Category Archives: Interceding for Others

Courage / Fear, Encouragement, Faith / Trusting God, Interceding for Others, Persecution / Glorifying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant, Through Prophets

Fellowship and Encouragement Among Believers

What a beautiful picture we see as Paul travels back from Ephesus to Jerusalem. We get a sense of the impact his efforts have had on the region. He travels from city to city and there are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who greet him. They are one in Christ Jesus. They are not Jew or Greek. They do not separate based on color of their skin or based on whether they are rich or poor or male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Paul makes time to fellowship with and support each local congregation of the brethren despite being on a journey to get to Jerusalem. They in turn also take time away from their own personal lives to receive him and encourage him, even to warn him. They are all acting in one accord as followers of Christ. They show us what the body of Christ should be like, but often is not, even today.

We see different members of the body of Christ with different gifts including prophets and evangelists. Paul is even warned by Agabus that he will be persecuted if he goes to Jerusalem, but Paul shows he remains prepared to face any form of persecution to honor and serve Jesus Christ.  When Paul decides to proceed to Jerusalem despite the warnings, the people still support and encourage him… relying on God’s will. They do not reject him or throw him off because he did not listen to their warning. They bring their families to escort him out of town and pray with him. They are truly one in Christ Jesus.

Acts 21:1-14

Paul Sails from Miletus

      1When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; 2and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

      7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

Take care not to think Paul a fool for going to Jerusalem despite warnings and prophecy. He did not disregard these warnings, but rather felt he needed to go to Jerusalem anyway and was willing to pay that price to do God’s work there.

Consider also, how does your life and the life of your family or church compare with that of the believers as demonstrated in Acts 21? Do believers come together in harmony, working together, praying for one another or is their infighting and division between different people, churches or denominations? Do churches support one another and work together to reach the community or compete against one another for how many members they can get to fill their seats? What can you do personally to make a positive difference in your local community of brothers and sisters in Christ? Pray for God’s wisdom and courage and then get started.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please bring Your people together in unity, serving You and helping none another in one accord. Heal division that separates us. Help us work through smaller differences in beliefs that keep us apart. Raise up prophets and evangelists from among Your people to do Your work. Prepare people to hear and respond to the truth of Your word. Clearly show each of us the role You want us to play. Amen. 

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Encouragement, Help / Serve Others, Interceding for Others, Persecution / Glorifying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News, Study the Word, Teachable

Support Those Who Proclaim the Gospel

Missionaries around the world and throughout time surely know well that sharing the gospel is not for the faint of heart. It is a glorious task we conduct for our Lord Jesus, who commanded us to share the gospel with all the nations, but it is at times quite challenging. Take time as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to appreciate, thank, support and pray for those around, or missionaries you know of that are far away, that are boldly sharing the truth of salvation through Jesus alone with others. The encouragement and sometimes direct supporting actions from fellow believers can be a great help to those sharing the gospel.

Acts 17:1-15

Paul at Thessalonica

      1Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. 5But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. 6When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; 7and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.

Paul at Berea

      10The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.

Those that share God’s word and those that support them are all part of the harvest of the lost for the kingdom of God. So, too, both face trials for their work. Evil people who reject Yeshua will go to great lengths to attack and persecute those who are boldly proclaiming Him. It is not enough for them to reject Messiah or even Yahweh, they must justify their position by stopping others from believing. We see these people still today, threatening Christians with anything from physical violence and death to lawsuits for standing up for Yeshua. We must never let this stop us from fulfilling the command of our Lord to proclaim the gospel to all the nations.

Take a few minutes and identify a few people that you see boldly proclaiming the gospel that you can commit to take time to pray for consistently. It can even be someone in the workplace. It does not have to be a formal pastor or missionary. Are there other ways you can help them through acts of service or support or even just consistent encouraging words? Has God brought missionaries across your path that may need funding to continue His work? Prayerfully consider how you can help. You do not have to go far away to help share the gospel far away. Sometimes you can simply help those who do.

There are a few other gems of knowledge to highlight as well. When missionaries or teachers come to teach us more about Yeshua, let us listen closely and test everything against the scriptures like the Bereans! Do not dismiss or accept it just because it is familiar or not. Be teachable and submitted to the LORD without just believing everything someone says about the scriptures!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for missionaries and those who share the gospel near and far. Please help give them courage, wisdom, and support. Please help each of us to understand how we can help support these individuals who prioritize sharing You as a major part of their life. Grant discernment to Your people when listening to teachers and missionaries, that they would neither be deceived by false teaching nor miss the truth because it is unfamiliar. Amen. 

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Have you submitted your life to Yeshua? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Interceding for Others, Marriage

Pray with Me for YHWH to Heal and Strengthen Marriages

Periodically we bring forth a prayer request in lieu of studying scripture for our daily walk. We invite you to pray with us for the marriages of those who follow Yeshua.

Father, please open the eyes and ears of Christians around the world to the truth and depth of your word. Help create a revival in Christian marriages by convicting your people of their selfishness and sin in marriage toward you and their spouse. Create in them a new spirit to seek to understand your word and follow you and as result experience the true joy that You intend for a godly marriage.

Let not people turn toward divorce and accept it because of the hardness of their hearts, but rather overcome it by living your word in their lives! Let your people truly be a light to the nations, demonstrating loving, kind, selfless, marriages that are filled with joy. 

Thank you for praying with us today.  To pray with us regularly for one another and for Biblical examples of prayer, please visit our Prayer Requests page.

All Powerful / King of All, Courage / Fear, Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Protector / Deliverer, Purposeful / Intentional, Strong in Our Weakness

How Do We Stand Up to Ridicule and Resistance?

Nehemiah and the Jews at Jerusalem faced fierce opposition. It started with mocking but continued to grow into a threat of violence. They were on a mission to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. How should they respond?

We will often face resistance personally or collectively as God’s people also. We can learn from how Nehemiah led the people to respond.

Nehemiah 4

Work Is Ridiculed

      1Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. 2He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” 3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!”

      4Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. 5Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

      6So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

      7Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it.

Discouragement Overcome

      9But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.

      10Thus in Judah it was said,
“The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
Yet there is much rubbish;
And we ourselves are unable
To rebuild the wall.”

11Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 13then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 14When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

      15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20“At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

      21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.” 23So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.

Nehemiah turned to God and prayed, asking for help. However, he also took strong and well thought out action as well. He stationed the guard to be ready to defend while continuing to build the wall. He kept moving ahead with God’s mission. Prayer and action. Both are important parts of the solution to many challenges and opposition we may endure.

They were willing to work hard and sacrifice. They endured mocking and threats. They endured discomfort in terms of building always ready to fight. The people were committed wholeheartedly, not just to the point of convenience. Often today I perceive people are only committed to the point of convenience. A five-minute prayer and then do nothing while you wait for God to solve it. Reading Nehemiah challenges me to reevaluate my own life to be sure. What am I doing to resist abortion? What about false teaching in schools that moves our children farther from God? When I see someone persecuted for their faith, do I stand with them as I pray for them? Or do I simply pass a quick prayer and go about my business? Do I even come back to pray for them earnestly and repeatedly? These are all fair points to ask.

As a parting thought, some may not agree with how Nehemiah prayed against his enemies. He did not simply pray they would be forgiven, but that their sin would be held against them. Just note that he was not rebuked in scripture for this prayer. Asking for our enemies and the enemies of God to be defeated is not offensive to God. He answered the prayer and helped the Jews.

I invite you to pray with me:

 Father, please help Your people to stand boldly and stand together in the face of opposition including mocking and threats. Help us to come earnestly in prayer before You and also to have wisdom and courage to take strong and wise action to continue with the mission You have given us. Defeat the plans of the enemy or various enemies who may come against us. Amen. 

 

Fasting, Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Mockers, Protector / Deliverer, Strong in Our Weakness

From Desire to Reality through the Power of Prayer and Action

Nehemiah was deeply grieved to hear about Jerusalem and the sorry shape it was in. He fasted and prayed. In chapter 2 we see how his prayer begins to be answered.

Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah’s Prayer Answered

      1And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3I said to the king, “Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” 4Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” 6Then the king said to me, the queen sitting beside him, “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a definite time. 7And I said to the king, “If it please the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the River, that they may allow me to pass through until I come to Judah, 8and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress which is by the temple, for the wall of the city and for the house to which I will go.” And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.

      9Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.

Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem’s Walls

      11So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. 13So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Well and on to the Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were consumed by fire. 14Then I passed on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no place for my mount to pass. 15So I went up at night by the ravine and inspected the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. 16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work.

      17Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” 18I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.”

Let us consider that we will see in Nehemiah a combination of prayer and action. He is not just idle and waiting for God to do everything. God opens the opportunity before the king to speak and he does speak, respectfully and boldly. He takes personal risk. If he would have remained silent, perhaps God would not have used him in this rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

We also see that after prayer and fasting, God begins to work through the pagan king of Persia to bring about the restoration of Jerusalem and the answer to Nehemiah’s prayer. God is able to use anyone and any situation. Where we feel completely powerless, as Nehemiah must have felt, God is totally able to make a way we can’t even anticipate.

What Nehemiah was praying for was not a selfish request. It was in line with God’s plan to return the people to Jerusalem. When he prayed, he was praying in line with the work that God already wanted to do. God used him and supported him.

