Introduction

We are so glad you are joining us for these daily prayer posts. Over the next four weeks we are going to listen to the prayers of the Bible, and the saints of God. Their prayers are going to teach us how to pray.

Each devotion will take five to seven minutes of your time.

1. We will look at an insight from those who know something important about prayer.
2. We will listen to the prayers of people in the Bible—people just like us. And to people who gained a deep measure of spiritual intimacy with God because they prayed.
3. We will reflect, asking the same four questions each day that invites us to look and listen with intent.
4. And we will pray, for it is in praying that we learn to pray. And it is in praying that the Spirit changes our hearts.

May we encourage you to grab a notebook, a journal, something to write on as you do each prayer guide. Yes, it will add a few minutes to the time it takes to do the devotion, and it will also deepen your experience and shape your walk with God for years to come.

Look

“There are many victories worse than a defeat.”

George Eliot

Listen

The generation who rebelled and did not cross the Jordan has died in the Wilderness. God chose Joshua to fill the shoes of Moses after his death. Under Joshua’s leadership the people have crossed the Jordan and their first victory was spectacular… the walls of Jericho fell! Unfortunately, some took spoils that God forbid, and their second battle is a spectacular defeat. The town of Ai should have been a blip on their march, but it became insurmountable. Joshua knows that word will spread of Israel’s defeat by a lesser opponent. He was angry, confused and fearful as he prayed…

Joshua 7:6–9

⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. ⁷ And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord God, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! ⁸ O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! ⁹ For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”

Reflect

1. Having read the Word, sit silently for a minute and give God’s Word a moment to settle within you.
2. Re-read the verses slowly and write down some thoughts that resonate with you.
3. Ask the Spirit to help you see the deeper longings, desires or motives in your heart that those thoughts are pointing to. (For example: you may write down, “Joshua is speechless…because he sees this defeat portending others.” The Spirit can help you recognize that many are afraid that defeats in life may become our life.)
4. What are some elements in this “crisis” prayer from Joshua that guide you in praying in the midst of crisis?

Pray

Using Joshua’s prayer as your template and guide, make it your own today. By the way, did you notice that his prayer ends with a question? Joshua gets an answer immediately. Oftentimes… the answer is delayed. Perhaps there are times when just asking God a question… is the right prayer, the best prayer.