PrayerThots Devotional

Be Discerning & Be Diligent

Up to this point the preacher has
concentrated mainly on problems
of life without seeking explanation.
 But the deeper he probes life’s
perplexities, the more conclusive
the evidence points him to the
solution: Fear God. When wisdom
turns to vanity, fear God (7:18). 
When God’s ways seem uncertain, 
fear God (8:12-13). When all is
said and done, fear God (12:13)
for this is the whole duty of man.

Lord, we’ll Be Discerning & Diligent:
A wise man’s heart discerns
both time and judgment…
Because for every matter there
is a time and judgment (Ecc 8:5-6).
Notice the way God does things;
then fall into line. Don’t fight
the ways of God… In the day of
prosperity be joyful, but in the day
of adversity consider (Ecc 7:12-13).
If you wait for perfect conditions,
you will never get anything done.
God’s ways are as hard to discern
as the pathways of the wind…
Plant a variety of crops, for
you never know which will grow;
perhaps they all will (Ecc 11:4-6).

Lord, teach me to step out of my
own auto responses to situations.
Thank You Lord for Your promise
to readily impart wisdom to me.
For Your Word said in James 1:5:
If you need wisdom, ask God
and He will give it to you liberally.
Lord You also say in every situation,
there’s a right way and right time.
And in accordance to Your Word
of promise, Reveal to me what
to do and when to do it. Amen.

Lord, help us take a step of faith,
seizing life’s opportunities
and not merely playing it safe.
Spur us be faithful in small things
You give us to do so that one day
we’ll be given bigger assignments. 
Thank You Lord for blessing
that faithfulness and producing
results far greater than anything
we could do by ourselves. Amen.

Dear Lord, You are all knowing
and the source of all wisdom
for us to lead a meaningful life.
Help us Be Discerning in ministry;
Help us to Do the Right Things;
Help us to Be Diligent; and
Help us to Fear You, Follow You
and Keep Your instructions;
for this is the whole duty of man.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Thank God for Work & Retirement

Making sense out of life isn’t easy
as the preacher of Ecclesiastes
thinks his way through what he
has seen and experienced in life.
Every enterprise he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth, has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises that God indeed
appoint the times & purposes of life.
But his insight fades as he focuses
on the futility of life under the sun
and overlooks the One who alone
can put life into a meaningful whole.

Lord, Tks for Work & Retirement:
He who loves silver will not
be satisfied; nor he who loves
abundance, with increase.
This is also vanity (Eccl 5:10).
The sleep of a labouring man
is sweet, whether he eats little
or much; but the abundance
of the rich will not permit
him to sleep (Eccl 5:12).
It is good and fitting… to enjoy
the good of all his labour in which
he tolls under the sun all the days
of his life which God gives him…
As for every man to whom God
has given… wealth, and rejoice
in his labour – this is the gift of God
For… God keeps him busy with
the joy of his heart (Eccl 5:18-20).

Lord, I understand that seeking
after wealth and riches will
never bring me true happiness.
For only You Lord, can satisfy
the emptiness in my heart and soul.
Forgive me Lord for ever looking
elsewhere for satisfaction.
Remind me to use the blessings
that You have poured into my life
to bring You glory and honor. Amen.
 
Lord, Thank You for the blessings
and provisions that You bestowed,
for keeping us safe and guiding us.
Forgive me if I have said or done
anything that dishonour Your name
or sought to do things in my own
strength rather than relying on You.
And as we lie down, watch over us,
give us a refreshing sleep even as
we cast our burdens to You. Amen.

Lord, thank You for the opportunity
to step aside fr the hustle & bustle
of work to enjoy slower pace of life.
Thank You for the blessing through
my working career and pray for 
Your continued favour in retirement.
May I live the rest of my days
in close fellowship with You Lord
even as I purpose to do Your will.
Open new horizons to serve You
in ways that will bless many and
bring glory to Your name. Amen.

God Is Our Best Companion

Making sense out of life isn’t easy
as the preacher of Ecclesiastes
thinks his way through what he
has seen and experienced in life.
Every enterprise he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth, has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises that God indeed
appoint the times & purposes of life.
But his insight fades as he focuses
on the futility of life under the sun
and overlooks the One who alone
can put life into a meaningful whole.

Lord, thank You for Threefold Cord:
Two people can accomplish more
than twice as much as one; they
get a better return for their labour.
If one person fall, the other can
reach out and help (Eccl 4:9-10).
And on a cold night, two under
the same blanket can get
warm from each other. But how
can one be warm alone? (v11).
Though one may be overpowered
by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord cord is not
quickly broken (Eccl 4:12) Amen.

Lord, I thank You for the friends
You have brought into my life:
For those who bring joy & laughter;
For those who bring comfort & care;
For those who inspire & spur me
to be what You created me to be.
For two people are better than one
for they help each other succeed.
Above all thank You Christ Jesus
my Saviour and Best Friend. Amen.

Lord, grant my spouse and I will
seek to meet mutual needs & have understanding love for each other.
Grant us Lord the grace to live with
each other in peace and harmony.
May we bear each weaknesses and
grow from each other’s strengths.
Help us forgive each other’s failings
and grant us patience and kindness.
Grant that the love that brought us
together grow steadily over time
& bring us closer to You Lord. Amen

Lord, thank You for the people
who supported me in tough times.
Help me to see those around me
in need of support even if they looks
like they are surrounded by people.
Boost my marital relationship Lord
with U in the center, in Word & love.
And I invite You Lord into every other
relationship in my life and seek Your
guidance in decision-making. Amen.

God Has A Time For Every Purpose

Making sense out of life is not easy.
And this is the problem facing the
preacher as he thinks through what
he has seen and experienced in life.
Every thing he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises God does indeed
appoint the Times & purposes of life.

Lord, we will Wait for Your Timing:
For everything there is a season,
a Time for every purpose
under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
A time to be born & a time to die…
A time to weep & a time to laugh…
A time to keep and a time to
throw away… A time to keep
Silence and a time to Speak (v2-7).
He has made everything beautiful
in its time. He has also set eternity
in the hearts of men; yet they
can’t fathom what God has done
from beginning to end… There is
nothing better for men than to be
happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink
and find satisfaction in all his toil
– this is the gift of God (v11-13).

Lord, You’re sovereign & do things
at Your Time to achieve Your plan,
including moulding our character.
Pray Lord for needed grace not to
extend the gruelling waiting time.
Enable me to recognise inner flaws;
and in Your mercy, remove defects
that keep me trapped in self will.
Grant me a character makeover so
that I can represent You well. Amen.

Lord, as human beings, we have a
keen sense of having the right time
in sharing advice or exciting news.
But when it comes to talking to God,
we tend to expect You to answer our
prayers or reveal Yr Will right away.
Waiting is hard & we don’t know how
to interpret rhythm of our dialogue.
Grant us Lord the patience to wait
and watch for Your words. Amen.

Lord, I realise that Your Timing
for things is not the same as mine.
I tend to desire all the answers to
prayers quickly; but You want me
to be very patient and wait on You.
So I lay my concerns before You
& leave the outcome in Your hands.
Help me to rest in the knowledge
that Your Timing is perfect, just as
everything You do is perfect. Amen.

God Offers Word of Wisdom

The author of Proverbs clearly
states the purpose of the book:
To know wisdom and instructions
(Prov 1:2-5). God wants His people
to be wise and skilful in making
moral and ethical choices. And
the first nine chapters of Proverbs
take the form of a fatherly address
to a young son – a divine primer
for learning the fear of the Lord.

Lord, we will Seek Your Word:
A wise man will hear and (become
even wiser); and a man of under-
standing will attain wise counsel…
The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of knowledge, and fools despise
wisdom and instruction (Prov 1:5-7).
If you receive My Words & treasure
My commands… making your ear
attentive to wisdom, and apply your
heart and mind to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for insight…
If you seek wisdom as silver
and search for her as for hidden
treasures; Then you will understand
the fear of the Lord, and Find the
knowledge of God (Prov 2:1-5).
For the Lord gives wisdom…
He is a shield to those who
walk uprightly; He guards
the way of His saints (v6-8).

Lord, develop in us deep Reverence
of You that will lead to wisdom.
Grant us grace to Fear You rather
than the circumstances we face.
Help me Be Open to listen fr those
who can give good insight & counsel
Help me Lord not to let pride stand
in the way to receive godly advice.
Open my heart to be teachable
to receive correction willingly. Amen.

Lord, wisdom comes from You
and Your Word; but You give
wisdom only to Earnest Seekers.
Grant us the grace to be fervent
Seekers of Your Word, be upright in
character & be faithful to Yr cause.
Open my ears to wisdom & help me
recognise wisdom when I hear it.
Pray that in my seeking, I will Find it;
for You’re the giver of wisdom.Amen

O Gracious and Loving Father,
Give us Lord the Wisdom and
understanding to perceive You.
Give us the Diligence to Seek You
and the patience to wait for You.
Give us the Fulfilment to proclaim
You as a Shield to those who walk
uprightly and Guard of His saints; 
through the power of the Spirit
of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Hearing God thru His Word

Godly living in an ungodly world
is no simple task. But the book
of Proverbs (the Bible’s primer of
practical wisdom) teaches skilful
application of truth to everyday life.
Contained in this unique collection
of poetry, parable and wise maxims
are instructions regarding how
to relate to parents and children,
God and government, sin and self.
And Solomon gives readers a divine
handle on living to please God.

On Monday, we learn from Prov 1/2
that God Offers Word of Wisdom.
On Tuesday, we learn from Prov 3
that God Directs As We Trust Him.
On Wed, we learn from Prov 8 that
God Rewards those who Seek Him.
On Thursday, we learn from Prov 15
that God Hears Us & Gives Word.
On Friday, we learn from Prov 16
that the Lord Directs & Establishes.
On Sat, we learn from Prov 23
that God Gives Hope for Our Future.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Hear You:
For You Offer Word of Wisdom
as well as Hear and Give Word.
For You Direct as we Trust in You
and Reward those who Seek You.
For You Direct and Establish Us,
as well as Give Hope for Our Future.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Gives Hope for Our Future

The final 11 chapters of Proverbs
contains sound counsel for those
in positions of authority. And Prov
22-24 contain wise counsel for
anyone in position of responsibili
including parents and pastors.
Leaders need to know God’s
precepts if they are to direct
their charges into God-honouring
paths of conduct and character.

Lord, You Promise Hope for Future:
Do not let your heart envy sinners
but always be zealous for the fear
of the Lord. There is surely a Future
Hope for you, and your hope will
not be cut off (Proverbs 23:17-18).
Hear my son and Be Wise;
and guide your heart in the Way…
Listen to your father who begot you
& don’t despise yr mother (v19-22).
Buy the Truth and do not sell it;
Get Wisdom, Discipline and
Understanding… Let your father
and your mother be glad (v23-25).

Lord, grant me Your revelation
and fill my heart with Your light
that I need. Help me to see not
just my present trouble but the
Future You have Planned for me.
Your Word assures me that
those who Hope in the Lord
will have a Wonderful Future.
Grant me Lord the faith to cling to
Your promise; and in Your mercy
let it come to fruition. Amen.

Lord, grateful that You’ve Planned
a Future and a Hope for my life.
Because of Your power and Your
faithfulness, I know that nothing
in my life is outside Your control.
Let my Hope be firmly grounded
in Your unchanging character.
Draw me to seek You, hear fr You;
and lead me to submit to Your
Way and will for my future. Amen.

Lord, grant me Wisdom to live by
Your Truth so that I will have a life
of peace, blessing and happiness.
I pray to have wisdom to protect
me from evil as well as guide
me to make the right decisions.
Along with that, help me to live
with Understanding & Discipline
so thay I will bring glory to You.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

The Lord Directs & Establishes Us

Backgrounder on Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace with others,
commit to godliness in motives
and thots, tongue and temper as
well as plans, paths and pursuits.

Lord, You will Direct our Plans:
People may be pure in their
own eyes, but the Lord examines
their motives. Commit to the Lord
whatever you do, and He will
Establish your plans (Prov 16:2-3).
When the ways of people please
the Lord, He makes even their
enemies live at peace with them…
We can make our plans, but the
Lord Determines our steps (v7-9).
He who Heeds The Word wisely
will find good, and whoever
Trusts in the Lord, happy is he…
We may throw the dice but the Lord
determines how they fall (v20,33).

Lord, You want us to Commit our
Plans to You before we act; to show
our love for U & submission to You.
Forgive us Lord that sometimes we
make plans without consulting You
for we simply just want our own way.
Grateful You are so keen in my life
that I can talk to You at any time.
Thank You Lord for helping me to
set plans and Establish them. Amen.

