Imitators
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Our children played all sorts of games and make-believe when they were little. Pretending was something that stretched their imagination and could keep them busy for hours. As they grew and began to notice the world around them, sometimes they would imitate what they saw, whether good or bad. They didn’t have knowledge and discretion, nor did they have context for some of the things they would imitate. Their imitation was a form of learning about the world around them and pretending they were someone or something else.
Fast-forward to the teenage years and imitation began to be founded on the response they would get from others. They might choose to imitate someone who was popular or ‘pretty’ so they, too, could receive approval. Or perhaps they were sullen or defiant and the ones they chose to imitate gave that same reflection of rebellion and anger. Whatever the imitation, it was almost always for approval from others and for effect. They chose to follow someone who had the image they craved and the life they desired. But their imitation was creating an image that wasn’t genuine or authentic to our sons and daughters. It was an effort to be someone or something else because, in their eyes, that was better.
Now that our sons and daughters are grown, authenticity is a valued character quality. This world doesn’t like ‘posers’- those who claim to be something that they’re not. As believers, we don’t just wear the label ‘Christian’ it is who we are, how we think, what we value and it’s the foundation of our world-view. We are called to be imitators of God so that everything we say and do reflects His presence in our lives. It’s not a ‘trying to be someone else’ it’s striving to be what God calls us to be. It’s an effort to be more like Jesus. He is the example we are to follow and when we seek to be more like Him, our whole self is steadily transformed into who He desires us to be. It’s a stripping away of the ‘fake’ and the old self so that our new, transformed heart and mind can be visible to those around us. It’s a transformation into authenticity not a shadowing into an image of something else. (and we know what God says about images…. they are idols, false gods that steal our attention, joy and the glory that is meant for God alone.)
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters are imitators of God. Pray that they are not distracted or lured by popular culture. Pray that they don’t seek the approval and affirmation of the world. That’s a total deception of Satan and will lead to destruction, depression and devastation. It’s only when we choose to imitate God that we flourish. Pray for strong flourishing in our sons and daughters today!!
Pray without ceasing.
Walking Faithfully
Psalm 119:1-3, 5 “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart- they do nothing wrong but follow His ways.”
If we are praying for faithfulness, it means we’re praying that our sons and daughters remain committed to the Word of God -not just acknowledging that Scripture is true, but embracing it as the Truth by which they live. God’s word never fails and it is appropriate for every situation. It contains wisdom, direction, caution, encouragement and the list goes on. When our sons and daughters walk according to the Law of the Lord, they are walking within the boundaries He set for them to protect them and ensure their thriving. Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.
Ephesians 5:15-17 “Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Remaining faithful is more important now, than ever. We live in evil days. Things are not good...and they’re getting worse. Our sons and daughters are living in a world where man’s inhumanity to man is staggering. Satan is determined to destroy image-bearers and what could be more devastating than to have them turn on one another. The hatred, selfishness and indifference to God are all signs that we are heading toward the Day of the Lord. And on that Day, where will our sons and daughters stand? Now is the time for us to pray for their faithfulness to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. We want them to be unwavering in their faith and intentional and cautious in how they choose to walk. We want them to make the choice to walk with God and commit that they won’t negotiate their stance, they won’t compromise their commitment. We want them to be persuaded that there is no other way. We need to be prayerful that our sons and daughters live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to glorify and honor God.
1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Friends, God is raising up a generation that will stand firm for Him in the turmoil that is coming. We need to pray that they commit to following the Lord and do not allow criticism, negativity to distract, discourage or derail them. We need to pray they have confidence in their calling and remain faithful to the Lord.
Let’s take some time today to pray through these scriptures for our sons and daughters. Let’s pray for them by name. And as we pray for their faithfulness, let’s commit to be faithful ourselves to hold them up and pray for their committed, effective pursuit of God.
Pray without ceasing.
Join Us at 8pm Tonight!!
Faithfulness
Tonight, at 8pm on the Facebook page “A Simple Gathering”, we’ll be studying through the aspect of faithfulness and talking about how to pray for our sons and daughters!
We’ll dig into scripture and learn about the aspects of faithfulness and talk about the challenges of being effective in prayer. Join us and be encouraged!
WE WILL BE WATCHING TOGETHER AT 8PM EST in real time! You will have the ability to interact with Brenda live--just like a FB live experience only on YOUTUBE! How cool is that?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNEUJsF4-U
HERE IS THE LINK! If you are subscribed to the channel and set a reminder...it will notify you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNEUJsF4-U
Hope to see you there!!
