Prayer in Psalms and Proverbs

ADORATION (of God)

Humble Yourself—The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23

Respect the Lord—The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:33)

Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. (Proverbs 28:14)

CONFESSION (of sin)

Turn Your Lips—Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Turn Your Lives—Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Proverbs 16:17

THANKSGIVING (to God)

Recognize the Source—For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

Rest in the Source—trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12

Respond to the Source—Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. Proverbs 3:9

SUPPLICATION (asking)

Seek Him—Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. Proverbs 28:5

Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice. Proverbs 29:26

Speak to—The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

Make Godly Requests Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die. Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me. Proverbs 30:7-8

Seek His Favor—A good man obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 12:2

Seek His Answers—The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:1

What should guide our prayers?

Pray According to His Voice

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:13-15

Pray According to His Character

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. Proverbs 15:8

Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. John 16:23

Pray According to His Relationship

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22

…and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:22