Ohana Prayer 220 – Ecclesiastes 2
1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
14 The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
15 Then I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?” I said to myself, “This too is meaningless.”
23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God meaningless.
26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Heavenly Father, our Lord, Thank you that even if we are anxious today, we won’t think about it tomorrow for there is no need to add to the troubles each day brings. Thank you for a good night of sleep. We wake up feeling refreshed and we are ready for a new joyful day to accomplish what You have planned for us. Father! Help us in our devotional this morning to learn how to let go of the past and to stabilize our emotions. Renew our strength that we may rise on the wings of the dawn, soaring high in the sky and focusing on moving forward. For as long as we are able to stand up, we will press on toward today’s goal to win the prize of Your heavenly calling.
Lord Jesus, You said: Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest. You set an example of simple living for us to follow and also as a reminder not to indulge in the riches and pleasures of this world. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Help us to be vigilant in guarding our hearts above all else, for the heart is the source of life’s consequences. So, let compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience flow out of our hearts so that we can live a rich and meaningful life through harmonious and unpretentious living.
Holy Spirit, thank you for sitting by the windows of our souls accompanying us, speaking to our hearts, and in silent prayer, clearing out our burdens, worry, and unclean thoughts. Thank you for filling our hearts and minds with spiritual nourishment that satisfies our hunger and thirst for righteousness. Beloved Holy Spirit, we trust you and rely on You wholeheartedly to pray for us constantly. We ask for mercy and hope for people who are being quarantined due to COVID 19 exposure, for renewed energy and strength for dedicated healthcare workers, and for open doors for those who are facing difficult situations. May you send down fire of revival for the spiritual renewal of all Christians so that the church, the body of Christ can kindle the fire of testimony of glorifying God in districts everywhere.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.