Thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 7 (Jan 16)

Thank God for Being Mighty Helper

Lord, You Are Our Mighty Helper:
(Samuel) pleaded with the Lord
to help Israel & the Lord answered.
Just as Samuel was sacrificing
the burnt offering, the Philistines
arrived for battle. But the Lord
spoke with a mighty voice of
thunder from heaven, and the
Philistines were thrown into
such confusion that the Israelites
defeated them (1 Sam 7:9-10).

Then Samuel took a stone and
set it up between Mizpah & Shen,
and called its name Ebenezer,
saying: Thus far the Lord has
helped us. So the Philistines
were subdued, and they did not
come anymore into the territory
of Israel. And the hand of the Lord
was against the Philistines all
the days of Samuel (v12-13) Amen

Lord, I praise You because You
are a God who hears and answers.
Just as You answered and moved
on behalf of Israel as they battled
their enemies, You move and work
today on behalf of your people.
Thank you for calling all of your
people – young and old, to pray
and seek your help in these days.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen

Lord, You tell us to pray and give
us Your Word to guide our prayers.
And when Your people pray, You
show up. That’s why at the site
of the Israelite victory, Samuel in
thanksgiving erected a monument
with the name Ebenezer, meaning
the stone of help. It reminds us
to ask You God for the help we
need today; and not to forget
to thank You for answers. Amen.