Wisdom

Three Types of Requests – When petitioning the Lord, it’s helpful to think about the following categories of requests. 

• Is it something the Lord has already promised?  If for example, we are asking for forgiveness as believers, He has promised it’s done (1 John 1:9).  Praying for what He has promised – that’s a prayer with a 100% ‘yes’!

• Is it something that goes against the Lord’s character?  We don’t need to say much here, but obviously, if we are praying for something evil or wrong, that’s a prayer with a 100% ‘no’. 

• The in-between – If we are praying for almost anything else, like health, etc., then it falls into the category of conditional answers.  He may not heal us, He may not give us the new job, etc. (but He will provide peace and His other promises).  We should pray confidently that He will hear us, but we also pray with deference to His will and His wisdom.

Why wouldn’t we?? – I want us to focus this week on one of those promises that falls into the first category.  Wisdom.  “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and He will give it to you” (James 1:5, NLT).  The prayer prompts below aim to anchor our requests in the Word and to challenge us to rely on His wisdom more routinely than we may …

Prayer Prompts

• Early morning yielding – As you get up each day, think of one or two items in your schedule and bring them to the Lord in prayer.  It can be big or small things.  Ask for wisdom to know what to do, to say, to think, etc.

• Spiritual wisdom – Pray for spiritual wisdom and insight that grows your understanding of God and His ways (Eph 1:16-17).

• Wisdom discernment – Pray for insight to tell the difference from worldly ‘wisdom’ and true wisdom from above; that which is pure, peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield, and full mercy (James 3:17).

• Know how good we have it! – As you read the Word, listen to Christian music, go to church – pray that you see more deeply “the wonderful things God has freely given us” (1 Cor 2:12-14).

• Teach each other – Pray that you will be able to share “all the wisdom He gives” and that God will send people in your life that can do the same to you (Colossians 3:16).

Prayer Prompts - Week 4 of The Lord is my Shepherd

He renews my strength!

Wet wool weighs down sheep – so much so, they can actually tip over and not be able to get up from this weight.  We too can easily be weighed down with overwhelming concern for our loved ones.  Praise the Lord, our Shepherd renews our strength (Ps 23:3, NLT).  Hallelujah, He can restore us!

“I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord” (Eze 34:15, NLT)

Prayer Prompts for this Week

I need strength Lord! – In your waking up time this week, bring at least one very specific item to the Lord where you will need strength today.

Running on empty – Pay attention to those times this week when you are depleted and maybe would typically turn to your phone, food, TV, or something else to cope – instead pray for renewed strength from the Lord and trust Him to provide what you need.

Ezekiel 34:16 (NLT) – “I will search for my lost ones who have strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again.  I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.”

Pray specifically for those in your life that need …

• To find their way home

• That need the Lord to bandage them up

• That need His strength

Lean on the Lord’s provision for these loved ones.

Use this song to move you in prayer – ‘Don’t Fight Alone’ by Jon Reddick (https://youtu.be/tl3GrkRHsvk?si=kOOsL50a61XWH8YI )

Prayer Prompts - Week 3 of The Lord is our Shepherd

We are vulnerable, but our Shepherd will carry us – Let’s count the ways sheep can protect themselves from predators wanting a meal.  I see none!  While we aren’t as helpless, we aren’t as strong as we think.  And if we are honest, real risks are everywhere – from the evil one all the way to our own misguided ‘wisdom’.  But praise the Lord …

“He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart.”  (Isa 40:11 NLT)

Our worries can be overwhelming, but our Shepherd gives rest – Concern is good and God-given; it warns us of danger.  But concern can quickly and silently grow to worry.  While not possible by ourselves, with the Lord’s help, let’s learn to lean quicker and more fully on our Shepherd.

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”  (Ps 23:4, NLT)

Prayer Prompts for this Week

He will carry us! – try these two on alternating days (write it down or have your phone remind you):

• I give You my worries - In the morning while you drink your coffee, or drive to work, etc. - list three current concerns (big or little) and give them to God – visualize yourself literally pushing them over to Him.

• Praise Him for past deliverance – Think of some very specific, recent concerns (big or little) that God took care of – Praise Him for it!

Lean on His promises – Pray these verses (out loud if you can), claiming the Lord’s promises and thanking Him for them.  I wrote Ps 68:19 out and have it on my mirror this week – pick one this week and do the same.

• Hebrews 13:6 – “So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.  What can mere people do to me?”” (NLT)

• Psalms 68:19 - "Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms." (NLT)

• Psalms 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (NLT)

• Matthew 11:28-30 – “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

Use this song to move you in prayer – ‘Make Room’ by Meredith Andrews (feat. Sarah Reeves & Chris McClarney) (https://youtu.be/v1IaQvgPsfA?si=bkEszmolG5cIjb10 ). As I will keep writing, God is worthy of a lot of "Amen" and "Yes Lord!" from us!