Month: January 2022

Prayer for Blessings  (Jan 14)

Gen 48-50 conclude the book
of beginnings by recording the
final acts of Jacob and Joseph.
Jacob’s blessing upon Joseph’s
two sons, announcing that the
younger would be more honoured
than the older, is in keeping with
the pattern established in Genesis
(Isaac instead of Ismael, Jacob
instead of Esau, Joseph instead
of Reuben). As his final earthly act,
Jacob blesses each of his 12 sons,
giving divine guidance of their future
Jacob’s body is taken back to
Canaan for burial, while Joseph’s
body remains in Egypt until release
of the newly born nation of Israel.

Lord, You are the Shepherd of Life:
Then (Jacob) blessed Joseph and
said: May the God before whom
my fathers Abraham and Issac
walked, the God who has been
my Shepherd all my life to this day…
may he bless these boys…
and may they increase greatly
upon the earth (Gen 48:15-16).
The sceptre will not depart fr Judah
nor the ruler staff from between
his feet, until he comes to whom
it belongs and the obedience
of the nations is his (Gen 49:10).
Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful
vine near a spring..His bow remained
in strength, and the arms of his
hands were made strong by the
hands of the Mighty God because
of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel…
By the God of your father who will
help you, and the Almighty who
will bless you, with blessings of
heaven above (Gen 49:22-25).

Lord, we note Jacob at the end of his
eventful life, spoke of the God who
has been my Shepherd all my life.
This was quite a claim for one where
much of the pain were self-inflicted.
Even in the dark experiences was a
God who cared & carried His people.
Loving Lord, grant us discernment
to see Your caring & guiding hands
through the challenges of life. Amen.

Lord, throughout history, You have
chosen Israel as Your very own pple.
Through Israel, You’ve also delivered
to all humanity the gift of salvation
thru one of their own Jesus Christ.
We praise Your plan of salvation
and for delivering Israel so that
Jesus Christ could enter the world.
And we look forward to His return
for gathering of His sheep including
those from the nation of Israel. Amen

Lord, because You are my shepherd,
You are the provider of my needs;
protector of my safety as well as
the guider of my soul and direction.
Forgive me for discontent, for I have
disregarded what You have given.
With all the confusion ahead, I need
You to guide me on the right path
to go and what decision to make.
Thank You Lord for being my shepherd, who knows what’s best
and leads me in that direction. Amen

Holding On to Given Dreams

Backgrounder to Genesis 37-41:
Though the favourite son of his
father Jacob, Joseph alienates
himself from his brothers by his
forthrightness of his two dreams.
Envy grows into hatred until finally
the brothers sell him into slavery.
Taken to Egypt, Joseph suffers
injustice at the hands of Potiphar’s
wife & later from forgetful butler.
Through it all, God has a good plan
for both Joseph as well as Israel.
A difficult dream sent by God to
Pharaoh jars the memory of the
chief butler; and Joseph is promoted
from prisoner to prime minister
because of his God-given insight.

Lord, we’ll Wait for Your Promise:
(Joseph) dreamed another dream.
This time the sun, the moon and 11
stars bowed down to me (Gen 37:9)
Pharaoh said to Joseph: “I had
a dream last night and no one here
can tell me what it means. But I’ve
heard that when you hear about
a dream you can interpret it.”
It is beyond my power to do this,
Joseph replied. But God can tell
you what it means (Gen 41:15-16).
The dreams of Pharaoh are one;
God has shown Pharaoh what He
is about to do… And the dream was
repeated to Pharaoh because the
thing is established by God & God
will shortly bring it to pass (v25, 32)
Pharaoh said… Since God has
revealed the meaning of the dreams
to you, clearly no one else is as wise
as you are. You will be in charge
of my court and all my people
will take orders from you (v39-40)

Heavenly Father, thank You
for Your good plan for mankind.
Help us Persevere by Waiting for
fulfilment of promise like Joseph.
Help us Trust You for challenges
even as we give our scars to You;
for You intended for good. And
Lord help us to see life problems
thru Your eyes and for Your glory.
Thanks be to You God who is able
to keep us from stumbling. Amen!

Lord, You have a solution for
every problem in the world and
every problem that we may face.
Share Your ideas Lord with us,
and we will avail to act on them
so that we can be a blessing to
others and further Your kingdom.
Put us in divine appointments,
and help us Lord to see life through
Your eyes & for Your glory. Amen

Lord, grant Be Thou Our Vision
just as the life of Joseph suggests
an overwhelming sense of
Your presence and providence.
We learn You don’t just speak into
individual lives or immediate future
for Your agenda is much broader.
When we listen for Your voice, we
need to listen with grand purposes
and long-term frame of mind. And
raise our vision beyond self needs
into Yr purpose & assignment. Amen

Prayer of Humility & Faith

The third patriarchal character
Jacob truly lives up to his name,
stealing the family blessing meant
for his twin brother Esau. But it is
through Jacob that God’s promises
are fulfilled in a greater degree.
During a 20-year stay in Haran,
Jacob the schemer becomes
Jacob the servant of God.
After leaving his uncle Laban, he
reconciles to God, wrestling with
the angel of Jehovah that leaves
him with a new name Israel & limp.

