Tag: Prayer

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Psalm 141, Prayer Pleases the LORD!

Psa 141:1, LORD, I CRY OUT TO YOU; MAKE HASTE TO ME! GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE WHEN I CRY OUT TO YOU. 

David’s first reaction to trouble is to go before the LORD in prayer. Most people today trust in their abilities, but when that goes wrong then they pray to GOD! While we asked the LORD to make haste, HE already knows what’s needed!

Isa 65:24, “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

Psa 141:2, LET MY PRAYER BE SET BEFORE YOU AS INCENSE, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 

David saw his prayers to GOD as a sweet-smelling aroma before the LORD. PRAYER PLEASES GOD JUST AS INCENSE HAS A PLEASING SMELL!

Rev 8:4, AND THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE, WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, ASCENDED BEFORE GOD…

Praying in a private place pleases GOD for it shows that you truly believe in HIM and have faith that HE hears!

Psa 116:12-13, WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD FOR ALL HIS BENEFITS TOWARD ME? I WILL TAKE UP THE CUP OF SALVATION, AND CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Psa 141:3, Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. 

David knows that the tongue is hard, if not impossible to tame.

Jas 3:8, But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

How can we Pray before HIM and with that same tongue curse at someone else?

Jas 3:10, OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEED BLESSING AND CURSING. MY BRETHREN, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT TO BE SO.

Sometimes I surprise myself by what comes out of my mouth; this is one of my struggles. But, I know without the LORD’s help I shall never overcome this problem!

Psa 25:4-5, Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

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Psalm 80, our Great High Priest!

Psa 80:1, …GIVE EAR, O SHEPHERD of Israel, YOU WHO LEAD JOSEPH LIKE A FLOCK; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!

The Psalmist here describes GOD as a Shepard of Israel who guided them out of Egypt! As a Shepard, the LORD feeds HIS sheep, watches over them, defends them, cures them, and carries them! HE is everything for them!

Joh 10:14, I (JESUS) AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; AND I KNOW MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN BY MY OWN. 

Is JESUS your Shepherd? For without HIM we will go astray!

1Pe 2:25, For you were like sheep going astray, BUT HAVE NOW RETURNED TO THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS. 

Psa 80:3, RESTORE US, O GOD; CAUSE YOUR FACE TO SHINE, AND WE SHALL BE SAVED! 

The Psalmist uses this phrase 3 times in this Psalm, 3, 7, and 19!  When the LORD shines HIS Face upon us, We enjoy HIS presence, HIS pleasure, HIS grace and favor!

Num 6:24-26, “THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU; THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU, AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU; THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU, AND GIVE YOU PEACE.”

Psa 80:17, Let Your hand be upon THE MAN OF YOUR RIGHT HAND, Upon THE SON OF MAN whom You made strong for Yourself.

The Psalmist is asking the LORD to raise up a man to lead Israel, YET, THERE IS ONLY ONE MAN AT HIS RIGHT HAND! JESUS, THE SON OF MAN, OUR HIGH PRIEST!

Eph 1:20, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and SEATED HIM AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES,  

Heb 8:1, …. WE HAVE SUCH A HIGH PRIEST, WHO IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF THE MAJESTY IN THE HEAVENS, 

JESUS is our High Priest; HE is our Great SHEPHERD.  When HE shines HIS glorious Face up us, our enemies flee like roaches running from of the light! SEEK THE LORD AND GO BEFORE HIM IN PRAYER! HE KNOWS WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH!

Heb 4:15-16, For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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Psalm 69, Hated without a cause!

Psa 69:1-2, …SAVE ME, O GOD! FOR THE WATERS HAVE COME UP TO MY NECK. I sink in deep mire, WHERE THERE IS NO STANDING; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me.

A desperate plea for GOD’s help! David feels that he is sinking, nothing to stand on! Remember Peter when he walked on water!

Mat 14:30, But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “LORD, SAVE ME!” 

