August 2015

Praying Biblical Prayers – 14. Stephen

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

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I so admire the wisdom the Spirit of God gave to Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power. He stood up against the leaders of his day and proclaimed the truth about Jesus. His bold proclamation of the gospel irritated the opposition they could hardly tolerate Stephen. But, they simply could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. When he was brought before the Sanhedrin, all who were sitting there looked intently at Stephen “and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:10, 15).  His speech to the Sanhedrin (Acts 7) was stunning and worth rereading to bolster your faith in the glory and truth of God. From the story of Moses to the time of David, inserting the prophet Isaiah’s stunning words, Stephen recounts how the people have resisted the Holy Spirit and for generations have been a stiff-necked people.

 

When the Sanhedrin heard all that Stephen said, they were furious and they gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen kept his eyes on the Lord…and this enraged them all the more. They rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. He died a martyr’s death on that day. Persecution continued to mount against the Church and it became harder and all the more challenging to follow Jesus from that time forward as believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

 

Today…

 

Join Stephen in his simple prayer of faithful perseverance and forgiving grace amidst those who were intolerant of his proclamation of the gospel, even as you consider those who are against what you stand for today as a follower of Jesus (Acts 7: 54-60)

 

“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (vs. 56)

 

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (vs. 59)

 

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (vs. 60)

 

When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him.

 

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

 

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 13. Peter, John and Believers

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

~~~

 

After the Holy Spirit arrives in the midst of the Early Church, Peter preaches to the community of the faithful ones. He proclaims what the prophet Joel once spoke about, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below…” (Joel 2)and from David in Psalm 16, “…you have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” So, the fellowship of the believers was miraculously strengthened by the Spirit, and they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, communion and prayer. All of them shared their resources with one another, as their sincere hearts were filled with praise for God and fellowship with one another. It was a sweet time for all to enjoy.

 

But, as is often the case, immediately thereafter the persecution begins…first and foremost by the religious authorities. It was the priests, temple guard and the Sadducees who approached Peter and John, seized them, and threw them in prison for teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. But that didn’t stop Peter from being filled with the Spirit and his message of salvation in Christ alone astonished them all.  A man who had been miraculously healed sealed the leaders’ need to free Peter and John, but with even more concern about how best to stop them in the future.

 

Upon their release – Acts 4: 23f – Peter and John return to their “own people” and report all that had occurred. Their immediate response: prayer. They raised their voices together in prayer to God…

 

Today…

 

Join Peter, John and the Early Church and pray for healing and strength for the journey of faith in the midst of persecution (Acts 4: 23-31)

 

“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.

 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

 

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 12. Paul

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

Today…

 

Join Paul and pray for God’s church (Ephesians 3: 14-21)

 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

 

 

 

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 11. Paul

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

Today…

 

Join Paul and pray for God’s direction (Phil. 1:9-11)

 

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 10. Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

Today…

 

Join Jesus and pray for God’s beloved disciples (John 17: 20-26)

 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

 

 

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 9. Lord’s Prayer

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

Today…

Join Jesus and pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 5-15)

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 8. Simeon

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

Today…

 

Join Simeon and pray for God’s peace (Luke 2: 25-32)

 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

 

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

 

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Praying Biblical Prayers – 7. Mary

 

What would it look like for you to join some of your favorite biblical characters in the prayers they once prayed and which God has preserved for us in the Scriptures? As you ponder the great prayers of God’s people, give yourself permission to personalize the words and make them your own prayer too. For example, when Moses prayed very simply “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13), simply join Moses and pray for God’s favor over your own life today. Praying the Scriptures in this way will bring health and vitality to your heart and soul.

 

Today…

 

Join Mary and pray for God’s grace (Luke 1: 46-55)

 

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.”

 

Behold the splendor of the Lord – Believe the promises of his love – Belong to those who unreservedly trust him – Become prayerful in all you are and do.

 

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