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How to Pray for Our World + Verses on Prayer

Scripture speaks so much and so well of prayer.

"You will pray to me and I will listen." -Jeremiah 29:12

"We can have confidence knowing that if what we ask fits with the will of YHWH, he will give it to us." -1 John 5:14

"Pray for those who persecute you." -Matthew 5:44

"What you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours." -Mark 11:24

"The prayers of the upright please YHWH." -Proverbs 15:8

"Be faithful in prayer." -Romans 12:12

"The Messiah told them this parable to show them they should always pray and not give up." -Luke 18:1

"Do not be anxious about anything, instead pray about everything giving thanks and praise." -Philippians 4:6

"Pray without ceasing." -1 Thessalonians 5:17

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

I could go on, but you can see that there are many calls in Scripture for us to pray. And so much reassurance that he hears us and will answer us. And amazing things happen when we cry out to him!

We have the opportunity to petition the Living God on behalf of our family, friends, and community + verses on prayer | Land of Honey

So what's holding us back? It's time to pray.

I'm sure you don't need a recap on the times that we are in. It's been an interesting last few months to say the least. During times of natural disaster, personal emergency, health difficulties, life disruption, or any time in general we always are given the amazing option to approach the Creator with our needs. Have we been doing that? Are we boldly going to YHWH's throne to petition him?

In past times of national crisis or natural disaster that has been an overt call to prayer. On the nightly news, from the pulpits, on social media, on billboards, at rallies, in newspapers, you would be encouraged or reminded to pray for our nation. But this time around the attention is on thanking our "first responders." If a prayer was said for every yard sign, commercial, or online post that glorifies first responders, what kind of impact would that have on our lives? Our society? Our economy? Our national value system? The peace in our hearts?

It's time to take back our birthright of being able to boldly approach the Living God. We need to stand up for our communities and intercede for them. It's time to take authority over the works of the enemy and declare that there is room for the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.

Pray that the commandments would be kept and honored in your community | Land of Honey

I may not know how to fix the problems in our world, but I have access to the one who does! My skills and abilities might be limited. My fiances might be lacking. I may not have my doctrine worked out perfectly, but I can approach YHWH himself and ask for help in any area there is a need. We have the opportunity to pray to the King of the Universe. We can ask the Creator of all things for help.

Let's pray for:

-Your family, community, nation, the world in general.

-That people would not operate in fear but in the courage of the Creator.

-That there would be widespread repentance and that hearts would be opened to the truth.

-For the physical, spiritual, and emotional health of the people in your community.

-Pray that what the enemy intended for evil would be used for good by YHWH. Declare that chaos would be cut off from your life and the lives of those around you.

-For the persecuted believers worldwide.

-That your community would be a place where the commandments are known and honored!

-The Holy Spirit would be poured out on us during this time.

-That there would be revelation and correct understanding of Scripture within the faith community.

-Pray for anyone you are having difficulty or conflict with.

-For congregational leaders and pastors to have wisdom and serve YHWH with excellence.

-Pray that leaders in governments would sincerely desire to honor and serve YHWH and their decisions would be godly.

-Pray that people would see the beauty of the Messiah.

-That YHWH's name would be known and honored throughout the world.

Pray that the name of YHWH would be known and praised throughout the earth | Land of Honey

A few reminders about prayer:

-Short is okay!

There is no time criteria that prayers must meet to be effective. Small prayers anytime are powerful. Help me with this. Let everyone in that situation see your truth. May my family know your love and peace. Heal that person.

-It doesn't have to be formal or fancy.

A lot of people feel like they don't know how to pray. If you're feeling this way I encourage you to just start! It's okay to be 100% honest with the Creator and share your heart with him as you would a friend. Tell him your struggles, your worries, how you've been feeling; ask questions, request blessings, give him praise.

-Remind yourself.

If you feel like you forget to pray then make it a point to remind yourself. Put a note on your to-do list or calendar. Put a sticky note on a mirror or set a reminder on your phone. Include specific prompts if you wish. When you see this reminder pray one sentence, or more if you feel like it. Get in the habit of praying each time you get in your car or empty the dishwasher. See this post for more ideas.

-Do it right now.

Literally. Tell YHWH something right now or ask him for help in any area. When you have a thought like "I need to pray about that," then do so immediately! Again one sentence is better than nothing. No matter where you are or how much time you have, you can approach the Living God with your needs.

King David's Final Advice to Solomon (1 Kings 2:3)

Image is an open Bible laying in a patch of flowers. There are small yellow flowers and green foliage. Text overlay reads: The Advice King David Gave to Solomon | Land of Honey

Discover what piece of advice King David felt was the most pressing thing he needed to share with his son Solomon, shortly before he died. Solomon went on the be a legendary king. David who was known for many feats including military strength and slaying Goliath, considered to be a man of great courage after God's heart, the last bit of wisdom he had to impress on his son was simple: keep God's commandments.

When David was dying he poured his heart out to his son Solomon, who would proceed him in rule. He prayed for him and gave him the very best advice he could. A friend of mine had a similar experience when her beloved grandfather was dying. Each grandchild went to him and he prayed over them and poured into them one last time. The experience was rich and meaningful, and she remembers his words years later. And you know what both men talked about? It wasn't small talk about the weather, professional sports, or politics. They focused on the important stuff.

Doesn't that make sense? If you can only say one thing to a loved one, or if you're running out of time with someone you don't just blabber nonsense. You don't spout off cliches. You focus on the most important truths.

So what did this great king say to his son?

"Guard the charge of YHWH your Elohim: to walk in his ways, to guard his laws and guard his commands, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you do wisely in all that you do." -1 Kings 2:3

Guard the commandments! Do what Scripture says! Honor YHWH!

The best wisdom one of Israel's greatest kings could impart to his heir - and to us - was to keep the commandments of Scripture. It wasn't a bullet-point breakdown of how to defeat Goliath. He didn't give Solomon tips on running the nation. He didn't give a generic piece of advice. He didn't talk about how to be a mighty warrior. He focused on the essential foundation for how to live. He knew that if Solomon would guard the commandments then he would also be able to defeat Goliath, he would rule with excellence, he would find rest in keeping the Sabbath; David knew that if his son would follow Scripture's instructions he would be mighty in YHWH.

The New Testament tells us that David was a man after YHWH's own heart (Acts 13:22). I've heard sermons and teachings on this topic. I've done Bible studies to learn more about David and to become more like him, also pursuing the heart of the Creator. So let's not miss the wisdom in his final advice. What message did David use some of his very last breaths to share with us? To walk in the ways of God and guard his commandments!

More about keeping the commandments:
Is it Possible to Keep the Law Today?
Keeping the Law: The Ten Commandments as Marriage Vows
Scripture Defines Sin as Not Keeping the Commandments
How Much Biblical Law Do Believers Already Keep?

Did the Messiah "Just Love Everybody"?

We are called to love - but what does that look like according to Scripture? | Land of Honey

We need to talk about this. Right out of the gate, let's turn our attention to John 3:16.

"For YHWH so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but possess everlasting life."

YES. There is no doubt that the Creator does indeed love us. No matter our past, no matter our circumstances now.

Lately I've been hearing a lot of discussions and seeing articles about how the Messiah "just loved everyone." And while that's true, I take issue with the point that is (typically) being made. That point is often that believers need to be quiet and not say anything about the things that others or society are doing that the Bible calls sin. We are told that saying things is rude and unloving and definitely not what the Messiah would have done. The Messiah gets presented as jovial guy who is never bothered by what others are doing; he hangs out with all sorts of people, never saying anything that could be offensive or hurt anyone's feelings. And I think...are we reading the same Bible?

How much Scripture do you have to skip to think the Messiah did nothing but hug everyone and avoid touchy topics? Yahusha frequently offended others, and didn't hesitate to correct wrong beliefs.

To brush up, the Messiah is the guy who...

-Called a follower Satan.

-Got out a whip, turned over tables, and threw merchants out of the Temple.

-Tarried in going to see his friend who was sick, letting him die, and devastating family who had asked him to come.

-Told us to judge others!

-Caused the death of an entire herd of pigs, to the financial detriment of the farmer.

-Deliberately put things into parables making them hard to understand.

-Totally ruined a Hanukkah party.

-Once told a woman who was serving and feeding him that she wasn't even doing the most important thing.

-Frequently told people to stop sinning.

Many of these stories don't seem so nice and kind and warm and fuzzy do they? How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of any of those interactions? Wouldn't you be upset if he destroyed your whole business and financial livelihood? Or publicly forced you out of a church? Would you be hurt if you were trying to give him good advice and he called you Satan? Or if you asked him to come and heal your dying brother and he deliberately didn't show up? If he called your lifestyle and choices sin and told you to change, would that sting a little?

That last one really gets me. You know what "sin no more" implies? That you're sinning. That you're making choices that aren't acceptable to the Creator. This statement would not be appreciated on a college campus today, or really anywhere for that matter.

Please, please hear me: I am not saying our Messiah wasn't loving or doesn't love everyone. But I do think he needs to be accurately represented. We need to realize that love isn't all compliments and presents, sometimes love looks like saying the hard things and having uncomfortable discussions. Loving someone doesn't mean that you don't confront lies they believe or hold them accountable for the choices they are making. Love doesn't mean that you just sit there and smile while someone says or does whatever they want, to their own detriment.

When you tell someone to stop sinning, are your words condemning or freeing and empowering? If you just hear, "You're doing this wrong," that causes frustration and hurt. But if you hear, "This is how you live your best possible life," that gives direction and shows us what is possible. Love is empowering someone to stop sinning, so that they might be free from the pain and bondage they are in.

The Messiah does love people and we are called to that as well. Love means sticking up for the truth. To be sure, we need to use wisdom at all times - especially when we are sharing truth with someone. Work to control your tongue and speak words that are beneficial to those who hear them. Pray for wisdom about what to say and when to do that, please. We have all seen too many believers use the word as a weapon to attack someone, when we should be using it to plant seeds of truth and hope. Ask for wisdom and discernment and remember that real love and compassion is sharing the hope and the promises of YHWH and his Messiah with the people we encounter, no matter what we may get called or how we are treated for doing that. Love is being willing to be slandered to share his hope with others. Love doesn't hide behind lies. Love means risking our own comfort so that someone else can catch a glimpse of the fullness that the Creator has for them.

Love like the Messiah!

Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot

Recipes, crafts, and DIYS for a fruit-themed Shavuot | Land of Honey

Here's a great theme idea for Shavuot: fruit! Since Shavuot is a celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit (as well as the giving of the Torah), what better time to celebrate the fruit of the Spirit?

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Take time to reflect on these and where you're seeing fruit in your life. And then consider incorporating fruit into your celebration of the Biblical holiday of Shavuot!