A Prayer for Fellowship and Hospitality
“And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel’s father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry.” — Judges 19:6
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today in humility and gratitude, acknowledging Your presence in our lives. We reflect on the powerful example of hospitality shown in the words of Judges 19:6, where we see two individuals sitting together, sharing a meal, and finding joy in each other's company. We thank You for the gift of community and for the moments of fellowship that nourish our souls.
Lord, as the damsel's father urged the man to ‘be content’ and to ‘let thine heart be merry,’ we pray that we too may embody that spirit of hospitality. Teach us, Almighty God, the art of welcoming others into our home and hearts, just as You have welcomed us into Your kingdom. May our tables be a place where love is served generously, laughter echoes brightly, and hearts are united.
Father, we beseech You to cultivate within us an attitude of contentment. In a world that often encourages comparison and discontent, help us to find joy in what we have. Let us learn to appreciate the simple gatherings, the quiet moments shared over a meal, and the connections that reignite our spirit. Just as the man was invited to tarry, we ask that You guide us to linger longer, savoring time spent with others rather than rushing through life.
We pray for the grace to be mindful of the needs of others. In these times of busyness and distraction, grant us the vision to see beyond our immediate concerns. Lead us to those who may feel lonely or isolated, and help us respond to their needs with open arms. May we extend our hospitality not only to friends and family but also to strangers and those in need, just as Your Word commands us.
Lord, we understand that true hospitality is birthed from a heart of generosity. We pray that You would instill within us a spirit of giving, so that our homes may reflect Your love and kindness. May our gatherings be suffused with laughter and joy, mirroring the ‘merry’ heart described in our scripture. Remove any hesitations or fears that may hinder us from opening our doors to others, and instead fill us with courage and faith.
As we reflect on the significance of ‘sitting down’ together in fellowship, we ask that You bless our relationships. Strengthen the bonds of friendship and familial love. Heal any rifts that may exist, so that forgiveness flows freely and reconciliation is possible. We acknowledge that relationships can be fraught with challenges, but we trust in Your power to restore and renew.
Also, we pray for our personal relationships, that we might be present and engaged when we share our lives with others. Help us to listen well and communicate with love, nurturing understanding and compassion. In every meal shared and every moment spent in companionship, may we glorify You.
We lift up anyone who feels burdened or weary, anyone struggling to find joy in community. May they experience Your warmth and find solace in the love of those around them. Encourage us to reach out to them, to empathize with their struggles, and to invite them to share in our blessings.
Finally, Father, may we always remember that You are the ultimate source of our joy and contentment. Teach us to seek You above all else so that our hearts may be truly merry, overflowing with gratitude for all that You provide. We endeavor to cultivate environments of joy, encouragement, and love, reflecting Your heart in every action.
In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
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Artwork for Judges 19:6
Judges 19:6 - "And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry."
"And they sat down, and did eat and drink both of them together: for the damsel's father had said unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry all night, and let thine heart be merry." - Judges 19:6
2 Chronicles 19:6 - "And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment."
Judges 6:19 - "¶ And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it."
"And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment." - 2 Chronicles 19:6
Judges 6:6 - "And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD."
Judges 20:19 - "And the children of Israel rose up in the morning, and encamped against Gibeah."
Judges 19:19 - "Yet there is both straw and provender for our asses; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man which is with thy servants: there is no want of any thing."
2 Chronicles 19:5 - "¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,"
Judges 5:19 - "The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money."
1 Corinthians 6:2 - "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"
Judges 3:6 - "And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods."
Luke 6:37 - "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
Judges 19:14 - "And they passed on and went their way; and the sun went down upon them when they were by Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin."
Judges 6:36-40 – Gideon’s fleece test for dew.
Judges 19:7 - "And when the man rose up to depart, his father in law urged him: therefore he lodged there again."
Judges 19:26 - "Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light."
Deuteronomy 19:18 - "And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;"
Judges 6:7 - "¶ And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,"
Psalms 141:6 - "When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet."
Judges 19:21 - "So he brought him into his house, and gave provender unto the asses: and they washed their feet, and did eat and drink."
Judges 1:19 - "And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron."
Judges 6:23 - "And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die."
Judges 6:40 - "And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground."
Judges 11:6 - "And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon."
Judges 19:20 - "And the old man said, Peace be with thee; howsoever let all thy wants lie upon me; only lodge not in the street."
Luke 11:19 - "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges."
Deuteronomy 19:17 - "Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;"
Judges 19:12 - "And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah."
Judges 19:13 - "And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah."