Prayers of Protection to Pursue Wisdom and Soul Refreshment
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
Psalm 19:7-9
“Father, I pray that (name) would recognize Your law as perfect- far exceeding the rightness and justice of any man made laws and fully complete in its ability to define what is right and good. I pray that (name) would love Your law and they would continually look to it and find a satisfying refreshment for their heart and soul- one that cannot be replicated by anything this world offers. Restore their soul, Lord, as they follow You and trust in Your Word. Just as you promised in Psalm 23:3 “he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” I pray that You would guide (name) in Your pathways.”
“Give (name)wisdom beyond what this world would grant them and provide discretion as they live by Your words. 1 Corinthians 13:9 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”” Fill them with joy, Lord, that only You can give when we walk faithfully and consistently with You. There is joy in following Jesus and a contentment that this world will never be able to offer. Help them to value the wisdom from Your Word. Proverbs 16:16 “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” Proverbs 23:19 “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:”
“Help (name) to trust your statutes (laws) understanding that Your words are right and true and You’ve decreed them for our good and for Your glory. Trust is hard sometimes when we see so much brokenness. Remind them that what they see in this fallen broken world is not representative of the way You intended things to be. Sin has worked it’s poison into every aspect of life. Remind them that You are preparing a place for us that is far beyond what we could imagine, and it will bring joy, peace, satisfaction and fulfillment, but remind them too, that following Your laws here will give a glimpse of that life to come. Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Lord, help (name) to embrace Your paths, Your laws and precepts, with uncompromising conviction.”
“Father, I pray that You would remove the veil and allow (name) to see the truth of Your Word and the righteousness of Your ways. Help (name) to turn to You, Lord. “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:16 Your Word promises that “Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart” Psalm 97:11. Let it be that (name) enjoys those blessings of the Lord as they pursue Your truth.”
“Above all, Lord, I pray that (name) would fear You because “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” Psalm 111:10. I pray Your mighty protection over (name) today and all the days of their life. May they fear You, be wise and unwavering in their commitment to Your laws. Lord, let them reap the rewards of following after You. Protect them from disillusionment, deception, and the influence of those who do not follow You. May (name) be salt and light to their generation and to those who would follow. Lord, help them to be fishers of men, pointing others to the Cross. Your name be praised. Amen.”
A Cry for Justice
Psalm 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”
Social justice is the rallying cry of this generation. And justice is important- we long to see it achieved. Too often we see the results of sin, the miscarriage of justice and we watch as what is right is overlooked, trampled upon and left in a hopeless heap. We see people, image-bearers of God, mistreated, exploited, abused and neglected. It’s grievous. A lack of justice is indicative of great darkness. And we want to see it change.
Yet, the way we go about pursuing justice is often just as broken. Too often we speak as if we know, yet we’re ill informed. We campaign for justice, yet we lack righteousness. We assert authority where we really have none. We cast judgment bue we, ourselves, lack clean hands and a pure heart. Vindication becomes a personal mission and the rallying cry of those who agree with us. Yet, we’re increasingly frustrated because the process seems slow…or immoveable.
What really lacks isn’t more power or funding, it is full reliance on God to accomplish what is His, alone, to do. Does He ask us to stand for what’s right? Of course. But God is a God of order and His order is that first we pursue righteousness. Righteousness and justice go hand in hand. Yet, we seem to skip over that first part because this world screams for the latter far more. Righteousness is disdained.
We need to look at it through the lens of God’s Word vs the world’s angst. God tells us to commit our way to Him. That word ‘commit’ in Hebrew means to roll oneself or to wallow (1). Picture that. If we commit our way to God, we’re not taking the proverbial bull by the horns, we’re surrendering ourselves to God, luxuriating in His will and devoting ourselves entirely to His plan and purpose. It’s not ours to manage, but His, and He is able!
But we don’t just commit. It doesn’t stop there. We also have to trust. We must have confidence and hope that God will accomplish what He promises. It’s not just wishing. It’s a confidence that God will do what He promises. That’s the dynamic duo of effective faith! When we commit and trust, the Lord works in us and through us. Note the order in which He works, though.
