Topical Encyclopedia
Prayer for temporal blessings refers to the act of seeking God's provision and favor in matters related to earthly life, such as health, prosperity, and daily needs. This practice is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition, where believers are encouraged to present their requests to God with faith and humility.
Biblical FoundationThe Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on praying for temporal blessings. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often sought God's provision and protection in their journey through the wilderness. For instance, in
Exodus 16, God responds to the Israelites' need for food by providing manna from heaven. This narrative underscores the principle that God is attentive to the physical needs of His people.
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray for daily sustenance in the Lord's Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread" (
Matthew 6:11). This petition highlights the importance of relying on God for daily provisions and acknowledges Him as the ultimate source of all blessings.
Principles of Prayer for Temporal Blessings1.
Faith and Trust: Believers are called to approach God with faith, trusting in His goodness and provision.
Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
2.
Contentment and Gratitude: While praying for temporal blessings, Christians are encouraged to maintain a spirit of contentment and gratitude.
Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
3.
Alignment with God's Will: Prayers for temporal blessings should align with God's will and purposes.
James 4:3 warns, "And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will above personal desires.
4.
Persistence and Patience: The Bible encourages believers to be persistent in prayer. Jesus illustrates this in the parable of the persistent widow in
Luke 18:1-8, teaching that persistent prayer is effective and valued by God.
Examples of Prayers for Temporal Blessings·
Hannah's Prayer for a Child: In
1 Samuel 1, Hannah prays earnestly for a son, and God grants her request, blessing her with Samuel. Her prayer exemplifies faith, persistence, and dedication to God's will.
·
Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom: In
1 Kings 3:9-13, Solomon asks God for wisdom to govern Israel. God not only grants him wisdom but also blesses him with wealth and honor, demonstrating that God rewards those who seek His guidance for righteous purposes.
·
Jabez's Prayer for Prosperity: In
1 Chronicles 4:10, Jabez prays, "Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." God honors his request, illustrating that sincere prayers for blessing and protection are heard by God.
ConclusionPrayer for temporal blessings is a vital aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a dependence on God for all aspects of earthly existence. Through faith, gratitude, and alignment with God's will, believers can confidently present their needs to God, trusting in His provision and timing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 28:20And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Torrey's Topical TextbookProverbs 30:8
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, "Why could not we Cast ...
... When sleepeth prayer? ... So then let us beg for these eternal blessings with all eager ...
But those other temporal good things sometimes profit, and sometimes harm. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxx on the words.htm
The Disciple, -- Sometimes this Question is Asked, "Since God is ...
... pay little regard to temporal blessings, but fix their love on the unseen and spiritual.
We cannot alter the will of God, but the man of prayer can discover ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 3.htm
Our Requests Made Known unto God
... No matter what gracious spiritual and temporal blessings the promise contains, we
cannot receive them until we make our requests known unto God in prayer. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 2 our requests made.htm
Temporal Advantages.
... pleasures; and hence, that no temporal blessings, however exalted ... themselves into
communities for prayer and praise ... were no longer encompassed by temporal trials ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm
Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
... [His prayer is more a boast as to himself than an expression of worship ... Moreover,
he petitions for no temporal blessings, but simply asks for mercy"I. Tim. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcvii parable of the pharisee.htm
The Objects of Merit
... the just congruously merit such temporal blessings as good ... further than this by
describing temporal favors as ... two important facts: first, that prayer is more ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the objects of.htm
The Prayer of Jabez
... If you take then the prayer of Jabez as being put in ... light, and compare the blessing
Jabez craved with those blessings that are temporal and transient. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm
Appendix V in the Directory.
... OF PRAYER AFTER THE SERMON. ... and for all other National Deliverances; For the Reformation
of Religion; For the Covenant; and for many Temporal blessings.". ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/appendix v in the directory.htm
On Indulgences
... works done by giving us some temporal blessings or benefits ... Just how much of the
temporal punishment God blotted ... forty days by saying a little prayer to which ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 21 on indulgences.htm
Psalm CXVI.
... since he hath hoped that God will listen to the voice of his prayer? ... be comforted:"
[5084] I did not wait until I should lose those temporal blessings in which ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxvi.htm
Resources
Questions about Prayer (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the purpose of prayer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a prayer circle? | GotQuestions.orgPrayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
