Bible story
Decree Of Cyrus Prayer
A short, Scripture-shaped bible story prayer for an ordinary moment of Christian faith.
The prayer
A prayer to pray now
Father, You stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia. He was a foreign king who did not know You. Yet You moved his heart. He signed the decree. Your people went home from exile. They rebuilt Your temple. That same power is still at work. The leaders of this world do not all pray to You. But You can still move them. Stir the spirits You need to stir for the work You are doing. Move kings and presidents and CEOs and judges as the work requires. When I need help from someone who does not know You, remind me that You are still in charge. Bring my own exiles home, in Your time, by whatever means You choose. Amen.
How to pray it
- Read it slowly. Move through this prayer one line at a time, out loud if you can, letting each phrase land before the next.
- Make it personal. Pause where a line meets your day and name the person, fear, or hope it touches before God.
- Carry it with you. Keep one sentence with you — on your phone or in your pocket — and return to it when the day gets loud.
Verses to pray
Pray these slowly, one line at a time. Scripture quoted from a public-domain translation.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s1:1 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations. word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Ezra 1:1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Chronicles 36:22
Questions about this prayer
When should I pray decree of cyrus prayer?
Pray it whenever the words fit your moment — at the start of the day, in a hard stretch, or when you simply want to turn toward God.
Which Bible verses anchor this prayer?
This prayer is anchored in Ezra 1:1, 2 Chronicles 36:22. The "Verses to pray" section above quotes them in full.
Can I save or share this prayer?
Yes. Use the Copy prayer button to copy the words, or open the Chosen Portion app to keep a daily prayer, devotional, and Scripture with you.