Welcome to Week 28 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.
July 8
"O Clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:1-2 NASB)
The Psalmist declares that the Lord is a great King. And this verse is just one sample of a larger theme that pervades the Scriptures nearly from cover to cover. This week, we want to begin to explore the theme of God as King.
In your prayer time just now, make that your title for God. Call Him "King." Make that part of how you address Him during your prayer time this week. And as you do, talk with Him about these questions.
(1) What does "King" reveal about You?
(2) What does "King" reveal about my relationship with You?
(3) How could my calling you "King" impact and influence my relationship with You?
The Psalmist declares that the Lord is a great King. And this verse is just one sample of a larger theme that pervades the Scriptures nearly from cover to cover. This week, we want to begin to explore the theme of God as King.
In your prayer time just now, make that your title for God. Call Him "King." Make that part of how you address Him during your prayer time this week. And as you do, talk with Him about these questions.
(1) What does "King" reveal about You?
(2) What does "King" reveal about my relationship with You?
(3) How could my calling you "King" impact and influence my relationship with You?
July 9
"O Clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:1-2 NASB)
The Psalmist does not simply say that the Lord is "a great King," but specifically adds that He is King "over all the earth."
In your prayer time, meditate on the meaning and the implications of that statement.
What does it reveal about You that You are King over all the earth?
What does it mean for the earth?
What does it mean for me?
The Psalmist does not simply say that the Lord is "a great King," but specifically adds that He is King "over all the earth."
In your prayer time, meditate on the meaning and the implications of that statement.
What does it reveal about You that You are King over all the earth?
What does it mean for the earth?
What does it mean for me?
July 10
"O Clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:1-2 NASB)
The Psalmist's identification of the Lord as "a great King over all the earth" comes on the heels of his affirmation that the Lord is to be feared.
In your prayer time, meditate on the meaning of "to be feared" and its connection to "a great King over all the earth."
What does it mean that You are "to be feared"?
Do I fear You as I should?
Why did "to be feared" go together in the Psalmist's mind with "a great King over all the earth"?
What implications does this verse have for my prayer life?
What implications does this verse have for how I live my life?
Let your reflections from praying through these questions lead to confession, thanksgiving, and praise.
The Psalmist's identification of the Lord as "a great King over all the earth" comes on the heels of his affirmation that the Lord is to be feared.
In your prayer time, meditate on the meaning of "to be feared" and its connection to "a great King over all the earth."
What does it mean that You are "to be feared"?
Do I fear You as I should?
Why did "to be feared" go together in the Psalmist's mind with "a great King over all the earth"?
What implications does this verse have for my prayer life?
What implications does this verse have for how I live my life?
Let your reflections from praying through these questions lead to confession, thanksgiving, and praise.
July 11
"O Clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth." (Psalm 47:1-2 NASB)
The Psalmist portrays side-by-side two responses that we do not commonly associate with one another. On the one hand, the verse begins with a tone of celebration and rejoicing before God. In the next breath, however, the Psalmist says that the Lord "is to be feared."
Talk to the Lord about how these two responses come together in His presence. Tell Him about your experience of each. Ask Him about their relationship to each other. And ask Him how they are both connected to the truth that He is "a great King over all the earth."
The Psalmist portrays side-by-side two responses that we do not commonly associate with one another. On the one hand, the verse begins with a tone of celebration and rejoicing before God. In the next breath, however, the Psalmist says that the Lord "is to be feared."
Talk to the Lord about how these two responses come together in His presence. Tell Him about your experience of each. Ask Him about their relationship to each other. And ask Him how they are both connected to the truth that He is "a great King over all the earth."
July 12
While God is the ultimate King, He is not the only king. History is filled with kings and stories of kings. Consequently, we have an idea of the differences between good kings and bad kings.
Take several minutes and make two thoughtful lists. On the one hand, make a list of the attributes of a bad king. On the other hand, make a list of the attributes of a good king.
In all likelihood, a flurry of ideas come quickly to mind. Good! But don't settle for the initial flurry. Make yourself spend the extra minute or two to gain still more insight.
Now with those lists before you in prayer, tell the Lord what you have learned about Him as King. Thank Him for the kind of King He is. Call Him "King" in prayer, and talk to Him more about what that means for your relationship with Him.
Take several minutes and make two thoughtful lists. On the one hand, make a list of the attributes of a bad king. On the other hand, make a list of the attributes of a good king.
In all likelihood, a flurry of ideas come quickly to mind. Good! But don't settle for the initial flurry. Make yourself spend the extra minute or two to gain still more insight.
Now with those lists before you in prayer, tell the Lord what you have learned about Him as King. Thank Him for the kind of King He is. Call Him "King" in prayer, and talk to Him more about what that means for your relationship with Him.
July 13
Like so many of the titles for God in Scripture, "King" is a relational term. If He is King, then you are some counterpart to that in relation to Him. We will think more about your counterpart relationship next week.
Meanwhile, any relationship comes with certain implicit or explicit expectations. But, as we have noted before, relational expectations depend heavily upon the quality of the other person involved. We reasonably have higher expectations of a good boss than we do of a bad one, of a good friend than we do of a poor one.
Yesterday, we meditated on the attributes of a good king.
With that before you, then, ponder this question: What can I reasonably expect from a good King in my relationship with Him? Jot down what comes to mind.
Now, in prayer, call Him "Good King," and talk to Him about what you have learned. Talk to Him about your understanding of your reasonable expectations. Thank and praise Him for these. And talk to Him about your experience in relation to Him as your King.
Meanwhile, any relationship comes with certain implicit or explicit expectations. But, as we have noted before, relational expectations depend heavily upon the quality of the other person involved. We reasonably have higher expectations of a good boss than we do of a bad one, of a good friend than we do of a poor one.
Yesterday, we meditated on the attributes of a good king.
With that before you, then, ponder this question: What can I reasonably expect from a good King in my relationship with Him? Jot down what comes to mind.
Now, in prayer, call Him "Good King," and talk to Him about what you have learned. Talk to Him about your understanding of your reasonable expectations. Thank and praise Him for these. And talk to Him about your experience in relation to Him as your King.
July 14
As we conclude Week 28, we want to meditate on some words from Henry F. Lyte:
"Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To the throne thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore God's praises sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King."
The verse is a reminder that, while praise is often filled with strong feelings, it is also thoughtful. Accordingly, in your prayer time -- praise time -- think about these truths:
"Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To the throne thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore God's praises sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King."
The verse is a reminder that, while praise is often filled with strong feelings, it is also thoughtful. Accordingly, in your prayer time -- praise time -- think about these truths:
- That You are the King of heaven.
- That You are the everlasting King.
- That I may come before Your throne.
- That I come before Your throne having received from You. The poet suggests "ransomed, healed, restored forgiven." Which of those applies to me? What have I received from You?
- What tribute do I bring before Your throne?