OLD MEN, OLD WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS
Today’s Reading: Zechariah 7-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Jews of all ages visit the Western Wall, which is the retaining wall of the platform which enabled the creation of the large flat area on top of Mt. Moriah, where the Temple once stood in Jerusalem. Large numbers of men and women come here to pray. Today’s reading is about the prayers God ignores and those prayers to which He pays attention.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Zechariah 8:4-5 and 8:21b
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Old men and old women shall again sit
In the streets of Jerusalem,
Each one with his staff in his hand
Because of great age.
The streets of the city
Shall be full of boys and girls
Playing in its streets.” …Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord!
Zechariah 7 sounds like a good prayer at first reading, but then we understand that their prayers were all about themselves, not about God and others. An example of this kind of prayer is found in Isaiah 58, “They made their hearts like flint!” (7:12a). But God, through Ezekiel who prophesied in Babylon during the captivity of the Jews, said that their hearts would be changed! “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you.” Read Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Zechariah 8 is the result of the genuine repentance of God’s people during the years of exile in Babylon. Renewed and rebuilt Jerusalem is a beautiful picture of contentment, old men and old women sitting in the streets with boys and girls playing around them. Let us learn the lessons taught here. As Jesus said, “Ask…seek…knock” in consistent God-centred and people-centred prayer, and God’s promises are activated for the good of all. Read Jesus’ Words on this in Matthew 7:7-11.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as Jesus was asked, so I ask, “Teach me to pray!” I pray not just for the words to say, but to actually “Pray!” You said through James, “Confess your trespasses one to another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man [or woman] avails much!!!” Give me grace to always have a soft heart for others and toward You! I ask this in the Name of the One who got up early in the morning to pray, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! (Mark 1:35).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
[Note: This was written by David Mainse on April 27, 2016]
Every day I thank God for what feels like excellent health. I have now lived for over two years past the date when it was predicted I would die. I was diagnosed four years ago with MDS acute leukaemia. King Hezekiah of Judah was told that he would shortly die, but God gave him another 15 years (Isaiah 38:1-5 and 38:21). Also the prophet Isaiah (obviously some kind of medical practitioner) prescribed treatment. In Isaiah 39:8 Hezekiah commended Isaiah for “good” prescriptions (words of advice).
Yours in thankfulness for the prayers of my blog readers, for God’s healing Power, and for health practitioners,
David
P.S. God willing, tomorrow, I want to emphasize my heartfelt thanks for everyone who prayed for me individually, and for the churches and ministries that prayed collectively.
These ladies with a child are from Harran, which was a major city in ancient Mesopotamia, reflecting the title of today’s blog.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Thank you, Lord, that David used his “extended time” to bless others. Help us to bless others today.
Amen, Eleanor, amen.
Yes, Amen Eleanor C!
Amen!
Dear Lord, please forgive us for self-centered living. Please help us to get our eyes off ourselves and onto You. What would You have us do and say today? Please guide us in Your good ways today. In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen, Rob, amen.
Yes, Amen Rob!!
I have always felt that teaching me was part of God’s reason for extending David’s time here.I began to feel I knew him although it was a one way street by design.David’s example gave us something to aspire to.I found this first forgotten poem while searching for the second.I felt very moved when writing the second one and believe firmly that it was a message for David.I was a new member when I wrote the first one and remember and was ‘concerned’ my teacher might have to retire.Well,he still has not retired “thanks to his loving family”!
In The Blood (4 Pst.David Mainse )
I pray for healing in the blood,oh Lord,
I pray You will stretch out your hand,
That You,my Lord,with Your fiery sword,
Will show justice and not let evil stand.
I know,my Lord,that Satan has cursed me
And that only you can remove this hex,
For it is you,Most High,that none can see,
Who can take any scourge from our necks.
So I pray for healing in the blood,my God,
That you allow me to serve you,
So as I spread your word all may laud,
The name of the Father in all we do.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 12 September, 2013
Catch The Fire (4 David Mainse)
Though you have walked many oceans
And spread My word to many nations,
I saw in you and your devotions
A servant of joyous exhalations.
You have not asked for earthly wealth,
But just to be my most humble voice
And when adversity was kept in stealth
You still worshiped Me out of free choice.
So out of free choice I give you
More time upon the stage of learning,
Whereby My word you show to be true
And catch the fire that’s forever burning.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 01 February, 2014
Amen, Bill, amen.
How appropriate and timely, William; thanks for sharing!!
Yes Amen Bill,very appropriate.
Amen fellow bloggers.
God You are Wonderful to us!! Thank You Lord for extending David’s life for a longer period of time than was diagnosed by his earthly physician!!
Praise God for this blog each morning!! God’s Blessing and love on Ron and Ann for posting it daily: God’s Blessing on Norma Jean and all the Mainse family: I pray for continued comfort and healing daily, as you walk through this difficult year and into the future, without your beloved David. I pray the Lord will continue to hold you up in the palm of His Hand!!! Amen!
Sah if you read this blog today, I want you to know I was praying that everything would work out for you. So glad everything is back to normal with the prayer line. Blessings, Eleanor M.
Thanks Eleanor, however, the prayer line is blocked again! I am not going to waste anymore time wondering about this situation, we made the choice of who we will financially support and it’s not this Ministry! So be it!
Thanks for people praying about this issue! That means alot to me…..blessings to all….
Sah, I’m sad that you are experiencing this situation…I pray that the Lord intervene on your behalf for His best for all concerned, and give you peace of mind and heart. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Beverlee Kay you are also a very kind caring person, TY for the prayer line numbers, only 2 work from my area, again, so be it……Global Destiny Prayer Centre is closed so the message says….
what I am going to focus on is to ask for continued prayer for my finances to increase; one prayer person prayed for a “like-minded person” to come across my path and maybe someone suitable as a room mate; rent money can go on loan, this works for me Lord, I pray You will find the right person for me….again, praying for one another means so very much to me, TY to all who pray for each other, this is truly a gift from the heart…….God bless each and every person
in Jesus Name I Pray amen
I looked up more numbers for you, Sah; seeking west coast ones, in particular. Here are many more:
Be Encouraged
1-888-818-7729
Benny Hinn Ministries
1-800-433-1900
Billy Graham
1-877-894-4673
Breakthrough Prayer Partners
1-800-424-8644
Celebrate Jesus International
1-800-275-2713
Chapel of Praise Church
1-888-842-2373
David G. Evans Ministries
1-866-670-3436
David Jeremiah Prayer Line
1-800-792-1355
DayStar Television Network
1-800-329-0029
Focus on the Family
1-800-232-6459
Gospel America
1-877-426-4463
James Robison
1-800-947-5433
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
1-800-600-7395
Life Outreach Prayer Line
1-800-947-5433
Marilyn Hickey
1-877-661-1249
Michael W. Smith
1-887-729-3676
Morris Cerullo Help Line
1-866-756-4200
Potter’s House-T.D. Jakes
1-888-868-2497
Rod Parsley’s Toll Free
1-800-424-8644
Second Baptist Church
1-888-746-4535
Trinity Broadcasting Network
1-888-731-1000
Turning Point
1-800-792-1355
Upper Room – US and Canada
1-800-251-2468
Winning Walk Prayer Line
1-888-746-4535
God cares for
everyone.