June 8, 2017 – Prayer Focus
24/7 National Strategic Prayer Call – Thursday, June 8, 2017
“A CALL TO THE WALL…ONE NATION UNDER GOD!”
Call in: 712-770-4340 enter code: 543555 #
*** Today is Day 4 of “50 Dayz A Blaze”
please take 5 minutes at the top of the hour to pray for Arkansas.
Strategic Focus for Thursday
Wisdom and Understanding (Part 1)
Since you have asked for wisdom and not for an extended lifetime or for personal wealth or for the annihilation of your enemies, since you have instead asked for the ability to understand justice, I will honor your request. I have planted the deepest human wisdom into your heart. There has never been nor will there ever be a man like you. I have also given you the things for which you have not asked—wealth and an honorable reputation. There will be no other kings like you for as long as you live. If you live a life devoted to Me, if you remain loyal to My laws and commands just as your father David did, then I will add days to your life.
I Kings 3:11-14
Today, as we continue our post-Pentecost emphasis of focusing on the Lord and what He is doing, we will move deeper into the realm of the Holy Spirit, asking for and receiving His wisdom and understanding. In order to move with Him, we must allow Him to shift our attitudes and prayer postures so we can hear from Him, agree with Him and then effectively pray into what He is doing in the earth at this moment!
All too often, we have done things our way, thinking that we know what to do…what to say…only to find that we were totally wrong. Have you ever been asked to pray with someone and just “agreed” in prayer, without first asking the Spirit what He had to say about it? Have you ever been “caught up” in the intensity of a moment, gotten “carried away”, only to realize later that you actually added to someone’s problem instead of helping resolve it?
Oh, it will be so bad for you, My rebellious children, who enact a plan but not as I would have you do,
Who form an alliance contrary to My Spirit, compounding sin, one bad choice after another.
Although well-intentioned, we often find ourselves anxious to offer a “solution” and meet others’ needs, instead of praying with wisdom and understanding as the Spirit gives it. We allow others needs to control the time in prayer and dictate the way we pray. When we try to please man, instead of God, we ultimately wind up “praying amiss”…and paying a heavy price!
You do not have because you have chosen not to ask.
And when you do ask, you still do not get what you want because your motives are all wrong –
because you continually focus on self-indulgence.
James 4:2-3
This can result in discouragement, disappointment and disillusionment for both the one asking for prayer…and for us!
- They wonder: “I thought they heard from God, but none of what they said happened!” “I can’t trust anyone anymore!” or worse yet, “God doesn’t care about me!”
- We ask: “How could I have ‘missed it’?” “What happened?” “I was so sure I heard God!”
Once in place, those thought patterns can lead to defeat, depression and despair. Unfortunately, worldly wisdom may “look good on us”, but it ultimately leads to destruction. True wisdom and the understanding that comes only from God are what we need to function in this broken world…and bring HIM honor!!
When the news of the king’s wise judgment spread throughout Israel, they all feared him.
They respected him because they perceived God’s wisdom in his just judgment.
I Kings 3:28
Take a moment and reflect on how your journey with the Holy Spirit has been. Have you accepted the Holy Spirit, welcomed Him in, asked Him to use any gifts He desires through you?
(If not, will you do so now?) What gifts of the Spirit have you hesitated to use? Why?(Will you open yourself to allowed those gifts to flow through you now?) There is to be NO guilt…it’s just God’s perfect timing…so relax and allow Him free reign in you!
Now, pray and ask specifically for the wisdom of God. Ask also for His understanding. We recognize that apart from Him, we are nothing. Thank Him for drawing you to Himself, sharing His life and imparting His Spirit with wisdom and understanding. This week… rejoice, be glad and enjoy practicing using your gifts!
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For deep down I am in happy agreement with God’s law.
Submitted by Dorothy and Dave Barkley, MD
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Hineni, Adonai! Here I am, Lord!
Engaging in a Warfare of Love!
The Battle of the Bride!
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https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:b626df7b-7314-4828-9b4b-9841f27de66f