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Prayers for Israel

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Prayers for Israel

As we watch the events taking place in Israel, we should be reminded to pray. We are called to pray for the physical and spiritual peace of Jerusalem (and all of Israel). It’s a time to pray for the peace of Israel, protection of people, wisdom for the leaders, help and comfort during trouble, deliverance from enemies, and a spiritual awakening. I would like to give you a list of prayers for Israel that you start and continue to pray, in addition to other resources for praying for Israel.

God’s chosen?

We often hear of Israel being called “God’s chosen”. So why did God choose them? The answer is so that they would be the channel of blessings for all families & nations on the earth (Genesis 12:1-3). God chose one nation for the benefit of many. Israel serves as a picture of God’s sovereign plan to redeem the entire earth. Israel’s role consists of restoring all the nations to God. Israel was meant to reveal God to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). Jesus fulfilled this role and brought salvation to the entire earth (Isaiah 49:6). God’s plan was to show love to the entire world through this chosen family (the family of Abraham) and this chosen nation. We can also “live out of our identity as God’s chosen people—those whose special purpose has always been to extend God’s inclusive love to many.”[1]

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.” Isaiah 42:6 (NLT)

“He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”” Isaiah 49:6 (NLT)

We received the Messiah, Jesus, through the Jewish people. Those who accept God’s son, Jesus, as Messiah and Lord have been grafted into Abraham’s family and are also now God’s chosen people (Romans 11:17).

“But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.” Romans 11:17 (NLT)

Israel will continue to remain the beloved chosen people because God’s gifts and calling for Israel are irrevocable and His covenants remain forever (Romans 11:28-29).

“Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” Romans 11:28-29 (NLT)

We are called to pray for the physical and spiritual peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel.

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Prayers for Israel

Below are some prayers for Israel along with accompanying relevant scriptures. Please feel free to pray these individually as you feel led or collectively as a whole. Continue reading →

Praying Scripture-Based Prayers

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Praying Scripture-Based Prayers

We’ve already discussed and learned about the benefits and power of prayer in addition to some tips for how to pray (see the “Prayer” section on this link here). This week I’d like to specifically address scripture-based prayers. We’ll discuss what they are, how they are a powerful way of praying, why we should pray them, and how to make scripture-based prayers.

There is nothing new about these types of prayers. This has been a way of praying for generations. Additionally, we can see examples and instances of people quoting scripture in their prayers throughout the Old and New Testaments.

What are scripture-based prayers?

Scripture-based prayers are a type of prayer where we take a scripture or Bible verse and use the words from the scripture to formulate a specific prayer. Instead of coming up with our own words to pray to God, we just pray what’s already written in the Bible. These prayers are rooted in scripture.

Scripture-based prayers are essentially just praying scripture back to God. It’s a way of praying using Bible verses either in or to formulate our prayer. Furthermore, we can let the meaning of the verses inspire our thoughts and become our own prayer.

Scripture-based prayers are a powerful way of praying

We know from reading James 5:16 that prayer is powerful and effective.

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)

Additionally, Hebrews 4:12 tells us God’s Word (i.e. scripture) is living and powerful.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (NKJV)

Therefore, if prayer is powerful and God’s Word is powerful, it’s doubly powerful to pray scripture-based prayers!

It’s powerful to agree with and say the same thing as God

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Scriptures and Prayer to Smooth Out the Path Ahead

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Scriptures and Prayer to Smooth Out the Path Ahead

There may be times in our lives where we are on a bumpy road or know we are headed for one. God never promises that we won’t have trouble or problems (Jesus warned us we would in John 16:33). However, he does promise us that he will never leave us alone and that we can rely on his presence and help through the troubles. We may still have to take that path, but he can smooth out the path ahead.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

“…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]. So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (AMPC)

The Lord tells us throughout scripture that he can smooth out the path ahead for the righteous. The Holy Spirit has reminded me of these verses on several occasions when I was preparing to encounter something difficult ahead, and he prompted me to pray these scriptures back to God. There is power is praying with scripture to back up the prayers!

We may not be able to avoid a difficult road, but God can smooth out the path ahead.

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Scriptures about how God will smooth out the path ahead

There are several verses God making rough places smooth. Some specifically say, “smooth out the path ahead” or “make the rough places smooth”. Others say he will make things level, make paths straight, or straighten things that are crooked or curved. Basically, the messages are that he will make things smooth, level, straight, and remove some of the obstacles or things in the way. In essence, he can make the road a little easier.

Smooth paths

“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.” Isaiah 26:7 (NLT)

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)

“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” Isaiah 45:2 (NASB)

“And I will make my mountains into level paths for them. The highways will be raised above the valleys.” Isaiah 49:11 (NLT)

“Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see. The LORD has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’” Isaiah 62:10-11 (NLT)

Preparing the way for the Lord

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Podcast Interview: The Power of Praying Scripture

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Podcast Interview: The Power of Praying Scripture

I recently had the honor and pleasure of being interviewed by Leighann McCoy with the Prayer Clinic. Leighann McCoy is an author, public speaker, and prayer minister. Leighann has a heart for teaching people and churches to pray in such a way that they experience God’s presence and power in daily life. Her ministry, the Prayer Clinic, was birthed out of her passion to empower churches to become houses of prayer. During our time together we discussed the power of praying scripture along with some hindrances we might encounter when we pray and wait for the answer to our prayers.

In lieu of a post this week, I invite you to listen to the podcast!

“Power of Praying Scripture (and other great tips) with Tracy Robbins” via the Prayer Clinic Podcast site

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Click here to listen on the Prayer Clinic episode page

On Apple Podcasts

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Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts

On Google Podcasts

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Click here to listen on Google Podcasts

On Spotify

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Click here to listen on Spotify

 

Learn more about scripture-based prayers, why they’re so powerful, and how to craft one in this post.

If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

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Prayer & Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

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Prayer & Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Recently, I received a request from a reader to write a post with scriptures and a prayer template to pray for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. Although I have not personally dealt with the trauma of sexual abuse, I have friends and family members who have, and I also work with a local Christian women’s restoration home (Glory House) where many of the women we help deal with this. Because I have not personally dealt with or recovered from this kind of trauma, I wanted to be sensitive and do my due diligence in researching this, praying about it, and speaking with people more versed than I am before I wrote about it.

As a result, I’ve written this post with the help and vetting of some recovered survivors of sexual abuse and with some direction from the leadership at Glory House. In fact, Ms. Susie Barnes, Executive Director at Glory House who has almost 25 years of helping women and their families, said to me:

“I’m still amazed by God and His ability to heal people from such trauma!  It gives me great hope and confidence to tell others it is possible.  Amen!”

My hope and prayer through this post are to provide some prayers, scriptures, resources, and hope for those who may have loved ones that are dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse. **Please note, that I am not an expert or a licensed professional and that this is merely meant to serve as a helpful resource. It’s also important to get proper help and counseling from people who are trained, experienced, and have dealt with the trauma of sexual abuse.

The good news is that nothing is too hard for God. There is hope for being healed and restored.

Prayer and Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Below you will find a compilation of prayers to pray for survivors of sexual abuse along with supporting, relevant scriptures. *At the bottom of the post, you will find a list of additional resources.

You don’t have to pray ALL of these things all at once or all of the time.  You can just pick a couple of these things to pray for each day or pick the ones that are most relevant. These prayers are written to pray for someone else; however, they can most certainly be adapted to pray for yourself, if you are the survivor of abuse, by using personal pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).

Text in red are example prayers followed by reinforcing scriptures: Continue reading →

More Resources for Bible Meditation, Prayer, and Quiet Times

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More Resources for Bible Meditation, Prayer, and Quiet Times

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

I’ve often said I fancy myself a curator of resources. 😉 I’ve written a lot about practical methods, resources, and tools for studying scripture, praying, and growing in your relationship with God (much of this can be found on the “New to Faith?” page on the site). Recently, I shared several resources and tools for Bible study. In this post, I’d like to share a few more, specifically in relation to biblical meditation, prayer, and resources for your quiet times. These are especially helpful for those who might be auditory learners or prefer to listen to audible, narrated, or guided material.

These resources are just another way to instill scripture into your spirit and build your faith by hearing the word of God and meditating on it. (Read more on how to meditate on scripture here.) I hope you enjoy these resources and find them helpful!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

“And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.” Mark 4:24 (AMPC)

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Lectio 365 app

The Lectio 365 app has been a recent favorite of mine. According to their site, “Lectio 365 is a daily devotional resource to help you pray through the Bible every day. It has been written by 24-7 Prayer leaders (an international, interdenominational prayer movement) and delivered through a free app. Lectio 365 contains devotional content to help you pause and pray at the start and end of every day.”[1]

Their daily meditation is inspired by an ancient form of praying and meditation called Lectio Divina. According to Wikipedia, Lectio Divina is a “…practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. First, a passage of scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.”[2]

I typically spend around ten minutes when I listen to the audio version (as opposed to reading through on my own). Personally, I like the peaceful background music, and I love the guided prayers and pauses for moments of reflection and to hear from the Holy Spirit. I often find a fixed location (a comfy, chair in my room where I read my Bible each morning), close my eyes, and practice intentional, relaxed breathing.

