“Scripture calls us to pray for many things: for all saints ; for all men; for kings and all rulers; for all who are in adversity; for the sending forth of laborers; for those who labor in the gospel; for all converts; for believers who have fallen into sin; for one another in our immediate circles” (Andrew Murray).
Word-inspired worship music creates atmosphere to seek the Lord and His strength as you remember God’s covenant. Corporate prayer empowers the proclamation of His reign among the nations as you redeem His disciples for kingdom rule. Trust in the Holy Spirit and obey God to extend your sphere of influence.
Follow God’s Word in Worshiping Him through Music
After David constructed buildings for himself in Jerusalem, he pitched a tent for the ark of God. He said Levites carried and ministered before the ark forever. David assembled all Israel and called together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites. He summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests and several heads of Levitical families to consecrate themselves and bring the ark to the place David prepared. God’s anger broke out because they did not inquire how to do it in the prescribed way. The priests and Levites consecrated themselves to carry the ark with poles as Moses commanded. The Levites appointed singers to sing joyful songs accompanied by musical instruments. Kenaniah was in charge of singing because he was skillful at it. Because God helped the Levites carrying the ark, seven bulls and seven rams were sacrificed along with shouts, rams’ horns and trumpets, cymbals and playing of lyres and harps. Michal despised David when she saw him dancing and celebrating (1 Chron. 15:1-29). Follow God’s word in worshiping Him with all your heart through music.
Seek the Lord and His Strength By Remembering His Covenant
They set the ark inside the tent David pitched while presenting burnt and fellowship offerings. He gave a loaf of bread and cake of dates and raisins to each Israelite. Some Levites made petition, gave thanks and praised the Lord. Some played the lyresa and harps, Asaph sounded the trumpets and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests blew the trumpets regularly before the ark. David committed to Asaph this psalm of thanks to the Lord. Call on his name and make known among the nations what He did. Sing praise to Him, tell of His wonderful acts and glory in His holy name. Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember His wonders, miracles and judgments. God made a covenant to Abraham and confirmed it with Isaac and Jacob. He gave the land of Canaan for their inheritance. God allowed no man to oppress them and rebuked kings for their sake (1 Chron. 16:1-22). Seek the Lord and His strength by remembering God’s miracles and His covenant with Abraham.
Pray Corporately to Empower Proclamation
All the earth would sing to the Lord and proclaim His salvation every day. Declare His glory among the nations and His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise to be feared above all gods or idols of the nations. His dwelling place contains strength and joy. Ascribe to the Lord glory due His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Let people and all creation say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!” God’s love endures forever. Cry out to God our Savior to save and deliver us from the nations so we may give thanks to His holy name and glory in His praise. David left Asaph and his associates before the ark to minister their regularly according to each day’s requirements. He left gatekeeper Obed-Edom and his 68 associates to minister with them. He left Zadok the priest and fellow priests before the Lord’s tabernacle at the high place in Gibeon to present burnt offerings regularly according to the Law (1 Chron. 16:23-43). Pray corporately to empower the proclamation of God’s glory, salvation, reign and love among the nations.
Let God Build His Disciples for Kingdom Rule
David told Nathan he lived in a cedar palace while the ark was under a tent. God told Nathan that David was not the one to build Him a house to live in. God moved from one tent site to another and never asked any leader to build Him a house of cedar. God said He took David from tending sheep to be ruler over Israel. He was with him wherever David went and cut off his enemies. God made his name great, provided a place for Israel and planted them in a home of their own without disturbance. Wicked people would not oppress them. The Lord built a house for him, raised up his son to establish his kingdom, build a house for God and establish His throne forever. He would set him over His house, His kingdom and His throne to be established forever (1 Chron. 17:1-15). Let God build His disciples for kingdom rule from His throne forever.
Pray that God Defeats Nations and Redeems His People
David humbled himself before God in prayer saying He honored His servant as the most exalted of men. He made known His promises as an incomparable God who redeemed Israel for Himself. He made a name for Himself, performed great wonders, drove out nations and redeemed Israel from Egypt. David prayed that God’s promise about His house be established forever so His name would be great forever. Men would then say the Lord Almighty was Israel’s God. He revealed to David that He would build a house for him (1 Chron. 17:16-27). Pray that God defeats nations and redeems His people forever.
Trust in Holy Spirit and Obey God for Spiritual Victory to Extend Sphere of Influence
David defeated the Philistines and Moabites who became subject to him. He fought Hadadezer king Zobah and established his control along the Euphrates River. David captured 1,000 of his chariots, 7,000 charioteers and 20,000 foot soldiers. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. David took the gold shields and bronze used by Solomon to make articles and brought them to Jerusalem. Hadoram brought varieties of gold, silver and bronze after hearing David defeated the army of Hadadezer. David dedicated these articles to the Lord, reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people (1 Chron. 18:1-17). Trust in the Holy Spirit and obey God to extend your sphere of influence.
Call upon God to do the following things:
- Follow God’s word in worshiping Him
- Seek the Lord and His strength by remembering His covenant
- Pray corporately to empower the proclamation of God’s reign among the nations
- Let God build His disciples for kingdom rule
- Pray that God defeats nations and redeems His people
- Trust in the Holy Spirit and obey God to extend your sphere of influence
