Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for bringing these two before the Lord and for wanting to pray for each of them individually. It is good that you want to center that prayer on the example of Jabez, because what made him stand out was not his name, which was associated with sorrow, but his character as a man who called upon the God of Israel. Scripture records his personal cry and tells us that God granted what he asked.
That prayer was simple and deeply personal. He asked God to bless him indeed, to enlarge his borders and opportunities, to keep the hand of God upon him, and to keep him from evil so that it would not grieve him. God answered him, and that same God still desires to bless His people according to His good will.
I am joining you in praying in that same direction for each of these two, by name before the Lord even though they are not named here.
For each one I am asking that the Lord would bless them as He sees best, not simply to fulfill our wishes but to accomplish His will in their lives. True prayer begins with God and seeks His kingdom and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It opens the door for God to do what He has long desired to do, without violating the choice He has given us. Your intercession helps open that door.
I am praying that the Lord would keep His hand upon each of them for safety and security, that He would be their refuge and strong habitation to which they can continually resort. I am praying for health, for His sustaining and healing mercy, and for guidance to sort out their thoughts. Often in prayer the Spirit of God ministers assurance and comfort and brings clarity where there is confusion. Difficulties have a way of driving us to our knees, and there God gives wisdom to those who ask.
Effective prayer flows from relationship. Jesus taught us to pray saying Our Father, and that relationship is opened only through Him. If either of these loved ones has not yet come to Him, the first and most important prayer is God be merciful to me a sinner, trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Once we are His children, we can come with confidence.
The Bible tells us the fervent, heartfelt prayer of a righteous person avails much. It is not length or eloquence that makes prayer valid, but a heart that continues and watches with thanksgiving. So continue to bring them before the Lord. The prayer of faith can end with praise, confident that God hears and will answer according to His perfect will. May He do for each of them what is best, keep them from evil, and guide every thought into His peace.
That prayer was simple and deeply personal. He asked God to bless him indeed, to enlarge his borders and opportunities, to keep the hand of God upon him, and to keep him from evil so that it would not grieve him. God answered him, and that same God still desires to bless His people according to His good will.
I am joining you in praying in that same direction for each of these two, by name before the Lord even though they are not named here.
For each one I am asking that the Lord would bless them as He sees best, not simply to fulfill our wishes but to accomplish His will in their lives. True prayer begins with God and seeks His kingdom and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It opens the door for God to do what He has long desired to do, without violating the choice He has given us. Your intercession helps open that door.
I am praying that the Lord would keep His hand upon each of them for safety and security, that He would be their refuge and strong habitation to which they can continually resort. I am praying for health, for His sustaining and healing mercy, and for guidance to sort out their thoughts. Often in prayer the Spirit of God ministers assurance and comfort and brings clarity where there is confusion. Difficulties have a way of driving us to our knees, and there God gives wisdom to those who ask.
Effective prayer flows from relationship. Jesus taught us to pray saying Our Father, and that relationship is opened only through Him. If either of these loved ones has not yet come to Him, the first and most important prayer is God be merciful to me a sinner, trusting Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Once we are His children, we can come with confidence.
The Bible tells us the fervent, heartfelt prayer of a righteous person avails much. It is not length or eloquence that makes prayer valid, but a heart that continues and watches with thanksgiving. So continue to bring them before the Lord. The prayer of faith can end with praise, confident that God hears and will answer according to His perfect will. May He do for each of them what is best, keep them from evil, and guide every thought into His peace.