Eric and I have also really enjoyed listening and night just before sleeping, as it relaxes us and focuses our thoughts on God and scripture just before drifting off to sleep. It’s a very calming way to end the day and to help with sleep (as I sometimes struggle).

Here’s a description from the Lectio 365 website:

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Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection

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Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection

Last week I shared some scriptures about protection and about how the Lord surrounds people and places with his protection. I used many of these scriptures as a basis for praying a hedge of protection. Today, I thought I’d share some more scriptures on protection, more specifically an entire chapter. This entire passage about protection is found in Psalm 91. We can actually turn this passage into a prayer of protection over ourselves or our loved ones.

In times of trouble, uncertainty, or potential harm it can be easy to fall into a pattern of worry, anxiety, or fear. In those times we can have confidence that we have a God who loves us and wants to protect us and help us in times of trouble. We can call on the Lord for his protection and remind ourselves of his promises in the Bible. Psalm 91 is a wonderful example of God’s promises and desire to protect us. Reading, meditating on, and praying this chapter can give us hope, confidence, and peace, in addition to renewing our faith.

Reading, meditating on, and praying Psalm 91 can give us hope, confidence, and peace, in addition to renewing our faith.

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Psalm 91 is full of promises and blessings from God

Psalm 91 is packed full of so many promises and blessings of God such as…

    • Protection
    • Safety from illness, disease, or disaster
    • Ease from anxieties and fear
    • Safety from evil all around us and things that are negatively affecting others around us
    • Justice; Punishment of the wicked
    • Protection for our home
    • Guardian angels to surround us and defend us
    • Promise of God’s presence
    • Victory over dangerous things that might seek to harm us
    • Promise of rescue
    • Promise of long life

Psalm 91:1-16 (NLT)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Psalm 91 Prayer of Protection for Others (insert their name)

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Praying a Hedge of Protection

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Praying a Hedge of Protection

Previously I wrote a post about praying a “hedge of thorns” around someone as a type of prayer could be prayed on behalf of a person that might be wandering off track or pursuing things or people that may not be good for them. Similarly, another form of prayer is praying a hedge of protection. A hedge of thorns is for protection also but just a little more specific when praying to keep someone from someone or something. A hedge of protection can be a more general prayer when we want to just ask God to build up a wall of protection or a type of shield as a defense against any kind of harm that might come near.

“Hedge of protection” is used as a metaphor for protection. A hedge is simply just a barrier, border, or boundary surrounding or enclosing something or providing a means of protection or defense. We can ask God to create a safety barrier surrounding us that can protect us from any harm that we might encounter or that might try to come against us. Hedges are also often used as a boundary line to prevent someone or something from crossing to an area where they shouldn’t. Similarly, we can ask God to prevent our enemies from crossing a boundary line meant to protect us.

We can pray a hedge of protection when we want to ask God to build up a wall of protection or defense against any kind of harm.

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Some examples of a hedge of protection in scripture

Satan recognized a hedge of protection that God had put around Job.

“Have You not put a hedge [of protection] around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands [and conferred prosperity and happiness upon him], and his possessions have increased in the land.” Job 1:10 (AMP)

A hedge of thorns (a form of a hedge of protection as discussed above) is mentioned in Hosea for the prevention of going down wrong paths.

“Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths. She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, and she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.’” Hosea 2:6-7 (ESV)

God describes a hedge as special protection for a vineyard (vineyard=an analogy for Israel here), and the owner of the vineyard (i.e. God) needs only to remove the hedge in order for the vineyard to be left exposed and destroyed.

“Now let me tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will tear down its hedges and let it be destroyed. I will break down its walls and let the animals trample it.” Isaiah 5:5 (NLT)

Scriptures about being surrounded by protection

There are many scriptures throughout the Bible that present the idea that the Lord surrounds people and places with his protection. Often verbiage is used such as surrounding, going before and following, encamping, enclosing, sheltering, concealing, covering, spreading over, and so on. These could be examples of “hedges” or of God “hedging” his people.

Here is a sampling of some of these scriptures (by no means is this exhaustive…that would be an extremely long list!):

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