A Prayer for Obedience and Discernment
"¶ And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him." - 1 Kings 20:35
O Sovereign Lord, our Eternal King, I come before You today to seek Your wisdom and understanding, inspired by the words of Your Holy Scripture. In 1 Kings 20:35, we hear the account of a man of the sons of the prophets who implores his neighbor to strike him, an act that carried profound meaning and divine intention. "And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him." (1 Kings 20:35)
Heavenly Father, I desire to reflect on the depth of this moment—a moment not just about obedience to a physical act, but obedience to Your voice and Your calling. In our lives, Lord, we often find ourselves wrestling with the commands that You place upon our hearts. The plea of the prophet to be smitten is a call for obedience that transcends mere physical action; it is an embodiment of surrender to Your divine purpose. Help me to understand the gravity of such requests and the heart behind them.
Father, I pray for a spirit of discernment. Just as the neighbor faced a difficult decision, grant me clarity when I discern Your voice in my life. Let me not be blinded by doubt or fear, but instead, embolden my heart to heed Your commands, even when they appear confusing or contrary to my own understanding. Teach me, Lord, to distinguish between the desires of my flesh and the promptings of Your Holy Spirit. May I be sensitive to Your gentle nudges, whether they come through Your Word, through prayer, or even through fellow believers, just as the prophet sought the help of his companion.
Lord, I recognize that obedience can be demanding. Sometimes, it may call for actions that could lead to discomfort or challenge my understanding of love and friendship. I seek Your strength to foster relationships not solely based on my desires, but based on a commitment to uphold and follow through with Your will. Teach me to be honest and brave in my relationships, willing to engage in difficult dialogues, just as the prophet demonstrated a willingness to be vulnerable to fulfill Your prophetic word.
As I reflect on this scripture, I am reminded of the greater context of obedience to You. Jesus Christ, our Lord, exemplified perfect obedience to Your command, even unto death on the cross. Help me to model my life after Him—embracing the highs and the lows, the celebrations and the challenges, knowing that all things work together for my good because I trust in You.
Lord, I pray for those who struggle with obedience. There are many who wrestle with Your commands, grappling with their fears or desires. I ask for Your hand to be upon them. Surround them with wise counsel, loving support, and the insight they need to walk in Your ways. May they come to know that Your plans for them are good; even when the path is difficult, You lay it out for their benefit and growth.
Finally, God, I ask for the courage to act when you ask me to smite or to submit in ways that feel contrary to me. Let my heart be open to the tasks You set before me, even when it feels uncomfortable. May I never refuse Your call, but instead run to fulfill it, trusting in Your perfect timing and provision. Let me be a vessel for Your work in this world, responding passionately to Your whisper, "Smite me, I pray thee," as a call to deeper understanding and fidelity to Your will.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray, trusting Your guidance in all things. Amen.
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1 Kings 20:35 - "¶ And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him."
"¶ And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him." - 1 Kings 20:35
Genesis 35:16-20
Lucas 20:34-35
1 Kings 18:35 - "And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water."
1 Kings 14:1-20
1 Samuel 20:35 - "¶ And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him."
1 Kings 11:35 - "But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes."
1 Kings 2:35 - "And the king put Benaiah the son of Jehoiada in his room over the host: and Zadok the priest did the king put in the room of Abiathar."
1 Kings 6:35 - "And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work."
1 Kings 20:16 - "And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him."
1 Kings 7:35 - "And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same."
1 Kings 20:24 - "And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:"
1 Kings 16:20 - "Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 22:35 - "And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot."
1 Kings 20:20 - "And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen."
1 Kings 20:1 - "And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it."
1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."
1 Kings 1:35 - "Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah."
1 Kings 20:21 - "And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter."
II Kings 15:35 the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places.
1 Kings 20:38 - "So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face."
Exodus 35:20 - "¶ And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses."
1 Kings 8:35 - "¶ When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:"
"And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water." - 1 Kings 18:35
1 Kings 20:19 - "So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them."
1 Kings 20:8 - "And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent."
1 Kings 4:20 - "¶ Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry."
1 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:"
1 Kings 20:2 - "And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,"