Archives for 2025

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? Yet God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Read Esther 3-4.

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther 

Chapter 3 introduces us to Haman. He is the sworn enemy of the Jews. (Reference passages above) The King promotes Haman above all the other princes. All the King’s servants bow in reverence to him. Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow down and reverence Haman. Haman devises a plan to destroy all the Jews. He presents his plan to the King and he agrees. The destruction of the Jews is set. 

The destruction of the Jewish people has been an on-going theme through all of history. However, God always saves a remnant. The Jewish people have never been, nor ever will be wiped out.

Haman has a plan. It will wipe out all the Jewish people in the King’s provinces.

To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews 

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2) 

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6) 

Things to think about Haman hated the Jewish people because of his upbringing as an Amalekite. Had King Saul been obedient, Haman would not be alive.

When we fail to obey God, bad things happen.

Chapter 4 is Mordecai’s response. Mordecai and Queen Esther have a back and forth discussion about Haman’s decree. The chapter ends with Queen Esther agreeing to go before the King and make him aware of what is happening.

Mordecai weeps for his people. He tells them to pray. Then he explains Haman’s decree to Queen Esther. She balks when encouraged to go before the King unannounced. Then knowing that her life was on the line she agrees to go to the King.

Chapter 4 Mordecai informs, Jews fast, Esther prepares to go to the king 

“And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.” (4:7-8) 

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (4:14) 

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (4:16) 

Things to think about is Esther’s courage. Her situation was one of life and death. On the one hand, if she does nothing she dies due to the King’s decree. On the other hand, if she goes to the King and he does not extend the golden scepter, she dies. By going to the King she at least had a chance. Then she would have to come up with a plan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? Yet God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

The Book of Esther 

The Festival of Purim 

Key players: 

Ahasuerus: King of Persia. He reigned from 485-465 BC. The book of Esther portrays him as ruling a vast empire, being very wealthy, being sensual, continually giving feasts, and being cruel and acutely lacking in foresight (1:13-22). Ahasuerus banished his queen, Vashti, taking two years to find a replacement. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988) 

Vashti: Queen to King Ahasuerus. Refused the King’s command to appear before the King. She is removed as queen. 

Mordecai: The hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin, Hadassah (Esther), into his home as her adoptive father (2:7). Later, Mordecai uncovered a plot to murder the king and saved his life (2:21-22). This good deed was recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia (2:23). Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and as a result, Haman introduced a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire (3:6). Mordecai then exhorted Queen Esther to approach the king and save her people (3:1-4:17). Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai (7:10), and Mordecai became second in command, succeeding Haman. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988) 

Esther: The Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She save her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (2:15, 9:29) and cousin of Mordecai (2:7-15). After her father and mother died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “Myrtle” (2:7). The story of Esther’s rise from an unknown Jewish girl to queen of a mighty empire illustrates how God uses events and people to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. Ahasuerus appointed Esther to replace Queen Vashti (2:17) Esther exposed Haman’s sinister plot to slay all the Jews. As a result, Ahasuerus granted the Jews the right to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988) 

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai. 

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org) 

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther 

Chapter 1 tells us of an insubordinate Queen. Vashti refuses the King’s request to appear before him. Her refusal results in her removal as Queen and banishment.

Chapter 1 The Fall of Queen Vashti 

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” (1:12) 

“If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” (1:19-21) 

Things to think about as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living  in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God.

Chapter 2 is the search for a new Queen. All the young virgins in Shushan were set before the King. He chose Esther, a Jew. Esther was an orphan, her parents being dead. Her guardian, Mordecai, her uncle, saved the King’s life.

Chapter 2 The Rise of Esther 

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:15-17) 

Things to think about as you read Esther. Please read and discover how God orchestrated each event and why. Write down events where God kept a promise, the hand of God was at work, or how God, completely behind the scenes, orchestrated events to protect His Jewish people.

Chapter 3 introduces us to Haman. He is the sworn enemy of the Jews. (Reference passages above) The King promotes Haman above all the other princes. All the King’s servants bow in reverence to him. Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow down and reverence Haman. Haman devises a plan to destroy all the Jews. He presents his plan to the King and he agrees. The destruction of the Jews is set. 

The destruction of the Jewish people has been an on-going theme through all of history. However, God always saves a remnant. The Jewish people have never been, nor ever will be wiped out.

Haman has a plan. It will wipe out all the Jewish people in the King’s provinces.

To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews 

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2) 

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6) 

Things to think about Haman hated the Jewish people because of his upbringing as an Amalekite. Had King Saul been obedient, Haman would not be alive.

When we fail to obey God, bad things happen.

Chapter 4 is Mordecai’s response. Mordecai and Queen Esther have a back and forth discussion about Haman’s decree. The chapter ends with Queen Esther agreeing to go before the King and make him aware of what is happening.

Mordecai weeps for his people. He tells them to pray. Then he explains Haman’s decree to Queen Esther. She balks when encouraged to go before the King unannounced. Then knowing that her life was on the line she agrees to go to the King.

Chapter 4 Mordecai informs, Jews fast, Esther prepares to go to the king 

“And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.” (4:7-8) 

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (4:14) 

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” (4:16) 

Things to think about is Esther’s courage. Her situation was one of life and death. On the one hand, if she does nothing she dies due to the King’s decree. On the other hand, if she goes to the King and he does not extend the golden scepter, she dies. By going to the King she at least had a chance. Then she would have to come up with a plan.

Chapter 5 shows us Esther’s courage and the pride of Haman. Esther adorns herself in her royal apparel, goes into the inner court, and prays that the King will extend the golden scepter. He does. She invites the King and Haman to a banquet. When the King asked what her request was, she requested to prepare another banquet for the King and Haman the next day.

Haman goes from the banquet joyful and with a glad heart. He sees Mordecai and is mad because he will not bow down to him. When he gets home, he assemblies his wife and friends and tells them how great he is. The one thing he does not have is Mordecai’s reverence. His wife suggests building a gallows to hang Mordecai. They all agree and the gallows are built.

Chapter 5 Courage of Esther and the Pride of Haman 

“And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.” (5:2) 

“And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with the king.” (5:11-12) 

Things to think about. Esther’s heart was tender towards the Lord. She trusted that God would protect her. She was willing to provide for the King and Haman.

Haman on the other hand was all about self. It is all about me. No one else mattered. Since Haman loathed Mordecai, he chose to murder him.

Two lifestyles, with two perspectives on life. The question then becomes which one do we follow. It may seem obvious, but there are times even Christians, or those who claim to be Christians, do what Haman did. They scheme on how to get rid of someone they do not like or agree with. Maybe not death, but intimidation, false accusations, or character assassination.

Courage in the face of wickedness is God’s course of action. Believers in Christ need to be obedient to the Biblical commands in all circumstances.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? Yet God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Please read chapters 1-2.

The Book of Esther 

The Festival of Purim 

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther 

Chapter 1 tells us of an insubordinate Queen. Vashti refuses the King’s request to appear before him. Her refusal results in her removal as Queen and banishment.

Chapter 1 The Fall of Queen Vashti 

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” (1:12) 

“If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” (1:19-21) 

Things to think about as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living  in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God.

Chapter 2 is the search for a new Queen. All the young virgins in Shushan were set before the King. He chose Esther, a Jew. Esther was an orphan, her parents being dead. Her guardian, Mordecai, her uncle, saved the King’s life.

Chapter 2 The Rise of Esther 

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:15-17) 

Things to think about as you read Esther. Please read and discover how God orchestrated each event and why. Write down events where God kept a promise, the hand of God was at work, or how God, completely behind the scenes, orchestrated events to protect His Jewish people.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? Yet God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

The Book of Esther 

The Festival of Purim 

Key players: 

Ahasuerus: King of Persia. He reigned from 485-465 BC. The book of Esther portrays him as ruling a vast empire, being very wealthy, being sensual, continually giving feasts, and being cruel and acutely lacking in foresight (1:13-22). Ahasuerus banished his queen, Vashti, taking two years to find a replacement. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988) 

Vashti: Queen to King Ahasuerus. Refused the King’s command to appear before the King. She is removed as queen. 

