Wondering What to Pray During Your Hour of Prayer?
Below is an often quoted prayer known as the “Peace Prayer.” As you read each line of the prayer, meditate on the referenced Scriptures. Then consider the prayer suggestions and ask God to show you how to reflect his way to live.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Lord, help me to bring peace into my relationships and community.
2. Teach me to respond with grace and patience in conflicts.
3. Let my words and actions reflect your love and unity.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Help me to love those who are difficult to love.
2. Replace any bitterness in my heart with your unconditional love.
3. Let me be an example of Christlike love in all situations.
Where there is injury, pardon;
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Lord, give me the strength to forgive those who have hurt me.
2. Help me seek reconciliation where there is brokenness.
3. Let me extend grace as freely as you have given it to me.
Where there is discord, union;
Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Help me be a peacemaker in my family, workplace, and church.
2. Soften my heart toward those I disagree with.
3. Bring unity to divided relationships and communities.
Where there is doubt, faith;
Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Strengthen my faith in times of uncertainty.
2. Help me trust in your plan even when I don’t understand.
3. Use me to encourage and uplift those struggling with doubt.
Where there is despair, hope;
Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Fill me with hope when I feel discouraged.
2. Help me point others to the hope found in Christ.
3. Remind me that you are always working, even in difficult times.
Where there is darkness, light;
John 8:12 – “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Shine your light through me in a world filled with darkness.
2. Guide me when I feel lost or confused.
3. Help me bring the truth of your word to those who need it.
Where there is sadness, joy.
Psalm 30:11 – “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Fill my heart with your joy, no matter my circumstances.
2. Help me comfort those who are grieving.
3. Teach me to find joy in serving you and others.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Help me to focus on comforting others rather than seeking comfort for myself.
2. Let me be a source of encouragement to those who are hurting.
3. Show me how to reflect your compassion to those in need.
To be understood, as to understand;
James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Teach me to listen with patience and wisdom.
2. Give me empathy to understand others before seeking to be understood.
3. Help me communicate with kindness and clarity.
To be loved, as to love;
John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Help me love others selflessly, as you love me.
2. Teach me to show love even when it’s difficult.
3. Let my actions reflect the love of Christ to the world.
For it is in giving that we receive;
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Help me to be generous with my time, resources, and love.
2. Remind me that true blessing comes from giving rather than receiving.
3. Show me where and how I can give to others in need.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
Matthew 6:14 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Give me a heart that forgives freely and fully.
2. Help me let go of resentment and past hurts.
3. Remind me of the forgiveness you have given me, so I may extend it to others.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
John 11:25-26 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”
Suggested Prayer:
1. Strengthen my faith in the promise of eternal life.
2. Help me live each day with an eternal perspective.
3. Let my life reflect the hope and joy of salvation.