Praying the Shema

Morning, afternoon and evening – at least 3 times a day the Jewish people recite the central prayer to Judaism. This is known as the Shema. In Hebrew, this word means – HEAR or give earnest heed. However, Hebrew is not an abstract language like our English language. One word can have an alternating or multifaceted meaning. This word can also be translated as OBEY. When Yeshua was asked what is the chief of the commandments, He quoted the Shema and Love thy neighbor. [see blog post: Roots - The Great Commandment & Roots – Love Thy Neighbor]

Many years ago, I put into practice reciting this at least upon arising and before retiring for bed. Albeit, it was just a mantra. I would try to meditate on each line, but it still seemed canned and ritualistic. However, recently, I began to research scriptures to identify with each line and this mantra truly then became a prayer. Hopefully, this will inspire you on your path of righteousness.

Hear, O Israel:

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:8)

Be ye hearers of the word, and not doers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)
Therefore whosoever hearth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them... (Matt 7:24)
Blessed are they that do His commandments... (Rev 22:14)

the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, and we by Him. (I Cor. 8:6)
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph 4:4-5)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (I Tim 2:5)

And you shalt love the Lord you God with all you heart,

Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 51:10 )

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh YHVH my Rock and my Redeemer. (Ps. 19:14)
I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart.(Ps. 9:1)
[I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.
With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.
Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
I entreated Thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy Word.
I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart.
Let my heart be sound in Thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord.] (Excerpts from Ps. 119)

Many other Psalms may be found in your concordance dealing with the heart.

Proverbs says, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Pro. 4:23)

Yeshua said, “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man. (Mt. 15:18-20)

and with all your soul,

The word for soul in Hebrew is NEFESH. It is widely used in a sense to encompass appetite, desire, lust, the mind, pleasure either negatively or positively. The ancient Hebrews often referred to 'afflicting the soul' which meant to abstain from food. Hence our soul is the part of our being that is responsible for desires delights and affections. “He satisfieth the hungry soul with goodness – Ps 107:9”

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Ps. 103:1)

But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate day and night. (Ps 1:2)
I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word. (Ps. 119:16)
Thy testimonies are my delight and my counselors. ( '' '' 24)
Make me to go in the way of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight. ('' '' 35)
And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved. ('' '' 47)
Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. ('' '' 92)
O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. ('' ''97)
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do i not forget thy law ('' '' 109)
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for Thy commandments. ('' ''131)
My soul hath kept Thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. ('' '' 167)
As the deer panteth for the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. (Ps. 42:1)
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: (Ps. 84:2)
The desire of the righteous is only good. (Pro 11:23)
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. (Pro. 13:19)

Set your affections on things above and not on things on the heart. (Col. 3:2)

Yeshua said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Mt. 6:21)

 and with all your might.

The word for might in Hebrew is M'ohd. It means so much more than strength or power. In fact, Jewish translation often translate it as resources, as our might (or labor) brings profit and increase.

Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. (Pro. 3:9)

And whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might... (Ec. 9:10)
And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (Col. 3:23)
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men... (Eph. 6:7)

And you shall love you neighbor as yourself.

Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

David was a man after God's own heart. You will find over and over again, Psalms that ring out these points – whole heart, all your soul and all your might. I challenge you to incorporate this formula in your prayers, just as we studied on the Lord's prayer.

The Guardian of Wisdom

On the lips of the intelligent

Wisdom is found

And in keeping of silence

The mind is sound

A treasure jewel

Is a word to the wise

As an adorning jewel

Between the eyes

Written as a reminder

On tables of the heart

Is the words of Torah

In the hidden parts

Bound as a sign upon the hands

A covenant to keep is His commands

Protect the commandments

With all your strength

And they shall guard

Your steps at length

For the law is a lamp

The commandments a light

And those who watch over them

Shall be called the Upright.

By: Jonathan Hollis

The Discipline of Wisdom

Wisdom was created before all the works of old

She is more valuable than rubies

Her wealth is more than fine gold

She gives knowledge to the young

Understanding to the wise

Subtility to the simpl

Simplicity is her guise

The first man knew her not perfectly

No more shall the last find her out

The fear of the Almighty is the beginning of wisdom

The Angel of the Lord camps round about

He who studies early finds wisdom

Understanding guides his steps

Justice guards his decisions

Judgment teaches him precepts

A wise man keepeth silence when he knows not what to say

He guides his affairs with discretion

He watches over his way

The instruction of wisdom shall teach thee

The knowledge of understanding shall be thy guide

The discipline of wisdom shall keep thee

In parables of knowledge shalt thou hide.

Walk not in the way of the sinner.

Give not counsel to a foolish man.

Guard the Order with all thy heart.

Transgress not the Chief Command:

Love the Almighty with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy labor

The second commandment is namely this:

"As thyself, thou shalt love thy neighbor."

