Prayer of choosing, not losing, joy in God

 

Things are tough! People are still getting ill or angry. Many live in fear or poverty. Weather has gone ballistic. Stores are closing. Food is pricey, and restaurants ready to serve can’t find servers willing to work. No one can. Even God has trouble finding enough people ready to serve – ready to ease the increasing needs of those around us.

 

The prophet Habakkuk knew the feeling. But despite the hard times and disappointments around him, he trusted in God’s goodness. As the following Bible prayer shows, this servant of God chose to rejoice in the Sovereign Lord.

 

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19 – a prayer of Habakkuk
paraphrased into contemporary English

 

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and no grapes huddle together on the vines….

Even though olive crops dry up,
and fields lie fruitless and empty….

Even though flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns stand empty,

 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

 

For You, Sovereign Lord, are my strength!

You make me as surefooted as a deer,
able to leap across high places.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19 – a prayer of Habakkuk
from the King James Version of the Bible

 

Although the fig tree shall not blossom,

neither shall fruit be in the vines;

the labour of the olive shall fail,

and the fields shall yield no meat;

the flock shall be cut off from the fold,

and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

 

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

 

The Lord God is my strength, and

he will make my feet like hinds' feet,

and he will make me to walk

upon mine high places. 

 

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler

 

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Priestly Prayer for God’s People

At the moment, the world seems to be in a panic over a virus, causing man-made systems, businesses, and services to shut down. As health officials tell us, we need to wash hands with soap every time we’re out and keep ourselves – and the air in our homes – hydrated.

Most important, however, we need to decide if we truly do trust God, Who made us, cares for us, and gives us this prayer:

Numbers 6:24-26 – the priestly prayer-blessing of Aaron over God’s people (KJV)

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

Numbers 6:24-26 – the prayer of Aaron (paraphrased)

Lord, we pray You bless and keep us.

We pray Your face shines graciously upon us.

We pray You look kindly toward us

and give us Your God-peace.

Shalom.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

May this priestly prayer, given to the Jewish high priest Aaron and received by Christians too, give us the peace needed in any troubling time.

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Moses’ prayer of praise

Crossing the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), Moses witnessed the power of God as the Lord rescued His people from Pharaoh’s grip and over four-hundred years of slavery in Egypt. In awe and wonder, Moses burst into this praise-filled prayer:

Exodus 15:6, 11, 13, 17-18 – a prayer of Moses

Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power:

thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?

who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful

in praises, doing wonders?

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people

which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them

in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them

in the mountain of thine inheritance,

in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made

for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord,

which thy hands have established.

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Exodus 15:6, 11, 13, 17-18 – a prayer of Moses

How glorious and powerful is Your hand, O Lord!

Your right hand holds back the enemy.
 

No god among them is like You, Lord,

for You alone are gloriously pure, 

praise-worthy, and able to perform wonders.

You guide Your people whom You have

redeemed by Your faithful love;
With strength, You lead us to holy places.
 

You bring us to the land You possess

and settle us in the place You prepared

for us to dwell.

Lord, Your hands create a sanctuary,

and You will reign forever and ever!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

…

Into a prayer shelter

Hear my cry, O LORD.
Listen to my prayer.

To You, my heavy heart calls
from a low place far away.

Set me on the Rock
that is higher than I
as I fly to my shelter in You.

©2013, Mary Harwell Sayler prayer-a-phrased this poem from today’s Daily Bible Reading in Psalm 61:1-3.


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Praying for God’s help

Psalm 31

O LORD, in You I run for shelter.
Let me not be put to shame.
Deliver me In Your righteousness.

Fold Yourself around me,
and quickly rescue me.

Be my strong rock!
Be the stronghold that saves me
for You are my fort and fortification.
For the sake of Your Name, You lead and guide me.
You pull me from unknown traps.
You are my strength!

Into Your hand I commit my spirit.

And You, O LORD God of Truth, have brought me back!

Others may trust in worthless ideals and obsessions,
but LORD, I trust in You.

I rejoice in the kindness of Your love
and am glad, just knowing
You understand my complaint.
You understand the troubles of my soul!

