TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1-22
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. - Psalm 145:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
In many churches, the Doxology is sung following the offering. The worshipful words, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” is a fitting response to the One who makes our own giving possible.

David also felt the urge to praise the Lord following the outpouring of gifts received for the construction of the Temple. In addition to David’s own vast resources (v. 3), the leaders of the people also gave generously (v. 6). David would not be allowed to build the Temple, but he wanted to make sure that his son, Solomon, who would build the Temple, would have all the necessary resources.

In a spontaneous response to this outpouring of gifts, David offered up today’s remarkable “doxology.” As you read the opening lines (vv. 10-13), you may be reminded of several hymns and choruses, whose glorious themes are also echoed in “songs” that David himself wrote (e.g., Psalm 145). Notice how this prayer begins by praising the Lord simply for who He is. Then David praised the Lord for His deeds and His name.

As with the prayer David uttered following the Lord’s revelation of the Davidic dynasty (see yesterday’s study), consideration of God’s greatness led David to acknowledge his own insignificance and that of his people. Compared to God’s holiness and vastness, humans seem like “aliens and strangers.” This same sentiment is echoed in Psalm 8. In addition to God’s material blessings, David clearly understood that life itself was a gift from God (v. 15).

Despite the fact that David praised God for the construction of the Temple, he knew that the purity of heart and loyalty were even more important to Him. He prayed for continued devotion to the Lord for the people and for his son, Solomon. Blueprints and adequate funding for the “temple” will always remain secondary to the spiritual condition of the heart.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If theology is simply the study of God, then consider today’s passage a mini-course in theology!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 32
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky portrays the torment that comes with unconfessed sin. After murdering an old woman, young Rodion Raskolnikov is haunted by his guilt. Refusing to confess, he becomes withdrawn and suspicious of all, and his once promising life is ruined. Eventually he “confesses” and is sent to Siberia, but even then, he has not truly repented in his own heart. It is only when he finally acknowledges his sin that he finds freedom, even while in physical exile.

Like Raskolnikov, David found forgiveness and restoration only when he confessed his sin. Psalms 32 and 51 record the heartfelt grief, sorrow, and repentance that David felt following his sins of adultery and murder. The opening lines of today’s psalm (vv. 1–2) reflect the wisdom of one who has learned the deep lessons of life. Three different terms for wrongdoing are used: transgression describes open rebellion against God; sin has the idea of an arrow missing its target; and the word sin in verse 2 (sometimes translated “iniquity”) refers to distortion or corruption. All three terms stress the extent of human sin and need for forgiveness.

Although confession is difficult, not confessing is even more painful. Psychologists and counselors attest that individuals who refuse to confess terrible wrongs often suffer psychologically. David described this refusal to confess as similar to one suffering from an illness (vv. 3-4). David also described it this way: “Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin” (Ps. 38:3).

Finally David could live his lie no longer--he poured his sin out before the Lord in repentance (v. 5). Repentance must precede forgiveness, but the moment we confess, God is already present to forgive. A very important follow-up to repentance and forgiveness is sharing publicly what the Lord has done, which cements the experience in our hearts and sets an example for the rest of the church body.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Like David, we all need to experience forgiveness and to reflect God’s mercy and restoration to others.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 3:1-15
Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. - 1 Kings 3:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Our petitionary prayers reveal what kind of persons we are,” writes pastor David Jenkins. If you could have anything possible, what would you ask for? Faced with a “blank check” from God, many might be tempted to think along the lines of a genie in a bottle. In many respects, Solomon received just such a divine blank check. What Solomon requested gives us a great insight into this man.

The prayer recorded in today’s passage was uttered early in Solomon’s reign. You may recall from our study on April 9 that David prayed for Solomon’s devotion to the Lord, and it seems that this prayer was much needed for Solomon. Although marrying a Pharaoh’s daughter was shrewd for foreign policy, the introduction of foreign gods would prove destructive to Solomon later in his life. Verses 2 and 3 also show the long-standing problem the Israelites had of worshiping at the Canaanite high places.

