Category: 2019 Prayers

The God of My Life

Psalms 42-49 are attributed to
the sons of Korah, descendants
of the man who died for his
rebellion against Moses (Num 16).
One part of this family became
the temple doorkeepers (1Chr 9:19)
while another became the singers
and musicians in the temple
(1 Chron 6:31-33, 37).

Praise be to the Lord of My Life:
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I’ll yet
praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember You…
By day the Lord directs His love,
at night His song is with me –
a prayer to the God of My Life
– El Hayyay (Psalm 42:5-8).

Lord El Hayyay, when it is dark
You light the way and give comfort.
Yet at times I just cannot see the
goodness before me because
my eyes are dulled by darkness.
But in those times, You ask me
to have faith in You and to cling
to Your Word, so that when the
sun rises, I will see the greatness
of Your goodness in my life. Amen.

Lord El Hayyay, sometimes I have
questioned more than I should.
Forgive me for doubting Your heart
when I couldn’t see Your hand or
when Your ways seemed confusing.
Forgive me for not resting in
Your name, El Hayyay, the God
of my life and for trying to be
in charge of my life myself.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen

Lord El Hayyay, open my ears
to hear from You; and soften
my heart to discern Your Spirit.
Help my eyes to recognise when
You are weaving something new
in my life. Help me remember
You are sovereign and nothing
happens to me that doesn’t
first pass through Your hands.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lessons from Paul’s 2nd Journey

Paul’s second missionary journey
begins with a new companion
– Silas. But the team soon doubles
in size as Timothy is added
at Lystra and Luke at Troas.
Initially given a warm reception
in Philippi, Paul and Silas
soon experience flogging and
imprisonment for disrupting the
profitable soothsaying business.
But God uses even this to bring
a jailer and his family to salvation.

Lord, Paul’s missionary adventures
show us the gospel should not be
confined to one corner of the world
but the hope be offered to all people.
And Paul’s second church-planting
journey shows the apostle at work
bringing the gospel to some of the
most significant cities of their time.
Learning from Paul, we too should
also venture forth and share this
heroic task to witness for Christ.
As we seek to join You at work
Lord, we Seek Your Presence;
Lord, we Seek Your Deliverance;
Lord, we Seek Your Support. Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Deliverance:
Around midnight, Paul and Silas
were praying and Singing Hymns
to God, and the other prisoners
were listening. Suddenly, there
was a great earthquake and
the prison was shaken to its
foundations. All the doors flew
open, and the chains of every
prisoner fell off (Acts 16:25-26).
Lord, we praise U for Your mighty
power in our lives. We magnify
Your Name for there is none like U!
When I look at my circumstances
and am tempted to give up,
remind me of the example of
Paul & Silas and how U intervened
for them. Then put words of Praise
in my mouth. For You are my hope
in the midst of trouble. Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Presence:
(God) Himself gives all men life
and breath and everything else.
From one man He made every
nation of men, that they should
inhabit the whole earth; and He
determined the times set for them
and the exact places where they
should live. God did this so that
men should seek Him… reach
out for Him and find Him, though
He is not far from each one of us.
For in Him we live and move and
have our being (Acts 17:25-28).
Lord, I know You are constantly
watching us, protecting us and
even sharing Your thots with us.
In You Lord, we live and move
and exist. Help us Lord to become
a noticer of Your Presence and
acknowledge You in every situation.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Support:
One night the Lord spoke to Paul
in a vision: Do not be afraid; keep
on speaking… For I am with you, and
no one is going to harm you…So Paul
stayed for a year and a half, teaching
them the word of God (Acts 18:9-11).
Apollos… with thorough knowledge
of the Scriptures… taught about
Jesus accurately, though he knew
only the baptism of John. He began
to speak boldly in the synagogue.
When Priscilla & Aquila heard him,
they invited him to their home and
explained to him the way of God
more adequately (Acts 18:24-26).
Lord, it will be great to experience
like Apostle Paul Your support and
encouragement to do Your work.
Challenge us to know well the Scriptures, full of zeal and learn
continually. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lessons from Paul’s First Journey

Just as Jerusalem has been the
center for Jewish evangelism,
so Syrian Antioch becomes the
center for Gentile evangelism.
Peter who has played leadership
role in the first 12 chapters, now
gives up the spotlight to Paul,
whose travels & trials will dominate
the last 16 chapters of the book.
Acts 13 marks the start of Paul’s
missionary career, initiated not by
personal choice but divine calling.
Returning to Antioch at the end
of their first missionary journey,
Paul and Barnabas report to their
home church and seek to resolve
the issue of including Gentiles in
the previously all-Jewish church.

Lord, Paul’s missionary adventures
show us the gospel should not be
confined to one corner of the world
but the hope be offered to all people.
Help us Lord not have silo mentality
with interest only in self and family;
but instead venture forth to witness
for Christ and further Your kingdom.
Lord, we Seek Your Purpose;
Lord, we Seek Your Empowerment;
Lord, we Seek Your Restoration.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Purpose:
As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted, the Holy Spirit said:
Now separate to Me Barnabas
and Saul for the work to which
I have called them. Then having
fasted and prayed and laid hands,
they sent them away (Acts 13:2-3).
Lord, I learn my calling is revealed
in prayer; and I know it is defined
within a church body of believers
with whom I can grow with others.
Revealed to me the role in the
church body You want me to be
so that I can minister with others in
unity and be refined by Your Spirit.
And enable me to be set apart for
the work You have for me. Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Empowerment:
Paul & Banabas returned to Lystra,
Iconium and Antioch, strengthening
the souls of the disciples, exhorting
them to continue in the faith… So
when they had appointed elders
in every church and Prayed With
Fasting, they commended them
to the Lord (Acts 14:21-23).
Lord, I realise whenever important
decisions had to be made, prayer
are often accompanied by fasting.
Lord, I know when I fast and pray
my prayers can gain new power.
Help me Lord to do that whenever
I have to make important decisions
and need to have Your guidance.
Help me to restart the discipline of
fasting & make me ready to handle
the opportunities ahead. Amen.

Lord, we Seek Your Restoration:
This conversion of Gentiles is
exactly what the prophets predicted.
As it is written: Afterwards I will
return and restore the fallen house
of David. I will rebuild its ruins
and restore it, so that the rest
of humanity might seek the Lord,
including the Gentiles – all those
I’ve called to be mine (Acts 15:15-17)
Lord Jesus, You came into the world
and began the restoration process
by calling a believing remnant
of Israel to Himself and sending
them out to invite the Gentiles in.
Gracious God, You are still at work
reclaiming Your people from ruins.
Come into our ruins Lord, and do
Your work of rebuilding & restoring.
And may Your gracious renovation
of our lives be a light to those around
us in need of Your restoration. Amen.

Knowing God thru His Names

The purpose of Psalms is to provide
poetry for the expression of praise,
worship and confession to God.
Psalms Book 2 is similar to Exodus
as many of these psalms describe
Israel as ruined and then recovered.
This week we understand God better
thru His revelation of names, mostly
related to His ability to meet needs.
On Monday, we learn from
Ps 42 about the God of My Life.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 43
about God My Exceeding Joy.
On Wednesday we learn from
Ps 48 about The Everlasting God.
On Thursday, we learn from
Ps 51 about God of My Salvation.
On Friday, we learn from
Ps 54 about God My Help.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

God My Help (March 12)

Backgrounder: Sin and confession are
prominent themes in Psalms 50-54.
David provides a model of confession
after his sin with Bethsheba (Ps 51)
and goes on to describe the
treacherous nature of the tongue
(Ps 52) and the folly of pursuing
evil (Ps 53). Only with God as
your constant source of help
(Ps 54) can you counter the daily
pitfalls and temptations of life.

Praise be to God My Help:
Save me O God by Your name,
and vindicate me by Your strength.
Hear my prayer O God;
Give ear to the words of my
mouth. Surely God is my help
(Elohim Ozer Li); the Lord
is the one who sustains me.
I will praise Your name, O Lord
for He has delivered me from
all my troubles (Psalm 54:1-6).

