Author: dennisconrad

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Wisdom Prayer

Mercy Upon Us?

Mercy Upon Us?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask that you have mercy upon us. In Jesus name, amen.

Synonyms for the word “mercy” include compassion, clemency, and forgiveness.

In Psalm 123:1-4 (ESV) the psalmist looks to God and repeatedly asks God for his mercy.

“To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.”

Do you ever think about how merciful God is? He sent his son, Jesus, to take away the sin of the world by dying on the cross. He was buried and rose from the dead.

Yes, he sent his son to die for you. Believe. Ask God for his mercy now.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Peace of Jerusalem?

The Peace of Jerusalem?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The notes related to Psalm 122 in the English Standard Version of the Bible say,

“This Psalm celebrates Zion as God’s chosen city. (Psalm 46, 48, 76, 87), and specifically the privilege of going their on a pilgrimage. (c.f. Psalm 84) Not only is ‘the house of the Lord’ there, but so are ‘the thrones of the house of David.’ Christians who sing this recognize that in their gathered worship they are carrying out the task of the temple, and their Davidic king (Jesus) is present with them (1 Pet. 2:4-5; cf. Eph. 2:19-22).”

Psalm 122:1-9 (ESV) references the peace of Jerusalem.

“I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
‘May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!’
For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.”

Imagine being on a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The excitement would grow as the time to go in was getting closer and closer. It was The Place to worship God.

Still today, God is in control, and prayer changes things. Stop and say a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem.

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Wisdom Prayer

Neither Slumber Nor Sleep?

Neither Slumber Nor Sleep?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know you will neither slumber nor sleep. In Jesus’ name Amen.

There is a song entitled, “What a Mighty God We Serve.”

The author is anonymous. It begins as follows:

“What a mighty God we serve.
What a mighty God we serve.
Angels bow before Him.
Heaven and earth adore Him.
What a mighty God we serve.”

God’s attributes include his being omnipotent (all-powerful),
omniscience (all-knowing) , and omnipresent (present everywhere).

Psalm 121:4-8 (ESV) tells us God will neither slumber nor sleep.

“Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.”

Who do you serve? Is it the mighty God of the song, or is it some lesser god?

Take time to consider the magnificence of God. He never slumbers or sleeps. What does that mean for you? If you have not already, ask God to reveal himself to you.

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Wisdom Prayer

From Where Does My help Come?

From Where Does My help Come?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Years ago, I visited the Ronald Regan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. During the visit, I saw President Regan’s Bible open to Psalm 121.

Psalm 121:1-3 (ESV) asks and answers the question, “From where does my help come?”

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.”

Psalm 121 must have been a comfort to President and Mrs. Regan. Let it comfort you too.

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Wisdom Prayer

Speak of Peace?

Speak of Peace?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who speak of peace when others are for war. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today, sadly, around the world, there are armed conflicts where people are dying.

In Mark 13:7 (ESV) Jesus says, “And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.”

In Psalm 120:1-7 (ESV), the psalmist concludes his remarks by considering peace and war.

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
Deliver me, O Lord,
from lying lips,
from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,
and what more shall be done to you,
you deceitful tongue?
A warrior’s sharp arrows,
with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
Too long have I had my dwelling
among those who hate peace.
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!”

There are all kinds of war zones. Do you want peace but one other or others around you want war? If so, take time to pray about how to respond. May God bless and keep those who are affected by war. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Wisdom Prayer

Lost Sheep?

Lost Sheep?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who feel like they have gone astray like a lost sheep. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In John 10:11 (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In John 10:14: (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

Psalm 119:169-176 (ESV) involves a cry, a plea, praise, longing for salvation, and a reference to sheep.

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.”

Do you ever feel like the sheep in this psalm? The psalmist says he has gone astray, but emphasizes his commitment to not forgetting God’s commandments.

If you feel like you have gone astray, cry out to God, and make your plea before him.

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