Because Solomon loved the Lord, he walked “according to the statutes of his father David,” which included offering sacrifices to the Lord (vv. 3–4). Apparently, the practice of spending an entire night in a sanctuary in prayer and meditation, as Solomon did here in Gibeon, was fairly common in ancient Israel and surrounding nations. The hope was to receive some special message from God. The context of a dream, however, was somewhat unusual, and the open-ended invitation granted to Solomon was extraordinary!

Solomon responded to this divine invitation by acknowledging God’s kindness and faithfulness to David. Although he inherited tremendous wealth, power, and territory from David, Solomon understood that the responsibility of ruling God’s people would require more than these–it would require great wisdom. Wisdom here is not just academic learning or intelligence; it’s more what we might call “shrewdness,” or the ability to discern the correct response.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If petitionary prayer reveals who we are, then it might be good to evaluate the kinds of things for which we pray.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 8:22-61
Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. - 2 Chronicles 6:40
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1163, a monumental building project was begun in Paris. Twenty years later, the main altar of the Notre Dame Cathedral was completed, but it would be another 163 years before the construction would be completely finished. We can only imagine the celebration and ceremonies that accompanied the completion of this architectural masterpiece.

Only seven years after it was begun, the glorious Solomonic temple was completed. Details of its construction and of its rich furnishings are given in 1 Kings 6–7. The most significant item in the temple was the ark of the covenant. Once the ark was in place, the glory of the Lord filled the Holy of Holies (1 Kings 8:10). On this momentous occasion, all of Israel was present (v. 14).

Solomon began the temple dedication with the declaration that there is only one true God (v. 23). One of the essential characteristics of God is His faithfulness--He keeps His promises to His servants. Solomon focused here on the Lord’s covenant promise to David, but the theme of God’s faithful love covers the whole Bible-from Genesis to Revelation!

Even though Solomon was dedicating a building, he knew that the true glory of the temple was the Lord’s presence, which could never be contained by a building. So Solomon prayed that the Lord would be attentive to the prayers that would be offered up in the temple. Notice that he specifically prayed that God’s justice would be manifest in the temple (vv. 31–32). Then he prayed that the temple would be a place where the people experienced forgiveness and repentance. In fact, the majority of Solomon’s prayer focused on the people’s need for forgiveness, anticipating even a future time of exile for sin (vv. 46–47).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Even though you may not be facing a church building dedication, you may be about to embark upon a new Bible study or ministry project. Consider using Solomon’s prayer as the basis that would fully lay this new undertaking before the Lord. How might you incorporate the main elements of Solomon’s prayer--the faithful nature of the Lord and the earnest plea for God’s justice, forgiveness, and presence--into a similar prayer of your own? Consider also concluding with a blessing for those who will be involved with this project.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 18:16-46
You shall have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
The western film genre conjures up images of stagecoach robberies. Frequently, the drama leads to a suspenseful moment when Main Street is cleared except for one sheriff and one outlaw . . . and two pistols. We hold our breath to see who will be the fastest draw in the West!

But even that gripping scene can’t match the drama recorded in today’s passage. The main function of a prophet was to proclaim God’s Word and to call people back to God. Elijah did this by showing God’s sovereignty over the false god Baal.

Many Israelites were tempted to dabble in worship of this Canaanite deity, who supposedly sent rain. For an agricultural people, this was especially significant. The Israelite king, Ahab, certainly did not discourage this practice: his wife, Jezebel, was a priestess of Baal! Because of this idolatry, Elijah prophesied that God would cause drought to come upon the area (1 Kings 17:1).

In His mercy, God was about to send rain on the land but not without showing that only He sends rain--the false god Baal was worse than useless. To set the stage for this showdown, Elijah asked all of Israel to assemble on Mount Carmel. Then he asked that four hundred prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Baal’s “escort,” Asherah, join the assembly. Elijah challenged the people to choose between God and Baal (vv. 20–21). The crowd fell silent.

If the spiritual consequences weren’t so tragic, this scene of dueling altars was almost comic. For hours, the prophets of Baal hopped around, hollered loudly, and hurt themselves with swords and spears, but “no one paid attention” (v. 29). Then Elijah arranged twelve stones (for the twelve tribes of Israel) and prepared the sacrifice. Then he ordered that the offering be covered with water . . . three times!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s not exactly clear why Elijah prayed seven times for rain. Perhaps it was to show the perfection of God’s ways or to stress the importance of persistence in prayer.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-9
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. - Psalm 23:2–3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Located in Sequoia National Park in California, Mt. Whitney is 14,494 feet high--the highest point in the continental United States outside Alaska. About one hundred miles away, also in California, lies Death Valley whose Badwater pool, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest point in the United States. No other place in the world contains such a dramatic contrast!

This remarkable geography seems to illustrate the tremendous heights of victory and depths of despair experienced by Elijah . . . and only a few days apart! Yesterday’s passage recorded Elijah’s remarkable faith and God’s complete victory over the false god Baal. Today’s passage finds Elijah despairing of his life, cowering under a tree in the desert. What happened?

Perhaps Elijah thought that the dramatic victory on Mount Carmel would institute a new era of reform in Israel. Instead, the wicked queen Jezebel sought his life as payback for the slaughtered priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:40). Ahab’s response shows the tremendous influence Jezebel had over her husband. As an Israelite, Ahab should have also repented with the people (1 Kings 18:39). Instead, he simply stepped out of the way while his wife plotted revenge. It’s possible that Jezebel just intended to threaten Elijah, but history shows that this cruel woman would resort to murder to get her way (see 1 Kings 21).

Unfortunately, Elijah took the bait and fled the country (vv. 3-4). Beersheba is located in southern Judah, an incredible distance from Mount Carmel. Leaving his servant behind, Elijah retreated to the desert and wanted to die. He could hope for nothing better than to be at rest, like his ancestors, in death.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you ever felt so discouraged that you wanted to join Elijah and crawl under a tree to die?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. - 2 Chronicles 20:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Mary, Queen of Scotland, once said, “I fear John Knox’s prayers more than an army of ten thousand men.” The enemies of King Jehoshaphat of Judah could have said the same thing.

The news that Jehoshaphat received was horrible indeed. A quick look at a Bible map shows that the king was surrounded; defeat seemed inevitable. No wonder he was alarmed! But he didn’t allow fear to paralyze him. Even before Jehoshaphat mobilized his troops, he “mobilized” the people for prayer. What an amazing sight! “The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him” (v. 4). No general could have done better!

Then Jehoshaphat prayed. First, the king recognized that all power belongs to the Lord, not to enemy troops. Next, he recalled the promise given to Abraham concerning the land. Before any petition was made, the king focused upon the nature of God and His faithfulness to His promises!

Then the king went further--he recalled the prayers of those who preceded him. If you think that verse 9 sounds familiar, you’re right. Look back at Solomon’s temple dedication prayer (April 12), and you’ll notice he prayed that, when disaster struck, the people would cry out to the Lord and that He would hear them. We don’t know if Jehoshaphat had Solo-mon’s prayer before him, but he understood it in his heart.

Jehoshaphat then brought his specific request before the Lord. He appealed to God’s justice by recalling that the Israelites had obeyed God and not taken the land of the Moabites. Likewise, the Moabites should have respected Israel’s territory, but instead, they were planning to attack. Finally, the king and the people stood quietly before the Lord, waiting for His response.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In addition to describing an actual event, this passage also pictures the spiritual battles we face. Like Jehoshaphat, we are sometimes alarmed at challenges facing us. But like this amazing king, we also need first to turn to the Lord and pray.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 42:1-17
Now we see but a poor reflection . . . then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully. - 1 Corinthians 13:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl describes a life-changing experience he had soon after his liberation from a Nazi concentration camp. “One day . . . I walked through the country past flowering meadows . . . There was no one to be seen for miles around; there was nothing but the wide earth and sky and the lark’s jubilation and the freedom of space. I stopped, looked around, and up to the sky-and then I went down on my knees. . . . I had but one sentence in my mind-always the same: 'I called to the Lord from my narrow prison and He answered me in the freedom of space.’ ”

Job could have also offered such a prayer. The basic outline of the book of Job is fairly simple. Although blameless and upright (1:1), in a single day, Job lost his precious children and all his wealth. Then he lost his health. Through it all, he never cursed God, although he cursed his own life (3:1) and wrestled deeply with the Lord.

