I didn’t invent this; as far as I know John Piper did. But it’s cool, so I’ll share.

It’s a 4-step prayer you’ll pray before reading your Bible. And who wouldn’t remember IOUS?

Yesterday I spent the afternoon handing out food, water, and supplies to the homeless. Temperatures were in the 90s. a storm cloud hovered off in the distance as more than 20 volunteers packed bags: Narcan (in case of a drug overdose), toothbrushes, raincoats, snacks, pet food. Condoms. Bottled water.

The people I met were incredibly grateful for the things we gave them. I felt a little guilty as I dropped small, bruised apples into one girl’s bag and she thanked me profusely. A tall blonde woman sat in the shade, unable to walk around in the heat. A middle-aged man told me he had a job for three months, but was homeless anyway. The weather has been brutal for sleeping outdoors.

The Statistics Behind the Faces:

According to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)[1], on a single night in 2022, approximately 582, 462 people experienced homelessness in the United States. This number includes individuals living in shelters, transitional housing programs, and those unsheltered on the streets.

What’s truly concerning is the diversity within this population. Contrary to common misconceptions, homelessness affects people from all walks of life.

• Veterans who’ve served their country,
• Youth escaping difficult situations,
• Families struggling to make ends meet, and
• Individuals facing mental health issues or substance abuse
• Hurricane victims.

Each story is unique, yet bound by the struggle of homelessness. In our area, Hurricane Ian destroyed many homes, leaving people with nowhere to go. It particularly affected those with median incomes; in 2023, homelessness in Lee County has jumped up 40 percent.[2]

The Causes and Challenges:

The reasons behind homelessness are multifaceted. Financial instability, lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, domestic violence, and systemic challenges all contribute to this pervasive issue. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and unexpected life events can push someone from the brink of stability into homelessness.

Living without a stable home presents immense challenges. Access to basic necessities like food, healthcare, and sanitation becomes uncertain. Homelessness can also perpetuate a cycle that’s hard to break, affecting education, job prospects, and overall well-being.

Community Support and Solutions:

Yet, amidst these challenges, there’s hope. Communities, nonprofits, and volunteers are working tirelessly to provide support and solutions. Shelters offer refuge and resources, connecting individuals with vital services like job training, mental health support, and housing assistance. Outreach programs work tirelessly to connect with those on the streets, offering essentials and a compassionate ear.

Efforts are being made on a policy level too. Advocacy for affordable housing initiatives, mental health support services, and addressing systemic issues like poverty and inequality is gaining momentum. Collaboration between government, private sectors, and communities is crucial to creating sustainable solutions.

Our Role as Compassionate Citizens:

As individuals, we all have a role to play: Simple acts of kindness, like donating to shelters, volunteering time or skills, or even just offering a smile and a kind word, can make a significant difference. Educating ourselves and others about the complexities of homelessness helps break down stigmas and fosters empathy.

It’s essential to advocate for systemic change, urging policymakers to prioritize affordable housing initiatives, mental health support services, and programs aimed at breaking the cycle of homelessness.

Final Thoughts:

Behind every statistic is a human being with a story, dreams, and struggles. As a society, our collective compassion and action can be a catalyst for change. By understanding the multifaceted nature of homelessness and working together, we can create a future where everyone has a place to call home—a future where compassion and support triumph over adversity.

Let’s stand together, extend a helping hand, and build a more compassionate society—one that leaves no one behind.

Remember, kindness and understanding go a long way in creating a world where everyone has a place they can call home.

—————————————————-

[1] https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2022-ahar-part-1.pdf

[2] https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2023/08/08/more-homeless-in-lee-county-thanks-in-part-to-hurricane-ian/70431586007/

I wasn’t going to talk about my dirty little secret on this blog. But so many people suffer from the same things as me… and the pandemic only brought it all to the surface. So here goes. The reason why we need Bible verses for our sadness.

Depression

Besides a couple of chronic illnesses that keep me in pain and fatigued, I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. AKA clinical depression or simply depression. Some people (still) will ask me “What are you depressed about?”

If you have depression, you know that it’s not “about” anything. it’s just there. Or it’s about everything. Anyway, it shows up at the most inconvenient times and renders you helpless. Here are some symptoms that might indicate depression.

Are you Sad or is it Depression?

Maybe you’re reading this article because you aren’t depressed or clinically so, but you’re simply sad. Sad can be about anything – a breakup, loss of a pet, troubles in school, or with parents. Don’t discount your sadness just because it’s not depression; sadness counts!

Some people think they don’t have depression when they are sad. But it can hide from you. According to Psychiatry.org, the following are signs of depression if they last over 2 weeks:

Signs of Depression

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

• Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting

• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

• Loss of energy or increased fatigue

• Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)

• Feeling worthless or guilty

• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

• Thoughts of death or suicide

  *Please read more at https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression.

Bible Verses for Sadness or Depression

So I’d like to share a few Bible verses which help me in times of sadness. I hope they are useful for you too. I like to print them out or write them on cards and prop them around the house where I can see them each day.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble. ~ Psalm 9:9

I always give you the ESV translation, but in this case, I admit I like a different one better. In the New Living Translation (NLT) it reads this way:

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
    a refuge in times of trouble.

I like the thought of a shelter and a refuge. To me, the word “stronghold” means a fortress, and although the second definition reads, “a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld” I still prefer the comforting words shelter and refuge. Moving on…

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28

Depression and sadness make you feel alone, and this verse reminds us that you aren’t alone because Jesus is not only walking alongside you, he wants to carry your load for you. Yes, even that big bag of sadness you’re lugging around.

Here’s one of my favorite verses ever:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5,6

It is hard to understand why we have sadness. It is hard to understand all the different emotions zinging at us from every direction. But the Lord is there, and this verse reminds us to trust his understanding over our own. We don’t have to understand; just trust.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

To seek the kingdom means to actively pursue God and his salvation. It means that we honor him with our lives and hearts.

Bible Verses That Remind Us We Aren’t Alone

 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

I don’t know how many times the Bible advises us not to “fear or be dismayed.” It’s a big number. He tells us over and over not to be afraid…. that he will not leave us… he will not forsake us. Yet here we are, questioning it again.

…Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

We aren’t alone! We can give him the things that make us anxious, afraid, and sad. We can talk to him about it. Christ Jesus our lord is ready and willing to listen.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

It is always good to know that there are plans out there somewhere when we feel hopeless or at sea. Good plans. Positive things that will happen later on. Jeremiah 29;11 is a great verse to remind us of that.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

Psalm 42:11

This is another verse that actually brings us to question the sadness, and reminds us we will praise him and put our hope in him.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

So many sleep problems go along with depression. This verse is comforting in that it tells us we can sleep, safely and comfortably, because we know God.

Bible Verses of Joy

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever! 1 Chronicles 16:34

It may seem strange to have a joyful, thankful verse in the list of verses for depression and sadness. But I find that my spirits are uplifted if I begin to thank the Lord. Giving thanks helps pull us out of the mucky sadness; as our hearts embrace the gratefulness, they are soothed.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:11,12

This pair of verses reminds us we are safe, covered by his shield, and that he will protect us and be our refuge. Therefore, we are able to sing for joy.

Bible Verses to Give You Hope in Sadness

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Hope. That’s all we ask for in life when we are sad or depressed. And with God, there is always hope. Resting in hope means we are thinking positively about the future. Through this, we are removed from the depression.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Sometimes when we are sad, we feel isolated. This psalm reminds us that God is near, and will eventually save us.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I think we just need to know he is there, even if we feel he is silent. Not only is he present, but he is holding us up, keeping us from falling. He can prevent us from falling into the dark hole. What a blessing!

Bible Verses to Comfort Us in Our Sadness

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3

This verse is so full of comfort. He heard me, he lifted me up, and he gave me a new song. What more could we ask from the God of the universe?

 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Nothing can separate us. Nothing, nothing, nothing. No matter how we feel or think about it — we cannot be removed from his love. How wonderful that is!

There are many more verses, and some may work for you more than others. But I hope this list brings you some relief from your pain and sadness. Remember that God cares for you and wants to help you stay out of the depression.

Question: What is a good Bible verse for sadness?

Answer: Psalm 23:3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Question: What does the Bible say about a sad heart?

Answer: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Even if you are sad, he still loves you and works to rescue your broken spirit.

Question: What are the most comforting Psalms?

Answer: Psalm 91 is a significant and important Psalm about comfort. Here is just one verse:

For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone. ~ Psalm 91:11,12

Also:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ~ Psalm 23:4

and this one:

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. ~ Psalm 121:8

Question: What does the Bible say about being sad and lonely?

Answer:

 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. ~ Joshua 1:5

No matter how isolated we may feel, the Bible assures us that God is always there. He will not leave.

Question: What is a good Bible verse for depression?

Answer:

Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

Question: What does God say about depression and anxiety?

Answer: He encourages us to remove ourselves from them. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy1:7) We do this by “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ” (1 Peter 5:7)

We are not saying this is easy or a forever fix, we know that you have to practice these things over and over in order to really get it right.

Question: What is a good Bible verse for mental health?

Answer:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ~ John 14:27

And let us leave you with this Bible Verse, which indicates overcoming the battle with the world and also helping another (one of the best ways to combat sadness and depression)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Everyone associated with Christianity has heard of “putting on the full armor of God.” Most even realize this section is referring to a spiritual battle. But what does it really mean? And does it apply to us in 2022? Today we will look at what it is and how we can best do it.

