Praying for the Favor of God: Getting Really Bold and Believing in Prayer
Psalm 90:16, 17 presents a model for prayer that is well worth imitating.
Recently at a wedding reception I heard a blessing prayed over the newly married couple. The pastor prayed for God's favor on them in such a way that they would know His gracious touch on everything they put their hand and hearts to do, for His glory! I don't remember all that he prayed but in essence he prayed that their love would be sweet, that their work would be prospered, that their union would be fruitful, that their children would be many and godly, that their laughter would be rich, that their witness would be strong, that their health would be good, and that every endeavour to which they applied their hand would succeed.
It was not at all a health and wealth/prosperity gospel/word-faith type prayer in which he presumed to think that everything in life would be pain and suffering free. But it was a prayer that dared to believe that God loves to bless. This brother clearly believed that God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts.
It was a really cool and frankly, a really biblical prayer; the type of prayer I hear myself praying more often these days. It was psalmist-like.
In light of his awareness that life is short and our days are few (Psalm 90:3-12) Moses gets right to it with God. Here's the gist of his thought and prayer: "Lord we don't have a lot of time here, and there's lots to do. So please let your work be shown to us (Psalm 90:16) so that it'll become our work. Then let Your favor--Your beautiful, pleasant, delightful, gracious favor (the Hebrew word means all that)--be upon us and all we do. And Lord, please establish the work we do; yes Lord establish it."
Moses is praying for God's favor, God's blessing, God's success-producing grace on all he and the people of God did.
It does remind of the well-known "prayer of Jabez" in 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10. I know the recent best-seller by that name raised some concerns (which I would share). Some seemed to turn Jabez's prayer into a daily mantra with almost magical powers. People abused the truth for personal gain (not including the author, he gave away most of the proceeds from the book as I understand it!). But let's be reminded: the abuse of a truth does not argue for the non-use of a truth. It argues for the right use of the truth.
The right use of the truth that God blesses and favors and establishes the work of our hands for His glory and our happiness, is that we pray boldly and believingly in the light of it, and then live expectantly as a result. I say it again: God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts. He loves to bless and He promises to move mountains, build the kingdom, heal diseases, save souls, rescue our children, and bless labors when His people pray in faith.
Today, God enabling me, I'm going to spend about 3 hours in study and the minstry of the Word. I have a doctor's visit (to keep a watch on my health). I'm going to spend a couple of hours encouraging a hurting brother. I'm going to plan a Ministry Fair. I'm going to spend time with the pastoral team in prayer and care for you all. And I'm going to lead a care group meeting at the end of the day. In between and after all that there's a wife to love, and children to raise. All as the Lord enables.
So here's my Psalm 90 prayer for today:
"Lord in my study and teaching of Your Word establish the work of my mind and heart by making my mind clear, by giving me insight for the blessing of Your people, by filling me with your Spirit that the truth I learn may become life and power and joy for my heart and for all who hear it.
"And when I visit the doctor's office, I ask that You give me at least one opportunity to speak openly and clearly of the Savior's love. Make today be a day in which I am able to point someone to Jesus. And Lord remember the prayer I offered a few weeks back and have prayed a few times since: please establish the work of our hands and the words of our lips by giving us at least 50 new believers in our church this year.
"And when I encourage my brother with truth and grace may he be overhwelmed by the love of Jesus, and rise up in new courage and faith to face the challenges of his life. May he leave my presence knowing that he was in the presence of grace. Shine Your favor on him o Lord.
"And when the pastors gather to pray, Lord may we pray with the filling and power and leading of Your Spirit. Give us spiritual gifts, biblical and prophetic insights into the needs of Your people, and a clear leading for the shepherding of Your sheep.
"And Father, establish my care group as a place of refuge for the hurting, of strength for the weak, of correcting grace for the wandering, of hope for the despairing, of faith for the doubting, of fellowship for all. And come by Your Spirit with gifts and blessing for all.
"And yes o Lord--please establish Gayline's and my work in our home. May our marriage be strong and sweet. And may our children become men and women of faith and courage as leaders of the next generation of Your church. Lord, do not just save them; please make them mighty in Your kingdom.
"And I pray all these things not for myself only, but for everyone of those You've entrusted to my care, or who read these words today. O yes dear Lord, may Your favor be upon us all today, giving us mighty God moments of grace and frutifulness and strength.
"O that You would do it Lord--for Your glory! Amen."
Go with God my friends.
Recently at a wedding reception I heard a blessing prayed over the newly married couple. The pastor prayed for God's favor on them in such a way that they would know His gracious touch on everything they put their hand and hearts to do, for His glory! I don't remember all that he prayed but in essence he prayed that their love would be sweet, that their work would be prospered, that their union would be fruitful, that their children would be many and godly, that their laughter would be rich, that their witness would be strong, that their health would be good, and that every endeavour to which they applied their hand would succeed.
It was not at all a health and wealth/prosperity gospel/word-faith type prayer in which he presumed to think that everything in life would be pain and suffering free. But it was a prayer that dared to believe that God loves to bless. This brother clearly believed that God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts.
It was a really cool and frankly, a really biblical prayer; the type of prayer I hear myself praying more often these days. It was psalmist-like.
In light of his awareness that life is short and our days are few (Psalm 90:3-12) Moses gets right to it with God. Here's the gist of his thought and prayer: "Lord we don't have a lot of time here, and there's lots to do. So please let your work be shown to us (Psalm 90:16) so that it'll become our work. Then let Your favor--Your beautiful, pleasant, delightful, gracious favor (the Hebrew word means all that)--be upon us and all we do. And Lord, please establish the work we do; yes Lord establish it."
Moses is praying for God's favor, God's blessing, God's success-producing grace on all he and the people of God did.
It does remind of the well-known "prayer of Jabez" in 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10. I know the recent best-seller by that name raised some concerns (which I would share). Some seemed to turn Jabez's prayer into a daily mantra with almost magical powers. People abused the truth for personal gain (not including the author, he gave away most of the proceeds from the book as I understand it!). But let's be reminded: the abuse of a truth does not argue for the non-use of a truth. It argues for the right use of the truth.
The right use of the truth that God blesses and favors and establishes the work of our hands for His glory and our happiness, is that we pray boldly and believingly in the light of it, and then live expectantly as a result. I say it again: God is neither stingy nor reluctant nor sparing in His gifts. He loves to bless and He promises to move mountains, build the kingdom, heal diseases, save souls, rescue our children, and bless labors when His people pray in faith.
Today, God enabling me, I'm going to spend about 3 hours in study and the minstry of the Word. I have a doctor's visit (to keep a watch on my health). I'm going to spend a couple of hours encouraging a hurting brother. I'm going to plan a Ministry Fair. I'm going to spend time with the pastoral team in prayer and care for you all. And I'm going to lead a care group meeting at the end of the day. In between and after all that there's a wife to love, and children to raise. All as the Lord enables.
So here's my Psalm 90 prayer for today:
"Lord in my study and teaching of Your Word establish the work of my mind and heart by making my mind clear, by giving me insight for the blessing of Your people, by filling me with your Spirit that the truth I learn may become life and power and joy for my heart and for all who hear it.
"And when I visit the doctor's office, I ask that You give me at least one opportunity to speak openly and clearly of the Savior's love. Make today be a day in which I am able to point someone to Jesus. And Lord remember the prayer I offered a few weeks back and have prayed a few times since: please establish the work of our hands and the words of our lips by giving us at least 50 new believers in our church this year.
"And when I encourage my brother with truth and grace may he be overhwelmed by the love of Jesus, and rise up in new courage and faith to face the challenges of his life. May he leave my presence knowing that he was in the presence of grace. Shine Your favor on him o Lord.
"And when the pastors gather to pray, Lord may we pray with the filling and power and leading of Your Spirit. Give us spiritual gifts, biblical and prophetic insights into the needs of Your people, and a clear leading for the shepherding of Your sheep.
"And Father, establish my care group as a place of refuge for the hurting, of strength for the weak, of correcting grace for the wandering, of hope for the despairing, of faith for the doubting, of fellowship for all. And come by Your Spirit with gifts and blessing for all.
"And yes o Lord--please establish Gayline's and my work in our home. May our marriage be strong and sweet. And may our children become men and women of faith and courage as leaders of the next generation of Your church. Lord, do not just save them; please make them mighty in Your kingdom.
"And I pray all these things not for myself only, but for everyone of those You've entrusted to my care, or who read these words today. O yes dear Lord, may Your favor be upon us all today, giving us mighty God moments of grace and frutifulness and strength.
"O that You would do it Lord--for Your glory! Amen."
Go with God my friends.
Labels: God's Blessing, Prayer, Spiritual disciplines
posted by Tim Shorey at
9:41 AM
1 Comments:
Finally, a "prosperity teaching" that we can embrace!
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