We are the world.....
Today, we begin reading a short little three chapter book in the Old Testament, Habakkuk.
I haven't done a lot of reading in this particular book, so we shall learn together. :)
As I scanned the three chapters to see what we have coming up to read this week, I noticed some things I had underlined in this book.
What stood out was the title of what I had starred and underlined in my bible..."Habakkuk's Prayer".
I read this prayer, and immediately knew what we would be memorizing this week. You guessed it, this prayer.
Habakkuk had witnessed great spiritual revival in his time, yet he was also witnessing great spiritual decline.
I can relate to what Habakkuk was witnessing, can't you?
Imagine how much the generations ahead of us can relate to Habakkuk's despair. The older we get, the more spiritual decline we encounter, unfortunately.
Many conversations that I have had with my parents and grandparents through the years prove this point. All of them talk about how different our world is than when they were growing up.
We will do the same with our grandchildren. If not already.
According to God's Word, this will continue until Jesus returns. This makes me shudder at what my children and grandchildren will witness.
So, Habakkuk, prayed.
He was burdened by what he saw. He asked the Lord to intervene.
I have to admit, I don't always remember to ask the Lord for this kind of thing. Sometimes, I will see something take place, and I may feel sad and broken hearted over it, but I don't always remember to pray about it. Especially if it doesn't seem to really affect my life.
For example, when I watch the news and see the horrible things that happen across the world. I shudder and I am saddened by what I see, but I don't always think to pray about it. It's like there is an invisible fence separating our lives from theirs.
I love to pray. I love to pray for those around me. I love to pray for those in my daily life, those that I see, talk to, and live life with. However, often I forget to extend my prayers to those that may need them the most. A hurting world. A desperate world.
"For God so loved the world..." John 3:16
Yes, the world. So, I should too.
Beginning today, I want to reach out of my prayer circle and reach into a big, giant, hurting world.
I want to pray like Habakkuk did. He desired revival for the people. Not just the ones he lived life with or that lived near him...but for all people.
That's what I want.
Will you pray this prayer with me? Will you commit to praying it with me this week? You don't even have to memorize it, just pray it. Easy enough, right?
Our Monday Memory Verse:
"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:1-2
Don't you just love this prayer?
I want to show you another translation of this prayer in the Message version. It's really cool...
"God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy."
Wow wow wow!
Girls, let's pray this together. Not just today, but as much as we possibly can. Write it down in a notebook, type it in your phone...keep it near you to remember to pray.
Let's love the world enough to pray for a revival in all nations. Everywhere.
I'm glad Habakkuk prayed for us.
broadening my prayers,
jill
**Follow along with us in our daily reading plan. You can find it here.
I haven't done a lot of reading in this particular book, so we shall learn together. :)
As I scanned the three chapters to see what we have coming up to read this week, I noticed some things I had underlined in this book.
What stood out was the title of what I had starred and underlined in my bible..."Habakkuk's Prayer".
I read this prayer, and immediately knew what we would be memorizing this week. You guessed it, this prayer.
Habakkuk had witnessed great spiritual revival in his time, yet he was also witnessing great spiritual decline.
I can relate to what Habakkuk was witnessing, can't you?
Imagine how much the generations ahead of us can relate to Habakkuk's despair. The older we get, the more spiritual decline we encounter, unfortunately.
Many conversations that I have had with my parents and grandparents through the years prove this point. All of them talk about how different our world is than when they were growing up.
We will do the same with our grandchildren. If not already.
According to God's Word, this will continue until Jesus returns. This makes me shudder at what my children and grandchildren will witness.
So, Habakkuk, prayed.
He was burdened by what he saw. He asked the Lord to intervene.
I have to admit, I don't always remember to ask the Lord for this kind of thing. Sometimes, I will see something take place, and I may feel sad and broken hearted over it, but I don't always remember to pray about it. Especially if it doesn't seem to really affect my life.
For example, when I watch the news and see the horrible things that happen across the world. I shudder and I am saddened by what I see, but I don't always think to pray about it. It's like there is an invisible fence separating our lives from theirs.
I love to pray. I love to pray for those around me. I love to pray for those in my daily life, those that I see, talk to, and live life with. However, often I forget to extend my prayers to those that may need them the most. A hurting world. A desperate world.
"For God so loved the world..." John 3:16
Yes, the world. So, I should too.
Beginning today, I want to reach out of my prayer circle and reach into a big, giant, hurting world.
I want to pray like Habakkuk did. He desired revival for the people. Not just the ones he lived life with or that lived near him...but for all people.
That's what I want.
Will you pray this prayer with me? Will you commit to praying it with me this week? You don't even have to memorize it, just pray it. Easy enough, right?
Our Monday Memory Verse:
"Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:1-2
Don't you just love this prayer?
I want to show you another translation of this prayer in the Message version. It's really cool...
"God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy."
Wow wow wow!
Girls, let's pray this together. Not just today, but as much as we possibly can. Write it down in a notebook, type it in your phone...keep it near you to remember to pray.
Let's love the world enough to pray for a revival in all nations. Everywhere.
I'm glad Habakkuk prayed for us.
broadening my prayers,
jill
**Follow along with us in our daily reading plan. You can find it here.