Many of Job’s prayers are laments and pleas for God to reveal Himself. Consider this passage: “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him. . . . I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say” (Job 23:3–5). Who hasn’t felt this way at certain moments in life?

In response to Job’s plea for God to answer him (31:35), the Lord did answer! But His answer was not as Job had expected. Using a tremendous storm and a series of probing questions, the Lord powerfully, yet graciously, revealed more of Himself to Job.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Biblical answers become our answers once biblical questions have become our questions,” wrote Eugene LaVerdiere.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jeremiah 32:1-44
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. - Lamentations 3:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Charles Spurgeon once wrote the following: “Any man can sing in the daylight. When wealth rolls in abundance around him, any man can praise the God who gives a plentiful harvest . . . It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the one who is skillful sings from his heart. No man can make a song in the night of his soul. He may attempt it, but he will find that a song in the night must be divinely inspired.”

Jeremiah certainly learned that any “song” or glimmer of hope, in the midst of Judah’s terrible night could be only from the Lord. He personally witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of God’s people. In spite of his numerous prophetic warnings, the people would not repent and return to the Lord.

The Lord’s command to buy a field in the midst of such chaos probably seemed strange even to Jeremiah. With Nebu-chadnezzar’s army knocking at the city’s gates, most people would have fled. Yet Jeremiah did as he was commanded and made sure that the deed of purchase for the field was carefully recorded and preserved (vv. 11–12). As he did so, it became clear that the Lord was promising a future time of restoration when normal business transactions would return to the fallen city (v. 15).

This realization prompted Jeremiah to pray. As we have seen several times before, Jeremiah began by praising God for His power, faithfulness, and justice. Jeremiah grounded his confidence in the knowledge that “nothing is too hard” for the Lord. Jeremiah also understood that the present crisis was the result of national sin (v. 23). Although Jeremiah didn’t state it directly, he placed the command to buy the field in the context of the Lord’s compassion to the generations (v. 18). The transaction was a sign of the Lord’s future faithfulness.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Even the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the temple couldn’t shake Jeremiah’s faith in the Lord. He knew that restoration would eventually come.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 2:1-28; 46-49
Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings! - Daniel 2:47
TODAY IN THE WORD
When youth pastor Craig Joseph was preaching the gospel to a group of four hundred and fifty kids, he didn’t do it alone. Although he was the only one speaking, about twenty brothers and sisters in Christ were praying for him in the church loft. The task may have seemed impossible, but intercessory prayer made all the difference. Throughout history, this has always been the case, as today’s reading shows us.

In 604 B.C., Daniel was part of the first deportation to Babylon. His great potential was recognized, and he was trained in Nebuchadnezzar’s courts along with other promising Hebrew youths. In addition to intelligence and character, God gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. But early on in life, Daniel recognized that even God-given abilities were no substitute for prayer. Faced with the humanly impossible task of not only interpreting but also discerning the king’s dream, Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men were useless. Perhaps overlooked because of their youth, Daniel and his friends were also sentenced to death with the wise men who had failed.

But Daniel knew that a person fully given to prayer could do what “no man on earth” could (v. 10). Confident of the Lord, Daniel approached the king and was granted a reprieve.

The first thing that Daniel did was enlist the prayer support of his close friends. The Lord then revealed the “mystery” to Daniel. Immediately, even before he saw the king and “saved his life,” Daniel praised the God of heaven, who had made such understanding possible. Perhaps God enabled him to dream the same dream or perhaps he simply revealed its content and significance to Daniel. No matter, God did it, and Daniel praised Him for His nature and His faithfulness! Daniel knew that his God was above even a powerful king like Nebuchadnezzar (v. 21).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
How do we respond to what seems abso-lutely impossible? Many of us often panic. But consider Daniel’s response. First, he involved others in praying for him. Then, he praised God in advance for His faithfulness.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 9:1-19
For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name. - Daniel 9:19
TODAY IN THE WORD
Eighteen-year-old Hudson Taylor stumbled upon a gospel tract in his father’s library. He was convicted, fell to his knees, and accepted Christ as his Savior. Days later, his mother, who had been away, returned home. When Hudson told her what had happened, she said, “I already know. Ten days ago, the very date on which you tell me you read that tract, I spent the entire afternoon in prayer for you until the Lord assured me that my wayward son had been brought into the fold.”

