Monday, February 22 – Day 6

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God…to impart His life-giving Spirit

When Brother Charles asked me to write on day 6, he had no idea about 3 passions of my life. The first passion is “to impart His life giving spirit”. "I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me." ²²Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22 The second passion is the Athletic Industry. ²⁴You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! ²⁵Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. ²⁶I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. ²⁷I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. These 2 verses are life verses in my journey with God.

The third passion is praying for Haiti. I recently returned from Haiti as being part of the National Disaster Medical System. I deploy as a Dr of traumatic stress specializing in psychological disorders and as a Chaplain representing Christ in a faith based response to a disaster.

We are asked as a nation to seek God for the city. We are witnessing three events taking place right now under our eyelids; the Olympics, the devastation of a nation with catastrophic results of death, injuries, and loss, and the Holy Spirit available and willing to breathe life into the hearts of those drawing near to God. The prayers today encompass these three events.

I was schooled on faith in Haiti. I was surrounded by a people of faith because that is all they had. This is a nation that was maimed, lamed and shamed. This is a nation broken physically and emotionally. The Holy Spirit was imparting life all around me in a sea of death. I am humbled in pure faith and changed as a result. As we watch our Olympians compete and a nation survive an earthquake, my prayer is that we keep our purpose : seeking God, Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; disciplined in prayer, I do not fight like a man beating the air; and available for divine appointments, No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Lord Jesus, breathe life into our dead bones that we might rise from the depths of despair. Ignite a flame in us to consume those around us with your power and presence. May we learn lessons from the Olympians and Haitians in their journey for survival. May we become a city desperate for You. May we become a people humbled to a pure state of faith, hope and love.

Jim Coyle
Neighborhood Church, Cedar Rapids, IA

Monday, February 22 - Day 6

As I pray for the countries listed on the bottom of the page, it’s easy for them to become just a list of names—foreign sounding places I’ve never seen and probably never will visit. 

But today’s list includes Haiti.  I just returned from Haiti, and so it is easy to pray for this country.  I see the faces of children without parents.  I see people with broken bodies and empty stomachs.  I hear the noise of the crowds looking for help.  Haiti has become real to me because I have been there myself. 

Yet each of these countries is filled with people who are loved by God.  He knows their names.  He sees their faces.  He hears their prayers.  Each country has people who cry out to God; each country has people who shut God out of their lives.

As we pray for God to impart his life-giving spirit wherever it is needed, try not to read through the names of countries as if they are some impersonal list.  Try to imagine what it must be like for those who live in these countries.  God loves these people every bit as much as he loves you and I. 

And who knows…someday we may meet them as we gather around the throne of God. 

Father, may your Spirit bring life to the many around the world who are spiritually dead.  

Terry Seufferlein

Central Church of Christ