BASIC SCRIPTURE: Prayers and Declarations May 12 2025
BASIC SCRIPTURES (KJV): 1 KINGS 21:17-29
17 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
18 Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it.
19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
20 And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.
21 Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy name, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,
22 And will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.
23 And of Jezebel also spake the Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
24 Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.
25 (Now there was no man like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.)
26 And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.
27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
LUKE 18:10-14
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
PRAYERS FOR MAY 12, 2025:
- Prayer for Repentance and Humility in the Face of Sin
O Lord of Mercy, You confronted Ahab’s greed and violence with a call to repentance (1 Kings 21:19-29). Today, I repent of any selfish ambition, exploitation, or pride that has separated me from You. Like Ahab, I may have “sold myself to work evil” through ungodly influences or compromises. But unlike Ahab, let my repentance be complete—tearing down idols, turning from self-exaltation, and humbling myself before You. Break cycles of injustice in my life and society. Where I’ve prioritized gain over integrity, forgive me and restore my heart to Your ways. As You spared Ahab temporarily because of his humility, I trust in Your grace to transform me. Let my life reflect the publican’s cry: “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). In Jesus’ name, Amen. - Prayer for Deliverance from Self-Righteousness
Heavenly Father, the Pharisee’s arrogance (Luke 18:11-12) mirrors the pride that led Ahab to destruction. Deliver me from comparing myself to others or trusting in religious performance. Teach me that justification comes not through self-praise but through humility and mercy. Where I’ve relied on my own righteousness, strip away that illusion and clothe me in Christ’s righteousness alone. Let my worship be rooted in brokenness and dependence, not self-congratulation. Guard my heart from spiritual complacency, and fill me with the publican’s posture: “smote upon [my] breast,” crying out for grace. In Christ’s name, Amen. - Prayer for Justice and Restoration
Lord of Judgment, You promised to hold Ahab and Jezebel accountable for Naboth’s murder (1 Kings 21:19-24). Today, I intercede for victims of oppression, greed, and corruption. Bring justice to those exploited by the powerful, and dismantle systems that prioritize wealth over human dignity. Raise up leaders who will “defend the poor and fatherless” (Psalm 82:3) and “execute justice in the earth” (Isaiah 42:4). Just as Ahab’s temporary repentance delayed judgment, awaken nations to turn from sin and seek Your mercy. Let humility rise where pride reigns, and let the oppressed find freedom in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DAILY DECLARATION (May 12, 2025):
- I reject greed, pride, and injustice, choosing humility before God.
Inspired by Ahab’s downfall (1 Kings 21:17-29), I declare that I will not “sell myself to work evil” (v. 25) through selfish ambition or exploitation. I renounce the love of money, power, or recognition that leads to moral compromise. Instead, I embrace the publican’s humility (Luke 18:13), recognizing my need for grace. My identity is not in what I possess or achieve but in Christ’s righteousness. I will not justify sin through self-deception but will walk in honesty and repentance. - I humble myself before God, knowing He exalts the lowly.
The Pharisee’s pride (Luke 18:11-12) reminds me that self-righteousness separates me from God. Today, I declare: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” I reject comparisons, religious performance, or self-congratulation. Instead, I kneel at the foot of the cross, relying entirely on Christ’s sacrifice. Like Ahab, who tore his clothes in repentance (1 Kings 21:27), I strip away arrogance and don humility. I trust that “every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14). - I trust in God’s justice, even amid human corruption.
Naboth’s unjust death (1 Kings 21:1-16) reveals how sin corrupts systems, but God’s judgment is certain. Today, I declare that I will not grow weary in doing right, even when the world rewards wickedness. The Lord sees every act of oppression and hears the cries of the innocent. Like Elijah, I trust in His power to hold the guilty accountable. I will not retaliate but entrust myself to the “Judge of all the earth” (Genesis 18:25), knowing He will vindicate His people. - My repentance leads to mercy, not temporary relief.
Ahab’s repentance delayed judgment but did not erase it (1 Kings 21:29). I declare that my repentance is deeper—it is born of a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) and leads to eternal redemption. Through Christ’s sacrifice, my sins are not merely postponed but forgiven (Hebrews 10:12-14). I will not settle for superficial remorse but pursue radical transformation. Let every area of compromise be cleansed, and let my life bear fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). - I rely on God’s mercy, not my own goodness.
The publican’s prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” is my daily anthem (Luke 18:13). I declare that my righteousness is not in my deeds but in Christ’s finished work. No amount of fasting, tithing, or service can earn salvation—only grace can justify (Ephesians 2:8-9). I will not boast in my morality or spirituality but cling to the cross. Even when I fall short, I trust in His promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). - I stand against exploitation and defend the vulnerable.
Naboth’s murder (1 Kings 21:1-16) exposes the dangers of unchecked power. Today, I declare war on systems that exploit the weak for profit or pleasure. I will speak for the voiceless, protect the marginalized, and advocate for fairness. Like Elijah, I will confront injustice with courage, trusting God to empower my efforts. Whether in business, relationships, or society, I will prioritize integrity over gain. The Lord is my strength, and He equips me to “let justice roll down like waters” (Amos 5:24). - I walk in the assurance of God’s grace and forgiveness.
Ahab’s story warns of the consequences of prolonged rebellion, but my hope rests in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Today, I declare that I am justified by faith (Romans 5:1), not by my flawed efforts. Even when I stumble, I am not condemned (Romans 8:1) but restored by the Holy Spirit. Let my life reflect the publican’s posture: broken yet redeemed, sinful yet loved. The Father’s arms are always open to the contrite heart. - I trust God to exalt humility and overthrow pride.
The Pharisee’s downfall (Luke 18:14) and Ahab’s judgment (1 Kings 21:22) confirm that pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Today, I renounce arrogance, self-sufficiency, and the need for recognition. Instead, I embrace the servant’s heart of Christ, who “made Himself of no reputation” (Philippians 2:7). I will not seek to elevate myself but trust God to lift me in His timing. Let my life testify: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10).
BASIC SCRIPTURE: Prayers and Declarations May 12 2025