People will often come against you as you go about God’s work. It takes courage and boldness, and some clear planning, to overcome them. When God gets directly involved to help you overcome your adversaries or mockers, that really helps as well!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have strong desire to be part of what You want to accomplish instead of making my own plans. Help me to be courageous and bold. Help me to turn to You with prayer and fasting but also be willing to take bold action. Let me not be distracted by those who mock me, or You. Silence them or open their eyes to Your glory and draw them near to You. Bring about the restoration of Your ways among Your people! Help Christians around the world return to Your ways instead of the ways of men which are so mingled in the common church doctrine and teaching. Help Jews to recognize and embrace Yeshua as Messiah. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Fasting, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Repenting from Sin, Submitted / Servant, Teachable, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Admit Our Sin and Turn Back to Yahweh

Many Christians will acknowledge that they have sinned and seek forgiveness. Many will repent of the sins they recognize. However, there is something special in Nehemiah which most of us could stand to reflect on more fully. Nehemiah was not only concerned about his own sins, but more broadly on the sins of His people. He is deeply grieved that his people, God’s people, have strayed so far from God’s commandments and statutes. He admits the sins also of his family and his own. He calls out to the LORD seeking forgiveness. He wept for days. He fasted and prayed. This was not a quick 5-minute prayer in the morning before grabbing a cup of coffee and going to work.

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah’s Grief for the Exiles

      1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”

      4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. 7“We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8“Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; 9but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ 10“They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. 11“O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”
Now I was the cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah focuses on God as “the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments.” He acknowledges the need to love God and keep His commandments. It is not simply that we should have genuine emotional feeling for our relationship with God or that we should just observe the laws. It is both! True love for God should drive us to want to live according to His commandments. (This is not just the 10 commandments as some believe today. There is much more. Read Understanding the Law – What Does It Mean Today?)

Nehemiah never once puts blame toward God for scattering the people. He even recalls specifically that God said He would scatter them if they were unfaithful. He never challenges God or why God acted in a certain way. Full accountability lays on the people for this situation.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please inspire more of us to be like Nehemiah in that we would feel a love for You and a deep grief for how far Your people are from You, even as they call upon Your name today. Please draw more of us to intercede on the behalf of all who call upon the name of Yahweh or Yeshua. Let there be a restoration of Your laws among believers and let there be a full recognition of Yeshua as Messiah. Raise up strong leaders among Your people and those who would intercede in prayer. Lead Your people in repentance to turn back to obeying Your commands, ordinates and statutes and seeking personal relationship with You! Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, False Prophets / Teachers, Interceding for Others, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Teachable

Pray for People Who Are Blinded by False Religion

So many across the world allow themselves to be blinded by false religion or a belief that God does not exist. They reject God entirely or accept Him as one of several gods… which really means they reject Him. People cling to false teachings and rationalize with amazing strength the distorted world view they are suffering inside. Please pray that God would set free people across the globe from the false teachings of many religions and even the false teaching within those who claim to be Christian, but preach a gospel mixed and mingled with teachings of the world instead of pure strain of God’s word.

Ask our Father to raise up leaders and teachers who will help to bring the truth of God’s word to the people, who will lead us in the restoration of God’s ways. Ask our Father to prepare the field for harvest by preparing people to hear and receive the truth and come together in fellowship to pursue righteousness.

Pray that He would open each of our eyes to anything we misunderstand and prepare us to be willing to turn away from the wrong understanding and embrace truth, even when it is difficult to do so.

Amen.

—

For examples of Biblical prayer, and for personal prayer requests, please visit our Prayer Requests page.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Marriage, Obeying God

What Does God Say about Mixed Marriages?

For starters, let us ensure we are all aligned on the context in scripture. A mixed marriage is not based on appearance or what many define today as “race”. Truly, we are one race of humans, made in the image of God. We are not separated by what many today call “black” or “white”. That is not how God sees us, nor how we should see one another, any more than we would divide over who has blonde or brown hair. Rather, appreciate the variety God has created!

A mixed marriage in the context of scripture is one that involves God’s people marrying someone from a culture or nation that does not live in accordance with the instructions and law of God. More specifically, there was direct instruction not to intermarry with the inhabitants of the promised land as it would lead God’s people away from Him as they blend with other faiths and practices. With that in mind, you can probably see where this is going.

Ezra 9

Mixed Marriages

      1Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. 2“For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.” 3When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled. 4Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat appalled until the evening offering.

Prayer of Confession

      5But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God; 6and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. 7“Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, our kings and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to open shame, as it is this day. 8“But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. 9“For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

      10“Now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments, 11which You have commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from end to end and with their impurity. 12‘So now do not give your daughters to their sons nor take their daughters to your sons, and never seek their peace or their prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’ 13“After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and our great guilt, since You our God have requited us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us an escaped remnant as this, 14shall we again break Your commandments and intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Would You not be angry with us to the point of destruction, until there is no remnant nor any who escape? 15“O LORD God of Israel, You are righteous, for we have been left an escaped remnant, as it is this day; behold, we are before You in our guilt, for no one can stand before You because of this.”

Clearly, the LORD is against His people marrying someone who has beliefs and traditions and ways of living that conflict with His ways, His instructions, His traditions.  Further, it is not because He is harsh or wants to make life difficult, but rather the opposite. He warns us to avoid something that will clearly create division between us and Him. He wants to help us stay near to Him. Consider carefully what someone holds as their core beliefs when considering marriage, even among those who claim to follow Messiah, but may blend many practices or traditions that Messiah Himself did not and would not practice.  One example that comes to mind is Solomon, who drifted from God and blended with other pagan practices and worship through the influence of his many pagan wives and concubines.

It is also interesting to observe that Ezra interceded with God on behalf of the people of Israel. He was not just concerned with his own actions. Most of us today do not do this enough.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for leaders like Ezra, who cry out to You on behalf of all Your people. Thank You for raising up righteous leaders who will help lead us to You. Please bring more workers to the harvest to bring about restoration and revival among Your people. Help us gather together in unity and support one another. Help us intercede for one another. Have mercy on us as sinners. Help us turn about and repent to return to Your ways. Give us as Your people wisdom in regards to marriage. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Grace / Forgiveness, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Interceding for Others, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Teachable, Thankfulness, Wise

Enlighten the Eyes of My Heart

Let us approach our Lord with thanksgiving for fellow believers and for the wonderful gift of our own salvation by grace, through faith. Let us ask Him to enlighten the eyes of our hearts.

Ephesians 1

The Blessings of Redemption

     1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

      3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

      15For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

I find Ephesians 1 to be a very uplifting passage. I read it twice and then slowly a third time. It is so easy to just skim through the opening of Paul’s letters on the assumption that “it is just a greeting”. But take care and dwell on each chapter of the Bible. There is much treasure to be found.

There are a few key elements that strike me in particular.

  • Paul reminds his audience that he only functions as an apostle by the will of God. He has no authority or power of his own.
  • He identifies his audience, faithful followers of Yeshua.
  • He greets them with a reminder and request for grace and peace from the only one who can provide it… our Lord.
  • He calls to bless God as the source of all of our blessings in Yeshua.
  • We are reminded that God’s will is sovereign. He knows all that will happen from the beginning. There are no surprises. He knows whom He will call to Him and who will accept the call. We are forgiven through His grace and love.
  • Paul reminds us that we are to work in Yahweh’s glory according to His plans, rather than our own. As we submit and obey, we may well hope to be sources of praise to His glory.
  • We are reminded again that as we submit to Yeshua as Lord we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as counselor and guide. This too is for His glory, rather than our own.
  • Paul demonstrates the value of praying for one another as he prays for the righteous saints in Ephesus. But let us look too at what He prays for… riches, easy life, accomplishing their own personal goals and plans… of course not. He prays God would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation of knowledge of Him. Let us pray for ourselves and one another in the same way!

What’s more is that Paul is thankful before God for the genuine followers of Yeshua in Ephesus. He is not focused only on what they have not gotten right yet in how they follow the LORD. There is a time and place for that, but here he is focused on their faith and desire to follow Yeshua. Let us remember to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world and be thankful to God for them, though in many cases we may not even know who they are.

As a parting thought… what a godly, unselfish prayer for us to embrace for one another…

16do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Take a few minutes and pray this for those dear to you and even those you do not know around you and around the world who are seeking to follow Yeshua.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Interceding for Others

Hearing From Jesus Prayer Partner

We humbly ask you to join us as a prayer partner to pray for Hearing from Jesus ministry and staff regularly. Let it never be about us but about honoring and obeying God faithfully in our lives and ministry.

We think of Paul and the disciples as strong leaders of the people and loyal followers of Christ, but they also taught us the importance of prayer. On multiple occasions they, as faith leaders, asked for prayer from other believers on their behalf.

Acts 4:29  29“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

Ephesians 6:19-20  19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-4  2Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with all of you.

So, too, Jesus provided many examples of the value of prayer and instructed us to pray on many occasions.

Matthew 9:35-38 35Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

      36Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38“Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Thank you for your support. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you.

To pray with us regarding additional prayer requests or submit a prayer request, please visit our website Prayer Requests section.

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Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.