5 posts tagged “prayer”

DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN

May 4, 2009
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THE CRIME OF PRAYER

Read Daniel 6

"Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel 6:20 NIV

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This is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, along with stories like Noah's Ark and David and Goliath–but it is far more than a children's bedtime story. It’s the story of a man who served God continually from the time he was a teenager–taken into Babylonian captivity–until he was a very old man serving Darius, the king of the Medes and Persians.

No matter what the circumstance, Daniel was faithful to his God. His crime in this story was that he prayed and gave thanks before his God three times a day, as was his custom since early days. (6:10b NKJV) Daniel–a man who seldom had control of his circumstances– served a God who was always in control of his circumstances. This is an amazing truth that most of us find hard to absorb.

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Lord, I am not likely to face a fiery furnace or hungry lions, but I still struggle to remember who controls my life and the lives of those I love. May it be said of us, like Daniel, “they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful;” (Daniel 6:4b NKJV)

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Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." Daniel 6:21–22 NIV

PRAYING THE PSALMS - 3

Oct 4, 2008
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Read Psalm 3

Thank You, O LORD, that You are a shield for me,
My glory and the one who lifts up my head.
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for You sustained me.
I will not be afraid for You have promised to hear when we pray.

PRAYING THE PSALMS - 1

Oct 2, 2008
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Read Psalm 1

My delight is in your Word as I meditate on it. Let me be like the tree planted by water. May I yield fruit in Your time and season and not whither and grow dry. Bless my efforts and make them prosper. Thank you that you are watching over me.

My Story - Part 5

Aug 6, 2008
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Answered Prayer

When Ron and I were first married, He was still a full time student. Two weeks before our wedding we were apartment hunting near Cal State Fullerton. Our budget was very limited, so all the apartments we looked at were depressingly run down or more than we could afford.

We stopped for lunch and decided we had better pray about finding the right place to live. After lunch we went to a market for a paper, and as we sat in our car looking at the rental section, a man walked up to our car and asked us if we were looking for an apartment. He said if we would follow him, he would show us one he had available.

We followed him to a beautifully landscaped apartment building, newly painted, quiet, two bedrooms, one mile from the college and just the amount we could afford to pay. Over the next month, God directly and speedily answered our prayers for various financial needs. In the years to come we would learn about waiting on the Lord for answers - but I think when we were starting out, He just wanted to point us in the right direction.

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Do you remember a time when God obviously answered a prayer for help and guidance?

HANNAH AND SAMUEL

Jun 10, 2008
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Read I Samuel 1:1–28

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." … The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up. 1 Samuel 1:27–28; 1 Samuel 3:19a NIV

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Samuel’s birth was an answer to Hannah’s fervent prayer. She had pleaded with the Lord, “If you will only look upon your servant's misery–and give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” When she brought him to Eli the priest, she said, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD."(1:11, 27–28)

Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Hannah surely prayed for Samuel all the days of her life and God blessed her with more children.

Even though Samuel grew up among Eli’s wicked sons, he became a faithful judge and prophet of God. Samuel would go on to lead Israel through the transition from judges to kings, and become King Saul’s spiritual advisor – all this in response to God’s plan and a mother’s prayers.

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Lord, help us to be faithful to pray daily for our children and grandchildren. Use them for your glory and purpose on this earth, and give us the wisdom we need to train them to follow You–even in a wicked culture.

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The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10 NIV