Where in the Bible is the Armor of God?

The verse referring to the armor of God is found in Ephesians 6:13-18. For clarity, let’s look beginning at verse 10.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

There’s a nice printout of the parts of “full armor of God” at this link. https://www.flandersfamily.info/web/2018/08/26/armor-of-god-coloring-page/

Let’s take a look at each part of the armor of God.

The Belt of Truth

The Belt of Truth – some versions say “gird your loins with truth.” The whole concept here is confusing, and I’ll explain in a minute, but the important part is TRUTH. Truth is a person, and his name is Jesus Christ. He protects us from evil. Holding tight to the truth enables us to be the person we are meant to be. When we begin to lie, we lose sight of who we are. We fall into the hands of the evil one, and that’s what he wants. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) and would like nothing better than for us to be deceptive. God detests deception (see Proverbs  6:16-17).

The Belt of Truth connects to every other piece of armor. It is the center, the heart of the armor. The rest will be at risk if the Belt of Truth is not in place, securely buckled up against lies and deception.

*Gird your loins with truth: When men were readying for battle, they often “girded their loins” by pulling the bottom of their long robe up and wrapping it.

The devil lies to us all the time. He constantly encourages us to deceive others. Jesus explained to us how to know the truth:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:31,32.

A Prayer for Wearing the Belt of Truth

Dear God,

We know that you are all truth and righteousness. We want to be true disciples. Help us to seek the truth, and to know the truth. Help us to avoid lies and deception. We want to always follow truth, and keep the belt of truth at our core.

Amen.

Breastplate of Righteousness

In battle, a breastplate covers vital organs to protect them. Nowadays they’re bulletproof, but in Jesus’ time, they were designed to shield the body from ax blows and arrows. The early Roman breastplates were metal, formed to fit around the torso.

Righteousness refers to living right with God. We do this by learning God’s will for our lives and following it. Righteousness comes through Jesus Christ, who promised us,

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)

How we use the breastplate of Righteousness

We put the breastplate of righteousness to use when we call on God regularly. We apply it to reject Satan’s continual work against our salvation. The breastplate protects our heart, but even as we pray “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:10) the devil is working to try to lead us to Spiritual death.

So while we diligently wear the breastplate in battle, we have to go back and pray for righteousness, constantly renewing it. We pray that God will help us avoid temptation and keep our promise of steadfastness.

A Prayer for the Breastplate of Righteousness

Lord, we know that none of us is truly righteous, but you have given each of us a particular path to follow. As we go on our path, Lord, help us to stay on it and act as you would have us act. Keep us away from the sins that entangle us. When we are tempted, remind us that you are so good and that you are our light and salvation. You have promised love and eternal joy for those of us who follow you. Please keep us armed with the breastplate of righteousness, safe from Satan’s ways. Amen.

The Gospel of Peace

We don’t usually think of shoes as part of a set of armor, but the verse says, “…as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15

The Gospel is the good news about Jesus and his gift of salvation. By having appropriately fitted shoes, we are ready to go forth and proclaim his name at any time. Even when the going gets rough, we can still move forward to share his name.

In addition to moving, the shoes help us stand firm. As we become more like Jesus, we are rooted deeper into Truth. We can stand even stronger against temptation, as explained in  2 Thessalonians 2:15: So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

The Shield Of Faith

What is the shield of faith? Really, we already have part of it, as our own faith is essentially the shield. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

So when you were saved, you declared that faith to the world. This faith guards and protects you against the world. It also protects against fear, anxiety, and doubt.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10 There is no need to be afraid when God is with you.

Many people do not see fear, anxiety, doubt, and other emotions as attacks by the enemy. If you recognize them for what they are, you can then apply the concept of the shield of faith against them. I urge you to try this method of dealing with feelings and see if it helps.

A Prayer for the Shield of Faith

Lord, I know you gave me a measure of faith, and I also know I can build on that faith through trusting you more and building a relationship with you. Help me to have the deep-rooted faith that will get me through the hard times. Show me the steps I need to take to have better faith.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Helmet Of Salvation

The helmet of Salvation may well be the most important part of the Christian armor. Putting on your Salvation helmet is like putting on Jesus. In doing so, Christ protects the head from spiritual attack. In Biblical times, both blessings and curses were said to fall on the head.

Look at some times the head is mentioned in the Bible:

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15

 “May they [blessings] be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.” Genesis 49:26

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah 59:17

If you were a Roman soldier, you would put on your helmet last because it is the final tool in your victory against Satan. The helmet protects the brain (your control center) and your head itself. But also, note that the writers often used “head” to represent the entire body. So the helmet is an extremely functional piece of the armor as well.  

In the Bible, salvation is a major theme. God gave his only son for our salvation from sin (John 3:16-18); if you make a commitment of faith you will not have eternal death. Instead, God adopts us as his children; and if we only trust him, he becomes our Savior.

A Prayer for the Helmet of Salvation

Dear Lord God, I believe that Salvation is yours alone. As your child, let me know that I am your child. Sometimes I need to feel it. The world is broken but the promises you have made still stand.

May you renew my mind now and daily. Help me to remove thoughts that are not useful or are untrue, and remove the doubt from my mind and help me focus on your world, the world of eternity and trust. I want to trust in you now and forever, Lord.

Amen.

The Sword of the Spirit

..and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Ephesians 6:17

The word of God helps us in so many ways. It helps us to lay aside our doubt and frustration. It gives us strength and confidence. It assists us when we are making decisions.

Hebrew 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,”

It is a living truth, and it can be used as a defensive weapon and an offensive one.  We need a weapon to fight with!  Look what happened in Matthew 4:

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Each time the devil tried to tempt him, Jesus responded with Scripture. What a wonderful world it would be if each of us could do this! We would be able to send the devil back to his proper place. The Holy Spirit enables us to do it if we remain in the Word. The more we read and understand the Bible, the more souls we can save.

Prayer for the Sword of the Spirit

Lord, I see the power we could unleash if we all utilized the sword of the Spirit. Help me to stay in the Word and take advantage of its strength in the best way. Please guide me in its use and power against the enemy, like Jesus did, to attack and expose whatever needs to be removed from our world in order to live in peace.

Amen.

Conclusion

So you see how the full armor of God has given us a foundation of protection and a weapon for fighting against the enemy. It is so important to have each tool in place at all times. if you have done everything to stand in your own strength, perhaps it is time to trust in God.

Do you long to hear God’s voice? Do you listen to someone saying “God told me…” and wish that he would tell you something too?

Today we are looking to find out how we can hear God’s voice. The idea of hearing God’s voice keeps many of us searching for answers. It may seem like something really weird! But Scripture demonstrates clearly how much God enjoys a conversation with his people. So may the Lord help us to better hear his voice and understand when we hear it.

Recognize that God Created You for a Close Friendship with Himself (aka Why He might speak to little ol’ me)

By design, God hears us best through our friendship. God will help you to determine His will easily through conversations with Him. God wants to meet you at every step of your life journey and communicate directly with you. He wants to talk with you – isn’t that amazing?

But all this takes some work on your end. You’ll need to talk to him. You’ll need to spend time with Him. If you don’t have the sort of relationship with God that would equal friendship, you’ll need to develop it. The following will help you work at creating this friendship so that you can hear God.

Don’t miss our new book on this very topic!

Worship Him Sincerely and Often

God wants you. A true Father, he is eager to talk with you continuously. So great is his desire for communication that he gave you his gift, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can bring you back to God even if you’ve not been so close recently. You can hear his words, and live his love if you just listen. Remember the Bible tells us about the Holy Spirit:

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. – John 16:13, ESV

To connect with God or the Holy Spirit, simply begin to worship. Look at one of the verses below if you need guidance in getting started; sing a worship song if that’s what speaks to your soul.

Scriptures to Help you Worship

O Lord, you are my God;
    I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
    plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Isaiah 25:1

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

1 Chronicles 16:32-34

Consider your Motives for Wanting to Hear from God

Think of the real reasons why you are interested in hearing God’s voice. Are you motivated just for personal or selfish reasons? Before you can hear the voice of God, put aside your selfish desires, your motives, and even stop trying to second-guess what he might say. Come humbly before him with no expectation at all. If needed, confess all wrongs and repent before you do this.

Listen carefully without trying to jump ahead. remember, God is omniscient (knows all things). So He already knows the answer you are seeking. He knows you want to hear from Him. He’s waiting for you to approach him:

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. – Jeremiah 33:3

And the more we approach him, the more we will begin to hear God’s voice in our lives. He wants us to pursue him, and to offer respect and reverence, then He will speak to us.

Proverbs 8:17 says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” Seek Him out. Make time for Him daily.

Although it is essential to listen to God, this is not our end goal. Rather, focus on becoming spiritually mature and close to God. Getting Him to speak to you only works if you know His true nature and purpose – part of which, as we already said, is to have companionship with you.

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit

In the Old Testament we most often see God talking to people from the outside. An external voice, a spontaneous fire, a sign. These are the things he used to communicate with people. They heard the voice of God sometimes, but more often they saw a physical sign.

But in the New Testament, Jesus said he was going to give His disciples more than they had expected. On the day that the Lord was arrested before his Crucifixion, He had a serious talk with his friends. He knew he was leaving, and although His disciples were walking daily with him for many days they wouldn’t hear or see Him any longer. So Jesus told them about the Holy Spirit, whom God would soon send to them. He spoke in a somewhat cryptic manner in John 16:7-11:

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

The Disciples were so focused on his other messages about leaving that they probably didn’t pay too much attention to the thought of who the “helper” might be or what his role would become. They soon discovered what all Christians know, that hearing the Holy Spirit is a way of listening to God, of having a relationship with God.

Recognize that God Communicates in Many Forms but Most Often Through your Mind

God has many ways to communicate with you depending on your circumstances. Sometimes the message is given by an angel, via a vision, or through a miracle of some sort. But more often the Holy Spirit takes over by speaking to us through our thoughts.

The Lord uses simple practices like studying Scripture and prayer to help you in your thought process. He will use dramatic means when necessary to attract your attention; His aim is to have you closer to Him so you can be attentive when he is talking to you.

His message to you is this: Nothing satisfies the longing in your soul for God, other than a relationship with Him. Not money, sex, drugs, or relationships.

His spirit manifests only thoughts in our heads that will line up with what the Bible says. If it doesn’t line up with the Word of God- it isn’t from God.

Renew your Mind

While God speaks to our minds frequently, a person should work at developing a “mind of Christ” which some call the “mind of the Mind” (mind that makes choices that he wants). As the Holy Spirit renews your thoughts every day, He cleanses the brain of dirt and clutter such as wrong beliefs or attitudes and unhealthy emotions. All of these are slowly replaced by true thinking, based upon the purpose of the Lord Jesus.

A “natural” or unsaved person cannot hear His voice. They can’t recognize Jesus or think blessed thoughts. Hearing from God is for the saved. Only those who are saved can rest knowing he will speak to them.

Pursuing God is Essential to Hearing God

God says in His Bible very explicitly how we can find Him and experience His presence in our lives:

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17

Without faith it’s impossible to please God. Hebrew 11:6

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
    to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. Psalm 14:2.

Invite the Living Word to Help You When you Read the Written Word

Jesus, the living Word, has been a strong creative force that actively affects you when praying God’s words in the Bible. Ask Jesus to bring life into your Bible reading time and make it a conduit to send His thoughts, faith, and love to you. Then focus and direct yourself toward following His message so that your life will change.

You may argue that the voice of Jesus is not the same as hearing God speaking, but in fact it works as a substitute. If you believe in the Holy Trinity “3 in 1”, hearing from the Son is equivalent with hearing God speaking.

Besides, Jesus said we are his sheep and “my sheep know my voice.”

Different ways God speaks in the Bible

The Lord speaks clearly to those of us who believe. Sometimes he speaks through our thoughts. We here at BSP believe God still speaks to us audibly today. In the Bible, Jesus spoke a few times in a loud voice that literally echoed the words he said.

“Then Jesus spoke with a loud voice as He taught in the house of God.” John 7:28

Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!”  John 11:43

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet!  Be still!'”  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 

Different Ways He Speaks to Us Now

One other means by which God speaks to His people is through miraculous acts like dreams or visions. In biblical days, signs appeared in numerous ways, from the separation from the Red Sea to finding a donkey colt exactly when and wherever Jesus told the disciples (Matthew 2:2).

In Scripture, God will sometimes “speak” to us by guiding us to a particular passage. Have you ever wondered why you feel drawn to a certain verse? It is important to ask God, but it is almost always because God is speaking through those words.

Sometimes God is speaking to us through the voice of a friend. Have you ever felt that you were hearing your friend’s voice, but the message was from God? That’s when you know it’s really God speaking through your friend. It can also happen with an acquaintance or even a stranger.

How Listening Prayer Helps us Hear God

“Listening prayer” is a name some people give to a certain way of praying. Many people imagine prayer to be like a monologue. But prayer actually resembles a dialog. We talk to God, and God speaks back to us. Listening prayer focuses on asking God for guidance, then being quiet. In listening prayer, we are focused on intentional listening and allowing God to speak.

In response to our request, God is able to rise above the voices that we hear in our lives every day — the people around us or the self-talk. So, we’ll click on pause, and let God speak to us in the silence, providing us with clear guidance. Let’s see how this works.

An Attempt at Listening Prayer

Here is one way to do Listening Prayer. Find a quiet spot where you will not be interrupted. Bring a notebook and pen with you. Sit for a few moments in reverence, thinking about God’s greatness. After a time, turn your mind to your request. Present it to the Lord with reverence, then wait in silent expectation. Try to keep your mind focused on God; if it wanders, gently bring it back. Spend about ten minutes waiting.

If/when you hear from God, be aware of opening your heart to the answer. Let God help you do that in response to what He says. In fact, writing down whatever you think you hear is a really good step (that’s why you brought the notebook) in case what you hear is something you need to think over.

You may not hear from Him the very first time you try this exercise; however, if you keep doing it you will get results. You will hear a voice that is not your own, and you will get an answer to your question. It will be very clear to you that the answer could only have come from God.

When You Aren’t Sure it is God’s Voice

If you’re not sure you are hearing God’s voice, that’s okay. it is normal not to know for sure sometimes. You don’t have to get anxious about this. If He is giving you an answer, He will also give you confirmation of that answer in several different ways. He is consistent, He is persistent, and He is patient. He won’t stop telling you the answer until He is sure you’ve got it.

One way to discern whether you truly heard God’s voice is to ask other Christians about it. If you share your question, they can help you decide if you truly heard from God. Although listening to others is never better than listening to God, they can help you compare your answer against Biblical truths to see if it lines us the way it should. Your message will be affirmed if they seem to agree with the voice you heard. Plus, by hearing it in two different ways, you can be sure the message is true and not some figment of your imagination.

Don’t try to force God to tell you something

If you’re trying to convince yourself that something will come through, but you’re just hearing it when He’s speaking to you…maybe he isn’t really. Concentrate on cultivating respect for the Lord and wait for His timing in delivering your message. Again, remember to open your heart. If you don’t want God providing you specific guidance in your prayer or what you think should be included in the morals of Scripture, you are free to make your own decision. God is a gentleman who never forces.

Allow the Holy Spirit to Intercede on your Behalf

Remember when Jesus told the disciples he was sending the Holy Spirit as a helper? Well, that was the best helper we could have, and he comes at any time, whenever he sees you are trying to talk to God. Have faith that the Holy Spirit can speak for you with the same strength as other people who read and believe the Bible because God loves you just as much. Do not be ashamed.

Sometimes you will hear only from the Holy Spirit until you’ve been humbled by God. When we obsess about hearing God’s voice, sometimes we have to back off and recall that it’s more important what he’s doing overall than what he’s doing in each moment and at every turn. In other words, he may be rooting out a bitter attitude, and we’re worried about whether to take a new position at work. When we go ahead and take the position, we find the bitterness is leaving – and we realize the situation has God’s handiwork written all over it. That’s what is meant by being humbled, in that moment we realize His greatness.

Conclusion

If the message you hear is truly from God (or the Holy Spirit) and is not something you conjured in your own mind, it may be surprising. It will give you clarity or meaning. It will be startling enough or awesome enough or powerful enough till you keep it in the forefront of your mind returning to it often. And it will give you a little jump-start to your faith.

Q & A

What does it mean to hear God’s voice?

A: God’s voice is different for everyone, and it can be different at different times. It can be a whisper. It can be a gut feeling or a dream. It can be a sureness you don’t usually have. But it always brings you peace.

How do you know when God is talking to you?

First, you have to belong to Him to know. Second, you know because you are getting a message. It might be clear in your mind or it might be affirmed in other ways, but you’re definitely getting a message. It will line up with the Word, and very often will be in the next Scripture you read. You can develop this discernment through reading, prayer, and reflection.

Can Humans hear God’s voice?

Yes. He is said to speak with a “still, small voice.” Usually, the voice we hear is not audible, though; instead, it is an impression in our mind or a knowing in our Spirit. When we have a gut feeling we should change course, wait, or do something else we normally wouldn’t think of doing – it’s very likely tht’s God speaking.

What does God’s voice sound like?

Do you feel like God’s voice sounds like Charlton Heston? Or your dad when he’s angry? Or do you think he speaks in a “still, small voice?” (1 Kings 19:12). No two people hear God’s voice the same way. It is miraculous that He can speak to Moses from a burning bush and to Joshua like a young boy. He may speak to you in another voice.

Twelve Stones—A Reminder to Future Generations

We all know there are certain numbers with Biblical significance. It seems that God places more emphasis on some numbers than other. One of those is the number 12, as in the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve stones.

In the Bible, there are several stories concerning 12 stones. The twelve stones (twelve matzevots or stones standing) were commonly used to celebrate religious events at the beginning of Kingdom of Israel and before Josiah’s reign ( Deuteronomy 27:1). Before building the temple the Israelites used stones to mark specific areas for their sacrifices. In addition, sometimes the Israelis or individuals used stone as a memorial for the gifts they received from God. Today, let’s look at those stories and try to understand why 12 stones would become a remembrance for the people of Israel.

The First Set of 12 Stones

In Exodus 28, explicit instructions were given to Moses concerning priestly clothes Aaron and his son Levite should wear during their job duties. Thus the original High Priest’s breastplate, worn by Aaron when communicating with God was created. Revelation 16:15 states that the breastplate was adorned with twelve precious gems in remembrance of the twelve tribes of Israel on the front. The stones were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel – so he was reminded of them every time he prayed.

