They All Praised

 

They All Praised

Genesis 24: ²² So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold, ²³ and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”

 

²⁴ So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.” ²⁵ Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.”

 

²⁶ Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. ²⁷ And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” ²⁸ So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things.

 

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Abraham’s servant realized that Rebekah was the one who GOD led him to. He gave her gold from the Garden of Eden. I believe all gold came from there. She explained who she was related to.

 

My Observations:

• Rebekah was a strong woman who had a strong mother and grandmother.
• Rebekah got excited, but used wisdom and ran to her “mother’s household.”
• Abraham’s servant praised GOD for showing mercy to Abraham.

 

Rebekah was excited, Abraham’s servant was excited and soon the entire household would be excited. Milcah must have been a prominent figure in the community. She was Haran’s daughter. Haran was Abrahm’s brother who died. Rebekah mentioned Milcah in a way that she was the one who was known.

 

Abraham’s servant thanked GOD for showing him exactly what he was looking for. He wanted Abraham to get exactly what he asked for. He may not have know how important finding Rebekah was. GOD orchestrated the scenario where Abraham’s family would become involved. They seemed to be one of the few who worshipped GOD at the time.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail over whose household Rebekah belonged to?
• What did you do when GOD answered a prayer in your favor?
• Can you praise GOD for what HE has done and what HE will do in your life?

Odor Removed

Odor Removed

Revelation 8: ³ Another angel, who had a gold incense container, came and stood at the altar. He was given a lot of incense to add to the prayers of all God's people and to offer it on the gold altar that stands before the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the burning incense went up with the prayers of God's people from the hands of the angel standing before God. ⁵ Then the angel took the incense container, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth. There were rumblings and peals of thunder, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

 

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Enraged at a neighbor, a sibling and I went close to the kid’s house. He wore a brace to straighten his legs and was limited to his yard. He kept saying the most irritating things. We caved in to his taunts and decided to threaten him, from across the fence between us. Later in life, I talked to him and realized he was a great person.

 

• I was mad at him and did not want the best for him.
• I heard hurtful things, and wanted him hurt.
• I did not have the right words to pray, or the right attitude.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw another angel who received a gold incense container. The angel mixed the incense with the prayers of GOD’s people, probably to make the ugliest prayers into something fragrant to GOD. Both the incense and the prayers were added to the altar and offered to GOD as a burnt offering, similar to the sacrifice of an old testament  lamb to cleanse sin.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knows when I pray with the wrong motive.
• GOD knows when I pray selfish prayers.
• GOD loves when my prayers are purified by HIS SON’s forgiveness.

 

Even my prayers can stink! I mean, in the moment of hurt or anger, I may not be willing or able to be as forgiving as GOD. I may want my enemies hurt or at least, taught a lesson. I may put some things before GOD that truly stinks and needs cleansing. GOD accounted for that.

 

HE takes the prayers I pray with the right motive and mixed it in with my prayers that may have a selfish motive and cleanses them to be acceptable to HIM. HE knows the root of the prayer and also knows that HE wants all people saved. HE sees those who have tried to harm other people on purpose and has a plan for that. My job is to align my prayers to GOD’s desires.

 

Challenge

• Do you think the prayers of GOD’s people that the writer mentions, contain words of hurt from people who do not know GOD and caused harm on purpose?
• What result do you notice?
• Will you align your prayers to the example of JESUS, who cared for HIS enemies and said “FATHER, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing?”

Available Power

Available Power

James 5: ¹⁶ So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. ¹⁷ Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain, and no rain fell on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Once again he prayed, and the sky poured out its rain and the earth produced its crops.

 

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Thinking I was by myself, I came up with plans to address my problems. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I couldn’t even breathe deeply. I called a coworker over to my apartment. He asked questions that showed he was nervous about the situation too. I began to pray because I did not know what to do. Suddenly I felt better. I went to the doctor and they could not find out what was wrong.

 

• I was scared.
• I was in pain.
• I did not know how to “fix” this.

 

James says some difficult words to hear. “Confess your sins to one another.” He implies that some, not all, ailments could be manifested by sin. He provides a remedy, namely prayer.

 

My Observations:

• Confession of my sins relieves me of guilt that could cause me to lose sleep.
• Turning away from my sins enables me to rest better because my conscience is clear.
• Asking GOD to intervene when someone tells me about his or her sins, is more powerful than gossip.

