Most people are aware that the #7 signifies "completion" in scripture. God was finished with His Creation and rested on the seventh day. Jesus is "The Lord of the Sabbath" and in Him we find completion. When Peter asked Jesus how many times we should forgive someone, Jesus answered 70 x 7, which was a way of saying: COMPLETELY!
Did you know that there are certain prayers that, if you seek God and are truly sincere, God will grant your prayer request 100% of the time? This is not one of those tricky theological squirms such as: "God always answers prayer, sometimes He says "No" and sometimes He answers "Wait." For these particular prayers, He will always answer YES and always give you your petition. Wow...right about now you are thinking "What are these prayers?" This is better than Aladdin's Lamp...definite answers from the Most High God, Creator of the World, 100% guaranteed! Even more astounding, it's not limited to just three, there are SEVEN of them! In honor of Day #7 of the Omer, let's count them:
1) "Dear God: I sincerely want to know You. Please reveal Yourself to me."
It always amazes me how few people have actually taken the time to pray this prayer. There's no end to the overabundance of philosophies, religions and beliefs to select from. I'm sure it may get confusing to an unbeliever. Which one is correct? How can we be certain? Here's some simple logic. It's blatantly obvious that God exists just by looking around at incredible marvel of the universe. If He exists, He must be able to see and hear me. "Hey God! Since You are obviously out there...I want to know You." Here's what the scriptures have to say about this:
Those who seek Me, find Me.
~ Proverbs 8:17
Come near to God and He will come near to you.
~ James 4:8
This should not be a "one time" request but prayed continually as your intimacy and relationship grows with Christ over time.
2) "Lord, please forgive me."
Again, I think we make this way too complicated. The Bible is very simple and straightforward on this. No hot coals to walk over. No hair shirts to wear. No special incantations.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
~ 1 John 1:9
This one does come with a requirement:
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.
~ Mark 11:25
Nevertheless, Like request #1...It's a given.
3) "Jesus, please teach me how to live properly."
Not only does God always answer this sincere prayer, but it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be completely satisfied.
~ Matthew 5:6
4) "Heavenly Father, please teach me to love my neighbor as myself."
Now, the devil has done a horrifically "great" job redefining the word "love" in today's vernacular. If you truly love someone, you are much more concerned with their ultimate outcome then a temporary fond feeling. For all seriously practicing Christians, the greatest blessing ever conferred on them is Jesus Christ. Unless you are willing to share your greatest blessing with someone, you don't truly love them. That is why Jesus first said:
"Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all Your mind."
~ Matthew 22:37
Then, He said:
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~ Matthew 22:39-40
If God's Holy Word says that this is part of THE greatest commandment-that everything else literally HANGS on these two requirements-then it stands to reason that He desires for you to improve in this area. Ask Him for help in truly loving your neighbor with sharing the gospel message-you'll get a definite YES.
5) "Jehovah-Jireh (God my Provider), Please supply my daily needs."
"Give us this day our daily bread" sounds sort of obnoxious at first like "Gimme". But that's what The Word says-Jesus' exact words when teaching us how to pray.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
~ Matthew 6:31-33
We must come to the realization that we are God's children. He doesn't want us focused on scratching around in the dirt every day trying to make ends meet. Now...I am not about to go off here on some crazy prosperity themed message. I don't believe God wants you praying for Rolex watches and Mercedes. However, I do believe he wants you to simply expect that, as your Heavenly Parent, he is aware of His obligation to clothe, feed and shelter you-just like any good parent would acknowledge this obligation without hesitation. (Philippians 4:19)
6) "Abba Father, please fill me with Your wisdom."
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
~ James 1:5
I don't know how much more "cut and dry" this one can be. There's really no way to spin this scripture. When you need wisdom, ASK and, without God giving you a lecture about how undeserving you are, He will simply give it to you. Why aren't we praying this one every hour? Wisdom is more valuable than gold and it's FREE for the asking from the endless store of God's treasure House!
7) "Yeshua, please help me to grow up spiritually."
User Warning on #7: You'd better be extremely serious when you pray this one! Be careful what you ask for. It comes with a test. If you pray for patience--your patience WILL be tested!
so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
~ 1 Peter 1:7
If you're like me, you may have prayed something like this:
"Lord--give me patience and give it to me NOW!" For some reason that prayer never works. What DID happen is I would soon get a great opportunity to control my road rage or bite my sharp tongue while trying to curb a sarcastic reply.
Finally, plan to pray every day. The Risen Christ is knocking on the door of your heart and mind to "dine" with you. (Revelation 3:20). Ask Him in and ask Him what you can do today to bless Him. Write that down to gain His wisdom. This will by no means ensure perfection. There are many days when you will fail miserably. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this reality:
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ Romans 7:15-20; 24-25
However, slowly, over time, you will start to notice incremental improvements. The change will come more rapidly as you give in to it.
Did you ever tell a child that you planned on doing something with them or for them and then forget? Well, we all know this line...But, YOU PROMISED! No matter how many times you explain that you had a bad day, you have a headache, you will do it another day, you messed up...they will not let you off the hook. Smart kids. They will get their petition. Ask any parent!
Well, God doesn't have a bad day. If He promised something--He simply wants you to remind him of His Promises and be serious about receiving it.
So, don't be afraid to boldly approach the throne of grace on these issues. Go ahead...Remind God...He wants you to say...
YOU PROMISED!
Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the Promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised...
~Romans 4:20-21
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
~ The Lord's Prayer
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, remind us to come to you often in prayer. Even as Jesus taught us to pray The Lord's Prayer, He taught us to pray in "sevens" unto the completion of all things. We acknowledge that the Lord's Prayer is comprised of these seven prayers/acknowledgements:
#1) We acknowledge Your Supremacy and that You rule from Heaven and Your Name is revered.
#2) We look onward to Your final Kingdom's arrival when Your will be done on Earth perfectly as it is in Heaven.
#3) As we await Your physical return, we thank you for providing us with our daily needs as You are a good Father, our Provider.
#4) Forgive us our sins as we continue to forgive others who sin against us.
#5) Help us to avoid temptations from the evil one and to overcome.
#6) We acknowledge that only Your Kingdom has the Power and the Glory necessary to win this battle and will last forever and ever throughout eternity.
#7) Yes, Yes and Amen.
