Category: 2019 Prayers

Be Faithful with Good Repute

Set in the context of unrest during
time of Judges & faced with famine,
Ruth a young widow, leaves her
native land to travel with her
mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
There she gleans in the field of
Boaz, who grows to love her and
becomes her kinsman-redeemer.
In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz
become ancestors of Jesus.
With twin themes of faithfulness
and redemption, the book of Ruth
shows God’s love to mankind.

Dear Lord, thank you for showing
us You are In Complete Control
in troubled times, working thro
willing people, and you will fulfil
your perfect plan in your time.
Help us learn from Ruth and
purpose to be Faithful and loyal.
Help us aspire Good Reputation
and have kindness towards others.
Help us be Teachable and Patient
to wait upon You. In His name, Amen

Lord, we aspire to Be Faithful:
When the judges ruled there was
famine in the land and a man from
Bethlehem went to live in Moab…
Now Elimelech, Naomi’s husband
died and she was left with two sons.
They married Moabite women, lived
there 10 years and they also died.
When she heard the Lord helping
his pple by providing food, Naomi
& her daughters-in-law set out to
Judah. Then Naomi said: Go back
to your mother’s home… But Ruth
clung to her: Don’t urge me to
leave you…Where you go I will go.
Your people will be my people &
your God my God (Ruth 1:1-16).
Lord, during tough times, it is
so easy to be inward looking and
not be faithful to one another.
We are inspired by the loyalty
of Ruth whose affirming words
greatly encouraged Naomi. We
need your empowering of courage
so that we can be so faithful. Amen.

Lord, we aspire Good Reputation:
Ruth went out to gather grain…
hard at work since this morning…
Boaz said to Ruth: Do not glean in
another field but stay close by my
young women. I’ve commanded
the young men not to touch you…
She said Why have I found favour
in your eyes? Boaz answered;
it has been fully reported to me
all that you have done for your
mother-in-law since the death
of your husband. The Lord repay
your work and a full reward be
given you by the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings you
have come for refuge (R2:3-12).
Lord, we note that Boaz was
so impressed by Ruth’s loyalty,
kindness and hard work that he
gave her favour and protection.
Grant us grace to build a Good
Reputation of godly character &
kindness towards others. Amen.

Lord,we aspire Teachable Attitude:
Her mother-in-law asked her: So
much. Where did u glean today?
The name of the man I worked
with today is Boaz, she said.
Naomi said: That man is our close
relative; he is one of our kinsman
-redeemers… It will be good for
you my daughter, to go with his
girls because in someone else’s
field you might be harmed.
So Ruth worked alongside the
women in Boaz’s fields and
gathered grain with them until
the end of the harvest (R2:19-23).
Lord, we’ll learn from Ruth and
purpose to listen to counsel of
those who are more experienced.
Grant us also the patience and
willingness to wait for the right
time to act in His name. Amen.

Preview on Ruth

Whilst the Bible is arranged by
types of writings, we meditate it
chronologically to get better flow.
We start with Genesis on God’s
Plan for creation, then meditated
Job on the Sovereignty of God;
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience
before Mark on Jesus the Servant
and Joshua on enjoying God’s
blessing through obedient faith.
And for the last three weekends,
we meditated on Judges that God’s
judgment against sin is certain, and
His forgiveness and restoration are
just as certain for those who repent.

Set in the context of unrest during
the time of the Judges, the story of
Ruth is a bright gem of redemption
and hope. Faced with famine and
poverty; Ruth, a young widow,
leaves her native land to travel with
her mother-in-law to Bethlehem.
There she gleans in the field of Boaz,
who becomes her kinsman redeemer
In their marriage, Ruth and Boaz
become ancestors of Messiah Jesus.
With its twin themes of faithfulness
and redemption, the book of Ruth
pictures God’s redeeming love and
His faithful devotion to all mankind.

We’ll cover the book of Rutj over
one weekend in following 2 divisions:
R1-2: Ruth’s Faithfulness Revealed
R3-4: Ruth’s Faithfulness Rewarded
Let’s meditate through Ruth and
see how three people remained
strong in character and true to God
even when the world around them
was collapsing. And strengthen our
faith in the Lord. Amen and amen.

Listen & Follow the Good Lord !!

The psalms of Asaph (Psa 73-83)
conclude with six testimonies to
the greatness and faithfulness of
the God of Israel. He has kept His
promises in the past (P78) which
is a comforting reminder in the face
of an uncertain future (P79-80).
God is there (Ps 81) and is not
silent (P82-83) when it comes to
overthrowing idols and enemies.

Lord, we will Listen & Follow You:
You Cried to me in trouble, and
I Saved you; I answered out of
the thundercloud and Tested
your faith when there was no
water at Meribah (Psalm 81:7).
The Lord said: Open your mouth wide
and I Will Fill it with good things (v10)
Oh, that my people wd Listen to me!
Oh, that Israel would Follow me,
walking in my path… And with
honey from the rock I would have
satisfied you (Psa 81:13-16). Amen.

Lord, we note the Israelites Accused
You at Meribah for forgetting to
take care of their needs. Likewise
at times I have been so unworthy
to have complained against You.
I may have grumbled about my
circumstances and wondered
whether I’ve forfeited Your favour.
But Lord I am exactly the kind of
person Your mercy was meant for.
As I Cry out to You, won’t You let
me Hear & See Your answers. Amen

Lord, You are the good shepherd and
has promised we shall not be in want.
Forgive me for thinking too small.
And Fill me with hope and faith
for everything You want to give,
whether they be big or small,
looks possible or impossible,
conventional or extraordinary.
For You are the God who gives
and says good things. Amen.

Lord, help us not only wanting to
hear from You but to Listen to You.
Help us not to be skeptical and
passive hearers but willing listeners.
I know You Lord value discernment
but You value trust even much more.
You urge me in Your word to walk
by faith and not by sight. And so
I purpose to commit to Listen intently
and fill me with Your holy boldness
to act on what I hear from You. Amen.

God Is Your Shelter & Strength !!

In Psalms 73 to 77 by Asaph,
those who ignore God will find
their path slippery and their
prosperity short-lived (P73 & P75).
By contrast, those who order their
lives according to God’s Word will
discover hope in the midst of havoc
(P74) and resources to face every
situation in life victoriously (P76-77).

Lord, U are Our Strength & Shelter:
Whom have I in heaven but You?
I Desire You more than anything
on earth. My health may fail and
my spirit may grow weak, but God
remains the Strength of my heart;
he is mine forever (Ps 73:25-26).
But as for me, how good it is to
Be Near God! I have made the
Sovereign Lord my Shelter, and
I will tell everyone about the
wonderful things you do (v28).

Lord, I want to Experience You
in fresh ways so that I can truly
say that I Desire You more than
anything. You and you alone are
the Strength of my heart. And I
am thankful you are mine forever.
Nothing can separate me from
your love. Open my eyes and
grant me fresh vision to constantly
see Your love for me. Amen.

Lord, You are the Strength of my
heart, and deep inside I know
I can rely on You in any situation.
Although I may face threats to my
health, finance, safety & security
in this world, but that isn’t my life
for You are. O Sovereign Lord,
Be Near Me! Help me to abide in You
and to stay anchored in You. Amen

Lord, by faith I make U my Shelter.
I also accept Your Presence and
receive all other blessings U offer.
Grow my faith to be as big
as the gifts You want to give.
And having experienced You,
I will declare to everyone, what
wonderful things you do for me.
I love and adore You, for You are
more precious than anything. Amen

God Bears Burdens & Gives Rest

Psalms 55-59 capture the
emotions of King David during
some of his most difficult days.
Notice David’s frank petitions and
confident trust in God in the wake
of being betrayed (P55), broken-
hearted (P56) & pursued (P57,59)
Through it all David knows there
is reward for the righteous and
God judges in the earth (P58:11).

