Praying Through the Bible: Recent Episodes
Mark McDowell
Dr. Mark McDowell and his team Study every prayer in the Bible, along with other prayers, to help us enrich our own prayer lives. Each post studies the background and then the meaning of each prayer. Suggestions for how to apply what we learn are included at the end of each study. The podcast consists of both free and premium content, the latter of which you can access through Patreon.
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Join Mark McDowell as he explores this Bible study about prayer and how it might enrich our own prayers and spirituality.
In this episode, unable to have children, a difficulty that many throughout history have encountered. They turned to prayer. What can these prayers teach us about prayer when we desire something that is not happening?
Subjects covered in this episode:
-What was the importance of having children in the ancient world compared to today?
-How should we view God’s role in things that we desire, such as having children?
-How can you incorporate this sort of prayer in your own prayer practice.
Enriching Your Prayers: How to Study the Prayers of the Bible
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis-Joshua)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges-2 Samuel)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther)
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Join Mark McDowell as he explores this Bible study about prayer and how it might enrich our own prayers and spirituality.
In this episode, the servant of Abraham goes to find a wife in the homeland for Isaac. The story includes for prayers of different types, I’ll change together about the same subject. What can we learn about chain prayers from this story?
Subjects covered in this episode:
-What is a chain prayer?
-Why does Abraham send a servant a way to find a wife for his son, Isaac?
-How can we incorporate chain prayers in your own prayer practice.
Enriching Your Prayers: How to Study the Prayers of the Bible
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis-Joshua)
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Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges-2 Samuel)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther)
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Welcome to the praying through the Bible podcast! In this episode, Dr. Mark McDowell discusses the mention of prayer found in Genesis 24.26, the first mention of prayer in the Bible.
Subjects covered:
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The background of the passage: ancient gods and goddesses v the God of Israel
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The historical context
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The meaning of YHWH (translated as "LORD" in this passage
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and more!
Buy the Praying Through the Bible books on Amazon, Kindle, and Apple Books:
- Praying through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis through Joshua)
Or visit the website or our Patreon page.
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Welcome to the praying through the Bible podcast! Today, Dr. Mark McDowell presents an introduction to the 14 prayers in Genesis:
- The meaning of the word "Genesis"
- The content and themes of the book of Genesis
- a summary of the kind of prayers that Genesis includes, and how they can be used in our own practice of prayer.
- and more!
Buy the Praying Through the Bible books:
- Praying through the Bible (Vol 1: genesis through Deuteronomy)
Or visit the website or our Patreon page.
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In this final episode of Enriching Your Prayers, Dr. Mark McDowell takes all three methods we have studied (behind, in, and in front of the text) and employs them to study a prayer passage from the Bible.
Check out our website or buy the books:
- Enriching Your Prayers
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–Second Samuel)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: First Kings–Second Chronicles)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)
As always, follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more on how to enrich your prayer life.
Become a patron, get access to more material, and support the project on Patreon.
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Welcome to the Praying Through the Bible podcast, where we focus on prayer and spirituality through bible study. Today, Dr. Mark McDowell discusses the method of Bible study called "in front vof the text." In contrast to the "behind the text" method in our last episode, which looks at historical and culture context, and “in the text,” which examines the text itself, tin this approach we look at ourselves as we read and try to understand a passage of scripture, including
- our own background with faith and the Bible
- the tradition we grew up in (if any)
- any preconceived notions we might have about what a passage means
- our personality, and how it might lead us to interpret passages in a different way than someone else
- our cultural setting, and how that might influence our reading of the Bible
- and more!
Check out our website or buy the books:
- Enriching Your Prayers
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–Second Samuel)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: First Kings–Second Chronicles)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)
As always, follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more on how to enrich your prayer life.
Become a patron, get access to more material, and support the project on Patreon.
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Welcome to the Praying Through the Bible podcast, where we focus on prayer and spirituality through bible study. Today, Dr. Mark McDowell discusses the method of Bible study called "in the text." In contrast to the "behind the text" method in our last episode, which looks at historical and culture context, this method examines the text itself. This is especially helpful as we study prayer passages, looking at
- prayer language
- Hebrew words
- Greek words
- literary structure
- symbolism
- and more!
