Category Archives: prayer
getting Egypt’s attention
Exodus 7:14-8:19. The plagues in Egypt were directed toward Pharaoh, who stubbornly refused to release the people of Israel from their bondage. There was a matter of Egyptian religious pride here too. The Hebrews were merely slaves, why should Pharaoh … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, humility, judgment, prayer, relationship with God, wisdom
Tagged Exodus 7, Exodus 8
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God left him to himself
2 Chronicles 32. The chronicler has a unique perspective on why Hezekiah made the mistake of showing the Babylonian envoys his treasures. He says that “God left him to himself in order to test him and to know all that … Continue reading
against you only
Psalm 51. This prayer by David has given exegetes some trouble. David is aware of his crimes against Uriah the Hittite, whom he has killed, and Bathsheba, with whom he commits adultery. He agonizes over his sins and fears the … Continue reading
Posted in confession, grace, prayer, relationship with God, repentance, worship
Tagged Psalm 51
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if my people…
2 Chronicles 7. Before we jump to claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 as our life verse– we should look again at the context of the verse. Solomon has just prayed to dedicate the temple. The LORD appeared to him at night, … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, faithfulness, forgiveness, humility, idolatry, prayer
Tagged 2 Chronicles 7
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conditioning prayer
Luke 22. Jesus could see beyond the time of trial that he was facing to the victory and the celebration in his kingdom. That awareness did not lessen the anguish he felt as he approached the cross. His was an … Continue reading
Posted in faithfulness, kingdom of God, perseverance, prayer, preparation, suffering
Tagged Luke 22
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why is this happening to me?
Genesis 25:21-23. Rebekah asked that question. All of us do. We should not be ashamed of questioning God when something in our lives does not seem to make sense. Many of the problems and trials we face are outside of … Continue reading
getting to God
Luke 18. Sometimes getting to God in prayer seems like a futile task. The temptation to give up is so strong. But Jesus taught that persistent prayer breaks through to God, because he is not like the unrighteous judge. He … Continue reading
an insufficient request
Gen. 18:16-33. God had determined to destroy Sodom because its sin was very grave (20), but he also chose to let Abraham know that it was going to happen. Abraham interceded for Sodom by appealing to God’s justice — not … Continue reading
seeking holiness
Luke 11:1-36. The kingdom of God is Holy Spirit empowered righteousness. A person in God’s kingdom prays for a minimum of things. She is satisfied with what is needed for today (3), but she begs for forgiveness and deliverance from … Continue reading
Posted in holiness, Holy Spirit, kingdom of God, prayer, relationship with God
Tagged Luke 11
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ultimate vindication
Psalm 17. David prays for deliverance from evil men. Like a lion, the wicked man lurks in ambush, seeking to do violence for personal gain (12). His portion is in this life (14). But David’s hope is that God would … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, prayer, sleep of death, vindication
Tagged Psalm 17
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Devotions 