Christians believe that God communicates with his people through the Bible, and praying with Scripture is central to the Christian life. Jesus himself prayed on the cross, using words taken from Psalm 22 – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.
A jar filled with colour-coded Bible verses, offering suggestions to address various emotions, can be a valuable resource for supporting your prayers at home. It can also be used in a church setting for visitors who come to pray.
How to make a Prayer Jar
What you need
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A large jar or container.
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A printed label. Print this out in colour or use coloured pens to colour in a black and white version.
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Thin card (or paper) cut into strips. You can either use card of the different colours suggested, or colour each end of the card to represent Bible verses to correspond with specific emotions. You could also use different coloured pens instead.
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Bible verses for each emotion. Write the verses below on thin strips of appropriately coloured card and place in the jar. To pray with your jar, choose a verse on the card that matches your emotion.
Anxious
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. – Psalm 91:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. – Psalm 46:1-2
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34
For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1
Thankful
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. – Psalm 100:4
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. – Psalm 107:1
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:20
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Angry
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. – Proverbs 14:29
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 5:9
In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. – Ephesians 4:26
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. – James 1:19-20
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. – Mark 11:25
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. – Psalm 37:8
Happy
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. – Psalm 16:11
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. – Psalm 133:1
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. – Ecclesiastes 3:12
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. – Isaiah 12:6
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13
Sad
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-9
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God. – Psalm 42:11
God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3
The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 23:18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16
Lonely
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:6
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. – Joshua 1:5
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:20
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5