Genesis 31 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 31.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/31/1/s_31001

Meditate on verse 7b.

 

God did not allow him to hurt me.

 

Jacob worked a total of 20 years for Uncle Laban.  For his service, Jacob received two wives and flocks and herds of animals.  God prospered and protected Jacob during this time despite the fact Laban often tricked and deceived him.  After 20 years of living with Laban, the LORD told Jacob it was time to return home (v. 3).

When Jacob relayed the message from God to his wives, Leah and Rachel, they submissively responded to their upcoming move to another country by saying, “Do whatever God has said to you” (v. 16).

Husbands, do you seek God’s favor, blessings, and leadership for your family?  Wives, how do you respond when your husband tells you God has given him direction for your family?  Do you rebel against God’s leading or do you reply, “Let’s do whatever God has told you”?

Pray Genesis 31:7 and 16 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, do not allow the enemy to harm _________ and me.

As You tell us what to do, help us to do whatever You say, God.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 30 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 30.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/30/1/s_30001

Meditate on verse 22.

 

Then God remembered Rachel,

and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.

 

If anyone tells you the Bible is boring, they have not read Genesis 30!  It starts with two jealous sisters competing to have the most children by the same man.  They even gave their maids to their shared husband in hopes of getting more children. (The writers of daytime television could only hope to have this kind of material!)

The chapter also described Jacob’s method of livestock management.  God blessed Jacob’s selective breeding of his flocks and herds, making him prosper exceedingly.  God’s favor on Jacob even brought blessings to Jacob’s uncle who also happened to be his father-in-law.

Incredibly, the stories you read in God’s Word are not the figment of someone’s imagination.  They are historical accounts of real people with real relationships with each other and with the real God of the universe.  God recorded these events to give you hope as you walk with Him.

As you live with the LORD, take encouragement from Genesis 30:22: “Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her.”

In the midst of your family circumstances, ask God to remember you and pay attention to you.  Pray Genesis 30:22 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, remember _________ and me.

 God, give heed to us and open up _________ for us.


In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 29 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 29.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/29/1/s_29001

Meditate on this phrase from verse 32.

 

The LORD has seen my affliction.

 

Jacob’s parents sent him to stay with his uncle for a few days to find a wife and to give Esau’s anger time to subside (Genesis 27:43-45; 28:1-2).

Days turned into years because Uncle Laban said Jacob could marry one of his daughters after he worked seven years for her.  Jacob agreed, working to marry Laban’s beautiful younger daughter, Rachel.  On the honeymoon night, Laban substituted his older, not so pretty daughter, Leah.  It must have been a lively wedding celebration because Jacob was unaware he had spent the night with Leah instead of Rachel until the next morning.  When questioned by Jacob, Laban replied that it wasn’t the custom for the youngest to marry first, and Jacob could work an additional seven years and marry both Leah and Rachel.  Jacob agreed.

Notice Leah in Genesis 29:31-35.  She was unloved by Jacob.  She knew it, and most importantly, God knew it.  He saw her affliction and gave her four sons, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  Judah is the tribe from whom Christ would come.  God let unloved Leah be the great, great, great ... grandmother of the Messiah.  

No matter your circumstances, pain, or affliction, God sees you; He hears what is happening, and He notices you.  Cry out to Him, and watch for what He is doing in your life.

Pray Genesis 29:31-33 and 35 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, You see what is happening to _______ and me.

You see our affliction; You have heard about it.

Because You know, I will praise You.


For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

Genesis 28 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 28.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/28/1/s_28001

Meditate on verse 12.

 

He had a dream, and behold,

a ladder was set on the earth with

 its top reaching to heaven;

 and behold, the angels of God were

ascending and descending on it.

 

In Genesis 11, the people attempted to build a tower to reach into heaven.  In Genesis 28, Jacob dreamt of a ladder coming down from heaven to earth.  The LORD stood above the ladder and spoke a blessing to Jacob. 

God came down to man.  There is no amount of human effort that can reach God. God reaches down to man.  He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; He walked with Enoch, Noah, and Abraham.  God walks and talks with those who have a relationship with Him.

Every other world religion is man’s attempt to reach God, vain efforts to accomplish what only Christ could do.  Jesus Himself said in John 1:51, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Jesus is the ladder in Jacob’s dream!  He is the only way to God, the only way to heaven.  He came to earth 2,000 years ago, so you can get to God!  Praise Him today for being your Way, your Truth, and your Life (John 14:6).