Encouraging Faithfulness
Acts 11:23 (19-24) “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”
Faithfulness to the gospel demonstrates God’s presence in our lives. Notice, in Acts, the persecution of the church brought a fervent sharing of the gospel and a boldness to speak about Christ to those who desperately needed to hear the good news. The gospel of Jesus Christ is life-changing!
Antioch was a city in ancient Syria. Today, it’s now a part of south central Turkey, just east of Aleppo, Syria. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, the Presence of God was evident among the people there. He “saw what the grace of God had done”.
If we are praying for faithfulness for our sons and daughters, we need to pray that God’s Presence is evident in their lives. Christianity can’t just be a label, it needs to define us and everything we say and do give evidence that we are Christ-followers. Can others see evidence of the grace of God in our lives?
Barnabas was so moved that he “encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts” We need to be the Barnabas to our sons and daughters, friends!! When he “encouraged’ them. Strong’s Concordance (1) defines “encourage” as :admonish, exhort, beseech, console, comfort, strengthen and teach. Friends, that’s a lot of verbs right there!! If we want to encourage faithfulness, friends, we need to give our sons and daughters more than an ‘atta boy!’.
Yes, we’re praying for their faithfulness, but let’s dig in and be intentional!! The days are becoming darker- we can’t ignore it. Will our sons and daughters cling to the faithfulness needed to preserve their faith? Will they be persuaded, beyond a doubt, that Jesus is their Lord and Savior? Oh, friends, we need to encourage their faithfulness, admonish them to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10), exhort them to walk in the light of His presence (Ps. 89:15), beseech them to love the Lord their God (Mt 22:37) console them with the truth that God provides mercy and grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16), comfort them with the reminder that God is a God of comfort and compassion in our troubles, our comfort abounds in Christ (2 Cor. 1:3-5), remind them that they will be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience, (Col. 1:11) and pray that the cry of their heart is Psalm 119:33, “Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end” That, friends, is praying for faithfulness for our sons and daughters.
Today, we need to pray through all of the aspects of encouraging faithfulness in our sons and daughters, and then let’s write a note for ourselves to remind us of the many ways we can encourage them. Faithfulness is a long, steady commitment, let’s bear with them in prayer!
Pray without ceasing.
A Call to Faithfulness
2 Timothy 1:7-9
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
This week we’re taking a deeper dive into praying for faithfulness for our sons and daughters. We want to be specific and targeted as we pray.
What is faith? Faith, according to Strong’s Concordance (1), is defined as the persuasion or conviction of the truth of something. In the case of the believer, it is the conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only means of forgiveness of sin and salvation of our souls. It is the conviction that we are sinners, saved by grace, dependent on the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sin and the conquering of death through His resurrection and ascension. Faithfulness, then, is holding fast to that conviction, continuing unwaveringly in a life that reflects that conviction and a full dependence on the grace of God received through the gospel. Faithfulness is not just a ‘knowing’, but living out an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy reminds us that we, as believers, were called by God before the beginning of time. Before God created the world, before the fall of man, God knew who his children would be. He knew; and He called us into fellowship with Him.
1 Corinthians 1:9 says “God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
God doesn’t call us only to watch us struggle and flounder to follow Him. He is faithful to support, protect, encourage and equip us.
Today, we want to pray that our sons and daughters understand their calling and realize it is not just a ‘label’ but that it requires action to ‘guard the good deposit’ and that they ‘keep the pattern of sound teaching’.
We must pray that they hold fast to the truth of the gospel and that they don’t just have ‘head knowledge’ but that they are intentional to live faithfully so their life reflects their calling by the Lord to a life surrendered to Him.
Pray that they rely on the Lord for strength, protection and equipping in faithfulness so they are purposeful and directed in their walk with the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
G4102 - pistis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4102/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Don’t forget to join us for an online Bible Study on Faithfulness on Tuesday, October 5 at 8pm EST. Can’t make it"? No worries, tune in to the youtube recording and watch it later! Join us on A Simple Gathering on Facebook!! Membership is free and the resources are fabulous!!
Saturday Review
Today, read through our entire Psalm from this week and pray it over your sons and daughters. Take your time. Think about the power and promises in the words. Know that God hears and will honor your prayers.
Psalm 144
Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
Lord, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.
Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David.
From the deadly sword deliver me;
rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
blessed is the people whose God is the Lord.
Take some time to write down some answers to prayer you’ve seen the Lord provide recently! Share with a friend. Encourage others- we are the Body of Christ and together we can be a mighty force!
Praying Unhindered
Psalm 144:12-15 “Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the LORD.”
What greater joy is there than seeing our sons and daughters thrive in their walk with Christ and embrace a passion for Scripture and a desire to serve Him and impact the world for the gospel?! Psalm 144 gives a big picture view of God’s relationship with man. When man is obedient and submits to His lordship, the Psalm describes the blessings that flow out of that right relationship. One of those blessings is sons and daughters who thrive. Another blessing is provision for our needs and protection from the enemy.
Friends, as much as we pray for our sons and daughters, our own personal relationship with the Lord needs to be right. Our example and our walk impact how our children flourish. We hold a great responsibility. We cannot excuse ourselves. We must be actively pursuing Christ and ensuring our vertical relationship with Him is right.
THEN our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants and our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our thriving sons and daughters are a result of our right relationship with the Lord. (ah, some may be saying ‘but what if my son or daughter ISN’T following the Lord?!) Friends, it’s not a guarantee. We can’t push buttons and make things happen. Man’s free will gets in the way and often muddies the waters. And the timeline for each is different. But if we, as parents, are following after Christ in the right way, He honors that. If we are living in sin, He will not.
Today, let’s stop and take stock. Let’s ensure that we are right with the Lord. Let’s examine ourselves and see if there is sin that needs to be identified and then a need for repentance. Let’s humble ourselves before the Lord so He can have full sway in our hearts and minds and create a clean heart in us. Let’s lead by example so that our sons and daughters see what a right relationship with God is. And then when we pray, we pray unhindered.
Pray without ceasing.
Trouble
Psalm 144:7-11 “Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful.”
Don’t we wish we could reach down and pluck our sons and daughters out of trouble, out of bad situations or out of bad relationships? When life is unfair, when others treat them with malice and gossip about them, don’t we wish we could sweep in, lift them up and carry them away to a place of peace and safety?
Unfortunately, as much as we want to rescue them, we often cannot. If the difficulty is of their own making, perhaps we should not. God uses difficult circumstances to teach us, refine us and make us more like Christ. That’s the thing- Christ suffered. People lied and gossiped about Him. They deceived and were treacherous to conspire against Him. They ultimately exchanged his life for that of a murderer and then celebrated His death.
Our parent heart may want to shield our sons and daughters from all of this, but 1 Peter 4:13 says “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” We are called to share in Christ’s suffering because that can and will lead to rejoicing because we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29)
Notice how David rejoices in spite of his trials. He knows the Source of his strength, protection and deliverance. His joy was not in avoiding the hardship, his joy was in knowing Who walked with him through it.
Can we pray today that our sons and daughters know that joy? Rather than seek ways out of hardship or trying to avoid being stretched and changed, pray that they see God in it and through it. Pray that they can rejoice in spite of the opposition because they know Who always wins.
Pray without ceasing.
Part the Heavens
Psalm 144:5-6 Part your heavens, LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them.
We’ve all read stories of God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of others. We hear incredible accounts of missionaries who have seen God perform supernatural events that turn hearts to Him and rescue lives where death was certain. Believers from closed countries have seen prisoners freed, enemies blinded to allow for safe passage of believers and provision where there was none to be had.
We know God can rescue in mighty and miraculous ways. Yet, we don’t really think about it as it relates to our own lives… or if we do, we don’t expect God will work on our behalf in that capacity. Often we, as parents, downplay the fantastic and we don’t encourage ‘big’ prayers because maybe it’s asking too much? But in so doing, we discourage others from realizing just how extraordinary God’s answers and provision can be. God can do more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) Have we asked Him to part the heavens? Have we been watching? Let’s be bold…let’s anticipate God-like responses to our prayers!
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters begin to recognize and anticipate the mighty power of God in their lives. Let’s pray that their eyes are open and their hearts and minds are looking for God to work. Pray that they ask Him to part the heavens on their behalf. Then, let’s pray for mighty, divine intervention on behalf of those who are not walking with the Lord, asking God to reach down and turn them around, soften their hearts and remove the deception that keeps them from walking with Him.
Pray without ceasing.
Join us tonight!!
Tonight we are trying something new!!! Brenda is introducing you to her book and giving you a sneak peek at what she will be teaching in October on the facebook group- A Simple Gathering. Brenda and Sheryl recorded a zoom call and it’s up on the Simply Scripture Youtube channel….right here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNEUJsF4-U
WE WILL BE WATCHING TOGETHER AT 8PM EST in real time! You will have the ability to interact with Brenda live--just like a FB live experience only on YOUTUBE! How cool is that?!
