Praying through the Bible with Lindsey - Genesis 4

Read the Bible passage, then see the following prayer to take inspiration on how you might pray through this Scripture.

 

Genesis 4

(English Standard Version)

 

Cain and Abel

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” ² And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. ³ In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, ⁴ and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. ⁶ The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

 

⁸ Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. ⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” ¹⁰ And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. ¹¹ And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. ¹² When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” ¹³ Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. ¹⁴ Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. ¹⁶ Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

 

¹⁷ Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. ¹⁸ To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. ¹⁹ And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. ²⁰ Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. ²¹ His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. ²² Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

 

²³ Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
    you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say:
I have killed a man for wounding me,
    a young man for striking me.
²⁴ If Cain's revenge is sevenfold,
    then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold.”

 

²⁵ And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” ²⁶ To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

 

Prayer for Genesis 4

A prayer for my sons

 

Lord,

1-2) I can’t imagine the fear that went through Eve. She didn’t have any frame of reference for pregnancy or birth. She only knew it was a curse of pain. She only had You and her husband for support. How many times do I forget to rely on You in my pregnancies?! How many times do I forget that Your mercy provides support, help, strength, and courage? Remind me I do not need to spend nine months in anxiety – because You are with me. You have not changed; Your love and help for Eve will continue to me. I’m so thankful for Eve’s story. I depended on it so much with my first born. Every time my children are born, I always remember her words: “with the help of the Lord I have borne a man” Help me to remember that phrase my entire pregnancy and not just the end. The comfort it provides me at the end, I need throughout.

 

3-7) You have helped me deliver two sons, Lord, and You know I have a third son on his way to me. I pray for them that whatever line of work You planned for them, they will always give You credit. I want them to love You so much that they always give back to You. Help me foster that in their hearts. I pray they become responsible for their actions and humbled when they do wrong. I don’t want their anger to lead to sin. I want their anger to lead to You. I want them producing the fruit of Your spirit and not fruits of their flesh.

 

8-16) Cain is an example of living by the flesh. I know that when brothers both look to You, they can dwell in unity (Psalm 133). I want that for my boys. I want them to care for each other, encourage each other, and live in peace together with You. I know that’s possible because of You. I just pray with my whole heart they follow Your example. I don’t want them living in regret or shame or hatred. I don’t want them to be broken. I don’t want them to wander and go away from Your Presence. Could You keep them whole for me? I want them to be convicted to stop evil; nudge their hearts when they feel the need for vengeance. Remind them vengeance is not theirs but Yours to take.

 

17-24) Lord, provide my sons with godly women. I want so badly the life You can provide for them. I want them to experience the blessing of children and building a life together. May my sons and their wives raise more sons for Your kingdom and not for the world. I want all that my adult children and their children do in life to honor You. If it’s farming, art, engineering, whatever it may be, may it be for Your glory and expansion of Your kingdom. May my sons be the heads of their households the way You intend –leading with truth and grace and love.

 

25) Though pregnancy and raising children is painful and hard, it’s so full of blessings. Thank You for the opportunity. Thank You for fertility. Thank You for letting me call upon Your name for the whole process.

 

 

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