The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-31 NIV)

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”  “The most important one” answered Jesus,

“Is this: ‘Hear, O Israel:

The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

 There is no commandment greater than these.”

Psalm 140 (with text - press on more info.)

Cwm Rhondda (Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah) - Côr OrpheusTreforys/ Morri...

Psalm 16 Common English Bible (CEB)

Psalm 16

Common English Bible (CEB)

Psalm 16

A miktam^[a] of David. ¹ Protect me, God,
because I take refuge in you.
² I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord.
   Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
³ Now as for the “holy ones” in the land,
   the “magnificent ones”
   that I was so happy about;
 ⁴ let their suffering increase because
      they hurried after a different god.^[b]
I won’t participate
in their blood offerings;
   I won’t let their names
   cross my lips.
⁵ You, LORD, are my portion, my cup;
   you control my destiny.
⁶ The property lines have fallen
beautifully for me;
   yes, I have a lovely home.
⁷ I will bless the LORD who advises me;
   even at night I am instructed
   in the depths of my mind.
⁸ I always put the LORD in front of me;
   I will not stumble
   because he is on my right side.
⁹ That’s why my heart celebrates
and my mood is joyous;
   yes, my whole body will rest in safety
 ¹⁰ because you won’t abandon my life^[c] to the grave;^[d]
   you won’t let your faithful follower
   see the pit.
¹¹ You teach me the way of life.
   In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always
in your right hand.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 16:1 Perhaps inscription
2. Psalm 16:4 Heb uncertain in 16:3–4; Heb lacks because and god in 16:4.
3. Psalm 16:10 Or my soul
4. Psalm 16:10 Heb Sheol

Keep Me Safe, Oh God (Psalm 16) by JD Sebastian

Pray Today August 19th for the Republic of Madagascar

Madagascar

Republic of Madagascar

Africa

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 587,041 sq km
The world’s 4th largest island 1,600 km long in the Indian Ocean 600 km off the coast of Mozambique; a great degree of flora and fauna is unique to Madagascar.
Population: 20,146,442    Annual Growth: 2.72%
Capital: Antananarivo
Urbanites: 30.2%
HDI Rank: 145 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 41 (27% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Malagasy, French and English (though not widely used)    Languages: 20 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	10,784,390	53.53	3.0
Evangelicals	2,310,539	11.5	3.5

Answer to Prayer

Church growth continues in the midst of political and environmental crises. The most notable increases are of charismatic and neo-Pentecostal groups, who have also endured some opposition. The Holy Spirit is moving among students, young people and laypersons, causing the multiplication of small congregations and house groups.

Challenge for Prayer

Madagascar is locked in a battle with poverty, even though it is often called the “8th continent” and is rich in ecology, ethnicity and history. The majority live on an average of less than $1US/day and survive by subsistence agriculture. The common slash-and-burn technique is destroying the rainforest cover as well as many unique plant and animal species. About 80% of the original rainforest cover has already been lost. Repeatedly, cyclones further hamper development and destroy property. Pray for appropriate and sustainable development that lifts people out of poverty, and for a long-term approach to this complex challenge.
     For an additional 9 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Madagascar.

Mark 10 (with text - press on more info.)

Lord rescue me by brian richardson

Psalm 140

Psalm 140

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 140

Psalm 140^[a]

    For the director of music. A psalm of David. ¹ Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers;
   protect me from the violent,
² who devise evil plans in their hearts
   and stir up war every day.
³ They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
   the poison of vipers is on their lips.^[b]
 4 Keep me safe, LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
   protect me from the violent,
   who devise ways to trip my feet.
⁵ The arrogant have hidden a snare for me;
   they have spread out the cords of their net
   and have set traps for me along my path.
 ⁶ I say to the LORD, “You are my God.”
   Hear, LORD, my cry for mercy.
⁷ Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer,
   you shield my head in the day of battle.
⁸ Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD;
   do not let their plans succeed.
 ⁹ Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
   may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
¹⁰ May burning coals fall on them;
   may they be thrown into the fire,
   into miry pits, never to rise.
¹¹ May slanderers not be established in the land;
   may disaster hunt down the violent.
 ¹² I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
   and upholds the cause of the needy.
¹³ Surely the righteous will praise your name,
   and the upright will live in your presence.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 140:1 In Hebrew texts 140:1-13 is numbered 140:2-14.
2. Psalm 140:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 8.