A Prayer for Someone

There are times when we just don't know how to pray for someone.  We feel that we need to pray for them, but we have no idea what to pray.

The other day I was reading a psalm that is a perfect to pray when for someone when you don't know what to pray.

"May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May He send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
May He remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
May He give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He answers him from His holy heaven
with the saving power of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm."
Psalm 20:1-8

From this psalm here are a few things you could pray for someone when you don't know what to pray.  This list is by no means exhaustive.

1) "May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."

2) "May He send you help."

3) "May He remember all your sacrifices."

4) "May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

5) May you "trust in the name of the LORD our God."

6) May you "rise up and stand firm."

These six items from this psalm are fantastic things to pray for someone in your life.  Who doesn't need help from God?  Who hasn't made sacrifices and wondered if God would honor them?  Who doesn't have a strong desire in their heart?  Who doesn't want their plans to be successful?  Who doesn't have days where they struggle to trust God?  Who doesn't need help standing firm in their faith?

So, join with me in praying this psalm for someone.  Pick anyone you want and pray this for them.  Pray this for them and then let them know that you prayed Psalm 20 for them and I will bet that they are encouraged to know that you prayed such a powerful prayer for them today.