praying effectively: Ascribe to the Lord (Ps.29)

(Psalm 29:1-11)

Ascribe to the Lord, O [a]sons of the mighty, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in holy array.

3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord is over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everything says, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sat as King at the flood; yes, the Lord sits as King forever.
11 The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

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 ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name (29:1-2)
- that we worship the Lord (29:2)
- that we are holy (29:2)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, WOW!!!  I am in awe!!!  Why would anyone not want to worship You!!!???  You are loving, yet You are to be feared, because You are the righteous Judge, and there will be justice.

For those who choose to be on Your side, and put their faith in You - - - thank You for what You have done for us so that we may be covered by Your perfect, holy righteousness - so that we are saved from Your wrath.  And You protect us from Your wrath for all eternity!!!

Help me not to be afraid to talk about You to those around me.  Help me to live in Your will so that my actions speak louder than my words.

Help unbelievers to see their need for You.  Help those people who claim to be Christians, yet determine for themselves what Your will is... help them see and understand Your truths as YOU determine them.  Thank You so much for Your grace and Your patience!  Amen.