By David Fry
Prayer is perhaps the most essential element of sermon preparation for the preacher, but what does that preparation in prayer look like practically? Pastor David Fry suggests these ten Scriptural prayer requests that a pastor should pray as he prepares to minister to his congregation on the Lord’s Day.
1. That he will receive words from the Lord
Ephesians 6:18-19—“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.”
2. That he will faithfully speak the Word of God
Jeremiah 23:28—“…and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully…”
3. That he will rightly explain and apply God’s Word
II Timothy 2:15—“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
4. That the message will lead someone to faith in Christ
Romans 10:14—“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
5. That he will allow God to make His Word grow
I Corinthians 3:6—“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
6. That someone will grow in spiritual maturity
Colossians 1:28—“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
7. That he will speak God’s Word with clarity
Colossians 4:2-4—“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
8. That he will use Scripture the way God intends it to be used
II Timothy 3:16-17—“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
9. That he will preach for the approval of God
Galatians 1:10—“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
10. That he will preach with love
I Corinthians 13:2—“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
