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Wisdom Prayer

Saul’s Life in Jeopardy!

Saul’s Life in Jeopardy!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who need a means of escape. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When Saul became a believer and started to defend Christ, his opponents decided to seek vengeance.

Luke describes what happened in Acts 9:23-25 (ESV):

“When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”

Saul eluded capture. This incident is reminiscent of what happened in Joshua 2:15 when Rahab helped two spies flee Jericho by rope. In both cases, God provided a means of escape.

Pray for those believers who need to flee to safety.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

The Name of the Lord?

The Name of the Lord?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know their help is in the name of the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have you ever felt ganged up on? If not, imagine what it is like when no one is on your side. Standing alone can be scary. Yet, when a person has emotional and physical support, they can feel confident.

We learn from Psalm 124:1-8 (ESV), God was on the side of his people. But for God, the people would have been overwhelmed.

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.”

When the Lord was on their side, Israel was victorious. The Lord was present at the time of need. The people were not swallowed up alive. The flood was kept away. The people were not covered with a torrent of raging waters. They were not swept away. It is like they escaped the fowler’s snare.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Life in Jeopardy?

Life in Jeopardy?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who need a means of escape. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When Saul became a believer and started to defend Christ, his opponents decided to seek vengeance.

Luke describes what happened in Acts 9:23-25 (ESV):

“When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”

Saul eluded capture. This incident is reminiscent of what happened in Joshua 2:15 when Rahab helped two spies flee Jericho by rope. In both cases, God provided a means of escape.

Pray for those believers who need to flee to safety.

Tell me what you think below.

Categories
Escape from Danger

Thankful for an Escape from Danger

Ever say goodbye to a friend knowing you may never see them again?

My wife, Diane, and I taught English and public speaking in Central Asia for three weeks during the summer of 2010.

One weekend, when we were not teaching, we went to a restaurant that served hamburgers and other American favorites.

We gathered with friends, and our group of eight enjoyed lively conversation. One friend shared pictures he had on his iPad. Finally, it was time we all started back to our flats (the British English term for the apartments where we stayed).

The friend with the iPad and his wife led the way for Diane and me. He kept his iPad in an over-the-shoulder canvas bag. On our way to see the city’s symphony hall, we walked by a large hotel.

That is when I noticed a six-foot-six, solidly built man walking near us. He stood next to me while we were waiting to cross to the symphony. The light was about to change, but at the last minute, we changed our minds. We stayed across the street from the symphony and walked by a waiting taxi. I looked back and noticed the big man had not crossed. He was following us. Was he after the canvas bag?

I came up to my friend with the iPad. “Be careful,” I said. “We’ve picked up a tail” (the slang term for when a person is being followed).

My friend understood and slowed down, and the man walked past. My friend told me to grab hold of his belt and guide him as he walked backwards. I did. He was facing the big man, who, as we backed up, had turned around and moved toward us. He looked mad.

Within a minute we got to the taxi, negotiated a fare, jumped in, and we were driven away.

True story. We were unharmed. When we talked about what happened, we all agreed God provided our means of escape. For that we were thankful!

Is there some danger you need to escape? If so, do it now.

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