Lord, we give U Burdens for Rest:
Please listen and answer me, for
I’m overwhelmed by my troubles..
O how I wish I had wings like a
dove; then I would fly away & Rest
(Psa 55:2,6). Evening, morning
and noon I Cry Out in distress,
and He Hears my voice (v17).
Give Your Burdens to the Lord,
and He will Take Care of you (v22)

Lord, like David, I need to bring
my distress to You. Forgive me
for the times I complain to others
but do not bring my troubles
to You, the one who can actually
do something about them. Lord,
do hear my desperate cries and
come to my aid from the burdens
of the cares of this world. Amen.

Lord, I do want my problems
solved and my troubles removed.
But from the crushing weight of
my burdens, I turn my eyes to U.
I entrust my perplexity to You.
Enable me to Find my Rest in You,
to discover a place of security
in your everlasting love. You are
my only rock and only Rest.Amen

Lord Jesus, thank you for Bearing
my Burdens & providing a way for
me to walk in freedom from worry.
Forgive my attempts to do every
-thing myself instead of accepting
your invitation to carry my load.
Teach me how to live so close to
You that I never try to carry my
burdens on my own. Instead I will
Cast my Cares on U Lord. For What
a Friend we Have in Jesus. Amen

Be Still for God Is Your Refuge

The 2nd book of Psalms (P42-72),
is similar to the book of Exodus,
as many of these psalms describe
Israel as ruined & then recovered.
These psalms can help us pray for
rescue, confess our sin & trust God.
Psa 42-49 are attributed to sons
of Korah, who served as singers
and musicians in the temple.

Lord,Thank U for Being My Refuge:
God is our Refuge and Strength,
an Ever-Present Help in times
of trouble. So, we will not fear,
when earthquakes come and
Mountains crumble into the sea;
though waters roar & be troubled,
though the mountains shake…
BE STILL and know that I am God…
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us (and)
God is Our Refuge (Ps46:1-3,10-11)

Lord, Your Word says U are always
Ready To Help in times of trouble.
Forgive me for the times when
I act as though You don’t exist.
Teach me to pull back fr troubles
and instead focus on You. I don’t
have to fear, no matter what I face.
For every moment that I breathe,
You are My Strength. And though
my life may be shaken to its core,
You are still My Refuge. Amen.

Lord, when everything in my life
seems to be on the verge of
crumbling and falling apart,
help me to experience You as
My Firm Foundation. For though
You’re the Mountain Mover, You
also hold creation steady in the
palm of Your hand. Guide me as
I entrust my mountains to U, my
solid, ever faithful Father. Amen.

Lord, my heart may worry for though
You’re on Your throne, but I don’t
know what You are going to do.
Help me Be Still in You, trust You
and give me rest in You. Let me
know You are With me in every
circumstance, no matter how
difficult or even traumatic. And
let me Experience You as a Very
Present Help in trouble. Amen.

Thirsting For God & Hoping In God

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

Lord, we Thirst & Hope In You:
As the deer pants for streams of
water, so I LONG for You, O God.
I Thirst for God, the living God…
Why am I discouraged? Why is my
heart so sad? I will Put My Hope
in God! I will Praise Him again – my
Savior & my God (Ps 42:1-6). Amen.

Lord, satisfy this relentless Thirst
for You. Quench it with streams
of Your wisdom and inspiration.
Let Your words fulfill my deepest
desires; for I need You desperately.
Lord, I want to Connect with the
deepest part of Your Spirit in the
depths of mine. And let me hear
clearly the sound of Your voice. Amen

Lord, I bring the places of my soul
where I am downcast over to You.
For You are my Hope; You are my
salvation and I will Hope in You.
I will trust and not be afraid.
I have no reason to fear; for
You are my strength. And Lord,
send Your grace to help me,
that I may glorify U openly. Amen.

Lord, l praise You that You are
Emmanuel – God With Us in every-
thing we experience as we walk
thro this broken and hurting world.
Help me to be Your hands and feet
today, Your words of comfort and
encouragement to those who
need to know “where You are”
in their times of deep need. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a5pZkLWZv-E

Be Weary of What Seemed Right

Thematically Judges 17-21 provide
a fitting conclusion to the book of
Judges. What happens to a nation
when “every man does that which
is right in his own eyes.” The grisly
details of gross idolatry (J17-18)
and gross immorality (J19-21) show
total disregard for the Word of God.
When at last Israel’s conscience is
pricked by a shocking letter to the 12
tribes, the response is brutal outrage.

Lord, we note despite the efforts
of Israel’s Judges, the people still
would not turn wholeheartedly to U.
They all did whatever they thought
was best for themselves, resulting
in the spiritual, moral and political
decline of the nation. Lord we learn
our lives will likewise fall into decay
unless we live by Your guidelines.
Grant us grace Lord as we purpose
to only Worship You, to Inquire of U
and to Follow Your Direction. Amen.

Lord, we will only Worship You:
Micah had a shrine and made an
ephod and household idols; and
he consecrated one of his sons who
became his priest… Micah said to
him: Be a priest to me be I will give
you ten shekels of silver per year a
suit of clothes & your sustenance…
So Micah consecrated the Levite &
the young man became his priest.
Then Micah said: Now I know that
the Lord will be good to me since I
have a Levite as priest (Jdgs 17:5-13)
Lord, we will do what is right in
God’s eyes and not what seems
right within culture of society.
We purpose not to have idols but
instead worship You out of gratitude.
And we will seek your kingdom and
righteousness, knowing that You
will bless us accordingly. Amen.

Lord, we will Directly Inquire of You:
He told them what Micah had done
for him and said: He has hired me
and I am his priest. Then they said
to him: Please inquire of God to
learn whether this journey will be
successful. The priest answered:
Go in peace. Your journey has
the Lord’s approval (Jdgs 18:4-6).
Lord, I purpose to turn to You for
all wisdom, direction and guidance.
Where I must seek advice from
another person, help me to know
when that person speaks from
godly knowledge and when this is
not the case. Help me to always test
the input of others with Your Word.
For I want You to be my ultimate
source for all knowledge. Amen.

Lord, we will Follow Your Direction:
The people said: why there should be
one tribe missing in Israel?(Jdgs 21:3)
The Israelite assembly sent a peace
delegation to remnant of Benjamin…
And 400 women of Jabesh-gilead
were given to them as wives. But
there were not enough women for
all of them (v13-14). So the men of
Benjamin… kidnapped the women
who took part in the celebration…
In those days Israel had no king,
so the people did whatever seemed
right in their own eyes (v23-25).
Lord, we note during time of Judges,
the people of Israel experienced
great trouble because everyone
became their own authority and
acted based on their own opinions.
Lord, we realise our standards and
convictions come from God’s Word.
Help us Lord to do what is right
in Your eyes and not ours. Amen.

Lessons from Samson & Philistines

Even before his birth, Samson’s
destiny is clearly announced. He is
to be separated unto the Lord for
a divine mission, requiring him to
abstain from certain defilements.
Miraculous in his birth and equipped
with supernatural strength for the
task of delivering Israel fr Philistine
domination, Samson Instead spends
much of his life violating his Nazirite
vow. Because of his lack of self-
control, he loses his secret, his hair,
his strength, his sight & eventually his
life; but not before God uses him in
a mighty way to avenge the Israelites
of their Philistine oppressors.

Dear Lord, we hallowed You for You
are the sovereign and good God
with a perfect plan for Your people.
We note that Samson despite his
shortcoming, was listed among
the Hall of Faith in Hebrew 11 by
standing on the promises of God.
And so failures in our life need not
disqualify us from God’s service.
Help us to grow up in faith and not
merely grow old in our walk with You.
Help us learn lessons from Samson’s
life and put them to work in our life.
Help us Bring our Confusion to You.
Help us Trust You Work for Good.
Help us Call Upon You for Help. Amen

Lord, we bring our Confusion to You:
Again the Israelites did evil in the
eyes of the Lord,so the Lord delivered
them into the hands of the Philistines
for forty years… Maniah of the
Danites had a wife who was sterile…
The angel appeared to her and said:
you are going to conceive and have
a son. See that you drink no wine…
& that u do not eat anything unclean.
No razor may be used on his head,
because the boy is to be a Nazirite,
set apart to God… and he will begin
the deliverance of Israel (Jdgs 13:1-5)
Lord,thanks for being compassionate
and gracious, having a good plan for
Your people & never giving up on us.
There are many things about You
and Your promises that are beyond
our understanding. But that doesn’t
mean they are not true. It just mean
we need to bring them to U in prayer,
in Trust and Wait upon You. Amen.

Lord, we Trust You Work for Good:
(Samson’s) father & mother objected:
Isn’t there even one woman… among
all Israelites you could marry? They
asked. Why must you go to the pagan
Philistines to find a wife? But Samson
told his father: Get her for me!…
His father and mother didn’t realise
the Lord was at work in this, creating
an opportunity to work against
the Philistines (Judges 14:3-4).
Lord, when we consider our own
sinful inadequacies, we find comfort
we can’t always see the full picture
of what You are doing. We praise You
for being sovereign over our lives;
and that You can cause even foolish
choices to work together for good.
We choose to trust You’re working
in ways we can’t yet see. Amen.

Lord, we’ll Call Upon You for Help:
Now the Philistines gathered to offer
a great sacrifice to Dagon their god.
They said: Our god has delivered
into our hands our enemy. Then
Samson called to the Lord; O God
Strengthen me, just this once that
I may with one blow take vengeance
on the Philistines. And he pushed
with all his might and the temple
fell.So the dead that he killed at
his death were more than he had
killed in his life (Judges 16:23-30).
Lord, thank you that’s never too late
to call on the Lord and that you are
ready to hear and restore to right
relationship. All Praise that You God
are bigger than all our failings and
limitations. Let Your purposes for
Your people be accomplished. Amen

Delight & Trust in the Lord !!

Psalms is not only a book of praise;
it is also a book of practical counsel.
And in the last 5 chapters of Book 1
written by David, u learn how to deal
with fretfulness (Psa 37) and failing
strength (Psa 38-39); as well as
how to rest in God’s faithfulness
(Psa 40) and rightly respond to
a friend’s unfaithfulness (Psa 41).

Lord, we’ll Delight & Trust in You:
Trust in the Lord… do good;
and feed on His faithfulness.
DELIGHT yourself also in the Lord,
and He Shall Give you the desires
of your heart. COMMIT your way
to the Lord, TRUST also in Him,
and He shall bring it to pass.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently
for Him… Do not fret, it only
causes harm… But those who
Wait on the Lord, they shall inherit
the earth (Ps 37:3-9). Amen.

Lord, help me to Delight in You;
to centre my heart in knowing U
more & loving U more day by day.
Grant me grace so that my heart
Desires You above everything else.
Help me to discover that there is
fullness of joy in your presence.
And stir up holy passion within me
so that the things I want most are
the things U want to give me. Amen

Lord, help me Commit my way
to You. Give me wisdom to sort
the precious from the worthless.
Give me the knowledge of you
that causes me to cling to You.
Fashion my heart that it reflects
yours more each day. Mold me
into your likeness so that You are
the desire of my heart. Amen.

Lord, You promise to help me
if I will Trust You. It goes against
our old sinful nature to wait
on Your leading and to rely on
Your strength. The tendency is
to get busy in our own strength,
make it happen and push ahead.
Lord, change me to Trust You more,
be willing to be still in the soul to
listen to You & Wait on You. Amen.