 

Praying seems weak but is extremely powerful. I mean, when I humble myself before GOD, HE is willing to listen. HE knows when I am too proud or too hateful to place things before HIM correctly. HE also knows when I am forcing HIS hand to get “my” way. BUT GOD is merciful.

 

HE brings to mind the things I need to confess and gives me an opportunity to say, “I need help with this.” HE is willing to help me when I ask for help. HE is delighted when I tell others I need help in an area of my life. HE then surrounds me with the right people to guide me back to HIM. I am glad HE is willing to heal me and put me back on the right path.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention confession when he later talks about being healed?
• Do you believe in the power of prayer?
• Why don’t you get your way all the time?
• Wil you tap into the power of prayer by confessing and talking to GOD on someone else’s behalf today?

First Action

First Action

James 5: ¹³ Are any among you in trouble? They should pray. Are any among you happy? They should sing praises. ¹⁴ Are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders, who will pray for them and rub olive oil on them in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven. 

 

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Nervous about the bad news, I laid awake at night. I could not sleep for a week. We got together and discussed the impending doom. More conversations about what “could” happen were had than that of what good was going on in our lives.

 

• My first “reaction” was to start planning.
• My first “impulse” was to try to make sense out of a situation that was out of my hands.
• My first “assumption” was that everything bad was “definitely” going to happen.

 

James gives the answer to all problems, namely “pray.” He gives three ways to do this. He says people who are in trouble should talk to GOD directly about the trouble. He also says, if things are going well, people should “praise” GOD. He then says the sick may need more people to help so ask for other to “petition” to GOD in prayer.

 

Prayer seems like a last resort kind of thing. I mean, usually I try to “fix” the problem myself and when things get even worse, I panic and possible blame. BUT GOD has a different way.

 

HE wants me to come to HIM first with any problem, trouble or sickness. Asking GOD for HIS advice, direction and counsel, helps me think clearly and takes the ownership off of me and places it on HIM. This requires a vast amount of faith. Those who like to “control” situations will not like the answer of prayer. BUT GOD lives when I can praise HIM. I am glad GOD is willing to listen to me.,

 

Challenge

• What ways does the writer give in developing solutions?
• Have you ever developed a solution and things did not come out as expected?
• How did you react?
• Will you take your first action to GOD so HE can heal, fix and provide for you today?

Bigger Prayer

Bigger Prayer

Colossians 4: ¹² Greetings from Epaphras, another member of your group and a servant of Christ Jesus. He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will. ¹³ I can personally testify to his hard work for you and for the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, our dear doctor, and Demas send you their greetings.

 

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Looking outside, I could see the wind thrashing wildly against the tall bushes. Heavy rain and lightning followed. During the storm I noticed delicate items like bird food and flower pots were not moving. I drove around later and a large tree was broken at the trunk. Why did the delicate items survive?

 

• I wondered why people go through troubles.
• I pondered about people who seem to go through life easy while others seem to have nothing but storms.
• I looked at the tremendous force blowing all around and wondered why something so delicate could be protected.

 

Epaphras prays a different prayer for everyone. Knowing there were many circumstances that were out of his control, he went straight to the source and prayed for GOD to “make” them stand firm. This was a bigger prayer that included the circumstances as well as the outcome.

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t mind me praying for a trial to go away for me or another person.
• My growth in GOD also includes becoming mature, fully convinced and completely committed to obeying the LORD.
• GOD is the source of “making” others stand firm and becoming mature and being fully convinced that HE is the only answer.

 

Looking at the circumstance can take my eyes off of GOD. I mean, I may be praying for the storm to go away instead of marveling that GOD can protect me in the middle of strong winds that come against me. I am no match for the storms. I have no weapons and the storms are frightening. BUT GOD is the source.

 

HE is the one I can go to and ask that HE orchestrate the circumstances in his or her life so he or she will be able to stand firm. GOD owns growth and standing firm as a fragile item shows HIS protective power. I am glad HE is the source that I can go to for a bigger prayer than the circumstance.

 

Challenge

• What is the prayer style of Epaphras?
• Did he ask GOD to make the problems go away or for GOD to do something else?
• Can you take your eyes off of the circumstance for a moment and marvel at GOD’s tremendous power to protect someone as delicate as you?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please make this reader stand firm, as a mature and fully convinced believer of JESUS, in complete obedience to YOUR will. amen

Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray!

