Tag Archives: King Jehoshaphat

Healing Prayer (second installment)

Praise is something that is offered to God continually in heaven, so as we praise him, now, we join our voices with the cherubim, seraphim and all the saints who have gone before us and who now stand before his throne, night and day, offering praise. Ioffer praise throughout the day, and especially when I’m outside. The natural world seems to be acclaiming God’s glory at all times of the year, but especially now. I see in tree branches “arms” raised in praise. Flowers and shrubs also seem to be exploding in praise as well as the insects that dance around them. When I take my morning walk with Daisy, our sweet beagle, and I offer praise to the Lord, I often notice a rustling in the leaves on the trees I walk past. I fancy the breeze is caused by the wings of angels who gather around me as I offer God praise. If we allow our imagination to take flight we will sense the entire created order joyfully praising God with us. Continue reading

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Healing Prayer (first installment)

I noted how the first thing King Jehoshaphat did was call for a time of fasting and prayer. However, he did not begin his prayer with a cry for help. Instead, he began with an offering of praise. He called to mind God’s attributes, character and mighty acts: “O Lord, God of our fathers,” he prayed, “are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (vv. 6-7) By beginning with praise, Jehoshaphat reminded his people of how trustworthy God is, by recalling what God has done in the lives of their ancestors. Beginning their prayer with praise would help them to trust that God can and will act just as powerfully in their own day. I have learned over the past months that such praise is essential in prayer for healing. Continue reading

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