HERE IS THE LINK! If you are subscribed to the channel and set a reminder...it will notify you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNEUJsF4-U
Hope to see you there!!
What is Man that God is Mindful of Him?
Psalm 144:3-4 “LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.”
What is it that God desires from us? We cannot do anything for God. He has all He needs and the ability to create whatever He chooses. We are like a breath, formed from the dust and to dust we return. We are here and gone with little, if anything, to remind others of our time here. . Yet…
When God created us, He made us in His image. Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Praise God for His creativity and His willingness to allow us to be image-bearers. It is a great privilege that we often don’t recognize. Pray that our sons and daughters recognize that and are awed by God’s design.
What are “mere mortals that you think of them?” Yet, God did think of us, long before we were born. Romans 8:29: "Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers;”. He knew who would bow to His Lordship. He knew who would embrace the cross. He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him despite the death and separation that sin brought. He thought of us, and made a way and in that way we would be conformed to His likeness. Pray that our sons and daughters would understand God’s great love and His plan of redemption. Pray that they would realize that long before the world began, God thought of them and was preparing a way.
“They are like a breath, their days are like a fleeting shadow” James 4:14 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” So what are we doing with our lives? While we are here, our task is to live like Jesus. And if we are believers in Jesus, we are being transformed into His likeness by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Pray that our sons and daughters are sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit and that they are obedient to His prompting and leading in their lives- making them more and more like Jesus.
I John 1:1-3 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
One day we will see Jesus and stand in His presence and all of our purpose, all of our being will be brought into clarity. God’s design is that our brief life here is just a shadow of what will come. We will transition to an eternity in His presence, if we align our hearts with Him. And when we do, we receive the most amazing reward.
So when the Psalmist asks, “What are human beings that You care for them?” We can answer with assurance that we are His image-bearers, His children on whom He lavishes great love. We are those He knew long before He created the world and we are His heirs for whom He’s created an eternal home for us to live in His presence.
Pray that our sons and daughters realize their worth. Pray that they understand that there is so much more to our eternal souls than what we experience in this short, temporal earthly life. Pray that they will have an eternal perspective and will live in such a way that they reflect Jesus to those around them. Though this life is a breath and will fade, one day we will wake and find ourselves in eternity, our bodies whole, our minds sound and our souls filled with inexpressible joy and hope because we’ll be standing right where God intended us to, by His side in eternity. His heirs, His children, His image-bearers by His side and we’ll all be able to say “You look just like your Father!”
Pray without ceasing, friends. God is working.
Who is Your Rock?
Psalm 144:1-2 “Of David. “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.””
The tagline of a well-known insurance carrier’s new commercial is “Who’s your Rock?” The assumption is that if you contract with them for insurance, they will be that rock and steady anchor in any catastrophic life event. An insurance company can promise something like that, but whether they can deliver and actually be your “rock”, is unlikely.
We often hear others refer to someone who is significant in their life as their ‘rock’. “Oh, without (so-and-so) I wouldn’t have made it, they’re my rock!” While it’s valuable to have those relationships that help hold us steady in difficult times, we must be careful not to put such heavy expectations on others, nor throw all of our hope onto someone who is just as human as we are.
David was the King of Israel. He was lauded for his bravery in battle. He commanded thousands and was renowned for his power, his victories and for the Lord being on his side. Who was his rock? The Lord. None other. He knew that throughout all of his battles, his interpersonal conflicts, his fall from grace through deep sin and his humble restoration, no other could ever sustain him like the Lord could. And he would depend on no other.
Who do our sons and daughters ultimately look to for stability, strength and security? Is it a spouse? A child? A boss? Relationships are so very important and God values them...but when everything is stripped away, what remains? God. He alone remains when all is stripped away.
Can we pray today that our sons and daughters reach out to the Lord? Let’s pray that God gives them clear, unobstructed views of His power and protection and that He alone is the One they need to look to for deliverance.
“Praise be to you LORD. You are my Rock and I pray that You would be (name)’s rock too. You train our hands for war to confront the spiritual battles and the deception of the enemy. You make my fingers, my mind, my heart ready for battle. You are our loving God and our fortress. I pray that (name) would recognize that and run to you for protection and keeping. You are the stronghold and our deliverer in any conflict or battle. You will shield us and keep us safe. Again, Lord, open (name)’s eyes and heart to Who You are and what you provide for them daily. Don’t let them look aside to another who would promise things they cannot deliver. Only You have the strength and power to deliver. You are our shield, in whom we can take refuge, You subdue peoples[ under us and bring peace to our lives and solace to our hearts. Lord, I pray that (name) would recognize and claim You as their rock, always. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Sunday Worship- A Sovereign Protector
A SOVEREIGN protector I have
Unseen, yet for ever at hand,
Unchangeably faithful to save,
Almighty to rule and command.
