Thursday, March 25 – Day 37

Seeking His Peace Among All Peoples
Seek God…to calm the storm of war.
Seek God On Behalf Of The Military

“A Centurion” mentioned in today’s passage from Matthew reminds me of the “The Centurion” mentioned (Matthew 27) who stood at the foot of the cross. After seeing the manner in which Christ died was the first to say “Truly this was the Son of God.” Today we pray for the 500,000 plus/minus of our soldiers plus family members that are deployed in 120 nations. Nations that we have been praying for over these 40 days.

What if…revival continued to grow in our military?
What if indeed.

As Iowa prepares to send the largest deployment of our National Guard soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan over the summer, we have a practical way of demonstrating the love of Christ to them. We are providing a 9-hour workshop Making Your Marriage Deployment Ready on April 16^th and 17^th. If you know of someone that is married and will possibly be deployed this year, encourage them to attend this amazing workshop.

For $20 per couple they receive two manuals, a commemorative coin, free childcare, Friday night dessert, and a hearty lunch on Saturday! Catch all the details at www.servethecity.org on the events page!

Brother Charles
Serve The City

Tuesday, February 23 – Day 7

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God....for Christ's resurrection power

Seek God on behalf of Marriages

When I think about marriage - I specifically think of my marriage - I waited a long time to get married - I wanted it so bad - but never thought I was good enough. I was 32 years old when I met my husband and we didn't get married until I was 34 years old. I remember Christmas of 2003. I couldn't wait to open my Christmas present from him - it was a ring - but not an engagement ring - I was crushed. I knew that the reason my "boyfriend" was dating me was because I professed to be a Christian, so I continued to watch my Christian friends that have had successful marriages and asked them what I should do - their answer was simple – “keep the relationship focused on Christ.” That next Thanksgiving I was engaged and married on Christmas Eve.

Five years later – I couldn’t love my husband more – and as we continue to follow that advice to keep Jesus at the center of our relationship, I also pray for so many relationships that aren’t centered on Christ, and end. It saddens my heart to hear of adultery, domestic abuse, and divorce when I know God has so much more for us. So in my prayer time – I am seeking God on behalf of all marriages, (like my parents who have been married for 44 years, and a couple at church married 55+ years and the couples that are planning their marriages for this year –that they all focus on Christ).

Lord my prayer for your resurrection power is that you would be with struggling couples and that you would place your hand on them and help all of us to resurrect our marriages, make all of them stronger (even those that appear to be strong). Help us to re-listen to the vows we made when we said I do. “Until DEATH do us part.”

God Bless you all!
S.H.

Tuesday, February 23 – Day 7

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God....for Christ's resurrection power

Seek God on behalf of Marriages

As they moved briskly through the quiet, cool, early morning air the two women dare not speak. The sun glistened across the dew drenched olive branches and combined with the early morning fog, any ordinary morning one would stop and enjoy the serenity. But, this was not an ordinary morning and there was little to stop and enjoy. In Luke’s account of the story of the Resurrection of Jesus, he deliberately used the words, “…very early in the morning….” Whether it was a sleepless night, a hint of hope, or just part of the grieving process, these two women got up early and went deliberately to what they envisioned to be a closed tomb (indicated by the spices they brought).

As I was reading in our prayer guide that our focus of prayer was on Christ’s resurrection power, specifically on behalf of marriages, I was quickly drawn to Luke’s account of Resurrection morning. I had one of those moments where the following words found in Luke 1:6 jumped off the page and slapped me in the face, “Remember how He told you.…” I can almost sense an impatient frustration on behalf of the angels as they cannot fathom why the two women would doubt the promise of resurrection given by the Creator of the universe.

I just got off the phone with a man I am mentoring who is ready to throw in the towel on his marriage. He had already begun his journey to the tomb, called divorce, ready to bury the promise of God behind a stone of pain, bitterness, and regret. In our conversation, I found the Holy Spirit guiding me to pray the resurrection power of Christ over his marriage. What seems lifeless, hopeless, and meaningless is confronted with the words, “Remember how He told you….”

Our prayer today is for the countless marriages represented in this city that desperately need to hear the words, “Remember”. Remember, that Jesus is the Resurrected Savior who has overcome death and the grave. Remember that on the third day, in the darkest hour, there is hope, there is life, and there is a new day!

Pastor Dave DeHaan
Community Life Pastor, First Assembly of God
“Where Faith Comes To Life”