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

 

…

Job prays through to God

For many days, Job sat in shock, pain, and anger, looking for answers while listening to friends who didn’t believe in his innocence nor get why he kept questioning God. Although the Lord did not directly answer Job’s questions, His very presence quieted Job’s need to know.

 

Job 42:1-6 – a prayer of Job
from the King James Version of the Bible

 

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

 

I know that thou canst do every thing,

and that no thought can be

withholden from thee.

 

Who is he that hideth counsel

without knowledge? therefore

have I uttered that I understood not;

things too wonderful for me,

which I knew not.

 

Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak:

I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

 

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:

but now mine eye seeth thee.

 

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

 

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

 

 

Job 42:1-6 – a prayer of Job
in contemporary English

 

Lord, I know You can do anything!

No plan of Yours can be thwarted.

 

You asked why my ignorance hides

me from seeing Your view.

All I can say is, I didn’t understand

things too wonderful to know.

 

You told me to listen,

and You would speak.

 

You told me to answer Your questions

as I wanted You to answer mine!

 

I’ve heard a lot about You, Lord,

but now I’ve seen You for myself.

 

And so I take back my words

that questioned You, and I

repent in dust and ashes.

 

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, ©2019