Move forward backed by all the power of his kingdom

Avoid conflict and stay behind his borders

Send a small delegation with no real force

Rely only on private negotiation instead of public power

He brings fair-sounding terms and follows through on them

He uses a woman as leverage in a destructive move

The arrangement does not last or help him

The arrangement gives him lasting support

He moves forward without the backing of his realm

Keep your word and treat people as persons, even when it slows your plans

Use pressure or leverage when the goal seems important enough

Make promises mainly to secure your own advantage

Avoid all hard decisions so you never have to influence anyone

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I have sinned by trusting my own strength and by using people for my own advantage. I turn from my sin and away from every false plan. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to lead my life in truth and mercy. Amen.

Receive Me, Lord Jesus

Lord, revive your Church where we have learned to admire strength but not truth. Turn us from manipulation, empty promises, and using people as means to an end. Make us a people of integrity, mercy, and faithful words, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Make Your People True

Father, I confess the times I have pressed, leveraged, or maneuvered others to get my way. Forgive me for caring more about winning than loving well. Cleanse my motives and teach me to act fairly and speak plainly, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Turn Me from Manipulation

Pray by naming one decision where you feel pressure to use influence or a shortcut. Ask God to show you the honest path, give you courage to choose it, and help you keep your word even if it costs you.

Pray for a Clean Decision

Pray for rulers, negotiators, managers, and anyone making decisions that affect others. Ask God to expose hidden agendas, protect people who could be used as leverage, and give leaders the courage to choose justice over advantage.

For Leaders and the Vulnerable

Thank God that harmful schemes do not last forever and that human power is not ultimate. Give thanks for every time he protects the vulnerable, frustrates deceit, and keeps faithfulness from being swallowed by manipulation.

Thanks for Plans That Do Not Stand

וְיָשֵׂ֣ם{ve-ya-SEM###veh-yah-SEHM###will set} פָּ֠נָיו{PA-naw###PAA-naw###his face} לָב֞וֹא{la-VO###lah-VOH###to come} בְּתֹ֧קֶף{be-TO-kef###beh-TOH-kehf###with strength} כָּל־מַלְכוּת֛וֹ{KOL-mal-khu-TO###KOHL-mal-khoo-TOH###all of his kingdom} וִישָׁרִ֥ים{vee-yah-sha-RIM###vee-yah-shaa-REEM###upright things} עִמּ֖וֹ{im-MO###ihm-MOH###with him} וְעָשָׂ֑ה{ve-a-SA###veh-ah-SAA###will do} וּבַ֤ת{u-VAT###oo-VAHT###and daughter of} הַנָּשִׁים֙{ha-na-SHIM###hah-naa-SHEEM###the women} יִתֶּן־ל֣וֹ{yih-TEN-LO###yih-TEN-LOH###will give to him} לְהַשְׁחִיתָ֔הּ{leh-hash-khee-TAH###leh-hash-khee-TAAH###to destroy her} וְלֹ֥א{ve-LO###veh-LOH###not} תַעֲמֹ֖ד{ta-a-MOD###tah-ah-MOHD###will stand} וְלֹא־ל֥וֹ{ve-lo-LO###veh-lo-LOH###and not to him} תִהְיֶֽה׃{tih-YEH###tih-YEH###will be}

Daniel 11:17 — Source TextTAB

More on this verse