Day 178 – Prayer

Psalm 79:1 (A Psalm of Asaph.) O Elohiym, the nations have come into Your inheritance; they defiled Your holy temple; they laid Jerusalem in heaps. 2 They gave the dead bodies of Your servants as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. 3 They shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. 5 How long, JEHOVAH? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

 6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, and on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. 7 For they devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place. 8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought low. 9 Help us, O Elohiym of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake! 10 Why should the nations say, “Where is their Elohiym?” Let there be known among the nations in our sight the avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed. 11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power preserve those appointed to die; 12 and return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they reproached You, O Adonay. 13 Then we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to every generation.

God’s names:

Elohiym – Supreme God

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Adonay – God’s proper name

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Anger

Jealous

Tender Mercy

Salvation

Glory

Deliverer

Provider

Avenger

Power

What do you do when life goes against you? Do you wallow in self-pity and wonder when you will come out the other side and life will be good again?

Asaph saw what the nations did to Jerusalem and prayed to Elohiym to bring His vengeance to those who came against His people. He asked Elohiym to bring the same reproach to the nations as they brought to them. Asaph also asked Elohiym not to remember their iniquities but provide atonement for their sins. Then he would give Adonay thanks forever for the help He gave them.

Christians around the world are fighting for their lives as they bring the gospel to nations who want nothing to do with Yeshuwa. What do you do when you hear stories about their hardships? Do you do what Asaph did and bring your petitions to Yeshuwa to keep His people safe? Do you acknowledge your sin, ask forgiveness, and help for those in need? Do you pray for Yeshuwa to avenge His people on the front lines?

What about when you see Satan come against you where you live? Do you pray with the same fervency as you do for missionaries in countries who face death every day?

It’s easy to pray for missionaries you know little about except that they’re doing Yeshuwa’s work in foreign countries. You don’t know the hardships they face every day. However, when you face the same hardships, you hesitate to pray, believing you can handle your problems. They’re not as bad as what other Christian’s face. So, your thinking goes.

Satan attacks Christians who do Yeshuwa’s will to bring the gospel to the nations. It doesn’t matter where you live or what call Yeshuwa put on your life. It only matters that you call yourself a Christian and you put yourself on the front lines. Satan attacks every Christian the same. He will do his best to destroy you.

Asaph prayed for Elohiym to come against his enemies. You need to pray when Satan comes against you. You need to ask Yeshuwa to bring His vengeance to those who want to destroy you.

No matter where you are or what call you have on your life, Satan will try to destroy Yeshuwa’s work in your life. You need to pray, seek His face, ask for forgiveness and deliverance from your enemies. Then you need to praise Yeshuwa with a thankful heart for helping you in your time of need. Prayer is nothing if you don’t also praise Yeshuwa for the answer.

Let’s pray: Father, forgive me for not coming to You when Satan attacks me, believing I can handle it myself. I can’t. I need Your help when Satan comes against me. Bring Your vengeance on those who come against me. Let me not be afraid to bring my troubles to You. Let my prayer of thanksgiving come before You even before I see the answer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 15 July 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux