Tag: Prayer

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Why Great Women in the Bible Prayed: Esther

Why Great Women in the Bible Prayed: Miracle Stories of the Power of Prayer - Esther

Have you asked yourself why great men and women in the Bible, powerful as they were, still prayed? 

We’ll share stories from three prayerful characters in the Bible:

  • Joseph
  • Daniel
  • Esther

Esther - Once An Orphan

Esther was a member of a large Jewish community forced to relocate to Persia. However, she refused to return to Judah as it was a dangerous place.

As such, she remained in Shushan, Persia. Mordecai, a royal official, adopted and raised her with a good home and upbringing.

Have you experienced being adopted? Or, do you know someone who has grown up like this? What is it like?

Then A Beauty Queen

Beauty queen? How?

Continuing the story, the Persian Empire had a beauty pageant (Esther 2:1-4, ESV). It was something like what we know today as the “Miss Universe.”

Are you a fan of this show? How much do you follow and support your country’s candidate?

Going back, King Ahasuerus was looking for a new wife, hence, this search for the most beautiful woman. Esther joined the pageant (verses 5-14).

Guess what? You’re right! Esther won the crown (verses 15-18). Significantly, she succeeded by making friends and influencing people. Meanwhile, the other contestants served as concubines or perpetual widows.

And Eventually A Great Heroine

Five years later, Ahasuerus had Haman as his chief advisor (Esther 3:1, ESV). This advisor persuaded the king to sign a decree to kill all Jews. Why do you think he did this?

Mordecai knew about this decree (2:19-23). Hence, he was not on good terms with Haman. As such, it would significantly affect Esther and her nation.

Can you imagine how difficult it was for Esther? She was between two dilemmas being in a good relationship with the king and his stepfather.

With this, Mordecai pleaded for Esther to intercede for the Jews (chapter 4). However, she thought she had no right to reconcile since the king didn’t ask her for advice.

True enough, the king didn’t call her to the palace for a month. What would you think if you were in this situation?

Nevertheless, Esther spent time praying to God. Then, she went to the king and invited her to two successive banquets (chapters 5-7).

In the second one, Esther took the chance to present her matter privately. With this, the king discovered that the decree was Haman’s plot.

Hence, King Ahasuerus ordered Haman to suffer the same plot he had built against Mordecai. Then, Mordecai replaced him as the chief advisor.

Yes, Esther saved the Jews (chapter 8)! She had changed the future of her nation forever. What a great heroine!

Why did these great men and women feel the need to pray?

Joseph, Daniel, and Esther are just a few of the Bible’s best examples of prayer and faith.

In the case of Joseph and Daniel, you can see that prayer was significant in interpreting dreams. As humans like us, they had no power to determine their prophetic meanings.

Hence, they needed God’s wisdom because only He knows the future. He is in control of the universe and everything that happens in it.

Meanwhile, Esther knew she had no power to control her king’s decision. Neither could she convince Haman to take down his deceitful plan.

Thus, prayer was all that she had to get through the trial. As you have seen from her story, she did her part and surrendered the rest to God.

Heroes Bible Trivia Guest Blog Post

Heroes 2 is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version is on 3D graphics and animation, enhanced with unique features and more challenging Bible questions. It comes in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.

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Why Great Men in the Bible Prayed: Daniel

Why Great Men in the Bible Prayed: Miracle Stories of the Power of Prayer - Daniel

Have you asked yourself why great men and women in the Bible, powerful as they were, still prayed? 

We’ll share stories from three prayerful characters in the Bible:

  • Joseph
  • Daniel
  • Esther

Daniel - From A Captive

Daniel and his three friends were among the Israelite captives of Babylon (Daniel 1:1-7, ESV).

In the palace, they underwent training to become good servants of King Nebuchadnezzar. They also had the privilege to taste royal food and wine.

Unfortunately, the king’s food was unclean in God’s sight. More so that it was being sacrificed to idols, Daniel and his friends refused to eat (verses 8).

If you were these young men, could you stand up for what is right despite the temptation?

Going back, they requested the king to feed them vegetables and water for ten days. Surprisingly, after the test, they looked healthier and stronger than the rest of the trainees.

