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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Two Prayers We Should Pray


from Nehemiah 1: 5-7

Then I said:Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

from Revelation 15:3-4

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Read again these two selected sections of Scripture, making sure you are recognizing how awesome God is.  Yes, there are some things to be noted which will bring a contrast.  Looking at them from the standpoint of prayer, Nehemiah is obviously praying a prayer of confession.  He seeks God in a way of admitting to things God already knows.  He readily acknowledges God as great and awesome, while expressing his sin through terms like wickedness and disobedience.

The Revelation verses simply praise the actions and justice of God, knowing these things bring glory to the Lord.  He alone is holy.  God's righteousness is always revealed, bringing worship from all nations.

There are times when we need to pray a prayer of confession.  We, too, have sinned against God and acted in ways which can be described only as disobedience.  If that type of prayer is needed for your life, then seek God's direction and his love as you confess your wrongdoing.

The power of the Revelation prayer is seen from beginning to end.  While we may be confident in our salvation, we still have the need to pray prayers which reflect God's greatness.   Praise him for his holiness.  Give glory to him through the life you lead.

As a little girl said her bedtime prayer, "God, I'm not going to bug you by asking you for "things."  You have given me so much already.  I just want you to know this prayer is to say "thanks" for all you do, and for all you are."  Amen!

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