praying effectively: Have Pure Motives (Pv.16)

(Proverbs 16:1-33)

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.
3 Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
9 The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king; his mouth should not err in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who watches his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

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 flee from evil (16:17)
- that we choose humility over pride, earthly riches and honor (16:19)
- that we choose wisdom and understanding over earthly riches (16:16)
- that we fear the Lord (16:6)
- that we trust the Lord (16:20)
- that we study the Bible (16:20)
- that we commit our works to the Lord (16:3)
- that we allow the Lord to direct our steps as we plan things out (16:9)
- that we do good works with the Lord's truth as our motive (16:6)
- that we do good works with the Lord's lovingkindness as our motive (16:6)
- that we speak to others with healing words, and with the Lord's lovingkindness as our motive (16:21-24)
- that we are slow to anger and are self-controlled (16:32)
- that we respect all leaders (16:13-14)
- that world leaders have been divinely appointed by God, so their choices have more weight which will be judged by God (16:11-12)
- that world leaders should not err in judgement (16:10)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your protection.  Keep us from evil.  Guide our steps to practice Your lovingkindness.  Let everything we do and say be done with a pure motives.  Let everything we do and say reflect You, and bring healing and encouragement to others.

Give us self-control over anger.  Help us respect and pray for our leaders.  Convict those leaders' hearts if they do not know You personally.  Help them to figure out and implement what is best for the regions they are running.  Protect and guide our country.  Help us put our whole trust and faith in You, Lord, over and above everything else, because You are ultimately in control.  Amen.