Daily Devotional

Praise His Name

10/01/21 – 10/09/21

Yahweh Mekadesh: Our Holy God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/05/21

Read Leviticus 20:7-8.

These days, holiness is not a very popular idea. Some people associate being holy with being “holier than thou.” Others—even professing Christians—think of holiness as a life of limitations and restrictions, so they want nothing to do with holiness. But God describes Himself as Yahweh Mekadesh—the God who is holy. And He calls His people to be holy, or set apart, as He is holy (see 1 Peter 1:15-16, cf. Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2).

Because God is wholly different, He’s free to act in ways that may not make sense to us. There are times in life when we cry to God, “Lord, why are You doing this? Why is this happening?” But our holy God reassures us, “I’ve got this. Everything is under My control. Don’t panic.”

Because the Lord is Yahweh Mekadesh, we can never put Him in a box to make us comfortable; He is not ours to control. He acts graciously when we expect judgment and reveals Himself to us in ways we do not expect. We belong to Him, and in His love and grace, He is at work to make us holy as He is holy, to encourage us as we follow His Son, and to empower us to be His representatives to a lost and broken world. What a glorious calling!

Prayer: God, You are infinitely above me. Your ways are not my ways. You are holy and perfect—set apart. I know You alone can make me holy as You are holy. May I walk in Your ways by the leading of Your Spirit. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy” (Leviticus 20:8).

Praise His Name

10/01/21 – 10/09/21

Yahweh Nissi: God Our Banner

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/04/21

Read Exodus 17:8-16.

The Israelites in the wilderness were not a proper army. The people had grown up as slaves in Egypt and never received proper military training. And yet God called upon His people to battle against some of the toughest armies in the region. When Joshua and a group of fighting men clashed with the Amalekites, they were certainly outmatched. But Israel had something the Amalekites didn’t: They were fighting under the banner of the Lord.

Moses stood atop a hill overlooking the battle and raised his staff above his head. This was the staff through which God had worked many miracles, so it had become a symbol of God’s power and provision. As long as Moses’ arms were lifted high, the Israelites had the upper hand against the Amalekites, but when his arms slipped low, the Israelites began to lose the fight.

With the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses’ arms stayed up until the battle was won—but the victory wasn’t due to Moses’ upper-body strength or the power of his staff. The victory belonged to the Lord. That is why, when the dust settled, Moses erected an altar and called it Yahweh Nissi, or “The LORD is my Banner” (Exodus 17:15).

When we praise Yahweh Nissi, we are waving His flag. We are proclaiming to Satan, the enemy of our souls, “I am under Yahweh’s magnificent oversight. I am under Yahweh’s protection. You cannot destroy me, and you cannot thwart God’s purposes in my life.”

Prayer: Lord, You are my banner! In You I have victory and confidence because no one is greater than You. You are my fortress and my Deliverer. Nothing can separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner” (Exodus 17:15)

Praise His Name

10/01/21 – 10/09/21

Yahweh Rapha: God Our Healer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/03/21

Read Exodus 15:22-27.

They had been traveling through the desert for three long, hot, tiring days—without finding a drop of water to drink. Suffice it to say, the Israelites were thirsty and more than a bit dehydrated. Finally, they reached Marah, and there it was: a spring with enough water for everyone! But when they stooped down and began to drink, they discovered the water was bitter to the taste. So much for quenching their thirst!

The Israelites complained to Moses, “What are we to drink?” (Exodus 15:24). But they should have known that the God who brought ten plagues upon the Egyptians could provide drinkable water. They should have known that the God who passed over their blood-marked homes could deliver them from their dehydration. They should have known that the God who brought them through the Red Sea on dry ground could cure the bitter spring. That’s precisely what He did. God instructed Moses to toss a nearby piece of wood into the water, and suddenly the water became sweet.

That’s the God we worship. He is not the God of brokenness, but the God of wholeness. He cures. He restores. He resurrects. That is why He is Yahweh Rapha, “the God who heals.” He has power to overcome weakness, heal broken hearts, and renew shattered minds. No matter how deep our wounds, God will bring complete healing; He will make all things new.

Prayer: God, You are the restorer of my soul, my refuge, my Great Physician. I praise You for Your lovingkindness that is at work to make me new for eternity. I praise You, Yahweh Rapha. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, . . . I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you'” (Exodus 15:26).

Praise His Name

10/01/21 – 10/09/21

Yahweh Jireh: God Our Provider

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/02/21

Read Genesis 22:1-14.

What would you think if God asked you to take your beloved son to a distant mountain and offer him up as a sacrifice? If you’re like Abraham, you would trust the Lord so much that you would obey, knowing that nothing is impossible for God—not even the resurrection of the dead, if it were to come to that (see Hebrews 11:19). Before ascending the mountain, Abraham told his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you” (Genesis 22:5). Did you catch that? “We will come back to you.” Abraham knew that if he simply obeyed the Lord, all would be well. He and Isaac would walk down the mountain together.

