Prayer – Lord, I know You hear my prayers. Please grant
me the desires of my heart—answer my prayers for mercy, peace, strength, hope
and love for those of my family, friends, neighbors and associates for whom I
have prayed. You know what I ask for…even before I ask it, but sometimes it is
hard to have the silence of “Wait” or to grasp that You’ve just said “No” when
I thought my request was honorable, pure, and lovely. For now…dear brother,
Jesus…one final thing. I have fixed my thoughts (and prayers) on what is true,
and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. I’m thinking
about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8. Those
are things that I’m requesting…and that would honor You. Like Jabez, please
bless me and expand my territory. I know You are with me always—please keep me—as
well as my family and friends—from all trouble and pain. I recognize that You
use all things—allowing them to work together—to bring You glory as part of Your
big plan. It is just hard to expect a miracle and not get one. Thank you anyway.
I praise You for You are an awesome God. You are my God. Please grant me wisdom and insight into how to pray.
There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable
than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been
so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you
would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and
keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request. 1
Chronicles 4:9-10
Expand my territory....
Camel Crossing in the Judean Desert.
Israel
Meditate. Read God’s word and intentionally listen to what
He is saying.
God is listening to us. Are we listening to Him? We are
assured that God hears our prayers. A couple of these verses below also tell us
that He answers prayers. Above all else I think that is what people want to
hear…that God answers prayers.
The LORD heard
Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 1
Kings 17:22
So we fasted and
earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. Ezra
8:23
May we shout for joy
when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all your prayers. Psalm 20:5
You faithfully
answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of
everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. Psalm 65:5
And you are helping
us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has
graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 2 Corinthians 1:11
It is hard to understand why some people have to suffer in
life. It seems so unfair—especially when children are involved. Can we
rationalize that even children have that “sin nature” that Adam and Eve are
credited with causing when they ate the forbidden fruit? No matter from whom
that suffering originates, it is evident around the world. The war in Israel
now brings that to our attention. The wounding, torturing, kidnapping, and
murder of innocent civilians just isn’t fair. Pray for them. War is futile, but
it seems to be God’s way of ultimately purifying humanity.
Pray. Do you believe that God hears your prayers? What
gives you that assurance…or doubt? Share with others reading this blog by
commenting in the box below.
Verse of Salvation ~ But I keep praying to you, LORD,
hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer
my prayer with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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