A SIMPLE PRAYER

A SIMPLE PRAYER
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 by HARRIET E. MICHAEL

Categories: GUEST AUTHORS / TUESDAY'S TREASURE

TUESDAY’S TREASURE

A SIMPLE PRAYER

HARRIET E. MICHAEL

“…to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and our possessions.”

Ezra 8: 21b

A new school year is beginning. All of my children are adults now and past the stage in life when a new school year affects them. But it still affects me because I work in the school system as a substitute teacher at a Christian school in my town. I still see new children pouring into school, some happy, excited, and talkative, and others nervous and quiet. And I still see parents relieved to have school starting again and concerned about what the upcoming year will mean for their child and them.

And at the start of every year, a certain memory and bit of scripture come to my mind. Many years ago, when my youngest was still in high school, I participated in a “before the school year prayer meeting” that this same Christian school where I work now and where my child attended always has. The meeting brings together parents, teachers, and administrators of the school. That year, I had been asked to lead in prayer on behalf of the parents.

As I began to pray, Ezra’s prayer came into my mind.

Ezra’s prayer is a very simple one, but it is one of my favorites in the entire Bible. In Ezra 8:21-21, Ezra admitted that he was afraid to ask the king for soldiers to protect his group on their journey because he had told the king that God’s hand was favorably disposed towards those who fear Him. So, instead, Ezra called upon the people to fast and pray. Their prayer was for God’s protection over them, their little ones, and their possessions. This prayer is so precious to me. It shows me that we can talk to God about everything in our lives—even our most basic needs.

As I led in prayer that day, I recited this scripture. I reminded God that we, the parents who had gathered to pray, were people who feared Him, and like Ezra, we were asking for a safe journey through the upcoming school year for our “little ones”—even the little ones who had grown into high schoolers.

Ezra’s prayer applies to much more than just the start of a new school year. We have many journeys we embark on in our lives. What journey are you on?* God’s hand of favor is on those who love and fear Him. You can ask him for protection for all that concerns you.

*You are invited to respond in the comments.

ABOUT HARRIET E. MICHAEL

Born in Africa, the child of missionaries, Harriet E. Michael is an award-winning, widely published author and freelance writer. She has authored or co-authored eleven books with two more under contract to be released next year. Three of her books have won awards as well as several of her articles and short stories. She is also a wife of over forty-five years, mother of four grown children, and grandmother of five. When not writing she loves to cook and work in her garden.

You can follow Harriet at:

Home - Harriet E. Michael (harrietemichael.com)

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ABOUT WONDER AND WORSHIP

CO-AUTHOR SHIRLEY CROWDER

The Bible is alive, indeed. The more a person studies it, the more alive and active it becomes in their life.
WONDER & WORSHIP is a unique devotional, with weekly opportunities:

• To worship, digging into the meaning behind well-known hymns
• To enjoy full lyrics of favorite and meaningful songs
• To build wonder and challenges from rarely addressed biblical facts
• To investigate nuggets of wisdom from lesser-known Bible verses

With such knowledge from scriptural sources not often studied, it is the hope that readers will meditate on the devotions in this book. Not only will they leave inspired, but they will also grow in their knowledge of Scripture. And the worship sections each week support and enhance the nuggets of wisdom as well.

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In addition, each week investigates a section of God’s Word and a fruit of the Spirit to allow readers the chance to internalize all of the wonder and the worship.

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