Tag: God

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Wisdom Prayer

Sins Forgiven Just Like That!

Sins Forgiven Just Like That!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who confess their sins knowing God is faithful to forgive sins and cleanse from all unrighteousness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It has been said, “Confession is good for the soul.”

Romans 3:23 (ESV) says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

The response in 1 John 1:9 (ESV) gives hope to the hopeless:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Sins forgiven? Amazing! Heartfelt confession is a small price to pay for having sins wiped clean.

Confess now. Be set free!

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Wisdom Prayer

Serve the Lord with All Your Heart!

Serve the Lord with All Your Heart!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who do not turn aside from following the Lord, and serve the Lord with all their heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

At the conclusion of Samuel’s so-called Farewell Address, the people plead with Samuel to pray for them.

His words of wisdom in Samuel 12:19-25 (ESV) offer important guidance and a warning.

“And all the people said to Samuel, ‘Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.’ And Samuel said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”

The people of Israel knew they had done wrong, yet Samuel tells them to “Do not be afraid.” Even with all of the sin, the Lord was not willing to forsake his people.

Are you a situation where you feel you are beyond forgiveness?

Ask the Lord to forgive. If there was hope for the people of Israel, there is hope for the sinner through faith in Christ.

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Wisdom Prayer

A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine!

A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know a joyful heart is good medicine. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A person with a joyful heart can fill a room with joy. Such a person is not only good medicine for themselves, he or she is good medicine for those around them.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) contrasts a joyful heart with a crushed spirit.

“A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

I pray for wisdom for those who have a crushed spirit. Devastating situations can happen to anyone. At such times, turn to God. When everything seems to be falling apart, seek first the kingdom of God.

Trust God, now and always.

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Wisdom Prayer

Listen to God!

Listen to God!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who listen to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

How often to you listen to God? Think about something. 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 this 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

Praise Him?

Praise Him?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom as the universe shouts its praises to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We often think of people worshiping God.

Yet, Psalm 148:1-6 (ESV) is evidence of praise from throughout the universe.

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord
from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!

Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.”

Creation shouts praise to the Lord. Won’t you join with creation and praise the Lord?

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Wisdom Prayer

Incense Before God?

Incense Before God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who want their prayers to be counted as incense before you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever want to make sure God hears your prayers? God is listening to believers and those who sincerely cry out to be saved.

I have heard it said that there are three answers to prayer: “Yes.” “No.” And “Wait.”

In Psalm 141:1-2 (ESV) David, the psalmist, is calling to God and asking him to hear.

“O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me!
Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”

Be thankful God is willing and able to hear and answer prayer. What a comfort that is.

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