Ephesians 6: ¹⁸ Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. ¹⁹ And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. ²⁰ For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

 

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Being on my own, I chose to stop praying. “What good is saying the LORD’s prayer anyway?” I said to myself. I wanted to just have “fun.” As things got worse and worse, I revisited prayer.

 

• I only prayed when I wanted something.
• I had stopped believing in prayer, because things were not going “my” way.
• I did not feel the need for prayer when I was in the middle of doing what “I” wanted to do.

 

Paul gives everyone several reasons to pray. He ties prayer to “building up your strength” and “Standing ready” as he mentioned earlier while urging us to put on the whole armor of GOD. Do all this in prayer.

 

My Observations

• Prayer helps me communicate with GOD to place my desires before HIM.
• Prayer guides me to a better place when led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• Prayer gets other people involved to ask GOD to reveal HIS mighty power.

 

Usually prayer is the last resort when it should be the first. I mean, asking GOD for permission, direction and success seems like the right thing to do. Unfortunately, I have the tendency to start doing what “I” want to do and when it is a mess, ask GOD to fix it.

 

Prayer is a time to change “my” mind versus trying to get GOD to do something HE does not want to do. HE gracefully reveals the “gospel’s secret” and enables anyone who asks to become an ambassador for HIM. HIS SPIRIT shows me that HE can never be constrained. I am thankful GOD wants to communicate with me all day every day.

 

Challenge

• What different ways to pray do you see in the writers words?
• How is the SPIRIT leading you?
• Have you validated your desires by asking GOD “Is this what YOU want me to do?”
• Will you place every situation, thing and person, including yourself, before GOD in prayer today?

Knowing What is Needed

Matthew 6: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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“Please let the stock rise higher” was my “prayer-ish” thought. I was trying something new and I wanted to see if it would work. I invested in a “penny” stock to see if I could make some extra cash. I watched the value increase to a point just under my threshold. I figured the value would keep increasing. Suddenly it fell and fell and fell. Weeks later I got a letter stating the stock had no value.

• Sometimes the motive behind my prayer isn’t the best.
• Sometimes the method behind my prayer is loud and boisterous.
• Sometimes the length of my prayer, compared to “that” person, is too long.

Communicating to the GOD of the universe requires thinking sometimes. I mean other times when there is an emergency there may be no time to think. There are other times however that maybe I should stop for a moment and process what I’m about to ask GOD.

• GOD wants me to take prayer seriously.
• GOD wants me to have a habit of praying in secret so HE will reward me, not people.
• GOD wants me to want what HE wants so my prayers can align with HIS will.

Praying to be seen or heard is what GOD seems to be against in this passage. HE sees when I am trying to be the center of attention and rejects the prayer. Since HE wants me to succeed, HE teaches me to pray. HE guides me to acknowledge HIM as supreme, debts, temptation and HIS power to overcome anything.

GOD takes prayer very seriously. Whether eyes open or closed, head up or bowed, GOD takes time to listen to me. HE wants me to pray while walking, driving or in a closet on my knees. GOD listens when I earnestly pray.

• Are you trying to be seen by others when you pray?
• Do you feel you pray “better” than “that” person?
• Will you stop comparing yourself to others or trying to be seen and sincerely pray to the unseen GOD?

Anything with Prayer

Amos 7: This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king’s share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up. ² When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!”

³ So the Lord relented.

“This will not happen,” the Lord said.

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When another problem popped up I sprang into action. I had been around some very smart and confident people who seemed to be able to “think” their way out of situations, so I put my brain to the test. When my plans failed horribly I then turned to GOD.

• Sometimes I think I can outsmart my situation.
• Sometimes I think I can out-plan my situation.
• Sometimes I think I can out-finance my situation.

“If I just had a little more money” or “If I just had another lesson” or “If I just had a better car, phone or suit” then, and I would fill in the blank to my desire. I would then start acting on my plan. While this seems quite harmless there is one missing important ingredient, namely GOD.

• GOD wants me to pray to HIM before I move forward.
• GOD wants me to believe HE listens to my prayers so I must have faith in HIS decisions.
• GOD wants me to cry out to HIM in any situation, knowing HE wants what is best for me.

Even the largest situation that could have affected many people was turned back because of prayer. GOD still hears prayer. HE is listening right now waiting on my cry. I love GOD’s patience with me!

“LORD, please bless the reader right now. Let them know YOU care by handling their most difficult situation right now! Forgive! amen.

• Do you have a large situation you are facing?
• Do you feel there is no way out?
• Can you cry to the LORD and ask HIM for forgiveness today?

Keeping my side of the promise

1 Samuel 1: ¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

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¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. ²⁰ So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

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 ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

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“LORD, if you would just grant me this [insert wish] I will never do this again!” were my empty words on many occasions. This usually meant I was pulled over for speeding or doing something else I shouldn’t have been doing. GOD has actually granted my “wish” at that time and not so soon afterwards, I found myself doing “that” thing again.

• When I want my way I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.
• When I want to get out of facing the consequences I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.
• When I want my sin to be overlooked instead of forgiven I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.

I have made empty promises to GOD and HE doesn’t take them lightly. HE looks at a vow as a word chipped in stone. If I break my word then HE has consequences for me.

• GOD made promises to me regarding salvation so HE takes promises seriously.
• GOD made promises to me regarding protection so HE takes promises seriously.
• GOD made promises to me regarding life so HE takes promises seriously.

If I act wishy washy in regards to my promises to HIM why should I expect HIM to believe my prayer isn’t just a selfish cry for more stuff or more power. GOD would rather I not promise than to state a promise I never intended to keep. GOD hates manipulation but loves when I keep a promise to HIM.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD or someone else?
• Do you think GOD will listen to you if you have no intention of keeping your promise?
• Won’t you try adjusting your prayer to include a vow to GOD you will keep?
• Won’t you keep your promise once GOD has blessed you with your desire?

I believe in prayer

James 5: ¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

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“My shift is almost over” I thought to myself. Some guys entered the bowling alley with surly attitudes and summoned me “around the corner” to ask a question about an item we were selling. With glass case separating us I sort of felt safe but something was wrong this time.

Some guys distracted my coworkers at the front while I, the lone sheep, remained split from the flock. When they pulled out the gun I knew I had no place to run. I hadn’t been to church in a while, nor had I talked to GOD very much but that was the first thing on my mind!

• It’s amazing how fast I run towards GOD when I’m in trouble.
• It’s amazing how much I beg GOD for help when I’m sick.
• It’s amazing how much I seek GOD when something is wrong.

Prayer is exactly what GOD wants on a regular basis but I have used it simply to get out of situations. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with praying during dire situations. In fact that’s exactly what I should be doing. What I’m saying is prayer shouldn’t be the last thing I do rather in most instances it’s the “only” thing I should be doing.

• I should pray when I’m in trouble and GOD will calm me in the midst of the storm.
• I should pray when things are going well and GOD will keep me from temptations that easily tear me from HIM.
• I should pray when others are sick or down and GOD will heal them and forgive them.

Prayer is extremely powerful when used unselfishly. Prayer coupled with the right motive and right attitude outdoes any action I can conjure up. When I pray I’m actually saying to GOD I accept whatever outcome YOU choose rather than trying to manipulate HIM. HE always answers a prayer where HE is the center and that’s a good thing!

• Are you in trouble?
• Are you happy?
• Are you sick?
• Can you pray a prayer of praise before you ask HIM to fix your problem?
• Won’t you use prayer more often just to have a nice conversation with GOD?

I can go to GOD in prayer by Albertina Walker / Calvin Bridges

Verse 1
Makes no diference what the problem,
(I can go to God in prayer).
Yes, I have this blessed assurance,
(I can go to God in prayer).
He will take my gloom and sorrow,
(turn my night into day).
He will comfort, strenghten and keep me,
(I can go to God in prayer)

Chorus
I can call Him when I need Him,
Abba, Father, up in heaven;
I can go to God in prayer,
I can go to God in prayer.

Verse 2
Sometimes my burdens get so heavy,
(I can go to God in prayer).
I have found one who is so faithful,
(I can go to God in prayer).
He will take my gloom and sadness,
(turn my night into day).
He will comfort, strenghten, and keep me,
(I can go to God in prayer).

Chorus

Bridge
He can work it out, He can work it out;
(yes, He can),
(yes, He can),
(yes, He can),
(oh yes, He can).

I don't have no doubt, I don't have no doubt;
(yes, He can),
(yes, He can),
(yes, He can),
(oh yes, He can).


I know what God can do, He'll bring you safely through
(yes, He can),
(yes, He can),
(yes, He can),
(oh yes, He can)