Bible Prayers: petition

March 2, 2020

Moses confronts God in prayer

As the Lenten season leads us to Easter, our times of seeking God can lead us to repentance. But undoubtedly we mean our need to repent, not God’s!

Moses had other thoughts. His honesty, faith, and daring placed him face-to-face with God – a position which can also lead to confrontation!

Exodus 32:11-13 – King James Version

And Moses besought the Lord his God,

and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot

against thy people, which thou hast

brought forth out of the land of Egypt

with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Wherefore should the Egyptians speak,

and say, For mischief did he bring them out,

to slay them in the mountains, and to consume

them from the face of the earth?

Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent

of this evil against thy people.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,

thy servants, to whom thou swarest

by thine own self, and saidst unto them,

I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven,

and all this land that I have spoken of will I give

unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

Exodus 32:11-13 – paraphrased

O, Lord, why are You so angry

with Your people – the very ones

You rescued with such great power?

After displaying Your mighty force,

do You really want everyone

to think You brought us here

to strike us dead?

Please do not bring disaster!

Remember Your faithful servants

who have gone before us –

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob –

and how You promised them

countless descendants

more numerous than stars.

As Christians, we’re also to be honest with God and express our faith, knowing Jesus is beside us, ready to help.

“For there is one God, and there is one Mediator for all people – Jesus Christ,” 1 Timothy 2:5.

“Jesus Christ has negotiated a new covenant between God and us,” Hebrews 9:15.

Throughout Lent and beyond, may we always feel free to approach the Lord with what troubles us – no matter what!

…

January 2, 2020

Jacob prays for deliverance

Trickery and an aptitude for manipulating people marked Jacob’s early years, but after being treated that way for a long time by his father-in-law, this son of Isaac headed home with a new attitude.

The problem was, Jacob didn’t know what his twin brother Esau, whom he’d tricked more than once, might do! However, Jacob did know God had blessed him. Humbling himself before the Lord, he asked for protection and deliverance in this prayer.

Genesis 32:10-11 – a prayer of Jacob

I am not worthy

of the least of all the mercies,

and of all the truth,

which thou hast shewed

unto thy servant;

for with my staff

I passed over this Jordan;

and now I am become two bands.

Deliver me, I pray thee,

from the hand of my brother,

from the hand of Esau:

for I fear him, lest he will come

and smite me, and the mother with the children.

Genesis 32:10-11 – a paraphrased prayer of Jacob

Lord, I am not worthy

of all the loving kindness

and faithfulness

You have shown me,

for I began with nothing

and now have far more

than I could ever need.

But, Lord, I’m alarmed

by those I fear might

harm me and my family.

Please deliver us, I pray.

May God help us to let go of the past as we humble ourselves before Him and begin the New Year in prayer, praise, and appreciation.

…

March 2, 2020

Moses confronts God in prayer

January 2, 2020

Jacob prays for deliverance

In the Amen of Jesus