Lord Elohim Ozer Li, You are the
God who will help and sustain us.
When we are in need, You will
be there; and when we don’t
know the way, You will guide or
come alongside to walk with us.
You are truly worthy of praise
for Your arm reaches out to help
those in need. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, pardon us for the fears
when we don’t know how to
get through a trial or a struggle.
Fear wells up in us as a natural
emotion, but we don’t quickly
chase it away with the truth of Your
Word and character as we should.
Have mercy for not expecting
Your help; and remind us that
You are truly there for us. Amen.

Lord, I ask for Your caring help for
many things are weighing me down.
You Lord know the most pressing
issue and I ask You to intervene.
Guard me from responding to
this situation inappropriately.
Guard me from turning solely to
human wisdom and my own ways.
Help me for I depend on You in
every way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God of My Salvation (March 11)

Backgrounder: Sin and confession are
prominent themes in Psalms 50-54.
David provides a model of confession
after his sin with Bethsheba (Ps 51)
and goes on to describe the
treacherous nature of the tongue
(Ps 52) and the folly of pursuing
evil (Ps 53). Only with God as
your constant source of help
(Ps 54) can you counter the daily
pitfalls and temptations of life.

Praise be to God of My Salvation:
Create in me a clean heart
O God, and renew a steadfast
spirit within me. Do not cast me
away from Your presence, and do
not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of
Your salvation and uphold me
by Your generous Spirit.
Deliver me from guilt, O God,
the God of my salvation
(Elohe Tishuathi); then my
tongue will joyfully sing of Your
righteousness (Psalm 51:10-14).

Lord Tishuathi, thank u for your
greatest gift, which is salvation
from judgment to eternal life.
Your righteousness had been
imputed to us through the death
and resurrection of your Son & His
sacrifice for our sins on the cross.
You have done so much for us so
our hearts overflow with gratitude
and humility before You. Amen.

Lord Elohe Tishuathi, I confess that
my heart is sometimes hardened.
I confess a lack of love toward
those who don’t show me kindness.
I confess turning away from those
in need even though You’ve blessed
me so that I might be a blessing.
Self-centeredness is alive in me
and I ask for forgiveness for my sins.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we do not take lightly the
sacrifice U made for our salvation.
Help me understand how great
this salvation truly is so that I live
each day in continual gratitude,
motivated to serve You more.
Help others to come to know You
and open their minds and hearts
to receive You as Lord & Saviour.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

The Everlasting God (March 10)

Psalms 42-49 are attributed to
the sons of Korah, descendants
of the man who died for his
rebellion against Moses (Num 16).
One part of this family became
the temple doorkeepers (1Chr 9:19)
while another became the singers
and musicians in the temple
(1 Chron 6:31-33, 37).

Praise be to The Everlasting God:
In the city of our God,
God makes her secure forever.
Within Your temple, O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love…
Let Mount Zion rejoice…
Because Your judgments are just.
Walk about Zion, count her towers and mark well her bulwarks.
For this God is our God forever
and ever (Elohenu Olam);
He will be our guide even
to the end (Psalm 48:8-14).

Lord Elohenu Olam, You are
truly our God forever and ever.
You will never abandon or leave us because of Your unfailing love.
We are surely secure in You Lord
with You as our strong defender.
And You will be our guide even
to the end and usher us to our
eternal and blissful presence.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, the universe is in Your hand, and yet I’m consumed by what I
hear on the news or see around
me or experience in relationships.
Forgive me Lord for not fully
appreciating or even trusting
in Your power and character.
Forgive me for worrying than
trusting in Your wisdom and
power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord Elohenu Olam, I ask for
wisdom for You are truly the
great and wise everlasting God.
I ask for ability to slow down and
focus thots on You in my daily life.
Help me Lord to use my time
to advance Your kingdom for
Your glory, for the good of others
and for the fulfilment of my destiny.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God My Exceeding Joy (March 9)

Psalms 42-49 are attributed to
the sons of Korah, descendants
of the man who died for his
rebellion against Moses (Num 16).
One part of this family became
the temple doorkeepers (1Chr 9:19)
while another became the singers
and musicians in the temple
(1 Chron 6:31-33, 37).

