins with honest speech. Followers of Jesus must be people of integrity.
James’ command not to swear isn’t about profanity, but about invoking God’s name to prove a claim. An honest person doesn’t need extra words. A simple yes or no is enough.
Our character should be credible enough to support our words. If people can’t trust us in everyday commitments, why would they trust us with the message of the gospel?
Today, consider:
What have you said yes to that you’re trying to escape?
Where are you making excuses instead of following through?
Decide today to let your yes truly be yes.
Grumbling is a Warning Sign
How do you respond to the low fuel light in your car?
Do you never see it because you fill up at half a tank?
Do you immediately head to a gas station?
Does it cause anxiety as you push the limits?
Do you watch the gauge drop below “E”?
We all respond differently, but we all know what the light means: you’re running out of fuel. What if we have warning lights in our spiritual lives too?
I know some of mine. When I make crass jokes, I’m drifting spiritually. When I’m constantly exhausted, I’m carrying more than I should.
What are your warning signs?
Do you get hangry? Short-tempered? Withdrawn when anxious?
What if grumbling is one of those warning lights?
What if it’s not really about the driver who cut you off, your boss’s demands, or your kid’s volume—but something deeper?
James 5:9 says:
“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged.”
Patience, perseverance, and endurance are exhausting. And when we’re tired, we often take our pain out on others.
Today, pay attention to the warning lights. You may not be empty yet—but you’re close. And now is the time to refuel.
Pray:
God, help me recognize the grumbling in my life and replace it with honest reflection about what’s really going on.