Lisa Wolf

Q3. (1:18) What is the result in prayer and faith if believers think that God is poverty-stricken? How does knowledge of a "glorious inheritance" motivate our lives? Our prayers? How can you pray for others to glimpse this inheritance? If we think God will not respond....we won't ask. Scripture is clear: You do not have because you do not ask God." James 4:2b and in Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus tells us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" To ask and receive a GLORIOUS INHERITANCE--something we did not work to obtain--WOW! I pray for others along the same lines as Paul, 'that the eyes of their heart might be enlightened.' Especially including Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," hoping that they will open their eyes and watch God do more than they expect or think possible!

Q2. (1:18) How has your Christian "hope" changed your way of living? What is the result of Christians with only a meager or minute hope? How would you pray for hope to be borne in others? Hope in Christ has changed my life in that I KNOW He is REAL; I KNOW He calls me to be with Him in a place He has prepared. I LOOK FORWARD to that day!!! With only meager hope, Christians suffer even more than whatever their suffering is, because they add worry and anxiety to the problem. Hope is borne in others through the Living Word of God. His Word changes us. Psalm 147: 15-18 reminds us that, " He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow." God can melt our icy hearts. God speaks through His Word to accomplish Hope for us: breezes and flowing water! Much better than ice.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer? Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers is so passionate, so loving, so caring. I learn from Paul that I too can be passionate when praying for believers I know and for believers I do not know but have only heard of. I do believe God reveals Himself to us, so whether or not we pray, He would continue to reveal. But sometimes, I know God brings people to cross my path that He wants me to pray for. We know also from the letter to the Ephesians that the battle is spiritual. God always is at work, but His will is that we are in relationship with Him and that we pray in this spiritual battle for people according to His will.

Q4. (22:43) Did Jesus get "special treatment" because he was the Son of God to have angels help and strengthen him in his spiritual struggle? Do we get that help, too? I am grateful God sent Jesus an angel to strengthen Him that night in the Garden was horrible for Him. Another specific story comes to mind when God sent Elijah an angel to strengthen him after the incredible 'battle of the false gods with the Living GOD' in 1Kings 19:5. We also are visited by angels. I have been--a few times that I have noticed. I wonder how many times I have not realized. God is faithful. His word promised that angels are ministering spirits in Hebrews 1:14, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

Q3. (22:42) When Jesus prayed "not my will, but yours be done," was the Father pleased? Why is the Father not pleased when we are passive and uncaring and dispassionate in our prayers that his will be done? What is required for us to pray the prayer of submission with authenticity? I believe the Father was pleased with Jesus' prayer as he prayed this with such intense passion that drops of blood fell from His face. Throughout His Word, God makes clear that He is not impressed with sacrifices and trivial stuff--what He really wants is a contrite heart. Isaiah 57:15, "For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isaiah 66:2, "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." We are required to be humble and bold as we submit. Hebrews 4:12-16 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Q2. (22:42) Why did Jesus pray that the Father take the cup from him? According to Mark and Matthew, Jesus repeated this prayer three times. Why was he so intense about it? What did this mean? Why was Jesus resisting the Father's will? Or was he? Jesus prayed this prayer asking God to 'take this cup' according to the will of God. His focus was the will of God. Jesus states in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one," being one with God and knowing His will, Jesus was undoubtedly staggered by the weight of sin and by the incredibly heavy task ahead of Him. Praying the prayer 3 times displays the intensity of it. When I need to go through a difficult time, I pray the same thing often! I am not resisting God's will, just trying to get to a place of peace. I think three times showed the depth of Jesus' resolve. We know the disciples slept. Could Jesus have prayed this even more than three times?