When Peter took his eyes off JESUS and focused on the storm he began to sink! NEVER FOCUS ON THE STORM, KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD WHO IS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF ANY STORM THAT MAY COME BEFORE US!

Mat 14:31, And immediately JESUS STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND AND CAUGHT HIM, and said to him, “O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY DID YOU DOUBT?” 

Mat 8:27, So the men marveled, saying, “WHO CAN THIS BE, THAT EVEN THE WINDS AND THE SEA OBEY HIM?” 

Psa 69:4, THOSE WHO HATE ME WITHOUT A CAUSE ARE MORE THAN THE HAIRS OF MY HEAD; They are mighty who would destroy me, BEING MY ENEMIES WRONGFULLY; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it. 

David felt the hate for him even though he did nothing wrong! JESUS felt the same hatred!

Joh 15:25, But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ 

They hated JESUS for the crowds that gathered before HIM to hear HIM speak! They hated HIM because HE sought and eat with sinners that they might repent! They hated HIM because HE revealed their true nature!

Mat 23:27, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, BUT INSIDE are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

If they hated JESUS, they will hate us as well for we are HIS ambassadors to the world!

Mat 10:22a, AND YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR MY NAME’S SAKE….

HIS KINGDOM IS NEAR, HE IS AT THE DOOR!

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Psalm 35, HIS way!

Psa 35:7, For WITHOUT CAUSE they have hidden their net for me in a pit, Which they have dug without cause for my life.

Like a hunter setting a trap for his pray; without a reason his enemies lie in wait for him to fall in their trap!

Psa 35:8, Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, And let his net that he has hidden catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.

David know the LORD can change any situation! Remember Haman, built gallows on his own property to kill Mordecai!

Est 7:10, SO THEY HANGED HAMAN ON THE GALLOWS THAT HE HAD PREPARED FOR MORDECAI. Then the king’s wrath subsided. 

Psa 35:12, THEY REWARD ME EVIL FOR GOOD, TO THE SORROW OF MY SOUL. 

JESUS spoke gracious words to HIS people and performed many merciful miracles on the needy! HE made the blind see, and the deaf hear! HE called them friends YET, THEY CRIED OUT CRUCIFY HIM

Zec 13:6, AND ONE WILL SAY TO HIM, ‘WHAT ARE THESE WOUNDS BETWEEN YOUR ARMS?’ THEN HE WILL ANSWER, ‘THOSE WITH WHICH I WAS WOUNDED IN THE HOUSE OF MY FRIENDS.’ 

HE calls us friends yet, because of us HE was wounded, tortured and killed on a wooden cross at calvary!

Isa 53:5, BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE CHASTISEMENT FOR OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. 

Psa 35:13-14, But as for me, WHEN THEY WERE SICK, My clothing was sackcloth; I HUMBLED MYSELF WITH FASTING; …. I PACED ABOUT AS THOUGH HE WERE MY FRIEND OR BROTHER; I BOWED DOWN HEAVILY, AS ONE WHO MOURNS FOR HIS MOTHER.

JESUS said, to love our enemies, do good to does that hurt you and pray for them (Matt 5:44)!

Pro 25:21-22, If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

HIS way is not the worlds way, but we follow HIM! Seek the LORD and do good!

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Psalm 21, the KING of kings!

Psa 21:1-2, … THE KING SHALL HAVE JOY IN YOUR STRENGTH, O LORD; AND IN YOUR SALVATION HOW GREATLY SHALL HE REJOICE! YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM HIS HEART’S DESIRE, AND HAVE NOT WITHHELD THE REQUEST OF HIS LIPS. Selah

King David, from his youth, depended on the LORD for all his victories! His victory against the lion and the bear, his victory against Goliath! THE LORD WAS HIS STRENGTH!

1Sa 17:37, Moreover David said, “The LORD, WHO DELIVERED ME from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine…

Joh 15:7, IF YOU ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YOU WILL ASK WHAT YOU DESIRE, AND IT SHALL BE DONE FOR YOU. 

