“If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan? 6Even your brothers, members of your own family, have turned against you. They plot and raise complaints against you. Do not trust them, no matter how pleasantly they speak.

And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’ (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people. 17But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

“If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! 20They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze. They will not conquer you, for I am with you to protect and rescue you. I, the Lord, have spoken!

Lord God my Father,

Strengthen me and give me the courage to overcome my weakness. Build my faith into a mighty and powerful force for your desire. Cause me to look past the dysfunction I allow to rest on me and courageously trample the sin I embrace. I want to wholeheartedly learn your way and obey your nudges in my spirit. I want to return to you because on my own I am broken and weak. I need you Lord to thrive as you desire me to but hold too tightly to my broken way.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. 21He controls the course of world events;

But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice;

“But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward. 

Lord God my Father,

You are glorious and perfect, only in you am I whole. Make your truth powerful in my thoughts and protect me from deceit. Your Glory is my desire, and your mercy is abundant. Keep my heart soft so I may hear you and give me courage to do what you require without hesitation.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

When I speak, the words burst out. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke.

Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

Lord God my Fahter,

I wish to represent you well, allow your Truth to pass through me no matter how it is taken. Give me your desire and wisdom, use me freely.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 “Take from my hand this cup filled to the brim with my anger, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. 16When they drink from it, they will stagger, crazed by the warfare I will send against them.”

“I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.”

Lord God my Father,

I am a sinner and unworthy on my own. Your grace washes me clean an you say I am worthy. Help me to do your will today and bring your truth into my life and share your truth with others. Help us to become worthy as a people to allow your blessings to rest on us as you desire but punish us so we may grow closer to you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

You have been that way since childhood— you simply will not obey me! 22And now the wind will blow away your allies. All your friends will be taken away as captives. Surely then you will see your wickedness and be ashamed.

Lord God my Father,

Change me, protect me from my past self and deliver me to who you designed me to be. I wish to serve you, not me, but I struggle. I need your strength to make this happen. Thank you for not giving up on me, ever!

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer,3:19 Or He gives me the speed of a deer. able to tread upon the heights.

Your silver and gold will not save you on that day of the Lord’s anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy.

They will rest at night in the abandoned houses in Ashkelon. For the Lord their God will visit his people in kindness and restore their prosperity again.

Lord God my Father,

You are my purpose and strength, I am nothing without you. Thank you for your plan and keep me close so I don’t look away from you. Help me to surrender to your delight and represent you well today.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the Lord’s Temple. 3The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. 

Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols,23:24 The Hebrew term (literally round things) probably alludes to dung. and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah.

The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. 8But he will sweep away his enemies

Lord God my Father,

Expose your Truth in my life and direct me on how to release my brokenness to your healing. Restore me to be bold under your authority and sold out to doing this life your way. You are the only thing worthy of my obedience, protect me for Satan’s attempt at distraction. You are my strength and desire.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But don’t require the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”

You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. 20So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.’”

Lord God my Father,

Soften my heart and reshape it into your desire. Help me to be the man you created me to be. I desire to experience life as you desire it to be and share your delight.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Let us now lie down in shame and cover ourselves with dishonor, for we and our ancestors have sinned against the Lord our God. From our childhood to this day we have never obeyed him.”

“if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2Then when you swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.”

Lord God my Father,

I am a sinner by my sin nature, Lord God, I can only be made good by you. Your forgiveness is my only hope at Peace. Thank you for pursuing me without ever letting up and being there for me when I fall. Your delight is all I need to know you and follow you. Thank you for being my God.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites. 

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. 11So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner.

And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!

He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

“For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

Lord God my Father,

Give me the strength to keep my focus on you and in that strength keep me from my sin nature and wondering from your presence. I wish to hear your every desire and place it in my heart. I am so broken and distracted by my own desire and wish to be restored to who you say I am. Thank you for your patience and your perfect plan, for every struggle I have endured is now being use to reveal how close you are to me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen