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Wisdom Prayer

An Upright Heart?

An Upright Heart?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who praise you with an upright heart when they learn your righteous rules. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Bible provides God’s Law in the Ten Commandments. If worshipers would be willing to keep God’s law, then the world would be a different place.

Image if, in today’s culture, murder and thievery stopped and children began honoring their parents. Society would change completely.

Although this is not going to happen, there are believers who desire to follow God. These people do obey the commandments. When they fall short, it is best when they ask forgiveness, repent, and turn from their wicked ways.

Psalm 119:4-8 (ESV) is about having a sincere desire to follow God’s law.

“You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!”

Look at your life. Are you even trying to keep God’s law? If there is something that needs to be changed, than make a mental not of it, and start acting in accordance with God’s law.

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Wisdom Prayer

Walk in God’s Ways?

Walk in God’s Ways?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm.

The psalm is an acrostic, meaning there is one section for each of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet.

The law and the statues of the Lord are featured throughout Psalm 119.

Psalm 119:1-3 (ESV) is about those who are blessed.

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!”

Do you walk in God’s ways? Or, have you gone astray? Praise God he is a forgiving God?

When you stumble, remember 1 John 1:9 (ESV).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

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Wisdom Prayer

Thank God?

Thank God?

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

Worship and thanksgiving go together in Psalm 118:28-29 (ESV). In the concluding words of this Psalm, the congregation extols (i.e. praises and exhausts) the Lord.

“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!”

The Lord provides. He saves. He lifts up those who are downtrodden. For all the Lord has done in your life, give thanks, for he is good. Do not loose heart when trials come.

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Wisdom Prayer

Light Shine?

Light Shine?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know you have made your light to shine upon your chosen people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God spoke to Moses and gave Arron a blessing for the people of Israel in Numbers 6:22-27 (ESV).

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons,
saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

‘So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.’”

Psalm 118:27 (ESV) is slightly different than the benediction.

“The Lord is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.”

The psalmist provides a powerful confirmation the Lord’s light shines.

Be blessed by the Arron’s benediction and by Psalm 118:27. It is good to have the Lord’s blessing.

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Wisdom Prayer

He Comes in the Name of the Lord?

He Comes in the Name of the Lord?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm 118:26 (ESV) says,

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We bless you from the house of the Lord.”

The words in the first part of the verse appear several times in the New Testament. Palm Sunday the phrase was used together with shouts of “Hosanna.” (See Matthew 21:9 and Mark 11:9).

Luke 19:38 (ESV) says,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 12:13 and Luke 13:35 also use Psalm 118:26.

Imagine being on the road into Jerusalem when Jesus is welcomed by the crowds shouting the words of Psalm 118:26. Join with them now, and say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

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Wisdom Prayer

This Is The Day?

This Is The Day?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Matt Johnson wrote the song “This Is The Day.”

He based the song on Psalm 118:24 (ESV).

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The first verse of Matt’s song is as follows:

“This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made,
that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made.”

Some people are facing difficult circumstances. Therefore, those individuals may not feel like rejoicing. Yet, for believers, this verse provides a ray of hope. The verse and the song’s lyrics remind us that God makes each day. He has given us another day of life. To that end, whatever your circumstance, rejoice.

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