The LORD loves to bless HIS people, not because you call yourself a Christian or say a prayer once in a while! READ HIS WORD AND DO IT; BE IN CONTINUAL PRAYER IN YOUR MIND WITH HIM! LORD, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY, LORD, HELP ME WITH THIS SMALL THING! HE WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Psa 21:3-5, For YOU MEET HIM WITH THE BLESSINGS OF GOODNESS; YOU SET A CROWN OF PURE GOLD UPON HIS HEAD. HE ASKED LIFE FROM YOU, AND YOU GAVE IT TO HIM—LENGTH OF DAYS FOREVER AND EVER. HIS GLORY IS GREAT IN YOUR SALVATION; HONOR AND MAJESTY YOU HAVE PLACED UPON HIM.

ONE DAY WE WILL RECEIVE FROM THE LORD A CROWN; FOR IN HIS EYES WE ARE KINGS! Not because we deserve it or merit it, but because of who HE is! We are sinners saved by grace, but HE will transform us to HIS image!

Rev 19:16, AND HE HAS ON HIS ROBE AND ON HIS THIGH A NAME WRITTEN: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 

SEEK FOR THE TRUE KING DAILY, SEARCH FOR HIS HIDDEN TREASURES IN SCRIPTURES! FOR IF YOU SEEK HIM YOU WILL FIND HIM!

Pro 25:2, IT IS THE GLORY OF GOD TO CONCEAL A MATTER, BUT THE GLORY OF KINGS IS TO SEARCH OUT A MATTER. 

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Ezra 8, embarrassed because of fear!

Ezr 8:21, THEN I PROCLAIMED A FAST THERE AT THE RIVER OF AHAVA, THAT WE MIGHT HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE OUR GOD, TO SEEK FROM HIM THE RIGHT WAY FOR US AND OUR LITTLE ONES AND ALL OUR POSSESSIONS. 

Ezra, was about to leave Babylon on their way to Jerusalem, and they humbled themselves before the LORD.  They had their children they had gold and silver for the temple, but the way back home was dangerous!

Ezr 8:22  FOR I WAS ASHAMED TO REQUEST OF THE KING AN ESCORT OF SOLDIERS AND HORSEMEN TO HELP US AGAINST THE ENEMY ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAD SPOKEN TO THE KING, SAYING, “THE HAND OF OUR GOD IS UPON ALL THOSE FOR GOOD WHO SEEK HIM, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 

With great confidence Ezra told the king “OUR GOD WILL PROTECT US”, YET ASKING FOR AN ESCORT WOULD CONTRADICT HIS WORDS!

TODAY, AS WE COME BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD; HOW CAN WE FEAR THE VIRUS AND AT THE SAME TIME PROCLAIM THE STRENGTH OF OUR GOD? THIS IS A CONTRADICTION OF OUR FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD! HE SAYS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, DO NOT BE AFRAID!

Isa 41:10, DON’T BE AFRAID, FOR I AM WITH YOU. DON’T BE DISCOURAGED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU. I WILL HOLD YOU UP WITH MY VICTORIOUS RIGHT HAND. 

BEING AFRAID IS NORMAL, BUT STILL ILLOGICAL IF YOU KNOW WHO IS WITH YOU!

Psa 56:3, BUT WHEN I AM AFRAID, I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU. 

Ezr 8:23, SO WE FASTED AND EARNESTLY PRAYED THAT OUR GOD WOULD TAKE CARE OF US, AND HE HEARD OUR PRAYER. 

EZRA WITH THE PEOPLE SOUGHT THE LORD IN PRAYER ASKING FOR HELP AND HE HEARD THEIR CRY!

Mar 9:23-24, Jesus said to him, “IF YOU CAN BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “LORD, I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!”

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2Chronicles 20, We will have trouble!

2Ch 20:1, It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, CAME TO BATTLE AGAINST JEHOSHAPHAT.

JESUS said “IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE” John 16:33. how will you react?

