בס״ד

Parshiot Mattot and Masei (Tribes and Journeys)

Numbers 30:2-32:42 and 33:1-36:13

Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4, 4:1-2

Shabbat Chazak

This week we have two Torah readings. In the opening of the first portion, Parashat Mattot, one reads about the importance of keeping one’s word. A person’s reputation is clearly affected by one’s integrity. When one says something, he should fulfill this. In fact, it is a sin if he should not. Although each of us knows this, we all tend to be too casual about this.

An area in which many people violate the principle of integrity is in regard to prayer. When someone asks you to pray for him or to pray for someone whom he cares about, this one is most serious. I am sure most of us have stated we will pray and then never do. Or perhaps we rapid fire some prayer off, thinking that quick sentence fulfills our promise to pray for another.

I have been so blessed by a prayer group who faithfully prays each Tuesday evening. Although this group is small, the answers, which they have received from their faithfulness in bringing before Yeshua prayer requests, are mighty. What a comfort it is to me to know that I can count on this group to pray for me and my family, not a sentence or two; but properly take my concerns to the Father in a proper manner. I have several testimonies that I could share with you about how HaShem has responded to the prayers of this small prayer group.

Are you part of such a group? Prayer is a key ingredient of the believer’s life. How are you utilizing the great blessing that a believer has in making his requests known to G-d? Not knowing how to pray or sometimes, what to pray, is not an excuse before G-d. As believers, we have the Holy Spirit, Who perfectly counsels us. Paul states that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know how we ought to pray, for He makes groans and searches our hearts according to the will of G-d (See Romans 8:26-27).

This Shabbat, take a few minutes and go before Yeshua, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in your life that lack the integrity that faithfulness demands. Pray that the L-rd will give you a confidence concerning the power of prayer. Once you truly believe that HaShem hears our prayers and responds, prayer will become a high priority in your life.

Shabbat Shalom