praying effectively: Obey God's Statues (Lev.)

(Leviticus 18:1-5)  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘I am the Lord your God. 3 You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God. 5 So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord.

(Leviticus 19:1-2)  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy..."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not do what the "world" does (Lv.18:3)
- that we do not partake in other religions (Lv.18:3)
- that we obey God in order to live in peace with others (Lv.18:4-5)
- that we obey God in order to live in peace with God (Lv.18:4-5)
- that as children of God, we are to be holy because our Father is holy (Lv.19:2)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for giving us commandments that are practical and make sense in order to get along with others.  Thank You that You want the best for us, and that You do want us to live in peace with each other.  And most importantly, thank You that Your desire is for us to live in peace with You.

Help us to desire to be more like You, holy in every aspect of our lives.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Healthy (Num., Deut.)

(Numbers 5:1-3)  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel that they send away from the camp every leper and everyone having a discharge and everyone who is unclean because of a dead person. 3 You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.”

(Deuteronomy 24:8)  “Be careful against an infection of leprosy, that you diligently observe and do according to all that the Levitical priests teach you; as I have commanded them, so you shall be careful to do.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:  that we try to remain physically healthy and guard ourselves against diseases

Today's prayer:  Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much that You care for us in all aspects of life, and that You give us guidelines in Your word to help us do that.

Help us to take good care of the resources You have given to us, which includes our own bodies.  Help us to take the best care of ourselves in order to be as healthy as we are able to be.  With so many different opinions in the world about how to do that - please give us practical wisdom and guidance!  And if we are doing anything that will harm us physically, help us to realize this and avoid all unhealthy practices.

Thank You for giving me the strength and guidance to figure out the appropriate pain-management.  In my other health issues, give doctors the wisdom to know what to prescribe and what to avoid so that I'm not taking any unnecessary medications.  Thank You for providing doctors and healthcare and for modern advancements in the medical field.  Guide the medical field in their research.   Give the government leaders wisdom in order to provide the best healthcare possible for all citizens.

Do not let me take Your protection for granted and carelessly do something or not do something, or carelessly eat or drink, expecting You to remove all consequences of my own actions.  It is obvious from the few verses above that You expect us to take the proper measures - to do the best we can with what we have been given.  Lord, forgive my carelessness in that regard!

In Your strength, help me avoid the temptations to overeat or under-eat or drink too much.  In Your strength, help me to get out there and exercise, but not obsessively so.  Life in moderation!  Help me to find the right balance of all these things.  Let me find Your joy, peace and contentment in doing as I should!  Amen.

praying effectively: Keep Sex Pure (Deut., Lev.)

(Leviticus 18:6) (and 7-17)  ‘None of you shall approach any blood relative of his to uncover nakedness; I am the Lord...

(Leviticus 18:23)  ...you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion.

(Deuteronomy 27:21)  ‘Cursed is he who lies with any animal.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

(Leviticus 18:22)  You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.

(Deuteronomy 22:5)  “A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not have incestuous relationships (Lv.18:6-17)
- that we do not have sex with animals (Dt.27:21, Lv.18:23)
- that we do not have sex with the same sex (Lv.18:22)
- that we accept and be content with how God created us (Dt.22:5)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, keep us from temptation!  Protect us from confusion!  Help us keep our relationships pure!

Thank You for the gift of sex, which not only has a practical purpose, but You meant it to be enjoyable between a husband and a wife only.  Bless our marital relationship in order to keep us growing closer to each other.

Bless all the single people in our churches to find fulfillment, contentment and steadfastness in You.  Keep them pure and strong, knowing that Your commandments are not meant to deny us in any way, but are there to protect us.

Your desire and Your will is that we do have the best sexual experiences ever!  This is why You have given us these commandments!  You created us and know us better than we know ourselves!

You created us and - and - YOU do not make mistakes - - - but help us realize that we are born with a sinful nature - and - WE make mistakes.  And so many people suffer with sexual confusion and dysfunctions because they have been molested or raped.  Help them find deliverance through Your forgiveness and through Your healing power, strength and love.

And Lord!  Help all fellow believers love everyone with a pure and sincere heart!!!  Give us wisdom and insight in order to help us show Your love and guidance to those who are struggling.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Blaspheme (Num.15)

(Numbers 15:27-31)  ‘Also if one person sins unintentionally, then he shall offer a one year old female goat for a sin offering. 28 The priest shall make atonement before the Lord for the person who goes astray when he sins unintentionally, making atonement for him that he may be forgiven. 29 You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the sons of Israel and for the alien who sojourns among them. 30 But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not blaspheme (commit sins defiantly)
- that we repent when we sin (defiantly or unintentionally)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I do desire to be obedient, but help me to always desire following Your commandments and being obedient.

Help me realize my unintentional sins early on, so that I may confess those and work on changing my behavior.

