Foundations
Episode 5
Habits in the Bible
The Bible illuminates both the pattern and the content of prayer.
SERIES: FOUNDATIONS
Episode 5 of 7
These companion notes are designed to help you continue the conversation with God beyond the episode.
SCRIPTURE
What We Studied for this Episode
These are some of the Scriptures we used to prepare and share in this episode. Click the triangle to see the passages.
Daniel 6:10-11 – Daniel’s prayer habits
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Psalm 5:1-3 – David’s prayer habits
1Give ear to my words, O Lord;
consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you[a] and watch.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Esther 4:16-17 – Esther’s call to fast
16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”[c] 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Numbers 6:22-27 – The Aaronic Blessing
22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance[c] upon you and give you peace.
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
As Mentioned on this Episode
These are the books, articles, podcasts, and other resources referenced during this conversation.
The Rule of Life Series: John Mark Comer
John Mark Comer is well-known for his book “Practicing the Way” and his podcast is found in our Resource Library. Here are two other resources by Comer, first is a podcast series that he did on the Rule of Life, which reviews nine biblical practices that Christians can follow. Within that larger project, he has many resources available, so I have linked to the pages that review his resources on prayer and fasting.
REFLECT
Slow down and consider what God may be showing you.
Read slowly through the Scriptures and think back to the conversation. Don’t rush to the “right” answer. What draws your heart?
Notice
Do you have a regular time each day that you tend to pray? Think about when and where this occurs. How does that time influence the rest of your day?
Have you ever fasted? What, if anything prompted the fast? How did the experience go?
Consider
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talked about prayer and fasting as though they were normal, common experiences in the life of a believer. What steps can you take to follow this model as Jesus taught?
Respond
Take some time to read blessings that are found in the Bible (for example, the Aaronic blessing referenced above). How can you use these as a form of prayer in your own life? Who can you take time to pray a blessing over this week?
PRACTICE
This Week
One simple invitation
Psalm 5:3 says, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
Consider this verse and give it a try. Choose a time in the early hours of the morning to speak to God in prayer and then wait. Listen and await His answer.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Share what God is Teaching You
We would love to hear what God. is teaching you through these conversations. Come and share your story, your questions, your reflections, and even your ideas for future episodes.
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A Note About Our Resources
The resources shared on this page are intended to support the conversations on Unpolished Prayer and encourage continued growth in prayer and a deeper understanding of Scripture. While we carefully select resources we believe are faithful and helpful, we encourage every listener to test what they read and hear against the truth of God’s Word.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.