Sure enough, God saved the boy by providing a substitute—a ram caught in a thicket. It was then that Abraham called the place “The LORD Will Provide” (v. 14), or Yahweh Jireh. Yes, God provides, but Jireh is about more than just provision. It literally means the one who sees ahead.

When was the last time you thanked God for going ahead of you and rescuing you? He sees your needs before they arise. He provides the solutions to life’s impossibilities before you discover them. And He gives you victory over your temptations before you ever face them. Praise Him, because He is Yahweh Jireh, the God who sees ahead.

Prayer: Father, thank You for seeing ahead and planning my steps. I praise You for Your faithful provision. You are trustworthy, and Your love is unchanging and astounding. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided'” (Genesis 22:14).

Praise His Name

10/01/21 – 10/09/21

Yahweh: The Great I AM

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/01/21

Read Exodus 3:1-15.

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and told him He was sending him back to Egypt to deliver His people, Moses was afraid and tried everything to get out of the assignment. The job seemed impossible to him, and he had no reason to think the Israelites would accept him as their deliverer. But Moses wouldn’t be going to Egypt on his own; God promised to remain with him every step of the way. God told the quaking shepherd, “This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you'” (Exodus 3:14).

God is Yahweh, the great I am. He is the self-existent God, the God who is always there—for that is what Yahweh means. You see, God didn’t promise Moses that the road out of Egypt would be an easy one. In fact, He told him it would be just the opposite: that Pharaoh’s heart would be hard, that he would be unwilling to release the Israelites from their bondage until God’s might had been fully displayed (v. 19-20). But all the suffering that God foretold to Moses paled in comparison to His enduring promise: “I will be with you” (v. 12).

Brothers and sisters, no matter what you may be going through, God is with you. He is Yahweh, the God who is always there.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You never leave me. You are the God who was and is and is to come—the only one worthy of my praise and adoration. I worship You, Yahweh. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” Then what shall I tell them?'” (Exodus 3:13).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

For His Renown

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/30/21

God wants to hear big prayers that seek to bring Him “renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations” (Jeremiah 33:9). Yes, God does want to hear our small prayers. He wants us to reveal our hearts to Him and share our concerns and hopes. Yet the prayers that seek to glorify God, to honor Him, to further the work of His Kingdom, to transform the hearts of nonbelievers, to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, and to reveal His majesty—those are the prayers that are most powerful.

God responds to a heart that is truly devoted to Him and in awe of Him. God knows every inner corner of our hearts. We do not fool Him by saying we want something for His glory when secretly our motivations are selfish. We do not fool Him by saying we believe He can work miracles when inwardly we doubt He will follow through.

When we seek to truly know and understand God and develop a daily relationship with Him, we begin to understand just how big and capable and trustworthy our God is. When we know that God follows through on His promises and He is ready and willing to do big things, we can pray in faith that He will act in big ways. When we understand just how amazing and loving our Creator God is, we will genuinely seek to please Him by praying for things that honor Him. “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-22).

Prayer: God, help me to come to You with a heart that is in the right place. Help me pray big prayers that seek to glorify You and reveal Your majesty. May I seek You first and foremost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Persistent Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/29/21

We can be optimistic in this life when Christ lives within us. We can find joyful hope when we put our relationship with Christ first and spend regular time fellowshipping with Him in prayer. A close relationship with God will give us joy in the midst of trouble, victory in times of temptation, fruitfulness and blessing in times of uncertainty. A solid prayer life will give us confidence when everything else is crumbling around us.

How persistent is your prayer life? Is prayer the first activity to be cut when your life becomes overscheduled? Do you skip prayer time on the days when you feel tired or ill or apathetic? Are your prayers half-hearted attempts to fulfill a ritual or appease your guilt?

If your prayer life has been lacking, confess to God today how you have neglected this important aspect of your relationship with Him. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to guide you in your prayers, to motivate you to spend time with Him, to give you the self-discipline to stay focused in prayer, and to prepare your heart for the presence of God.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for neglecting my prayer life. I pray that You would guide me as I pray and help me make prayer a priority in my life. Thank You for the privilege of prayer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Guiding Our Prayer Lives

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/28/21

Have you ever noticed that when you are ready to pray, the phone rings or somebody knocks on your door? How often is your prayer time disturbed by things on your to-do list, with daydreams, or with sleepiness?

Prayer is the most important thing we can do as believers. Through prayer, we communicate with our heavenly Father. We also learn more about Him when we pray. We grow in our faith through prayer. When we pray, we find the encouragement, the strength, and the power we need to face life.

