Archive for the ‘Prayer’ Category
Today’s Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5 (The Message)
July 31, 2010 Call Out To God
Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 63; Isaiah 64; Psalm 107; John 2 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
Isaiah 64:3–4
Since before time began
no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
who keep a good memory of the way you work.
Psalm 107:6
Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.
He got you out in the nick of time;
vs 43
If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—
it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.
Observation:
God is in the business of helping those who trust in him and wait for him, and do what is right. Even if I blow it and find myself in a desperate situation, I can call out to God, and he will help me. God loves it when I appreciate his deep love for me.
Application:
What is to prevent me from calling out to God when I need help? Why sit and stew, or even sit and just wait? God really likes to be asked! And when God provides, helps, heals, and comes through for me, I must not forget to tell him thanks and appreciate his deep love for me!
Prayer:
I’m calling out to you today, God. I place my need in your capable hands! Thank you that you see and hear and answer my prayer!
Scripture Focus:
Since before time began
no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
who keep a good memory of the way you work.
Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.
He got you out in the nick of time;
vs 43
If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—
it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.
July 2, 2010 Giving Back To God
Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 4; Isaiah 5; Psalm 115; Psalm 116; Jude 1 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
Psalm 116: 12–15
What can I give back to God
for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
and pray in the name of God.
Observation:
The Psalmist asks a very unusual question: What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me? His answer is to present himself as God’s faithful servant whose request is to be set free for God’s service. Part of that service is to be thankful and pray in the name of God.
Application:
When I pray I’m usually asking God for something, so I’m intrigued with the Psalmist who asks, “What can I do for you, God?” Wow! I should be asking that more often!
Two of the “services” I can do for God are to express my thankfulness, and to pray. It’s much easier for me to read the Bible and go to church than to take the time to pray. Prayer is relational, something that doesn’t come naturally for me.
Can I be thankful in all circumstances today? That’s a tough one, too, but not impossible!
Prayer:
God, what can I do for you today? Hmmm. I think I know!
Scripture Focus:
What can I give back to God
for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
and pray in the name of God.
June 19, 2010 The God of Elijah
Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 1; 2 Kings 2; 2 Kings 3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy 1 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
2 Kings 2:13–14 He took Elijah’s cloak—all that was left of Elijah!—and hit the river with it, saying, “Now where is the God of Elijah? Where is he?” When he struck the water, the river divided and Elisha walked through.
Observation:
I love the way Elisha invokes the God of Elijah. In the previous chapter of Kings Elisha had just seen his master and mentor, Elijah, incinerate 100 men who had tried to take him by force to King Ahaziah. This was just one of many amazing deeds Elisha had seen while learning to be a protege of Elijah.
When Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind and chariot of fire, Elisha was left only with Elijah’s robe and the promise that he would be like Elijah. His first act was to strike the Jordan with Elijah’s robe and say, “Now where is the God of Elijah? Where is he?”
And God comes through for him.
Application:
I don’t know why it is that certain people have the faith to call on God and so confidently know that God is going to answer them and grant their request. But the rest of us should take a cue from Elisha who cried out, “Now where is the God of Elijah?!”
It seems we can get God’s attention when we remind him of what he has done in the past for people like Elijah, who, as James 5:17 says, was a man just like us.
Prayer:
Father God . . . (personal)
Scripture Focus:
June 16, 2010 Just Like Us
Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17; 1 Kings 18; 1 Kings 19; Colossians 2 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
1 Kings 17: 1 And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: “As surely as God lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought—not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise.”
James 5:17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Observation:
I Kings 17 and 18 tell the great exploits of Elijah. Wow! These chapters are full of the stuff of great movies with drama, confrontation, blood, and special effects orchestrated by the God of the universe!
That Elijah was some guy!
But then we read in James 5:17: Elijah was a man just like us. Just like me?! But he accomplished so much, he did such amazing miracles!
