Tag: in Jesus’ name

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Wisdom Prayer

Shouts of Joy?

Shouts of Joy?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the Lord has done great things for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The great things God has done are a reason to shout for joy.

There is stark contrast between weeping and shouts of joy, yet scripture connects the two.

In Psalm 126:1-6 (ESV) the psalmist mentions the tears. Scripture also says what follows are the “shouts of joy.” Joyful shouts are mentioned three times in six verses.

Restoration would make a people rejoice and shout for joy!

The notes in the English Standard Version related to Psalm 126 refer to the idea that “Some scholars think that this is specifically ‘returned from exile’ (cf. Deut. 30:3), but the expression is more general than that…vv. 5-6 of Psalm 126 refer to the more general type of restoration.”

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.”

In life, people weep for a season and can later experience joy.

If you are in a season of weeping, it may be wise and appropriate to talk to a pastor or other trusted advisor. Prayer is also important. Hebrews 10:25 is about gathering together. Talk, pray, and gather together.

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Wisdom Prayer

Those Who Are Upright in Their Hearts?

Those Who Are Upright in Their Hearts?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who are upright in their hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Wickedness and evildoers are both referenced in Psalm 125:3-5 (ESV). Yet, there is good news for those who follow the Lord. “Do good, O Lord, to those who are good…”

“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!”

At the end of Psalm 125, we learn about what happens to those who turn to their crooked ways. Are you tempted to follow crooked ways?

Stop and reconsider. God will accept a person with a sincere heart who asks forgiveness of his or her sins. Change direction before it is too late.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Lord Surrounds?

The Lord Surrounds?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who you surround from this time forth and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Imagine trusting God so much that your faith became immovable. Then, consider being surrounded and protected by Almighty God.

Psalm 125:1-2 (ESV) offers this kind of hope.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.”


Have you trusted Almighty God? Do you feel surrounded by his love and grace? If so, rejoice. If not, perhaps it is now time to confess your sins, and ask Christ to come into your heart. Don’t delay.

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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.

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Wisdom Prayer

Mercy Upon Us?

Mercy Upon Us?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who ask that you have mercy upon us. In Jesus name, amen.

Synonyms for the word “mercy” include compassion, clemency, and forgiveness.

In Psalm 123:1-4 (ESV) the psalmist looks to God and repeatedly asks God for his mercy.

“To you I lift up my eyes,
O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants
look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he has mercy upon us.

Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us,
for we have had more than enough of contempt.
Our soul has had more than enough
of the scorn of those who are at ease,
of the contempt of the proud.”

Do you ever think about how merciful God is? He sent his son, Jesus, to take away the sin of the world by dying on the cross. He was buried and rose from the dead.

Yes, he sent his son to die for you. Believe. Ask God for his mercy now.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Peace of Jerusalem?

The Peace of Jerusalem?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The notes related to Psalm 122 in the English Standard Version of the Bible say,

“This Psalm celebrates Zion as God’s chosen city. (Psalm 46, 48, 76, 87), and specifically the privilege of going their on a pilgrimage. (c.f. Psalm 84) Not only is ‘the house of the Lord’ there, but so are ‘the thrones of the house of David.’ Christians who sing this recognize that in their gathered worship they are carrying out the task of the temple, and their Davidic king (Jesus) is present with them (1 Pet. 2:4-5; cf. Eph. 2:19-22).”

Psalm 122:1-9 (ESV) references the peace of Jerusalem.

“I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
‘May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!’
For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.”

Imagine being on a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The excitement would grow as the time to go in was getting closer and closer. It was The Place to worship God.

Still today, God is in control, and prayer changes things. Stop and say a prayer for the peace of Jerusalem.

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