Q1. (22:40-41, 45-46) Why did he ask his disciples to pray? What temptation did Jesus know they would be facing? What was the content of their prayer to be? Did they actually pray this prayer diligently? How does the Lord's Prayer word this kind of prayer? Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone during his own prayer? Jesus asked His disciples to pray so they would not fall into temptation. He knew they would be facing the temptation to deny Him and fall away. They did not pray diligently, instead they fell asleep. The Lord's Prayer states, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." Good question, "Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone during his own prayer?" Ultimately, He knew He had to face this monstrous task of death on a cross alone, His anguish was overwhelming, and I think He wanted to spend time with His Father. I am grateful to know God sent an angel to strengthen Him. I pray that for my friends fighting for their lives in Ukraine.

Q4. (2:4) What danger is Nehemiah in? Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king? How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished? Nehemiah is in danger of losing his life if he does not find favor with the king. He prays silently and quickly before answering the king because he wants God's purpose in this interaction. The quick arrow prayer relates to the four months of prayer Nehemiah did in demonstrating that his heart was turned toward God; Nehemiah wanted what God wanted. Nehemiah's character had developed the pattern of prayer, the pattern of always turning to God first.

Q3. (1:11) In what way does Daniel's situation compared to Esther's? Why does God place his people in strategic positions today in the community, in business, in the military, in government? What responsibilities do we have to God that can cause danger to our positions and our lives? Has this ever happened to you? How do you pray in situations like this? Daniel, Nehemiah, and Esther all found themselves in position of political disfavor, or at least uncertainty. All three of them had no idea of the result of the request to authority that they were making. God places people in strategic positions today in the community, in business, in the military, in government because Jesus told us that we are salt and light to our generations. Currently one of my friends is only one of 5 evangelical chaplains in the army in Ukraine. He needs prayer for courage, protection, and boldness in sharing the Gospel. Have I been in this Nehemiah situation? Entering Ukraine from 2014 on--I know my days are His and my life is His. I love this Ukrainian people and I know God loves them more. Will I die with them? maybe.

Q2. (1:7-11) What is the basis of Nehemiah's appeal? How does he argue his case before God? What do we learn from this about intercession? Nehemiah Repents with/for the Israelites, Remembers and Restates God's Promise to the Israelites back to Him, and Reminds God that these Israelites are His People. Repenting; Confession that God's People Sinned: "I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses." (1:6b-7) Remembering God's Promise to His People: Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.” (1:8-9) Reminding God that His People are His Servants: "'They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.' I was cupbearer to the king." (1:10-11) By Repenting, Remembering, and Reminding God of His Plan, Nehemiah intercedes according to God's plan for the Israelites. Interceding according to God's Will is key for us, too. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His Will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14

Q1. (1:1-6) Why does Nehemiah pray day and night for four months? Why does he fast and weep? Isn't that excessive? Like Daniel, Nehemiah realized that God's people--the group he was part of--sinned. The months of Kislev to Nisan being four months shows Nehemiah was serious about his prayer. Fasting and weeping during that time does seem excessive, but it appears God put his hand upon Nehemiah (Psalm 139) and gave him a great burden for the remnant of His People. In verse 8, Nehemiah reminded God of His promise (Deuteronomy 30): "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'

Q4. (9:15-19) What was Daniel's essential prayer? What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? Daniel's essential prayer was, 'We have done wrong. We have sinned. Our sins and our ancestors' sins have made YOUR PEOPLE an object of scorn. Turn away your anger. Remember your mercy. We are not righteous--YOU are righteous.' Daniel knew God was all powerful. Daniel knew God loved His people. While Daniel was IN PRAYER, His prayer was answered by Gabriel coming to him in swift flight.

Q3. (9:5) Since Daniel is such a righteous man in his generation, why does he identify himself with the sins of his people? He didn't commit them. How does this compare to how Jesus sought forgiveness for his people? He was righteous. He was part of a generation of his people. Since he was righteous, that aspect of his life: part of the sinning generation -- he could not stand that chunk of unrighteousness in his character, in his daily awareness -- drove him to repent for all of the people. Daniel realized that he was no better than the worst sinner of the lot. Similar to Jesus becoming the atonement for all, but different in that Jesus had committed no sin. Ever.

