Prayer Day 8 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #284

04 Monday Nov 2024

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Prayer Day 8 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #284

Today is the last day of our prayer emphasis and I simply want to share Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9.  It is one of the most humble, powerful and convicting prayers in all of scripture, I truly believe.  We get so haughty sometimes, thinking we are more spiritual, more holy or closer to God than others, yet here is a man who was totally devoted to God and yet he takes on the sins, failures and shortcomings of his people as his own.  I truly believe that when our heart is ready to join Daniel in this mindset, we will see things happen.  I have no other comments to make other than to ask you to ponder this message of love, compassion and empathy, from a repentant heart for his people.

“And I set my face unto the Lord God,

to seek by prayer and supplications,

with fasting,

and sackcloth,

and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God,

and made my confession, and said,

O Lord, the great and dreadful God,

keeping the covenant and mercy

to them that love him,

and to them that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned,

and have committed iniquity,

and have done wickedly,

and have rebelled,

even by departing from thy precepts

and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants

the prophets,

which spake in thy name

to our kings,

our princes,

and our fathers,

and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee,

but unto us confusion of faces,

as at this day;

to the men of Judah,

and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

and unto all Israel,

that are near,

and that are far off,

through all the countries

whither thou hast driven them,

because of their trespass

that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord,

to us belongeth confusion of face,

to our kings,

to our princes,

and to our fathers,

because we have sinned against thee

9 To the Lord our God

belong mercies and forgivenesses,

though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed

the voice of the LORD our God,

to walk in his laws,

which he set before us

by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law,

even by departing,

that they might not obey thy voice;

therefore the curse is poured upon us,

and the oath that is written

 in the law of Moses the servant of God,

because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words,

which he spake against us,

and against our judges

that judged us,

by bringing upon us a great evil:

for under the whole heaven

hath not been done as hath been done

upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses,

all this evil is come upon us:

yet made we not our prayer

before the LORD our God,

that we might turn from our iniquities,

and understand thy truth…

….16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness,

I beseech thee,

let thine anger

and thy fury

be turned away from thy city Jerusalem,

thy holy mountain:

because for our sins,

and for the iniquities of our fathers,

Jerusalem and thy people

are become a reproach

to all that are about us.

17 Now therefore, O our God,

hear the prayer of thy servant,

and his supplications,

and cause thy face to shine

upon thy sanctuary that is desolate,

for the Lord’s sake.

18 O my God, incline thine ear,

and hear;

open thine eyes,

and behold our desolations,

and the city which is called by thy name:

for we do not present our supplications before thee

for our righteousnesses,

but for thy great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear;

O Lord, forgive;

O Lord, hearken and do;

defer not,

for thine own sake, O my God:

for thy city

and thy people are called by thy name.”                  Portions of Daniel 9:3-19

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 7 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #283

03 Sunday Nov 2024

Posted by in Jesus prayed, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' prayer for us, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Prayer Day 7 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #283

As today is The Lord’s Day, I want to simply share a prayer for our soon-coming Lord and King.  One of the most beautiful prayers in scripture and Jesus prayed it for you and me; how can we do less for those around us!  The world needs the children of God to reflect His glory not the sad imitation of the world.

“These words spake Jesus,

 and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father, the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

 that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee

on the earth:

I have finished the work

which thou gavest me to do.  

5 And now, O Father,

glorify thou me with thine own self

with the glory which I had with thee

before the world was.

6 I have manifested thy name

unto the men which thou gavest me

out of the world:

thine they were,

and thou gavest them me;

and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known

that all things whatsoever thou hast given me

are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words

which thou gavest me;

and they have received them,

and have known surely that I came out from thee,

and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them:

I pray not for the world,

but for them which thou hast given me;

for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine,

and thine are mine;

and I am glorified in them.

11 And now I am no more in the world,

but these are in the world,

and I come to thee.

Holy Father,

keep through thine own name

those whom thou hast given me,

that they may be one,

as we are.”  John 17:1-11

Thank you, Jesus for praying for me; may I be found faithful in praying for others!

“Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 6 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #282

02 Saturday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!, Revive us O God!, Righteousness, Righteousness exalts a nation, Salvation

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Prayer Day 6 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #282

 

I pray that you have had a good week, and that even when we change those clocks tonight (and I change mine today—I need more time to adjust…) we will be sure and keep our eyes on the prize—Jesus!  I pray that you will find hope, peace and grace to press on in the scriptures that we have shared; my goal is to please my Lord Jesus and encourage others to pursue Him.  I want to share another of Paul’s prayers with you today and I pray that God will use it to His glory and our good!

“Wherefore I also, after I heard

of your faith in the Lord Jesus,

and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you,

making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of glory,

may give unto you the spirit of wisdom

and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;

that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,

and what the riches of the glory

of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness

of his power to us-ward who believe,

according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ,

when he raised him from the dead,

and set him at his own right hand

in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality,

and power,

and might,

and dominion,

and every name that is named,

not only in this world,

but also in that which is to come:”                   Ephesians 1:15-21

As we bow before this risen King, may we remember that the question isn’t “Will you bow?”, for all will bow.  The question is “When will you bow?”  Will you bow before Jesus now, in humble repentance of your sin and trust/believe in the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin that Jesus made at Calvary?  Jesus is the only way to come to God and heaven.  God has declared it.

“And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:8-11

It’s all about Jesus—not elections, or taxes, or personalities—for all will bow—it’s about Jesus, His will and His righteousness!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed

from faith to faith:

 as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 5 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

01 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Good Citizens, Good News, Polluted by the world?, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!

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Prayer Day 5 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #281

 

Hope you’re having a good Friday morning, it’s lovely here in Oklahoma, after a bit of rain, and the fires that have been raging around us are almost contained, and praise God we are expecting more rain this weekend.  Many have been praying for rain and the cessation of all the fire danger around us, but more importantly than that, we need to be praying for the spiritual rain that will quench the spiritual drought about us.  In that vein we’ll look at some things about prayer today; instructions about seeking God’s face and interceding for those around us!  All of those around us, and let me just add when we are praying for the government entities in our culture (no matter where you may live) we are to pray in humble dependence upon our Father God, our precious Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit to lead us in all our ways, and that we will be a genuine reflection of Jesus.  That means that we are ever to be “speaking the truth in love” (See Ephesians 4:15) not disrespect!  And let me simply add that the recipients of the passage below were under unfriendly, often hostile, rulers.  Keep that in mind as you are tempted to complain instead of praying and depending on Jesus! (And I’m not saying we can’t be involved in politics, but that we are called to be those who bridge the gap not those who stir it up!  Remembering that sometimes just speaking the truth in love will stir some things up!). Heed God’s Word!

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God:

 the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,

resisteth the ordinance of God:

and they that resist

shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,

but to the evil.

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?

do that which is good,

and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

But if thou do that which is evil,

be afraid;

for he beareth not the sword in vain:

for he is the minister of God,

a revenger to execute wrath

upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,

not only for wrath,

but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also:

for they are God’s ministers,

 attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues:

tribute to whom tribute is due;

custom to whom custom;

fear to whom fear;

honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing,

but to love one another:

for he that loveth another

hath fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:1-8

What an amazing picture of God’s will for our responses to those in authority.  I’m not condoning evil that goes on in high places, but when we feel led to participate in “civil disobedience”, we better be sure we are doing so with a clear conscience toward God, and for good cause; not for spite, pride or any other fleshly reason!  The passage about prayer that I want us to look at today isn’t actually a prayer, but instruction on how we are to pray in regard to circumstances, culture and political issues.  (Keeping in mind what Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18, that our battles aren’t against “flesh and blood” but against unseen spiritual forces.  And another helpful passage in this regard is 2 Corinthians 10:3-5!)

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications,

prayers,

intercessions,

and giving of thanks,

be made for all men;

2 For kings,

and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life

in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable

in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God,

and one mediator

between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus;

 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all,

to be testified in due time.

7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher,

and an apostle,

 (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)

a teacher of the Gentiles

in faith and verity.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where,

lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.”  1 Timothy 2:1-8

And let me close by saying that while we are called to pray for others, especially those in authority, it doesn’t mean that we are to condone or promote evil and unbiblical practices, and that’s enough said! (Remember Jesus’ instructions that we saw earlier this week…” Thy kingdom come…. Thy will be done…!)

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 4 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #280

31 Thursday Oct 2024

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Prayer Day 4 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #280

Today, I’d like to return to Daniel to see a different aspect of prayer.  I want us to consider the outcome of faithful praying; not just answered prayer, but the effects of praying.

“Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth

by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.”  James 5:16-18

Let me simply comment on part of this passage that many misunderstand.  When James says that “Elias (Elijah)” prayed for rain to stop, and then for rain to come, he didn’t do it on his own, he did it at God’s bidding.  See the context in 1 Kings 17-18, it’s an amazing story, but don’t get the idea that prayer is a heavenly slot machine!  It’s not!  It’s communion with God, speaking with Him and listening to HIM!  Jesus gives us the parameters in very simple terms, and our prayers are to ever to be measured by it!  Am I walking with God or dictating to Him?

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Paul speaks to prayer as well; we are not to fret (be careful), but take all things before God, pursuing His will and not our own, yet understanding that wanting to know what to do, how to do it, and the when’s and where’s of our decisions are subjects that God wants us to share with Him! Even when we ask amiss, if we will but listen and heed, we will find ourselves in less stress and more of God’s peace!

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Sometimes God is calling us to wait!!!  Oh, no, not that big “W” word?  Yes, if we will but wait on Him, HE will answer!

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Let’s look at Daniel’s friends in the trial of the fiery furnace, in this account we find that their confidence was in the relationship they had with their God in prayer and faithful dependence on Him.  God heard, answered and displayed His glory amazingly!  We must know Him and His Word in personal confidence.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

Where is your confidence?  Are you willing, like these young men, to say God can—but even if He doesn’t deliver us out of the fire, HE will deliver us through it into His presence.  And my friends, if Jesus tarries, we may find ourselves facing the fire!  Are you prayed up?  Let’s pray diligently—oh how I long to see God move among us once again!

Amen and Amen!!!