Tag: in Jesus’ name

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Wisdom Prayer

Plead for Mercy?

Plead for Mercy?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who plead for mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In modern warfare, booby traps are used to kill, maim, or otherwise incapacitate an enemy.

In Psalm 142:1-7 (ESV) the psalmist, David, is concerned about the traps set for him, and he cries out to the Lord.

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.

When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.

I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.”

Are some people setting traps for you? Are you feeling persecuted? Whatever your circumstances, be like David, and cry out to God.

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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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Wisdom Prayer

Cast Into Fire?

Cast Into Fire?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who shall give thanks to your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Often evil people gather to carry out their sinister plans.

Psalm 140:9-13 (ESV) starts off referencing a leader of enemy forces who is trying to destroy the psalmist.

“As for the head of those who surround me,
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
Let burning coals fall upon them!
Let them be cast into fire,
into miry pits, no more to rise!
Let not the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
and will execute justice for the needy.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall dwell in your presence.”

God can surely destroy our enemies. Let believers give thanks for their deliverance. God is working behind the scenes, so we often do not know what evil has been defeated before it ever reaches us. Praise God.

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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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