A Prayer of Recognition and Gratitude for God's Presence
“And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.” — Joshua 22:31
O Gracious and Everlasting Father,
We come before You today with hearts overflowing with gratitude and reverence for Your mighty presence among us. We recall the words spoken by Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, who recognized Your power and vigilance in the lives of Your people. As it is written in Joshua 22:31, “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.”
Lord, just as Phinehas boldly proclaimed the realization of Your presence, we too want to take a moment to acknowledge and confess that You are here, amongst us. We see Your handiwork in our lives, in our communities, and in our Church. We recognize that it is by Your divine grace and mercy that we stand together unified, bound by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Help us, O Lord, to always perceive when You are at work in our midst. Open our spiritual eyes to see Your movements, to understand Your guidance, and to hear Your whispers of truth. We are often distracted by the noise of this world, swept away in the ceaseless currents of life’s challenges and temptations. Yet, through it all, we want to be attentive to Your calls and Your commands. May we never make light of Your holy presence, but continually foster a spirit of awareness that keeps us in tune with Your ways.
Lord, we thank You for the examples found in Scripture, including the steadfastness of Phinehas and the unity of the tribes of Israel. Let us be inspired by their commitment to You, and may their faithfulness encourage us to avoid the trespasses that separate us from You. We ask, Lord, that You fortify our hearts with courage and strength, so we might steadfastly resist the snares and temptations set before us. May our hearts remain true to Your word, that we too might be instruments in delivering others from the hands of sin and separation—just as the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh were alluded to for their loyalty and righteousness.
We pray for our own communities and families, Lord. Grant us the wisdom to lead by example, to be reflections of Your light, and to stand firm against anything that would attempt to draw us away from Your precepts. May we promote unity among ourselves, as brothers and sisters in Christ, and work together for the common good, ensuring Your love is manifested in every interaction we partake in.
Heavenly Father, as we recognize Your presence in our lives, help us also be a source of peace and guidance for those around us. Show us how to lead others towards Your light, helping them perceive Your presence, just as Phinehas did. Let our actions reflect Your goodness; may our words promote peace, and our choices reflect righteousness.
In every situation we face, remind us of Your promise that You are with us. May we find solace in the truth that You are the constant amidst change and uncertainty. And finally, we humbly ask for Your mercy upon our failings, the ways in which we may have trespassed, intentionally or unintentionally. Cleanse us from those things that hinder our relationship with You.
We are grateful for Your unending grace and Your perpetual presence among Your people. In Christ’s name, we offer this prayer. Amen.
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Artwork for Joshua 22:31
Joshua 22:31 - "And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD."
"And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD." - Joshua 22:31
Joshua 15:31 - "And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,"
Joshua 10:31 - "¶ And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:"
Joshua 24:31 - "And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel."
Joshua 22:1 - "Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,"
Joshua 22:6 - "So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents."
"And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah," - Joshua 15:31
Joshua 21:31 - "Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities."
Joshua 19:31 - "This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages."
Sirach 31:22
Joshua 7:22 - "¶ So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it."
Joshua 15:22 - "And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,"
Joshua 10:22 - "Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave."
Proverbs 8:22-31
Joshua 24: 29-31 An image including old Jushua
Joshua 18:22 - "And Beth-arabah, and Zemaraim, and Beth-el,"
Rubenites buyilding alter in Joshua 22
"Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh," - Joshua 22:1
Joshua 24:22 - "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses."
Genesis 31:22 - "And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled."
Joshua 12:22 - "The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;"
Deuteronomy 31:14 - "¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation."
"¶ And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:" - Joshua 10:31
"And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah," - Joshua 15:22
Luke 22:31-32 - "Luke 22:31-32: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Numbers 31:22 - "Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,"
Proverbs 8:22-31 – Wisdom’s role in creation.
Joshua 21:22 - "And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs; four cities."
Joshua 22:22 - "The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)"