Can you imagine how handsome they looked?

Continuing their healthy diet, they even proved themselves ten times wiser (verses 9-15).

To A Trusted Adviser

One morning, King Nebuchadnezzar woke up from a bad dream (Daniel 2:1-16). He consulted his wise men, but they couldn’t interpret it.

Hence, the king ordered the execution of all wise men. Meanwhile, Daniel volunteered to interpret his dream, telling that he had God to give him wisdom.

If you were in this dangerous plot, would you also dare to do this?

Daniel and his friends prayed all night. Later, God revealed the meaning of the king’s dream (verses 17-30).

The following morning, he told the king he dreamed of a gigantic statue (verses 31-45). Its body comprised different metals representing different kingdoms. Then, a rock destroyed the statue.

Here, Nebuchadnezzar was the head made of gold. According to Daniel’s interpretation, the kingdom of Babylon would someday fall.

How do you think it made a difference in the king’s decision?

Fortunately, Nebuchadnezzar spared all the wise men. Significantly, Daniel made a good impression and thus became governor of Babylon (verses 46-49).

Based on what you’ve seen from this story, how has prayer impacted Daniel’s life?

Why did these great men and women feel the need to pray?

Joseph, Daniel, and Esther are just a few of the Bible’s best examples of prayer and faith.

In the case of Joseph and Daniel, you can see that prayer was significant in interpreting dreams. As humans like us, they had no power to determine their prophetic meanings.

Hence, they needed God’s wisdom because only He knows the future. He is in control of the universe and everything that happens in it.

Meanwhile, Esther knew she had no power to control her king’s decision. Neither could she convince Haman to take down his deceitful plan.

Thus, prayer was all that she had to get through the trial. As you have seen from her story, she did her part and surrendered the rest to God.

Heroes Bible Trivia Guest Blog Post

Heroes 2 is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version is on 3D graphics and animation, enhanced with unique features and more challenging Bible questions. It comes in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.

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Why Great Men in the Bible Prayed: Joseph

Why Great Men in the Bible Prayed: Miracle Stories of the Power of Prayer - Joseph

Have you asked yourself why great men and women in the Bible, powerful as they were, still prayed? 

We’ll share stories from three prayerful characters in the Bible:

  • Joseph
  • Daniel
  • Esther

Joseph - Once An "Ambitious" Dreamer

You’ve probably already heard of Joseph “the dreamer.”

He grew up to be his father Jacob’s favorite son. Jacob even made him a beautiful, colorful coat (Genesis 37:3, ESV). Hence, his eleven brothers became jealous of him.

Besides, Joseph would share his dreams, wherein his family would someday worship him. 

For instance, eleven bundles of grain bowed to his pile. Also, the sun (his father), moon (his mother), and eleven stars (his brothers) worshipped him (verses 7-9).

For his brothers, Joseph was a very ambitious dreamer. Would you also call him such?

One day, they plotted to kill him. Specifically, they threw him alive into a well and sold him to the Egyptian merchants as a slave (verses 12-36).

If you were Joseph, what would you do?

Character Tested

Joseph’s life as a slave in Egypt was tough. For instance, Potiphar’s wife imprisoned him for a crime he didn’t commit (Genesis 39).

Can you imagine this?

Nevertheless, Joseph became a blessing to his inmates by interpreting their dreams through prayer and divine wisdom. Significantly, his predictions came true (Genesis 40).

Do you know someone with this God-given talent and wisdom?

Later, one of Joseph’s inmates, who was a cupbearer, was released. When Pharaoh dreamed, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and recommended him to interpret the king’s dream.

Through prayer, Joseph determined the dream’s interpretation (Genesis 41:1-36). Specifically, there would be seven years of abundance and another seven years of famine all over Egypt and neighboring nations.

As such, he advised the king to store up grain in preparation for the famine. Convinced by this counsel, Pharaoh made him governor of Egypt (verses 37-57).

Became The Fulfillment of His Dreams

One day, ten men from Israel came to buy food (Genesis 42-46). Joseph recognized them as his brothers, but they didn’t yet. So, he took the opportunity to test how they had changed through the years.

Convinced by their honesty and sincerity after a series of tests, Joseph finally revealed himself. Can you imagine how dramatic this revelation was?

More so, when he asked his brothers to bring their father and youngest brother, it was an unforgettable reunion.

 

Have you experienced something like this? How much do you think prayer helped Joseph get through all these?

Became The Fulfillment of His Dreams

Joseph, Daniel, and Esther are just a few of the Bible’s best examples of prayer and faith.

In the case of Joseph and Daniel, you can see that prayer was significant in interpreting dreams. As humans like us, they had no power to determine their prophetic meanings.

Hence, they needed God’s wisdom because only He knows the future. He is in control of the universe and everything that happens in it.

Meanwhile, Esther knew she had no power to control her king’s decision. Neither could she convince Haman to take down his deceitful plan.

Thus, prayer was all that she had to get through the trial. As you have seen from her story, she did her part and surrendered the rest to God.

Heroes Bible Trivia Guest Blog Post

Heroes 2 is a Bible trivia game released by the Hope Channel. It is a sequel to the game, Heroes, which was released in 2013. The latest game version is on 3D graphics and animation, enhanced with unique features and more challenging Bible questions. It comes in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The game is available on both iOS and Android.

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Have you ever been burdened beyond your abilities?

Have you ever been burdened beyond your abilities?

Have you ever despaired of life? If so, you are in good company. The Apostle Paul experienced these same feelings as described in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11.

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,  you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11

The truth is we all reach the limits of our human capacity from time to time or in particular areas of our life. Apostle Paul was not immune from this and neither are we. In fact, the bible has numerous examples of this. For example, prophet Elijah, after killing 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:22,40) fled for his life at the threat of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-3).

Why does this happen and what should we do about it?

Jesus tells us that because we live in a fallen world, we will experience affliction (John 16:33). Trials, difficulties etc also make us realize we can’t do life on our own.
Like Paul, we must learn to “stop relying on ourselves, and learn to rely only on God” (2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT). When we get to the end of our abilities, we need to learn to rely on God’s strength, His grace, and His Holy Spirit to live out the call He has placed on our life.

God is our creator and He created us to be dependent on Him. 

Even as Jesus told us we would have affliction, He also let us know He had already overcome the world through His death, burial and resurrection (John 16:33). When we seek the Lord, He hears us and delivers us from all our fears (Psalms 34:4).

In our walk with God, we can even get to the point that Apostle Paul did where we can “boast in our infirmities … and take pleasure in [them], in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

We can do this because we recognize that our trials and tribulations produce perseverance, strength of character (maturity) and hope in us (Romans 5:3-4).

In what areas of life have you reached the end of your rope? Is it in a relationship – a difficult spouse/marriage or an addicted parent or a disobedient, wayward child? Is it in the area of finances and struggling to make ends meet for yourself or family? Is it in the area of your health where you may be dealing with persistent issues that have you living less than God’s best for you? Or something else entirely?

Take those things to God in prayer. Search His Word for the answers you need. Proverbs 3:5-6 perfectly sums up the response we should have.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6

Did You Know?

“God … comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

So be encouraged. Someone is depending on your testimony.

About BibleStorm

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truth found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God. Learn more about us.

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How do we know that God is at work?

How do we know that God is at work?
Because the bible tells us so. 

 

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
John 5:17 NKJV

 

Sometimes it seems as if “God isn’t doing anything, as when Jesus delayed visiting Mary and Martha’s sick brother”, Lazarus (John 11:3-6). Or when Abraham waited 25 years between receiving the promise and when Isaac was actually born (Genesis 12:1-4; 21:1-7).

 

But “our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to help us recognize His presence and handiwork. But discerning God’s work also requires patience since the Lord operates according to His timetable, not ours.”

 

Jesus said
“whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you receive them,
and you will have them.”
Mark 11:24 NKJV

 

In between the time we pray for something and when we see the manifestation of it, we should trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5). Why? Because:
  • God never changes (Hebrews 13:8).
  • His word is always true (Matthew 24:35).
  • God is our helper, our light, our salvation, and the strength of our life (Psalms 27:1)

 

“When we recognize the ways in which God is operating, we will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith.”

 

Be encouraged. Jesus already took all death, sickness and disease in His body upon the cross and by His stripes we are healed and we are healthy (1 Peter 2:24). The coronavirus will be no different.

 

Note: Based on a devotional reading from InTouch Ministries.
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10 reasons to have confidence in God through prayer

Jesus said men ought to always pray and not lose heart or give up (Luke 18:1). The Bible also tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to continue steadfastly and earnestly in prayer (Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2).

 

What is prayer? I like this definition from Wikipedia:

 

Prayer “is an evolving means of interacting with God, most frequently through a spontaneous, individual, unorganized form of petitioning and/or thanking”.

 

Prayer then is simply a dialogue between ourselves and our Heavenly Father. It is an opportunity for us to communicate – to talk to Him and to hear from Him.

 

Why then do we have problems praying consistently (and not just when a crisis hits or we have a need that we are unable to meet in our own strength and ability)? I heard a pastor say that he believed prayelessness was an issue of faith and I can see the reasoning behind that. If you had full confidence (faith) in the one you were asking and *knew* you would get what you asked for, I expect most people would definitely ask.

 

So that caused me to wonder – Why can we have confidence in talking to God the Father through prayer?
  1. Our Father is omniscient and knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:7-8). For example, God already knows we need life’s necessities (food, clothing, shelter, etc) (Matthew 6:31-32)
  2. Our Father knows how to give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:11; James 1:17)
  3. Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name, He will give to us (John 16:23-24; 15:16)
  4. Whatever we ask the Father in Jesus name, Jesus will do for us (John 14:13-14)
  5. Everyone who asks receives, who seeks finds, and who knocks the door will be opened to him (Matthew 7:7-11)
  6. If we ask anything according to God’s will, He hears us and we have the petitions we asked for (1 John 5:14-15)
  7. Whatever we ask, we receive because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (1 John 3:21-22)
  8. God did not spare His own Son for us. In addition to giving us His Son, He freely give us all things (Romans 8:32). Afterall when you have given your most precious possession, giving anything less is much easier.
  9. God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalms 84:19)
  10. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)

 

The reality is God has already given us everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). And He has promised to supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

 

So what is the key to having a successful prayer life?
  • Have faith in God (in who He is) (Hebrews 11:6). God is a rewarder of those who diligently (earnestly, sincerely) seek Him. See also James 1:6-8.
  • Seek the Lord (Psalms 34:10). Those who seek Him shall lack no good thing.
  • Seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) and all the other things we want will be added unto us.

 

Most importantly, prayer is a great opportunity to discover who God is and what His will for us is as we develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father. He has said He will not withhold any good thing from us. Conversely, He won’t give us something that will become a weight or stumbling block to us either. So don’t bother asking for anything with wrong motives (e.g. out of selfishness or an unrighteous agenda) because He won’t answer those requests (James 4:3).

 

#prayer #petition #faith #confidence #ask #seek #knock #believe #receive #gift

 

Scripture References:
  • Luke 18:1
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Romans 12:12
  • Colossians 4:2
  • Matthew 6:7-8
  • Matthew 6:31-32
  • Matthew 7:11
  • James 1:17
  • John 16:23-24
  • John 15:16
  • John 14:13-14
  • Matthew 7:7-11
  • 1 John 5:14-15
  • 1 John 3:21-22
  • Romans 8:32
  • Psalms 84:19
  • Ephesians 3:20
  • 2 Peter 1:3
  • Philippians 4:19
  • Hebrews 11:6
  • James 1:6-8
  • Psalms 34:10
  • Matthew 6:33
  • James 4:3

 

References:

 

About BibleStorm:

At BibleStorm, our mission is to illuminate hidden truths found in God’s Word (i.e. the bible). Our vision is to see people become more familiar with the bible, biblical themes and concepts and to develop a hunger/desire to learn more about God through His Word. We are doing our part to seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of salvation through bible trivia. And to help people transform their minds through the living Word of God.

 

Order your very own BibleStorm trivia game cards today from our online store.