2Ch 20:3-4, And Jehoshaphat feared, AND SET HIMSELF TO SEEK THE LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. SO JUDAH GATHERED TOGETHER TO ASK HELP FROM THE LORD; and from all the cities of Judah THEY CAME TO SEEK THE LORD.

Often in times of trouble, when all the other options have failed, then we seek GOD! YET, the king and people of Judah immediately went to the LORD for help!

Psa 50:15, Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” 

Heb 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

When we see GOD at work in our lives, it builds up faith. YET, as gold is refined in fire, our faith also is refined through trouble!

1Peter 1:7, Mal 3:3

Jer 17:10, I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. 

2Ch 20:14-15, Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel … And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! THUS SAYS THE LORD TO YOU: ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID NOR DISMAYED BECAUSE OF THIS GREAT MULTITUDE, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S.

BEING AT HIS FEET IN PRAYER, READING HIS WORD AND SEEKING HIS FACE DAILY IS WHERE WE FIND OUR STRENGTH IN THIS LIFE! TROUBLE WILL COME, BUT KNOW THIS! HE IS FAITHFUL AND HE IS ALWAYS WITH US!

Heb 13:6, So we may boldly say: “THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?” 

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2Chronicles 7, IF my people “IF”

2Ch 7:12, Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I HAVE HEARD YOUR PRAYER, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.

GOD heard Solomon’s prayer 2Chr 6:12-42

2Ch 7:13-14, When I shut up heaven and there is NO RAIN, or command the LOCUSTS TO DEVOUR THE LAND, or send PESTILENCE among My people, IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND.

IF, MY PEOPLE!  Not only the Jewish nation, but also believers of the MOST HGH GOD! Solomon included the foreigner in his prayer (2Chr 6:32-33), “concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel”

Will HUMBLE themselves, PRAY and SEEK MY FACE and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS

Jesus has given us an example to follow! FOR HE, BEING GOD, HUMBLED HIMSELF AS AN EXAMPLE FOR US. HE PRAYED IN THE GARDEN AND SOUGHT HIS FATHERS FACE! THAT WE MAY TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS AND FOLLOW HIM!

Php 2:7, BUT MADE HIMSELF of no reputation, TAKING THE FORM OF A BONDSERVANT, AND COMING IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN. 

2Ch 7:15, Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 

SEEK THE LORD AND PRAY; FOR HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING TO THE PRAYERS OF HIS SAINTS! NOT THAT WE DESERVE IT, BUT THAT HE HAS FORGIVEN US BECAUSE OF HIS SON!

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1Samuel 17, the power of prayer!

2Sa 17:1-2, Moreover AHITHOPHEL SAID TO ABSALOM, “Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. I WILL COME UPON HIM WHILE HE IS WEARY AND WEAK, AND MAKE HIM AFRAID. ..

Wise council from Ahithophel for David and his people were weary and weak for lack of food! Now Absalom asked Hushai for advice! 2Sa 17:29, … “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.” 

2Sa 17:11, THEREFORE I ADVISE THAT ALL ISRAEL BE FULLY GATHERED TO YOU, FROM DAN TO BEERSHEBA, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, AND THAT YOU GO TO BATTLE IN PERSON. 

2Sa 17:14, … “THE ADVICE OF HUSHAI THE ARCHITE IS BETTER THAN THE ADVICE OF AHITHOPHEL.” FOR THE LORD HAD PURPOSED TO DEFEAT THE GOOD ADVICE OF AHITHOPHEL, TO THE INTENT THAT THE LORD MIGHT BRING DISASTER ON ABSALOM. 

Because of David’s simple prayer the LORD turned a wise mans council into foolishness in the eyes of Absalom! We don’t need to use big words to pray to the LORD, because he wants to hear what’s in your heart ‘HELP ME LORD’, ‘HAVE MERCY ON ME LORD’!

2Sa 15:31, … And David said, “O LORD, I PRAY, TURN THE COUNSEL OF AHITHOPHEL INTO FOOLISHNESS!” 

Psa 145:18-19, The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.