This Is my Prayer

My son, hear the instruction of your father,And do not reject the teaching of your mother. For they are a garland of grace on your head,And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck. Proverbs 1 : 8 - 9

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. - Proverbs 1:7

To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity;That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent...

In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory....

which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight]He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth. - Ephesians 1:8-10

Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ,just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In l...

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And praise Him in the congregation of His godly ones (believers).Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let Zion’s children rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing; Let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the godly ones exult i...

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing: life forevermore. - Psalm 133:1,3

O Lord of hosts, How blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation]. - Psalm 84:12

The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. - Habakkuk 3:19

16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. - John 14:16-17

For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully]...

12 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name [ as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son.14 If you ask Me anything in...

No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the...

O Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of me, “There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.” Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head. With my voice I was crying to the Lord, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I lay down and slept [safely]; I awakened, for the Lord sustains m...

2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. - John 14:2-3

The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all that is in it, You have founded and established them. The north and the south, You have created them; Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon shout for joy at Your name. You have a strong arm; Mighty is Your hand, Your right hand is exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. Bl...

Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk and live in Your truth; Direct my heart to fear Your name [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; And will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your lovingkindness and graciousness toward me; And You have rescued my life from the depths of Sheol [from death].O God, arrogan...

Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all [the people of] Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you will give it to them as an inheritance. It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deuterono...

“But the righteous will live by his faith [in the true God]. - Habakkuk 2:4

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” - M...

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts;And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. - Psalm 139:23-24

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. - Psalm 139:17-18

For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes ha...

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making...