Grow closer to God as you navigate life's challenges with these forty simple prayers to help guide your journey. Do you ever get distracted when you pray? Do your thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again—your head swarming with all the things you need to do that day? If so, there is hope. Max Lucado knows what it feels like to struggle with prayer. If you can relate, never fear! The sign-up sheet for Prayer 101 in the Bible contains some familiar apostles—the first followers of Jesus needed some prayer guidance too. In this brief book, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado will help you direct your prayers to the Source of all hope and strength in Pocket Prayers , which contains 40 guided prayers and complementary scriptures for any situation. This pass-along companion to Before Amen can serve as: A personal prayer book - An outreach tool for ministries and churches - A simple encouragement for those who struggle to pray Today, let the conversation with God begin. Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado X.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast Andrea Lucado is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. She is the author of English Lessons: The Crooked Path of Growing Toward Faith . Before taking on writing full time, she worked in the Christian publishing industry as a book publicist. She has a master’s degree in English literature from Oxford-Brookes University and contributes regularly to online and print publications such as Relevant magazine and She Reads Truth . When she is not conducting interviews or writing stories, you can find her laughing with friends at a coffee shop or running in the Texas hill country. Pocket Prayers 40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest By Max Lucado, Andrea Lucado Thomas Nelson Copyright © 2014 Max Lucado All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7180-1404-9 CHAPTER 1 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15 Father, you have made me your child through your Spirit. In your kindness you adopted me and delivered me from sin and death. Remind me today what it means to be your child and to be free from that law. It is so easy for me to live my day on my own terms. Help me to live it in light of your grace. I pray for my friends and family. Help them experience your love as their father and feel their inheritance in your spirit. Thank you for accepting me as I am but not leaving me the same. In Jesus' name, amen. CHAPTER 2 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Galatians 4:6 Abba, thank you for sending a helper to direct my steps. You know everything and will guide me in your will. Help me to know your will. Keep me on the path you have set for me. Give me the desire to stay true to that path, and forgive me for the times I have already strayed from you. Be with my friends and family who are at a crossroads and don't know what to do next. May your spirit guide them and make the best decision clear. Thank you for caring about the details of my life, for not believing any request is too small. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen. CHAPTER 3 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9–10 Father, you are above all, know all, and see all. Yet you hear me as if I am your only creation. May I not view you as a distant father, but as one who has come to earth and understands the challenges and temptations of my life. Be near me today and whisper reminders that you are close and holding me as your child. My friends need you today as they make difficult decisions in their workplaces and within their families. Would you show them that you are closer than even their earthly fathers? Thank you for hearing me and listening to my pleas. It's in Jesus' name I pray this, amen. CHAPTER 4 Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6 God, you are my father who gives all good things. I have life because of you, and there is no one like you. I ask that you would deepen that truth in my heart today. Point out my idols and the things I worship apart from you, that I would remember you alone are my God. Give my friends and loved ones freedom from