Lord, help us Don’t Stop Believing:
Then Jacob said: O God of my father
Abraham and God of my father Isaac
the Lord who said to me: Return
to your country… and I will deal
well with you: I am not worthy of
the least of the mercies… which
You have shown Your servant…
Deliver me, I pray, from the hand
of my brother… for I fear him…
For You said: I will surely treat you well and make your descendants as the sand of the sea (Gen 32:9-12).
So Jacob was left alone and a man
wrestled with him till daybreak.
When the man saw that he could
not overpower him, he touched the
socket of Jacob’s hip so that his
hip was wrenched as he wrestled
with the man. Then the man said:
Let me go, for it is daybreak. But
Jacob replied: I will not let you go
unless You bless me… And He said:
Your name shall no longer be called
Jacob but Israel; for you have
struggled with God and with men,
and have prevailed (Gen 32:24-28).

Lord, help us earn from Jacob
in his prayer a deep sense of
self-abasement. He realised how
unworthy he was of divine mercy.
Lord, we desire to know You better
and confess not praying as much
as we would like to, and having
times of worries and doubt. But
we commit to trust You more and
to pray more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord,help me emulate Jacob,staying
there until he receives the blessing.
I confess at times of worries & doubt
but I commit to trust You more and
purpose to pray more each day.
Help me Lord to be watchful and
help me recognise Your presence.
Help me fight a good fight, believe
and hold on to Yr promises. Amen.

Lord, we do want to know You
in an intimate way that may only comes through intense desire, struggle and sometimes suffering.
Help us see that having Your
blessing is worth the cost
that may come along the way.
Give us Lord a new sense
of identity that comes from
encountering You. Amen.

Prayer as Vow for Blessing (Jan 11)

Genesis 27-31 introduce Jacob
(deceiver) a man who truly lives
up to his name. The theft of the
family blessing intended for his
twin brother Esau, demonstrated
his scheming character. But it is
through Jacob that God’s promises
made more than a century and
a half earlier – begin to be fulfilled
in greater degree. During a 20-year
stay in Haran, Jacob works for
one wife and gets three more,
fathers 11 sons and a daughter,
and amassed huge quantities of live-
stock & servants – the nucleus from
which God will fashion a new nation.

Lord, we Come Nearer to Thee:
Jacob found a stone to rest his
head against and lay down to sleep.
He dreamed of a stairway that
reached…up to heaven. And he saw
the angels of God going up and
down the stairway. The Lord said…
the land on which u lie I give to u.
Behold, I’m with you & will keep u.
I will not leave you until I have done
what I’ve spoken to u(Gen28:11-15)
Jacob rose early in the morning
and took the stone… set it up as
a pillar and poured oil on top of it.
He named that place Bethel
which means house of God…
Then Jacob made a vow saying:
If God will be with me & keep me..
so that I come back to my father’s
house in peace, then the Lord
shall be my God. And this stone
which I have set as a pillar shall
be God’s house, and of all that
You give me I will surely give
a tenth to You (Gen 28:18-22).

Lord, we note Jacob being earthly
person, his prayers were related
to earthly things: increase of family,
herds and material possessions.
After all, God-given power to
multiply is equivalent to blessing.
Jacob revealing his earnestness
vowed a vow, seemed as if he
were driving a bargain with God.
Let not our attitude to prayer be:
God You do this for me and then
I’ll do that for You; but rather
out of gratitude to Him. Amen.

Lord, through the trials of life,
You God avails to be nearer to me.
As I grow more senior, I find I want to
be nearer to You; and as I draw near
to You God, You draw near to me.
Help me to recognise Your presence
and help me to have eternity in view.
Your holy presence challenges me
to be more like You, and Your love
encourages me to do Your will.Amen

Lord, Nearer my God to Thee,
nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
that raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be,
nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee,
nearer to Thee.
There let the way appear
steps unto heav’n;
All that Thou sendest me
in mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me
nearer my God to Thee,
Nearer my God to Thee,
nearer to Thee. Amen.