Pray Genesis 28:13 and 15 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“You are the LORD, the God of my family!


Be with _________ and me and keep us wherever we go.

 In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 27 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 27.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/27/1/s_27001

Meditate on verse 38.

 

Esau said to his father, “Do you have

only one blessing, my father? 

Bless me, even me also, O my father.”

So Esau lifted his voice and wept.

 

This is a chapter about blessings.  The word is used 23 times in Genesis 27.  Blessings were given, stolen, and begged for.

After Jacob stole Esau’s blessing, Esau tearfully begged his father, Isaac, to give him some sort of blessing.  Hebrews 12:15-17 gives added insight into what happened in Genesis 27.  God had the writer of Hebrews describe Esau as immoral and godless because he sold his birthright for a single meal.  Recall the “red stuff” in Genesis 25.  The birthright was tied to the blessing.  Esau was rejected from receiving the blessing because he did not have the birthright.  After selling his birthright he did not repent.  He was upset there would be no blessing in his life, but he had no tears of repentance for the sin in his life that resulted in him losing the blessing.

Do you cry and beg God to bless you?  Do you cry and beg God to forgive your sins? Esau’s refusal to repent made him immoral and godless; learn from his life and make sure you do not come short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15).

Pray Genesis 27:28 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as you come to God in brokenness and repentance as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let _______ and me repent and turn to You.


When we do, please give us the dew of heaven,


the fatness of the earth, and an abundance of grain and new wine.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 26 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 26.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/26/1/s_26001

Meditate on this sentence from verse 28.

 

We see plainly that the LORD has been with you.

 

Isaac probably learned from his father, Abraham, to call his wife his sister when he feared another man might harm him because of her beauty (Genesis 12:11-20; 20:1-18; 26:6-11).  Yet, despite generational sin and lack of good judgment, God chose to bless Isaac.  God said Abraham obeyed Him and kept His commandments (v. 5).  Thankfully God is merciful to iniquities and remembers sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).  He obviously chose to forget Abraham and Isaac’s sins.

The remainder of this chapter tells about Isaac getting richer and richer, of people being jealous of his prosperity, and of God moving Isaac and caring for him and his family.  God renewed the covenant He made with Isaac’s father, promising to be with Isaac, to bless him and multiply his descendants.  God made these promises to Isaac because of His love and commitment to Abraham (v. 24).

Does your walk with Christ reflect a life that brings blessings to your family?  Are you passing down generational sin or generational blessing to those you love?  Do people “see plainly that the LORD has been with you” (v. 28)?

Pray Genesis 26:4-5 and 28 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help me to obey You and keep Your charge,

commandments, statutes, and laws,


so my descendants will be blessed.

May people plainly see that

You are with __________ and me.

In Your name, Jesus”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Genesis 25 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 25.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/25/1/s_25001

Meditate on these phrases from verses 8, 18, and 34.

 

Abraham died satisfied with life.

Ishmael settled in defiance of all his relatives.

Esau despised his birthright.

 

This is an interesting chapter filled with people and their choices.  Abraham spent a lifetime believing God and walking in faith.  He died at the good old age of 175 satisfied with life (vs. 7-8).

It was prophesied that Ishmael would be a wild donkey of a man with his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him (Genesis 16:12).  The prophecy proved to be true; “he settled in defiance to all his relatives” (v. 18).

Esau chose to sell his birthright for a bowl of “red stuff” (v. 30).  God said Esau “despised his birthright” (v. 34).  In Malachi 1:3, God said He hated Esau because he despised something that was his God-given right, his birthright.

Every human has the God-given privilege to become children of God, yet many choose to forfeit that right for the world’s “red stuff.”  They deny God and His precious offer of salvation through Jesus Christ in pursuit of self and worldly desires.

Choose wisely and pray for others to do the same.

Pray Genesis 25:8, 18, and 30 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).  Pray verse 34 over those who despise their birthright.

“LORD, let ________ and me die at a ripe old

age, satisfied with life, and gathered to You

and our people.
Do not let us, or our relatives who

 love You, live in defiance of You.  Do not let us sell out

 for a bowl of ‘red stuff.’  Please let __________ stop

despising their birthright of a relationship with You.


In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 24 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 24.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/24/1/s_24001

Meditate on verse 1.

