praying effectively: Hear God's Teaching (Deut.32)

(Deuteronomy 32:1-2)  “Give ear, O heavens, and let Me speak; and let the earth hear the words of My mouth.  Let My teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass and as the showers on the herb."

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 God to teach and speak to us
- that we crave to hear God's empowering and refreshing words and teachings

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your empowering and refreshing words of all-knowing and life-giving wisdom!  May I always be eager to hear them and take them to heart, knowing that abiding by Your words will help me to grow stronger in You.  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Strong and Courageous (Deut.31)

(Deuteronomy 31:6-7)  “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

7 Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance."

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 believers should depend on the Lord God and be strong and courageous
- that Israel is to depend on the Lord God and be strong and courageous
- that Israel is to possess all the land promised to them by the Lord God
- that one day Israel will possess all the land promised to them in God's covenants to them

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help Israel to see their need for You.  Help them to see that they will only possess all of their land on the day that the Jewish people as a nation turn their hearts back to You.  We know this will only happen during the Tribulation, but still, help missionary efforts in Israel to be effective in reaching the hearts of Your chosen ones.

Meanwhile, help all believers to depend on You - to the point that we will be strong and courageous - to live obediently in Your will, and trust that You will bring about the desired outcome, and that You will see to it that we still remain strong and courageous, joyful and content!  Amen.

praying effectively: Be Just (Deut.24)

(Deuteronomy 24:16)  “Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin."

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 there is justice
- that people should pay for their own crimes

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be just.  Give us wisdom and insight.  As well, give us understanding and compassion.  If someone commits a crime, help us to forgive, while helping the criminal know that what they did was wrong.  Convict their hearts and lead them to rehabilitation, reconciliation and Your salvation.

Help us not be angry and bitter towards the one who committed the crime, and especially help us not to be angry and bitter towards any of their family members.

Guide the justice system in knowing what is the best course of action for punishment and rehabilitation.  Bless the people who are involved in the criminal justice system - so they can be both tough, just, and loving at the same time.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Be Racist (Deut.23)

(Deuteronomy 23:7)  “You shall not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not detest an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land."

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 not racist

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, You know that we can be such hateful people towards anyone for whatever reason.  Help us to LOVE!!!  Help us to love everyone because You love everyone!  Help us to remember that You came to die for everyone!

Give us insight and courage when we see injustices happening in order to step up and defend the victim/s.  Protect us and the victim/s - and help us not to fear what man can do - when we do the appropriate thing in each moment.  I pray that these efforts will not go unnoticed in revealing and spreading Your light and love.  Amen.

praying effectively: Respect Our Resources (Deut.22)

(Deuteronomy 22:6-7)  “If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young; 7 you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days."

(Deuteronomy 25:4)  “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing."

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 squander or deplete our resources (20:6-7)
- that we treat animals with kindness and respect (25:4)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for creating nature!    Not only can we enjoy its beauty, but it provides food and other help.  Let us treat nature and animals with kind respect and do our part in efforts to sustain our resources that You have provided.  Amen.

praying effectively: Rejoice in Life (Deut.)

(Deuteronomy 12:7)  There also you and your households shall eat before the Lord your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the Lord your God has blessed you.

(Deuteronomy 16:10-17)  Then you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the Lord your God with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give just as the Lord your God blesses you; 11 and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name. 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.

13 “You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat; 14 and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns. 15 Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lordchooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.

16 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you."

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 remember what God has done for us (16:12)
- that we remain obedient to the Lord our God (16:12)
- that we eat and rejoice in all aspects of life (12:7)
- that we as a group of believers rejoice and celebrate before the Lord our God (16:11, 13-14)
- that we give freewill offerings as the Lord our God blesses us (16:10, 17)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for everything You have done for us, for everything You do for us, and for everything You have given to us!  Help us remember all that You have done - and help us to see that You are such a loving and generous provider.

Let us not only appreciate everything, but celebrate and rejoice in You, and really enjoy all the blessings that come from You - without guilt.

Help us to live in a way that shows our appreciation to You - living obediently, and giving tithes and extra gifts and offerings - just as people love to give gifts to their friends to show their appreciation.  Thank You that You are a God of celebration and joy!  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Defiantly Test God (Deut.6)

(Deuteronomy 6:12-17)  “then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. 14 You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, 15 for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the Lord your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth. 16 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. 17 You should diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you."

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 remember what the Lord has done for us in the past (6:12)
- that we fear the Lord our God only (6:13, 14)
- that we worship the Lord our God only (6:13)
- that we obey the Lord our God (6:16)
- that we only make vows in God's name (6:13)
- that we should not put the Lord our God to defiant testing (6:15)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to live in obedience because we love and fear You only.  This should not be difficult to do, considering all that You have done for us in the past, and all that You will do for us now and in the future. 

May we be careful making vows and promises, but when we do make them, help us to only make them using Your name.  May we be careful not to put You to the test with an attitude of defiance.  You deserve our utmost respect.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Be Deceived (Deut.11)

(Deuteronomy 11:16)  Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them.

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 not deceived into serving and worshiping other gods

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, guide us to a deeper knowledge of You, so that our relationship with You may only grow more confident.  Help us to know You so well, that we will not be deceived into following other gods of other religions.

Guide our pastors to clearly and succinctly teach Your truths, so that we may all grow in spiritual strength and faithfulness.  Keep us from temptation and keep us steadfast in Your word.  Amen.

praying effectively: Love the Lord Your God (Deut.)

(Deuteronomy 10:12-14)  “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good? 14 Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it."

(Deuteronomy 11:1)  “You shall therefore love the Lord your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments."

(Deuteronomy 26:16-18)  “This day the Lord your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have today declared the Lord to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. 18 The Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments"

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 love the Lord our God with our entire being (10:12, 11:1, 26:16-18)
- that we are obedient because we love the Lord our God (10:12-13, 11:1, 26:16-18)
- that we serve only the Lord our God (10:12)
- that we fear the Lord our God only (10:12)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for treasuring Your children!  Thank You for caring so much that You give us guidelines for a better life with You.  Help us to be obedient in every aspect of our lives, including our thought-life.  Let our love for You come from the inside and show on the outside.  Help our motives to be pure in our obedience, because of our love for You, because of Your deep love for us.  Amen.

praying effectively: Teach God's Words (Deut.)

(Deuteronomy 6:1-2)  “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, 2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged."

(Deuteronomy 5:32-33)  So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.

(Deuteronomy 4:9)  “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons."

(Deuteronomy 11:19)  You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.

(Deuteronomy 4:40)  “So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

(Deuteronomy 5:29)  Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!

(Deuteronomy 12:28)  “Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God."

(Deuteronomy 32:46-47a)  he said to them, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. 47 For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your 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 focus on ourselves and living obediently (4:9, 4:40, 5:29, 5:32-33, 6:1-2, 12:28, 32:46-47a)
- that we teach God's words to our children and grandchildren (4:9, 4:40, 5:29, 11:19, 32:46)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You that Your words are life giving!  Thank You for saving me from my sins and from an eternal life of death.  Thank You for saving our children!  Help us to live obediently, knowing that Your commandments help us to prosper in ways that we could not otherwise.  And if and when grandchildren come along, help us to pour into them the knowledge of Your word, all the while living what You teach as an example for them to follow.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Change God's Words (Deut.)

(Deuteronomy 12:32)  “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it."

(Deuteronomy 4:2)  You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

(Deuteronomy 4:13)  So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.

(Deuteronomy 27:10)  “You shall therefore obey the Lord your God, and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.”

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 change God's words in any way (Dt.4:2, 12:32)
- that we live obediently by God's words (Dt.4:2, 4:13, 12:32, 27:10)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You so much for Your word!  Protect the integrity of Your words as people translate and publish Bibles in different languages for the world to read.  Guide those people, and let them be Spirit-led so as not to change any intent of Your truths.