Loving Lord, we thank You God
that You are always carefully
managing the details of our lives.
Your purpose Lord always prevails,
even though we’re prone to forget
that and may make our own plans.
But then the Lord will Determine
and direct the steps of the
godly towards a good outcome.
In Jesus’ precious names, Amen.

Lord, we tend to like to throw the
dice, taking control of things and
looking to You as our last resource.
And we may go to You because
we really have nowhere else to go.
In Your mercy, cause us to know
that storms of life have driven us,
not upon the rock, but to goodness.
Help us Lord to Heed Your Word
and Trust wholly in You so that we’ll
be glad with good outcome. Amen.

God Hears Us & Gives Word

Backgrounder to Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace, prosperity and
justice in interpersonal relationships,
commit to godliness, in thoughts &
motives as well as temper & tongue.

Lord, we will Humble Before You:
The Lord detest the sacrifice
of the wicked, but the prayer
of the upright Pleases Him.
The Lord detests the way of the
wicked but He loves those who
Pursue Righteousness (Prov 15:8-9)
Plans fail for lack of Counsel,
but with advisors they Succeed.
A man finds joy in giving
an apt reply – and how good
is a Timely Word ! (v22-23).
The Lord is far from the wicked but
He Hears prayer of the Righteous…
The ear that Hears the Rebutes
of life will abide among the wise…
The fear of the Lord is the
Instruction of wisdom; and
before honor is humility (v29-33).

Father, I am grateful that You see
me as righteous just because of
my relationship with Lord Jesus.
But I know You also want me to
choose to Live Righteously as well.
Grant that my thoughts, words
and actions will always be pleasing
in Your sight so that my prayers
will be pleasing to Your ears.
And enable me Lord each day to do
What’s Right in Your sight. Amen.

Lord, give me discernment to
know what advice is godly Counsel;
then help me make good decision.
Lord, as You are the master of
Timely Words and circumstances;
Help me recognise Yr voice in them.
As I grow older, help me Lord to
be a godly advisor who can offer
wise & godly Counsel to others.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, help us adopt the posture
of a child who is humble, open
to Rebute and open to Instruction.
For You promise that those who
are Humble will be the greatest in
Your kingdom. Help us Lord to be
gentle & lowly in heart as You are.
And we pray that our humble faith
and service will accomplish great
things for Your kingdom. Amen.

God Rewards those who Seek Him

The first 9 chapters of Proverbs
take the form of a fatherly address
for learning the fear of the Lord.
Beginning with Chap 5, Solomon
turns from a general appeal
to more specific application of
wisdom in everyday situations.
Pitfalls abound, ready to entangle
and destroy the unwary: immorality,
indebtedness, laziness, falsehood
and pride. Indulging in these sins
is a sure invitation to disaster.
Rather respond to call of wisdom,
which among its many benefits
is the favor of the Lord (Prov 8:35).

Lord, we’ll Seek & Wait Upon You:
The fear of the Lord is to hate
evil; pride and arrogance…
and the perverse mouth I hate…
I love all who love Me.
Those who Search For Me
will surely Find Me (Prov 8:13-17).
(Wisdom said) I have riches and
honour as well as enduring wealth.
My gifts are better than gold,
even the purest gold, my wages
better than sterling silver (v18-19).
Blessed is the man who Listens
to Me, watching daily at my doors,
Waiting at my doorway. For whoever
finds me finds life, and obtains
Favour from the Lord (v34-35).

Lord, Your Word in Proverbs says
those who Search Will Find You.
And Your Word in Hebrews 11:6
says You are a rewarder of
those who diligently Seek You.
So, I purpose to Seek You Lord;
to fear You and shun evil ways.
And I know Your gift of blessings
are wrapped up in Yourself.
Reward my search Lord beyond
my greatest expectations. Amen.

Lord, You reward seekers of wisdom
including honour & enduring wealth.
With wisdom,we can solve problems effectively and attain success in life.
With wisdom, God blesses with joy,
hope in faith and love from others.
Grateful Lord that we can readily
receive wisdom from Your Word.
Help us Lord to gain wisdom even
as we search Your word. Amen.

Lord, I purpose to Wait upon
You and Listen to Your voice.
Speak to my heart about the
things I need to hear from You and
Teach me Lord all I need to know.
Thank You for blessings & Favour
that await those who Wait at Your
door and Listen for Your voice.
Whilst waiting upon You, may my
faith be raised and the character
of Christ be formed in me. Amen.