I confess that there are times I choose to sin even when I know full well that it is sin.  I'm so sorry that I do that.  Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace, that You hold my salvation in Your hands for all eternity, and that there is nothing I can do to undo that.  Forgive me for taking my eternal security for granted.

Help me to recognize when other people are sinning defiantly.  Not only so that I might avoid the temptation of joining in on that behavior, or acting like that behavior is acceptable;  but that I might - in Your love and guidance - speak to them about their destructive ways in order to bring about a spiritual healing and reconciliation when and if You give me that opportunity.

And when they choose not to change their behavior, help them realize that I still love them, even though I am not going to fellowship closely with them as a fellow Christian until they do change their ways.

I know several fellow Christians who have chosen to act defiantly.  Some have even decided that they are now atheists.  Maybe they were never Christians to begin with, but whatever the case, You know their hearts.  Convict them and guide them to Your truth.  Help them see that Your ways are right.  Help them see their need for You in their lives.  Amen.

praying effectively: Fear, Follow, Obey and Serve God (Deut.13)

(Deuteronomy 13:4)  “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:  that we only fear, follow, obey and serve God

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to remain steadfast!  Help me to cling to Your words and to You - for everything!  Help me to apply Your words to everything in my life so that I remain obedient to Your will.

Help me remember to ask You for Your strength, wisdom, guidance and love - for every decision I have throughout the day!  I THANK You because You WANT to be part of my life in every aspect, in every moment.

I mean, why not involve You in everything???  I struggle with stupid questions throughout everyday - like - "What to make for supper?"  And Lord, You know how I hate cooking!  Forgive my bad attitude towards that!

You actually want to be there with me as I make that supper - because whatever I do, I should have the attitude of love and wanting to serve You and others.  And when I do involve You in these tasks - You make it not only tolerable, but You make it fun!!!  THAT is a miracle for me!!!

And thank You for giving me spiritual gifts in which to serve You and others - in ways and in tasks that I DO love to do!!!  Thank You for providing the opportunities in church to use those gifts to serve.  Let my efforts bless and uplift.

Help me when I am serving, that I maintain a good attitude of selflessness.  Lord, You also know how stupid I can be at times!  HELP ME not to do or say stupid things.  And when it happens, give me the love and humility to immediately go make it right before You and those I have offended!  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Be Led Astray (Duet.13)

(Deuteronomy 13:1-3)  “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

(Deuteronomy 13:6-8)  “If your brother, your mother’s son, or your son or daughter, or the wife you cherish, or your friend who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’ (whom neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near you or far from you, from one end of the earth to the other end), 8 you shall not yield to him or listen to him; and your eye shall not pity him, nor shall you spare or conceal him."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we know God and His words in order to discern when something is not God's truth
- that we resist the temptation of participating in other religions
- that we are not led astray

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for giving us the Bible!  Guide me in Your wisdom so that I can understand and learn all of Your truths, so that I will not be led astray.

Thank You for giving us words of prophecy that have all been fulfilled, except for the ones regarding the end times.  By seeing the prophecies of Jesus coming to earth in flesh and dying for our sins - besides salvation being possible - we can have extra confidence in You and Your wisdom, power and purpose - for now and regarding the future.

You have told us everything that we ever need to know.  Help us to stand firm in Your word when someone gives a prophecy or message that is untrue and does not align with Your will.  Help us to be open to Your guidance and wisdom to know how to act or know what to say if anyone should ever try to argue or persuade us to believe in something that contradicts Your word.  Thank You so much for Your timeless, faithful Word.  Amen.

praying effectively: Respect the Lord's Sanctuary (Ex., Lev., Deut.)

(Exodus 22:28)  “You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people."

(Leviticus 18:21)  You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the Lord.

(Leviticus 19:27-31)  You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.

29 ‘Do not profane your daughter by making her a harlot, so that the land will not fall to harlotry and the land become full of lewdness. 30 You shall keep My sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am the Lord.

31 ‘Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

(Deuteronomy 14:1-2)  “You are the sons of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave your forehead for the sake of the dead. 2 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

(Deuteronomy 18:10-14)  There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we respect God, God's name, the sabbath, and the Lord's sanctuary (the Church)
- that we avoid all occult practices, or even appear or talk like we do (which would include things like reading horoscopes, seeing or talking to psychics, going to séances, having your cards read, using a ouija board, using crystals, wearing jewelry which has occult symbols on them, speaking negatively about God...)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, protect us from the evil one!  Help us not to be deceived into thinking that doing something satanic or using satanic phraseology is just "harmless fun" or "it doesn't really mean anything".  Give us discernment when we come across these things, and give us strength and courage in order to walk away from them and avoid them altogether.

Help us stay focused on You, putting You first in our lives.  Let our words and actions remain pure and never undermine or insult You.  Help us treat Your name with the utmost of respect.  And help us to enjoy our days of rest, finding our spirits renewed in Your strength and love as we go to worship and bring praises to You.

Help us show respect to our leaders and to Your Church.  Protect our churches and guide our pastors and elders in unity, and in Your wisdom, in order to maintain sound doctrines and practices.  Put hedges of protection around them and give them loving methods in which to keep themselves accountable to You, so that they will remain steadfast, loving and patient while shepherding Your flock.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Generous to the Poor (Ex., Lev., Deut.)

(Exodus 22:25-17)  “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest. 26 If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, 27 for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.

(Exodus 23:10-11)  “You shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, 11 but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.

(Leviticus 25:5-7)  Your harvest’s after-growth you shall not reap, and your grapes of untrimmed vines you shall not gather; the land shall have a sabbatical year. 6 All of you shall have the sabbath products of the land for food; yourself, and your male and female slaves, and your hired man and your foreign resident, those who live as aliens with you. 7 Even your cattle and the animals that are in your land shall have all its crops to eat.

(Deuteronomy 15:7-11)  “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; 8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. 9 Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to the Lord against you, and it will be a sin in you. 10 You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. 11 For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’

(Deuteronomy 24:10-15)  “When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort, you shall not enter his house to take his pledge. 11 You shall remain outside, and the man to whom you make the loan shall bring the pledge out to you. 12 If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. 13 When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the Lord your God.

14 “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns. 15 You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it; so that he will not cry against you to the Lord and it become sin in you.

(Deuteronomy 24:19-21) “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. 21 “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:  that we are generous to the poor

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to be more generous to the poor.  Give me the wisdom to discern the difference between helping and enabling.

Give our church wisdom in how we help people, that it will not just be for the moment, but wisely equipping people in order to help them with future situations.  Thank You so much for guiding our church towards various projects to embrace for the long term, inspiring a unity and consistency of generosity which will provide ongoing support and outreach to so many people.

May our efforts greatly bless these people, and may they see that it is all because of You and Your love!  Thank You so much that so many people have become believers through all these projects.  May You continue to give us more opportunities to share the good news and reach more lives!  And may those people in turn be eager to share Your love and the gospel message.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Hurt the Vulnerable (Ex.. Deut.)

(Exodus 22:21-22)  “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.

(Exodus 23:3)  nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute."

(Exodus 23:6)  “You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.

(Exodus 23:9)  “You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.

(Exodus 23:12)  “Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.

(Deuteronomy 24:17-18) “You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow’s garment in pledge. 18 But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing.

(Deuteronomy 27:18-19)  ‘Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

19 ‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

(Deuteronomy 27:24-26)  ‘Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor in secret.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

25 ‘Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to strike down an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

26 ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we allow servants to rest from their labors
- that we are not mean to the vulnerable or disabled
- that we do not hit anyone, even in secret
- that we do not wrong, hurt or oppress the vulnerable
- that we do not take advantage of the vulnerable
- that we are fair to the poor in the court system
- that we do not pervert justice to take advantage of anyone
- that we do not take a bribe
- that we are to be obedient to the laws

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to be more empathetic to the poor, the weak and the vulnerable.  Give me the courage and the right words in order to stand up to those who bully and torment others.

Let the justice system be fair to those who are unjustly accused.  Let the injustices be revealed and dealt with appropriately.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Fair in Restitution (Ex., Lev.)

(Exodus 21:33-36)  “If a man opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it over, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his. 

35 “If one man’s ox hurts another’s so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its price equally; and also they shall divide the dead ox. 36 Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not confined it, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall become his.

(Exodus 22:1-15)  “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

2 “If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. 3 But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.

5 “If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.

6 “If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall surely make restitution.

7 “If a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep for him and it is stolen from the man’s house, if the thief is caught, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house shall appear before the judges, to determine whether he laid his hands on his neighbor’s property. 9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.

10 “If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while no one is looking, 11 an oath before the Lord shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor’s property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.

14 “If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution; if it is hired, it came for its hire."

(Leviticus 24:18)  The one who takes the life of an animal shall make it good, life for life.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:  that we are fair in restitution

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord, in Your wisdom, You laid out ways in which to make fair restitution for things lost, broken or stolen.

Help me to be fair in how I deal with people if I have caused any loss or damage to someone else's things.  And even before such an incident occurs, help me to respect other people's property, and to always remember to return things in the state in which I received them, as well as soon as possible.

In regards to my property, Let me keep a level head, and give me wisdom in knowing how to properly deal with the matter if something is lost, broken or stolen.  And even before such an incident occurs, help me to not be so attached to "my things".   Help me to remember that everything is from You, and everything is Yours!  I give it all to You to manage! 

Help me to be gracious and understanding in all matters.  Amen.