GOD’S WORD FOR NOVEMBER 11

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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PRAYING WITH PURPOSE

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Nehemiah 1:11

D.L. MOODY

When Nehemiah began to pray, I have no idea whether he thought he himself was to be the instrument in God’s hand of the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. But when a man gets into sympathy and harmony with God, then God prepares him for the work He has for him. No doubt he thought the Persian king might send one of his great warriors and accomplish the work with a great army of men; but after he had been praying for months, it may be, the thought flashed into his mind: “Why shouldn’t I go to Jerusalem myself and build those walls?”

Prayer for the work will soon arouse your own sympathy and effort.

ERWIN LUTZER

People ask, “Why pray for missionaries? Can’t God bless them without our prayers?” The answer is, of course, absolutely! Thankfully, He often blesses them even when we neglect to pray for them. But the purpose of prayer is not just to ask God to change circumstances; the purpose is to have our prayers change us. Even more important, prayer is intended to help us reenter into a time of fellowship with God.

As Moody pointed out in the case of Nehemiah, God used his prayer to recruit him to be a part of the answer. Prayer is asking God, “What will you have me to do?” And, as I like to emphasize, never interpret the silence of God as the indifference of God. God’s work may be invisible to us, but behind the scenes, He is putting events in place to accomplish His purpose.

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

PRAYER

Father, my heart longs to be prepared for all you want me to do.

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Psalm 116:1 – 4, NLT

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!”

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James 5:13 – 14, NKJV

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

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Romans 8:26 – 27,

Now in the same way also, the Spirit is conjointly helping our weaknesses because we do not fully understand what we should pray for, according as it is necessary, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed by us.

And the One Who searches the hearts comprehends what the strivings of the Spirit are because it makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

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Hebrews 4:16

Therefore, we should come with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

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Psalm 51:17

The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit. God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart and is willing to obey you.

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John 14:13 – 15

I [Jesus] will do anything you ask the Father in my name so that the Father will be given glory because of the Son. If you ask me to do something, I will do it. If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

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1John 5:14 – 15

And this is the confidence that we have toward Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we may ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.

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Matthew 5:43 – 44, HBFV

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I [Jesus] say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you . . .

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1Timothy 2:1 – 4, TEV

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgivings be offered to God for all people; for kings and all others who are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct.

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1Thessalonians 5:17 – 18, KJV

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

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