Welcome to Week 21 of A 2020 Prayer Life!
What follows is a series of daily meditations and exercises to help us develop our individual prayer lives. This represents a one-day-at-a-time process. Don't short-circuit the process by reading ahead. Simply read and do each day what is offered for that day.
What follows is a series of daily meditations and exercises to help us develop our individual prayer lives. This represents a one-day-at-a-time process. Don't short-circuit the process by reading ahead. Simply read and do each day what is offered for that day.
May 20
The Psalmist prays, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NASB)
In addition to the Psalmist, Isaiah frequently refers to the Lord as "Redeemer," and it is also a title that the Lord applies to Himself. This week, we want to begin to think about what it means for the Lord to be "Redeemer," to make that title a part of our prayer lives, and thus to deepen and broaden our relationship with Him.
In your prayer time just now, make that your title for God. Call Him "Redeemer." And as you do, talk with Him about these questions.
(1) What does "Redeemer" reveal about You?
(2) What does "Redeemer" reveal about my relationship with You?
(3) How could my calling you "Redeemer" impact and influence my relationship with You?
In addition to the Psalmist, Isaiah frequently refers to the Lord as "Redeemer," and it is also a title that the Lord applies to Himself. This week, we want to begin to think about what it means for the Lord to be "Redeemer," to make that title a part of our prayer lives, and thus to deepen and broaden our relationship with Him.
In your prayer time just now, make that your title for God. Call Him "Redeemer." And as you do, talk with Him about these questions.
(1) What does "Redeemer" reveal about You?
(2) What does "Redeemer" reveal about my relationship with You?
(3) How could my calling you "Redeemer" impact and influence my relationship with You?
May 21
Merriam-Webster defines "Redeemer" as "one who redeems." And Merriam-Webster begins its definition of "redeem" with "to buy back; repurchase; to get or win back."
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
Ponder what His role as Redeemer reveals about His heart and character. Praise Him for that.
Recall with Him how He acted as Redeemer in Scripture. Recall with Him how He has been Redeemer in your life. Thank Him for that.
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
Ponder what His role as Redeemer reveals about His heart and character. Praise Him for that.
Recall with Him how He acted as Redeemer in Scripture. Recall with Him how He has been Redeemer in your life. Thank Him for that.
May 22
The Merriam-Webster definition of "redeem" continues: "to free from what distresses or harms: such as (a) to free from captivity by payment of ransom; (b) to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental; (c) to release from blame or debt; (d) to free from the consequence of sin."
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What more does this definition reveal about His heart and character? Praise Him accordingly!
When in Scripture do you recall the Lord functioning as Redeemer in the ways defined above?
When in your own life and experience has He functioned as a Redeemer in the ways described above? Thank Him accordingly!
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What more does this definition reveal about His heart and character? Praise Him accordingly!
When in Scripture do you recall the Lord functioning as Redeemer in the ways defined above?
When in your own life and experience has He functioned as a Redeemer in the ways described above? Thank Him accordingly!
May 23
The Merriam-Webster definition of "redeem" continues: "to change for the better; reform; repair; restore."
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What more does this definition reveal about His heart and character? Praise Him for what you discover about Him.
When in Scripture do you recall the Lord functioning as Redeemer in the ways defined above?
When in your own experience has He functioned as a Redeemer in the ways described above? Thank Him for what He has done in your life!
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What more does this definition reveal about His heart and character? Praise Him for what you discover about Him.
When in Scripture do you recall the Lord functioning as Redeemer in the ways defined above?
When in your own experience has He functioned as a Redeemer in the ways described above? Thank Him for what He has done in your life!
May 24
The Merriam-Webster definition of "redeem" continues: "To free from a lien by payment of an amount secured; thereby (a) to remove the obligation of by payment, (b) to exchange for something of value. To make good; fulfill."
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What do you know about Him because He does these things? Praise Him for who He is.
How does this definition of what it is to redeem (or to be redeemed) figure into your own personal testimony? Thank your Redeemer for His redemption.
Talk with the Lord about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What do you know about Him because He does these things? Praise Him for who He is.
How does this definition of what it is to redeem (or to be redeemed) figure into your own personal testimony? Thank your Redeemer for His redemption.
May 25
The Merriam-Webster definition of "redeem" concludes: "to atone for; expiate; to offset the bad effect of; to make worthwhile; to retrieve."
Talk with the Lord again about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What does the definition reveal to you about Him? Praise Him for His attributes as Redeemer.
How does this definition of "redeem" apply to your own experience with God? Thank Him for that experience.
Talk with the Lord again about His role and identity as Redeemer in light of that definition.
What does the definition reveal to you about Him? Praise Him for His attributes as Redeemer.
How does this definition of "redeem" apply to your own experience with God? Thank Him for that experience.
May 26
As we conclude Week 21, we want to use a verse from a lively Fanny Crosby hymn as the meditation for our prayer time:
"I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song."
We have contemplated at length this week what it means for the Lord to be our Redeemer. Combine your reflections from earlier this week with Crosby's attitude of praise, and talk to the Lord about the connection.
Lord, what has been the effect of my thinking of You as my Redeemer?
What would be the impact of my thinking of You in those terms "all the day long"?
Teach me how to make Your love "the theme of my song."
"I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song."
We have contemplated at length this week what it means for the Lord to be our Redeemer. Combine your reflections from earlier this week with Crosby's attitude of praise, and talk to the Lord about the connection.
Lord, what has been the effect of my thinking of You as my Redeemer?
What would be the impact of my thinking of You in those terms "all the day long"?
Teach me how to make Your love "the theme of my song."