A Prayer for Provision and Lifeline in Times of Despair
“Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate.” — Genesis 47:19
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with humility and reverence, recognizing Your immense power and boundless grace that surround us each day. In the midst of trials and tribulations, I am reminded of the plight of the people in Genesis 47:19, where they pleaded, "Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate."
Lord, just as those people turned to Pharaoh when they faced famine and despair, we too at times find ourselves in desperate need of Your divine provision. When the struggles of life seem insurmountable, when we face empty cupboards, barren lands, and souls weary from the fight, we seek Your face earnestly. I intercede for those of us who feel lost, abandoned, or crushed by the weight of this world. As the famine in the land forced the Egyptians to barter their very lives for sustenance, may we not be too proud to seek refuge in You, our Source of life.
Father, Your Word tells us that You are a good Father who gives good gifts to those who ask. Even when circumstances around us seem overwhelming, I hold on to this promise, believing that in our hour of need, You will provide. I pray for all those who are standing in front of closed doors, looking for a lifeline in despair. Just as the people cried out to Pharaoh, may our hearts be turned towards You, asking not only for bread to feed our stomachs but also the living Water that quenches our thirsty souls.
Your children cry out today, asking for seed that we might plant in the fertile soil of hope and faith. We ask that You grant us the wisdom to see beyond our current struggles and to recognize opportunities for growth. For the land that lies before us may appear desolate, yet we know that with Your blessing, even the most barren ground can yield a harvest. Inspire us to trust in Your timing and provision, knowing that Your hands are not short to save nor Your ears heavy that they cannot hear our cries.
Help us to surrender our desires and our expectations. In moments when we long for security and sustenance, may we instead find joy in being Your servants, willing to do Your work and follow Your call. Teach us to be faithful even when scarcity surrounds us. Let us remember the joy that comes from serving others, as we seek to embody the love and grace of Jesus towards those around us.
Lord, as we cast our burdens upon You, we pray for our communities and our world. Many around us are suffering, wanting for basic needs, overwhelmed by despair and hopelessness. Stir our hearts to be instruments of Your peace, to reach out with generosity and compassion. May we not hoard what You bless us with but instead have open hands to share with those in need like the needy souls in Egypt once did.
And we ask, oh Lord, that as You grant us seed, help us to nurture it with prayer and dedication. Let us not be satisfied with survival but strive for abundant life, seeking to flourish in the gifts that You supply. Let our hearts rejoice in the blessings that flow from Your vineyard and let us each be a good steward of what You entrust to us.
In this prayer, I cling to Your promise and lay before You all my requests — for every barren piece of land in our lives that needs Your touch. Together as Your flock, we shall not die, for You are the God of life, sustaining us with every good gift. We thank You for all You have done, all You are doing, and all You will do in our lives.
In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray,
Amen.
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Artwork for Genesis 47:19
Genesis 47:19 - "Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate."
"Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate." - Genesis 47:19
Genesis 24-47
Genesis 31:47 - "And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed."
Genesis 41:47 - "And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls."
Genesis 47:10 - "And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh."
Genesis 47:8 - "And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?"
Genesis 47:2 - "And he took some of his brethren, even five men, and presented them unto Pharaoh."
Luke 19:47 - "And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,"
Genesis 47:12 - "And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household, with bread, according to their families."
Genesis 47:16 - "And Joseph said, Give your cattle; and I will give you for your cattle, if money fail."
Genesis 47:27 - "¶ And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly."
Genesis 47:7 - "And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh."
Genesis 47:5 - "And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying, Thy father and thy brethren are come unto thee:"
"And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed." - Genesis 31:47
Genesis 47:28 - "And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years."
Genesis 47:21 - "And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof."
Genesis 47:13 - "¶ And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore, so that the land of Egypt and all the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine."
Genesis 47:31 - "And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head."
Ezekiel 47:19 - "And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward."
Genesis 47:25 - "And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants."
"And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls." - Genesis 41:47
Genesis 47:11 - "¶ And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded."
Genesis 47:14 - "And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house."
Genesis 19-19
"And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh." - Genesis 47:10
Genesis 47:3 - "And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers."
"And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?" - Genesis 47:8
Genesis 47:30 - "But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said."
Genesis 47:23 - "Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land."