The breastplate may have looked somewhat like the one below.

The Hebrew names for the 12 precious stones are: Odem, Pitdah, Bareketh, Nophek,Sappir, Yahalom, Leshem, Shebo, Ahlamah, Tarshish, Shalom, and Yashpheh. In English they are known today as carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, turquoise, lapis lazuli, emerald, jacinth, agate, amethyst, topaz, onyx and jasper.

Elijah and the Rain

In 1 Kings 18, we see Samaria in a severe famine. Many of the people worshipped Baal and cried to his prophets for rain. Elijah came to King Ahab to challenge him about the decision of the Baalites to abandon God. In an effort to show them who the real God was, Elijah challenged them to cry out to the prophets of Baal for rain.

He waited until they realized nothing was going to come from their efforts, then he rebuilt an altar of the Lord and lined it with 12 stones, a remembrance to the 12 tribes. He poured water on the altar again and again to make it difficult for a fire to catch. Then he started a fire. He sacrificed a bull and prayed, and the rains came. The people, seeing that God truly brought the rain, understood that Elijah’s God was real.

Tell me the Biblical meaning of 12 Stones and the Israelites

After walking through the desert for a 40-year time period, Joshua brought the Israelites back to the promised land. They were finally ready to cross the river. While they were crossing, the Lord dried up the waters of the Jordan River and the Ark of the Covenant was carried to the middle, acting as a representation or type of Christ standing in the middle holding back the waters until the Israelites made it across. Joshua 4:1-4 says,

When the whole nation passed over the Jordan, the Lord said, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’”

And they brought twelve stones from the Jordan, each one carried by a different man from one of Israel’s tribes, and brought them with them to the camps. Eventually the stones were stacked at Gilgal as a memorial, a reminder for future generations of God’s promise.

But there was a second set of 12 stones in the story. This set was carried into the Jordan river while the priests were still standing holding the ark of the covenant. The stones were laid at their feet (Joshua 4:9) and left there. Once the ark of the covenant was carried out of the water, the waters of the Jordan rushed back to their normal position, burying the stones in a watery grave at the middle of the Jordan.

But I still don’t get the significance of the twelve stones?

Throughout the Old Testament the twelve stones serve as reminders of the law when people visited the altar. The 12 stones stand as a monument for the 12 tribes of Israel. But more than that, they also represent God’s promise to get the people of Israel to the promised land. They stand as a memorial to represent God’s goodness. The 12 precious stones on Aaron’s breastplate are a good example of this kind of memorial; every time Aaron put it on, he was reminded of God’s goodness.

The 12 stones at Gilgal were carried, one by each tribe, and stacked. Have you ever tried to stack stones? it’s hard. But these were able to stack and remain there, a monument signifying once again the greatness of God.

The 12 stones under the Jordan River have a deeper significance, I feel. I believe that the 12 that were buried in the water stood for the people who followed him. The twelve stones that are under the waters of the Jordan are underwater forever, and they represent the people who are not going to follow Jesus, ever. They may hear the message of salvation, but they choose not to follow it. Not only will they never know the promised land, those people will perish. The Lord wants us to remember those people, and this serves as a memorial to them. It is a reminder that it’s always our job to help people see the goodness of the Lord.

Stones in the Bible – New Testament

Stones are clearly significant in the Old Testament, but they show up in the New Testament as well. In many places of the scriptures, stones are used to describe resilience of one’s character. In one instance this refers to Christ himself. 1 Peter 2:4 says,

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious”

If you think about Jesus and all that he represents to us, this makes sense. Symbolism for stones is grounded in ideas of stability, resilience, and permanence. It is an innate connection with earth, which is considered grounded. Stone is strong, versatile and readily available – and so is the Lord.

In Acts 4:11, we see an example of the ‘stone’ that is strong, versatile, and permanent: “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. ” Again, the stone is Jesus.

We Even Will See Stones in Heaven

There is another place we see stones in the Bible. That is seeing them as precious stones, gemstones as we would call them now. Stones mean something a little different in the New Testament, though; let’s take a look.

Many people ponder what heaven will be like. The Bible says the holy city will be created from precious stones:

” The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” — Revelation 21:18-21

Can you imagine such a city? Can you see yourself living in a a place like the one described in these verses? Many people wonder what heaven will be like, but I believe the answers are written already in Revelation. The video discusses it in more detail:

Q&A

What do the 12 stones in the breastplate represent?

The twelve stones were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel – so Aaron was reminded of them every time he prayed. They represented the twelve tribes, and therefore stand as a remembrance to God’s promise to lead the people of Israel into the promised land.

What does a stone symbolize in the Bible?

Stones are related to several ideas in the Bible. In the Old Testament, 12 stones represent the 12 tribes of Israel (Exodus 28) and in the New Testament, stones are used to refer to Jesus Christ.

Why did Elijah use 12 stones?

The number 12 was a reminder of so much concerning the history of God’s people. There was the giving of the law (Exodus 24) and the time that the people crossed the Jordan into the promised land (Joshua 4). By reminding the people of these incidents, he was also reminding them that God created them to be one united nation, not divided as they currently were. And more importantly, by drawing on their rich history he showed he was praying on behalf of all the patriarchs, giving him strength in their eyes.

Why did God take 12 stones from the River Jordan?

He told them they represented a memorial to the crossing of the Jordan into the promised land.

“In the future, when your children ask you, `What do these stones mean?’7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'” Joshua 4:6-7

When God gives a story like this to us, it serves not only as a remembrance or memorial, but also a tool to help us see our way forward.

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What would you say if I asked you to tell me the Biblical meaning of courage? We have a desperate need to be courageous, especially in this day and time. Between nations in unrest, natural disasters and economic issues we have to learn about courage, whether we want to or not. And what better place to learn that than in the Bible? But how would you give the definition?

In the Bible courage is defined as “good cheer.” It means to have courage and confidence. The Bible tells us not to worry or to have the courage to take action. Courage is listed over and over in Scripture.

Very often we doubt ourselves, and as Christians we can turn to God and find encouragement. Scripture verses about courage, strength, and faith inspire us to be steadfast in believing in God and not afraid of God or of life’s circumstances. Here are a few favorites about having courage. They’re listed in Bible book order so that you can jump to the book you like and find the verse. All listed verses are from the ESV.

Deuteronomy 31:6-8

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” 7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

1 Chronicles 22:13

David speaking to his son about building the temple of the Lord…

Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.

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1 Chronicles 28:20

When David charged his son Solomon with the building of the temple…

David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.

Joshua 1:6-8

The next few verses are when Moses has died, and the Lord is charging Joshua to take his place.

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:18

Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.

Joshua 10:25

(now we see Joshua saying what God said to him)
And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.

2 Chronicles 15:7,8

A prophecy from Azariah to Asa…
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

Ezra 7:28

Ezra, in a prayer thanking God for what had happened that day…

I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm 31:24

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Psalm 56:3,4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

Isaiah 41:10-13

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. 12 You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. 13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 54:4

Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

Daniel 10:19

And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

John 14:27

Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

What is the spiritual meaning of courage?

Courage is defined by Dictionary.com as the mental or physical qualities enabling one to deal with difficulty, danger or suffering without fear. Courage is necessary to live a good life. In Joshua 1:6 of the Bible God tells Joshua: Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

What is the definition of true courage?

A physical strength to survive, to endure the fear and to survive.

What does the Bible say about spiritual courage?

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

This theme is repeated over and over in the Bible. Be strong; be courageous; the Lord will not leave you nor forsake you.

What is an example from the Bible of someone showing courage?

King David is the perfect example. There were many times when he showed courage in confronting difficult conditions, but here’s one from when he was just a child:

While king Saul and the Israelite soldiers were fighting the Philistines, they were dismayed at the daily threat from the giant enemy, Goliath. David had courage to go up in battle against Goliath, and he fought him and won (1 Samuel 17). David showed true courage.

Prayer for Surgery and Healing

Surgery is frightening for any patient. When a person’s situation has the highest vulnerability it’s often challenging to find hope. When the surgery is your own, your spirit is shattered and you’ve suffered from the effects of illness – not to mention the effect on your mental health. If it’s a friend, you hurt for them and often struggle for words of comfort. This is where prayers for surgery can make all the difference.

Often when we are afraid or uncertain, our tense mind or heart is soothed by prayer. Praying before surgery will help the patient develop peace and fearlessness. It is important to remember that a person has strength over fear because he is devoted to God, but he has confidence too. This is what the phrase “Faith over Fear” refers to; you can release your fear by turning to faith.

However, sometimes a person is so afraid or anxious that they can’t pray, and that’s where the friends must step in. Praying for others is a deeply compassionate thing to do. It shows that you are connected to God in the right ways, and it gives the recipient a sense of peace. If feeling anxious, a person might also like to listen to these 14 Christian Songs .

But what should we pray, when trying to cover someone who’s having surgery? These prayers are not all-encompassing, but hopefully you can find the prayer that suits your situation.

You also might want to share these Bible verses with your friend. Or use them yourself!

A Prayer for Healing and Grace

Dear Lord We thank you for our friend (friend’s name). We believe in (friend’s name) needs today. Our lives depend upon you for healing. Our hopes are being restored by your mighty power. We must remember you care for your children always, strongly and completely.

Please forgive us for trying to solve the problem all by ourselves. Please forgive us for the fact that we go from one direction to the next to find a solution, despite knowing that the best help is in You.

Lord, we lift up (friend’s name) to you today and ask for total healing. There is no other person who understands in the way You do. You see his/her suffering. You see the ache. There is a heavy burden in his/her world, Lord, that only you can relieve. Please bring (friend’s name) through a successful surgery with no lasting effects. Please use your healing power to resolve the issue.

We ask in the name of Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

Prayer for Christ’s Healing Powers

Dear Sweet Jesus, I bring to you this our loved one (name) who needs your special touch before going into surgery today. May you wrap your love around her, Lord, in a way that she can feel cherished. Touch her and let her know your presence. Let her feel carried in your wings and kept safe. Let your healing power breathe across her being now, and again as she recovers from the surgery. Amen.

A Prayer for a Friend to Receive Healing

Dear God, we come together today to lift up (friend’s name) in prayer before surgery. We know she is exhausted and feeling low. We know she needs this surgery, Lord, but it looks like a rough road ahead. We ask that as she enters the hospital, you reach out with your healing touch. Give her strength to get through the surgery. Give (her husband’s name) peace as he awaits the results.

1 Peter 5:7 says to cast all our cares on you, and that is what we are doing as we bring our requests to you. Let her work through your strength to come out of surgery with flying colors and face the days ahead. It is in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

A Prayer for an Acquaintance in the Hospital

Dear Father God, We come to you today to pray for (name) who is hospitalized and awaiting surgery. We ask that you give her strength to get through the surgery, and stamina for the days after. We ask you to touch her with your healing hand, Lord, and if it is your will let her be made whole. We ask for her patience as she heals, and that she has openness to the kindness, compassion, and care she will be offered during her long convalescence by us and others.

Help us to be aware of what she needs and give unselfishly, and communicate among ourselves to offer the best care possible.

Let (name) feel your presence and be aware of the wonders you are offering her. Give her beauty and joy as she rests. Thank you Lord for your peace, which passes understanding. In Jesus Christ our Lord’s name I pray, amen.

A Group Prayer for those Waiting for Healing

Father, we lay this prayer at your feet to bring healing to these, your people. We know it is within your great power and might to bring on a miracle of healing. We pray that these, your people, will be healed in mind and body today, including chronic disease, severe illness, sudden failure, addiction and severe handicaps. We ask that you’d be willing to fix these physical conditions, both known and unknown. Where those are requiring surgery, we ask that you heal them so that there is no surgery required.

Lord, we know that you hold your ocean in place while our planet spins and that you created everything above and below us. The Bible tells us that you knew each of us before we were born; you know us intimately. You see each of our needs. You alone can bring on total healing and recovery.

Also, the death of Your Son on the cross gives us access to spiritual healing. We believe in Christ Jesus and connect with him in prayer and in presence. Give our hearts faith in You beyond the limits of our mind. Strengthen our faith if we can not walk with you daily. Heal us, O Lord, the ones who need more faith receiving more; the ones who walk with you, a sense of peace.

Above all, grant us the grace to accept your will. We go with the knowledge that whatever you do, you do it because You love of us.

We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Healing Prayer Based on Isaiah

Dear God, we come to you with humble hearts. We know you are the giver of all things, Lord, and we are here to ask for our friend. He may feel guilty and anguished, but we believe his guilt is misplaced. Lord, you are the one who can reach out to him. You know his heart is sad but there is hope in you. You forgave the Israelites time and again. Isaiah 57 says, I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;  I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”

Likewise, Lord, please give him the strength to face his issues and let him know you forgive him. As he awaits his surgery, let him have peace. Take the anxiety and depression and replace them with your joy. Give him the assurance we only get from you, our rock and our salvation. It is always in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

A Prayer for a Dear Friend Going into Surgery

Lord, we need your healing. As _______ approaches the hour of surgery, she needs to feel your peace. We ask that you relieve her anxiety and replace it with a “peace that passes all understanding.” We ask that you heal her pain, Lord. Let her fall asleep easily, let the surgery go perfectly, and let her mend to a place even better than before. We ask your special care for the doctors and nurses, that they will make wise decisions and operate well on this, our beloved friend.

God, give her the strength to come through the surgery with flying colors. Giver her a life of health and peace following this, with no complications. Let the healing begin now Lord, we beg of you. Honor your faithful servant _____ with your love and your peace. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Someone in Pain

Heavenly Father, we know that (name) hurts so badly. There is nothing we can do, but you can. God please dull the pain with Your lovingkindness. Ease his suffering and, if it is your will, give him a miracle. Help him to have patience and fortitude to withstand this terrible time.

As he approaches surgery, give him your supernatural touch. Let the healing begin now, Lord. Help him to appreciate that after the sorrow, joy is sweeter. Let him know that you are with him to guide him, oh Lord my God and Savior. Amen.

A Prayer for Healing – Cancer

Dear God, you said in James 5 that if anyone is suffering, let him pray. We want to lift up prayers for healing today for our good friend, (friend’s name). He is a trusted servant to you, Lord, and does many good things in your name.

(Friends name) is facing surgery now, and he needs your healing touch. Please give him peace as he goes through this time before surgery. Give his doctors wisdom to know what is wrong and what they should do about it. Give his family strength to get through this time of heartache and fear.

Lord, our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will come on him with healing, for both the mind and the body. If there is more of the cancer, that we cannot see, please remove it. Help us, Lord, because you are our rock and our salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Healing, Nonspecific

Dear Jesus, it only took one touch from your creative hand to heal the sick and raise the dead. You are Lord over all the earth. How powerful is your amazing love! How great was your sacrifice for us!

By your stripes we come to you to ask for healing for (name). We stand before you as your people, asking for his health and wellness to be restored. May he be as he was when a small child, full of life and vigor and wonder. You promised that when 2 or 3 were gathered, you would hear our cries. Hear us now Lord as we lift up (name.) Amen.

A Prayer for Health

Dear Father God, we place our health in your hands at all times. We depend on you for every breath we take. Today we bring our sick to be held in your capable arms and humbly ask that you restore them to good health again.

Our loved ones are dear to us God, but more importantly they are dear to you. Please bring them a full recovery of health and well-being, both inside the body and in the mind. Emotions can hurt, Lord, and if any of them suffer from emotional pain, we ask that you erase that from their minds. For those facing surgery, we humbly ask that you bring them through a successful surgery with total healing. For anyone facing mental health challenges, we ask that you clear their minds of any illness and help them to feel your presence. And for those dealing with chronic pain, we ask that you bring them relief from pain and suffering.

As each of these beloved friends goes through their personal challenge, help them not to become captive to sin by becoming bitter or angry. Help all of us to trust you with all our heart, as the Bible verse says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Give them wisdom and strength, and let them refresh their love of Christ and walk with him closer than ever. In Jesus Christ our lord we pray, Amen.

For Health and Healing

Dear God, you have all the power to heal us. Please bring health and healing to our bodies and those of our family and friends. Bring us life, restore our bodies, and cleanse our spirits.

When it is You at work in us there’s calm, that peace of mind that exists in everything You touch. Give each of us a sense of Your presence and work in them to create a full trust in You.

When we suffer Lord, whether it is mental, physical, or emotional, teach us to surrender our souls to your endless care, relying upon Your lovingkindness and your supernatural power to restore our good health and renew our minds to be set on You. Thank you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Healing while Hospitalized

Dear sweet Jesus, we know that all health comes from You. As our beloved friends are hospitalized, we lift our prayers to You. We ask that you bring them through this crisis and back home safely. We ask that You give the doctors a chance to do the right things, but replace any that are stumbling or not within your will. Bring in nurses who are compassionate and willing. Give the medical team the mental fortitude to do their best with all procedures.

We ask a special prayer not just for those hospitalized, but also for their loved ones, that they might experience the peace of your promise during this stressful time. A “peace that surpasses understanding.” Bring them comfort Lord, and help them to remain strong and healthy so as to care for these who are sick.

As the people wait and face many unknown things, Your presence calms their fears. Speed their recovery if that’s what you intend and give us all patience as you guide us through these uncharted waters. I ask this for them in the name of Jesus the Lord. Thank you! Amen.

Prayer to Heal a Friend

Dear God, friendship is a beautiful thing. Let us now remember the sickest friend, the one who is hospitalized and awaiting surgery. Reduce his pain and anxiety. Give comfort in ill-health & reduce suffering. We ask for your intervention, with the understanding that healing is not possible unless You want it.

We are gratified by Your compassion. We know you love our friend more deeply than even we do, and we ask for your divine Hand upon him. We ask that you guide the doctors and nurses as they go about their daily tasks.

We also hope that You bless our dear friend with Your care and give him renewed strength. Our lives have always been in your hands. Every disease comes upon your command and goes on your say-so.

Thank you, Lord! You are our redeemer and the life of all mankind. Thank you for showing us love and gentle mercy. In the name of Jesus Christ our lord, Amen.

A Prayer when a Friend Suffers

Dear sweet Lord, It’s hard watching _______ suffer. It’s not fair that she endures this much pain and suffering. I lift my prayers not for myself today Lord, but for her.

Despite my human weakness, I come to you in faith and trust. I am bringing my friend before you asking for a healing touch. Please make her whole Lord. Please give her back the strength and vitality she had before. I ask for your forgiveness of sin and remembrance for her.

Bless the surgeons, Lord, as they begin their work, and help them to know supernaturally what their job should be. Give them the strength to carry out the work without harm. Give __________ a healing touch with no lasting effects from this surgery.

