Prayer in time of Danger
Despite God’s persistent commands,
the Israelites chose to accommodate
rather than annihilate the Canaanites
thereby surrounding themselves
with godless influence. So, they
began series of cycles of sinning,
worshipping idols, being punished,
crying for help, being rescued by a
judge, obeying God for a while, then
falling back into idolatry. They were
conquered by Syria, Moab, Canaan,
Midian, Ammon and Philistia.
Lord, we’ll Seek You for Help:
These people were left to test the
Israelites – to see whether they
would obey the commands the
Lord had given… So Israel lived
among the Canaanites, Hittites,
Amorites… and they intermarried
with them…. And the Israelites
worshiped their gods (Jdgs3:4-6)
The anger of the Lord burned agst
Israel and He handed them to king
Aram for 8 years. But when they
cried out to the Lord, he raised up
a deliverer Otheniel who saved them.
Once again the Israelites did evil
and the Lord gave Moab control
over Israel for 18 years. Again the
Israelites cried out to the Lord,
and he gave them Ehud (v9, 15).
Then Deborah sang on that day:
When leaders lead in Israel,
when the people willingly offer
themselves, bless the Lord!…
I will sing praise to the Lord…
They shall recount the righteous
acts of the Lord (Jdgs 5:1-3, 11).
Lord, You allowed pagans in the
land to test your people whether
they will obey Your commands.
We will not bond with heathens
and we will abstain from idols.
And we will advise our children to
heed Your warning that marriage
between believers & unbelievers
will create countless problems.
Help us in our endeavours. Amen.
Merciful Lord, thank You that
whenever we cried out to You,
You will deliver us from misery.
We confess often trying to control
our own lives without God’s help.
Remind us that You God should
be the first place we turn to for
help when we’re facing struggles
and not as a last resort. Amen.
Lord, we note the Song of Deborah
was a prayer of gratitude to You.
We are grateful for the faithful
workers who offer their services
for the wellbeing and support
of others. We ask Lord for Your
special blessing for these workers.
Provide their needs, guide them
and protect them from evil. Amen.