He smiles, and my comforts abound;
His grace as the dew shall descend,
And walls of salvation surround
The soul he delights to defend.
Kind author and ground of my hope,
Thee, Thee for my God I avow;
My glad Ebenezer* set up,
And own Thou hast helped me till now.
I muse on the years that are past,
Wherein my defense Thou hast proved;
Nor wilt Thou relinquish at last
A sinner so faithfully loved.
Inspirer and hearer of prayer,
Thou Shepherd and Guardian of Thine,
My all to Thy covenant care
I sleeping and waking resign.
If Thou art my Shield and my Sun,
The night is no darkness to me;
And, fast as my moments roll on,
They bring me but nearer to Thee.
https://hymns.countedfaithful.org/hymn.php?hymnNumber=566&versionNumber=0
Praying Psalm 143
Today, lets pray through Psalm 143, verse by verse. Put in the names of our sons and daughters, or the loved ones who need rescue or encouragement. Don’t rush through, we need to take our time and let God’s word sink in deeply. Pray and be refreshed.
Psalm 143
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.
The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Pray without ceasing.
A Prayer to Preserve Life
Psalm 143:11-12 For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
If you are a parent whose son or daughter is in the military, you likely pray something akin to Psalm 143:11-12 frequently. And your heart and head are likely very present with thoughts and concerns for the safety of your son or daughter. But friends, all our sons and daughters are in a battle, whether they serve in the military or not. It’s just that we’re not all as aware as we ought to be of the dangers and enemies they face. Our sons and daughters live in a war zone- the Earth, the territory of the Prince of Darkness. They are surrounded by spiritual enemies 24/7. We don’t ‘see’ it so we often don’t pray as if our families are under attack. But we need to. We need to pray as if the battle is raging, because it is.
Have you watched the news lately? Are you seeing things ‘ramp up’ and become more serious, more frequent….more crazy? Satan knows his time is short. He will do all he can to subvert, derail, distract and destroy believers. We are his target and he will show no mercy. He will attack and deceive. Can we all agree that strong prayer for spiritual protection and Divine intervention is the weapon we need to use daily?
Yes, of course we worry about the safety and well-being of our sons and daughters, but friends, we need to be very cognizant of their spiritual health and safety too. Today, let’s pray Psalm 143:11-12. While we pray, let’s lift those who serve in the military. Let’s pray for their safety and their spiritual walk. Let’s pray for the Momma and Daddy hearts that love them and long for their safety. Then, let’s pray for the spiritual health and safety of our sons and daughters.
“For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve (name)’s life. In your righteousness, bring them out of trouble. Keep them surrounded with your guarding, protecting angels and keep watch over every step. In your unfailing love, silence the enemy. Keep Satan from impacting (name)’s life today. Guard their heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Lord, for those serving to protect nations, we ask your protection and preservation of their life, health and well-being. Lord, I pray that you would bring other believers who serve into the life of these loved ones, let there be fellowship, discipleship and accountability. Encourage them in the hard times. Be a light in the darkness for them. Do not allow fear to overwhelm them. Lord, I pray for the other parents here who need encouragement and reassurance. Meet their needs today, Lord and do all for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing, friends. God hears.
A Morning Prayer
Psalm 143:8-10 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Pray these words over your sons and daughters today. Ask the Lord to encourage them, lead them, protect them and teach them. Let these scriptures soothe your weary heart, and theirs too.
This morning, be assured that God loves your son, your daughter, He loves you unfailingly, immeasurably, and eternally. He wants the best for each of you!! Trust Him... trust means you’re confident and secure and why wouldn’t you be? You belong to Jesus.
Pray these words again and then write them down and carry them with you. Psalm 143:8-10 is a beautiful passage to start the day. Encourage your sons and daughters with this truth today!
Pray without ceasing!
Praying in Desperation
Psalm 143:5-7 “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.”
Do you feel like you pray and pray but nothing changes? Are you desperate for an answer? Is your heart growing weary? It’s times like these that our fragile hearts need a good reminding of God’s faithfulness.
David understood that helpless desperation well, but rather than wallow in self-pity or allow his dark thoughts to overwhelm him, he used that as a call to remember all that God had done for him and as proof that God would not abandon him.
