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Wisdom Prayer

Saul Sees the Light?

Saul Sees the Light?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for brothers and sisters in Christ living under persecution. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Christianity is under attack in many parts of the world. Watch the news. Flash back two thousand years, and from the Book of Acts we learn that Saul of Tarsus was ruthless.

He witnessed Stephen’s stoning. Acts 9:1-2 (ESV) shows Saul’s intent:

“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

Saul had his agenda, yet Christ had another plan as Luke describes in Acts 9:3-7:

“Now as he [Saul] went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.”

Saul was brought to Damascus, and for three days he was blind and he did not eat or drink.

Pray for those who are suffering for Christ’s sake at the hands of people like Saul. Keep praying.

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Wisdom Prayer

Confronted by False Witnesses?

Confronted by False Witnesses?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are confronted by false witnesses. In Jesus’ name.

Stephen was one of the people selected to help make sure distributions to Hellenists widows were handled fairly. It says in Acts 6:5 (ESV) that Stephen was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

God blessed him, and Luke writing in Acts 6:8-9 reports,

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.”

This escalated. False witnesses testified to the council that Stephen was against Moses and God.

In his defense, Stephen began retracing the history of Abraham, to Joseph in Egypt, to Moses, and the prophets. Stephen then condemned the group for resisting the Holy Spirit, killing Jesus, and not keeping the law. They were so enraged, they ultimately stoned Stephen to death.

Have you been confronted by false witnesses? The above prayer is so you will have the wisdom to respond appropriately. God bless you.

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From The Author

The Night I Drove Over the Continental Divide

The Night I Drove Over the Continental Divide

In the late 1990s, I submitted an audition tape to Fred Pryor Seminars to become one of their speakers. After being accepted into their training program and finishing the course, I began speaking from Hawaii to Delaware. Then it was on to London and the city of Cambridge, England.

Little did I know, one night, I was about to face the ultimate test of my professional speaking career.

After teaching all day, I drove to the Havre City-County Airport in Montana and turned in my rental car. While waiting in a line to get to the airline ticket counter, I anticipated a short flight.

At the counter, I was informed, “We started boarding a few minutes ago. You needed to check in earlier. You’re late. We have given away your ticket because you did not respond to the page.”

“Late?” I looked at my watch. There was still time. I said, “What page? I didn’t hear one. There must be a mistake.”

“No.”

“Now what?”

I was scheduled to teach a one-day seminar entitled “Grammar and Usage” the next morning at 9:00 a.m. in Boise, Idaho.

It was time to call the after-hours emergency number at the Fred Pryor home office. The woman at the other end of the line went to work immediately and started booking reservations.

The plan was to pick up a rental car at the counter where I had just dropped off my other car; drive 500 miles over the Continental Divide; arrive in Pocatello, Idaho; sleep a few hours; catch a plane to Boise, Idaho; and then fly that afternoon back to Pocatello, where I would speak the following day.

My motto that night: I can make it. The show must go on.

After renting the car, I drove long into the night. Snowflakes started falling. With no experience driving in snow, I prayed I would make it.

After midnight, exhausted and needing to rest, I pulled into the parking lot of a small store.

Sound asleep, a police officer knocked loudly on my window. “Are you okay? Do you know where you are?” He explained I was on a Native American Reservation.

Powered by the adrenalin rush after being startled awake, I drove on; checked into my hotel; slept a few hours; got professionally dressed; drove my car to the airport; and caught the flight to Boise. I arrived at the hotel where the seminar was being held, greeted the attendees, gave the presentation, and then flew to Pocatello.

Those who sat in my seminar that day in Boise had no clue of what happened the night before.

I passed the test. The show did go on. What an answer to prayer!

Please Join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Wisdom Prayer

A Fair Distribution?

A Fair Distribution?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who listen to and try to resolve complaints. In Jesus’ name.

Today, many churches seem to function well. Yet, over time, issues will arise. It was this way during the early church. It may be hard to believe given Acts 2:44 (ESV) which says, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”

Luke tells us in Acts 6:1-3 how one complaint was resolved:

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.’”

The names of those chosen are listed in Acts 6:4-5.

Are you trying to resolve complaints? Pray. Then act. Delegating like the apostles did may be a good solution.

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Wisdom Prayer

What Was Gamaliel’s Advice?

What Was Gamaliel’s Advice?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who share about Jesus even in the face of adversity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Gamaliel was a Pharisee. He was also a member of the ruling council and a teacher of the law. He was held in honor, so when he said something people listened.

Luke reported in Acts 5:38-39 (ESV) what Gamaliel said to the members of the council who wanted to kill the apostles:

“‘So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!’ So they took his advice.’”

Even after this comment, we learn in Acts 5:40-42 the apostles still suffered persecution:

“And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”

Even though the apostles were beaten, they persisted. Would you have done the same? Will you stand up for Jesus? I pray you will.

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Wisdom Prayer

Whose Side Are You On? God’s or Men’s?

Whose Side Are You On? God’s or Men’s?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are placed in a position where they must decide whether to obey God or men. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Many people find themselves at odds with authority figures, colleagues, or even friends.

The apostles were faced with a choice about testifying to Christ or obeying the edicts of a council made up of men.

Luke tells the story in Acts 1:27-2 (ESV):

“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”

The apostles were clear about their position. God took precedence. Ever been in a position where you are pressed to choose?

If and when such a situation arises—Pray! Ask God’s direction about how to proceed.

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