Tag: 2017 Prayers

I Stand Amazed In the Presence

Backgrounder: Charles Gabriel
was born in 1856 Iowa. He is
credited with writing up to 8,000
hymns and songs in his life. Some
of his hymns include His Eye is
on the Sparrow, The Old Rugged
Cross, and Away in a Manger.
The inspiration for I Stand Amazed
in the Presence is not known, but
Gabriel wrote both the words and
melody for the song. The hymn
first appeared in 1905 Excell’s
collection. Rev. Carlton Young,
editor of The United Methodist
Hymnal, notes: “This song of
gratitude for the atoning death of
Jesus is a personal interpretation
of Luke’s account of Jesus’
sweating blood in the Garden
of Gethsemane, a portion of
the passion narrative not
included in the other gospels.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Oct 9)”

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms
(Prayer Walk thro 2 Chron 17-20)

Backgrounder: Jehoshaphat
knows the key to spiritual revival
in the nation is a renewed interest
in and commitment to the law of
the Lord. He institutes a nation-
wide “Bible study program”, an
effort which God richly blesses
with peace and prosperity.
In contrast to his predecessors,
Jehoshaphat manages to make
peace with the king of Israel. But
a friendly visit nearly costs him
his life as he becomes entangled
in a war between Israel and Syria.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Oct 8)”

Divided Kingdom & Asa’s Reforms
(Prayer Walk thro 2 Chron 10-16)

Backgrounder: After Solomon’s
death, his son Rohoboam
imposes a foolish tax increase,
prompting revolt of the northern
tribes, and we read little more
about them. The rest of 2 Chron
recounts alternating periods of
apostasy and reforms in Judah.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Oct 7)”

I Love to Tell the Story

Backgrounder: Katherine Hankey
(1834-1911) the daughter of a
prosperous British banker, grew
up in a stylish London suburb.
In her twenties, she started Bible
classes for factory girls. When
she was in her thirties, Kate
became seriously ill and doctors
said she needed a year of rest.
During her recovery, she wrote
two poems. The first became
the hymn: Tell me the Old Old
Story. The second written 10
months later became: I Love to
Tell the Story. She soon returned
to her Bible classes in London and
continued teaching for many years.
Continue reading “Prayer Thot for the Day (Oct 6)”