Day 3

The God Who Guides

from the reading plan


Acts 1:4-26, Deuteronomy 29:29, Ephesians 6:18


Though Scripture contains many written prayers, like those found in the book of Psalms, and many teachings on how to pray, like the parables and sermons in Jesus’s ministry, this reading plan focuses on the prayers offered to God in the narratives of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a narrative that includes a prayer from an individual or group. Their prayers vary in length, type, posture, purpose, and God’s response. The secondary passages explore how the rest of Scripture speaks to the themes demonstrated in the main reading. 

While each account is different, every prayer recorded in Scripture teaches us about the unchanging God who invites us to speak to and hear from Him. These prayers model for us what it can look like to be in conversation with God. As you read, notice the posture and emotions present each day. 

Reading Scripture together is the centerpiece of what we do at He Reads Truth. As we spend time as a community reading Prayers in Scripture together, we encourage you to start by reading the daily Scripture on your own. Then join us here to engage and encourage one another as we respond to what we’ve read in the comments. 


What is your relationship with prayer—has it been a struggle, something that comes naturally, or something you’ve learned?

Post Comments (6)

6 thoughts on "The God Who Guides"

  1. Toby says:

    Thanks for all your replies on Monday, guys – great to know I’ve been prayed for! Thanking God for you all.
    I feel like prayer life is always in flux – as soon as something ‘works’, circumstances change or suddenly it doesn’t ‘work’, and it can feel like back to the drawing board. What I’m trying to foster in my prayer life is the ‘everyday’-ness; in my church, it can feel tempting to have to use the right words, we use a lot of set prayers, which can be great but also make freestyle prayer intimidating. So I’m throwing out requests for parking spaces and thanks for good food to help remind me I can pray about whatever, and God always cares and listens.
    I always find this Acts passage encouraging – they prayed and then cast lots. The answer doesn’t have to be shining in the sky, God uses all ways to answer our prayers.

  2. Mike G says:

    Prayer has been a struggle in consistency. Dr. Stanley has a prayer time every day to strat the day. I am learning to thread prayer into every moment of life. Am I succeeding- far from it. A life long goal that is truly worth it. My daily He Reads Truth, my other devotionals and podcasts help. Nothing substitutes for time alone with God.

  3. Tim I says:

    It’s verses like this in Acts 1 that encourage me to ask for guidance. Sometimes I feel like asking God to tell me “what happens next” is simply a lack of faith. But it’s also a practical expression of us trying to align ourselves in His will.

  4. Tim says:

    Well, prayer has definitely not come naturally. It is most certainly a discipline for me, a discipline that I must confess is challenging. I am painfully aware that apart from prayer nothing of any eternal value in my family, my church, or my own personal life will take place. But, I am also trying to learn to pray from a place of wanting to be with Him more than for what I can get out of it. In that sense prayer is a both/and rather than an either/or scenario, but I have at times felt I was seeking His hand more than His face so I am trying to have more balance in that. So, prayer is definitely something I’m learning!

  5. Jeff says:

    My prayer life, like my Christian journey is not a straight line but rather a road with many forks, detours, obstacles and other diversions. I learn more everyday and I think it is ok to pray whenever the Holy Spirit moves us. There is no set time or format…..it is a conversion with our Father. Thanks for all of the comments. It is always good to know that prayer can both be a time of joy and a struggle depending upon where we are at a given time. We must however always remember that God listens to pray….we just may not get the answer on our timeline or the answer we want it. We must be patient.

  6. Stephen says:

    Prayer for me is much like it is for all of you a journey. Just a little over two years ago I began writing my prayers in a journal. It is absolutely incredible to step back in time when I re-read the prayers.

    So much I had worried about never came true or happened in a way I would never expect. God is showing me he is faithful and true even when I doubt what the scriptures say.

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