Tag: wisdom prayer

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Wisdom Prayer

The Counsel of the Wicked?

The Counsel of the Wicked?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those tempted to accept the counsel of the wicked. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Everyone makes mistakes. Strive to do well. Get the right counsel. Pick good role models. Be blessed. Psalm 1:1 (ESV) says it this way:

“Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers.”

Some accept unwise counsel. Others follow sinful lifestyles. Others scoff and ridicule. For those who would like to alter their lifestyle, change is possible.

Romans 10:13 (ESV) says: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” If need be, change and be blessed!

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Wisdom Prayer

Read the Bible Publicly?

Read the Bible Publicly?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for how to best honor your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

What would it be like today if God’s holy and inspired word was read out loud in the center of the city in a public square?

Would there be public outcry or praise?

Imagine being transported to the time of Ezra, the Old Testament prophet and contemporary of Nehemiah.

After the wall and gates were rebuilt, all the people gathered together to hear Ezra read the Law of Moses.

Nehemiah 8:5-6 (ESV) picks up the story: “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, ‘Amen, Amen,’ lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”

What a great testimony of God’s chosen people.

Ponder their reaction upon hearing God’s word. Will you react differently the next time you hear scripture read aloud?

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Wisdom Prayer

No One Appreciates Your Work?

No One Appreciates Your Work?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who work hard and think no one notices. In Jesus’ name, amen.

People are watching. Nehemiah and those who rebuilt and defended Jerusalem’s wall were observed by the people of nearby nations. From start to finish the reconstruction took only fifty-two days. How could this be?

We learn in Nehemiah 6:16 (ESV) who others thought deserved the credit: “And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”

Work hard. Achieve results. Acknowledge where the help comes from.

Praise God!

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Wisdom Prayer

Meeting with the Boss?

Meeting with the Boss?

Lord, I pray for wisdom for anyone meeting with a person of authority. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah became deeply troubled when he heard the wall of Jerusalem had been destroyed and the gates burned.

Prior to meeting with the king, Nehemiah prays in Nehemiah 1:11: “O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man (referring to the king).”

As the story unfolds, we learn that, in this case, God heard and answered prayer just as Nehemiah pleaded.

Be humble and be bold when asking for God’s favor, but know there are three possible answers when you pray to the King of the Universe: Yes…No…or Wait.

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Wisdom Prayer

Team Building?

Team Building?

Lord, I pray for wisdom for people who work in teams. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The first verses of Matthew are filled with often hard-to-pronounce names in Jesus’ genealogy.

Chapter three of Nehemiah is also filled with some hard-to-pronounce names.

The latter lists the people who worked to build the wall and the gates of Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s leadership. In Scripture we learn this endeavor was not a solo effort. To complete the massive reconstruction project took a number of teams.

Are you part of a team? It takes cooperation. Keep on building. And it helps the camaraderie if you know how to pronounce your teammates’ names.

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Wisdom Prayer

Are You Prepared?

Are You Prepared?

I pray for wisdom for those who need to be prepared for an attack. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever learn that someone is out to get you? How did you prepare?

In the fourth chapter of Nehemiah we learn that teams of builders were working on Jerusalem’s wall when word came that opposition forces were plotting to disrupt the construction.

It says in Nehemiah 4:8 (ESV): “And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.” The response? Prayer.

Verse 9 says: “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

Then, reinforcements – although at first reluctant – arrived. And, equipped with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail, they prepared to protect the workers.

Are you a wall builder? Are you called to protect others? In whatever capacity, be prepared! Serve with distinction.

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