Tag: pray for wisdom

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Wisdom Prayer

Reach Out to Strangers?

Reach Out to Strangers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know they are members of the household of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When was the last time you saw a movie or television show about the Old West?

A common plot is when a stranger comes to town, and the town’s people are suspicious. Some locals question the new person’s character while others express misgivings about accepting the new arrival.

Some parts of the country remain like the Old West. Many people are leery about associating with strangers.

Ever felt like a stranger? Fear not. The words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) are comforting for believers:

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

I know a man who coordinates a food giveaway program. Unlike the suspicious townspeople, he embraces strangers and is open to helping anyone. Through his words and actions he introduces unbelievers to the love of his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believers: Remember you are part of the household of God. Reach out to strangers.

Share about Jesus.

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Wisdom Prayer

Eternal Life?

Eternal Life?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know God gave us eternal life in his Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Some of the ways other religions describe what happens upon death include “to be reincarnated” or “to reach nirvana.” But for believers and followers of Jesus, there is a different testimony.

It appears in 1 John 5:11 (ESV):
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

Eternal life is God’s gift for believers, and it is not the same as that offered by Eastern religions.

False gods are not Christ’s equal.

Remember what was said in John 14:6 (ESV):
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Think of it – Eternal Life!

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Wisdom Prayer

A Royal Priesthood?

A Royal Priesthood?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know they are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It is hard to believe how highly God regards those who believe and follow Jesus.

Not everyone believes or follows, but those who do have a special relationship. This relationship goes both ways. We have a very high standard to live up to as it is described in 1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV):

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

We should be acting as a chosen race – and more! Realize the concluding verse of this section of Scripture deals with mercy. Asking God to have mercy on us is great. But this verse tells us: “You have received mercy.” Taken together, these two verses are good news indeed. Praise God!

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Wisdom Prayer

Earn Favor from God?

Earn Favor from God?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who realize they are saved through faith and not as a result of good works. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Many religions require their adherents to complete tasks in order to earn their way into heave. Martin Luther had a religious epiphany. It changer his perspective from a works-oriented theology to one focused on grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) is clear about how people are saved, and it has nothing to do with doing good works to earn God’s favor:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:10 continues:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Grateful for salvation, believers are motivated to work for God. Do not try to earn God’s favor by working hard. Work as unto the Lord, so he gets the glory.

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Wisdom Prayer

Saved by Grace?

Saved by Grace?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who were dead in their trespasses and sins, but God being rich in mercy showed the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward them in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ephesians 2:2-7 details the depravity of man, and then describes what happens to those who believe.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV) describes sinful man:

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV) addresses how knowing Christ and receiving God’s grace changes everything:

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

What a difference there is in a person’s life before knowing Christ compared to after knowing Christ!

Are you a believer? If not, I want to invite you to take action to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

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Wisdom Prayer

Sealed with the Promise?

Sealed with the Promise?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who suffer from procrastination. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think how amazing the senses are.

Take a moment. Stop and reflect upon your sense of taste, smell, touch, hearing, and sight.

Think about the first time you heard about Jesus. How many of your senses were involved?

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) describes what happens when believers heard the Good News:
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”

Have you believed in Jesus?
If you have not, consider accepting Jesus as your personal savior now. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, first came upon believers on the day of Pentecost. As the scripture says, the Holy Spirit guarantees a believer’s inheritance. Rejoice!

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