Satan, however, seeks to interfere with the sacred intimacy of prayer. He did not want Adam and Eve to communicate with God in the Garden of Eden, nor does Satan want us to communicate with God. Rather, he seeks to find ways of making us spiritually weak. He knows that prayer is our vital source of power and strength.

When you receive good news or something wonderful happens in your life, do you immediately thank the Lord? Many of us pray only when we are facing a problem. We cry out to the Lord in our pain, but we often fail to praise Him in times of joy. This is when we realize that we have not made prayer part of our daily lives.

Prayer is not to inform, to persuade, to manipulate, or to cajole God. It is the evidence of our love, surrender, obedience, and sincerity before God. He wants to commune with us. When you understand prayer is joyous, intimate fellowship with the Lord, you will want to make prayer a consistent part of your life.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for neglecting prayer and time with You. Thank You for blessing me with an intimate relationship with You. Help me to never neglect my time with You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Taking Prayer Seriously

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/27/21

Most evangelical Christians today pray the way sailors use their pumps—only when their ship is leaking. When that happens, they work at prayer furiously. The rest of the time they don’t want to know about the discipline of prayer. This type of prayer is called need-driven prayer.

We must take prayer seriously. Here are a few simple directions on the “how” of praying.

Give prayer adequate time. Can you imagine two people in love with each other but who talk only if they need something? No relationship will grow if you get on the phone, give the person a list of requests, then hang up. Yet five minutes is—on average—how long most evangelical Christians spend in daily prayer. Five minutes! Be warned: You will reap exactly what you sow.

Give prayer adequate space. To pray properly, we need to go into a place where we can concentrate without being disturbed. You may think you are the kind of person who can pray at the ironing board, with the television and stereo going, and with a telephone jammed against one ear, but that’s not likely true. When Jesus advised, “[W]hen you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6), He meant for us to find a place where we can focus on God and not be distracted.

Give prayer adequate attention. To pray effectively, you will have to prioritize your prayer time. This does not tend to be welcome news to people with demanding jobs and small children, but there is no way around it. Prayer should be marked on your calendar.

Consider following Jesus’ example of rising early in the morning for prayer. There is no Scriptural command for this, but it will allow you to offer the firstfruits of your day to God. Of course, early morning prayer does not allow us to switch off afterward. We should pray in every situation because prayer is both a discipline and a lifestyle. It is the most important part of every day.

Prayer: Father, help me to take prayer seriously and to give You the time, space, and attention You deserve. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

God Urges Us to Remember

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/26/21

Do you have people in your life who only talk to you when they want something? Conversations that revolve around the other person’s needs or demands make it hard to develop true fellowship. These one-sided relationships can make us feel used and manipulated.

Often, that is exactly what many of us do to God when we only approach Him in prayer with a need or desire. We give Him our laundry lists of prayer requests without spending any time praising Him, thanking Him for our past blessings, or seeking a relationship with Him. We pray for future events without acknowledging His help in the past. Our forgetfulness is an indication of our ingratitude toward God, and it renders our prayers ineffective.

Yet, none of this shocks God. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows we are a forgetful people. He knows our capacity for ingratitude. He knows our capacity for reinventing the Truth. He knows our capacity for taking credit for His provision.

Throughout the Scriptures we see God reminding His people of His blessings. He often urged them to set up visible memorials of His past provision that would lead them to rejoice in and worship their Almighty God. Without these reminders, the people would forget God’s faithfulness.

What kind of memorials is God calling you to set up today? Ask for God’s help to remain focused on Him throughout the day, that you may abide in Him and pray without ceasing.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for forgetting to take the time to praise and adore You. You have been so faithful to me. Thank You for loving me and for saving me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

A Confident Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/25/21

Have you noticed that the higher our expectations, the greater our disappointment when they are not met? Whether our unrealistic expectations are placed in other people, in our own strength, or in specific situations, we will always experience discouragement when things do not go as planned. But when our expectations are placed in the promises of God, we will never be disappointed. His timing may not always be as quick as we would like, and His methods may be different from what we expected, but God will always follow through on His promises.

In Luke 2:25-35, we read about Simeon, who placed his expectations on God’s faithfulness. He had spent his lifetime anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. And because God had told him he would personally see the Christ, Simeon knew that Jesus would be born in his lifetime. After years of waiting and watching, Simeon was ready to be relieved of his post.

When he held the Christ child in his arms, he prayed, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

Simeon’s prayer was a confident prayer. He was not surprised that God had fulfilled His promise. He knew God would remain faithful. Simeon’s expectations were met because they were rooted in the promises of God. God had promised to send the Messiah, so He sent Jesus Christ to earth. Simeon never gave up on God, and God did not disappoint him.

