In the Presence of God

R. C. Sproul:

“The clearest sensation that a human being has when he experiences the holy is an overpowering and overwhelming sense of creatureliness. That is, when we are in the presence of God, we are humbled and become most aware of ourselves as creatures. This is the opposite of Satan’s original temptation, “You shall be as gods.” (The Holiness of God)

Suggestions on How We Should Pray for This Election

WHY PRAY?

The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This includes those who are vying to become leaders.

Godly leaders can help slow the erosion of religious liberties in our land. This can provide an increased window of opportunity for the Church to pray and evangelize.

According to Scripture, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34). The selection of leaders who understand and lead according to God’s righteous standards can bring great blessing to a nation.

Scripture also says in Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.” The determination of who leads our nation will also determine who advises that leader and how we are guided.

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH:

Our eyes will be opened to see the hope to which we are called (Eph.1:18).

We will experience in a fresh, new way the Presence of Christ in revival.

Believers will be given the faith to believe that their votes will make a difference.

A spirit of repentance and humility will be poured out upon the people of God.

PRAY FOR THE VOTERS:

Wisdom will be sought from God (James 1:5).

Self-interest will be laid aside for the common good.

Discernment between truth and falsehood will be clear.

PRAY FOR THE CANDIDATES:

They will take brave stands for righteousness, even when it may not be well received.

Their families will be protected from harm and unnecessary scrutiny.

They will surround themselves with godly advisors.

They will focus on the issues we face as a nation and not on personal attacks on other candidates.

PRAY FOR THE MEDIA:

Truth in reporting and election coverage will become a high value.

Media bias will disappear.

Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports.

Hope will become a part of the message of the media.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS:

Voters will consider the foreign policies of candidates and how they fit with biblical principles.

The activities of other nations will not have an undue influence on our elections.

The result of U.S. elections will serve to spread the gospel around the globe.

The U.S. will stand firm in its commitment to Israel’s right to exist as a nation.

PRAY CONCERNING SPIRITUAL WARFARE DURING THIS ELECTION:

Great awareness and discernment for the Lord’s praying people as they pray over the election.

Physical protection for all candidates and their families throughout this campaign season.

A strong hedge of protection around the nation itself during this time of decision.

The unleashing of the sword of the Spirit throughout the nation, judging the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

PRAY FOR THE PURPOSES OF GOD:

Pray that the U.S. will turn and seek first the Kingdom of God.

Pray that the results of the 2012 elections will please the Lord and release His blessing over this nation.Pray for opportunities for Christians to share their faith and their values in the midst of this election process.

The above excerpts are from the 2012 Election Prayer Guide Posted by Darla Dawald, National Director on October 8, 2012 at 12:13am in Patriot Action Alerts

By David Butts, chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee and founder/president of Harvest Prayer Ministries.

© 2011 Harvest Prayer Ministries, Prayer Connect magazine.

Traditions of the Patriarchs Verified

Edward J. Young shares with us more information on the Nuzi Tablets below:

We should note also the importance of the patriarchal blessing in the Genesis narratives. This blessing was considered as binding. One of the Nuzi tablets reads: “My father, Huya, was sick and lying in bed, and my father seized my hand and spoke thus to me: My other older sons have taken wives but thou hast not taken a wife and I give Zuluishtar to thee as a wife.” It may be noted that like the patriarchal blessings, this one also is oral; it is made by a dying father to a son and possesses legal validity.

One additional point may be mentioned. Jacob claims, “I did not eat the rams of thy flocks” (Genesis 31:38). In the light of some of the difficulties that are reflected upon the tablets of Nuzi this claim takes on peculiar significance. Apparently the shepherds would frequently slaughter lambs and eat mutton at the owner’s expense. Several legal cases in the Nuzi tablets cover this particular matter. Tehiptilla, for example, won at least two cases in law against one of his shepherds who had been slaughtering sheep clandestinely. Jacob, whatever his faults may have been, in this respect at least was guiltless.

Similar parallels might be multiplied. They are indeed both interesting and instructive. But what is of utmost importance is the fact that these parallels in the Nuzi tablets demonstrate quite clearly that the patriarchal background which is presented in the book of Genesis is perfectly accurate. Instead of mirroring a late age, as Wellhausen erroneously claimed, Genesis correctly sets forth the background of the very age in which the patriarchs themselves lived.

Most scholars today, whatever their personal theological beliefs may be, are beginning to acknowledge that Genesis does correctly set forth the background of the patriarchs. This of course is to be expected. On the other hand, they tell us that these discoveries do not prove the existence of the patriarchs themselves. And so the assault has shifted and a new hammer has been forged. But we have the New Testament to convince us of their historicity. As we consider the remarkable support which archaeology has given to our belief that the book of Genesis is accurate, we may well give thanks to God. Such support, of course, is what we should expect archaeology to give, for the book of Genesis is holy, infallible Scripture. May we read it with trusting, believing hearts, ready to hear what it says and to believe in the Redeemer of whom it speaks. (The Accuracy of Genesis)