First, He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn. Picture the sunrise. Everything is dark, and then that bit of light begins to break on the horizon. EVERYONE sees it because it’s the only light visible in the midst of all the darkness. Think about that. Our righteousness will shine in the darkness to those all around us. It’s not our experience, our credentials, our loud voice…it’s Jesus in us. When there is just one source of light in the darkness, all eyes are drawn to that light. It’s not the volume of our voice that garners attention, but the brightness of our life, surrendered to Christ. We need to allow God to bring our righteousness into the light to combat the darkness.. That is the first step toward effecting change in a dark and unjust world. And He WILL do it. Scripture doesn’t tell us He might or that He’ll consider it. No, He WILL do it.
But that’s not all. If we commit and trust, our righteousness becomes radiant AND the justice of our cause will shine like the noonday sun. Think about the sun at noon. It doesn’t preempt the dawn, but follows in good order.. The sun at noon is at its highest point in the sky offering total sunlight. Because it’s directly overhead, it illuminates everything and shadows are minimal. Don’t we long for the justice of our cause to shine? Don’t we want the least amount of shadow and darkness to inhibit the wheels of justice? And scripture tells us again that God will do it.
First righteousness, then justice. Too often we skip that first part to get to the second. But again, God is a God of order. He needs us to pursue righteousness first and be submitted to Him. It cannot be our agenda, it must be His. Righteousness illuminates truth. Truth supports justice. It is representative of God’s character. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” Psalm 89:14
Let’s change course. Let’s approach a pursuit of justice by first by committing our way to the Lord. We can’t affect real change simply by being passionate. The loudest voice in the room isn’t necessarily the one who makes a difference nor the one who is right. Let's ensure our heart is in step with the Savior and allow Him to bring change. He will do it.
“Father, there is so much in this world that grieves our hearts. I know my (son/daughter) sees it and is frustrated and overwhelmed. Our world pressures us to stand up and shout against injustice. Yet, You call us to first commit our way to You and then trust You to accomplish righteousness in us and justice through us. Lord, I pray that You would work in (name) and help them to understand Your order and what You desire for us. It seems backward us “but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Cor 1:27 Lord, help us to be weak so that You can be strong in us. Help us to be willing to be ‘foolish’ in the eyes of the world so that we can be wise in the Spirit and effective for Your kingdom. I pray that You would grow (name) in righteousness. Help them to commit and trust and be willing to watch You work according to Your plan and Your will. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”
H1556 - gālal - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1556/kjv/wlc/0-1/
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And Now, Dear Children, Continue in Him
1 John 2:28-29 “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.
When He appears…. can you imagine? When Jesus appears, where will we be? Maybe the better question is, what will we be doing? Will He find us faithful?
Oh how we want our sons and daughters to walk faithfully with the Lord! That’s our heart’s cry, isn’t it? And when Jesus returns, we want to be confident that our sons and daughters would be unashamed at His coming, standing boldly for Christ, eager to be in His presence.
Today, let’s pray 1 John 2:28-29 over our sons and daughters and as we pray, let’s put their names into the scripture to personalize it.
“Heavenly Father, I pray that now, and always, (name), would continue in Christ, so that when he appears (name) may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If (name), knows that he is righteous, they know and understand that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. I pray that (name) would live in such a way that others would see evidence of their new birth in Christ and a life that is committed to righteousness. I pray that (name) would walk with You faithfully, not compromising or wavering in their commitment to You and Your word. Help them stay the course and would walk carefully in Your path of righteousness. I pray that (name) would be eager for Jesus’ return and would be unashamed, ready to stand with Him in glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Mercy, Delivered in Faithfulness and Righteousness
Psalm 143:1-2 A psalm of David. LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
If any of us has a son or daughter who is not a believer, God’s mercy is likely the plea of our heart. If we have a prodigal, God’s mercy is what we plead to bring them back to the family and back to the cross. When we are watching our children make unwise and ungodly decisions, our hearts ache for God’s mercy in their lives and their recognition of what His mercy offers them.
David, in Psalm 143, cries out to God for mercy, appealing to His faithfulness and righteousness for deliverance. Why is that? It’s important to understand God’s attribtes and what they mean for us.
He IS faithful:
Firmness, steadiness, security (1)
Established & trustworthy (2)
To support, be established, stand firm. (3)
When we cry out to God, we can be confident that He is steady, strong and secure. He is trustworthy- He will always provide what is appropriate and necessary. He will not deceive and He will not do a ‘bait and switch’ on us. His support is firm and reliable and is always what we need in every situation. When we cry out, His response is faithful.
And He is righteous:
Justice and righteousness in rule, morally and as an attribute of God (4)
To be just, have a just cause, to do or bring justice, vindicate (5)
God is the standard of righteousness. When we appeal to Him, we know we are calling out to the Source of Truth and the model for all that is right.
Think about those attributes. Our God, alone, is faithful. His nature is the example of faithfulness, reliable in and out of season. Everything points back to Him alone. He is steady, secure and trustworthy. He is righteous. He alone determines what is right and true. Truth is not relative to a situation or an individual. Truth does not change, depending on circumstances. God alone embodies moral rightness and determines and makes us righteous through His blood.
When we pray for our sons and daughters, do we stop and appeal to the perfect attributes of our God, resting and believing confidently in Who He is and what He is able to do, or do we simply list out our needs?
Do we ponder from what aspects of God’s character those answers come? Mindful prayer. It can change our perspective and deepen our awe and fear of God.
What is it that you long for as you pray for your sons and daughters today? Rescue? Protection? Blessing and favor? Any of the answers that God gives us emanate from His character and nature.
David appealed to God’s faithfulness and righteousness when He cried out for mercy, forgiveness and relief. Today, let’s appeal to God’s faithfulness and righteousness as we pray for the burdens we carry. Trust that in His perfect character, He will answer completely and perfectly in His time. Trust that He is faithful and righteous.
“Lord, today I cry out for mercy on (name)’s behalf. You know where they are and what they are doing. You know, better than I do, what they need and long for. Lord, you know where their heart is. I pray that they would be aligned with and committed to You. Lord, don’t allow them to compromise or be pulled away by temptation. Help them stand firm in their faith. Have mercy, Lord, to ensure (name) walks faithfully with You. Father, you understand a parent’s heart. I plead with You today that you would protect and preserve (name) so they would stand with you in glory as one of Your own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Resources:
1. H530 - 'ĕmûnâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h530/kjv/wlc/0-1/
2. H529 - 'ēmûn - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h529/kjv/wlc/0-1/
3. H539 - 'āman - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h539/kjv/wlc/0-1/
4. H6666 - ṣᵊḏāqâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6666/kjv/wlc/0-1/
5. H6663 - ṣāḏaq - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6663/kjv/wlc/0-1/
The Lord Loves Justice
Psalm 33:5 “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
Look around. Watch the news. This world is a mess. If we’re honest, we worry about our sons and daughters- what will it mean for them? We worry about their children, what kind of world will they live in? If we dwell on it, our own anxiety can spiral out of control. We risk losing sight of Who is in control.
So how do we calm our own hearts and point our sons and daughters to Jesus when they get discouraged about life and the circumstances of this world?
Psalm 33:5 is a sweet nugget of truth that can help us refocus. “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” If we still and quiet our hearts and look around us, we can see God’s unfailing love at work. Ponder these scriptures:
Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”
Isaiah 40:28 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Psalm 95:3-5 “For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, in whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.”
Proverbs 3:19-20 “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.”
All of creation knows the Lord is God. All of creation dares not question His sovereignty. Creation bows to the Lord in reverence and obedience. Can we do the same?
The Lord laid the foundations of this world and He will bring everything into submission under His lordship. He loves righteousness. He will ensure justice. We can rest in the knowledge that He is Creator and Sustainer. He will bring all of creation into submission under His rule and reign.
“Lord, I pray today that you would calm our hearts. Help us to focus on Your righteousness. Reassure us that You will indeed bring justice. When our world is spinning out of control, help us to stop and ponder all that You do each day to show us your unfailing love. We know you love righteousness and it grieves Your heart to see such evil and disregard for life and for Your Authority. We know you desire justice and one day you will bring it. Help us to refocus on the reminders You give us each day that testify to Your Sovereignty. Give us opportunities to encourage our sons and daughters to follow after You. Help us Lord, to not lose sight of the knowledge that You have a plan and You will work out every detail. Even when things seem dark, You are still the Light of the world. Help us to walk in Your light each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.