Mordecai: The hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin, Hadassah (Esther), into his home as her adoptive father (2:7). Later, Mordecai uncovered a plot to murder the king and saved his life (2:21-22). This good deed was recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia (2:23). Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and as a result, Haman introduced a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire (3:6). Mordecai then exhorted Queen Esther to approach the king and save her people (3:1-4:17). Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai (7:10), and Mordecai became second in command, succeeding Haman. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988) 

Esther: The Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She save her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (2:15, 9:29) and cousin of Mordecai (2:7-15). After her father and mother died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “Myrtle” (2:7). The story of Esther’s rise from an unknown Jewish girl to queen of a mighty empire illustrates how God uses events and people to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. Ahasuerus appointed Esther to replace Queen Vashti (2:17) Esther exposed Haman’s sinister plot to slay all the Jews. As a result, Ahasuerus granted the Jews the right to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988) 

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai. 

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org) 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at the subjects of prayer.

SUBJECTS OF PRAYER

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

Hezekiah’s prayer for healing (Isaiah 38:1-5)

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.² Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,³ And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.⁴ Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,⁵ Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

CONCLUSION

Pray for everything

To God the Father

In the name of Jesus (We pray in Jesus name because we are his possessions. It was through the blood of Christ that we are saved. He bought us with His blood. Thus, it is Jesus Christ who owns us. We are praying in our Masters name.)

For all things

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at the subjects of prayer.

SUBJECTS OF PRAYER

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

Afflicted, merry, sick, church leadership, sinners, one another (James 5:13-16)

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

All men, kings, those in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;⁴ Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at the subjects of prayer.

SUBJECTS OF PRAYER

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

Introduction Subjects of prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9)

“Our Father who art in heaven” is teaching us who to address our prayers to, the Father. 

Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9)

“Hallowed be thy name” is telling us to worship God, and to praise Him for who He is. 

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)

The phrase “thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” is a reminder to us that we are to pray for God’s plan in our lives and the world, not our own plan. We are to pray for God’s will to be done, not for our desires. 

Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11)

We are encouraged to ask God for the things we need in “give us this day our daily bread.”

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12)

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” reminds us to confess our sins to God and to turn from them – and then also to forgive others as God has forgiven us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13)

The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil” is a plea for help in achieving victory over sin and a request for protection from the attacks of the devil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

It is God’s kingdom, who has the power and the glory forever.

Afflicted, merry, sick, church leadership, sinners, one another (James 5:13-16)

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

All men, kings, those in authority (I Timothy 2:1-4)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;⁴ Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Hezekiah’s prayer for healing (Isaiah 38:1-5)

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.² Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord,³ And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.⁴ Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying,⁵ Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

CONCLUSION

Pray for everything

To God the Father

In the name of Jesus (We pray in Jesus name because we are his possessions. It was through the blood of Christ that we are saved. He bought us with His blood. Thus, it is Jesus Christ who owns us. We are praying in our Masters name.)

For all things

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at the subjects of prayer.

SUBJECTS OF PRAYER

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

Introduction Subjects of prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Give us this day our daily bread

We are encouraged to ask God for the things we need in “give us this day our daily bread.”

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” reminds us to confess our sins to God and to turn from them – and then also to forgive others as God has forgiven us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil” is a plea for help in achieving victory over sin and a request for protection from the attacks of the devil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

It is God’s kingdom, who has the power and the glory forever.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at the subjects of prayer.

SUBJECTS OF PRAYER

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

Introduction Subjects of prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9)

“Our Father who art in heaven” is teaching us who to address our prayers to, the Father. 

Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9)

“Hallowed be thy name” is telling us to worship God, and to praise Him for who He is. 

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)

The phrase “thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” is a reminder to us that we are to pray for God’s plan in our lives and the world, not our own plan. We are to pray for God’s will to be done, not for our desires. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will continue our three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at how to pray, conditions of prayer, and hindrances to prayer.

HOW TO PRAY/CONDITIONS OF PRAYER/HINDRANCES TO PRAYER

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER 

UNBELIEF (James 1:6-7)

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

UNFORGIVING SPIRIT (Mark 11:24-26)

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

UNCONFESSED SIN (Psalm 66:18)

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

ASK AMISS (James 4:3)

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

There are four sure fire ways of hindering our answers to prayer.

Unbelief causes us not to believe God can or will answer our prayer.

Unforgiving spirit. God wants us to forgive others.

Unconfessed sin severs our communication line with God.

Ask amiss. Requesting things clearly out of God’s will.

CONCLUSION

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com