Help me embrace Your truths and live obediently by them!  Amen.

praying effectively: Choose Righteous Leaders (Deut.)

(Deuteronomy 1:13-18)  Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ 14 You answered me and said, ‘The thing which you have said to do is good.’ 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them heads over you, leaders of thousands and of hundreds, of fifties and of tens, and officers for your tribes.

16 “Then I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen, and judge righteously between a man and his fellow countryman, or the alien who is with him. 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’ 18 I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do.

(Deuteronomy 16:18-20)  “You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. 19 You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous. 20 Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

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 just, impartial and do not take bribes (Dt.16:19)
- that we pursue justice for everyone (Dt.16:20)
- that we choose righteous judges who will be just and impartial (Dt.1:16-18, 16:18)
- that we are organized and choose righteous leaders (Dt.1:13-15)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to be just and see all people as equal in Your eyes.  Help our churches choose righteous leaders who will remain true to Your word.  And when it is election time in our country, give me wisdom and insight to know which person is right for the job.  Amen.

praying effectively: Keep Your Vows (Num., Deut.)

(Numbers 30:2)  If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

(Deuteronomy 23:21-23)  “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the Lord your God will surely require it of you. 22 However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. 23 You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God, what you have promised.

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 careful when we make vows and promises
- that we keep your vows and promises

Today's prayer:

 Dear Lord Jesus, help me to take it seriously when I make a vow or promise, so that I will actually carry it out.

My marriage vow is something I take very seriously, and promises I make to other people have more of an accountability factor;  but the smaller promises that I make to myself (and to You) - help me to see that those are just as serious.

My word should be truthful and faithful.  So no matter "how small" I consider something, I confess and apologize for breaking promises - thinking that it's okay because it wasn't really such a big deal.  But how I hold to vows and promises, no matter how small, reflects not only on me, but also on my testimony of You.

Thank You so much for Your grace!  May I never take that for granted!  Amen.

praying effectively: Living and Dying (Num.)

(Numbers 24:23)  Then he took up his discourse and said,

“Alas, who can live except God has ordained it?

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:  whether someone lives or dies

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, it is You who ordains who lives or dies.  I am so thankful that You are all-knowing, and that You are loving.  You do care, so that You do nothing outside of what ultimately makes sense - even if it doesn't make sense to us.

Help us to keep in mind that You are fair and just, therefore no one will die before having a very fair chance of becoming a believer.  And when You allow a believer to die, we should be celebrating the fact that they are now at home with You!

Be with us when we do mourn, that we find closure in order to then continue on in life as we should.  As long as we are still alive, THAT is Your will.  Guide us in knowing Your will and our purpose.  Amen.

praying effectively: Tithes, Offering and Giving (Num., Deut.)

(Numbers 18:25-29)  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them, ‘When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe. 27 Your offering shall be reckoned to you as the grain from the threshing floor or the full produce from the wine vat. 28 So you shall also present an offering to the Lord from your tithes, which you receive from the sons of Israel; and from it you shall give the Lord’s offering to Aaron the priest. 29 Out of all your gifts you shall present every offering due to the Lord, from all the best of them, the sacred part from them.’

(Deuteronomy 12:5-6)  But you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come. 6 There you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the contribution of your hand, your votive offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.

(Deuteronomy 14:22)  “You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.

(Deuteronomy 26:10-14)  Now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, O Lord have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God; 11 and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given you and your household.

12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. 13 You shall say before the Lord your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments. 14 I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of the Lord my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me.

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 tithe faithfully
- that we give gifts and offerings as we are able
- that we give gifts to our missionaries, spiritual leaders, orphans and widows
- that we worship and thank the Lord

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord, thank You so much for everything You have provided and given to us.  You are so good!  It is an honor to give back to You (at least) ten percent of everything that You have so generously bestowed.  And I know, as I have done that, You are faithful to make sure that I always have whatever I need.

Help me to recognize what is surplus for me, in order to give extra gifts to our missionaries in the field, and to the needy.  Thank You so much for Your generosity.   Help me to be more like You.  Amen.