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Wisdom Prayer

Lost Sheep!

Lost Sheep!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who feel like they have gone astray like a lost sheep. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In John 10:11 (ESV) Jesus says,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In John 10:14: (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” Psalm 119:169-176 (ESV) involves a cry, a plea, praise, longing for salvation, and a reference to sheep.

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.”

Do you ever feel like the sheep in this psalm? The psalmist says he has gone astray, but emphasizes his commitment to not forgetting God’s commandments.

If you feel like you have gone astray, cry out to God, and make your plea before him.

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Wisdom Prayer

Overcoming the Oppression of the Wicked!

Overcoming the Oppression of the Wicked!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who feel the oppression of the wicked. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The psalms characterize the reality of David’s world. Wicked people pursued him seeking his destruction. David looked to God for mercy.

Psalm 55:1-3 (ESV) gives us a glimpse of how oppressed David felt.

“Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger they bear a grudge against me.”

David never doubted God could answer his plea for mercy even when the circumstances looked bleak. He never lost sight of God’s ability to rescue him. Feeling oppressed? Seek God for his mercy. Hold fast to hope in the face of adversity.

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Wisdom Prayer

Flooding Your Bed with Tears?

Flooding Your Bed with Tears?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who at night flood their bed with tears. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever cry yourself to sleep? Around the world, there are those who don’t know where their next meal will come from. There are victims of abuse who feel alone and abandoned. There are people caught in the middle of war. God sees each one.

In Psalm 6:6-9 (ESV) the psalmist pours out his heart:

“I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer.”

By the end, the author is no longer hopelessness. He is confident. He knows God hears and accepts his prayers. Before drifting off to sleep tonight, please pray for those crying themselves to sleep.

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Wisdom Prayer

Plentiful Redemption?

Plentiful Redemption?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It is amazing that God loves us even with all of our shortcomings. God forgives.

In Psalm 130:1-8 (ESV) we see there is a plea to be heard, forgiveness, patience, hope, and redemption.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.”

Are you willing to wait for the Lord’s timing? The psalmist not only says his soul waits, but he has hope. Let us be hopeful whatever comes our way.

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Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Lost Sheep?

Lost Sheep?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who feel like they have gone astray like a lost sheep. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In John 10:11 (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In John 10:14: (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

Psalm 119:169-176 (ESV) involves a cry, a plea, praise, longing for salvation, and a reference to sheep.

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.”

Do you ever feel like the sheep in this psalm? The psalmist says he has gone astray, but emphasizes his commitment to not forgetting God’s commandments.

If you feel like you have gone astray, cry out to God, and make your plea before him.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Cry Out To God All Day?

Cry Out To God All Day?

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

Although David wants God to hear his plea, in Psalm 86:1-6 (ESV) he expresses how great his need is for God.

“Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.”

Are you in the habit of crying out to God all day? If not, stop and take more than a few minutes and cry out to God. Tell him what is on your mind. Make your plea. Ask God to come along side and help you.

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