Trusting God's Plan in the Battle: Lessons From the Life of JehoshaphatEsimerkki

Day 13: Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

Picture the nation of Judah assembled in big crowds of men, women, and children outside the temple in Jerusalem, earnestly waiting to hear from their king. As a man who humbly knows he can’t do anything without God’s intervention, as a national leader, Jehoshaphat gives one of the best prayers seeking God for his nation. Let’s break down his prayer right now:

• Reflecting on who God is - “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you." (v 6)
• Recalling God’s past work on your behalf - "Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ "(v 7 – 9).
• Stating the problem - “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them." (v 10)
• Remembering God's past promises - "See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance." (v 11)
• Asking God for help - "Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us." (v 12)
• Fixing your eyes on God and waiting for His answer - "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (v 12)

This is such a raw and authentic prayer! I challenge you to print out this prayer and hang it somewhere in your home or office. Better yet, memorize it! It will be your go-to when you have any problem come your way! And if you haven’t made time lately, check out our “A Little Extra” at the top of the page. It’s like having some friends discuss what you just read and we’re finding some amazing treasures in God’s word. Listen in with us!

Questions:

1. Why is it important to reflect on who God is?

2. Since God is all-knowing, why do you think Jehoshaphat stated the problem?

3. What part of this prayer really stood out to you?