Tag: pray for wisdom

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Wisdom Prayer

No Fear of God?

No Fear of God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who encounter evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Wrongdoing can become habitual. For criminals it is a way of life. Some prey on others, like those who hated David, the psalmist. He characterized them as having no fear of God.

Psalm 36:1-4 (ESV) paints a picture of such a person:

“Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.”

Beware. It is well to say away from such people. Yet, an evil person, with these character traits, is not beyond God’s saving grace. Thank you, Lord, for amazing grace. Thank you for saving a wretch like me.

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Wisdom Prayer

Praise All The Day Long?

Praise All The Day Long?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who will praise God all the day long. In Jesus’ name, amen.

David, the psalmist, is thankful there are people who want the best for him. Although he is fully aware others wish him ill, he also knows God will deliver him from evil forces.

Psalm 35:27-28 (ESV) culminates with an uplifting message and praise to God:

“Let those who delight in my righteousness
shout for joy and be glad
and say evermore,
‘Great is the Lord,
who delights in the welfare of his servant!’
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all the day long.”

Even though David faced trials and tribulations, this psalm concludes by giving glory to God. Facing difficulties?

Stop. Refocus. Praise God, and give him all the glory.

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Wisdom Prayer

Forgive How Many Times?

Forgive How Many Times?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for what to ask to happen to opponents and enemies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In life, opposition arises. It can come from one person or a group. Should we be asking for bad things to happen to those who oppose us?

David, the psalmists, in Psalm 35:1-6 (ESV) appears to do so because he asks God to intervene against those who contend with him:

“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
Take hold of shield and buckler
and rise for my help!
Draw the spear and javelin
against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
‘I am your salvation!’

Let them be put to shame and dishonor
who seek after my life!
Let them be turned back and disappointed
who devise evil against me!
Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away!
Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!”

David seeks God’s intervention on his behalf. He is asking God to judge those who are opposed to him.

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV) is about forgiving those who sin against us:

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”

Trust God to render judgment in his perfect timing. 

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Wisdom Prayer

What About Christ’s Bones?

What About Christ’s Bones?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who see how prophetic Scripture is with regard to Christ’s bones not being broken during his crucifixion. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In Exodus 12 there is a description of Passover. Exodus 12:46 (ESV) gets specific when the Passover lamb is described:

“It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones.”

Psalm 34:20 (ESV) is prophetic about the Lamb of God having no broken bones:

“He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.”

John 19:33-36 (ESV) explains how the prophesy was fulfilled:

“But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”

Realize the interconnectedness of Scripture. Praise God that you also may believe. 

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Wisdom Prayer

Keep Your Tongue from Evil?

Keep Your Tongue from Evil?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who keep their tongue from evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What path will you take? Scripture is full of wise counsel. Do people always make the right decisions based on the advice? No. Not everyone follows wise counsel. It is often hard to take words of wisdom and translate them into action.

Psalm 34:11-14 provides some guidance:

“Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.”

These few passages are a powerful reminder of what to avoid and the actions to take. A person should be careful what they say. The world would be a far better place if everyone would seek peace and pursue it.

Take the advice of Scripture, watch your tongue, and avoid evil. Start on the right path today.

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Wisdom Prayer

Taste and See?

Taste and See?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who taste and see the Lord is good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Years ago, I attended a Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie at Angel Stadium in Orange County, California. Prior to the event, there was a group in the audience that shouted, “God is good.” Others responded from around the stadium, “All the time.” The first group joined by hundreds of others thundered back, “All the time, God is good.” It started again as more people joined the call and response.

Imagine singers praising God with the words of Psalm 34:8-9 (ESV):

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!”

The English Standard Version regarding Psalm 34:8 says,

“The verb taste (V. 8) which in the OT [Old Testament] is commonly used in the literal sense, is a metaphor of personal experience; the NT [New Testament] uses this metaphor widely (e.g. John 8:52; Heb. 2:9; 6:4).”

Personally experience God. Ask Jesus into your heart if you have not already done so. Take refuge in him.

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