Again the Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines, who oppressed them for forty years.

Then Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “Please stay here until we can prepare a young goat for you to eat.”16“I will stay,” the angel of the Lord replied, “but I will not eat anything. However, you may prepare a burnt offering as a sacrifice to the Lord.”

And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he lived in Mahaneh-dan, 

she was tormenting him with her nagging. 

“You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?”

Lord God my Father,

Give me your heart and the courage to use it for your glory. Make me into the Lion and deliver me from the flock. Stir in me for your greatness and protect me from distraction. You brought me this far, now deliver me to your destiny without delay.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. 34They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. 

And she said, “Father, if you have made a vow to the Lord, you must do to me what you have vowed, for the Lord has given you a great victory over your enemies, the Ammonites. 

Lord God my Father,

Your plan is perfect, give me discernment to know your true will and courage to follow it as you wish. Protect me from making poor decisions that will harm me rather than bring you glory.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

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

When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, I’m doomed! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”23“It is all right,” the Lord replied. “Do not be afraid. You will not die.” 

“Bring out your son,” the men of the town demanded of Joash. “He must die for destroying the altar of Baal and for cutting down the Asherah pole.”

Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. 

When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords.

Lord God my Father,

Open my heart so i may hear you and give me courage to follow you plan without question. Cause me to be obedient to your desire and represent you well in this world. Protect me from deceit.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer to save them.

Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.

“Israel’s leaders took charge,and the people gladly followed.Praise the Lord!

“Lord, may all your enemies die like Sisera!But may those who love you rise like the sun in all its power!”

Lord God my Father,

I cry out to you to restore your kingdom to your design and remove evil from your people. Your plan is beyond understanding but I trust in it beyond my own understanding. Use me as you wish to have your way and bring us home.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

That is why the Lord left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all.

Lord God my Father,

Give me the Peace that will strengthen my heart so I may do your will in my life without compromise. Help me to identify and drive out the thoughts I carry that holds me back from your perfect plan.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly.

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve.

Lord God my Father,

Take from me the weakness I carry and place me under your authority, make my ears hear only you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

So the Lord gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. 45Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.

Lord God my Father,

Give me the patience to trust your plan without compromise, keep me in your quiet place at rest in my thoughts so your strength can fight all I might struggle with. Allow your encouragement to protect me from being less than delighted in my efforts.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”

Lord God my Father,

You are my strength, give me peace in your plan and strength to follow it.

‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because you wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’

 But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”

Lord God my Father,

Give me your rest in my thoughts, allow me to follow you without ponder. May your peace lead me without distraction and be my strength.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 15Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.16Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby! 17The Israelites set out at once to investigate and reached their towns in three days. The names of these towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!

Joshua conquered all these kings and their land in a single campaign, for the Lord, the God of Israel, was fighting for his people.

As the Lord had commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua. And Joshua did as he was told, carefully obeying all the commands that the Lord had given to Moses.

 All the others were defeated. 20For the Lord hardened their hearts and caused them to fight the Israelites.

Lord God my Father,

Keep my eyes focused on you so I may only see your Truth. Use me to be a part of your amazing plan, a plan beyond understanding. Give me courage because you are in control and make my heart hard for you only.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen