Category: 2019 Prayers

Praising God in Difficult Times

Book 2 of Psalms (42-72) is similar to
Exodus sharing Israel’s deliverance.
These psalms help us worship God,
pray for deliverance, confess sin
and encourage us to Trust God. And
in today’s psalms, David & Solomon
show God is Worthy of Praise for
His judgments (67), provision (68),
attentiveness to cries (69-70),
strength to the weak (71) and
sovereignty over the nations (72).

Dear Lord, thanks for Psalm 60-72,
that shows how David maintained
Faith In You during difficult times.
Thanks for assurance of response
to our cries, provision & strength.
Prompt us to run to You for refuge
and rest when facing difficulties.
And grant us signs of deliverance,
lest our hearts be overwhelmed.
In deep gratitude, we purpose that:
We will Testify of Your Goodness;
We will Emulate of Your Godliness;
We will Praise of Your Graciousness.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Emulate Your Godliness:
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
but God had surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not
rejected my prayer or withheld
his love for me (Ps 66:18-20).
Lord, I don’t want to entertain sin in
my heart. I want my heart to be right
so that You will hear my prayers.
I know I don’t do everything right,
so I ask that by the power of Your
Holy Spirit You will enable me keep
my heart pure and my hands clean.
Thanks for loving me & helping me
do what is right in Your sight. Amen

Lord, we’ll Testify Your Goodness:
In you O Lord I put my trust…
Incline Your ear to me & save me…
I will hope continually, and I will
praise You yet more and more.
I will proclaim Your saving power…
I will praise Your mighty deeds,
O Sovereign Lord. I will tell
everyone that You alone are just
and good. O God, I’ve constantly
told others about the wonderful
things You do (Ps 71:1-2, 14-17).
Lord, in Your goodness & mercy,
I ask for Your speedy deliverance.
And let me proclaim the wonderful
things You have done. Thank You
for Your faithfulness in my life
through the troubles and joy. And
I pray a new generation will rise
up and be devoted to You. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Praise Yr Graciousness:
May the king’s rule be refreshing
like spring rain on freshly cut grass,
like the showers that water the earth.
May all the godly flourish during
His reign…Blessed be the Lord God…
Who only does wondrous things.
Praise His glorious name forever.
And let the whole earth be filled
with His glory. (Ps 72:6-7, 18-19).
Lord, we lift our thoughts & hearts
this day to Your glorious name.
For praise is the best of all sacrifices;
and the true evidence of godliness.
Lord, we bow our knees and will,
and say: You are Lord! You WILL
be honoured. You will receive the
glory You deserve. May that be
true in our lives these days. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gt-OouIx8Lk

Emboldened in Difficult Times

The 2nd book of Psalms (42-72)
is similar to Exodus, describing
Israel as ruined and then delivered.
These psalms help us worship God,
pray for deliverance, confess sin
and encourage us to Trust God.
And today’s five psalms of lament
(Ps 60, 61, 63-65), David stands
on the promises of God in the face
of defeat, discouragement & deceit.
Through it all the psalmist finds
God is a worthy refuge (Ps 62&66).

Dear Lord, thanks for Psalm 60-65,
that shows how David maintained
faith in You during difficult times.
Help us Come to You for Shelter;
Help us Quietly Wait for You;
Help us Seek & Thirst for You.
Grant us deliverance so that we
can Testify of Your Goodness. Amen

Lord, we’ll Come to You for Shelter:
O God, listen to my cry! Hear my
prayer! I will cry to You for help,
for my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock
of safety, for You are my safe
refuge… Let me live forever in
Your sanctuary, safe beneath the
Shelter of Your wings (Ps 61:1-4).
Lord, I cry to You for help, for
You are my true and safe refuge.
Even though my heart may feel
overwhelmed, You alone can lead
me to Your towering rock of safety.
Thanks for providing such a safe
refuge for me to rest beneath
the Shelter of Your wings. Amen.

Lord, we will Quietly Wait for You:
Truly my soul silently wait for God;
from Him comes my salvation. He
only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense; I shall not be
greatly moved… I wait quietly
before God, for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock & my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be
shaken. My salvation & my honour
come from God alone (Ps 62:1-7).
Lord, I lift my eyes to You, my rock,
my salvation, fortress and refuge.
Quieten my heart to wait on You, for
my hope in in You. Help me to wait
for U in the storm & in the darkness.
Let my confidence not be shaken
by what circumstances may say
or by what my mind may think.
Thank You that my confidence rests
on the One who is the rock. Amen.

Lord, we will Seek & Thirst for You:
O God, You are my God, earnestly
I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you, in a dry and
weary land where there is no water.
Yr lovingkingness is better than life.
My lips shall praise You. Thus I will
bless You while I live; I will lift up
my hands in Yr name (Ps 63:1-4).
Lord, I seek Your presence in my
life; and I come to You to quench
spiritual thirst as only You can do.
Thank You for Your promise that
those who seek You will find You.
Let me see You and gaze on Your
power and glory. And draw me into
intimacy with You to experience
Your sweet Loving Kindness. Amen.

Secure Hope Not Labouring In Vain

False teachers had been confusing
the Corinthians by denying the
doctrine of physical resurrection.
Paul defends the Resurrection
as a historical fact confirmed
by more than 500 eyewitnesses.
The Resurrection provides hope
for the believer’s body and soul
as well as motivates believers to
abound in the work of the Lord.

Lord, thanks for Confident Hope:
For when the trumpet is blown,
those who have died will Be Raised
to Live Forever. And we who are
Living will also be transformed…
O death, where is your victory ?
O death, where is your sting ?
But thank God! He gives us Victory
over sin and death through our Lord
Jesus Christ (1Cor 15:52-57). (So)…
be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labour is Not In
Vain in the Lord (1Cor 15:58). Amen

Lord, in a world filled with gloomy
news, thank You that Your Word
holds Great Hope for the future.
Someday all believers of Christ
will be given new bodies. And
eternal life with God in heaven is far
better than what we experience here.
Thank You we can be confident for
Your good plan for us and that You
are in control of everything. Amen.

Lord, the sting of death is not dying
but rather what happens after.
Thank You for eliminating possibility
of hell; but giving eternal bliss in
heaven for all who believe in Christ.
Because Jesus had paid for our sin
and rose from the dead, death has
No Power over us. In gratitude and
realising importance of the gospel,
help us be worthy witnesses. Amen

Lord, we recognise that you
have given us talents and gifts.
They may not be something overt
like teaching and singing; but skills
like cooking or greeting people.
For all that matters is that we use
them for the Lord. God promises
that Nothing done for Him will
be useless. And You Will Honour
us for the faithful service. Amen.

Love the Highest Goal

Paul’s letter so far has dealt with
problems of a personal nature.
But now he addresses public issues
in the Corinthian church: the veiling
of women, the importance of the
Lord’s Supper & the use of spiritual
gifts. Worship must be characterised
by propriety and orderliness. And
spiritual gifts must be Exercised
In Love, for the building up of the
whole body of Christ. Only then
is the church of God properly
worshipping the God of the church.

Lord, we’ll Choose Way of Love:
Love is patient and kind…
It does not demand its own way…
Love never gives up, never loses
faith, is always hopeful & endures
through every circumstance.
Love never fails (1Cor13:4-8) Amen
Pursue love and desire spiritual
gifts, especially that you may
prophesy… One who prophesies
is helping others grow in the Lord,
encouraging and comforting them..
Since you are so eager to have
spiritual gifts, ask God for those
that will be of Real Help to the whole
church (1 Cor 14:1-3 & 12) Amen.

Lord, thank you for loving me,
being with me and for me; and
I purpose to love You more.
Help me Lord to love others,
even when it is difficult to do so.
Help me to be other-centred.
Enable me to express your self-
giving love to those you have
put in my world. And show me
ways to love unreservedly. Amen.

Lord, help me to rest in Your love
and so be able to give love freely
to those in my life and influence.
Help me to give love without
condition and without judgment.
Help me not to presume that
ministry sacrifices are substitutes
for really loving people. Show me
where I have not been loving in
recent busy days. And show me
where I could act more lovingly in
the days ahead. In His name. Amen.

Lord, I ask You to give me
the spiritual gifts that You know
will be of Real Help to the church
and will also fulfil Your purpose.
Thank you for creating me with
particular interests and talents.
Help me to see opportunities
to use them to serve others,
to fulfil your destiny for my life
and to glorify Your name. Amen.

Gifts for the Common Good

Paul’s letter so far has dealt with
problems of a personal nature.
But now he addresses public issues
in the Corinthian church: the veiling
of women, the importance of the
Lord’s Supper & the use of spiritual
gifts. Worship must be characterised
by propriety and orderliness. And
spiritual gifts must be exercised
in love, for the building up of the
whole body of Christ. Only then
is the church of God properly
worshipping the God of the church.

Lord, we will Use Spiritual Gifts:
There are different kinds of gifts,
but the same Spirit distributes
them. There are different kinds
of service but the same Lord
who does the work in all of us…
Now to each one of the
manifestation of the Spirit is
given for the Common Good.
To one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, to another faith
by the same Spirit, to another gifts
of healings (1 Cor 12:4-9) Amen.

Lord, Your Word says that You give
your people special gifts that they
can use to build your kingdom.
Thank you for the different kinds
of gifts that the Spirit has given me.
Give me wisdom & discernment
and opportunities to use them
so as to help accomplish the
Lord’s will on earth. Amen.

Lord, I worship You for Your
creativity & welcome it in my life.
May I never place limits on what
I expect You to say or how U say it.
Open my mind to anything that is
in Your heart. Help me to discern
and to hear Your voice in others.
Help me to see past their flaws
and to recognise what You are
saying through them. Amen.

Lord, grant me the gift of wisdom
and of special knowledge. Alert me
to Your gentle nudges to represent
You to others. Make me aware of
the various creative ways You speak
so that I can speak forrh Your word.
And teach me to ask: What are You
really saying; before I ever think:
Why is this thing happening.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Provides Way Out 

The Corinthian Church had sent
Apostle Paul a list of questions
on marriage, morality, liberty,
worship & resurrection. And Paul
answered them in a way meant
to correct abuses in the church
and to show how important it is
that they live what they believe.

Lord, we will Resist Temptation:
We should not lust after evil things.
Therefore let him who thinks
he stands take heed lest he fall.
No temptation has overtaken
you except what is common to
mankind. And God is faithful; He
will Not let u be Tempted Beyond
what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, He will also
Provide A Way Out so that u can
endure it (1 Cor 10:6,12-13) Amen.

Lord, it is a tough world out there,
with temptations lurking around
everywhere. Whilst U don’t promise
to protect us From temptation,
You clearly do promise Your help
In Resisting temptation when
we face it. Thank you for your
promise that No Temptation
will ever be So Strong that
we can’t stand up against it. Amen.

Lord, thank you for your promise
in 1Cor 10:13 that those who
love God Can Always Escape the
temptation that comes our way.
We trust You O God to keep any
temptation from becoming so
strong that we have to give in.
Lord, Help us to Resist or Flee
from temptation for altho it’s not
always easy to escape temptation,
it is always possible. Amen.

Lord, at times we may feel that
temptation is overpowering or
impossible to resist. But thank
You for Providing A Way Out.
Thank you for Holy Spirit to help
us recognise tempting situations
and show the way to escape.
Help us stay away from every
activity we know that is wrong.
Help us consciously choose
to do only what is right.
Help us O Lord for apart from
You we can do nothing. Amen.

Given the Mind of Christ

Churches aren’t perfect because
churches are full of imperfect pple.
Paul writes to the believers at
Corinth to correct errors in their
public & private behaviour which
are detracting from their witness.
These include factions, immorality
and lawsuits between believers.
And Paul set forth godly guidelines
for conduct consistent with the
grace of God given by Christ.