Remember the days of long ago- what are those things that God has done for us throughout our life? What are the ways He’s shown himself faithful? Are there stones of remembrance we can stack up as a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness? We need to write them down. Meditate on them. Remind ourselves of God’s goodness. Consider what His hands have done. Those reminders are the precious anchors for our weary souls that keep us grounded in the Truth that God never fails and never forsakes us.
“I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.” Sometimes, in our desperation, we become so consumed with our own needs... our pleading prayers, that we lose sight of Who we should desire most of all. Stop. Let’s check our hearts. Do we want that answer to prayer more than we want Jesus? Has the thing we are praying for become more precious to us than our Savior? What if His answer is ‘no’? What then? When we’re fully satisfied with our Savior and long for Him more than anything else, we can manage whatever the answer will be because we know it comes from His good heart...even if it’s not the answer we prayed for. Thirst for Him, friends, and trust Him. Want Him more than anything else.
“Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails.” Sometimes we have desperate prayers and we’re so emptied of anything else. We have nothing more to pour out, and in those times we just need to cry out to the Lord. Period. We don’t need a long explanation. We don’t need fancy words. When our children were little and needed help quickly, they didn’t go into a long explanation, they just cried out our name and we came running. Why would we think our Heavenly Father would do anything differently? When our spirit fails, we can cry out to Him and be heard. He will not hide his face, He will not let us go down to the pit. He will hear and answer. We can trust Him.
Today, remind yourself of these things. And pray. Trust Him that He will hear and answer. He intends good for you. “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.”
Pray without ceasing.
Fight or Flight
Psalm 143:3-4 “The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.”
Friends, the Enemy DOES pursue our sons and daughters. Satan wants nothing more than to defeat believers and bring them down. And nothing frustrates him more than young men and women on fire for God.
Romans 12:12 tells us one of the signature characteristics of a believer is being ‘devoted to prayer’. What does that word ‘devoted’ mean? According to Strong’s concordance (1) it is to be “steadfastly attentive to, continue all the time, be in constant readiness, give unremitting care”
Friends, are we steadfastly attentive to pray for our sons and daughters? And are we encouraging one another in that pursuit? If we are truthful, we would probably say we’re not doing either as much as we should be. And if not, we need to be prepared for what may ensue.
We must be intentional about prayer for our sons and daughters….and serious about it as well. We have to choose to spend time in daily prayer...and then continue it throughout the day. We need to pray for God’s divine protection over them. Satan prowls about looking for who he can devour...not just annoy, but devour. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He seeks to crush any in his path. But here’s the thing. Satan is not omnipresent. He is limited in where he can be. And he’s looking for an easy target. Friends, if we are praying diligently, if we are steadfastly attentive to pleading for the protection of the Omnipotent Omnipresent God of the Universe over our sons and daughters, they will not be an easy target. If we pray for God’s divine protection around them, and the armor of the Lord to guard and protect them, they will not be easily swallowed. The Enemy will need to find another target. We can crush his efforts before He can bring us to defeat.
Today, lets pray that David’s words in Psalm 143:3-4 are not representative of what our sons and daughters experience. Let’s diligently pray for God's protection over them.
Why not write a one-sentence prayer here...and together we can mightily hold up our sons and daughters, and one another as we pray for their protection.
“Lord, the enemy pursues us, yet we ask that you would help each of us stand firm. Surround (name) with Your divine protection today. Though the enemy would seek to crush them to the ground, we pray that You would help them stand firm. Don’t let them be an easy target. Bring scripture to mind that would help (name) take every thought captive. You have not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I pray that the enemy would not have any success to make (name) dwell in the darkness like those long dead. Strengthen (name’s) spirit and embolden their heart so that they can stand up against the enemy and be victorious. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray with diligence. Pray without ceasing.
1. G4342 - proskartereō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4342/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/
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/
Sunday Worship
Before the day's last moments fly,
Maker of all, to you we cry;
Beneath your kind protection take,
and shield us for your mercy's sake.
Let no ill dreams, our souls alarm,
No power of night approach to harm;
Let us lie down and take our rest
In knowledge that your love is best.
Father of mercies, hear our cry;
Oh hear, co-equal Son most high:
Whom with the Spirit we adore,
One only God for evermore.
Based on an anonymous text from the 7th or 17th century, translated by Robert Campbell (1814-1868)
gleaned from: https://www.godsongs.net/2014/02/before-the-days-last-moments-fly.html