Q2. (9:3-4a) What is Daniel's demeanor as he prays? How does he prepare? Why is this so important in this case? In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? After reading Jeremiah the Prophet, Daniel 9:3 tells us that Daniel, "Turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes." He first turns to the Lord. Next Daniel pleads with prayer and petition--doing all of this while fasting and wearing sackcloth and ashes. Sackcloth and ashes denote humility. Daniel chose to be humble before God. Preparing for prayer through Scripture study, prayer, petition, fasting and humility--where we truly put ourselves in Thy Will Be Done, truly trusting God to be Our Sovereign King, allows our mind to be focused on God's Will.

Q1. (9:1-3) What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? What trait on Daniel's part brings this encouragement to pass? Daniel notes in Daniel 9:2 that he learned about 70 years of disaster from Jeremiah. Jeremiah 25 talks about this horrible wrath of God poured out on His disobedient people and on the world. Daniel realizes that Jeremiah prophesied against all of Israel--collectively the people opposed God. I believe that encouraged Daniel to seek God for forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland. Daniel was so consistent in prayer and understood God's character; he realized that God desired a people that loved Him thus Daniel sought mercy and forgiveness for all of Israel.

Q4. (139:23-24) Why is this prayer of surrender to God so difficult to pray? When was the first time you prayed this kind of prayer to God? What was the result? Can a person be a genuine disciple without praying this kind of prayer? This kind of prayer is difficult to pray because it is surrender. It is one thing to ask Jesus to be SAVIOR, but entirely another to ask Him to be LORD. For me the events were three years apart. When I accepted Jesus' death on the Cross for me, I did not understand that I needed to do anything else. I did not understand discipleship. So, three years later, God brought me to a place where I knew He could handle my life better than I could handle it--I surrendered to His Lordship. Since that time He gently deals with the refining process in my life. I do not remember when I first prayed the words of Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." But I do pray this. Can a person be a genuine disciple without praying this kind of prayer? Yes, I believe we become a genuine disciple as we meet Him at the cross and follow Him. Will he lead all of us to this point: yes.

Q3. (139:13-16) How is an awareness of God's involvement in your prenatal development meant to encourage you? What might this mean to a young woman carrying a child? A young father-to-be? Why is such knowledge overwhelming to us? God knew me before I was born. His WORD called me to be. I am encouraged and secure knowing that He has a plan for me from the beginning to the end of my time here on earth and an eternal plan for my life through Jesus. For a woman carrying a child she can rest knowing that God knows and orders each facet of the child-to-be's life. The father-to-be can likewise rest knowing that God understands this little one more than each parent ever will--to Him alone we can turn for all wisdom in child-rearing!! The knowledge is overwhelming because of the depth and perfection of God--it is so much bigger than our minds can conceive.

Q2. (139:5, 10). In verses 5 and 10, how does God's hand touch the psalmist? Have you ever felt God's hand on you in a special way? Was it for your good? What was it like? Verse 5: You hem me in behind and before You lay Your hand upon me Verse 10: Even there Your hand shall lead me and Your right hand shall hold me The wonderful thing is, JESUS is at the right hand of God, so in verse 10, Jesus holds the Psalmist. This reminds me of Isaiah 40:11, "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." Psalm 139:5 shows God's protection. Psalm 16:5-8 affirms this, "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Yes, I have felt God's hand on me--in His guidance, in His encouragement, in His lovingkindness, in His forgiveness, in His reassurance.

