Month: April 2022

Worship God Wholeheartedly

Time is running out for the nation
of Israel. Though God’s patience
with His wayward people is deep,
His hand of judgment is poised
and will not be stayed much longer.
Following the death of Elisha,
Israel’s downward spiral accelerates.
Despite the able rule of Jeroboam ll,
the kings who succeeds him lead
the people ever deeper into idolatry
and immorality. Not a single one
of the last nine monarchs looks to
God for direction. At last Assyria
captures and disperses God’s
disobedient people and brought
the northern kingdom to an end.

Lord, we pledge to Worship You:
In the ninth year of King Hosea’s
reign, Samaria fell and the people
of Israel were exiled to Assyria.
The disaster came upon the nation
of Israel because the people
worshipped other gods, sinning
against the Lord their God (2K17:6-7)
Then they… sold themselves
to do evil in the sight of the Lord,
provoking Him. So the Lord was
very angry with Israel (2Kgs 17:17-18).
They feared the Lord, yet they
served their own gods, according
to the rituals of the nations from
among whom they were carried away…
They do not fear the Lord, nor do
they follow the law…which the Lord
had commanded the children
of Jacob (2 Kings 17:33-34).

Lord, we learnt from 2 Kings 13-17
that whilst You’re patient & merciful,
ever wanting your people to repent;
You are also holy, just & sovereign.
Help us not be concern of outward
radiance; but be watchful of moral
corruption and spiritual bankruptcy.
Help us to remain faithful to You;
help us to pledge worship only You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Dear Loving Lord, I pray You will
keep me from having a divided heart.
I don’t want to weaken allegiance
to You God by showing any allegiance
to the false gods of this world.
Help me Lord to stay in close touch
with You through regular meditation
of Your holy word & constant prayer.
And unite my heart with Yours Lord
so that it won’t stray from You. Amen.

Lord, we know a day is coming
when You will pour out Your anger
on those who live for themselves,
who refuse to obey the truth
and instead lead wicked lives.
But we also know that You poured
out Your anger on Christ so that
all who find refuge in Him will not
be swept away from Your presence
but will be brought safely home to You.
In Your mercy, draw our friends and
loved ones into Your fold. Amen.

Seek Help from God Who Rescues

Time is running out for the nation
of Israel. Though God’s patience with
His wayward people is enormous,
His hand of judgment is poised
and will not be stayed much longer.
Following the death of Elisha, the
nation’s downward spiral accelerates.
Inspire of the able rule of Jeroboam II,
who revives the nation every way
but spiritually, the kings who succeed
him lead the people ever deeper
into idolatry and immorality. Not one
of the last nine monarchs looks to
God for direction in earthly affairs.

Lord, You are a God who Rescues:
Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became
king over Israel in Samaria and
reigned 17 years. And he did evil
in the sight of the Lord, and followed
the sins of Jeroboam… who had
made Israel sin… Then the anger
of the Lord was aroused against Israel
and He delivered them into the hand
of Hazael king of Syria (2Kgs 13:1-3).
Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord’s
help & the Lord heard his prayer.
The Lord could see how terribly
the king of Aram was oppressing
Israel. So the Lord raised up a
deliverer to rescue the Israelites
from the tyranny of the Syrians.
Then Israel lived in safety again
as they had in former days (v4-5).

Lord, we noted even though
Jehoahaz had lived an evil life
as a king, when he sought the
Lord’s help, You God intervened.
You raised up a deliverer and
rescued the Israelites from tyranny
and they lived in safety and peace.
If God will help an evil king when
he called on Him, how much more
will He hear and respond to the
prayers of His children. Amen.

Lord, I thank You that Your ear
is open to the cry of Your children
and that You will act on our behalf.
With that knowledge, we don’t ever
have to hesitate to cry out to You for
Your help and intervention in our lives.
What a wonderful Father You are
as a God who come to our rescue.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, thank You for listening to
my prayers and answering not
according to my character but
according to Your goodness.
Help me not let anything discourage
me from coming to You in prayer,
thinking I dont deserve Your blessing.
Remind me You are a good God;
and I come entirely because You
are full of grace and mercy. Amen.

Prayer for Divine Vision (Apr 19)

Backgrounder on 2 King 4-8:
Elisha, the great miracle worker
of God performs eight miracles
in these 5 chapters, including
providing an oil well for a widow,
giving new life for a deaf boy,
multiplying bread for hungry crowd,
curing a leprous army captain and
enabling a servant to see angels.
In each case, God’s power at work
shows His readiness to do the same
in the nation He has called His own.

Lord, Grant us Eyes of Faith:
Now the king of Syria was making
war against Israel… (2 Kings 6:8).
Ah my lord, what will we do now?
Elisha’s servant cried out to Elisha.
Don’t be afraid ! Elisha told him.
For there are more on our side
than on theirs! Then Elisha prayed:
O Lord, open his eyes and let him
see! The Lord opened his servant’s
eyes and when he looked up,
he saw that the hillside around
Elisha was filled with horses and
chariots of fire (2Kings 6:15-17).

Lord, grant me the light to see
in the unseen realm how Your
strength is greater than any foe.
Remind me of Your awesome
power and unlimited resources.
Open my eyes Lord, let me
look through the eyes of Faith
and show me Your resources.
And let me take courage because
You are fighting for me. Amen.

Almighty God, open my eyes to
see the truth about my situation.
Give me clear understanding,
especially when I am facing
the enemy, of all You are doing
in the midst of my situation.
Enable me to see things from
Your perspective so that I can
stand strong and courageous.
Help me to trust Your hand of
protection. In Jesus’ mighty name.

Lord, In difficult circumstance,
I purpose not to fear for You are
my God and You are with me.
You will Strengthen me, You will
help me and You will uphold me
with Your righteous right hand.
For God has not given us
a spirit of fear, but of Power.
And we can do all things thro
Christ who Strengthens us. Amen

Trust the God of Miracles 

Elisha, the great miracle worker
of God, performs no fewer
than eight miracles: providing
an “oil well” for a destitute,
giving new life for a dead boy,
making poisoned stew harmless,
multiplying bread for hungry crowd,
curing a leprous army captain,
making an ax head defy gravity,
reading mind of an enemy king,
enabling servant to see angels of
God & closing eyes of the enemy.
In each case, God’s power at work
shows His readiness to do the same
in the nation He has called His own.

Lord, we’ll Trust Your Provision:
And Elisha said: Borrow as
many empty jars as you can…
Pour olive oil from your flask into
the jars. So she Did as she was told.
Her sons brought many jars to her
and she filled one after another.
Soon every container was full to
the brim! And then the olive oil
stopped flowing (2Kings 4:3-6).
Elisha said to her as she stood in
the doorway: Next year at this time
you will be holding a son in yr arms!
She cried: O man of God, don’t
deceive me and get my hopes up
like that. But sure enough, the woman
soon became pregnant. And at
that time the following year she had
a son, just as Elisha had said (v15-17)

Lord, thank You for the lessons from
Elisha’s mighty miracles showing
that You God in full control and
You care for those who follow You.
Help us Think from Your Angle and 
help us Look with Eyes of Faith.
And even as we listen, follow and
obey Your instructions, please
show us Your Power to transform
any situation for U care for us. Amen

Lord, give me a Vision of all
that You want to do in my life.
Help me to think not in terms
of what is humanly achievable
but what is Divinely Achievable.
I avail to whatever You’ve installed
for me and not limit Your blessings by
being not prepared to receive them.
Enlarge my mind to understand how You can take what I have and expand
it beyond what I can imagine. Amen.

Lord, some of us need the miracle
for our friends and loved ones
to be brought from death to life.
We are helpless to breathe spiritual
life into the lives of our loved ones.
But You Lord of resurrection can.
Won’t You warm our loved ones
to the wonderful truth of the gospel.
Won’t You Lord speak to them and
call them to awaken to You. Amen.

Prayer for Wisdom & Understanding

In the final hours before his death,
David charges Solomon to walk
before the Lord in integrity and
truth – a request which Solomon
fulfills in the early days of his reign
by ruling with justice, humility
and honesty before God and man.
Presented with a “blank cheque”
by God, Solomon asks for wisdom
to rule skilfully rather than wealth.
In return, God Gives him both!

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to
Solomon: Ask! What shall I Give u?
And Solomon said: O Lord my God,
You have made Your servant king…
Therefore give to Your servant
an understanding heart to judge
Your people, that I may discern
between good and evil. For who
is able to judge this great people
of Yours? The speech pleased
the Lord that Solomon had asked
this thing. Then God said to him:
Because you have asked this thing
understanding to discern justice…
I have given you a wise and
understanding heart, so that there
has not been anyone like you…
And I have also given you what
you have not asked: both riches
and honour, so that there shall
not be anyone like you among
kings all your days (1Kgs 3:5-13).

Lord, we are grateful that whenever
we are lost or unsure of what to do,
we can always seek You for wisdom.
Thank You Lord for divine wisdom,
which we can readily find in Your
Word as well as asking You for it.
Your word assures if I lack wisdom,
I can ask God who gives generously.
Thank You that the wisdom from
heaven is full of good fruit. Amen.

Lord, help us not only to hear
and meditate on Your Words
but also put them into practice
so that we can be like a wise man
who built his house on the rock.
And help us take care how we live,
not as the unwise but as wise;
making most of every opportunity
to be a source of blessing and to
lead others to Your kingdom. Amen

Lord, help us seek Your wisdom;
open our ears to it and help us to
recognise wisdom when we hear it.
Give us Lord the wisdom to know
what to do, how to do and the
courage to follow through on it.
And we know even as we put
You God and Your agenda first
that You will satisfy all our needs.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Seeking God thru Biblical Prayers

The purpose of 1 Kings is to contrast
the lives of those who live for God
and those who refuse to do so
thru the history of Israel and Judah.
This week we see the importance of
Seeking God and Trusting His Ways.
On Monday, we learn from 1 Kings 3
on Prayer for Wisdom & Understanding
On Tuesday, we learn from I Kings 8
on Trusting the Plan of God.
On Wed, we learn from 1 Kings 13
on Being Obedient to the Lord.
On Thu, we learn from 1 Kings 17
on Trusting God for His Provision.
On Friday, we learn from 1 Kings 18
on Praying Persistently In Faith.
On Sat, we learn from 1 Kings 19
on Being Attentive to God’s Voice.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Be Attentive to Voice of God

I Kings 15 begins a pattern that
will extend throughout the rest of
1 and 2 Kings. The writer flip-flops
in his account between the nations
of Israel and Judah. He traces
the parallel stories of two nations
in spiritual decline, taking time
occasionally to highlight a prophet
or a king who contributes greatly
to spirituality of one of the nations.
Today we centre around Elijah the
prophet who courageously faces
a heathen Israelite king and 850
pagan prophets of Baal, only to
flee for his life from Queen Jezebel.

Lord, we’ll Be Alert to Your Voice:
But (Elijah) went a day’s journey
into the wilderness… and sat down
under a… tree. And he prayed that
he might die, and said: It is enough!
Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no
better than fathers! Then as he lay and
slept… suddenly an angel touched him,
& said to him: Arise & eat(1Kgs 19:4-5)
As Elijah stood there, the Lord
passed by and a mighty windstorm
hit the mountain… but the Lord was
not in the wind. After the wind there
was an earthquake, but the Lord
was not in the earthquake…..
And after the fire there was the
sound of a gentle Whisper…
What are you doing here Elijah?
I alone am left and they seek to take
my life… Then the Lord said: Go…
anoint Hazael as king over Syria…
anoint Jehu as king over Israel…
anoint Elisha as prophet in yr place…
Whoever escape sword of Hazael,
Jehu will kill and whoever escapes
the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
Yet I’ve reserved 7,000 in Israel
who have not bowed to Baal (v11-18)

Lord, after victorious stand against
Baal, Elijah worn in body and brain,
fell prey to fear, fled from wrath
of Jezebel and wanted to die. But
God in Your wisdom denied request.
Along with Moses and Jonah who
presented similar requests, Elijah’s
unanswered prayer reminds us that
we’re not fit for heaven when weary.
Realised loneliness explains Elijah’s
sense of being forsaken. But You God
is ever tender & understanding. Amen

Lord, we note centuries earlier,
that You had spoken to Moses
amid thunder & lightning, a thick
cloud of smoke & a blast of horn.
Now in the very same mountain,
Elijah facing similar phenomena,
yet he hears God’s voice only in
the gentle whisper. Help me to be
attentive to Your voice as You’ve
different ways of dealing with
people at different times. Amen.

Lord, You are sovereign and Your
communication to us is varied and
we can’t focus on particular mode.
Help me to be ready for what You
want to say, however You say it.
Help me Lord to remain Alert to
Your voice in whatever the forms.
Make my spirit to be sensitive
to You at all times: Shout to me,
whisper to me, speak however
You want, for I’m listening. Amen.

Pray Persistently In Faith (Apr 15)

From 1 Kings 15 onwards show
the two nations of Israel & Judah
in spiritual decline; taking time
occasionally to highlight a prophet
(such as Elijah) or a king (like Ahab)
who contributes significantly to the
spirituality of one of the nations.
Prophet Elijah courageously faces
a heathen Israelite king and 850
pagan prophets of Baal, prayed
persistently for rain, only to flee
for his life from Queen Jezebel.

Lord, we’ll Pray Earnestly In Faith:
Elijah said: How long will you
falter between two opinions?
If the Lord is God follow Him;
but if Baal follow him. I alone am
left a prophet of the Lord but Baal’s
prophets are 450 men (1K18:21-22)
Elijah prayed: O Lord, answer me!
Answer me so these people will
know that You, O Lord are God…
The fire of the Lord flashed down
from heaven and burned up the
young bull. It even lick up all the water
in the ditch! And when the people
saw it, they fell on their faces and
cried out: The Lord is God! (v37-39)
Then Elijah said to Ahab: there is
the sound of abundance of rain…
And Elijah… said to his servant:
Go up, look toward the sea….
There is nothing. And 7 times he said:
Go again… Now it happened.. that
the sky became black with clouds
and there was a heavy rain (v41-45).

Lord, Your Word in James 5:16 says
the earnest prayer of a righteous
person produces wonderful results.
Grant us the faith & persistency of
Elijah: that when he prayed earnestly
that no rain would fall, none fell for
3 & half years! Then when he prayed
again, the sky sent down rain.
Lord, fill our hearts with Your desires
so that when we pray out of the
overflow of our heart, we are praying
Your will and heart desires. Amen.

Lord, You are the one true God
and we praise You! Thank You
for going to such great length
to demonstrate Your power and
to bring people back to You.
Those great lengths led Your Son
to the cross because of Your love.
Show Yourself powerful and show
that You are the God who acts on
Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord, I pray You will help me to have
strong faith to believe You will do
great things in response to prayers.
Your word tells of the miracles
You had done for Your people,
and I know You are the same
these days as You’re in the past.
I believe You can do magnificent
and miraculous things in response
to our prayers today as well. Amen.

Trust God for His Provision:

Backgrounder to 1 Kings 15-19:
1 Kings 15 begins a pattern that will
extend through the rest of 1 & 2 Kings.
The writer flip-flops his account
between the nations of Israel & Judah,
first describing the reigning power
in the North, then moving to the
South and so on. He traces the parallel
stories of two nations in spiritual
decline; taking time occasionally to
highlight a prophet (such as Elijah)
or a king (like Ahab) who contributes
significantly to the spiritual rise
or fall of one of the nations.
Today’s reading centers around
Elijah the prophet who courageously
faces a heathen Israelite king
and 850 pagan prophets of Baal.

Lord, we Trust Your Provision:
And Elijah…said to Ahab: As the Lord
God of Israel lives, before whom
I stand, there shall not be dew nor
rain these years except at my word.
Then the Lord came to Elijah
saying: Hide by the Brook, which
flow into the Jordan. You shall drink
from the brook & I’ve commanded
the ravens to feed you there…
Widow did as Elijah said. And she,
her son & Elijah continued to eat
from her supply of flour and oil
for many days. For no matter how
much they used, there was always
enough left in the containers,
just as the Lord had promised
through Elijah (1 Kgs 17:1-4, 15-16)
O Lord my God, have You brought
tragedy on the widow with whom
I lodge, by killing her son? And he
stretched himself upon the child
three times, and cried out… O Lord
my God I pray, let this child’s soul
come back to him. Then the Lord
heard the voice of Elijah; and the
soul of the child came back (v20-22)

Lord, I know You are God of miracles
and nothing is impossible for those
who pray in the power of Your Spirit.
Help me to pray boldly and believe
for miracles in answer to my prayers.
Teach me how to not pray too small;
for I don’t want my prayers to stop
short of what You God want to see
happen in my life and in the lives
of those for whom I pray. Amen.

Father God, remind us of Your
amazing provision for Elijah and
the widow because they followed
Your way instead of their own.
Grateful for Your constant care
& for Your plan in uncertain times.
But it is so easy to panic and do
what seems most reasonable
rather than to trust You & follow
Your pleading in those times.
Remind us Your deeds and assures
us that Your way is best. Amen.

Lord Jesus, we note that You favour
Elijah greatly by his presence at
Your transfiguration and greatest
number of answered prayers.
Elijah supplicated You God for
the widow as his heart directed,
though in rather bizzare manner.
But we learn a prayer for miracle
is a prayer without limitations,
a prayer of faith. O Gracious Lord,
let Your children be sure of Your
answers to prayers of faith. Amen.

Be Obedient to the Lord

Solomon’s great wealth mainly came
from soaring taxes. After his death,
his son Rehoboam must decide
if he will continue or cancel the
harsh taxation policies of his father.
Following foolish advice, Rohoboam
increases the tax burden – and
thus spawns a national tax revolt.
When the dust settled, the united
kingdom is no more, and in its place
stands a divided kingdom of two
distinct nations (Israel and Judah)
ruled by two decadent kings,
namely Jeroboam and Rehoboam.

Lord, we will Submit to Your Word:
Then the king (Jeroboam) said to
the man of God: Intercede with the
Lord your God and pray for me that
my hand may be restored. So the
man of God interceded with the Lord,
and the king’s hand was restored and
became as it was before (1Kgs 13:6)
The Lord gave (the man of God)
this command: You must not eat
or drink anything while you are
there and do not return to Judah
by the same way you came. But
the old (man) answered: I am a
prophet too just as you are. And
an angel gave me this command
from the Lord: Bring him home
with you so he can have something
to eat and drink. But the old man
was lying to him (1Kings 13:17-18).

Lord, thanks for the lessons from
the divided kingdom, following
foolish advice, Rehoboam raises
tax and spawn a national revolt. 
Help us Lord to seek wise counsel;
and help us to cling to Your Word.
Spur us to intercede for those in need
like Elijah for healing of Kg Jeroboam.
Help us Lord to feel your heartbeat
and submit in obedience. Amen.

Lord, help me to obey Your command
to love my enemies and even to
pray for those who are against me.
I know You have heard and answer
the prayers of others for me
when I didn’t deserve it; so help
me to do the same for them too.
Give me the heart of love You have
so that I can pray for people who
disappoint or even hurt me. Amen.

Lord, we tend to compromise much
too often, probably because we are
uncertain about what You God said.
Give me confidence to anchor my
faith and obedience in Your words
and never to deviate from them.
Cultivate in me the tenacity to
cling to instructions & assignments
that You have given to me. Amen.