Happy new year, Josh! I need your guidance. I want to turn Isaiah 43 into a prayer for _____ for the new year. The verses that talk about giving other people or other nations “in exchange“ don’t seem to apply. How do I take a full chapter of scripture, and modify it without dishonoring God‘s word? For years, I’ve used books written by other people to do this for my kids, but I failed to do it on my own. Can you guide me in this process? Are there “rules“ to follow? Thank you in advance for your time. Alicia D.
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What a great question! Essentially, what’s being asked is “How do I take Scripture and turn it into a prayer?” Below, I’ll use Isaiah 43 as an example, but as far as “rules” go, the only thing to make sure of is 1) to not make something into a guaranteed promise if it isn’t in Scripture and 2) to be careful to not apply something to us today that was for a specific individual/nation in the past.
Here’s an example using Isaiah 43 as a prayer for your child.
Isaiah 43:1-3a (NLT)
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Prayer: God, you created my child. You formed them in the womb. My child has claimed belief in you, which means you’ve ransomed him/her. You have purchased their salvation on the cross. You have called him/her by name. You have said, “He/she is mind.” Father, right now, ___ is going through the deep waters of life. Rivers of difficulty are surrounding him/her. It’s as if he/she’s in a fire of oppression. So I’m asking you, Lord, my and his/her God, the Holy One of Israel and the only Savior, to reveal to him/her how you are with them, for you have promised to never leave nor forsake him/her. Help them to know of your saving presence. Help him/her to tangibly see how they are not drowning because you are keeping their head above water; you’re keeping the flames of the fiery trials from scorching them. You do this because you love ___. May he/she know your love more deeply and intimately because of this season of life. And may I, his/her parent, know your love more deeply and intimately as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
That’s an example using just the first two and a half verses. But it could continue through the rest of the psalm. When you come to a verse where there’s no specific direct application to your situation, just skip it. It’s OK to do so. This is between you and God anyway. He understands and is delighted in you spending time in prayer with him.