Prayer of Plea & Inquiry (Jan 10)

Abraham’s faith is tested again
as God calls upon him to sacrifice
treasured son Isaac upon the altar.
Abraham obeys; and able-bodied
Isaac too submitting to Lord’s will.
For their faithfulness, God rewards
them with assurances of blessings
In the closing years of Abraham’s
life, there remains one important
detail: finding a suitable bride
for Isaac, who again shows his
submission to the Lord’s will.
The story of Isaac continues,
focusing on his family and work.
Though Abraham has died, God’s
promises to him live on in the
persons of his son Isaac and
his twin grand-sons, Esau & Jacob.

Lord, we implore & enquire of You:
Isaac was forty years old
when he took Rebekah as wife…
Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord
for his wife because she was barren;
and the Lord granted his plea,
and Rebekah his wife conceived.
But the children struggled
together within her; and she said:
If all is well, why am I like this?
So she went to inquire of the Lord.
And the Lord said: Two nations
are in your womb, two peoples
shall be separated from your body;
one people shall be stronger than
the other, and the older shall serve
the younger (Gen 25:20-23)
Esau said: I am about to die (of
starvation) so what is this birth-
right to me? But Jacob said:
First you must swear that your
birthright is mine. So Esau swore
an oath thereby selling all his
rights as the firstborn to his
brother Jacob (Gen 25:32-33).

Lord, we are encouraged that
You God hears and answers
prayers as proved by Isaac’s
petition for his childless wife.
We also noticed too that
Rebekah enquired of the Lord.
Those twenty years of waiting
show that You God does not
hurry the fulfilment of Your plan.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we noticed Rebekah had
questions for You on things she
did not understand in her life.
Many others in Scripture including
Job brought their questions to
You God expecting a response.
But asking God specific questions
with the expectation that He will
response to us is an act of faith.
Help us ask what’s Your desires?
How You feel about this situation
or that problem; how You want
us to see things differently;
what You want to teach us.
Plse share Your heart with us. Amen.

Lord, all that You have promised
and are preparing for those who
love You is of such great worth.
But it takes eyes of Faith to see it
and a willingness to wait for it
when so much in this world
promises immediate gratification.
Help us Lord not to be godless
like Esau in trading much blessing
to satisfy momentary craving. Amen

Prayer for Divine Favour

The climax of more than 20 faith-
stretching years for Abraham and
Sarah comes in the birth of Isaac,
their miracle son and heir. But soon
Abraham’s faith is tested again
as God calls upon him to sacrifice
that treasured son upon an altar.
Abraham obeys, showing that
the experiences of the past two
decades have not been in vain.
For his faithfulness to the point
of death, God rewards Abraham
with further assurance of blessing.
In the closing years of Abraham’s
life, saddened by Sarah’s death,
there remains one important detail:
finding a suitable bride for Isaac.

Lord, we Ask for Divine Favour:
(Eliezer) go to my country and
to my family and take a wife
for my son Isaac (Gen 24:4).
Then he said: O Lord God of my
master Abraham, please give
me success this day, and show
kindness to my master Abraham.
Behold here I stand by the well
of water, and the daughters of
the men of the city are coming
out to draw water. Now let it be
that the young woman to whom
I say: Please let down your pitcher
that I may drink, and she says:
Drink and I will also give your
camels a drink – let her be the
one You have appointed for Your
servant Isaac. And by this I will
know that You have shown kindness
to my master (Genesis 24:12-14).
Before he had finished speaking…
Rebekah… came out with her
pitcher on her shoulder (v15).

Lord, help us to learn from the simple, childlike prayer of Eliezer
when he asked for a specific sign to
guide him to right woman for Isaac.
The prayer was also uttered with
a grateful heart blessing God
for His kindness; and offered with
reliance upon divine faithfulness.
O Lord, let us approach Your throne with confidence for You are not only almighty but also good and faithful.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, when Eliezer asks for good
speed, his plea was for kindness
to be shown to his master Abraham.
When we ask great things from God
we can plea in Jesus’ name that
God will show kindness for His sake.
Lord, may I know when to speak
and when to be silent; when
to act or refrain from action.
In all details of daily life, may I
faithfully serve Thee, my Master
and my Friend. In Jesus name, Amen

Lord God of the universe, You
are the Lord of my life; I worship
You and give glory to Your name.
You are holy and wonderful;
amazing and awesome, and
I thank You for all You have done
for me. Because Your Word says
You are able to do beyond what
I can even think of to ask for,
I call on You to meet all of my
needs in ways more wonderful
than I can even imagine. Amen.

Seeking God thru Spiritual Prayers

The purpose of Genesis is to
record God’s creation of the world
and His desire to have a people
set apart primarily to worship Him.
This week we seek and implore
God through scriptural prayers.
On Monday, we learn thru Bible
prayers we can emulate healthy
patterns and are drawn to God.
On Tuesday, we learn from Gen 4/5
on the Beginning of Prayer History.
On Wed, we learn from Gen 12/13
on Prayer and Worship Altar.
On Thursday, we learn from Gen 15/17 on Prayer for Family Line.
On Friday, we learn from Gen 18
on Prayer for Being Spared.
On Sat, we learn from Gen 24
on Prayer for Divine Favour.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Prayer for Divine Favour (Jan 8)

The climax of more than 20 faith-
stretching years for Abraham and
Sarah comes in the birth of Isaac,
their miracle son and heir. But soon
Abraham’s faith is tested again
as God calls upon him to sacrifice
that treasured son upon an altar.
Abraham obeys, showing that
the experiences of the past two
decades have not been in vain.
For his faithfulness to the point
of death, God rewards Abraham
with further assurance of blessing.
In the closing years of Abraham’s
life, saddened by Sarah’s death,
there remains one important detail:
finding a suitable bride for Isaac.

Lord, we Ask for Divine Favour:
(Eliezer) go to my country and
to my family and take a wife
for my son Isaac (Gen 24:4).
Then he said: O Lord God of my
master Abraham, please give
me success this day, and show
kindness to my master Abraham.
Behold here I stand by the well
of water, and the daughters of
the men of the city are coming
out to draw water. Now let it be
that the young woman to whom
I say: Please let down your pitcher
that I may drink, and she says:
Drink and I will also give your
camels a drink – let her be the
one You have appointed for Your
servant Isaac. And by this I will
know that You have shown kindness
to my master (Genesis 24:12-14).
Before he had finished speaking…
Rebekah… came out with her
pitcher on her shoulder (v15).

Lord, help us to learn from the simple, childlike prayer of Eliezer
when he asked for a specific sign to
guide him to right woman for Isaac.
The prayer was also uttered with
a grateful heart blessing God
for His kindness; and offered with
reliance upon divine faithfulness.
O Lord, let us approach Your throne with confidence for You are not only almighty but also good and faithful.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, when Eliezer asks for good
speed, his plea was for kindness
to be shown to his master Abraham.
When we ask great things from God
we can plea in Jesus’ name that
God will show kindness for His sake.
Lord, may I know when to speak
and when to be silent; when
to act or refrain from action.
In all details of daily life, may I
faithfully serve Thee, my Master
and my Friend. In Jesus name, Amen

Lord God of the universe, You
are the Lord of my life; I worship
You and give glory to Your name.
You are holy and wonderful;
amazing and awesome, and
I thank You for all You have done
for me. Because Your Word says
You are able to do beyond what
I can even think of to ask for,
I call on You to meet all of my
needs in ways more wonderful
than I can even imagine. Amen.

Prayer for Being Spared (Jan 7)

Genesis 18/19 relate crisis arising
in the lives of two of Abraham’s
family members: his wife Sarah
and his nephew Lot. Lot’s life of
compromise and worldly pursuits
stands stark contrast to the life
of Faith demonstrated by his uncle.
In response to Abraham’s fervent
prayers, God spares Lot while
destroying his home town for
its wickedness and perversion.

Lord, we will persist in Prayer:
The… men went on toward Sodom…
Abraham approached Lord and said:
Will You destroy both innocent
and guilty alike? Suppose You find
50 innocent people there within
the city – will You still destroy it
and not spare it for their sakes?
Surely You wouldn’t do such
a thing, destroying the innocent
with the guilty! Should not the
Judge of the Earth do what is right?
And the Lord replied: If I find 50
innocent people in Sodom, I will
spare the entire city for their sake.
Then Abraham spoke again: let me
go on: suppose there are only 45…
And the Lord said: I will not destroy
it if I find 45. Suppose only 40?…
suppose only 30 are found?
Suppose there are only 20?
Suppose only 10 are found there?
The Lord said: For the sake of the
ten, I’ll not destroy it (Gen 18:22-32)

Lord, we learn from Abraham’s
intercessory prayer that when
we approach You Most High,
we must recognise that Your
throne is one of Grace and mercy;
We also realise that we must
approach You with deep humility.
Lord, even as we intercede for
friends and loved ones this year,
may we know that You are most gracious and yet we humble
ourselves in Your sight. Amen.

Lord of lovingkindness, I have been
way too timid in prayers, when
compared myself to Abraham.
Help me Lord to know you much
better that I won’t feel afraid
to ask great things of You.
Grow my faith in you and lead me
to exercise this increasing faith
in my prayers to you this year.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Lord, though the extent of our sin
is not as great as that of Sodom,
but our sinfulness before God is
still distasteful if not repugnant.
Thank God that there is One who
intercedes for us, who has brought
us to repentance, and has made
the way for us to be forgiven.
Like Abraham, we are now called
to intercede for others; to stand
in the gap for them that they
might find salvation. Amen.