Q4. (20:3) What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are by grace anyway? The basis of Hezekiah's prayer is his relationship with God. In 2Kings:20:3 Hezekiah says, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." Psalm 66:16-22 remind us of righteousness and holiness in answer to prayer: "Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" Psalm 103:10-13 reminds us of our incredible Heavenly Father who does understand us and does give us good gifts despite our selfishness. "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." However, free-will truly stands in the way. Disobedience, rebellion, sin--all stand in the way of our relationship with GOd. Paul reminds us in Galatians that an unrighteous, unholy life does not have a good end: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Q3. Why is Hezekiah's healing important for his nation? How did it relate to God's promises to David? It seems that Hezekiah's healing is important to his nation in that he had not appointed a successor; without a successor, his nation would probably head into a time of turmoil and strife as all fought to be the next king. Hezekiah's healing relates to God's promise to David in that God promised David in 2 Samuel 7 starting in verse 12: "When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom...and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son... my love will never be taken away from him...Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” Since this promise to David included Hezekiah, knowing he needed his own flesh and blood to succeed him, Hezekiah prayed to God through that promise that God had given. Hezekiah needed a son before he died.

Q2. (19:15) How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah's prayer (verse 15) correspond to the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer? How are they important to faith? How are they important to God answering the prayer? The first two sentences of Hezekiah's prayer 2Kings 19:15 correspond well to the first sentence of the Lord's prayer: "O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth." and Jesus taught us: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." While Hezekiah called God "Lord" and Jesus tells us to call God "Our Father," both indicate a place of honor, protection, and caring. Speaking of where God is enthroned between cherubim denotes the fear, awe, and high regard Hekeziah had for God--truly he knew God's name was HOLY. Continuing wit, "you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth," proved that he knew God was Holy, in Heaven, AND he created all things. To God alone belongs all the power. This is so important to demonstrate faith. These words make clear exactly whom Hezekiah had faith in - and the beginning of the Lord's Prayer makes plain in whom we have faith. When we put God in the highest place of honor, know He is almighty to do His will and care for His creation, we know He hears and answers our prayers.

Q1. (19:14) What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy's message before the Lord? What is the underlying principle illustrated here? How can we apply this principle to our own lives? What happens when we don't apply this principle? The significance of spreading out the enemy message before the Lord is that Hezekiah demonstrated that he gave the entire message to the Lord. We need to give ALL the battles and potential battles we face TO THE LORD. Psalm 103:19 tells us HE established His THRONE in the heavens. HE has DOMINION over all. The battles truly belong to the Lord as Hezekiah told his people in 2 Chronicles 32: "but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." When we don't apply this principle through prayer, seeking to know His Word, and surrendering of our will to His, disaster follows...

Q4. Why is a person's attitude with regard to giving related to that person's attitude towards praise? Why does an attitude of possessiveness with regards to giving get in the way of worship? In what sense do all your possessions belong to God? What then should be your relationship to your possessions? How will these truths re-energize your giving? Your praise? As I reply I should quote all from 1Chronicles 29 - especially verses 9-14. The people are flabergasted at the generosity of David and their leaders. The clincher is verse 14: EVERYTHING we have comes from YOU, God! When we truly understand that everything...everything...we have comes from God, we cannot help but praise and give generously. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to give, we can give. We do not have to hold possessively to our belongings. My husband's grandmother had such an attitude toward her things--they were things only and she only needed what she needed and everything else could go. This lesson is a good reminder that ALL I have is from Him and my praise of Him is re-energized.

Q3. Verses 11 and 12 both attribute various characteristics to God, such as glory, honor, and might. How might you begin to mention God's greatness in your own prayers? Where is this kind of praise found by example in the Lord's Prayer? What are your favorite songs that point to God's greatness? These verses are a great reminder to extol God's greatness!! His Power!! His Might!! In the Lord's Prayer, exaltation is tied in through 'Our Father IN HEAVEN,' 'HOLY be Your Name' and, 'THY Kingdom come'--Jesus taught us to remember God's greatness and sovereignty. Some of my favorite songs that point to God's greatness include How Great Thou Art, I Exalt Thee that you mentioned, and In Christ Alone.

Q2. In what way does praise exalt God? Why should we exalt God? What does this exaltation do in us? What does it say about us? I love your quote, "Praise is the language of faith." For, truly praise IS the language of faith. We exalt God when we know His character and stand in awe of Him. About us praising God and exalting God says that we acknowledge our limitations and His greatness.