10–Perfect!

Summer Fun with Biblical Numbers continues. A slight change in format begins today. YOUR thoughts and YOUR conversation with God are still the focus, but a Scripture verse has been added under Contemplation, the time when you listen to God.

Step 1: Relax. Ask Jesus to visit with you. Tell Him any concerns on your mind.

Step 2: Read the prompt.

TEN symbolizes perfection in God’s rules, justice, and decisions. God gave Moses ten Commandments. God prescribed one-tenth as the tithe required in the early books of the bible. God told Abraham He would not destroy Sodom if ten righteous men could be found there. God sent ten plagues to Egypt. God caused the shadow on Hezikiah’s sundial to go backwards ten degrees as a sign. God designed humans with ten digits on their hands and feet. Sadly, ten of the tribes of Israel, those in the northern kingdom, were “lost” when God scattered them among the nations because of their many ongoing sins. In the bible, multiples of ten mean “plenty”; for example, the number one-thousand (ten times one hundred) means “huge”.

Step 3: Talk to Jesus as you would a good friend. Tell Him how you feel about what you read. What word, question, image, or feeling stands out to you? Did the prompt have anything to do with the concerns you had when you started your prayer?

Step 4: Contemplate. Set a timer so you don’t have to watch the clock. Relax in silence in His presence. Let Him speak to you.

The Lord is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair. (Dt 32:4)

Step 5: Pray: How do you feel about what God said to you? Sometimes you get a clear idea, feeling, memory or word in your mind as an answer. Sometimes, the answer doesn’t come until hours after your prayer as ended, when God can catch you in an unguarded moment. Either way, wrap up your feelings and thoughts into a prayer.

Step 6: Take something to keep in your heart until your next prayer session. Writing down a word, phrase, memory–no matter how short–will help you see God’s presence in your life over time.

[Eyes looking upward.]