“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer” - Psalm 17:6 (NIV).
A group of friends on a recent out of town trip just before the car pulled out of the driveway one of the passengers tapped on the driver. “Let’s pause and pray first!” Fortunately, the driver agreed and everyone in the car joined in prayer before setting off. It was a journey without incident.
Praying before an important event is always highly commendable. When Isaac was up for marriage Abraham gave his servant a task to go back to his country and get him a wife among his relatives. It was a tall order, for who just shows up among strangers and says, “hi I have been sent by my master to get a wife!”
Knowing how formidable the task was the servant did the most important of things. Once he approached the town of Nahor just before he made an advance on a certain party, “Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham” (Genesis 24:2). The Lord heard his prayers and he later returned with Rebekah.
As he was about to be arrested, Jesus, went “to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray… And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Mathew 26:36-39). The arrest would later take place; but Jesus had the strength to walk through the fire up to his crucifixion.
When once pressed down, King David prayed, “Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right” (Psalm 17:1-2). He knew that faced with any challenge, there was someone to turn to, one who could set the course right for him. Indeed he pleads, “Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes” (vv 7).
Today, or at any point, elsewhere, if you are just about to take on an important task, perhaps set off on a journey, have a matter about to be judged, need to secure something of value, how about pausing and taking a moment in prayer. For as the saying goes, “there is power in prayer.”
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you with a prayer request that you grant me success in this matter, and that glory goes to you, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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11/05/2024 - 12/05/2024 All day“Now God has caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel” (Dan 1:9)
It can be said with certainty everyone in life would like to be favored- especially from God. Favor brings opportunity and comes with blessings. The Bible has many people who were indeed favored and the blessings on their life is clearly evident.
We have Joseph who had favor upon him whether working for Potiphar (Gen 39:5); down in jail (Gen 39:21); and finally being elevated as prime minister of great Egypt. When Abraham was 99 the Lord appeared to him and blessed him, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly” (Gen 17:1- 8). Mary was selected among all women as the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28-33).
Perhaps here one may ask, but how does one receive favor from God?If we may look at the above and other examples of those who were greatly favored by God, like Noah from the Great flood (Genesis 6:8), or Moses to lead the people of Israel (Exodus 33: 12-17), it was not because there was anything remarkably good in these people. Neither was perfect yet God showed favor upon them. The reason is, “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion” (Romans 9:15).
A clear characteristic of those who receive favor is humility. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and those who tremble at my word.” As the preacher Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “God shows favor to those who seek his favor by loving Him, respecting Him, honoring Him, and by taking delight in His word.”
We can receive favor by asking God. Psalm 119 says, “I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise” (Psalm 119:58). And God is calling us to have our hearts in tune with Him, for, “the Lord bestows favor and honor, no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11).Today, pray and walk in that assurance of being favored of the Lord Almighty.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you in humility to ask of your favor to bless me in all that I do, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
