Praying the Names of God: A Daily Guide by Ann Spangler

Author:Ann Spangler
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: Religion, Christian Life, General
ISBN: 9780310253532
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2004-09-27T22:00:00+00:00

YAHWEH ROI

Wednesday

PRAYING THE NAME

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6–7)

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their

shepherd;

he will lead them to springs of living water.

(Revelation 7:17)

Reflect On:

Isaiah 53

Praise God:

For his mercy in calling us back to himself.

Offer Thanks:

That God gave his only Son to be both the Lamb

who laid down his life for us and the Shepherd who

brings us home.

Confess:

Any tendency to depart from God’s ways.

Ask God:

To help you keep your eyes on him so that you will

not stray.

X

An absent-minded professor I know of once stood beside his car in a college parking lot looking perplexed. When one of his students walked by, he caught his arm and asked, “Excuse me, I wonder if you could tell me? Am I coming or going?”

A friend of mine once misplaced his car for a full week. It seems he had parked it in front of a store, walked off to do some errands, and then walked a short distance home, completely forgetting that he had driven to the store in the first place. The next day, he was 187

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

surprised to find that the car wasn’t in the garage, and he couldn’t remember where he had put it!

Another directionally challenged friend has a habit, whenever

she has forgotten where she has parked, of pushing the panic but-ton on a remote keyless entry device to locate her car. It’s not a sub-tle method, but flashing headlights and beeping horns work for her.

We chuckle at such stories, but Scripture reminds us that with-

out Christ we are all directionally challenged, incapable of living a life that’s spiritually on course, and vulnerable to a world of troubles.

Like sheep who have gone astray, we are pulled off the path by our disordered desires, our selfish natures, and our attraction to sin. We are like rebellious toddlers who break free from their mother and start running toward traffic, heedless of danger.

Today, reflect on the fact that Jesus is called both the Lamb of God and the Good Shepherd. Thank him for becoming part of the

flock, laying down his life so that we might have true life. Take some time to worship him and to recommit your life to him. Then pray for a child, a family member, a friend, or a business associate who seems far from God. Ask the Lord to search out that one lost sheep.

Tell him you won’t stop praying until he brings him back.

188

YAHWEH ROI

Thursday

PRAYING THE NAME

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,

and his arm rules for him.

See, his reward is with him,

and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

(Isaiah 40:10–11)

Reflect On:

Isaiah 40:6–11

Praise God:

Because he is gentle.

Offer Thanks:

That God carries you close to his heart.

Confess:

Any stubbornness that makes it difficult for God to

lead you.

Ask God:

To help you see your need for a Shepherd.

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