Teach Us How To Pray: Prayer & The Word for 11-13-14

Good Morning Everyone. Mercy Unto You, and Peace, and Love, Be Multiplied. Saints of GOD, I am going through the Wisdom of Solomon and it is truly blessing me. I was reading and in prayer last night, and I ended up in personal prayer with GOD, because HE lead me to true direction in HIM on how HE leads us and guides us, and how we have the assurance that we are being led directly by HIM and only HIM. It was so good you all. So after prayer, I fell asleep, and I just got up and realized that I forgot to post a prayer for 11-13-24, so I’m posting it now, my sincere apologies, but I’m going to share with you all, what GOD gave me, and my prayer is that this wisdom and knowledge will enhance your prayer life.

Here’s what I read, and when I read you all, I study as well, and GOD leads me to the things that HE wants me to know, and also cover in Prayer, so I pray that this helps you all too, and makes you all even better prayer warriors.

LEAD/GUIDE

The question of leading is important to most believers. Do we really have a basis for the conviction that God leads his people and that as individuals you and I can look for the Lord to direct us as we agonize over decisions or as we take daily steps? For those who doubt, the Bible has an exciting word.

OT 1. The concept of leading

2. Examples of leading and guidance

3. Inquiring of the Lord

NT 4. The role of the Holy Spirit

5. Conclusions

OT—1. The concept of leading. A number of Hebrew words express the idea of leading or guidance. The following are some of the most exciting. Although they can be treated as synonyms, each does have a special shade of meaning.

Nāḥâh means “to lead” in the sense of conducting along the right path. A beautiful picture of this is found in Ex 13:21: “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way.” This image of guidance stresses the presence of the Lord: God goes with believers to show the way.

Nāhag̱ conveys the idea of shepherding. God conducts us to his intended destination, going before us when we are responsive to his voice and “herding” us when we stray.

Nāhal means “to lead with care.” We sense the implications in Isa 40:11: “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”

Dāraḵ in the Hiphil stem is used of God’s leading his people in righteous paths. The psalmist prays: “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide [dāraḵ] me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long … He guides [dāraḵ] the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Ps 25:4–5, 9).

There are other words in the OT that express God’s leading or guidance, almost any of which may be translated “lead” or “guide” in the English versions. But it is clear from this brief survey that the concept of divine leading is firmly established in the OT.

2. Examples of leading and guidance. The OT is rich in examples of divine leading. Providential leading—that quiet, hidden supervision of events—is illustrated in Ge 24. Miraculous leading is seen in the cloudy and fiery pillars of Exodus. With the introduction of the written Word, Israel was given general moral and social guidance.

However, the nation and individuals faced many situations in which very specific guidance was called for. Decisions were forced on them, and in such cases general principles were not enough. At times, individuals looked for signs. When Jonathan thought about challenging a Philistine outpost alone, he said to his armorbearer, “Come then; we will cross over toward the men and let them see us. If they say to us, `Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say `Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the LORD has given them into our hands” (1 Sa 14:9–10).

Signs were not always necessary. When David was urged to kill Saul, who was momentarily in his power, David answered, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’S anointed” (1 Sa 24:6). God’s will was made clear in his Word, and so no special guidance was necessary.

For the times when help in making a specific decision was needed, God provided two sources of help: the Urim (specifically mentioned 7 times in the OT—Ex 28:30; Lev 8:8; Nu 27:21; Dt 33:8; 1 Sa 28:6; Ezr 2:63; Ne 7:65) and the prophet.

Urim and Thummim were most likely two stones that were placed in a pouch worn by the high priest (Ex 28:16, 30). When a series of questions was asked, God guided the people by showing a consistent pattern of “yes” or “no” responses. “Thus,” the OT says, “Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD” (v. 30; cf. Nu 27:21). David sought this kind of guidance from the Lord when he had a particularly difficult decision to make (1 Sa 30:6–8).

In Dt 18, God warned Israel that none of the practices used by the pagan peoples of Canaan to seek guidance were to be adopted by Israel (vv. 9–13). → Astrology → Divination Instead, God promised to provide his own answers for Israel through prophets. → Prophecy/Prophet God announced regarding each such future prophet: “I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him” (v. 18). Thus, two special avenues were provided by which God’s people could seek his guidance in specific situations.

3. Inquiring of the Lord. Asking the Lord for his guidance is an important aspect of leading. Two OT words express this concept. Dāraš means “to seek with care.” Often what is sought is knowledge or advice, in order to gain insight into a particular problem. Šāʾal is also often used in statements about going to God for guidance.

It is important to God that his people show reliance on him by requesting his specific guidance when difficult decisions must be made. God pronounces woe on those who rush to solve their own problems without looking to him: “ ‘Woe to the obstinate children’ declares the LORD, `to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me’ ” (Isa 30:1–2; cf. Jos 9:14).

The act of inquiring reveals two things about the concept of leading in the OT. First, it reveals the believer’s faith that God is, that God is aware, and that God is involved in the life of the individual and the nation. Looking to God and seeking his leading is an act of faith. Second, it shows us the willingness of God to show us his best way. Some, like Saul, who rejected and turned from God, might not be given guidance (1 Sa 28:6). But believers need have no doubt that when they approach God for guidance, he hears and is pleased.

NT—4. The role of the Holy Spirit. The NT too contains examples of guidance. In a few unusual cases, God provided guidance in dreams, as to Joseph and the Magi (Mt 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22; cf. Ac 16:9–10). There were also prophets in the early church. → Prophecy/Prophet There are, moreover, a number of places where guidance is said to have come from the Holy Spirit (Lk 4:1; Ac 13:2–3; 20:22; Ro 8:14).

5. Conclusions. The Bible does not provide a formula for believers to follow in seeking God’s guidance. Nor does it provide a list of ways in which God leads. It does, however, provide a clear perspective that helps us to approach this vital and practical issue. The Holy Spirit may use any number of means (including circumstances, Scripture, and the advice of friends) to guide our lives.

Richards, Lawrence O. 1999. In New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words: Based on the NIV and the NASB, 399–401. Zondervan’s Understand the Bible Reference Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

I also want to share the passage that I read from The Wisdom of Solomon that tells us how kings and judges should seek wisdom, and how important and vital it is for them to carry out their decision making righteously through divine wisdom and guidance from the HEAVENLY FATHER, and their consequences and judgement of what will befall them if they choose to follow their own way, and not adhere to the WISDOM OF THE LORD.

The Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-11

Kings Should Seek Wisdom

(Rom 13:1)

6 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;

learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.

Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,

and boast of many nations.

For your dominion was given you from the Lord,

and your sovereignty from the Most High;

he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.

Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly,

or keep the law,

or walk according to the purpose of God,

he will come upon you terribly and swiftly,

because severe judgment falls on those in high places.

For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy,

but the mighty will be mightily tested.

For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone,

or show deference to greatness;

because he himself made both small and great,

and he takes thought for all alike.

But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.

To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,

so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.

For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,

and those who have been taught them will find a defense.

Therefore set your desire on my words;

long for them, and you will be instructed.

I pray this has blessed you all, and that you all receive divine wisdom, knowledge ,and understanding, and continue to hunger and thirst after righteousness daily, and that you all allow the HEAVENLY FATHER to fill you. And Saints of GOD I also pray that you all continue to WATCH and PRAY and remain VIGILANT in the things of GOD in the MIGHTY AND MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS I pray, Amen and Amen.