Scripture

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
(Psalm 34:15-16)

Devotional

Lord, may it be as You say. May Your face shine upon those who call on You out of a clean heart. May they see Your salvation and experience Your presence. May those that fear You know You and the power of Your resurrection. In like manner, may those whose ways are froward and arrogant fall by their own devices. May they continually stumble until they realize that they need a Savior. Keep the wicked from prospering in their ways, and hinder the perverse from their perversion. May those that rise up against You and Your designated authorities come to their senses and turn from their wickedness. Open the eyes of the blind, cleanse the mind of the contrary, and convict the ways of the sinner. May we pray the Scriptures and heed their warnings. May we understand that the Lord does smile upon the righteous, but turns His back to the wicked. Above all, may we be the ones You deem righteous, not by our righteousness, but by the righteousness of Your Son, in Whose name we pray. Amen.

Thought For The Night

“‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say’:” Jesus Christ, the Living Son of God, Luke 11:1-4.

Evening Text

Psalm 34:15, 16: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Looking for Answers

Is there anything else that moves God more than the prayers of the righteous?
What makes one righteous and what makes one evil?
How do you pray the Scriptures?

Evening Study Guide

Defining: To “pray the Scriptures” is not necessarily to quote them verbatim, but to pray in accord with the will of God. The clearest model is what has become known as the Lord’s Prayer.

Referencing: “When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words,” Matthew 6:7.

Applying: As you read through the Bible, look for the prayers of the righteous and note them and model them: Abraham prayed, Moses prayed, Hannah prayed, Hezekiah prayed, etc.