Pray for Clear Direction

“Gideon said to God, ‘If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.‘ That is what happened.

Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me. Let me make one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.’ That night God did so (from Judges 6:36-40).”

So we pray, “Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul (Psalm 143:8).”

Our Merciful Savior

The people did evil, abandoned the Lord and provoked Him to anger. The hand of the Lord was against them for harm and they were in terrible distress.

The Lord heard their groaning, was moved to pity, and He saved them (see Judges 2:11-18).

Our Lord is a merciful Savior.

Speak Up

Here’s one story: “There arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10).

Here’s another story: We will tell “the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might and the wonders that he has done. . . that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children so that they should set their hope in God (Psalm 78:4-6).

Those who speak to God should also speak of Him.

On Faith in Prayer

Stories of answered prayer encourage us to pray. But they don’t increase our faith.

Faith is the evidence of things not seen—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses (from Hebrews 11:1 AMP).

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Faith in prayer is based on who God is and what He is like.

What God Did When They Prayed for Protection

When they cried to the Lord, he put darkness between them and the Egyptians (Joshua 24:7), who were in hot pursuit.

Pray for protection from the enemy—God is our help and shield (from Psalm 115:11).

The Lord Always Knows

When their brothers misjudged and accused them, they said, “The Mighty One, God, the Lord! The Mighty One, God, the Lord! He knows (Joshua 22:22).”

Their story ends well (read it in Joshua 22).

The Mighty One, God, the Lord always knows. And He always listens!

When Planning for Your Future

Consider how or if your plan will help you, “to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul (Joshua 22:5-6).

And don’t forget to pray. God knows the plans he has for you, to give you a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Stand Still and Pray

The priests in this story gave a great example for us to follow. Here’s what happened:

The priests went first, stepping into an overflowing Jordan River. Then God held the water back. The priests stood in the middle of the river while the people hurried across. When everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over as the people watched (read the whole story in Joshua 3 -4).

Step out, stand still, and pray. Others will follow.

God is With You

The Lord your God has promised, “I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you (Joshua 1:5).”

Pray to the Lord who is with you.

Need Strength? Pray.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

As your days, so shall your strength be (Deuteronomy 33:25).