Pray the word with David Platt is a resource from Radical.net.

First Chronicles chapter 19 verse 13, be strong and let us use our strength for our people

and for the cities of our God and may the Lord do what seems good to him.

There's so much to learn in this little verse specifically about how to pray, motives

and our praying. So in this passage in First Chronicles 19, Joab is working hard to

arrange the armies for war and he's doing so wisely, but he's also doing so knowing

that everything is ultimately in God's hands and he's encouraging the people to be strong,

but listen to the purpose for being strong. Be strong and let us use our strength

for our people and for the cities of our God. Oftentimes we ask for strength really just

focused on ourselves. We feel weak and we need strength simply for us and yes there's a sense in

which it's good to go before God our Father to ask for strength simply for our own good. But

what I love about First Chronicles chapter 19 verse 13 is the exhortation to be strong here is

attached to using that strength for the sake of others. God help me to be strong so that I can

be a blessing to others so that I can be an encouragement to others so that I can use the strength

you provide for others good and ultimately for your glory trusting that you will do

ultimately what seems good to you. So let's pray accordingly First Chronicles 19, 13. What a good

exhortation to us to pray for strength not just for our own sake, but for the sake of others.

God we confess today our weakness before you. John chapter 15 verse 5 is in so many ways the

foundation for our praying apart from you we can do nothing. We are powerless, hopeless,

without you apart from you we need your strength and we know that we can do Philippians 4, 13,

all things through Christ who strengthens us as we rely on your strength in us you will give us

we know everything we need to do all that you call us to do and so God we pray today as weak

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