 

Now Abraham was old, advanced in age;

and the LORD had blessed Abraham in every way.

 

Genesis 24 is another treasure chest for praying watchmen.  It contains a faith-filled prayer, a worship prayer in response to God’s answer to prayer, and a prayer of blessing from family members.  Notice all three and keep them in your arsenal for praying over others.

Abraham sent his most trusted servant to find a wife for Isaac from among family, so Isaac would not marry an idolatrous Canaanite woman.  The servant went, praying for God to grant him success (v. 12).  Before he finished praying, God brought Rebekah to him, making it obvious she was the girl for Isaac.  In front of Rebekah’s family, the servant bowed low, worshiping God for guiding him to Rebekah (vs. 26-27).

As Rebekah prepared to leave her family to marry Isaac, her mother and brother sent her off with a prayer of blessing for her descendants to become thousands and ten-thousands and for them to possess the gate of those who hate them (v. 60). What an amazing prophetic prayer of blessing that you see God fulfilling still today in the nation of Israel!

Pray Genesis 24:1, 12-14, 27-28, and 60 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, bless _______ and me in every way!

O LORD, the God of my family, please grant us success today


and show us lovingkindness.
As we seek Your will concerning ____________,

please give us Your sign to know what to do.

We bow low and worship You.
We bless You, LORD, the God of our family.

You have not forsaken Your lovingkindness and Your truth toward us.


You have guided us in Your Way. Continue to bless us, God.


May we possess the gate of those who hate us.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Genesis 23 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 23.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/23/1/s_23001

Meditate on verse 4.

 

I am a stranger and a sojourner among you;

give me a burial site among you

that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

 

Sarah was 127 years old and Abraham was 137 when Sarah died.  Abraham had lived in the land of Canaan for 62 years; he was led there by God and promised the land when he was 75 years old (Genesis 12:4).

It is interesting Abraham described himself as a stranger in the land given to him by God, the place where he lived for 62 years.  The writer of Hebrews gave insight into Abraham’s sojourning attitude.  Abraham desired a better country, that is, a heavenly one; therefore, God is not ashamed to be called his God, for He has prepared a city for him (Hebrews 11:16).

As a child of God, do you have a sojourner’s attitude?  Your stay on earth is temporary.  You are promised an unshakeable Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).  On earth, you do not have a lasting city; seek the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14).  Your citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

Pray Genesis 23:4 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, as strangers on this earth,
let _______ and me sojourn with You.


Help us bury the dead in our lives out of our sight, so we can live in You.


In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 22 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 22.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/22/1/s_22001

Meditate on verse 8a.

 

Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb

 for the burnt offering, my son.”

 

Genesis 22:8 is a beautiful verse of prophecy about Jesus.  It can literally be translated as: “God will provide Himself as the lamb.”

 

The next day he (John) saw Jesus coming to him and said,

 “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

—John 1:29

 

Abraham and Isaac were led by God to a mountain in Moriah to worship Him.  In obedience, they went taking nearly everything necessary for worshiping God: wood, fire, a knife, but they still needed a lamb for the sacrifice of worship to be made complete.  When questioned by Isaac about the missing lamb, Abraham confidently answered that God would provide Himself the lamb.

God did provide a ram to replace Isaac on the altar that day, and God knew that 2,000 years later on that same mountain in the land of Moriah, God Himself would be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the entire world.

Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD

 in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah.


—2 Chronicles 3:1a

 

Mount Moriah is the place where God took His Son, His only Son, whom He loved and offered Him there for the sins of all mankind (Genesis 22:2). Let the wonder of God’s revelation of Himself in this amazing chapter sink into your mind and heart.

Pray Genesis 22:8 in thanksgiving to the Lamb of God for what He did for you.  As a faithful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), pray for those who need to accept the sacrifice of the Lamb in their lives.

“LORD, You provided Yourself as the

 Lamb for the burnt offering.  I will walk with You.


Please let _________ accept Your provision, LORD.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Genesis 21 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 21.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/21/1/s_21001

Meditate on verses 1-2.

 

Then the LORD took note of Sarah as He had said,  

and the LORD did for Sarah as He had promised.

So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age,

at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

 

God first promised Abraham descendants when he was 75 years old (Genesis 12:1-4).  Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands to get the promised heir when Abraham was 86 years old (Genesis 16:16).  The result was the birth of Ishmael.

When Abraham was 99 years old, God told him Ishmael was not the child of the covenant promises.  God promised to establish His covenant with the son yet to be conceived named Isaac (Genesis 17:21).  Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was finally born (Genesis 21:5).

God fulfilled His promise to Abraham at the appointed time, 25 years after the promise was first stated.

It can be long and difficult waiting on God.  Remember His timing is perfect.  Do not rush God’s plans; wait for His promises.  God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  He will keep His Word.

Pray Genesis 21:1-2 over someone for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please take note of __________.

Do for them all You have promised at Your appointed time.


In Your name, Jesus.”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Genesis 20 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 20.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/20/1/s_20001

Meditate on verse 6.

 

Then God said to him in the dream,

“Yes, I know that in the integrity

 of your heart you have done this,

and I also kept you from sinning against Me;

therefore, I did not let you touch her.”

 

Here is a prayer warrior’s treasure verse, tucked in the middle of Abraham’s story of trying to save himself at the cost of sacrificing his wife to King Abimelech.  God’s faithfulness to Abraham was unending, and He rescued Sarah from the king’s harem.

Abimelech tried to justify himself before God, claiming he had innocent hands and a heart of integrity.  God quickly reminded the king He knew exactly what was in his heart, and He (God) had kept Abimelech from touching Sarah.

Do not be deceived!  When the world says to “follow your heart,” it is not advice from God.  God says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?  I the LORD, search the heart; I test the mind” (Jeremiah 17:9-10a).

God has the cure for heart issues, promising “I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD, and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7).

Pray Genesis 20:6 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, You know ________ and my heart.

Please keep us from sinning against You.

Do not let us touch what we should not.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Genesis 19 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 19.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/19/1/s_19001

Meditate on this phrase from verse 29.

 

God remembered Abraham

and sent Lot out of the midst of the overflow.

 

Here are some facts about Lot:

o   He selfishly chose the best of the land God gave Abraham (Genesis 13:10-11).

o   He moved his tents to Sodom where the men were exceedingly wicked (Genesis 13:12-13).

o   Abraham went to war against five kings in order to save him

(Genesis 14:14-16).

o   Abraham begged God not to destroy wicked Sodom where Lot lived

(Genesis 18:23-33).

o   Lot was willing to sacrifice his two virgin daughters to evil men to protect his two male guests (vs. 4-8).

o   His future sons-in-law thought he was a joke (v. 14).

o   He hesitated when the LORD provided a way of escape (v. 16).

o   He argued with God about His place of provision for his family (vs. 19-20).

o   God showed Lot compassion, magnifying His lovingkindness towards him (vs. 16, 19).

 

Why didn’t God destroy Lot with the wicked people in Sodom?  He certainly did not deserve to be saved.  He was a mess!

God had a covenant relationship with Abraham and because Lot had a relationship with Abraham, God saved Lot.

If you are a Christian, Lot’s story is your story. You received lovingkindness because you have a relationship with Jesus, and God always remembers Jesus and what He did for you on the cross.

As a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7), pray Genesis 19:16, 19, and 29 over those who are hesitating in their decision to follow Christ.

“LORD, ___________ is hesitant.
Please let your compassion be

upon them.  Seize them; bring them out of their sinful place. 

Let them find favor in Your sight.  Magnify Your lovingkindness

toward them.  Please save their life!  God, remember them and send

them out of the midst of the overflow of the consequences of their sin.


For Your name’s sake, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Genesis 18 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Genesis 18.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/gen/18/1/s_18001

Meditate on verses 1a and 3.

 

Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre.

“My LORD, if now I have found favor in your sight,

please do not pass your servant by.”

 

Here is another situation where God showed Himself to people.  The LORD appeared; Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw three men (vs. 1-2).  As soon as Abraham saw them, he knew he did not want these visitors to leave him!  These were special guests, and Abraham wanted to fellowship with them; he wanted them to stay at his house, eat a meal with him, and talk to him.

How do you respond when the LORD intersects your life?  Do you recognize Him throughout the day?  Do you invite Him to share your meals with you?  Jesus Himself said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

It is incredible the Savior wants that kind of intimacy with you.  Enjoy spending time with Him.

Pray Genesis 18:3 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“My LORD, let _________ and me find favor

 in Your sight.  Please do not pass us by!


In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell