Ohana Prayer 223 – Ecclesiastes 5
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.
7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore, fear God.
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.
18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Lord Jehovah, the Giver of Wealth and Abilities, our Heavenly Father.
Thank you that at the appropriate moment before dawn while still dark You awaken our spirit. Thank you for giving us life that we can eat, drink and enjoy what we have earned. May we not forget to kneel and pray to You every morning during the remainder of our lives, and praising Your name for You have filled our hearts with joy. Because Your word is a lamp to guide us and a light for our paths, we will not lose our way on the road of life, will not be confused and ensnared by lies, will not sink deeper into sin, will not get further and further away from You and will not let the days in our future grow darker and darker.
Lord Jesus, thank you that God’s promise is fulfilled in You. You are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.
Lord Jesus, You are the master of our lives; in Your grace and mercy, You lead us through this inexplicable global pandemic, get through the present difficult times facing our country and its people, and get out of the void of our helplessness. Our anchor of faith is weak and cannot keep us steadfast in the middle of the storms; the rudder of hope is not holding steady on its course and our spiritual compass is missing.
Lord Jesus please come on board our boat of life and calm the wind and waves so we can sail against the wind. With Your leading the boat glides like a cradle, and with Your presence we can withstand whatever comes against us.
Gentle Holy Spirit, we need your constant reminders not to going around in circles in the snare of success or failure, spend time on tedious affairs that lead to illusory results, get upset on trivial things, lose joy, become ungrateful and neglecting to pray. Gentle Holy Spirit, forbid us to speak too much, to overthink, and to set unrealistic goals. Keep and remind us to do what we have promised, to fulfill our vow in prayer and to live a godly life. If we are trustworthy and faithful, we can rest well at night even if we don’t have much to eat.
Our prayer is made in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.