Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem(6/29/23)[Prayer]

The Holy Scriptures | 6/29/23 | left that other site

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Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Luke 18

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

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New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

God Bless America.

ML/LTOS

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Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Our Father in Heaven
We Praise Your Holy Name!
Your Will be Done.
On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Teach us, LORD,
Our Whole Mind,
And Our Strength.
May The Words of Our Mouth,
And the Meditations of Our Heart,
Be Acceptable To You,
Oh LORD, Our God, to Lean on You,
And Not to onto our own understanding.

Let all that has been Concealed
Be Revealed.

Father, We Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem,
According To Your Will and Promise.
We Pray That You Will Forgive The Sins
of Our Own Nation,
and Lead us all to Godly Repentance.
Create in Us Clean Hearts, Oh LORD,
and Renew a Right Spirit Within Us.

This we Pray Together,
As We Await Your Messiah,
Blessed Be He,
To Set Up His Kingdom,
And Make All Things Right.

God Bless America.

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Luke 18

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!’”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

_______________________________________________________

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

I've always been a self-reliant kind of gal, but there are programs out there to assist senior citizens and widows when they are truly in need. In times of difficulty, I have been advised to look into some of these programs, to take care of issues not covered by insurance, pay for medical emergencies, and so on. After all, I have been paying into these charities and the government all my life, and now I am a real-life senior widow with a very low income. Even so, I hesitate to apply for these programs because I am proud of my independence and ability to take care of myself. I'm also scornful of the "Nanny State", and don't want to be a hypocrite! Unfortunately, in my quest not to be a hypocrite, I can fall into the sin of pride in my own self-relience. OK...so which is the worse sin? Hypocrisy or Pride? I have to remind myself that it takes as much Humility and Grace to Receive as it does to Give, and so I start filling out the forms. Pretty soon, I am drowning in a sea of RED TAPE.

I really hate Red Tape. In the last 6 years, I've been helping my sister with HER Red Tape as well as doing my own, because she is a little dyslexic. Filling out forms actually causes an anxiety reaction. It's the least I can do to assist her in filling out forms because I have an old fashioned computer with a printer and copier. I also have had great reading comprehension that I confess is a beautiful gift from God. (I read Moby Dick when I was in the fourth grade). After I finish helping Sis with HER Red Tape, I go home and tackle mine. I am seriously getting a Case of "Red Tape Fatigue", as I am presently involved with a project involving Winterization. I find myself wanting to scrap the whole thing, because I can't face filling out any more forms. My Contractor is being wonderful, and I don't think I could face any more Red Tape without his assistance. (He is reading this. I can't begin to express my appreciation, Tim!)

Today's Parable is only shared in Luke's Gospel. There may or may not have been an actual "Persistent Widow", as Jesus does not give her a name. Perhaps she is a "type"rather than an actual person. She is dealing with the "gubmint" over an adversary who is abusing her. If anyone deserves help from the authorities, it would be an impoverished widow. In those days, there was no Social Security, Life Insurance, or EBT Cards. A Widow was on her own. The Torah made provision for food, but involved picking up dropped grain after the harvest. It was called "Gleaning", and it was an ancient form of "Food Pantry".

The Judge in this story is not a nice person. His constant refusals are like the Wall of Red Tape, preventing the Poor Widow from receiving satisfaction. However, she persists and persists till he finally gives in.

Jesus says that, if even a selfish, worldly, and unrighteous judge will give in after all this persistence, how much more will God provide for those who ask?

Some may argue that Jesus is advocating that we NAG God until we get what we want. That is not what this Parable Teaches. In Matthew, Jesus speaks of Our Father giving good gifts to His children. If we ask for bread, He won't give us a stone.

If we beg and plead for something that is bad for us (Please, Oh God let me win the Powerball!), persistence won't matter. If our "cause" is unrighteous, the Righteous Judge has every right to refuse. The Parable shows the Widow's cause as Righteous, and the Judge's refusal Unrighteous.

God knows what we need before we even ask. Persistence in prayer develops our relationship with the Righteous Judge. It is not nagging. The answer will come, in God's perfect timing. Don't give up!

Now, hand me that stack of Red Tape!

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[etabeta]

My prayers always. God bless.

[NEWwoman]

Amen, left that other site

Persistence in prayer...now....

Joining in prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem and for our beloved America.

[DarthVader]

Amen !!! <><

Psalm 59

To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when Saul ordered his house to be watched in order to kill him.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from those who work evil;
from the bloodthirsty save me.

3 Even now they lie in wait for my life;
the mighty stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.

Rouse yourself, come to my help and see!
5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Awake to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil.
Selah

6 Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths,
with sharp words* on their lips—
for ‘Who’, they think,* ‘will hear us?’

8 But you laugh at them, O Lord;
you hold all the nations in derision.
9 O my strength, I will watch for you;
for you, O God, are my fortress.
10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Do not kill them, or my people may forget;
make them totter by your power, and bring them down,
O Lord, our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13 consume them in wrath;
consume them until they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
that God rules over Jacob.
Selah

14 Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
15 They roam about for food,
and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your might;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been a fortress for me
and a refuge on the day of my distress.
17 O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.

[TianaHighrider]

Amen. Blessings and Prayers up, in Sweet Jesus Name.

[redryder_90]

Amen

This was a great one today ML. Praying for your red tape to be done soon.

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Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Etabeta, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, NEWwoman, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, DarthVader, For Your Prayers and Wonderful Psalm For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, TianaHighrider, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, redryder_90r, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[Hiskid]

I checked out other versions of vs. 5 because “lest she come and attack me” was unfamiliar. Here’s Complete Jewish Translation: For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God, and I don’t respect other people; 5 but because this widow is such a nudnik, I will see to it that she gets justice — otherwise, she’ll keep coming and pestering me till she wears me out!’”

Amen to your prayer and may you have favor and a parting of the red tape.

[left that other site]

“Nudnik” (((LOVE IT!)))

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Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Hiskid, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[Jeanbl]

AMEN, thank you. Joining in prayer.

[left that other site]

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Jeanbl, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

God Bless America.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS