Category: 2019 Prayers

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the book of
Judges is to show that God’s
judgment against sin is certain,
and His forgiveness of sin and
restoration to relationship are just
as certain for those who repent.
And the purpose of the book of
Ruth is to show how three people
remained strong in character and 
true to God even when the society
around them was collapsing.

On Monday, we learn from Jdgs 3/5
that God Answers Prayer In Peril.
On Tuesday, we learn from Jdgs 6
that the Lord of Peace Is With You.
On Wed, we learn from Jdgs 7 that
God Loves to Do the Impossible.
On Thursday, we learn fr Jdgs 9-11
to Respect the Sovereign God.
On Friday, we learn from Ruth 1-2
to Praise the Faithful God.
On Saturday, we learn from Ruth 4
to Praise the Kinsman Redeemer.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You as Lord of Peace Is With us
& Answer Prayer when we’re in Peril;
For You Love to do the Impossible
and we respect Your Sovereignty;
For You are worthy of our Praise as
You as Father are always Faithful
and Lord Jesus is our Redeemer.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 

Praise the Kinsman Redeemer

Set in the context of unrest during
time of Judges & faced with famine,
Ruth a young widow, travels 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.

Lord, You are Our Redeemer:
The kinsman-redeemer said: Then
I cannot because I might endanger
my own estate. Buy it yourself…
Then Boaz announced to the elders… Today you are witnesses…
I bought from Naomi and
the property of Elimelech…
and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife,
in order to maintain the name
of the dead (Ruth 4:1-12).
 Boaz married Ruth… the Lord enabled her to become pregnant and she gave birth to a son.
The women of the town said to Naomi: Praise the Lord who has given you a family redeemer!
 May this child care for you in your old age. They named him Obed.
 He became the father of Jesse and
 the grandfather of David (v13-17)

Lord, You showed Your kindness to
Naomi, Ruth and Boaz by bringing
them together for Your purpose.
Just as Boaz showed his kindness
by buying back land to guarantee
Ruth and Naomi’s inheritance, so
Christ showed His kindness by dying
for us to guarantee our eternal life.
Grant that Your kindness motivate
us to love and honour You. Amen.

Lord Our Redeemer, we learn the
story is never over until it’s over.
For what looks hopeless can turn
around when You God is at work.
For God who loves us with His
redeeming love & in control will work
out His good purpose in our life.
So we trust in You in times of pain
and whenever facing challenges.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, in Ruth we see You At Work
behind the scene orchestrating
events and working thru willing
people towards Your perfect plan.
Although we may not know exactly
the future,but we can Trust God
who does and You care for us.
And we know all things will work
together for good according to
Your purpose. In Jesus’ name.

Praise The Faithful God

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.

Lord, we see Your Faithfulness:
                   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 1:6-16).
Boaz said to Ruth: Do not glean
in another field but stay close by…
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(Ru 2:8-12)

Lord, we see in the love story
 that Ruth’s life was guided by
 faithfulness toward God and
showed itself in loyalty towards
 the people she knew. And through
the story we can also perceive
Your faithfulness to Your people.
Help us to be loyal and loving by
 imitating Your faithfulness in our
 relationships with others. Amen.

Lord, during difficult times,
                                    in the current troubled world,                                 it is easy to be inward looking                           and
 not to be faithful to one another.
             We are inspired by the loyalty
                               of Ruth whose affirming words
                greatly encouraged Naomi.
                              Lord, we need your empowering
                         of courage so that we can be so
faithful to one another. Amen.

Lord, we see Your loving care and
protection over the lives of Naomi
and Ruth. For Your supreme control
over circumstances brings security.
For You guide the minds and action
of people to fulfill Your purpose;
like impressing Boaz of Ruth’s
loyalty that he gave her favour.
Grant us the faith that no matter
how tough our situation may be,
our hope is You God for Your power
and resources are infinite. Amen.

Respect The Sovereign God !!

After Gideon’s death, one of his
sons Abimelech has such strong
aspirations for his father’s position
that he attempts to murder his 69
brothers. His rush actions are a
prelude to 3 stormy years in power
-a reign cut short by a divinely
guided millstone. By contrast,
Jephthah, the illegitimate son
of a harlot, zealously leads Israel
in the ways of God – though his
zeal also gets him into trouble!

Lord, we acknowledge that You
are the Sovereign God and has
a perfect plan for Your people.
Grant us the grace to respect
and honour You in every way.
Help us to Submit to Your Timing
while trusting You for deliverance.
Help us to Serve You only and to
repent of idols and get rid of them.
Help us be mindful and respectful
when making promises to You. And
we look forward that Yr purposes
for Your people be fulfilled. Amen.

