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November 19, 2012
Day 14
Open Hand
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Dear Praying Friend,
In our prayer devotional yesterday, we commented that all the Lord has to do is make a fist to defeat the enemy. While it's true our Lord exhibits righteous anger, He also exhibits holy love. His desire is that all will come to the light of His salvation - so much so that He is holding His hand open to all who will accept His gift (Ezekiel 18:32; John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9).
As we meditate on Psalm 6:10 today, David announces with confidence that the enemy's time for gloating will soon be up, for the Lord has heard his prayers and will be responding in his favor.
"May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace."
(Psalm 40:14)
Throughout the Old Testament we read of nations who watched in awe as the Lord God acted on behalf of His people and saved them with His mighty hand. These nations were then moved to reject their idols and turn to the one, true, and living God (reference 1 Kings 18:39; Daniel 3:29; 6:26-27). The Lord delivers His people, but often delays His response that He might deliver many more in the process. As we enter into prayer today, let us pray for the peace and protection of Israel.
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the Lord
and He rules over the nations."
(Psalm 22:27)
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You with all our heart, we will tell of all Your wonders. In times of testing help us stand with confidence trusting that You are doing a far greater work than we can hope or imagine. We ask for Your patience Lord, knowing that You desire none to perish, but all to come to repentance. We come before You with grateful hearts, fully aware that it was Your kindness that drew each of us to You. Lord, while we long for the wicked to be brought to shame, we pray more so that they will be brought to salvation. Father, You stood with Your children as they faced the fiery flames of the furnace, and You didn't desert Your servant as he faced the mouths of the lions; how can we doubt that You will not do the same for Your faithful ones today. "Their stronghold will fail because of terror; at sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic, declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem." Lord, we pray for all those around the world facing the fiery furnace of affliction and persecution - help them to sense Your presence as You are right there in the midst of them. Let them place their confidence in You and let Your love be the only thing that consumes them. Give them strength to stand and peace to proclaim Your glorious praise, that the world may stand in awe of Your saving grace and mercy on behalf of Your people. Let the whole earth have fear and reverence for Your Holy Name: "For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth"; Lord we wait patiently for You, declaring Your praises, for You will deliver us for the glory of Your Name. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: Psalm 9:1; Psalm 18:49; Proverbs 20:22; Isaiah 31:9; Daniel 3:16-18, 28-29; 6:22-23; 26-27; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9. | 
