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Wisdom Prayer

Deliver and Guard Me?

Deliver and Guard Me?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who wish to be delivered from evil and violent people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When the wicked seem to thrive, realize we are in a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

In Psalm 140:1-8 (ESV), the psalmist’s cry is to be delivered and guarded from evil and violent men.

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;
beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

I say to the Lord, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah

Are you in a conflict with a wicked person or persons? Take action. Realize the spiritual battle rages. Listen to God’s leading. Not only is it a time for prayer, it is a time to get the help of others to pray and to help you take action.

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Wisdom Prayer

Inspect Thoughts?

Inspect Thoughts?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask you to search them, and know their hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are you willing to bear your soul to the Lord? Will you tell him how you really feel?

Psalm 139:17-24 (ESV) gives a glimpse into one who hates those who stand in opposition to God. Then the psalmist invites God to inspect his thoughts and his ways.

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Is it time to ask God to search you and know your heart? Inviting his kind of scrutiny can result in either openness before God or a fear of being discovered. Which is it for you? Are you willing to open yourself to a complete and thorough examination?

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Wisdom Prayer

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made?

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know you knitted them together in their mother’s womb. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God is omniscient. The synonyms for “omniscient” include all-knowing and all-seeing.

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV) is about how each person is wonderfully made.

“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made,
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.”

We have so many days to live. Why not make the most of them? You can. Trust God. James 4:8 (ESV) says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Keep the faith.

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Wisdom Prayer

Hide from God?

Hide from God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are glad they cannot hide from you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There is a television commercial about people playing Hide and Go Seek in the desert. That game is not well suited to such a setting.

According to Psalm 139:11-12 (ESV), when a person wants to hide from God, there is nowhere to hide.

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,’
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.”

Even though a person can try to be invisible, God will know. He can see. Stop running and turn to God, confess, and seek reconciliation.

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Wisdom Prayer

God’s Hand Shall Lead and Hold Us?

God’s Hand Shall Lead and Hold Us?

God’Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know God’s hand shall lead us and his right hand shall hold us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There is no place to flee from God.

Even if we go far away, fortunately, God will be there.

Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV) tells us God is omnipresent.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.”

God is present to the ends of the earth, in heaven, and in Sheol. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

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Wisdom Prayer

You Have Searched Me?

You Have Searched Me?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom, for you have searched and known me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Knowing someone’s innermost thoughts and being able to discern their next steps would normally be impossible. Yet, nothing is impossible for God.

Psalm 139:1-6 (ESV) tells us God knows us intimately.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.”

Pray to the Lord. Ask for his will to be done.

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