Lord, we Submit to Your Timing:
Gideon’ son Abimelech went to
his father’s home and killed all 70
of his half brothers… Then the
citizens of Shechem & Bethmillo
made Abimelech their king (J9:5-6)
After Abimelech reigned Israel
three years, God sent a spirit                            of ill will between Abimelech
and men of Shechem that the crime
done to the 70 might be settled.
And when the men of Israel saw
that Abimelech was dead, they
departed. Thus God repaid the
wickedness of Abimelech (v55-56).
Lord, sometimes we wonder why
evil seems to prevail and God did
not punish evil and restore justice.
But we realise God often spares
immediate punishment and allows
people time to turn from their sins.
And trusting God for justice also
means waiting for His timing. Amen.

Lord, we purpose to Serve You:
But the Israelites said to the Lord:
We have sinned. Do with us
whatever you think best, but
please rescue us now. Then they
got rid of the foreign gods among
them and served the Lord. And
he could bear Israel’s misery
no longer (Jdgs 10:15-16).
Lord, I don’t want anything to
separate me from You. Nothing
is worth that. I want to confess
to You anything I’ve done wrong
and anything that is not pleasing
in Your eyes. Wherever I have
worshiped other gods or an idol,
reveal it to me and I will confess
it, repent of it and get rid of it.
For I want to serve only You. Amen

Lord, we Mindfully Respect You:
Jephthah made a vow to the Lord.
He said: If you give me victory
over the Ammonites, I will give
to the Lord the first thing coming
out of my house to greet me when
I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it
as a burnt offering (Jdgs 11:29-30)
When Jephthah returned home
to Mispah, his daughter – his
only child – ran out to meet him…
When he saw her, he tore his
clothes in anguish (v34-35).
Lord, we learnt from this episode
of the need to be respectfully
mindful when making vows to You
even as an expression of gratitude.
For what we solemnly vow to God,
we must perform, if it be lawful,
though so difficult to us. Amen.

 

 

 

God Loves to Do the Impossible

Gideon, Israel’s fifth judge, receives
 God’s call while hiding in a wine-
press secretly  threshing wheat.
Midian’s oppression is indeed
 severe and Gideon is God’s man 
to lead the people in throwing
 off that yoke of bondage – a task
 that Gideon is not keen to accept!
 But once convinced of his calling
through two miraculous signs,
Gideon leads a humble army of 300
men, equipped only with torches
 and trumpets, in a stunning victory
against the mighty Midianite forces.
 Israel’s weapons and rather unusual
 battle plan leave no room for doubt:
 The victory is the Lord’s.

Lord, You Love Impossible Odds:
The Lord said to Gideon: You
have too many warriors with you.
If I let you fight the Midianites,
the Israelites will boast to me
 that they saved themselves by
 their own strength. Therefore,
tell the people: Whoever is timid
or afraid may leave and go home.
22,000 of them went home,
leaving only 10,000 who were
willing to fight (Jdgs 7:2-3).
But the Lord told Gideon:
There are still too many!
Bring them down to the spring 
and I will sort out who will go
with you and who will not (v4).
Then the Lord said: By the 300 men
who lapped I will save you & deliver
the Midianites into your hand (v7).

Lord, when we face overwhelming
circumstances, it is a perfect
 position for You God to intervene.
For it is in those times that we
like Gideon can learn to trust You.
Many times we have felt there
was no way out in the circumstance;
only to discover later that You Lord
 was actually making a way for us.
    In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, facing overwhelming odds
 can be frightening as Gideon felt.
 You God understood his fear but 
didn’t excuse Gideon from his task.
Instead You led Gideon to slip into
 the enemy camp and overhear a
chat that would give him courage.
You God indeed can give us the
 strength we need for any situation.
Help us Lord to listen to You and
be ready to take the first step;
for after we begin to obey will we
 find the courage to move on. Amen.

Lord, Your Word alone is sufficient
 Promise of the ultimate victory.
 We just need to simply trust You
and carry out Your instructions.
Thank You for being our warrior.
Thank You, when I am in a battle,
You’ll shine in midst of that battle.
 Thank You for giving us victory
 when it seems just impossible.
 In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

The Lord of Peace Is With You

Gideon, Israel’s fifth judge, receives
          God’s call while hiding in winepress.
Midian’s oppression is indeed severe
 and Gideon is God’s man to lead
 the people in throwing off that
 yoke of bondage – an assignment
Gideon is not keen to accept!
 But once convinced of his calling
 thru two miraculous signs, Gideon
 leads a humble army of 300 men,
 equipped only with pitches, torches 
 and trumpets, in a stunning victory 
against the mighty Midianite forces!
 Israel’s unconventional weapons and
 unusual battle plan leave no room 
for doubt: The victory is the Lord’s!