Check out our website or buy the books:
- Enriching Your Prayers
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–Second Samuel)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: First Kings–Second Chronicles)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)
As always, follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more on how to enrich your prayer life.
Become a patron, get access to more material, and support the project on Patreon.
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Dr. Mark McDowell describes the "Behind the Text" method of studying the Bible—its historical, social, and cultural contexts—and how it can be used to study the prayers of the Bible.
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Dr. Mark McDowell describes a three-part method of studying scripture, which is used by the Praying Through the Bible project to study the prayers. It consists of looking at a passage "behind the text" (the historical and social world), "in the text" (the language and grammar), and "in front of the text" (our own perspective as we approach the text). He includes examples for each approach, and then examines a passage of the Bible using all three.
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Dr, Mark McDowell explains how he approaches studying these ancient documents in what we call "the Bible," and how this impacts how we study and learn about prayer.
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Dr Mark McDowell introduces us to the prayer types known as blessings and curse-prayers. Many of us say blessings over food or a new baby, but the category is much richer than this! Curse prayers are seldom heard today, if at all. Are these still prayers that Christians can pray? Get bonus content on Patreon
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Mark McDowell explores this unusual prayer type that is not practiced often today. Is it still a valid prayer type for modern believers? If so, how do we use it in our own prayers. Get bonus content on Patreon
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Dr. Mark McDowell explores the unusual prayer called lament. Not often heard today, this is a prayer found in the Old and New Testaments when someone felt as if God had abandoned them. What do we learn about prayer from this overview, and how can we use it in our own prayers? Get bonus content on Patreon
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Join Dr Mark McDowell as he explores a more rare form of prayers: confession and repentance. While they are found often in the Bible—usually as public prayers—we don't hear them often today. How can we learn to use them in our own prayers? Get bonus content on Patreon
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Dr. Mark McDowell gives an overview of prayers of petition (asking for things for yourself) and intercession (asking for things for others). These are common in the Bible (though not as common as prayers of praise). This podcast looks at the content, structure, and purpose of these prayers, how they are used, and how we can use them in our own prayers.
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Dr. Mark McDowell explores the prayers of thanksgiving of the Bible, giving an overview of the structure, character, and content of these prayers, and how they can be used in our own prayer practice.
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This episode explores the first type of prayer we will study: prayers of praise. Often, people make little distinction between prayers of praise and prayers of thanksgiving. But Dr. Mark McDowell explains that it is helpful to distinguish between the two in our understanding of the function of prayers of praise l even if we do combine them in practice.
Our image of God has a lot to do with how we praise him. And prayers of praise help us put the focus on God himself and the devotion he deserves.
Mark McDowell, Enriching Our Prayers: How to Study the Prayers of the Bible. Keledei Publications, 2020.
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In this episode, Mark McDowell explains the nine categories or types of prayers he finds in the Bible, and describes the structure, continent, and purpose of each one. This sets the groundwork for studying every prayer passage in the Bible in order to enrich our own prayers. Get bonus content on Patreon
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In this first episode, Dr. Mark McDowell explains the beginnings of the Praying Through the Bible podcast, its approach and method, all with the goal of enriching our prayers. Get bonus content on Patreon
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Listen to this Introduction to the prayers the prayers of First Kings before we dive into each prayer itself.�
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Buy the Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle| Apple Books
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Listen to this summary of all the prayers we have studied in 2 Samuel.
Become of supporter of the Praying Through the Bible project. For less than a cup of coffee a month, you will get access to every podcast, resources on prayer, discounts on books, and more.
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Buy the Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle| Apple Books
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Become a patron and listen to every podcast. Today's prayer study focuses on two prayers of King David, inquiries of God by casting lots. What can we learn about prayer?
*David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?”
When David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.*
These prayer passages are two of the last times that we read of David (or any leader of Israel) “inquiring” of God. The practice of gaining a “yes” or “no” answer from God is coming to an end (at least in the biblical story).
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Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle| Apple Books
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Listen to this introduction to the 14 prayers found in Second Samuel. Get bonus content on Patreon
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Listen to the summary of the prayers in 1 Samuel that we have studied the past few months. Get bonus content on Patreon
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This passage contrasts the power of God with the power of human authority. Though David is a fugitive from the State, he is loyal to the people. He is a savior of the people or a traitor, depending on one’s perspective. The passage also demonstrates that God allows humans the freedom to act as they wish; it is through prayer and His answers that he controls events. Listen to the audio version of this study.
