Pray this Lazaroo with sharp-eyed caution: 

“Wisdom will save you…from men…who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil…”
(Proverbs 2:12, 14)

That’s a special kind of trap, isn’t it, Jesus?

It’s one thing to avoid evil
when it’s being peddled by someone who’s a wreck.

But it’s much harder to resist
when the person selling sin appears to be having a great time.

Of course, the whole thing is a façade –

like praising the color, texture and flavor of the cheese
atop a mousetrap.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Genesis 3:4-5; Genesis 3:13; Genesis 3:16; Numbers 32:23; Proverbs 9:17-18; Proverbs 19:15; Romans 7:11

 Pray this Lazaroo with pedal-to-the-metal commitment: 

“…in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”
(Hebrews 2:12)

That’s an act of my will, isn’t it, Jesus?

to sing Your praises in front of others when I feel like it
and when I don’t

when everything seems to be going according to plan
when everything seems to be falling apart

when I’m surrounded by people who love me
when I’m surrounded by people plotting to get rid of me.

The best part of it is:

I know You can identify.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 2:13; Matthew 10:24-27; Mark 11:18; Luke 19:47; John 5:18; Hebrews 4:14-16

 Pray this Lazaroo in sober assessment:: 

“You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.”
(Psalms 5:4)

At some point I have to cut it out, don’t I, Jesus –

these sins that have too long had me in their grasp.

Yes, You are a God who forgives.

Hallelujah!
You are the God who forgives!

But when do I stop taking advantage of Your love for me?

When do I wake up and face how much my sins hurt You?

Today, LORD
with Your help…

today.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Psalms 103:10; Jeremiah 15:15; John 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:34; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:26-31; 2 Peter 2:14; Revelation 21:8

 Pray this Lazaroo with total transparency: 

“He is very dear to me…”
(Philemon 1:16)

There are those who are dear to me, too, Jesus.

But why?

What makes a person dear to me?

Is it because of what they do for me
what they do for others who are dear to me

what they do for others I’ve never met
or what they do for You?

I have a long way to go on this, LORD…

but one day I hope those dearest to me
are those who are dearest to You.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
2 Samuel 1:26; Psalms 102:14; Jeremiah 31:20; John 2:4; Acts 15:25; Romans 16:5; Ephesians 6:21

 Pray this Lazaroo all the way to the marrow of your bones: 

“May that night be barren…”
(Job 3:7)

I’ve prayed for some barren nights, Jesus…

…after the fact

because of the sins I’ve sinned…the bad seed I’ve sown.

Come morning
I’m begging You for crop failure.

Sometimes I pray for barren nights for others, too.
People I love.

I see their mystifying actions
witness their baffling choices

and beg You for mercy

plead with You not to treat them as their sins deserve

just as You’ve so graciously done time and time again

for me.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Genesis 19:16; Leviticus 26:21; Deuteronomy 4:31; Nehemiah 9:31; Psalms 6:2; Psalms 103:1-14; James 2:13

 Pray this Lazaroo with laser-focused intensity: 

“…pay no attention…to the commands of those who reject the truth.”
(Titus 1:14)

As Martin Luther found out, Jesus…

obeying this verse can get you excommunicated.

As Martin Luther King found out…

obeying this verse can get you jailed and killed.

What will I find out if I obey this verse?

Will I lose

friends?
family?
my job?

Disobeying those in authority over me carries with it a heavy price.

But when I must choose whether to obey You or them

I choose You.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Joshua 1:17; Psalms 56:11; Jeremiah 32:23; Daniel 9:11; Matthew 16:26; Acts 4:19; Hebrews 11:26

 Pray this Lazaroo with no-holds-barred surrender: 

“When the turn came for Esther…”
(Esther 2:15)

Esther had her turn, Jesus…

…and this life is mine.

One shot.

One moment in time to learn how to

love
laugh
live

grieve
repent
return

One chance to make a difference.
One opportunity to lay up heavenly treasure.

I won’t pass this way again.
I don’t have a hundred lives to figure this thing out.

You’ve given me this single, priceless gift.

I get to decide:

do it alone

or with You.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Job 14:5; Job 14:14; Psalms 27:4; Psalm 139:16; Isaiah 38:20; Isaiah 63:9; Matthew 6:33; Acts 17:26

 Pray this Lazaroo with excuseless humility:

 “Endure hardship…”
(2 Timothy 2:3)

This is a command, isn’t it, Jesus?

Understandably so.

I don’t think I would volunteer for hardship.

At least…not knowingly.

Well, that’s not true, is it?

I’m willing to volunteer for hardship,,,
if the payoff is great enough.

That’s what You’re saying to me, isn’t it?

Endure hardship because it has a purpose.
One You promise will be worth it.

Got it.
I believe You.
Bring it on.

(But only as much as absolutely necessary.)

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Genesis 31:42; Nehemiah 9:32; Job 5:6; Lamentations 3:5; Romans 8:35; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; Hebrews 12:7

 Refuse to give up, as you pray this Lazaroo: 

“The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.”
(Nehemiah 3:3)

On July 18, 586 B.C., Nebuzaradan, commander of the Babylonian Imperial Guard, set fire to the temple of God and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.

I can’t imagine the horror Your people felt on that day, Jesus…
but oh, the joy when You enabled  them to rebuild!

Do it again, Jesus!

Wherever Satan has broken down my walls
enable me to rebuild.

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
2 Kings 25:1-21; Ezra 5:2; Nehemiah 2:5; Psalms 69:35; Isaiah 9:10; Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 60:10; Jeremiah 33:7; Acts 15:16

 Pray this Lazaroo in clear-eyed evaluation: 

“I urge, then, first of all…”
(1 Timothy 2:1)

What’s Your priority for this day, Jesus?

There are so many things piled high on my plate
so many things I feel responsible to do

or others believe I should do

more than I can possibly get done –

in part, because more keep getting added every day.

Most of them are going to go undone, aren’t they?

So, LORD…

if I can only accomplish one thing today
what would You like it to be?

[LISTEN to today’s Lazaroo by phoning 212-LAZAROO…or by clicking the PLAY button below:]

_________
Deuteronomy 5:7; 1 Kings 17:13; Daniel 10:21; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 23:23; Luke 17:25; Revelation 2:4-5