Lord, we will Seek Your Insight:
What we have received is not the
spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, so that we may
understand what God has freely
given us. This is what we speak…
in words taught by the Spirit,
explaining Spiritual Realities with
Spirit-taught words (1Cor 2:12-13)
Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to teach him?
But we understand these things,
for we hv the Mind of Christ (v16)

Lord, thank You that You have
given me your Holy Spirit.
Give me spiritual ears to hear &
teach me how to listen to You.
And I need to better understand
grace, forgiveness & eternal You.
Keep me from the distractions
of busyness and Draw me
closer to You each day. Amen.

Lord, when we need insights and
direction or facing challenge,
we tend to seek worldly counsel.
But there is a more reliable and
excellent source of ultimate
knowledge, the Holy Spirit.
Father, thank you for giving us
your Holy Spirit, who lives inside
us when we trust Jesus as Savior.
Holy Spirit, please explain spiritual
realities clearly to me & help me
understand the spiritual blessings
that I have been given. Amen.

Lord, I want to see as You see
and act according to Your vision
within me. I need to know clearly
Your will for only then can I be
confident of doing the right thing.
Lord I am tired of trying to decipher
Your sovereign will. Please plant
Your thoughts within me and
move me as You desire. Amen.

Being Protected & Cared by God

The 2nd book of Psalms (P42-72),
is similar to Exodus, describing
Israel as ruined & then delivered.
These psalms can help us worship
God, pray for rescue, confess sin
and encourage us to trust God.
Psa 55-59 captures King David
during his most difficult days.
Notice David’s frank petitions and
confident trust in God in the wake
of being betrayed (55), broken-
hearted (56) and pursued (57, 59)
Through it all David knows there
is a reward for the righteous and
God judgeth in the earth (68:11).

Dear Lord, we learn from King
David during his most difficult
days, he maintains trust in God.
Lord, knowing you are in control
and knowing You care of us:
We will Lay Hold of Your Word.
We will Cry to You in Trust of You.
We will Wait patiently on You; and
We will Sing of Your Unfailing Love.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, we’ll Lay Hold of Your Word:
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust
in You. In God, I will Praise His
Word, In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear (Psalm 56:3-4).
In the Lord, I will praise His Word.
In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid (Ps 56:10-11).
Lord, when I am afraid, I will trust
in You; and praise You for the
sustaining power of Your Word.
Help me to lay hold of Your Words
to me; for they bring life and peace.
And let my trust in You grow deep
so that I can fulfil the plans You
have for Your kingdom and for me.
And Thanks for Your Word which
inspires & guides me each day. Amen

Lord, we’ll cry out in Trust of You:
Be merciful to me, O God, be
merciful to me! For my soul trusts
in You; And in the shadow of Your
wings I will make my refuge, until
these calamities have passed by.
I cry out to God Most High, to God
who will fulfil His purpose for me.
He shall send from heaven and
save me… Be exalted, O God,
above the heavens. Let Your glory
be above all the earth (Ps 57:1-5).
Lord, in my distress I cry out to You
for You alone know the depth of
my need. I still choose to trust
and have hope in the fulfilment
of your purposes for my life.
I lay at your feet any pressure to
take matters into my own hands.
For You are able to turn any troubles
into fulfilment of my destiny. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Wait for Your Deliverance:
Deliver me… O my God…
I will wait for You, O You his
Strength; for God is my defense…
But I will sing of Your power;
Yes I will sing of Your mercy…
For You have been my defense
and refuge in the day of my trouble.
To You, O my Strength, I will sing
praises; for God is my defense,
My God of mercy (Ps 59:1,9, 16-17)
Lord, You are my strength,
my place of safety and my help.
Instead of depending on my strength,
I will call on You and wait on You.
Your power and love is unfailing.
Give me the grace to keep trusting
You to work in Your way, in Your time.
May I rest in your powerful arms
and sing of Your mercies each day.
For the joy of the Lord is my strength.
And I will bless Your name. Amen.

Meditating on Psalm Book 2

Whilst the Bible is arranged by
 types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
  Job on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness         & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on God Restoring Repentant;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption;
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart;
2 Sam on Consequences of sin; and 
1 & 2 Chronicles on Genuine Worship.

Continuing, the 5 books of Psalms
inspired over period of 10 centuries
 were essentially hymns of worship.
Authored by David and six other
writers and used as the temple
hymnbook,these heart-stirring pleas
and praises capture the essence
of what it means to walk with God.
Each of the five sections bears a
topical likeness  to a book of the
Pentateuch, and each closes with
a running doxology of Praise !!

Whilst the psalms are not organised
 by topic, it’s useful to recognise the
 dominant themes in each section:
Book 1 (Ps 1-41) resembles Genesis
on theme of creation & Redemption.
Book 2 (Ps 42-72) resembles Exodus
on theme of Deliverance & Recovery.
Book 3 (Ps73-89) resembles Levit
 on theme of Worshiping holy God.
Book4 (Ps90-106) resembles Num
 on theme of the Kingdom of God.
 Book 5 (Ps 107-150) resembles Deut
on theme of Praise & Thanksgiving.

Psalms Book 2 are mostly anthems
 and we will meditate on them over
3 weekends in following 5 divisions:
Ps 42-49: Being Still before God
Ps 50-54: Being Cleansed by God
Ps 55-59: Being Protected by God
Ps 60-66:Being Emboldened by God
Ps67-72:Being Strengthened by God

Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ,
Life can be challenging and we can
face suffering, troubling problems,
and long waiting period. But we don’t
have to face all these alone for the
Almighty, Faithful and Loving God
is With Us and long to hear from You.
Let’s together meditate thro Psalms
which offer many model prayers, 
and learn how to approach our
compassionate God in prayer, Amen.

Being Cleansed & Cared by God

The 2nd book of Psalms (P42-72),
is similar to Exodus, describing
Israel as ruined & then delivered.
These psalms can help us confess
sin, pray for rescue and trust God.
Psa 50-54 have sin and confession
are key themes. David confesses
after his sin with Bathsheba (51);
describes treacherous tongue (52)
and the folly of pursuing evil (53).
Only with God as constant source
of help (54) can we counter the
daily temptations & pitfalls of life.

Dear Lord, thank you for your
lovingkindness and care for us;
as we face the challenges of life.
Help us to turn to You in times of trouble & to put our trust in You.
Help us to Be Grateful.
Help us to Be Repentful.
Help us to Be Fruitful. Amen.

Lord, help us to Be Grateful:
(God said: I don’t need the bulls
you sacrifice; I don’t need the blood
of goats. What I want instead is your
true thanks to God; I want you to
fulfil your vows to the Most High.
Trust me in your times of trouble
and I will rescue you, and you
will give me glory (Ps 50:13-15).
Lord, You are not keen in outward
displays but the condition of my
heart. You have given me much
and I ask U to give one thing more –
a grateful heart, so that I can offer
a sweet sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Help me seek U in times of trouble,
to trust You & even to be thankful.
For in this way I give You glory. Amen

Lord, help us to Be Repentful:
Wash me thoroughly from my
iniquity and cleanse me from
my sin; for I acknowledged
my transgressions, and my sin
is always before me (Ps 51:2-3)
Create in me a clean heart,
O God and renew a right spirit
within me… Restore to me the
joy of your salvation (Ps 51:10-12)
Lord, help me to come to You
immediately at the very first sign
of temptation so that I can stop
any wrong thoughts from turning
into sinful action. For I don’t want
to be seperated from the presence
of Your Holy Spirit. And create in
me a clean heart & restore to me
the joy of Your salvation. Amen.

Lord, help us to Be Fruitful:
I am like an olive tree, thriving
in the house of God. I trust in
God’s unfailing love forever & ever.
I will praise U forever because You
have done it. And in the presence
of Your saints I will wait on Your
name, for it is good (Ps 52:8-9).
Lord, I want not just to survive but
to thrive like Your servant David.
Just as olive trees produce fruit,
let my life produce fruit not only
of perseverance and trust in God,
but also of joy and your presence
in my life. Pray for grace that all
can see that You are good. Amen.