Trust in the Almighty with all thy heart

and lean not to thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him;

and He shall guide thee with His commanding.

By: Jonathan Hollis

The Treasure of Wisdom

Where is the source of understanding?

And where shall wisdom be found?

By His wisdom He founded the Earth.



By His understanding the Heavens abound.

From whence then cometh wisdom?

As for understanding, where is her place?

From His mouth proceeds knowledge and understanding.

From He alone comes wisdom and grace.

To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed?

To whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been manifest?

The root of wisdom is to fear the Almighty

In the heart of him that has understanding does wisdom rest.

That which hath been is now,

and that which shall be is already come.

Declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient time the things not yet done.

For every purpose there is a time

To everything there is a season

The Almighty created the heavens and the earth

and worketh all things after His reason. 

By: Jonathan Hollis

A Wise Man

Integrity is the testimony of the righteous

An honest heart is his delight

For whatsoever he doeth,

He doeth with all his might.

He studies the Torah with diligence

When he arises the morning prayers are said.

When he eats he blesses the Almighty

He prayeth the psalms before going to bed.

A wise man prays in season.

He delays not to pay his vow.

He neglects not to help the needy.

Before an image he doth not bow.

He blesseth the poor in the poverty.

He visits the sick in their bed.

He helps the widows and orphans.

With his neighbor he mourns their dead.

He teacheth the simple his wisdom.
He strives not with a foolish mind.

He keeps his hand from evil.

To his neighbor his words are kind.

 By: Jonathan Hollis

Blessed is he that considereth the poor:

The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.

Psalm 41:1

The Torah

Like a tree so is the Torah

With roots buried deep in the ground

The storms of doubt strengthen tradition

Where wisdom and knowledge abound

The seed of the Torah is the hope of wisdom

Sprouts of knowledge and truth

Watered by tears, warmed by the Light

of Traditions learned from youth

The trunk is prophets and sages

Bringing wisdom from heaven to earth

Transporting the Light from the heavenlies

Through traditions we've learned from birth

The leaves of the tree tell of other worlds

And knowledge of the Torah above

Nestled in the branches are beautiful fruits:

Gentleness, peace, joy and love.

 By: Jonathan Hollis

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that brings forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

 and whatsoever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:3

Deliver Us From Evil

Jesus prayed, "I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil." (John 17:15) The same apostle that heard this prayer and recorded it for us, told us: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:16-17) Jesus told His disciples, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(John16: ) Again, John told us, "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4)

The Apostle Paul told us, "We walk BY FAITH and not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) Hebrews 11:1 Tells us what faith is: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." "We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." (Romans 8:24-25) "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things whicha re not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Corthians 4:18)

Hebrews 11 gives us many examples of what it means to walk BY FAITH. I think one of the greatest examples of faith is that of Abraham. Romans 4 uses Abraham as an example of faith and belief. It says of him, "(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before Him whom he believed, even God, who quickens (Brings to life) the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope..." (Romans 17-18a)

When Abraham was called upon by God to sacrifice Isaac, he knew that the same God Who spoke and gave him the promised son, could again raise him from the dead, if He so pleased. This is where Abraham looked "afar off". Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56) Abraham walked BY FAITH and BY FAITH he overcame every doubt.

Jesus told us He's already overcome the world... We just have to believe in Him and BY FAITH we can overcome this world, as well. There's no great victory in God taking you out of the world, but there is GREAT victory in God delivering you from the evil of this world. "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" (II Peter 2:9)

This is the promise that he gave to the overcoming believer: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in  His throne.  (Revelations 3:21)

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

I think the following Scriptures sum up this portion of the prayer.


Temptations
For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth..." Gen 8:21

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who has subjected the same in hope. (Roms8:20) Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. (James 1:12) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise...(I Peter 1:6-7) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: (I Peter 2:12) There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it. (I Cor 10:13) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched by the feeling of our infirmitities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest in me. (I Cor 12:9) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations works patience; and patience experience; and experience hope: and hope makes not ashamed. (Roms 5:3-5)

Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted of God:" for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts, and enticed. (James 1:13-14) For I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin in my memebers; (Roms7:23) for the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other so that you cannot do the things that you would. (Gal 5:17)

Know you not that to whom you yeild yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey? (Roms 6:16) For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. (I John 2:16) When lust has conceived it brings forth sin, and sin when it is finished, brings forth death. (James 1:15)

But I keep under my body, and bring it under subjection, lest by any means, when I have preached unto others, I myself should become a castaway. (I Cor 9:27) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful unto me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (I Cor 6:12) For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage. (II Peter 2:19)

Spiritual Armor and Warfare
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not engangled again with the yoke of bondage, only use not liberty as an occaision to the flesh...(Gal 5:1) Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that is a warrior entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier.(II Tim 2:3-4) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Roms 13:12) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. (I Thes 5:8) For the weapsons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Cor 10:4-6)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against all the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prinicipalies, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the sheild of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. (Eph 6:10-17)

Forgive us...as we forgive our debtors.

One of the most powerful truths in the New Testament is locked up in this phrase of the Lord's prayer. You can't have forgiveness without forgiving. Jesus goes on in the next verse to tell us, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive NOT men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt 6:14. His forgiveness to us is contingent on our forgiving others. Consider the parable of the unforgiving servant: "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. "The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' "And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. "So, when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?' "And his lord was wroth, and delievered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." Matt 18:23-35 Notice, the servant asked for an extention on his loan, but instead, the master completely forgave the debt. God has promised that if we "confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrightesouness." I John 1:9 Not only that, He casts our sins in the sea of forgetfulness, as far as the East is from the West, never to be remembered against us. But we so often, hold a grudge or expectation against our fellow Christian that they somehow OWE us an apology.

God puts such a high premium on forgiveness. In Mark 11:22-26, Jesus is talking about the power of having faith when we pray. But in that context He alludes to us that if we don't forgive, God is not obligated even to hear our prayer. The Apostle Peter, in instructing husbands and wives, tells the husband to cherish and love his wife, "that your prayers be not hindered." I Peter 3:7 I wonder if that is one of the reasons why we don't see more miracles in the church, today. Paul tells us in I Cor 13:5 that love "Thinketh no evil." One translation interprets this as, "Love keeps no records of wrong doing."

I believe that God loves us so incredibly much, that if we sinned against him 490 times in one day and truly repented each time, He would forgive us 490 times. But if our brother sins against us 2 times in one day, we often say, "Well, I'll forgive you, but I won't forget." In other words, "I might forgive you, but I'll never trust you again." If we love our brother and sister as we love ourselves, we will forgive them EVERY time. But Jesus took this a step further. He said to love our enemies. Even the heathen and barbaric peoples love their own family and clan, but a true follower of the Messiah will "LOVE your enemies, BLESS them that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you, and PRAY for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Matt 5:44 Paul further explained this in Romans 12:20-21 "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." As the Jesus told the disciples when they questioned their ability to follow His teachings, "With men this is impossible; but with God ALL things are possible." Matt 19:26 We can't do this in ourselves. But if our faith is in Jesus and His work, and we have the Holy Ghost inside of us living His life through us, then we recognize, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phil 4:13 Why? Because it's not by human power or might, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts.

Give Us This Day our Daily Bread

Now, I want to take this in two different directions. The most obvious would be the physical side of things. In Philippians, the Apostle Paul reminds the believers that "our God shall supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory." Phil 4:19 When I pray this part of the prayer, I often think of the children of Israel wandering through the wilderness. Everyday, God gave them enough Manna to get them through that day. He also commanded them not to gather more than they needed for that day. Why would He have done that? He was teaching them to daily trust Him, daily for their needs.

Jesus taught us in the sermon on the mount, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will put on. Is not the life more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do the reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature? And why take you thought for clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith?

"Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'Wherewithal will we be clothed?' (For after all these things do the nations seek;) for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things. But you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." (Matt 6:25-33)

Need I say more? Paul said to Timothy: "When we have food and clothing, we shall be satisfied with these." (I Tim 6:8) Again, to the Philippian church, he said, "Not that I speak in respect of need, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil 4:11)

I could give countless Biblical examples - The widow and her son who's barrel never went empty. The widow who obeyed Elisha and filled the vessels with oil until she had enough to pay her debts. But I can think of examples in my own life - how I watched my mother pray and God send someone with groceries to our house or someone to give her money to pay a bill. God is always faithful to take care of our physical needs, if we serve Him in the greater things.

Now, the greater things I'm talking about are found in John chapter six. Jesus had just performed a great miracle before the people by multiplying the loaves and fishes which fed five thousand. The next day, the people come to Him asking for a sign. They reminded Him that Moses had given the people Manna. He reminded them that they also all died in the wilderness. But He promised to give them bread from heaven - Himself.

To a Jew, who's been taught all their life that eating human flesh and drinking any form of blood is a sin, this had to be a complete shock every part of their system! But He told them plainly that that was the only way to have eternal life. He said, "He that eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, dwells in Me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which came down from Heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live forever." John 6:56-58

So, was He commanding us to be cannibals? Many mistaken people take this to mean that when they eat communion bread and drink the wine it is His literal flesh and blood. But in verse 63, He explains Himself: "It is the Spirit that makes alive; the flesh profits nothing: the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are life." Take John 1 for another reference: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God. The same was in the beginning with God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-2, 14

Leviticus 17:11 tells us, "The life of the flesh is in the blood" and what is the life? It is the Spirit. Jesus was the Word. When the Word and the Spirit come together, It is a creative force.

So, now, when you pray, "Give us this day our daily bread" remember, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Deut 8:3. You are asking God to take care of your physical needs, as well as be "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man." Ephs 3:16