“It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:your burnt offerings and sacrificesor your obedience to his voice?Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.23Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

 And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.

Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” 

Lord God my Father

Give me a faith that only sees your ability, I am weak and confused and need your direction. Give me power over my own doubt and allow me to build a life that fully honors you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle

“You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

“Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

Lord God my Father,

Help me to understand obedience and give me power to follow it. I have learned other ways, restore me to your path and give me your excitement to follow you. Nothing is beyond your power, even my own past.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”

As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart,

But there were some scoundrels who complained,

“You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.

Lord God my Father,

I ask for your power to guide me and do wonderful things to heal my family and bring you Glory. I ask you to protect me from being grumpy against you and confess I have done wrong and wish to not turn away from you any more.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

We will all be destroyed along with Dagon, our god.

He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered him.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. 20“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”

Lord God my Father,

Help me identify areas in my life that rule over me and are not honoring you. Give me power over my weakness and turn me into your slave so I may only do your will,

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.

May the Lord bless the one who helped you!”

“The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor.

 For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

Lord God my Father,

You are so amazing in how you lay out life, Only you can imagine all the wonders life brings and how you use what seems insignificant things for your glory. Lord God, use me as you will so I can play a part in your story.

In Jesus name,

Amen

So all the Israelites were completely united, and they gathered together to attack the town.

Then all the Israelites went up to Bethel and wept in the presence of the Lord and fasted until evening. They also brought burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 27The Israelites went up seeking direction from the Lord.

the men of Benjamin did as they were told. Each man caught one of the women as she danced in the celebration and carried her off to be his wife. 

Lord God my Father,

Help me to understand your way, help me to allow your perspective to become mine. I look at the here and now where you know everything. I want to trust in your way, remove my short vision to accept your plan wholeheartedly.

I Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Why do you ask my name?” the angel of the Lord replied. “It is too wonderful for you to understand.”

Lord God my Father,

May I understand that I can’t understand your plan and way but surrender to you in that truth.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They served the images of Baal and Ashtoreth, and the gods of Aram, Sidon, Moab, Ammon, and Philistia. They abandoned the Lord and no longer served him at all.

The Israelites were in great distress. 10Finally, they cried out to the Lord for help, saying, “We have sinned against you because we have abandoned you as our God and have served the images of Baal.”

Lord God my Father,

Protect me from my free will, may my thoughts and actions be purely from you. I have sinned against you and abandoned you to do my will and proven I am full of sin away from you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal,

Lord God my Father,

Keep my heart focused on you and show me the lies around me and within me. Protect me from the lies so I may live in your wisdom and glory.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to avoid the way of the deceiver and stay focused on your truth. Slay the enemy with in me so I may be pure in my actions.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen