One People
In One Place
Under ONE Authority
A Call to Action; A Call to Prayer
The Church began to murmur the words from 2 Chronicles 7:14 a few years back but she did so without understanding. Here’s the verse: “if my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
If we read the verses before and after verse 14 we will find precisely where we have missed the mark and the trouble coming upon our land bearing witness to our calamity. 2 Chronicles 6 outlines what the Jews refer to as the Amidah or Standing Prayer. We will find this prayer that Daniel boldly performed in Daniel ch 9 from 2 Chronicles 6 which precedes 2 Chronicles 7:12 where the LORD tells Solomon, “I have heard your prayer…” The Lord approves of the petition and affirms it by accepting the sacrifices made.
Jesus petitioned the Father in heaven for unity in his body in John 17, I dare say we have failed at this as there are well over 44,000 denominations in America, not to mention how for far too long we cut our own selves off from Jews.
Scripture establishes a witness requiring 2 or more, so we have 2 witnesses in the book of Acts. In Acts ch 3 and 4 we have Peter and John with the lame man at the gate, and ch 10 the witness of Peter and Cornelius, alone they are 2 witnesses but as I mentioned earlier we have King Solomon, Daniel, and the LORD.
The Church failed to understand their sinfulness and how they could pray or repent for they have accepted Jesus as the payment for their sins, so what more is there? Jesus is the Word made flesh, which means it’s his voice in creation when God spoke, it’s his voice at Mt. Sinai that gave all the law. Which means when he shows up in the flesh he isn’t getting rid of his previous commands. Jesus even says “if you love me, keep my commandments.”
The purpose of his law/instructions are so that I don’t hurt you, and you don’t hurt me, and together we don’t betray God. They can’t save us, but they can teach us to walk upright as image bearers to the One who calls us to be holy as He is holy. This will take humility. Humility to forgive each other, humility to seek to understand our Jewish brothers and sisters who are coming to faith in Jesus/Yeshua, and even those and maybe especially those who have not found Messiah yet.
It is only out of sincere love that you would humble yourself to stand and face toward Jerusalem and pray and petition God to restore humanity and bring his body together as ONE. As we see our loved ones struggle to put food on the table and gas in the car as prices sky rocket, as they are sick and dying, children without hope killing themselves, senseless murder…do you love them enough to bend your knee and bow? The solution is far more simple than our pride will sometimes allow, but we can hold fast to the promise provided to us by God himself that if we will pray in repentance then He will heal our land. Let us come together and say “Let it begin with me.”
It All Begins with Shema
Our covenant relationship’s foundation is that we respond to His call, so we will both hear and we will do what He says. Shema.
How do we allow our ear to be circumcised to His voice . . .
we must first become familiar with His Word in the written text recorded in the Bible.
“Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 8 You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The Standing Prayer
Amidah
The Amidah - called The Standing Prayer, was composed around 450 BCE, by the 120 Men of the Great Assembly, including Ezra and Nehemiah at the time of the rebuilding of the Temple. It was to be said while standing. Three (3) times a day at the hours of prayer: 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and, 3:00 pm.
This prayer is prayed 3 times a day, around the world, but most recognized at the Wall in Jerusalem. 9a, 12p, 3p All creation is groaning for the revealing of the sons of God for then it will be redeemed from its present state of decay. The children of God hear his voice and will respond as ONE.
Will you pray?
GOD OF OUR FATHERS: Blessed are you, Oh Lord our God and God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the great, mighty and revered God, the Most High God who bestows loving kindnesses, the creator of all things, who remembers the good deeds of the patriarchs and in love came as a redeemer to their children's children for your name's sake. Oh king, helper, savior and shield. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the shield of Abraham.
THE GOD OF RESURRECTION: You, Oh Lord, are mighty forever, you revive the dead, you have the power to save. You cause the wind to blow and the rain to fall. You sustain the living with loving-kindness, you revive the dead with great mercy, and you support the falling, heal the sick, set free the bound and keep faith with those who sleep in the dust. Who is like you, Oh doer of mighty acts? Who resembles you, a king who puts to death and restores to life, and causes salvation to flourish? And you are certain to revive the dead. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who revives the dead.
HOLINESS OF GOD: We will sanctify your name in this world just as it is sanctified in the highest heavens, as it is written by your prophet: And they call out to one another and say: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Blessed be the Presence of the LORD in his place. And in your Holy Words it is written, saying, The LORD reigns forever, your God, Oh Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah. Throughout all generations, we will declare your greatness, and to all eternity we will proclaim your holiness. Your praise, Our God, shall never depart from our mouth, for you are a great and holy God and King. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the holy God. You are holy, and your name is holy, and holy beings praise you daily. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the holy God.