You did not hand me over
into hurtful hands
but handed me a place
with ample room to stretch and grow.

Even in my distress, I can see
how gracious You are, O LORD!

My eyes closed down with grief,
my soul and my body also.
For years, sorrow upon sorrow
spent my life with sighs.

My strength failed in wrongdoings,
and my body wasted away.
I became a reproach to my adversaries,
even close neighbors –
and an object of dread to those who know me.
People in the street would see me and flee!

I am forgotten – like a person dead,
like a broken bowl.

Some spoke ill words into me.
Terror surrounded me.
People ganged up against me
and schemed to take all of me.

But I trust You, O LORD!
I want to tell everyone, “You are my God.”

What happens to me belongs in Your hand,
but, oh, deliver me from the hands
of those who harangue me.

Face me, O LORD, with Your shine.
In the kindness of Your love,
save me, and let not Your servant
be put to shame for calling on You.

Let those who never think of You
be put to shame and silenced forever.
Mute their lying lips
from speaking with pride and derision
against people who just want to do right!

Oh, how great is the goodness
You have stockpiled for Your people
and have waiting for those
who find their sanctuary in You!

In the secret place of Your presence,
You hide us away
from secret schemes.
Secretly You shelter us
in the sanctuary of Your Word –
safe from troubling words.

Blessed be the LORD!
How marvelous His loving kindness!

When I was overwhelmed, I feared
I'd be forever closed off from Your sight,
but You heard my pleas
and cries to You.

O love the LORD, all of you who are
His people!
The LORD takes care of the faithful
and compensates His people well.

Be strong!
Let your heart take courage
as you hope, as you hope in our Lord.

© 2012, Mary Harwell Sayler, prayer-a-phrase poem of Psalm 31

Bible prayer for wisdom, for hope

“May God the Father of Glory
give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
as you come to know our Lord Jesus Christ.

And with your heart enlightened,
may you know
the hope to which God has called you
and know
this rich and glorious inheritance
among the saints,
and know
the immeasurable greatness
of the power of God for us who believe.

God put this power to work in Christ
Whom He raised from the dead
and seated at His right hand
in the heavenly places
above all
rulers and authorities
and powers
and above every name named,
not only in this age but in the age to come.

And God has put all things
under the Lord’s feet
and made Christ the head
over all things
for the church body,
filled now
with Him
Who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 1:15-23 (c) 2012 prayer-a-phrase by Mary Sayler.

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God and Abraham have a candid conversation

“The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram. I AM your shield, and your reward shall be exceeding great.’

"And Abram said, ‘Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I have no child but my steward, Eliezer of Damascus? Since You have given me no seed, the person born in my house is my only heir.’

"And the word of the LORD came again, saying, ‘This shall not be your heir, but he who comes from your own loins shall be your heir.’ Then the LORD brought Abram outdoors and said, ‘Look toward heaven and count the stars if you can number them. That’s how many descendants you will have.’

"And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted this as righteousness. Then the LORD said, ‘I AM the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to inherit.’" Genesis 15:1-7.

God talked with Abram and told him His plans, but even in a dream or vision, Abram would not have heard any of this unless he had listened. But he did listen, and immediately he heard the Lord soothe his fears then promise to protect and bless him, and Abram believed.

Abram also spoke candidly with God, making it as clear as the sky that all the money in the world would not matter to him if he did not have someone to pass it on to – an heir who could also enjoy the blessings.

God responded to this concern by taking Abram outside and pointing to the stars as the countless descendants Abraham would eventually have. Then the LORD reminded Abram how he had been guided out of his homeland into another land that God promised to give. When Abram wondered about this inheritance, which could only occur after his death, God responded with a covenant – a pledge, a pact, a contract, a treaty – sealed in blood.

Questions: Do my prayers include time to listen to God? Am I honest with the LORD about my worries, wants, and needs? Do I carry on candid conversations with God as my dearest, closest, and best friend?

Prayer: Oh, LORD, I want to hear You as clearly as Abraham did! Strengthen my faith. Help me to listen to Your voice, do as You ask, and accept all that You give me and my family for all times and in all places. Give me, too, the courage to fear not the gift of being your heir, your child.

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© 2012, Mary Sayler

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