July 22, 2017

Prayer and Petition

Written by Boyd Bailey

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 22, 2017

So I turned to the LORD God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.    Daniel 9:3

Prayer and petition are privileges of Christ-followers. They are the means of solemn supplication to your superior authority and Savior, Jesus. When all is said and done, your hope for relief or answered prayer rests with your heavenly Father. It is focused faith on the Almighty above that absolves us of sin and melts our fears. Indeed, fasting and prayer bring your privileged position of access to the Almighty into sharp focus. He is great and awesome and worthy of worship. He has established a covenant of love with His children, a covenant which is engaging and eternal. He will judge the wicked and rebellious in His way and in His timing. He is high above us in heavenly holiness, but not so detached that He cannot hear the pleas of His people.

He is without sin, but He forgives sin. He judges, but He extends mercy. He is grieved over disobedience, but He rewards obedience. He is the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Scripture reveals Him in all His majesty and regal righteousness. No other gods of this world come close to the God of creation. Idols are deaf and dumb, unable to respond to prayer. But prayer is precious to the Prince of Peace. This is His mode of communication and communing with His highest order in creation. Nature is unable to nudge God’s heart in prayer—but you can. Animals have no comprehension of how to make an appeal to the Almighty—but you do. By faith, you are privileged people because you can petition and pray to your heavenly Father.

“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4).

So, go to the Lord in prayer and petition. Often and boldly confess your sins and keep short accounts. Ask often for the peace of Christ to engulf your heart and mind. Pray regularly that God’s love will transform your enemies. Pray boldly for great and mighty things on His behalf, whether healing from cancer or healing of relationships. Lift up to the Lord petitions for the salvation of friends and family members. Prayer is your first line of defense, not your last resort. Prayer means you care, and most will invite prayer, even unbelievers. Prayer to God is potent, and your willingness to pray for others will impact the proudest of people. Prayer brings you to your knees in humble gratitude and shows you the need for God and His wisdom. Be an example of prayer, and pray for others.

The Bible says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I trust You wholeheartedly with any big issue I face that compels me to seek Your face, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Application

Who can I ask to join me in prayer over my concerns that threaten to rob my joy?

Related Reading

Jeremiah 29:12; Ezra 8:23; Daniel 10:12; 1 Timothy 2:1; Hebrews 5:7 Today’s reading is taken from Boyd’s most popular book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, a 365 day devotional.

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Comments

  1. vanessa john says:

    Please prayer for my marriage restoration. So that God may touch my husband Anthony heart and he leave the divorcee lady clara dsouza whom he got married in 2015 and do not contact her again even if she tries to. Aldo may god touch her heart and she should break the marriage which she did with my husband after leaving her husband and may she god enlighten her to leave my husband in writing on divorce papers and go back from our family life with her childrens and never look back on us or be in contact again. Help her to think what she doing is wrong.

  2. Gwynne says:

    Dear Vanessa,
    Good morning. I am so sorry to hear about your situation but so thankful that you know our Lord and you realize He is always there for you. This devotional was a blessing for all of us reaching out to Him in prayer.
    I loved the statements:
    “He has established a covenant of love with His children, a covenant which is engaging and eternal. He will judge the wicked and rebellious in His way and in His timing. He is high above us in heavenly holiness, but not so detached that He cannot hear the pleas of His people.”
    Doesn’t that give you so much comfort? Turn this over to Him, Vanessa, surrender it all to the One that loves you more than you can even imagine and He will comfort you and give you a Peace that transcends all understanding.
    May you feel His Calming Presence,
    Believing and trusting,
    Gwynne
    “Do not be anxious for anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
    Philippians 4:6-7

  3. Felicia Angela Lobo says:

    “I (Felicia) and Cheryl have got admission to go to New Zealand for our further studies it has been 2.5 months we haven’t received our Visa our college was starting in July 2019 but due delays from the Visa team we couldn’t join the college now we got a other intake please pray that we receive our visa on time not only us many students haven’t received their visa. Please pray that the officials intervene and take this on priority I have left my job to complete my education and it’s been very difficult and I’m loosing hope ”

  4. Gwynne says:

    Thank you for sharing this – I will pray everything goes just according to His plans for you and the other students and that His peace will fill your hearts & minds while you wait.
    ~Wendy


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