PRAYER FOR KNOWLEDGE: You favor men with knowledge, and teach mortals understanding. Oh favor us with the knowledge, the understanding and the insight that comes from you. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the gracious giver of knowledge.
FOR REPENTANCE: Bring us back, Our father, to your Instruction; draw us near, Our King, to your service; and cause us to return to you in perfect repentance. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who delights in repentance.
FOR FORGIVENESS: Forgive us, Our Father, for we have sinned; pardon us, Our King, for we have transgressed; for you pardon and forgive. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who is merciful and always ready to forgive.
FOR REDEMPTION: Look upon our affliction and plead our cause, and redeem us speedily for your name's sake, for you are a mighty redeemer. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the redeemer of Israel.
FOR HEALING: Heal us, Oh Lord, and we will be healed; save us and we will be saved, for you are our praise. Oh grant a perfect healing to all our ailments, for you, almighty King, are a faithful and merciful healer. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the healer of the sick of his people Israel.
FOR PROSPEROUS YEAR: Bless this year for us, Oh Lord our God, together with all the varieties of its produce, for our welfare. Bestow dew and rain for a blessing upon the face of the earth. Oh satisfy us with your goodness, and bless our year like the best of years. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who blesses the years.
FOR GATHERING OF EXILES: Sound the great shofar (trumpet) for our freedom, raise the ensign to gather our exiles, and gather us from the four corners of the earth. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who gathers the dispersed of his people Israel.
FOR RESTORATION: Restore our judges as in former times, and our counselors as at the beginning; and remove from us sorrow and sighing. Reign over us, you alone, Oh Lord, with loving kindness and compassion, and clear us in judgment. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the King who loves righteousness and justice.
FOR THE RIGHTEOUS AND PROSELYTES: May your compassion be stirred, Oh Lord our God, towards the righteous, the pious, the elders of your people the house of Israel, the remnant of their scholars, towards proselytes, and towards us also. Grant a good reward to all who truly trust in your name. Set our lot with them forever so that we may never be put to shame, for we have put our trust in you. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, the support and stay of the righteous.
FOR THE REBUILDING OF JERUSALEM: Return in mercy to Jerusalem your city, and dwell in it as you have promised. Rebuild it soon in our day as an eternal structure, and quickly set up in it the throne of David.Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who rebuilds Jerusalem.
FOR THE MESSIANIC KING: Speedily bring the offspring of your servant David to us, and let him be exalted by your saving power, for we wait all day long for your salvation. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who brings salvation to flourish.
FOR THE ANSWERING OF PRAYER: Hear our voice, Oh Lord our God; spare us and have pity on us. Accept our prayer in mercy and with favor, for you are a God who hears prayers and supplications. Our King, do not turn us away from your presence empty-handed, for you hear the prayers of your people Israel with compassion. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who hears prayer.
FOR RESTORATION OF TEMPLE SERVICE: Be pleased, Oh Lord our God, with your people Israel and with their prayers. Restore the service to the inner sanctuary of your Temple, and receive in love and with favor both the fire-offerings of Israel and their prayers. May the worship of your people Israel always be acceptable to you. And let our eyes behold your return in mercy to Zion. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who restores his divine presence to Zion.
THANKSGIVING FOR GOD'S UNFAILING MERCIES: We give thanks to you that you are the Lord our God and the God of our fathers forever and ever. Through every Generation, you have been the rock of our lives, the shield of our salvation. We will give you thanks and declare your praise for our lives that are committed into your hands, for our souls that are entrusted to you, for your miracles that are daily with us, and for your wonders and your benefits that are with us at all times, evening, morning and noon. Oh beneficent one, your mercies never fail; Oh merciful one, your loving kindnesses never cease. We have always put our hope in you. For all these acts may your name be blessed and exalted continually, Our King, forever and ever. Let every living thing give thanks to you and praise your name in truth, Oh God, our salvation and our help. (Selah. - pause and think about that ) Blessed are you, Oh Lord, whose Name is the Beneficent One, and to whom it is fitting to give thanks.
FOR PEACE: Grant peace, welfare, blessing, grace, loving kindness and mercy to us and to all Israel your people. Bless us, Our Father, one and all, with the light of your countenance; for by the light of your countenance you have given us, Oh Lord our God, a Torah of life, loving kindness and salvation, blessing, mercy, life and peace. May it please you to bless your people Israel at all times and in every hour with your peace. Blessed are you, Oh Lord, who blesses his people Israel with peace.
with ONE voice we cry out . . .
“For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” Matthew 23:39