praying effectively: Tremble, O Earth (Ps.114)

(Psalm 114:1-8)

 When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became His sanctuary, Israel, His dominion.

3 The sea looked and fled; the Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills, like lambs.
5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?
6 O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob,
8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of water.

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 the entire earth trembles before the Lord God (114:7)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, You are the Savior who provides living water.  Convict the hearts of people and open their minds to the good news!  May the world recognize Your sovereignty over all - and fear You! 

praying effectively: Praise the Lord (Ps.111-113, 117)

(Psalm 111:1-10)

 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly.
2 Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever.
6 He has made known to His people the power of His works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever; they are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.

(Psalm 112:1-10)

 Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.
2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; he will maintain his cause in judgment.
6 For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever.

7 He will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is upheld, he will not fear, until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.
9 He has given freely to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be exalted in honor.

10 The wicked will see it and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.

(Psalm 113:1-9)

 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.

5 Who is like the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 To make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people.
9 He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!

(Psalm 111:1-10)

 Praise the Lord, all nations; laud Him, all peoples!
2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise 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 praise the Lord (111:1, 112:1, 113:1,9, 117:1-2)
- that the Lord's name will be praised on earth (113:3)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I praise Your holy and awesome name!  For all the reasons listed above - and more!!!  Please give me a heart of praise, so that wherever I go and no matter what is happening around me - You will be glorified!!!

praying effectively: Give Thanks to the Lord (Ps.106, 107, 118)

(Psalm 106:1-3, 47-48)

 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praise?
3 How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times!

47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise.
48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord!

(Psalm 107:1-2, 43)

 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary

43 Who is wise? Let him give heed to these things, and consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord.

(Psalm 118:1-4, 22-24, 29)

 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
3 Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
4 Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it...
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.

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 keep justice and practice righteousness (106:3)
- that we rejoice and are glad (118:24)
- that we give thanks to the Lord (106:1, 107:1, 118:1)
- that we praise the Lord (106:1, 48)
- that all people desire to bless the Lord (106:48)
- that all believers claim the Lord's eternal goodness and lovingkindness (107:1-2, 118:4)
- that we give heed to all that the Lord has done and consider His lovingkindness (107:43)
- that we thank the Lord for His eternal goodness and lovingkindness (118:29)
- that Israel as a nation will claim that Lord's eternal lovingkindness (118:2-3)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for all the things You have done, are doing, and will do - and most especially - thank You for Your work on the cross - to make eternal salvation possible.  And one day, in Your perfect timing, Israel as a nation will turn back to You, and You will fulfill all promises made to them - which will bring immediate justice to all people.  It is all because You are good.  And it is because You love us beyond anything we can fully grasp right now.  Help all of Your children to practice justice and righteousness, and emulate Your lovingkindness.

I should never complain about how many times we are told in Your word to give thanks, because I definitely need the reminder!  You are well aware of how many "duh" moments I have in my life.  I'm so grateful that You created me in Your image.  I'm most grateful that You forgave me of all my sins!  Although I'm a little curious about my "quirkiness", I'm most sure You have a great a sense of humor.  Help me use my quirkiness for good, to glorify You, because I know without a doubt that You want us to rejoice and be glad.  And I thank You for that, as well.

praying effectively: Call Upon the Lord (Ps.105)

(Psalm 105:1-45)

 Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.
3 Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
4 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.
5 Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham, His servant, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth.

8 He has remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac.
10 Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance,”
12 When they were only a few men in number, very few, and strangers in it.
13 And they wandered about from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people.
14 He permitted no man to oppress them, and He reproved kings for their sakes:
15 “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.”

16 And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They afflicted his feet with fetters, he himself was laid in irons;
19 Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.
20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples, and set him free.
21 He made him lord of his house and ruler over all his possessions,
22 To imprison his princes at will, that he might teach his elders wisdom.
23 Israel also came into Egypt; thus Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24 And He caused His people to be very fruitful, and made them stronger than their adversaries.

25 He turned their heart to hate His people, to deal craftily with His servants.
26 He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.
27 They performed His wondrous acts among them, and miracles in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness and made it dark; and they did not rebel against His words.
29 He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs even in the chambers of their kings.
31 He spoke, and there came a swarm of flies and gnats in all their territory.
32 He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
33 He struck down their vines also and their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their territory.
34 He spoke, and locusts came, and young locusts, even without number,
35 And ate up all vegetation in their land, and ate up the fruit of their ground.
36 He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their vigor.

37 Then He brought them out with silver and gold, and among His tribes there was not one who stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of them had fallen upon them.
39 He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to illumine by night.
40 They asked, and He brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock and water flowed out; it ran in the dry places like a river.
42 For He remembered His holy word with Abraham His servant;
43 And He brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
44 He gave them also the lands of the nations, that they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor,
45 So that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws, praise 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 Israel would turn to God and be obedient as a nation (105:45)
- that we always seek the Lord's face for a personal relationship (105:3-4)
- that we always remember everything the Lord has done and said (105:5)
- that we tell people around us about what the Lord has all done (105:1-2)
- that we call upon the Lord's name (105:1)
- that we rely on the Lord's strength always (105:4)
- that we give thanks to the Lord (105:1)
- that we praise the Lord (105:45)
- that we sing praises to the Lord (105:2)
- that we are glad in the Lord (105:3)
- that we glory in the Lord's name (105:3)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, convict the hearts of those who do not know You yet, especially the hearts of Your chosen ones - the Israelites.  Help them recall all the miracles You have done for them.  Help us to remember all the miracles You have done in the past, as well as the miracles that You have done for us right now in our lives.

Thank You for providing us clear direction, as well as Your strength in order to carry out Your will.  Please strengthen me today.  Thank You for desiring a close relationship with me.  Thank You for Your joy, peace and contentment.    I praise Your holy name.  I thank You for Your faithfulness.  Help me feel Your gladness.  Let my heart sing out to You always.  Amen.