Author: Bill Hall

Mark 7:3
The traditions of the Jews had confused dirt with sin. The Jewish teachers had traditionally taught a preponderance of washing, intimating that clean hands would make for a holy heart. They thought this teaching was just as binding as the law.

2 Chronicles 29:1-31:21

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Heavenly Father, your beautiful world serves as a constant reminder to us of your awesome power. So many people live their lives without knowing the God of life. May we praise you forever, not missing your wondrous works and amazing grace. You are the theme of our song, and you light or darkest night. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a young girl who was in an accident.

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Mark 7:2
   This hand-washing was not necessarily for the purpose of cleanliness. They could have had quite clean hands, but would still have needed to wash their hands according to the traditions of the Jewish teachers. Thus, the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem saw a disregard for tradition, not a flaunting of the law of God. Tradition had multiplied hand washing as if cleanliness was identical with godliness.

2 Chronicles 25:1-28:27

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Heavenly Father it is amazing to think that you always have my best interests at heart. It is in your best interest to lead us and guide us as we should go. Your glory is your greatest concern and yet that leads to the best for us. If you were not concerned with your glory we would not even be here. There would be no chance for mercy or forgiveness, there would be no chance for love. But, because you do care for your glory you have made this wonderful plan of salvation. And, you have a plan for my life day to day. Your Holy Spirit is working even now in my heart to guide me. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, amen.

Pray for a man with a blood infection.

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Mark 7:1
   Jesus got the attention of the Jewish leaders at Jerusalem early on. Their desire to maintain their religious oppression caused them to check these things out. They had a show of genuineness, but it was only a show. It was quite a trip for them to come, but they felt it worth the effort to protect their interests.

2 Chronicles 21:1-24:27

James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that, though we may rest in you, we cannot assume that everything will stay the same. We never know when things may change drastically. But, we do know that we can trust you no matter what. The truth of your grace and love never changes. Your holiness is always constant. You are faithful! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for an elderly couple that have served the Lord for many years.

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Mark 6:56
   This helped with the workload. It took less time to have them touch Jesus, than for him to touch and speak to each of them individually. However, it seems this was their idea. Jesus would not impose this on people, but would spend time with individuals if required.

2 Chronicles 18:1-20:37

James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Heavenly Father, we know there is nobody else like you. You are special, great, and wonderful. You work in our lives according to your Divine plan. Even when we don’t understand what is going on, you have it all figured out. And, though we don’t see the point of our circumstances, you do. Thank you for your guidance! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for our nation.

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Mark 6:55
The crowd of interested parties had grown so large as to cause a large contingent of the population to make resoritng to Christ their regular activity. Spending great amounts of time on this was accepted well in that region because of his popularity. They searched out sick folk to take to him, knowing his power to heal.

2 Chronicles 13:1-17:19

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Heavenly Father, thank you for making your world with such great diversity! You have made so many different creatures and people. Your wisdom is amazing! How could we ever mine the depths of your character? You are infinite, and infinitely interesting. May all praise be to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a baby that has had a fever since birth.

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Mark 6:54
   Once again the crowd assembles quickly, recognizing Jesus right away.

2 Chronicles 9:1-12:16

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us! Knowing that you care for us makes a real difference to us. We know you are God, but to know that you are good is just as important. Your holiness and righteousness are a constant blessing to our lives. Though you show us our sin, you comfort our hearts as no one else can. Thank you for that! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a woman recovering from cancer.

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Mark 6:53
   As you will remember, the disciples had not yet made it across the lake. So, here they finish the journey to Genesaret.

2 Chronicles 6:1-8:18

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Heavenly Father, we must make time with you our most important activity. Every moment that we spend in your presence is infinitely worth it. You are always communicating to us about your will for our lives. It is not you who fails to speak, but we who fail to listen. Can we ever overestimate the value of quality time with you? Knowing you is worth more than all else we might spend our life upon. Thank you for your blessings on our meetings with you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for those who need rain out west. Pray for a family with special needs.

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Mark 6:52
   We have a tendency in our sinfulness not to be very observant. Now, it is not that these men were overly sinful, but that they were as we, imperfect. Humans have that propensity for complacency. It causes us, by our yielding to it, to be very dull, to act like the beasts, to become fixtures rather than workers.
   The disciples had not taken time to consider what they had seen that day, but had instead moved on to the next thing so to speak. Their sensitivity to what had been revealed to them was overcome by their thoughts about the next set of circumstances. This is a problem for many of us. We either become too reflective and stagnate ourselves, or we do not reflect upon things enough and miss life while we live it. A proper balance is what is needed.

2 Chronicles 1:1-5:14

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us. May we never miss out on the truth that you are revealing to us because of complacency. Help us to have that proper balance that we need. It is great to be able to see your truth and recognize the things that you’re trying to teach us. The better we know you, the more that we will understand what you have done and how great you are. Rather than wasting our time questioning what you’re going to do because of a lack of understanding, we’d like to be involved in the work which you are active in. We know that you love us, and that what you want is best for us. To be involved in your service is a great joy. Your glory is boundless, your grace limitless! Thank you for your wonderful mercy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a young man who is sick.

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Mark 6:51
Jesus had revealed his glorious power to these men in a very obvious way, and yet they failed to recognize his deity in its fullness. They were slow to understand what they were seeing. This water walking miracle really got their attention.

1 Chronicles 27:1-29:30

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Heavenly Father, how can we forget your power? Yet, almost every day we fail to remember all that you have done. Your world stands as a testimony to your greatness, and yet we don’t seem to think you deserve a few moments of our time. You are awesome in your power, wonderful in your mercy, and limitless in your wisdom. Thank you for allowing us to know you Great and Mighty God! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a man with a weak immune system.

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Mark 6:50
   Make sure you don’t miss the attitude of Christ. His words here may seem to be just passing talk. But, in reality they reflect the overall tone of the Christ. We are told by him not to fear. We are told by the apostles not to fear. We are told by good ministers today not to fear. Fear is not to be a condition of the Christian. Beyond this, the good cheer he speaks of is also not an empty encouragement. It is to be a burning reality in our hearts. Though trials will come, we are to be of good cheer. Like Christ himself, we are to go through the dark valleys and come out with a smile on the other side.

1 Chronicles 24:1-26:32

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the joys of family and friends. It is so great to be able to share kinship in Christ with those who are also my family by birth. Your plan is so good! You know the best blessings. If I were to try to plan my life without you, I would miss out on so much. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a missionary family in Kenya.

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