What a contrast to the expectations we place on this world! We place high expectations in the wrong things and the wrong people and are surprised when we end up bitterly disappointed. We forget that the only one who will never disappoint us is God.

Prayer: God, help me to place my expectations in You, not in this world. I know that You will never disappoint me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Two Views on Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/24/21

When we miss God’s purpose in prayer, we miss God’s best. It is important to know that the purpose of prayer is for God to be glorified.

God is the focus of prayer because, through prayer, God reveals His goodness and power. Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Indeed, prayer is for God’s glory—not just for our needs. However, when God meets our needs, He is glorified.

There are some who see prayer simply as an action that aligns us with what God has already foreordained. They say there is nothing we can do other than conform to His will. On the other hand, some think that prayer is asking God to do what He would not and could not do without our requests.

Actually, the Scripture teaches both views—and we are under obligation before God to hold both views in tension. The Bible teaches that God is, without a doubt, sovereign. The Bible also teaches that God, within His sovereignty, responds to His people when they pray with a right focus.

Likewise, there are people who are terrified of asking God for anything, but this is not consistent with His will for our relationship with Him or our prayers to Him. Then, others treat God like a bellhop who moves only at their command. Both approaches to prayer are extreme, and both are wrong.

Remember that we are God’s children through Jesus Christ. When children are young—and even sometimes when they are older—they ask for all kinds of things. Do we give them everything they want? Of course, we don’t. We give them what we believe is best for them. If we, as fallen men and women, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more does our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him (see Matthew 7:11)? May we grow in faith to bring mature requests to God with hearts that say, “Not my will, but Yours be done, Lord.”

Prayer: Father, thank You that, while You are sovereign, You still want to hear from Your children and that You glorify Yourself as You meet our needs. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Prayer of Praise

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/23/21

Read Luke 1:46-55.

I wish I could step into a time machine and journey back to that day when young Mary, a girl probably no older than fourteen years old, walked the dusty road into the hills of Judea to the home of her cousin Elizabeth. I wish I could be there to see Elizabeth and Mary embrace and to hear the words of the Magnificat from Mary’s own lips, to see the joy of the Magnificat shining in her eyes. What a privilege for Elizabeth to hear this prayer, which would be recited millions of times down through the ages.

Mary faced a crisis that you and I can’t fully understand. But because of her belief in the Word of God, because of her trust in the promises of God, because of her deep and abiding relationship with God, she faced this crisis with confidence and faith.

Mary composed these words out of a heart full of gratitude. God had chosen to bless her among all women by placing in her womb the baby who would become the Savior of the world. The long-promised Messiah would soon be born—and she would be His mother! How could she not praise God for the honor He had given her?

Mary’s prayer exemplifies the lasting power of authentic, Biblical self-esteem and the perfect balance of confidence and humility. The personality of this young teenager was not warped by materialism, corrupted by possessions, or distorted by peer pressure. Her spirit was formed and shaped by a lifetime of immersion in the Word of God. She was committed to trusting in the promises of God and to allowing God to use her life for His glory as He would sovereignly see fit. Her faith is an example to us all.

Mary, who embodied and personified God’s fulfilled promise to the human race, was saying through the Magnificat, “God always keeps His promises.”

Are you willing to trust God to keep His promises to you? Are you willing to magnify and glorify His name above all else? Are you willing to bear witness to His grace, His mercy, and His faithfulness?

Glorify God in all circumstances. Magnify His name at all times. That is the essence of the prayer of Mary, the mother of our Savior.

That is the key to power in prayer.

Prayer: Lord, You are the matchless, sovereign God. You alone are worthy of my praise. You are constant, faithful, holy, and unchanging. I praise You for Your promises to me—particularly the promise of eternity with You, the only one who satisfies my soul. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” (Luke 1:48-49).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Unanswered Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/22/21

Read Habakkuk 3.

We see a great Old Testament example of persisting in prayer in the three chapters of the book of Habakkuk. Historical clues within the book of Habakkuk suggest that he lived during the reign of Israel’s King Jehoiakim, when the Babylonian Empire was on the rise but before the Babylonians came to lay siege to Jerusalem. The central theme of Habakkuk focuses on the prophet’s effort to grow from a place of doubt and impatience with God to a place of trust in Him, despite God’s apparent delay in answering prayer.

Three features of Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 are particularly worth noting for our own prayer life:

1.       Habakkuk’s humility before God. The first feature of effective prayer is humility. In chapter 1, Habakkuk seems to be lecturing the Lord: “How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (1:2). But by the end of Habakkuk, even in the midst of unanswered prayer, Habakkuk stands in awe of God’s mighty works.

2.       Habakkuk’s adoration of God. When you pray, ask God to teach you more about Himself because He is worthy of your adoration and obedience. That’s a prayer that will always be honored.

3.       Habakkuk’s focus on God’s work. Habakkuk prayed that God in His mercy would send a great awakening to Israel. The people of Israel didn’t deserve it; they deserved only the destruction that God had repeatedly warned them was coming. But Habakkuk desired that God would bring revival so that His name would be glorified

In those times when our prayers seem to go unanswered, we might sink into depression, become angry with God, or give up praying altogether. In the prayer of Habakkuk, we see a very different response to unanswered prayer. We see him ask God, in effect, “What do You want me to learn from this? How can I learn to pray in greater alignment with Your will? Lord, teach me to trust You more.” We see Habakkuk take the trial of unanswered prayer and turn it into an opportunity to grow in intimacy with God.

In the prayer of Habakkuk, we find a model of prayer that will protect us from the disillusionment and discouragement that so often accompany God’s delays in answering our prayers

Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of tremendous faith found in Habakkuk. May I, too, set my heart on You, the God of grace, wisdom, and sovereign power. I trust in You, my Savior and my God; I believe Your promises and will wait on You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Unanswered Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/22/21

Read Habakkuk 3.

We see a great Old Testament example of persisting in prayer in the three chapters of the book of Habakkuk. Historical clues within the book of Habakkuk suggest that he lived during the reign of Israel’s King Jehoiakim, when the Babylonian Empire was on the rise but before the Babylonians came to lay siege to Jerusalem. The central theme of Habakkuk focuses on the prophet’s effort to grow from a place of doubt and impatience with God to a place of trust in Him, despite God’s apparent delay in answering prayer.

Three features of Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 are particularly worth noting for our own prayer life:

1.       Habakkuk’s humility before God. The first feature of effective prayer is humility. In chapter 1, Habakkuk seems to be lecturing the Lord: “How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (1:2). But by the end of Habakkuk, even in the midst of unanswered prayer, Habakkuk stands in awe of God’s mighty works.

2.      Habakkuk’s adoration of God. When you pray, ask God to teach you more about Himself because He is worthy of your adoration and obedience. That’s a prayer that will always be honored.

3.      Habakkuk’s focus on God’s work. Habakkuk prayed that God in His mercy would send a great awakening to Israel. The people of Israel didn’t deserve it; they deserved only the destruction that God had repeatedly warned them was coming. But Habakkuk desired that God would bring revival so that His name would be glorified

In those times when our prayers seem to go unanswered, we might sink into depression, become angry with God, or give up praying altogether. In the prayer of Habakkuk, we see a very different response to unanswered prayer. We see him ask God, in effect, “What do You want me to learn from this? How can I learn to pray in greater alignment with Your will? Lord, teach me to trust You more.” We see Habakkuk take the trial of unanswered prayer and turn it into an opportunity to grow in intimacy with God.

In the prayer of Habakkuk, we find a model of prayer that will protect us from the disillusionment and discouragement that so often accompany God’s delays in answering our prayers

Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of tremendous faith found in Habakkuk. May I, too, set my heart on You, the God of grace, wisdom, and sovereign power. I trust in You, my Savior and my God; I believe Your promises and will wait on You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Prayer of Scripture

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/21/21

Read Jonah 2:1-6.

In the book of Jonah, we meet an ordinary man from Bible times, a plain old Joe named Jonah. He was hardly a hero of the Bible. He was, in fact, more of an antihero.

When God told him to go to Nineveh, Jonah instead headed in the other direction as fast as he could go. Reaching the coast city of Jaffa (or Joppa), Jonah boarded a ship bound for Tarshish. He did not reach his destination. Instead, he ended up in the last place he ever thought he would be: the belly of a great fish.

Was there ever a more reluctant and disobedient prophet in the Bible than Jonah? But Jonah had one thing going for him. When he was in the belly of the fish, Jonah got serious with God and prayed for all he was worth.

If you have been through a storm in your life, if you have found yourself in the belly of the beast, if you are suffering as a consequence of disobedience or even through no fault of your own, then the prayer of Jonah is for you.

It’s important to notice something about Jonah’s prayer: Out of his watery grave, Jonah prayed the Scriptures back to God. Again and again in this passage, Jonah prays the promises of God as they have been given throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, especially in the book of Psalms.

Jonah didn’t know how God would deliver him or when God would deliver him or even if God would deliver him alive. He simply trusted that God, by His own sovereign choice, would deliver him from the belly of that fish.

Whenever you are in the belly of the beast, and you don’t know how you should pray, pray the Scriptures. Pray His promises: “Lord, You promised that I can cast all my cares on You, for You care for me. You promised that You would carry my grief and sorrows. You told me not to fear because You are with me.”

Jonah’s prayer is for any of us going through a stormy trial. It doesn’t matter whether our actions caused the storm or whether we are innocent victims. Jonah’s prayer is a powerful reminder that, even if we forsake God, He never forsakes us.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your steadfast love and forgiveness. Because of Your grace and mercy, I can face any storm, for I know You are with me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit” (Jonah 2:6).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Seeking God’s Will

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/20/21

As we close out our study on the effective prayers of Daniel, we learn about the importance of knowing God’s Word and consistently responding in obedience.

Pray the will of God. How can you be assured that you are praying for God’s will (and not your own) to be done? Jesus said that we are to seek first the things of God and that God would respond by taking care of our needs (see Matthew 6:25-33). Immerse yourself in the Word of God. The more you know the mind of God, the more you will begin to understand what He wants for your life. As you pray for specific requests, always check them against Scripture. You can be sure God’s desires for you will never go against His Word. As you read God’s Word and study it, ask the Lord to give you a greater awareness of specific promises that He wants you to pray about and believe.

Effective prayers. We must pray with praise on our lips, a confession of our own faults, and with a petition that God will act in the way that accomplishes His purposes and brings Him glory. And then, we must listen very closely to what God may lead us to say or do and step out in faith to obey. God uses individual people to accomplish His purposes. Be willing to be used. As you pray, never lose sight of this Truth: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Continue to pray, knowing that at God’s appointed time, your harvest will come.

Prayer: Father, help me spend more time in Your Word so that I will be better equipped to pray Your will. Help me respond in obedience when I sense You leading me to do something. And help me not give up! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands” (Psalm 119:60).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Praying for Mercy and Action

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/19/21

As we continue to learn from the prayers of Daniel, we’re reminded of how reliant we are on God’s love and forgiveness.

Appeal for mercy. Daniel appealed to God’s mercy, saying, “Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, . . . For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. . . . We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy” (Daniel 9:16-18). Acknowledge to God that you do not deserve His blessings, but you receive them because He is a merciful and loving God. Humble yourself before God, realizing that your strength and success come from Him alone.

Petition for God to act. Daniel very specifically asked the Lord to take action: “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:19). Daniel’s prayer was not selfish in nature, but he prayed for the Lord to show Himself strong so that the Lord might receive glory on this earth. We are to pray that God will act in a way that brings Him the greatest glory and in a way that most profoundly demonstrates that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Prayer: God, as I humble myself before You, I realize that I don’t deserve Your blessings, but I am grateful that You are a merciful God. Apart from You, I am nothing. God, I pray that You would take action, showing Yourself strong, so that You would receive all praise and glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name” (Psalm 119:132).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Daniel’s Prayer

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/18/21

We can see how effective are the prayers of a righteous person through the Old Testament prophet Daniel. His prayers provide a model for us to follow. Read his powerful plea to God in Daniel 9:4-19. Now, let’s take a look at the key components of his prayer.

Start with praise. Daniel began his prayer by praising God. His focus was not on himself, but on God’s greatness. He prayed to “the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Daniel 9:4). He acknowledged God as absolutely righteous, but also merciful and forgiving. Begin your own prayers with praise and thanksgiving to God.

Praise Him for His glory, His power, and His love. Thank Him for your salvation, your many blessings and glorious promises, and His daily provision in your life. Spend time just adoring God. We must remember that prayer is not just a means of getting what we ask for—it is fellowship with God. When we pray, we are investing in an intimate, personal relationship with Him.

Confess your sins. Daniel confessed that Israel had sinned. He didn’t try to dismiss, justify, or sidestep the fact that Israel had made a grave error. He didn’t make excuses to God but took responsibility. Daniel stated up front in his prayer, “[W]e have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws” (Daniel 9:5).

When you go to God in prayer, don’t play the blame game when it comes to your sin. Acknowledge any element of sin or wrongdoing—intentional or unintentional—related to the situation or circumstance. When God reveals sin in our hearts, His ultimate desire is to reconcile us to the fullness of a right relationship with Him.

Prayer: God, I want to praise You today for Your love and for the gift of salvation. Thank You for giving us Your Word to provide examples like Daniel for us to follow. Forgive me of any sin in my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!” (Psalm 18:46).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Prayer of Faithfulness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/17/21

Read Daniel 9:1-19.

The Old Testament prophet Daniel became an advisor to kings because of who he was in secret on his knees before God.

Daniel was born in the land of Judah during a time when much of the nation had fallen away from God. He was a teenager when God permitted the forces of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to lay siege to Jerusalem.

Along with much of the population of Jerusalem, Daniel and his friends were shackled and led away in chains to Babylon, where they became servants in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar. Exiled to a foreign land, Daniel stood his moral and spiritual ground, as we see in the story of Daniel being willing to die in the lions’ den rather than stop praying.

Whenever you see a person standing firm for God, you’ll find that they first bent the knee to God in prayer. When God’s people refuse to compromise their faith, when God’s people persistently, consistently, and obstinately go to their knees in prayer, big things happen. Future history changes. Everything that was notable about Daniel flowed from his daily time with God. People who spend time with God every day can’t help but be changed.

We see this in Daniel’s remarkable prayer in Daniel 9, when the Jewish people had been in exile in Babylon for nearly seventy years. Daniel pleads with God through confession, intercession, and petition.

When you pray, remember Daniel’s prayer. Remember that the same God who answered Daniel’s prayers has promised to answer your prayers. Remember that the same God who foretold the outline of future history to Jeremiah and Daniel is in control of your future as well. You can trust Him with your future because He is the one who announced the return of His people to Israel after seventy years of exile, then moved the king of Persia to send them home—precisely on schedule. And He is the one who announced the coming of the Messiah, then sent Him into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—precisely on schedule.

History never catches God by surprise. When we pray, we become partners in the fulfillment of His eternal plan. So pray like Daniel, rely on God’s promises, and prepare to be amazed.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the honor of serving Your Kingdom through prayer and obedience. Help me to be faithful in these callings so that by my witness of trust in You, many might see Your goodness and Truth and be saved. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:19).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Greatest Fortress

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/16/21

Deep in the Arabian Desert is a small fortress. It stands silently on the vast expanse of the ageless desert. Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, often used it. Though unpretentious, it was most efficient. Its main commendation was its security. When under attack, often by superior forces, Lawrence would retreat there for safety.

While staying there, the resources of the fortress became his—the food and the water stored there were life-supporting. The strength of the fortress became the strength of its occupants. Old-time desert dwellers talked about how confident and secure Lawrence always felt when he was within the walls of the fortress.

Prayer is the believer’s greatest fortress. It is a place we can run to any time of the day or night. The strength and protection we receive in God’s presence are unmatched by this world. The name of Jesus and His atoning blood are even more assuring than walls made of stone, iron, or concrete. Just as Jesus promised:

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:18-20).

He has provided a supreme place of safety for you. Whenever confusion, fear, or feelings of doubt assail your mind, turn to Him. Pray for His protection to surround you and ask Him to provide the strength you need to stand firm against any and all deception.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for providing me with the safety of Your strength, power, and salvation. Because You’ve set up Your Kingdom in my heart, I call on Your power to defeat feelings of fear, doubt, and confusion. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[C]all on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Prayer of Trust

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/15/21

Read Psalm 28.

David’s family was torn apart by rape, murder, rebellion, and revolution. He’d failed as a father, in part because of his polygamous marriages and in part because he was too busy with matters of government and war. He was powerful, he was successful, he was the king—but he was eventually on the run, fleeing a son who sought to take his life.

Exiled from his family and his people, hiding from his son Absalom, a grief-stricken King David penned a heartfelt prayer, a plea for mercy and justice.

David’s world was falling apart—but God was his Rock.

David’s family was collapsing—but God was his Rock.

David’s government was crumbling—but God was his Rock.

David’s throne had been stolen from him—but God was his Rock.

David’s subjects had turned against him—but God was his Rock.

The prayer of Psalm 28 expresses the heart’s cry of everyone who has found themselves in a desperate situation. It is a comforting passage to meditate on when you have been slandered, mistreated, and misunderstood by others. It’s a plea for God to be your protector, vindicator, and righteous judge.

When your world is falling apart all around you, how do you respond? Do you run to God, or do you blame Him? When you find yourself facing the consequences of your own wrong choices, do you cry out to the Rock of Ages, or do you blame God for not protecting you from the results of your actions?

David understood God. He prayed, “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help” (v. 2). A cry for mercy is the farthest thing imaginable from the demand, “You owe me.”

David prayed with his arms raised, putting his mind, spirit, and body into his prayer. He was not just saying a prayer; he was struggling in prayer. Hard work, struggle, suffering, wrestling with God—these difficult experiences are often the prerequisites to victory.

No matter how people may fail you or mistreat you, God is your fortress. His power never diminishes. His love for you never changes. His support for you never wavers. His mercy toward you never fades. He is your Rock.

Prayer: Lord, You are my Rock. I will trust in You when circumstances threaten to overwhelm me, remembering Your promises are sure and everlasting. I will rest in Your mercy toward me and hope in Your coming Kingdom. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalm 28:7).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

Blessings Out of Brokenness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/14/21

God responded to Hannah’s cry for a son, and she gave birth to Samuel. In keeping with the vow she had made to God, she gave the Lord her only child. Although Samuel grew up serving God at the temple, Hannah was not bitter over releasing her son to God. Instead, she gave a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving: “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).

God continued to bless Hannah with children. After years of what looked like a hopeless situation, she received her prayer request not just once but several times:

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD.” Then they would go home. And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. (1 Samuel 2:20-21).

God wants to bring blessings out of our brokenness. He is a loving provider whose power is limitless. People and things will fail us, but God’s security and strength abide forever. His compassion is inexhaustible. His peace is unexplainable.

In your hour of desperation, where do you turn? Do you tell your troubles to anyone who will listen, or do you seek the throne of grace?

Prayer: God, help me to come to You in my hour of desperation. Thank You for Your love. I pray that You would bring blessings out of my brokenness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Prayer of Brokenness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/13/21

Read 1 Samuel 1:1-20.

If you want to be whole in God’s Kingdom, you must be willing to be broken. God blesses the broken spirit.

In the first chapter of 1 Samuel, we come to a prayer of brokenness from a woman named Hannah. Out of her prayer will come a man who will influence the course of history in a mighty way—a man who will anoint the king from whose lineage the Savior of the world will be born.

The name Hannah means “favored,” but Hannah didn’t feel favored at all. She felt broken due to her inability to conceive a child. We read in 1 Samuel 1:10, “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.”

We should pay close attention to several aspects of Hannah’s prayer. First, we should note that this is the first prayer of a woman ever recorded in the Bible. I’m sure that there were many faithful women who prayed before Hannah, women whose prayers are not recorded in Scripture. And I’m sure we would be astonished at the incredible works God has done in answer to their prayers. In fact, I can tell you that I am a follower of Christ and a servant of Christ because God answered the prayers of my mother. And I can tell you that her prayers were anguished prayers, prayers of brokenness, because I, as a young man, was far from God and was breaking her heart.

A second aspect of Hannah’s prayer to note is that it was silent. Her lips moved, but she made no sound. She wasn’t praying to be eloquent. She was praying out of her deep anguish and brokenness.

Third, as Hannah prays, she makes no attempt to draw attention to herself. Hannah was not trying to impress anyone or manipulate emotions or gain sympathy. She knew there was only one who could meet her desperate need. There was only one who could do the impossible. And He is the one who hears all prayers—even prayers prayed in silence.

God hears our prayers, expressed in groaning too deep for words. These are the prayers of brokenness, and He delights in answering these prayers. God is going to use Hannah’s brokenness to bless her—and to bless the entire world in all generations.

Prayer: Thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. Thank You that You know my deepest longings and that Your love gives me comfort—Your Gospel, hope. I bring my brokenness to You today, knowing that in You alone am I made whole. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.

Prayer: Our Declaration of Faith

09/10/21 – 09/30/21

The Prayer of Obedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/12/21

Read Genesis 24:1-50.

Over the years, I have prayed with countless people a simple prayer for decision-making wisdom: “Lord, which way should Your servant take?” That prayer is based on a prayer found in Genesis 24, the first prayer ever recorded in the Bible. (There are earlier conversations recorded between Adam and God and Abraham and God, but this is the first instance of an individual praying to God in the same way you and I pray to Him.) It was offered by a man so ordinary that his name doesn’t even appear in the chapter. We only know his name because he was briefly mentioned in Genesis 15:2: Eliezer of Damascus, the senior servant in Abraham’s household.

When Abraham is very old, he commissions Eliezer to go to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia where Abraham’s relatives live. There Eliezer is to find a bride for Abraham’s son, Isaac.

In Genesis 24:12-14, we read that this servant stops on his travels to pray for God to guide him. The fact that Eliezer is not named in this passage suggests that he is a genuinely humble servant who does not seek to glorify himself. And God answers his prayer even “[b]efore he had finished praying” (v. 15).

Some people say you should never pray specifically because you may be praying outside of the will of God. But the Bible contains many examples of people praying very specific prayers, like this one, and God honors those prayers. Of course, we need to be flexible when God gives us His answer. He may answer our prayer in a different way than we expect. But we should not fear to be specific when we pray.

Eliezer also understood that prayer is no substitute for action. He prayed—but he kept traveling. He prayed—but he kept his eye on the destination. He prayed—but he kept following the map.

The prayer of Abraham’s faithful servant Eliezer was a prayer for guidance in a decision that would impact the lineage of Jesus the Messiah. The example of Eliezer teaches us this all-important principle: faithful prayer + unconditional obedience = answered prayer.

When you need God’s guidance, when you need answered prayer, pray with a heart of unconditional obedience. Then watch faithfully to see His answer.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that I can bring my specific requests to You and trust that You hear and answer them in Your perfect wisdom and timing. Thank You for Eliezer’s example of obedient faith. May I, too, pray and live confidently in the knowledge of Your provision and love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10).

*This devotional adapted from Life-Changing Prayers by Michael Youssef © 2018. Published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission.