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Wisdom Prayer

Listen to God!

Listen to God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who listen to you, will dwell secure, and will be at ease without dread of disaster. In Jesus’s name, amen.

How often to you listen to God?

Are you are doing all the talking while God is listening to you?

The people of Israel were encouraged to listen to what God told them, yet they went their own way – without God. King Solomon explains the result of their rebellion.

Proverbs 1:23-33 (ESV) tells about those who are not responsive to the Lord.

“If you turn at my reproof
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Instead of doing all the talking the next time you talk to God, listen to him. Note what he says and obey.

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Wisdom Prayer

Wisdom Cries Aloud in the Street!

Wisdom Cries Aloud in the Street!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Will you take advantage of wisdom when it is offered, or will you be like some who ignore wisdom?

Take time to realize that God used Solomon to deliver God’s message.

According to Proverbs 1:20-22 (ESV) wisdom is available, yet there are those who ignore and even hate knowledge.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?”

Be open to what Solomon says in Proverbs. As he shares God’s wise ways, be ready to take action and become wise. Not in your own eyes, but in the eyes of the Lord.

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Wisdom Prayer

Laying In Wait!

Laying In Wait!

Dear Lord, I pray for your wisdom as I embark on a journey though the Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. In Jesus’s name, amen.

In a modern courtroom, a person’s intent is taken into consideration in murder cases. Proverbs describes people who have the intent to kill by laying in wait.

Solomon’s appeal in Proverbs 1:8-19 (ESV) is to warn readers not to follow the schemes of evildoers.

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
let us ambush the innocent without reason;
like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse”—
my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths,
for their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird,
but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
they set an ambush for their own lives.
Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.”

Have sinners tried to entice you? Have you been tempted to join them? Beware! Pray. Turn from evil, and ask the Lord for guidance.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Proverbs of Solomon!

The Proverbs of Solomon!

Dear Lord, I pray for your wisdom as I embark on a journey though the Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel. In Jesus’s name, amen.

The first few verses of Proverbs offer readers a glimpse of what can be gained from reading the book. The first seven verses are jam packed. Want wisdom? Readers will be receive many benefits.

Proverbs 1:1-7 (ESV) sets the stage for discovering the source of wisdom.

“The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Are you open to learning about wisdom? Search your heart and prepare to be changed as the word of God reveals God’s wisdom.

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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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Wisdom Prayer

Praise God Seven Times a Day!

Praise God Seven Times a Day!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who praise you seven times a day. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Will you make it a habit to look for things for which to praise God? The psalmist claims to praise God seven times a day. Would you be willing to do the same? How about more often? If you do not already, set some time aside each morning or evening and praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Psalm 119:161-168 (ESV) includes the idea of rejoicing at God’s word and praise.

“Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.”

While you are praising God, will you please praise him for his holy and inspired word?

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