Turns out it really wasn’t Elijah after all. It was God. And God can work through anybody—even a donkey. (Numbers 22)
Application:
If Elijah can do great things, why can’t I? I’m a human being, just like Elijah. I have the same God he had, so what keeps me from doing great exploits for God? James says Elijah prayed “earnestly.” He also says that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Prayer:
Father God, my prayers are often weak and faithless. Give me the heart to pray earnestly and fervently that my prayers might be as effective as Elijah’s.
Scripture Focus:
May 30, 2010 Genuine Prayer
Today’s Bible Reading: Proverbs 13; Proverbs 14; Proverbs 15; Romans 11 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
Proverbs 15: 8 God can’t stand pious poses,
but he delights in genuine prayers.
Observation:
God can tell the fake from the real. Piously spoken prayers that are more for show than from the heart are a waste of time. God not only won’t answer them—he doesn’t like them! But God actually delights in genuine prayers—prayers from the heart, prayers that, as Hebrews says, believe God exists and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him.
Application:
It’s easy to slip into fake prayer—to just say words without the God-pleasing kind of faith. That kind of prayer is a waste of time and even causes a negative reaction from God.
Prayer:
Father God, may my prayers be sincere, genuine, and real. May they delight your heart.
Scripture Focus:
but he delights in genuine prayers.
May 1, 2010 Prayer Agreement
Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 14; 1 Chronicles 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
Matthew 18: 18-20 “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
Observation:
Jesus asks us to take him seriously regarding prayer. It’s like he’s saying, “No, really—God pays attention when two of you agree to ask him for something!”
Want to be sure that Jesus is present and paying attention? Get together with two or three other people to pray.
Application:
Why is it so hard to pray with other people—even with Charlie? Don’t I believe what Jesus says here? I need to change my vision of prayer from something that I do in a vacuum, hoping God will be listening and will answer, to something I consistently share with other believers with an attitude of confidence that God is truly listening.
Private prayer is also important, and Jesus modeled that for us as well, but the power of praying with others is a gift that should be tapped frequently!
Prayer:
Father God, I believe that what Jesus said concerning prayer is true. Help me tap into this direct connection with you by praying with others!
April 28, 2010 Worship Actors
Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15 (The Message)
Scripture Focus:
Matthew 15:9
These people make a big show of saying the right thing,
but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshiping me,
but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover
for teaching whatever suits their fancy.”
Observation:
People, even spiritual leaders, even I can act as though we’re spiritual, as though we’re worshipping God, when in reality, it’s just a big show. There’s no reality behind the actions. We’re just play acting for an audience, or, in the case of the spiritual leaders Jesus was talking about, to teach whatever they wanted to. For their own gain or power.
Application:
People may be fooled by my play acting at worship, but God isn’t. Not for one minute. If I’m going to worship, it had better be real and from the heart.
Prayer:
God, help me worship you in spirit and in truth. Help me forget about who’s watching and put my heart into worship, because, after all, you’re the One who counts.
February 15, 2010 Examine Me
Today’s Bible Reading: Leviticus 25; Psalm 25; Psalm 26; Acts 22
Scripture Focus:
Psalm 26:1–3 I’ve thrown in my lot with you, God, and I’m not budging. Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I’m fit inside and out so I never lose sight of your love, but keep in step with you, never missing a beat.
Observation:
We decide who we will follow. If we make no decision, we’ve decided to follow our own way, which ends up being Satan’s way—the way of self.
But if we decide to follow God, we get put in an uncomfortable position—we cannot remain the same, be ourselves the way we’ve always been. If we are to walk with God, he must examine us and make sure we are fit for the walk with him—otherwise, we’ll never endure.
Application:
“Examine me,” is a good prayer to pray to God consistently. Make no mistake. God will do so, and the results may be uncomfortable, but the alternative is worse. Am I willing to make the changes I need to make to keep in step with God? I like where He’s going a lot more than where I’m headed when I take my eyes off of Him!
Prayer:
Dear God, examine me. Make sure I’m fit to walk with you today. Help me never lose sight of your love. Help me keep in step with you, never missing a beat.
