Watch 2 Chronicles video Watch an overview of 1 and 2 Chronicles
One of my favorite parts of 1 Chronicles is the prayers that are recorded. Every prayer recorded in the Bible can become a model for our prayer life. Consider making these prayers your prayers. Here is a sampling of the prayers of 1 Chronicles.
The Prayer of Jabez (4:9)—Your perspective of Jabez’ prayer should be enhanced by reading the Bible through verse by verse. A pattern of the person that God blesses has been clearly established in the verses of the Bible before 1 Chronicles 4:9. God blesses that person who is obedient to Him. God’s blessing and disobedience never intersect. The only way to truly pray the prayer of Jabez is in obedience.
The Prayer of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the ½ Tribe of Manasseh (5:20)—“They cried out to Him. He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.” Do we truly trust God when we pray? God answers prayer because of our obedience, but He always answers prayers as a result of our trust. Remember the words of James, “But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)
The Prayer of David for Wisdom (14:10-16) “Shall I go and attack the Philistines?” Notice how the directions change in verse 14. What if David would have assumed the answer to his request based on past experience? With God, the relationship that is built through struggling over the answer is more important than the answer itself. Don’t miss the opportunity to pray a matter through until you hear from God. Henry Blackaby says that God speaks to us by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways. Be a David—inquire of the Lord in all that you do, even if you think you know the answer. The relationship that you build with the Lord will often be a better reward than receiving the answer.
An Extended Prayer of Awe (17:16-27) Notice first the posture of David’s prayer—He sat before the Lord. This probably is an indication of an extended period of prayer. In addition we see the humility of David in this prayer and his complete amazement that God has selected him as the servant to be king over Israel. Here is a powerful prayer of praise!
David’s Offering Prayer (29:10-19) In this prayer is David’s recognition of his complete unworthiness in giving an offering to God. As we give our offerings, let us be reminded that we are not doing anything for God. He has given us what we are giving. Giving is not about what we are doing for God. Rather, giving provides us the opportunity to remind ourselves of all that God has given us. How’s that for a different perspective on giving.
Devotional by Steve Horn. Scripture links by www.biblegateway.com. Animated video by www.thebibleproject.com.