What confidence we can have to know that God answers prayer even when we don’t see an immediate response! From Jeremiah 25:1–11, Daniel gained insight into the timing and significance of the exile. Such understanding prompted Daniel’s earnest prayers (v. 4). Notice the diligence with which Daniel prayed; fasting and sackcloth were signs of humility.

As with previous prayers we have considered, Daniel began by praising God’s faithfulness but then moved quickly to confession of the people’s sins. One of the most touching aspects of Daniel’s prayer is his identification with his fellow exiles, even though it is unlikely that he himself sinned by rebel-ling and turning from God’s laws (v. 5). Daniel understood that all that had happened to him and to his people was in fulfillment of the law of Moses (see Deut. 28–29).

Daniel prayed with concern for God’s glory and name. First, he prayed that the people would no longer be an object of scorn (v. 16), which dishonored God’s name. Daniel also prayed that the city bearing God’s name might be restored to honor and glory (v. 18). Daniel’s appeal was firmly rooted in God’s mercy. Acknowledging the name and mercy of the Lord, Daniel beseeched Him to act!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It’s no coincidence that God’s Word was tied to Daniel’s prayer. Seeing his circumstances in light of Jeremiah’s prophecies enabled Daniel to pray according to the Lord’s will.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Jonah 2:1-10
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. - Psalm 139:8
TODAY IN THE WORD
As a sixteen-year-old, he was kidnapped and taken to another country under a pagan religion. The boy was forced to work as a slave. Against such odds, the youth’s faith in the Lord deepened. Eventually, this young captive was freed, but six years later, he chose to return as a missionary to the land of his captivity. The boy was Patrick, born in Britain, and the land he ministered in was Ireland.

More than a thousand years earlier, another servant of God received a call to minister to a group of people whom he despised. God asked Jonah to go to the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, and preach repentance there. Unlike Patrick, however, Jonah initially fled the task. The Assyrians’ cruelty and brutality explain part of Jonah’s reluctance, but prejudice also played a large part.

Jonah thought he could run away from God, so he boarded a ship headed to Tarshish (probably located in Spain )--just about as far away as he could go. A huge storm started-everyone on the ship was afraid! Casting lots was a frequent means of determining the cause of a calamity, and it must have been no surprise to Jonah that he was to blame. Reluctantly, the sailors decided to throw him overboard. But God had prepared a great fish to protect Jonah.

Today’s passage certainly shows that prayer can be offered from any location! Today’s prayer also shows how we sometimes must reach utter desperation before we are willing to pray. Even more terrifying than the events of chapter 1 was the thought of being “banished” from God’s sight (v. 4). So Jonah “remembered,” or set his focus back on the Lord (v. 7). Recognizing the futility of resistance, Jonah rededicated himself to God’s purposes. Immediately, Jonah was returned to dry ground.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Only when Jonah tried to run away as far as he could from God that he realized there was nothing he wanted more than to be with God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 9:18-34
The Spirit of the Lord is on me . . . He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. - Luke 4:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Andy Gold should not have normal vision. When he was six years old, the cornea of his left eye was pierced in a freak accident. Under normal circumstances, fluid would have escaped from the hole and left him blind. Because surgery was not possible, the doctors bandaged Andy’s eyes, intending to keep him immobilized for the next few days. They held out very little hope for his parents. But Andy’s mom, May, began a nine-hour prayer vigil with him throughout that long first night. The next morning, the doctors discovered something that went beyond a medical rarity--Andy’s eye had all but healed, and his vision was nearly restored! Even the doctors agreed that the only explanation was prayer.

The gospels contain many accounts of physical healing. Today’s passage presents four individuals who were physically healed by Jesus. Some of the prayers recorded are quite short; others are offered on behalf of another individual; some are not even spoken out loud. But in all cases, Jesus showed His great compassion and complete authority.

In the first account, a young girl had already died when Jesus was summoned to go to her. The parallel account in Mark (5:22–43) tells us that this girl’s father was Jairus, a synagogue leader. Jairus was among those who recognized Jesus’ power and wasn’t ashamed to come to Him. Placed in the middle of this story is the account of the woman who had suffered bleeding for twelve years. Her reluctance to pray out loud may have been due to shame over her condition. No matter . . . Jesus heard her heart anyway and healed her.

