Praying the Ten Commandments as a pattern

 

Using the Scriptures as a Pattern for Prayer

A week ago at our 9:00 am Wednesday meeting to pray over our city, we spoke about using scriptures to pray by adding our own words to the scriptures. The Lord's Prayer was our suggested pattern as an example.  Many of the Psalms may also be used.

 

This Wednesday, we considered using the 10 commandments to pray over our city and our nation. Each commandment was adapted into a prayer with our own words for our city and nation.   The following was our hand out from Don Nori’s book.

Praying the Ten Commandments as a pattern 

Excerpts’ from Don Nori’s book:

"Hope for the Praying Nation: Petitioning Heaven for Change in Your Country"

Praying the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 3-17) We use this portion of Scripture as a pattern of prayer because we know that these instructions came straight from the heart of God to maintain order among humankind. As in any pattern of prayer, you will think of other things to pray for as you use the following notes. Remember that a pattern will always help you in this way. As you pray according to a pattern, the Lord will bring many things to memory that you should remember in prayer. You may even find that you will not be able to pray through an entire pattern at one sitting. That is fine. The goal is to develop a spontaneous and vibrant conversation with the Lord. A pattern only helps you to get started.

First Commandment: You shall have no other gods before Me.

Today we honor You as the only God; there is none beside You. We honor You as our Creator. We honor You as sovereign Lord. We worship You as the only God, full of mercy and truth. There is none higher, none more wonderful than You. We praise Your wonderful name.

Second Commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image… you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.

Anything that stands between you and God is an idol. We pray blessings and not curses upon our children, blessings to the fourth generation. We also pray blessings on our nation, our leaders, and our communities. We trust God for the best possible He has for them. Lord, help us to notice when something seems to be more important than You; when something comes between us and Your love and plan for us.  

Third Commandment You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

God, You reveal Yourself to me through Your name. The Bible gives You several names. They all help me to understand who You really are and how much You really love me.

You are the Lord:

Jehovah-Tsidkenu— God is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23: 5)

Jehovah-M’Kaddesh— God Sanctifies me (Psalm 23: 5)

Jehovah-Shalom— God is my Peace (Psalm 23: 2)

Jehovah-Shammah— God is Present (Ezekiel 48: 35)

Jehovah-Rophe— God is my Healer (Psalm 30: 2)

Jehovah-Jireh— God is my Provider (Genesis 22: 14)

Jehovah-Nissi— God is my Standard-Bearer (Exodus 17: 15)

Jehovah-Rohi— God is my Shepherd (Psalm 23: 1)  

Fourth Commandment Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

God Himself is my Sabbath or rest; and there remains a rest for the people of God (see Hebrews 4: 9-10). I trust You, God, to do what I cannot do. I want You, Lord. I rest in Your love, in Your provision. I refuse to be fearful. I refuse to panic. I rest in Your love for me.  

Fifth Commandment Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

We pray concerning the rebellion in the hearts of youth. Lord, I pray for the children, all children. Lord, please turn the hearts of the children back to their parents, back toward their families. Please mend the brokenness among families and help our children to have a heartfelt love and respect for their parents. (See Malachi 4: 6.) We pray for parents, that their hearts would turn to their children; to love them, to raise them with honor and in the fear of the Lord.  

Sixth Commandment You shall not murder.

We pray for a respect for life across the United States of America. We take it as a personal assault on our faith when someone is murdered. We pray for domestic tranquility and harmony in every home. Lord, no one hates murder more than You do. I pray for Your Presence in our cities and towns. But I also pray for Your Presence in our hearts so that the spirits of murder and death will have no place to rest. Let healing come to our hearts and to our land.  

Seventh Commandment You shall not commit adultery.

Oh Lord, I take authority over the spirit of lust that drives men and women to compromise their lives. We pray that the marriage beds will be undefiled and that men and women will look upon one another as temples of the Holy Spirit. I pray for holiness to be born in the hearts of all Your people. I pray that Your love will overcome the lust that so many fight and hate. May we see our spouses as the wonderful gifts from the Lord that they really are. Teach us to love them with everything that is in us.  

Eighth Commandment You shall not steal.

I pray that people will not steal but work with their hands. We pray that people will give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. Lord, help me not to be greedy and envious of others. You take wonderful care of me. Besides, if I need anything, all I have to do is ask You. You are my Provider. I love You. Thank You, Lord.  

Ninth Commandment You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

I pray that people will not become false witnesses against their neighbors. I pray that our reputations will be safe in the hands of others and vice versa. Help us to be truthful to ourselves and to You, Lord. You can only forgive us if we are honest with ourselves and with You. May truth grow up from the deepest part of our hearts. May I learn to love the truth and cherish it.

 

Tenth Commandment You shall not covet your neighbor’s house nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

I pray that people will find themselves content no matter what their situation. Help me to be content. Help me to rejoice with another’s promotion or new car or whatever You bless them with. You supply everything I need. I am happy for Your provision. Thank You, Lord. I love You!