Thanks be to God, the giver of our life, peace and joy. Amen.

A Prayer Against Disease

Lord, you say that whoever believes in you will never die. Please keep up (friend’s name) strength in these moments of sickness. Take care of my sick friend. Upon your journey to earth you did everything right and you helped to cure every illness. You healed people with illnesses. You fought for our sins to bring us eternal happiness, Lord.

It seems to me that you are here with us now to help remove any evils that roam the earth. Tell me how to achieve this. Lord, I come to you because (friend’s name) needs your healing. Please remove the pain and give (friend’s name) the healing that is required for (his/her) body. Dear God I know you care, because you said “before you were knit together in the womb, I knew you.” Know (friend’s name) now, I pray, and touch (him/her) with your healing hand. Father, I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A Prayer for Surgery and Comfort for a Friend

Dear God, my beloved friend needs to feel your power. She is sad, depressed, and facing surgery right away. Her body is sick and her mind is a wreck. Please bring her your comfort and peace, Lord. Please let her feel your caring love.

In 2 Kings you told David, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you.” Please give that same promise to (name) today, Lord. Please see and feel her tears. Please heal her body, mind, and spirit. God, only you can give the kind of strength and peace she needs right now. Hear our prayers. We love you, God. Amen.

A Prayer for Comfort in the Face of Bad News

Jesus, the news I heard about my friend just seemed like the waters were too strong for any human to bear alone. Please let him know he is in our prayers. Tell him not to fear what is brewing in front of him. Let him feel your healing power, Lord, let him know he can move forward without this pain and heartbreak. 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Help him remember to lean on you every moment.

Lord, keep in touch with your promise of healing. Even when I know that you’ll remain with him, give him a tangible reminder about you today, and that you’ll faithfully help those hurts heal. He trusts you are here with him, Father, and walks with the Holy spirit. Please give him the healing touch that only you can offer. It is in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

A Prayer for Healing all the Wounds

Dear God, We come humbly before you to confess our need for you today. We need your healing. We need your grace. We need your hope. We need to be reminded that you love us completely. Forgive us for trying to fix our health and our pain all on our own. True healing must come first from You.

We come to you to lift up our friend who is hurting. You know the pain he is carrying. You know his burdens and old hurts, wounds and strongholds.

We ask for your healing touch for (name) to cover every wound. Fix his body. Mend his every heartache. Give him grace and peace. Restore every bit of his pain and suffering. He is one of your faithful servants, Lord, please give him strength.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Prayer for Personal Healing

Oh my God! Your creation was yours before time began. You know what hair grows on my face, and what thoughts come into my head before I can even voice my opinion.

Tell me what you’re saying and I will do as you ask. You are Jesus Christ, the healing God. And you’ve decided what I’m going to do for the future of my life and my work on this earth. I am with you today, as your child, calling upon your divine healing.

I believe in the healing power of prayer, Lord. I’ve always believed you could heal me by simply saying one word. Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed, cleanse me of all my unrighteous behavior and heal me completely. I beg you, O Lord. Amen.

A Prayer for Soul Healing

Precious Father, I admire your love and your ability to take us from immaturity towards maturity, from brokenness to wholeness. I come before you today to lift up _______ and ask that you heal him from his wounds. Lord, his heart is weary and he is broken. He has to face this surgery Lord, and he feels he is all alone.

We know that is not true Lord, for the Bible verse Psalm 147:3 tells us you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Please do that for _______.

Let him feel your power, your mercy, and your love, heavenly father. Ask him to come to you as a small child, and rest in your arms. Heal his body and his soul with your healing power, and make him whole again. Remove his pain, both the physical and the heartsick kind. Let his surgery be successful, Lord, and put him back on the right path to healing.

We ask your healing touch for our loved one and come to you with confidence and trust. Thank you, Father. Amen.

My Lighthouse of Hope

Father, thank you for everything you have given me, my family, my friends and everyone else. Thank you Lord that it will be my last day that I can see the beauty in your creation. You understand my conflicted feelings here, Lord. Thank you Lord.

Whenever I’m in hospital, The Lord is my strength. Your lighthouse will give me hope. It will be shining as I leave this earth, and I will see it and follow it to the other side. Thank you that you are healing my wounds soon! In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

Q & A

How do you pray for someone going into surgery?

Please keep my dear friend safe during this surgery. Give him and his family a calm spirit. Direct the surgeon with skill and wisdom while he is doing the surgical procedure. Hold my friend in the palm of your hand and feel your presence and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How to pray for healing?

We reach to our heavenly Father and ask him for healing with all sincerity. Just ask to be made whole. Remember, Adam and Eve didn’t suffer from bursitis, ulcers or stress. A prayer for healing might look like this:

Holy God, I come to you today to thank you for all you have done for us. You already know about my illness, God. If it is your will, I ask that you bring complete and total to my body this day. I am handing you the burden of this sickness, and trusting you to heal it as you see fit. I ask for your peace and comfort as you handle all the details. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How can we heal ourselves?

Although many people believe you can “heal” yourself, especially New Age types, it is our position that true healing of the body, mind, or spirit comes only from God. He is the source of all healing and restoration. He will heal you, if it is his will, and if you submit to him and allow him to be in charge of your life.

That said, we do believe the Lord expects us to follow medical protocols, to eat right and get sleep, not to drink too much, etc. He gave us common sense and medical professionals to help us.

How do you pray for someone going into surgery?

Please keep my dear friend safe during this surgery. Give him and his family a calm spirit. Direct the surgeon with skill and wisdom while he is doing the surgical procedure. Hold my friend in the palm of your hand and feel your presence and peace.

How to pray for healing?

We reach to our heavenly Father and ask him for healing with all sincerity. Just ask to be made whole. Remember, Adam and Eve didn’t suffer from bursitis, ulcers or stress. A prayer for healing might look like this:

Holy God, I come to you today to thank you for all you have done for us. You already know about my illness, God. If it is your will, I ask that you bring complete and total to my body this day. I am handing you the burden of this sickness, and trusting you to heal it as you see fit. I ask for your peace and comfort as you handle all the details. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How Can “All Things Work Together for Those Who Love God” When Someone has Terminal Illness?

You may wonder how “All things work together for those that love God” can work when someone is very ill. God can use the illness for good. Where sickness happens God can use it to showcase his glory and power to others. This can result in a deepened faith for friends, or even a new belief in God. Many times we don’t even know how he uses the illness, but we are assured that he does.

What do you say to someone religious who is having surgery?

It’s hard to know what to say to someone having surgery, especially if they are religious and you, not so much. Here are a few ideas for (short) comments you can share that let them know you’ve got their back.

• Know that the Lord already has a plan for you and your loved ones; his love never fails.
• I’ll be praying throughout your surgery and beyond.
• May God’s grace guide your surgery and recovery.
• I’ll pray that God will surround your recuperations with his unconditional loving care!
• During this illness, I am focusing on your strength and praying that God’s love will always come.
• I pray God’s peace and direction for you.
• I feel that God’s got this; he will guide you.

Who is the patron saint for surgery?

Saint Raphael is the Archangel who we consider as the patron saint of healing. Unlike most saints, Raphael was never a human being and he never lived on Earth. He was a heavenly angel who was name a saint in honor of his charity work.

Raphael serves people who need healing in body, mind, and spirit, as well as a patron saint of young people, lovers, travelers, and people seeking protection from nightmares.  Raphael also helps doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and counselors. You can see that he has a busy load!

How do you pray for healing and protection?

Lord, be merciful towards us. May Your Healing Hand rest on me; May Your life-giving power reach all parts of my soul, cleanse and purify, and restore me to my wholeness. Protect me with your special hedge of protection from all that is evil. Thank you for this and for all the work you do in my life.

What is the most powerful prayer for healing?

Thank you, Father, for touching my body, my mind, and my soul. Cover my head with the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ and cleanse me, thoroughly and completely. I give myself fully to you and submit to your will so that you can re-shape me as a healthy, clear-thinking, and soul filled being. Thank you for the work you are already doing. Amen.

How do you pray for someone else’s healing?

Father God, I come to you now humbly to ask for healing for _____________. He/she is sick and hurting, Lord, and I ask that you would heal him/her with your perfect hands. Let the illness float away. We know you can lay your hand on my friend for miraculous healing, and that’s what I ask of you today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

How do you pray for healing and protection?

Lord, be merciful towards us. May Your Healing Hand rest on me; May Your life-giving power reach all parts of my soul, cleanse and purify, and restore me to my wholeness. Protect me with your special hedge of protection from all that is evil. Thank you for this and for all the work you do in my life.

What is the most powerful prayer for healing?

Thank you, Father, for touching my body, my mind, and my soul. Cover my head with the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ and cleanse me, thoroughly and completely. I give myself fully to you and submit to your will so that you can re-shape me as a healthy, clear-thinking, and soul filled being. Thank you for the work you are already doing. Amen.

In Exodus chapter 34, God gave Moses a new set of tablets. Then in Deuteronomy 5, we see him draw all of Israel together and give what seems to be a new set of rules. In this article, we will explore whether the 10 commandments were given differently this time.