Immediately following these accounts, two blind men approached Jesus, crying out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus’ question regarding their faith (v. 28) was intended to keep their focus on the Healer and not the healing. Finally, some others brought a demon-possessed man to Jesus, whom He also healed.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
At times we may be reluctant to pray for healing because we are fearful that we might not be healed or perhaps because it might somehow seem selfish. Today’s passage shows that we should never be hesitant to come before the Lord with our need. He might choose to display His glory through our healing. But sometimes His purposes might better be served in some other way or at some other time. Either way, we grow closer to God when we come to Him with faith, bringing all our needs and desires, trusting Him to answer our prayers in His own timing, according to His will.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 18:9-17
You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. - Psalm 10:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
One of the most beautiful choruses of early church liturgy is called the Kyrie. The Greek words of this simple prayer are as follows: “Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison,” which translated are, “Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.” Tradition tells us that the beautiful Kyrie is based upon today’s parable.

Luke leaves no doubt whom Jesus targeted in today’s parable: those “who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else” (v. 9). These are individuals who are sure that they are entitled to stand before the Lord, but they’re not so sure about anybody else. In other words, these people exhibit no vulnerability, express no needs, and, in reality, perceive no real reason to come before the Lord. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees epitomized this arrogant attitude. Notice how such an individual prays: he begins by thanking God for who he isn’t and praising himself (before the Lord) for what he does. What is conspicuously lacking from this prayer is any gratitude for what the Lord has done!

The prayer offered by the tax collector could not have been more different. In his deep humility, this repentant sinner does not even dare to look up to heaven directly. Painfully aware of his sin and need for healing, this tax collector simply cries out for God’s mercy.

Jesus picked these contrasting pictures to drive home His point. The only “status” that counts for prayer is humility. In his book, Prayer, O. Hallesby writes, “Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only those who are helpless can truly pray.” In Jesus’ day, and in our own, many lost sight of this simple fact.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Humility has always been an essential part of prayer. Consider the heartfelt humility expressed in some of the prayers we have studied this month, such as Abraham’s acknowledgment that he was “but dust and ashes” (Gen. 18:27) or David’s cry, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord?” (2 Sam. 7:18). Today, look over some of these prayers again, concentrating on both the humility and the confidence expressed before the Lord. Then seek the Lord as to how you might incorporate these qualities in your own prayer life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 17:1-26
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message. - John 17:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
While very ill, John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, asked his wife to read John 17 to him. Then he began to pray, interceding for others. He prayed for the ungodly and for the recently converted. He also requested protection for the Lord’s servants, many of whom faced persecution. As Knox prayed, his spirit went to be with the Lord.

It’s no wonder that Knox was so comforted by the High Priestly prayer of Jesus, which represents His final exhortation to His disciples. The beautiful prayer teaches us a lot about Jesus’ concerns giving us a focus for our own prayers.

Spontaneous prayer with God was not the custom in Jesus’ day. Both here and with the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6 and Luke 11), Jesus no doubt shocked His disciples by modeling such intimate prayer with His Father. Jesus began this prayer by acknowledging that the Father’s perfect timing had come. This “time” referred to the culmination of the divinely appointed purpose for which He had been sent to earth--to make the Father known (cf. John 1:18). The Father was glorified by the Son’s obedience, especially His obedience on the cross. The Son would be glorified through the resurrection and ascension. His ultimate glorification and vindication awaits His final, victorious return to earth. Jesus then prayed for His followers. Acknowledging the Father’s election (cf. Eph. 1:4–5), Jesus praised God for their faith and growth (vv. 7–8). Then He prayed for their protection and their unity. Only Judas who “was doomed to destruction” was lost. Knowing the inevitability of persecution, Jesus prayed that God’s Word would sanctify them and keep them holy.

Finally, Jesus prayed for future believers. Again, Jesus prayed for unity, that these believers might experience the fellowship that Jesus and the Father enjoy and that the world might also believe in Him because of Christian unity.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus wanted His disciples to hear this extraordinary prayer (v. 13). Given all that they would face, it was important that they knew that He was praying for them--and still is.