Praise God My Exceeding Joy:
Vindicate me O God, and plead
my cause… Oh deliver me…
For You are the God of my strength…
Oh Send out Your light and
Your truth! Let them lead me…
Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God, my exceeding joy (El Simchath Gili); and I will praise You,
O God, my God (Psalm 43:1-4).
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
Hope in God; for I shall yet
praise Him, the help of my
countenance and my God (v5).

Lord El Simchath Gili, all that
is on earth belongs to You.
Because of this and more,
You are indeed our exceeding joy.
We praise Your glorious name,
for in Your hand are power & might.
The depth of Your truth is deep and
we find joy in learning new things.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, all things come from
You and are created by You.
Forgive me for seeking joy
in other sources than You.
Pardon me for turning to things
outside of You to seek what
can be found only in You; for
You are the source of my joy.
In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Lord El Simchath Gili, delight me
with that which delights You.
Give me the pleasure of knowing
You more for in You I will find joy.
Help me bring joy to other
people I come into contact.
Give me a sweet spirit radiating
Your love to those around me.
Help me say encouraging and
kind words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The God of My Life (March 8)

Psalms 42-49 are attributed to
the sons of Korah, descendants
of the man who died for his
rebellion against Moses (Num 16).
One part of this family became
the temple doorkeepers (1Chr 9:19)
while another became the singers
and musicians in the temple
(1 Chron 6:31-33, 37).

Praise be to the Lord of My Life:
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I’ll yet
praise him, my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember You…
By day the Lord directs His love,
at night His song is with me –
a prayer to the God of My Life
– El Hayyay (Psalm 42:5-8).

Lord El Hayyay, when it is dark
You light the way and give comfort.
Yet at times I just cannot see the
goodness before me because
my eyes are dulled by darkness.
But in those times, You ask me
to have faith in You and to cling
to Your Word, so that when the
sun rises, I will see the greatness
of Your goodness in my life. Amen.

Lord El Hayyay, sometimes I have
questioned more than I should.
Forgive me for doubting Your heart
when I couldn’t see Your hand or
when Your ways seemed confusing.
Forgive me for not resting in
Your name, El Hayyay, the God
of my life and for trying to be
in charge of my life myself.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen

Lord El Hayyay, open my ears
to hear from You; and soften
my heart to discern Your Spirit.
Help my eyes to recognise when
You are weaving something new
in my life. Help me remember
You are sovereign and nothing
happens to me that doesn’t
first pass through Your hands.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

The Lord My Light

Overview: As David penned
Psalms 25-30, he would have
thought of the multifaceted
character of the God he served.
The Lord is good and upright (25:8),
my light (27:1), my strength (28:7),
King forever (29:10) and
my God (30:2).

All Praise be to Lord My Light:
The Lord (Jehovah) is my light
(ORI) and my salvation, whom
shall I fear? The Lord is the
strength of my life, of whom
shall I be afraid?… Though
an army may encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear; though
war may rise against me, in this
I will be confident (Ps 27:1-3).
I would have lost heart, unless
I had believed that I would see
the goodness of the Lord…
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage.
And He shall strengthen your heart.
Wait I say on the Lord (v13-14).

Lord Jehovah ORI, You are the light
of our life, brightening our path.
Praise You for helping us navigate
through the darkness of this life.
And You Lord will bring us the
light of salvation when we turn
to You with a heart of trust.
Draw people to You Lord so that
they may know and experience
You as the light of their lives. Amen

Lord, how many hours have I spent
trying to figure out my own way?
How often have I called a friend
rather than turn to You in surrender
that You alone are the light,
that You alone know the way.
Forgive me for wasted time and
energy. Forgive me for being so
consumed with my own darkness.
Forgive me for forgetting You are
there as my light & salvation. Amen

Lord Jehovah Ori, sometimes
the decisions I need to make
overwhelms me. I want to make
the right decision, but I can’t
foresee all the consequences
of the choices. Whatever the
decision is, shine Your light
on the path I need to take and
show me which way I should go.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.