Deuteronomy was written either around 1410 BC or in the 7th century BC, depending on who you read. Regardless, this was when Moses quoted the commandments to the Israelites, and also expanded on them. Below, I’m going to show you blow-by-blow what the commandments say, both from Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. There’s also a pdf file if you’d like to download it.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with the slight rewording. But many people use it as “See? There go those Protestants again, trying to say there’s such a thing as 10 Commandments, when they can’t even get their own (2) stories straight.”
So let’s try to understand why it could possibly be different.

1. The 2 texts have slightly different wording, but the meaning is the same. This happens all the time (doesn’t it?). Words are written and rewritten; they are misconstrued. They are shortened or lengthened, depending on the situation.
2. Differences in understanding. Remember that people are translating, and they, or we, can interpret words slightly differently.
3. Moses himself might have emphasized something different the second time around!

To get to the heart of things, please take a look at the comparison chart below. You can download a pdf at the bottom of the page.

When you think about the passage of time, it’s wonderful that these commandments were able to be passed down so much and yet still be mostly intact!

[amazon box=”0515157236, 1629997382, 1683593537,1483853764″ grid=”4″]

*Featured photo by thesuccess at morguefile.com

The Ten Commandments, also called by the name Decalogue, are biblical principles which give guidance based on ethics. They have fundamental importance within the Jewish and Christian societies. The Ten Commandment text appears twice in the Hebrew Bible. Believers still memorize and follow the Ten commandments today, just as they did thousands of years ago. Or do they? Can You name the Ten Commandments?

The ten commandments were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, but they were known to man even before that. Adam and Eve knew God’s law, so although the rules weren’t written on a stone they existed back then. Throughout early history, the commandments were revered. King David said they were perfect. Let’s take a look at the Ten commandments now.

10 Commandments List

Here are the original 10 Commandments in the order they were written in Exodus 20. At the bottom of this article, we include the commandments lists with Jewish and Catholic numbers of the 10 Commandments. They are a little different from the Christian version. This article will focus on them as numbered in the above graphic.

You may wonder why we need to have these 10 “good laws.” The purpose is to help us. By following the 10 commandments, we live and work as God intended — getting along peacefully, without crime. In fact, we got the definition of sin from God: Sin is breaking His law. Here it is in 1 John 3:4:

“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. ”

Remember, God brought in the 10 commandments of Mount Sinai with a blast of smoke, erupting earthquakes and the sound of trumpets. That’s how serious he was about these commandments.

Moses recorded God’s words in Exodus 20.

Who, What, Where, When, Why

Let’s take a look at the 10 commandments to answer the who, what, when where questions:

Exodus 20:2-17

Who: Moses (God gave them to Moses)

What: the 10 commandments

When: roughly 1440 BCE.

Where: Mt. Sinai

Why: to show us how to live.

Is there Controversy Among Christians Concerning the 10 Commandments?

There are many Christians that argue Christ’s death abolished the need for the 10 Commandments. After all, His death did away with many other laws of the times, right? But most of those same people would agree that killing, adultery, stealing, and lying are not acceptable ways to live. Nor do most think blasphemy, idolatry, and coveting are okay. So when you get right down to it, the only commandment the majority of Christians do not agree on is the one about the Sabbath:

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

I’ll address that only briefly here. First, Jesus’ issues with the pharisees and the Sabbath day.

Did Jesus Break the Sabbath?

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, ‘Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!’

“And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’—that they might accuse Him”

In both situations, the pharisees wanted to “catch” Jesus doing something wrong. They had gotten so wrapped up in the rules, they’d forgotten how to care for people. Jesus and his disciples ate some wheat off the stem in a field (yuk!) and ate it.

He also healed a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath. Again, the Pharisees chided him. Jesus explained to them that it was “lawful to do good on the Sabbath,” (Matthew 12:12) Furthermore, he explained he was Lord of the Sabbath:

“ And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” ” Mark 2:27-28.

The other issues with the Sabbath day is that some believers insist it is on Saturday, and some Sunday. There are people who argue that God made the Sabbath on a certain day, therefore you are breaking the commandment if you keep it on another day. This is almost like the pharisees getting so wrapped up in rule upon rule that they couldn’t understand the basics. Many people are required to work on certain days, so they keep the Sabbath on another day. It should not matter when your ‘day of rest’ is, as long as you’re observing one. Now, back to the Ten commandments…

What Are The Teachings of the Ten Commandments?

The Ten commandments set the parameters for living and worship. Here they are in order, with discussion.

You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:3

Discussion:  Whatever holds the place of importance in a person’s life is a god. That means if you can’t wait to get on Facebook after class, and spend hours on it, Facebook is your god. If you are obsessed with clothing to the point that you’ll cut the grocery bill to buy a new dress, clothing is your god.

Men aren’t exempt. Their gods might be different – other objects, or business, or income – but they still have things they allow between them and the Lord.

God is revealed to us in nature, in the Bible, and even speaking to our hearts, yet we allow imaginary ‘gods’ to fill our hearts instead. Interestingly, those things we allow to fill us are unsatisfying and imperfect. And in the dark of night, we don’t find comfort in praying to our money or Facebook, but only to the God who said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image,

or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20: 4-6.

Discussion: Right after telling us not to have gods, He admonishes us not to have likenesses of ‘gods.’ He loves us. He doesn’t want us bowing to some other ‘god.’ His jealousy is not the kind we think of, angry and ugly, but instead pours out of a heart full of love and affection. With telling us about these rules, He is showing us how we can best love Him; this is useful, because we won’t know how unless He tells us. By following this set of rules, we show our love for Him.

And what kind of person creates an idol? Idols are degrading to God – and to the person who creates them. This commandment doesn’t mean not to make likenesses of anything, but not to make likenesses of God or false gods for the purpose of worshipping them. Bowing down to anything besides the Lord our God is strictly forbidden.

You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain

Exodus 20:7.

Discussion: Does profanity still exist? You bet it does. One can cringe daily listening to the constant abuse of the Lord’s name.

When you think of Jesus, think about the slang that throws His name around daily. Consider using a different word to express displeasure. Nothing has changed since Jesus spoke to the careless people of His days: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:3-37, ESV.)

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11.

Discussion: I find it interesting that the Lord needed to expound on this command – a requirement for our own physical rest. We are all way too “busy” to need to take a moment. But observing the Sabbath isn’t just for us; it’s also for God. Sabbath rest is a time to honor His creation and respect the fact that He Himself took a Sabbath day of sorts, a rest period after the Creation.

Honor your Father and your Mother

Exodus 20:12  “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Discussion: Children, whether young or adult, owe their parents kindness, obedience, and respect. Imagine the joy thousands of us would have received if this command were followed.

In the current culture, we have a crisis. Thousands of millennials have abandoned their parents for what will now be a generation without family, without grandparents who babysit or care for the young ones. There are even lessons on the Internet for how to abandon your family.

In droves, they’ve left. People who have done it claim the family was toxic. Families are left bewildered. Research shows it will affect the next 3 generations. No longer does “Lord Jesus Christ” mean he’s the boss, and do what he says.

Note that “your days may be long…” In Ephesians 6:2, the apostle Paul states: It is ‘The first commandment with promise and God cannot change His promise.’ A long life, for those who honor parents. Does it follow that a short life will be had for those who do not honor their parents?

 You shall not murder.

Exodus 20:13

Discussion: God does not want anyone killed in any way for their sins. Does the world know that thousands have violated this rule? And judging from previous data, many thousands are dying at their hands of someone who has gotten away with it, living happily and free. Crime is threatening our society. The Lord says that no one can be murdered, yet recently (2020) there were 21,570 homicides in the U.S.

You shall not commit adultery

Exodus 21:14

Adultery is defined as  “voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband.”*

In Matthew 5, Jesus clarified with this remark: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” Matthew 5:27-20, ESV

The defining point is that God wanted to make marriage a strong, intimate bond. This is why he wanted people to remain faithful in their marriage. Paul said, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 1 Corinthians 6:13, ESV.

If you think of faithfulness as Paul stated it, it’s hard not to believe the we were meant to be faithful to our (one) partner. Perhaps that makes the 7th commandment easier to follow.

You shall not steal

Exodus 20:14

Discussion: “There will be no crime”. Despite the simplicity of this commandment, the world needs it today. The variety of thieves is virtually endless, from simple pickpockets and purse theft to robbers stealing from everyone — from children to widows to businesses. This man faces judgment of his dishonesty with the following words: “You can’t steal.”

You shall not bear false witness

Exodus 20: 15.

Discussion: You will never speak falsehood to a neighbor. And who is a neighbor?

The Ninth Commandment is designed to prevent slander and perversion of justice. This law demands truth and nothing but truth. Revelation 22:15 tells us that “whoever loves and practices lies” will come out of the gates of New Jerusalem.

God is a god of truth. He hates lies and dishonesty. Here are some verses showing that:

• “His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:5).
• “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
• “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

You shall not covet.

Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

To covet means to want or desire what someone else has. “I’ve got to have it!”

The problem with wanting things is that coveting begins in the heart. It’s a heart matter. It can easily lead to idolatry and all sorts of sin.

That’s the 10 commandments in order. Next are the 10 Commandments , short form, Catholic version:**

1. “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any gods before Me.”
2. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”
3. “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.”
4. “Honor thy father and mother.”
5. “Thou shalt not kill.”
6. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
7. “Thou shalt not steal.”
8. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
9. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.”
10. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.”

Then we have the Jewish version of the commandments:***

I am the Lord Your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

You shall have no other gods beside Me.

You shall not take the name of the Lord Your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.

Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord God gives you.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, nor his wife, his man-servant, his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Merriam-Webster,t.ly/6BjA. accessed 2/23/22.

**https://www.dummies.com/article/body-mind-spirit/religion-spirituality/christianity/catholicism/catholicism-and-the-ten-commandments-192630.

***https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-ten-commandments/

Questions

What are the 10 Commandments in order in the Bible?

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet.

What are the 10 commandments in simple terms?

Have no other gods, don’t make idols, don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, keep the Sabbath, honor your parents, don’t murder, steal, or lie, don’t commit adultery, don’t covet.

What are the actual 10 commandments?

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet.

Every marriage has hard periods, especially in our current times. You may have tried counseling, reading self-help books, and talking it over. But have you tried the Bible yet?

There is no source that is for your marriage like God is for your marriage. He is behind you 100 percent. He wanted you to be married to each other, and he wants you to treat each other with love.

But how can I, you might wonder, when all this has gone on? You may feel far away from loving your spouse. You may feel bitter. You may believe you hate them.

Let’s take a look at the Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.

That’s quite a list of ways we should behave when we love each other. And maybe you feel your spouse has let you down in one of these areas. The things is, we’re still supposed to act with love. Even if he didn’t protect you, you need to have hope for the marriage, persevere for the marriage. One of the best ways to get a marriage back on track is to support him and uplift him, and let him see that’s what you are doing.

Whew. I know how difficult all this is. Let’s look at another verse.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Love can be a challenge, especially when the marriage is rocky. But by showing love and remembering it comes from God, we can display the patience, kindness, and support needed to get things back on the right track – if we want to.

If you are feeling angry, sad, and disappointed, you may not want to act with love toward your spouse right now. That’s okay, everyone feels that way sometimes. But it’s important to pray to God and have him reveal the source of your heartache, so that you can deal with it.

If some time passes and you still have not been able to move past the feelings of anger and sadness, it may be time to call in a professional counselor. You might need to be treated for depression. Of course, that’s not always the case, so don’t feel that we’re saying you automatically need medical care. But if you have been depressed for a number of weeks, it could be something for your to check into.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Treat your wife with….respect, and as (an) heir with you in the gift of life. What a beautiful reminder of God’s grace. Hopefully, we strong women can get past the part about the weaker partner, and move to the next phrase. We appreciate our partner’s love, respect, and support.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Wow! Love your wife as Christ loved the church. There is no clearer message about how to love someone than this. Love her deeply, thoroughly, and forever. Be someone she can depend on. This is a beautiful, clear example of how love should work. It would be a nice comparison for those who aren’t married yet, to see if this is how they will be treated long term.

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Mark 10:8, 9 ‘And the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.

Did you have this verse spoken in your wedding ceremony? It’s a reminder that God set us for marriage to one another, and we are to remain united. He has joined our souls.

The verse is also a good reminder of another issue: allowing someone else to get between you and your spouse. Oftentimes, well-meaning people can start arguments between a married couple. They don’t mean to but they interfere with the marriage. This is not to be allowed. The second verse is a great one to quote, especially to those interfering in-laws and “I’m just concerned” friends.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.     This too is meaningless.

Sometimes one partner or the other becomes obsessed with wealth. Note that it says you never have enough. If you and/or your spouse are struggling with finances due to the love of money, it’s time to repent and get yourselves back on the right track. Living a life in Christ means your priorities have shifted away from wealth and from ‘having’ onto a track of giving to others.

Loving money, or the appearance of wealth, also means you cannot love your partner in the way you should. Money has in a sense taken his place. You may even pick fights over your lack of wealth or inability to make certain purchases. Now that you’ve seen the Biblical response to that, you can take a moment to repent and ask God’s forgiveness.

Colossians 3:13,14 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

If there’s one thing a marriage needs, it’s tons of forgiveness. We are all bound to make mistakes, but God asks that we not keep score. Instead forgive and be sure to forget your spouse’s “wrongdoing.” In time, you too will make a mistake and you’ll appreciate that he will forgive you easily.

Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Sometimes we’re so upset with our spouse that it boils over. We talk about them to anyone who’ll listen – usually friends and family. We say terrible things about them.

But this verse calls us to forgive as Christ forgives us. We need to stop tearing them down, and build them up.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love.

If we only had one verse to share, this would be it. When everything we do comes from a place of love, the marriage becomes easier.

You may feel there is no way out when your marriage is struggling. But there is always a way, if both sides are committed to it. There is plenty of room to change your behavior and act from a place of love. It’s hard, especially if you feel you have been wronged. Many people state that “only with the strength of the Lord” they were able to change.

God intended for us to be married, and he made marriage a blessed state. By guarding against the interference of others, living as the Bible teaches, and trying to always respond in love, you can go a long way in saving and safeguarding your marriage.

God meant for everyone to be a powerful and effective prayer warrior. That’s why prayer is not one of the spiritual gifts. It isn’t for only a few or select people. It’s not just for leaders or pastors. Praying is an activity that is open to all believers. Christians are expected to pray for each other constantly.

What is a Prayer warrior?

A prayer warrior is someone who understands that our battle is spiritual warfare and wants to participate on “God’s team.” He or she commits to praying diligently and constantly in the name of Jesus Christ. This doesn’t mean he never stops praying, but that he is committed to praying many times daily. His prayer life is consistent and his dedication is unwavering.

A prayer warrior has the good of God’s kingdom in sight as he or she prays. He knows the Word of God and uses it effectively while praying.

What to Pray for Others

As you get to know people, you usually end up knowing a lot of their personal history. You learn about their strengths and weaknesses, and through that you become aware of how to pray for them. For example, you have a close friend, Margie. Margie’s cousins were killed in a crash. The child they left behind is hyperactive, and you can’t imagine Margie having enough patience to deal with him, but she seems anxious to take him on. Rather than discuss it with her, which is bound to raise some hurt feelings, you can pray privately for her, asking God to give your friend the patience she needs to deal with her new child.

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Are you Called to be a Prayer Warrior?

All believers are called by God to fight in the spiritual battle that is good against evil. Evil (or Satan, or the devil) wants to cause suffering. God works to cause everything to work for righteous principles. Remember that wherever Satan is at work, God is already there working:

             But where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20, NIV)

A prayer warrior is someone who answers God’s call to participate in the battle. Prayer warriors clearly see the spiritual battle and act by working alongside each other to pray – thus taking on the fight.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)

Are you Equipped to Be a Prayer Warrior?

As you begin to pray, God will guide you in the way you should pray. He will show you the various battles. At first you may only be aware of one battle, and then you may not see another for many months. But as you become stronger in your quest to become a prayer warrior, you will begin to see more and more of the spiritual battles that are raging around you.

Becoming more sensitive to the spiritual means seeing more things to pray about. It is a cycle that helps you to increase in knowledge and in the strength of your prayers. We must put on the full armor of God in order to pray effectively. It is God’s power that is needed here. We are all equipped with the tools to pray because we are promised to be able to do all things through Christ. All we need to do is begin.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

How to Get Started Being a Prayer Warrior see more about being a prayer warrior

1.     If you feel the need to pray about it first, then do so. But God wants every believer to pray so it’s possible that he will give you a resounding “yes.”

2.     Begin your prayers knowing who the winner is. Please don’t ever feel burdened or overwhelmed. God is the victor.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6, NIV)

3.     Commit to praying daily. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, so a prayer warrior does not pray just once a day but several or many times. Practicing prayer makes you better at it, which makes you a stronger prayer warrior.

4.     Strengthen your relationship with Christ. A closer walk means a better understanding of what prayers you need to pray. Also as you develop a heart like his, you will see things in perspective and pray correctly.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

5.      Start a prayer journal. It can be as simple as a small notebook where you can jot down who needs prayer. You can also put things you discern that you might want to refer to later, to pray over and ask the Lord if this is a real need. Many times prayer warriors have an understanding than others don’t about spiritual matters.

6.      Learn Scripture. Memorizing Scripture means you can incorporate it into your prayers.

7.     Let others know you are praying. Your pastor and your church’s prayer groups will want to include you in their activities. Your friends will appreciate knowing who will pray for them when they feel a need for it.

8.      However…. Don’t do it just for public gain. Keep your prayer life private and your heart humble. It is always God who answers prayer – not us.

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray to stand in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say to you they have their reward. Matthew 6:5

If my people, who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Q&A About Prayer

Q: Do I have authority to pray?

A: Jesus gave us his authority. Pray in Jesus’ name and know that you pray within the highest authority of all.

Q: How do I know there will be victory from my prayers?

A: you can start from a position of victory. Although the Lord may not answer every single prayer of yours in the way you imagine he should, the victory is already his. Many, many situations will be righted because of prayer warriors and their diligence. Also see How Does Prayer Change Things.

Q: Sometimes I feel discouraged by the huge amount of prayers I need to pray.

A: Never feel discouraged! Your strength comes from God. He will make the path clear for you. If you are discouraged, divide your list into smaller parts and only pray for some of them at a time. For example, pray for the first 1/3 of the list in the morning, then then next in the afternoon and the last in the evening. Or pray on Mondays for everyone who is ill, on Tuesday s for those who lead worship, and so on. There are many ways to make your list smaller. And don’t’ forget that you can always get a prayer partner to help you pray.

Verses about Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray to stand in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say to you they have their reward. Matthew 6:5

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16