Each Sunday during Lent I have been blogging on a portion of scripture where we are shown how to pray for each other. Lent is a time of prayer and some of that could or should be spent praying for one another. Philippians 1:9-11 is a simple but profoundly moving prayer by Paul for the Philippian Christians.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul prayed for:*love to abound *more knowledge and insight (into God, scripture, the gospel message….) *power to discern what is best, right, truth…. *live in a godly manner pleasing to God *show fruit in their lives that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit’s work within us *all this to be for His glory and our good.
Who can you think of today that needs one, two or all of these? What about yourself? As you spend time this week in prayer, focus on Paul’s requests and ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind who needs each of these. He will answer as you are faithful in prayer.
Today’s scripture of praise and thanks comes with a story. This event occurred during the reign of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah. Their enemies decided to attack in large numbers and Jehoshaphat did not know what to do. He called the nation to fast and pray, then gathered the people before the temple to pray. He prayed an eloquent, heartfelt prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:6-12. He ended with these words, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” The Lord responded by sending a prophet to tell King Jehoshaphat the following: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’With this assurance, Jehoshaphat and his men went out to meet the enemy. However, before they left Jehoshaphat did the following, (21-22) “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
This is a wonderful example to us that when faced with problems or circumstances beyond our control, we need to look to God and ask for His help. Then proceed as if it is already done and give Him praise and thanks. The Israelites faced the opposing army with a song in their hearts and praises on their lips. They lived their faith fully that day with thanksgiving in their hearts. God did indeed give them victory as He promised and their rewards were above and beyond their expectations.
What are you facing today that has you worried? Follow the lead of the Israelites and pray. Submit your problems and cares to the Lord. Live like you truly believe in His answer with praises and thanks in your heart.
A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I have access to God in prayer. The Bible is filled with examples of people praying to God. David, Daniel, Paul and Jesus all had the habit of going to God in prayer. They sought fellowship, reassurance and answers to the problems they faced in their lives. Know that you too can approach God and seek His help and guidance for your daily life. Here are a few scriptures to encourage you. Ephesians 3:12 “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” James 4:8a “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Be assured God will hear you just as He did Jehoshaphat. Live believing and keeping your eyes on Him. God hears and will answer!
My friend Gary has chosen his favorite verse from Psalm 66. His verse comes at the end of this wonderful psalm, Psalm 66:20. Before we get to verse 20, let’s look at some of the other verses that set the stage for the conclusion in verse 20.
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah The psalmist begins this song with praise to God for his name and his wonderful and awesome deeds. This is a reminder to us to enter into his presence with praise on our lips. God is great and has done and will do great things. The approach of praise has a tendency to put our life’s problems in perspective and helps us to see the greatness and majesty of God. In verses 5-15, the psalmist recounts times when God has rescued them from their enemies and brought them to the promised land. This is a continuance of his praise as he tells what God has done. He then invites all to come and hear.
16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. 17 I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. In this section, the psalmist proclaims what God has done for him personally. He cried out to God with praise and a repentant heart. The results were a transformation of his soul and the knowledge that God had listened to his prayers. Now, verse 20:
20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me! The psalmist ends with praise to God as he knows that God has listened to his prayers and loves him always. The transformation of his soul that he attested to in verse 16 led him to the conclusion that God hears our prayers and loves us always. Praise God as He continually reveals himself to us in prayer.
Thank you Gary for pointing me to this verse. I am encouraged by the reaffirmation that God transforms us and answers our prayers. We can be assured that He will always love us. I am reminded of Romans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Have a great day knowing you are heard and loved by Almighty God.
Two heart verses spoke to me this morning. Knowing our hearts are deceitful and driven by original sin, God promises to do a work in our hearts that is amazing. Proverbs 3:5-6is a well quoted verse that speaks of God’s power to lead and guide if we will trust and acknowledge Him in our lives. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” God is the one with the transforming power in our lives if we will seek to know and trust Him.
My second verse is found in Psalm 34:17-18, The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. David wrote these words during a very difficult time in his life. He knew God. He knew God would hear his cries for help. David knew God would and could rescue him. He knew from experience that God was near to him when his heart was broken and his spirit crushed. David knew God and had experienced His love and care during times of great need.
God knows our hearts and sees what we need even before we ask for help. God knows our desire for guidance and He alone has the power to mend our broken hearts and crushed spirit. Seek Him like David did and lay your sorrows, hurts and needs before Him. He promises that those who seek Him will find Him. Moses told the children of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29 God promises to be found if we seek with an open heart. Seek Him today and tell Him about your broken heart, your crushed spirit or your desire to be guided by Him. God can and will answer your prayers, just as He promised.
Seeking His comfort and clinging to His promise as I walk with Him daily,
Fearless Living 