Praying prayers for God’s grace in every situation helps connect you to God and reminds you that this free gift of grace is always available to those who love the Lord! Keep reading to be encouraged in every aspect of your life.
We say a blessing of grace before dinner with our families. Ballet dancers move with grace across a stage. What does it mean to pray for grace? What is the difference between the word “grace” in the examples above and the grace God offers in the Bible. In short, God’s grace is his ever present kindness, something none of us could live without.
Praying for His grace as we go about our day not only allows us to have grace for ourselves but also for our families and those we encounter throughout our lives. Embracing God’s grace for you helps you give the same level of kindness to yourself and others.
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Understanding God’s Grace
God’s grace is all around us. We do not always recognize the protection he offers and the kindness that is all around us. God’s grace is ongoing, but to fully experience it, we have to go a step further.
The first mention of grace in the Bible is in the story of Noah in Genesis 6:8 NKJV. God proclaimed that he would destroy mankind because of the wickedness that had overcome the earth.
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
Another word for grace is “favor” or “kindness.” God showed kindness to Noah by saving his family from the global flood that was going to destroy mankind. It was by God’s grace that Noah was involved in a plan to save his family and two of every creature on the earth.
God is Grace
God’s grace is available to all because he is God. That is his character. God’s many names in the Bible express his kindness:
- El Roi: The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13)
- El Shaddai: The All-Sufficient One (Genesis 17:1)
- Yahweh Yireh: The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)
- Yahweh Rapha: The Lord Who Heals You (Exodus 15:26)
- Jesus: Yahweh Saves (Titus 3:4–7)
The whole picture of the Bible is of a kind God who wants to have a relationship with his people and pour out his grace on them. While there are many moments in the Bible where we see God’s wrath poured out and his punishment for their disobedience, he ultimately sends his Son to die for their sin.
God’s grace is embodied in the sacrifice of His Son. Instead of destroying the world again, as he promised Noah he would not do, God sent his Son to save the world.
God’s grace cannot be earned
A few verses later, in Genesis 6:9, we learn that Noah
“was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.”
This may make you think that Noah earned God’s grace because he walked with God and had a close relationship with him. Grace is given freely to all who seek it. It is always available.
As humans, it is hard for us to imagine that God’s grace is freely given. In this world, nothing of any value is actually free. God’s grace is 100% free.
Just because something is free does not mean it is without cost. There is always a cost to going against the crowd. I doubt Noah was cheered on by his community while he built an ark for a flood that was so unbelievable because it had never rained or flooded before. Noah chose God’s path, not his own or those who lived around him.
The people of Noah’s time were wicked. They lived apart from God and did not walk with him as Noah did. To gain access to something, you must first know who is granting the access. Noah knew the giver and made his life available to receive the grace freely given to him. Noah didn’t walk in the ways of the wicked but walked with God.
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God’s grace is given through a connection with him
Your house is wired for electricity, but until you plug something into the outlet, you cannot access it. God is the same way when it comes to accessing his grace. You have to walk with God, as Noah did, to become a conduit for his kindness.
Connecting with God is done in many ways. Spending time in worship, fellowshipping with other believers, and reading God’s Word helps us tap into the free grace of God. Ultimately, spending time with God in prayer brings us closer to his voice, direction, and favor.
Also Read: 5 Powerful Prayers for Encouragement for Every Situation
5 Prayers for God’s Grace
Now that we have a better understanding of the grace of God, lets look at some examples of prayers for grace in each aspect of our lives.
A Prayer for God’s Grace in Your Life
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for your abundant grace. Thank you for being the giver of grace and allowing me to have a relationship with you. I do not deserve the free gift of your favor and kindness in my life. Open my eyes to see the grace you lavish on my life on a daily basis. As I move through my day, help me to stay connected to you, walking with you, and covered by your grace. Amen”
A Prayer for God’s Grace for Your Spouse
“Father, Thank you for my relationship with my spouse. I ask that my words and actions toward him be a reflection of the grace you have given to me. Help my grace-filled words build him up, helping him to walk closer with you. Amen”
A Prayer for God’s Grace in Your Home
“Dear God, Thank you for this grace-filled home. Help my family and all those who enter to have grace with one another. Fill us with abundant grace as we walk with you, so that we can be an outpouring of kindness on others. Even when we get frustrated with one another, help us to choose grace in our words and actions. Amen”
A Prayer for God’s Grace for Those Around You
“Father God, When I run errands and scroll social media, it is evident that this world needs more of you. Thank you for the grace you freely give when none of us deserve it. When I encounter those who do not walk with you, allow your kindness to flow through me. Help me smile, even when I don’t feel like it. Lead me with your kindness to show kindness to others who need it the most. Amen”
A Prayer for God’s Grace for Yourself
“Lord, Thank you for your ever-present favor in my life. Having grace for myself is so difficult when I see my faults and weaknesses so clearly. Remind me of your grace daily; even though you see it all, you still choose to cover me in your kindness. Help me to be kind to myself through my thoughts, words, and actions. Your grace is enough, even when I am lacking. Amen”
Pray for God’s Grace then give it freely to yourself and others
We are told to give ourselves and others grace when mistakes are made and forgiveness is needed. But often, this is easier said than done. God’s grace runs freely, but our human nature wants to punish others and make others feel a little bit of our hurt when something is done to us.
As we spend time in prayer, accessing the full grace of God, his abundance of grace will overflow and be poured out on ourselves and those around us.
Take the time to tap into God’s grace. Walking with God through prayer, his word, worship, and fellowship with other believers allows you to be a steadfast conduit of His grace so that you and others can be built up in faith and strength in the Lord.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV reminds us to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” God’s outpouring of grace in your life will not only impact you but also have a significant impact on those around you. His grace is ready and available, given freely.
Written by: Leah Lively
Leah Lively was born and raised in Virginia. As a mom of four, she has waded through the waters of parenting a child with chronic physical and mental health issues. Leah is passionate about helping others focus on God while walking through the chaos of life. Leah writes to encourage others and grow in their faith. She writes to let other parents know they are not alone. She shares her writing on her blog and social media pages and has also published four Bible studies. In her spare time, Leah enjoys listening to podcasts, hanging out with her kids, settling down with a good book and a cup of coffee, or spending time with friends.