Praise Jehovah Shalom With Us:
The angel of the Lord appeared
to Gideon and said: The Lord
Is With You (Jehovah Immeka)…
Gideon replied: if the Lord is with us,
why has all this happened to us?…
The Lord has abandoned us and
handed us over to the Midianites.
Then the Lord said: Go with
the strength you have and
rescue Israel from the Midianites.
I am sending you (Jdgs 6:12-14).
Then the angel of the Lord touched
the meat and bread with the staff
in his hand, and fire flamed up from
the rock and consumed all he had
brought… Gideon (then) cried out:
Sovereign Lord, I have seen the
angel of the Lord face to face!
Then the Lord said to him:
Peace be with you; do not fear…
So, Gideon built an altar there to the
Lord and named it The Lord Is Peace
Jehovah Shalom (Jdgs 6:21-24).

Lord Jehovah Immeka, we see that
Your very presence alone is enough
to defeat an army. When the angel
told Gideon You Lord were with him
that truth bring Gideon to a new
level of courage. Praise You Lord
for Your presence which empowers
us to overcome obstacles & secure
victory in our life. And thank You for
the kindness of Yr presence. Amen

Lord Jehovah Shalom, in You
is fullness of peace and You
bring us peace in Your name.
For You still the storm within us
when we call on Your name. And
You bring peace to our heart & soul
when we abide in Your presence.
Thank You for making Your peace
available to us. And Thank You for
You Are My Peace and hope. Amen.

Lord Jehovah Shalom, I speak
shalom into my body and health.
I speak shalom into my mind,
my thoughts and my heart.
Let there be shalom in my plans,
in my future and in my relationships.
Lord, reveal to me the choices
I need to make to enter into an
even greater level of Your Peace.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Answered Prayer in Perilous times

Despite God’s persistent commands,
the Israelites chose to accommodate
rather than annihilate the Canaanites
thereby surrounding themselves
with godless influence. So, they
began series of cycles of sinning,
worshipping idols, being punished,
crying for help, being rescued by a
judge, obeying God for a while, then
falling back into idolatry. They were
conquered by Syria, Moab, Canaan,
Midian, Ammon and Philistia.

Lord, we’ll Seek You for Help:
These people were left to test the
Israelites – to see whether they
would obey the commands the
Lord had given… So Israel lived
among the Canaanites, Hittites,
Amorites… and they intermarried
with them…. And the Israelites
worshiped their gods (Jdgs3:4-6)
The anger of the Lord burned agst
Israel and He handed them to king
Aram for 8 years. But when they
cried out to the Lord, he raised up a
deliverer Otheniel who saved them.
Once again the Israelites did evil
and the Lord gave Moab control
over Israel for 18 years. Again the
Israelites cried out to the Lord,
and he gave them Ehud (v9, 15).
Then Deborah sang on that day:
When leaders lead in Israel,
when the people willingly offer
themselves, bless the Lord!…
I will sing praise to the Lord…
They shall recount the righteous
acts of the Lord (Jdgs 5:1-3, 11).

Lord, You allowed pagans in the
land to test Your people whether
they will obey Your commands.
We will not bond with heathens
and we will abstain from idols.
And we will advise our children to
heed Your warning that marriage
between believers & unbelievers
will create countless problems.
Help us in our endeavours. Amen.

Merciful Lord, thank You that
whenever we cried out to You,
You will deliver us from misery.
We confess often trying to control
our own lives without God’s help.
Remind us that You God should
be the first place we turn to for
help when we’re facing struggles
and not as a last resort. Amen.

Lord, we note the Song of Deborah
was a prayer of gratitude to You.
We are grateful for the faithful
workers who offer their services
for the wellbeing and support
of others. We ask Lord for Your
special blessing for these workers.
Provide their needs, guide them
and protect them from evil. Amen.

God of Grace Gives Courage

Harry Emerson Fosdick, one of
the leaders of the liberal Protestant
movt in the 1920s and 1930s, was
denounced by many conservatives,
some of whom now sing the hymn
he wrote. In 1930, when the new
building for the Riverside Church
in New York City was dedicated,
this hymn was sung as dedication.
It is a prayer of dedication that can
be uttered any day. And the prayer
of our hearts should constantly
be “Grant us wisdom, grant us
courage for the facing of this hour.”

Lord, we will Be Courageous:
After the death of Moses…
the Lord spoke to Joshua…
Be Strong and Courageous,
because You will lead the people to Inherit the land I Swore to
their forefathers (Joshua 1:1,6).
Be Strong and Very Courageous.
Be Careful To Obey all the law
my servant Moses gave you;
do not turn to the right
or to the left, that you may be
successful wherever you go (v7).
Have I not commanded you?
Be Strong and Courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not
be discouraged, for the Lord
your God Will Be With You
wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

Lord, I pray that every time I read
Your Word, You will teach me all
I need to know. Help me understand
Your truth & speak to me specifically
about how each passage relates
to my life and the lives of others.
Help me to meditate on Your Word
and take steps of obedience so that
I can live in Your perfect will and
prosper as You’ve promised. Amen.

Lord, I can feel overwhelmed often
But I know a glimpse of You radically
change my perspective. Thank You
for Your promise of being with me
no matter what happens. Please
overshadow my fears and worries
with Your strength. Help me be
strong and courageous in every
challenge that I may face. Amen.

God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power
Crown Thine ancient Church’s story
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour (2)
Cure Thy children warring madness
Bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom goal.
Amen and amen.

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the book of Joshua
is to give the history of Israel’s
conquest of the promised land.
The first half of the book (chap 1-12)
recounts three military campaigns
spanning seven years, in which
Joshua meets and defeats
more than 30 enemy armies.
The second half (chapters 13-24)
relates the settlement of Canaan,
the fulfillment of God’s age-old
promise to Abraham.

On Monday, we learn from Josh 1
that God of Grace Gives Courage.
On Tuesday, we learn fr Josh 2/3
to Praise the Living God In Control.
On Wed, we learn from Josh 6
that Following God Brings Success.
On Thursday, we learn from Josh 10
that God Answers Prayer for Miracle.
On Friday, we learn from Josh 13/21
to Praise God for Keeping Promises.
On Saturday, we learn from Josh 24
that God Is For & Backs His People.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You as Living God Is In Control
& as God of Grace Gives Courage;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as God Answers Prayer for Miracle
and Following You Brings Success;
For You are worthy of our Praise
being the God who Keeps Promises
and You’re For & Back Your People.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen and amen!!

God Is For & Backs His People

After being commended for their
faithful service in conquering the
land of Canaan, the warriors of the
tribes east of Jordan are sent home.
They recognise the Jordan River
(which forms a natural barrier
between the tribes) may one day
form a spiritual barrier as well.
To prevent this, a memorial altar
is built on the riverbank. The book
closes with Joshua’s farewell
address where he gives the people
an ultimatum. Choose You this day
whom you will serve… as for me and
my house, we will serve the Lord.

Lord, we’ll choose to Serve You:
And Joshua said to all the people:
Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
…I took your father Abraham
from the other side of the River,
led him thru Canaan & multiplied
his descendants (Joshua 24:2-3).
And I brought you into the land of
the Amorites on the other side of
Jordan, and they fought with you.
But I gave them into your hands, that
you might possessed their land (v8).
(Joshua said): So honour the Lord
and serve Him wholeheartedly.
Put away forever the idols
your ancestors worshipped…
Serve the Lord alone. But if you
are unwilling to serve the Lord,
then choose today whom you
will serve…But As For Me and
my family, we will serve the Lord.
The people replied: We would
never forsake the Lord & worship
other gods (Joshua 24:14-16).

Lord, we remember the times that
You guided, helped and backed us.
Just as Joshua pointed the way
to You God, each of us also has
the same opportunity to do so.
Thank You Lord for allowing us
to join You at work at various
ministries, including small groups.
Pray that those who look to us
for leadership will be drawn to You.
Lead them to choose to serve You
Lord only and no other. Amen.

Holy Lord, thank You for allowing
us into Your presence thru Christ.
You dwell in holy place, yet You
also dwell with those who are
contrite and of a humble heart.
Make my heart like Yours even as
I strive to be more reflective of You.
Speak to me before I think of wrong
thoughts or make wrong choices.
Enable me Lord to live humbly
and purpose to serve You. Amen.

Lord, let me not be useless, but
purpose to be Your faithful servant.
I hand over to Your care Lord my
prayers & yet to be fulfilled hopes.
I give my mind for You to think in me;
& I give my eyes to see as You see.
I give my tongue to speak Yr words;
& I give my hands to do Your work.
Above all I give You my heart that
You Lord will love thru me. Amen.