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.