The Meaning of Life Explored
(Prayer Walk through Ecc 1-6)
Backgrounder: Making sense out
of life is not always easy. This is
the problem facing the preacher
of the book of Ecclesiastes as
he thinks his way through what
he has seen & experienced in life.
Every enterprise he has undertaken
fr acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth, has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion
the preacher realises that God
does indeed appoint the times
and purposes of life. But his insight
fades as he focuses on the futility
of life under the sun & overlooks
the One who alone can put life
together into a meaningful whole.
Dear Lord, you are all knowing
and the source of all wisdom
for us to lead a meaningful life.
Help us to purpose to Pursue You
to Please You; to Wait upon You &
have reverent Fear of You. Amen.
Lord, we purpose to Pursue You:
Everything is meaningless, says
the Teacher, utter meaningless!
What do people get for all their
hard work? Generations come
and go but nothing really changes.
The sun rises and sets and
hurries around to rise again…
Everything is so weary & tiresome!
No matter how much we see,
we are never satisfied.
No matter how much we hear,
we are not content…
And there is nothing new
under the sun (Ecc 1:1-11).
Lord, we realise if we try to find
meaning in our accomplishments,
nature, or novelty rather than You
God, we will never be satisfied
and everything we pursue will be
wearisome. For only the pursuit
of God brings real satisfaction.
Help us To rethink our direction in
life & purpose to honour U. Amen
Lord, we purpose to Please You:
So I decided there is nothing
better than to enjoy food & drink
and to find satisfaction in work.
Then I realised that this pleasure
is from the Hand of God. For who
can eat or enjoy anything apart
from Him? God gives wisdom,
knowledge and joy to those
who pleases Him (Ecc 2:24-26).
Lord, we thank U for the promise
that you give wisdom and joy
to those who pleases You.
I want my life to be pleasing to U.
I will give thanks and praise you
for both honour and glorify you.
Help me to draw near to you and
live a life of faith that pleases U.
Grant me grace to walk in your
ways and turn my whole being
– my will, heart, mind & emotions
over to you – the one who loves
me with an everlasting love. Amen
Lord, we will Flow with Your
Timing & purpose to Wait upon U:
To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose
under heaven: A time to weep,
and a time to laugh;…
A time to keep,
and a time to throw away;…
A time to keep silence,
and a time to speak…
He has made everything beautiful
in its time. He has planted eternity
in the human heart, but even so
people cannot see the whole
scope of God’s work from
beginning to end (Ecc 3:1-11).
Lord, we know Your timing is not
the same as ours. I want all the
answers to my prayers right now.
But You want me to be patient
and wait upon You. So I lay my
concerns before You and leave
the outcome in Your hands.
Help us to rest in the knowledge
that Your timing is perfect, just as
everything U do is perfect. Amen.
Lord, we purpose to Fear You:
When you make a vow to God,
do not delay to pay it; for
He has no pleasure in fools.
Do not let your mouth cause
your flesh to sin… For in the
multitude of dreams and many
words there is also vanity.
But fear God instead (Ecc 5:5-7).
Lord, forgive us for speaking
empty words without thinking
first. Let my words be full of life,
of value to others and reflect
your love and grace. Teach me
to turn first to you and pour out
my concerns and thoughts.
Then your Spirit will give us
the right words to speak,
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Dear Lord, you are the source
of all wisdom and empowerment
for us to lead a meaningful life.
Help us to redirect our life from
seeking accomplishments to
Pursuing You which bring U glory
and bring us real satisfaction.
Help us to lead a life that Pleases
You by constantly giving thanks
and praise to you, seeking you
as well as fully trusting in you.
Help us to Be Patient and to
Wait upon You, knowing you are
sovereign & Your timing is perfect.
Help us to have reverent Fear of U
and our words be full of life, of
value to others & reflect your grace.
Help us to Seek You, Please You,
Wait upon You, Respect You and
Trust you’re in complete control.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.