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Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle| Apple Books
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“I will pray to the LORD for you.”
“Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, and pray that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.
Listen to this prayer study about the new prophet Samuel and how he cries out to God in times of distress. What can we learn from thisabout our own prayers?
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Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle | Apple Books
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An audio version of the summary of all the prayers in First Samuel.
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Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle | Apple Books
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Listen to this summary of the prayers in the book of Ruth, which teach us about blessing-prayers.
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Want more prayer studies like this?
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle | Apple Books
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Listen to this prayer study of the blessing by Boaz from the book of Ruth. Read by Dr. Markus.
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Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua) | Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2: Judges–2 Samuel) Paperback | Kindle | iBook
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3: 1 Kings–2 Chronicles) Paperback | Kindle | Apple Books
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) Amazon | Kindle | Apple Books
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There are more prayers per amount of text in the short book of Ruth than any other book in Bible except Esther. Listen to this introduction as read by the author.
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Here is a brief summary of the prayers in the book of Judges, and what we learned from them. Get bonus content on Patreon
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Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, “O, LORD, I pray, let the man of God whom you sent come to us again and teach us what we are to do concerning the boy who will be born.”
Listen to this study of the prayer of Manoah about his son, Samson.
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What is a prayer of confession? Often, such prayers are an admittance of guilt followed by a petition for forgiveness. But this prayer, by Ezra, is a pure prayer of confession—no requests, no excuses, no reasons. A difficult prayer to offer, but one of power.
References
- Ezra 9.6-15
- See Lev 18; 19:19
- Deut 7:1-4, 20:10-18
Resources
- Praying Through the Bible website
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1): Genesis-Joshua (Paperback| Kindle| iBook)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2): Judges-2 Samuel (Paperback| Kindle| iBook)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3): 1 Kings–2 Chronicles (Paperback| Kindle)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 4): Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. (Amazon | Kindle | Apple Books)
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This is the first prayer found in Judges. Called the “Song of Deborah," it is a poetic prayer/hymn that describes God's saving acts. It contains blessings and praises to Him for the victory of the Israelite forces over their enemies. Based on the style of Hebrew, it is one of the oldest hymns in the Bible—perhaps from the 12th century BC. In the ancient world, it was not unusual to compose hymns or songs in celebration of a great victory. The Israelites did the same here.
References
- Exodus 15
- Judges 4.1, 4
Visit the website at http://www.prayingthruthebible.com.
Resources
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1): Genesis-Joshua (Paperback| Kindle| iBook)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2): Judges-2 Samuel (Paperback| Kindle| iBook)
- Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3): 1 Kings–2 Chronicles (Paperback| Kindle)
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The separation of Church and State is written into the U.S. Constitution, a result of modern historical realities. But for believers, the separation—and connections—is found even in the ancient book of Ezra. This prayer gives us some insights into how prayer plays a part in the interaction between the State and our faith.
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In the modern world (at least in the Western world) we do not offer many prayer vows. Many may not even know what a “prayer-vow” sounds like. Yet, there are many prayer vows in the Bible—two in Genesis. Dr. McDowell examines the practice of prayer-vows—both proper ones and improper ones—through a brief study of Jacob’s vow to God.Visit the website at www.prayingthruthebible.com
References
Homer, Iliad 6.86–101, 305–10; 10.284–94.
Livy 10.19.17.
Nazarite Vows: Numbers 6; Acts 21.23-26.
Hannah and Jephtah’s vows: 1 Sam 1 .11–13, 15, 17; Judges 11.30-31
Resources
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1): Genesis-Joshua (Paperback | Kindle | iBook)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 2): Judges-2 Samuel (Paperback | Kindle | iBook)
Praying Through the Bible (Vol 3): 1 Kings–2 Chronicles (Paperback | Kindle )
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The first mention of prayer in the Bible is in Genesis 4.6, as people “…began to invoke the name of the LORD.” The name used here for “Lord” is packed with meaning, and offers a lot for us to think about in our own prayers.Or listen on iTunes (Apple Podcasts)
Resources
Context: Genesis 4.1-26 (biblica.com) –
Book: Praying Through the Bible (Vol 1: Genesis–Joshua)
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