Backsliders Need to be Humble

FATHER, I thank You for Your Word, that encourages me. It gives me more confidence when I pray for the salvation of ____.

Second Chronicles 12 tells about King Rehoboam who ruled Judea. When he was strong he abandoned Your law along with all Israel (2 Chron 12:1). Because of their unfaithfulness, an army so huge they could not be numbered came up from the south against them (2 Chron 12:2,3).

“Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves…” (2 Chron 12:6 ESV). FATHER, when You saw that they humbled themselves, You did not destroy them (2 Chron 12:7). It is true that You only pour out Your wrath on ones who will not humble themselves—on the ones who will not repent (Rev 9:20-21).

I pray that You give to ____ situation after situation with opportunities to humble (himself/herself). I even pray for opportunities like You gave Israel—an overwhelming army against (him/her)—if that’s what it takes.

Even if ____ should humble (himself/herself) and afterwards go back to sinning, it keys me to know there is interaction going on between You and (him/her). I pray earnestly that You continue to draw (him/her). How I long to see many more glimpses of contriteness in (him/her).

You Begin a Good Work and Will Complete It

FATHER, You have chosen and appointed ____ to bear fruit. Your Son intends (he/she) bear fruit and keep on bearing fruit and keep on bearing a fruit that is lasting—that will remain forever. This is all CHRIST’s doing (John 15:16).

Therefore JESUS, because Your HOLY SPIRIT now is at work in ____, (he/she) receives power of the kind which You have and exert. And, therefore (he/she) will testify and be Your witness of what (he/she) has experienced (Acts 1:8). ____ is a co- worker with You. Directed by Your grace, (he/she) labors together with You. (He/She) is as Your “land under cultivation”—Your structure under production—Yours (ref#37, p387, [1 Cor 3:9]).

FATHER, You are fashioning Your life in ____ and are working it out into (his/her) conduct. (He/She) does not have to stop and consider how well (he/she) is doing, You will accurately reproduce Your character in
(him/her) (Eph 4:24)—even when sin is so powerful in (his/her) members that (he/she) sees no way to be free from its snares.

When ____ demonstrates (his/her) lack of fortitude, let (him/her) stop striving and know that You are GOD (Ps 46:10). Let ____ find (his/her) joy in You as You build Your edifice in (him/her).

The Divine Weapons of Warfare – The Helmet of Salvation

FATHER, instill in ____ to wear as (his/her) helmet the confidence of (his/her) salvation (I Thes 5:8). Prick (his/her) conscience to treasure Your Word—to bear in mind Your precepts—to observe Your message in its entirety. By this (he/she) will know that (he/she) is in You (1 John 2:5).

Impassion ____ to reject the craving for sensual gratification. Constrain (him/her) to not greedily lust for anything and not depend on (his/her) own resources. Cause (him/her) to cherish nothing that is in the world (1 John 2:15,16). Stir (him/her) to remembrance that (his/her) hope of conquering every adversary is through the blood of the Lamb. This blood is as a helmet that protects (his/her) head; it cannot be penetrated (ref#15, [Eph 6:17]).

Impress upon ____ that (his/her) hope of continual safety and protection rests on Your promises to (him/her). It is You, Who protects (his/her) understanding from being darkened and (his/her) judgment from being confused by temptations from satan. Also, continually remind ____ that (he/she) is in CHRIST therefore, (he/she) cannot be cheated out of the hope of living forever with You (ref#15, [Eph 6:17]).

Christlikeness Is Not Me Imitating but the SPIRIT Implanting

FATHER, my previous understanding of the term “Christlikeness” has misled me. I thought I would become Christlike by doing more and more good deeds like CHRIST did. FATHER, it is my desire to walk by the SPIRIT, not imitate CHRIST by externally acting out my perception of His good works.

But, Christlikeness is not me imitating CHRIST. Instead, Christlikeness is the impartation of the holy qualities of CHRIST in me (ref#7, July 23rd). These “holy qualities” are Your qualities, FATHER, brought to me by the Person of the SPIRIT.

The HOLY SPIRIT transfigured the Son of Man, CHRIST, and He transfigures me. It is an internal change in me. Bit by bit—from one degree of glory to another—my life improves as You, FATHER, enter more and more into my life (2 Cor 3:18).

The length to which I’m willing to be molded into Your image is the length to which the SPIRIT will help me. As long as I keep calling out for His blessing and help, the SPIRIT has fully committed Himself to respond (ref#78, p38).

“Only when we are full of the Spirit do we feel the need for God everywhere we turn” (ref#78, p58).

Belief More Important Than Behavior

FATHER, I desire to be more concerned about my beliefs than my behavior. The enemy would lead me to focus on my behavior—my poor behavior. He is forever reminding me of my sins—trying to convince me that I am “unworthy, unacceptable, sin-sick” who will never amount to anything in Your eyes (ref#14, p 57). Yet, at the same time, he encourages me to work harder at being better.

Your intention is that I confess, forsake the sin, and quickly move on with You. But, I have trouble moving on with You when my attention is on changing sinful behavior. Help me, LORD to dwell on my beliefs and not my behavior.

“I have been justified—completely forgiven and made righteous (Rom 5:1)” (ref#14, p57). Because of CHRIST’s work sin no longer has dominion over me (Rom 6:14). I have passed out of sin as truly as the dead man has passed out of life (Rom 6:2). I have been placed into CHRIST by Your doing, FATHER (1 Cor 1:30). “…The life I am now living is Christ’s life (Gal 2:20)” (ref#14, p58). “…I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call me brother (Heb 2:11)” (ref#14, p59).

Admittedly, the below is also true:

I, along with everyone else, do not understand or seek You (Ps 53:2).
I, along with everyone else, corrupt my own way (Gen 6:12).
I, along with everyone else, have fallen away and am dishonest (Ps 53:3).
I, along with everyone else, do not do good (Ps 53:3).
I, along with everyone else, have a heart filled with destruction and do not speak truth (Ps 5:9).

FATHER, continually aid me to always perceive the truth about my perpetual sinful condition then turn immediately to rest with CHRIST on His accomplishments. He is the upright One who instructs and teaches me (Ps 25:8-9). I walk in His faithfulness, not in my faithfulness (Ps 26:3). May I seek joy in CHRIST alone, not in any good feelings I may get by improving my behavior.

“Thanksgiving and praise are acts of your will, but worship is something God does….It’s where He invites you into a place of adoration where you do less and He does more” (ref#156, p127).

Wait On The LORD

You are LORD OF HOSTS,
I will regard You as holy.
You will be my fear all day long
and You will be my dread (Isa 8:13).

I shall sing to You, “Praise the Lord” (Jer 20:13)!
You, who made the earth by Your great power;
You established the world by Your wisdom;
and by Your understanding stretched out the heavens (Jer 51:15).

You, who formed the mountains and created the wind,

and declared to man what is his thought,
You tread on the heights of the earth—
THE GOD OF HOSTS is Your name (Amos 4:13).

For from days of old, yes,
no one has heard or perceived by ear,
nor has any eye seen a GOD besides You,

who acts as I wait for You (Isa 64:4).

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me (Ps 25:4-5).
None who wait for you shall be put to shame (Ps 25:3).

Holiness
“…’Holy, holy , holy is the Lord of hosts;…” (Isa 6:3 ESV)!

“…what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15 ESV). FATHER, Your abhorrence for ungodly things sobers me when I think about it. I think about it too little, now free me to think about it. Let me review ways of behaving that You positively hate:

“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Ps 5:4-6 ESV).

“God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts” (Ps 7:11-13 ESV).

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Prov 6:16-19 ESV).

FATHER, sin is whirling dust—filthy grit in Your eyes. Holiness is what I long for; may I tremble at Your Word lest I offend You (ref#89, p101). Save me, O GOD, that I may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise (1 Chron 16:35).

“…You are holy, O You Who dwell in [the holy place…” (Ps 22:3 AMP).

Prayer Facts:

“It is quite useless knocking at the door of heaven for earthly comfort; it’s not the sort of comfort they supply there.” C. S. Lewis (ref#31, p62).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You are extraordinarily patient toward me (2 Pet 3:9), I will wait for You.

Because You earnestly wait longing to be gracious to me (Isa 30:18), I will wait for You.

Because You discipline and instruct me (Deut 8:5), I will wait for You.
Because You exact less than my guilt and iniquity deserve (Job 11:6), I will wait for You.

Redeeming Love

“Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise” (Ps 119:154 ESV)!

FATHER, You have kept Your promise and You have redeemed me. You have redeemed me from the power of my corruptions—the depth of sin where I was naturally plunged. You have led me to the cross of CHRIST. Through Him I am no longer a bondslave to sin living full of guilt (ref#34, Dec 1st PM).

“…as for me,…redeem me, and be gracious to me” (Ps 26:11 ESV).

“I…go around your altar, O Lord,

proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

“O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells” (Ps 26:6-8 ESV).

“My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless (You), Lord” (Ps 26:12 ESV).

“I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever” (Ps 145:1-2 ESV).

Heaven Sought By Works

FATHER, it’s possible that ____ sits in church with the same attitude as the rich young ruler had as he sat in the synagogue. That ruler hoped heaven would be his reward for all the good he did (Luke 18:21). But JESUS, knowing his dependence on wealth, required he give it up and follow Him if he wanted everlasting life (Luke 18:22). ____ too, may be bypassing JESUS as (he/she) plans (his/her) entrance to heaven.

“Jesus reveals…the possibility of a demonic faith which produces wonderful works quite indistinguishable from the works of the true disciples, works of charity, miracles, perhaps even of personal sanctification, but which is nevertheless a denial of Jesus and of the life of discipleship” (ref#10, p194).

FATHER, ____ has the ability to change (his/her) outward expression to one which does not come from within and is not representative of (his/her) inner character (ref#37, p433 [2 Cor 11:15]). Satan himself can change his outward expression (2 Cor 11:14). It’s entirely possible that ____ masquerades as CHRIST’s disciple (2 Cor 11:13).

So, LORD, teach ____ what criteria You will accept. For Your call to discipleship is always Your word—Your call— Yours alone (ref#10, p195).

“If we follow Christ, cling to his word, and let everything else go, it will see us through the day of judgment” (ref#10, p195).