Prayer: Father, You are my “strength and my shield, My heart trusts in You.” “My heart leaps for joy” at the anticipation of what You are doing in 2022. With my mouth, my voice, I praise You. I lift my hands in praise toward You. Praise You for Your marvelous works. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 28 key: vs. 5
5 Since they show no regard for the deeds of Adonai
nor the work of His hands,
He will tear them down
and never build them up.
Attention: Yesterday’s journal focused on a statement which David declared about his personal relationship with Adonai, “One thing I have asked of Adonai.” The whole concept of “asking” is not only an action of David but is underscored by Matthew in Chapter 7. God wants us to “ask” Him for all our needs and for everything which is in alignment with His will.
Notice that in Chapter 28 (today’s focus), that David is praying against the evil acts of his neighbors. I want to share with you today a practical application of praying against evil in your neighborhood. I have for the past two years added a lot of walking to my lifestyle, both for the health benefits and to know my neighborhood. I look at my walks as extended time to listen and talk with God. In alignment with Him, I pray against evil institutions which I pass along my walk-through downtown Everett. There are several which like David, I ask Adonai to “tear them down and never build them up.”
I am not going to provide you an extended list of my prayerful “asks” for destruction, but there has been progress of late in the rescinding of laws which date back decades. These laws brought legalization to a process which displeases God. Recent Supreme Court changes are in response to the prayers of God’s people.
I encourage you to add prayer during your daily walking, driving and any time you are crossing the path of something which is evil and has no regard for Adonai. There are institutions which I have been blind, ignorant, and silent to their workings, but no more. We have power to the throne of heaven which we need to use in changing and transforming our world, cities, and neighborhoods.
Action: I will launch a lifestyle of praying against evil as I travel, drive, and walk through my neighborhood.
Yield: When I take a proactive approach to praying against evil, my life, neighborhood, and world will be transformed.
Engage: I will activate prayer as a weapon against evil.
Relationship: I am co-partnering with God when I pray against evil.
Prayer: Father, the more I align my heart and mind with You, I am conformed to Your image. I pray for a heart and mind which abhors evil, and I speak out against it in all forms. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 28:2
2 Hear the sound of my pleas,
when I cry to You for help,
when I lift up my hands toward Your holy Sanctuary.
Music Video: Whom Shall I Fear [The God of Angel Armies] By Chris Tomlin with Lyrics
Remember, “Abide in Jesus, today!”