praying effectively: Consider Our Ways (Hag., Zech., Mal.)

(Haggai 1:5)  Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways! 

(Haggai 1:7)  Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!

(Zechariah 1:3)  Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. 

(Malachi 4:1-6)  “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” 2 “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. 3 You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the Lord of hosts.

4 “Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

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 consider our ways (Hag.1:5, 7)

- that we return to the Lord when we stray (Zech.1:3)

- that we fear the Lord's name (Mal.4:2)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth, as prophesied, to die for our sins and rise again to have victory over death!  Thank You for Your promises of salvation, healing and hope.  May we fear Your name!  With an awesome love towards You, may we treat Your name with the utmost respect and regard You as being first in our lives! 

Thank You for Your faithful patience with us.  May we not take Your grace for granted.  Help us to be obedient and remain steadfast.  Reveal to us where we have erred so that we may confess those sins to You and experience healing in our relationships - with You - and with others.

And Lord, we know that these words were initially spoken to the Israelites.  We know how much You love!!!  And You do not forget!!!  We pray for this nation that they will consider their ways and return to You!!!  Amen.