Saturday, March 27 – Day 39

Seeking His Peace Among All Peoples

Seek God…for Christ’s Lordship to be welcomed by the nations

Seek God On Behalf Elderly People

The prayer walking suggestion for today is to pray at a retirement community or an extended care facility.

I may be going out of a limb here a little, but “elderly” is sometimes a perception. When I was 20 I thought 60 was really old. Come to think of it, when I was 43 I had no idea that I would be able to do the things I am now doing. Amazing! Perception! Now, I’m almost 64 and it doesn’t seem old at all….well, most days anyway.

Where am I going with this? The label ‘retirement community’ does not necessarily mean a lack of ability or a sound mind or a lack of willingness to be involved; nor should it.

At our combined annual meeting for the Mission America Coalition and CityReachers we were all challenged by a ‘young man’ in his mid-twenties. The moderator was thanking this ‘young man’ for being with the 250 of us, asking God for more young men and women to join us (kind of carrying on about us being, well, ‘old.’) when the young man was asked to share with all of us his thoughts on the week.

He challenged us to stop thinking as though we were about to become useless! Wasn’t Caleb over 80 when he took the high country?! Wasn’t this person over 70 when he….?! Wasn’t this person…??? He continued with sentences like “we all need each other…” I say like as I really can’t tell you what he said but I can tell you the impression it made on me.

The Holy Spirit brought scriptures to me like “he who endures to the end.” I am often tired of the battle, struggle, fight, and warfare (all scriptural words). I don’t think 64 but most often my daily capacity to work betrays my chronological age and the 37 years of enduring and fighting the good fight. However, we who are over 60 or 70 or 80 have an important part in this fight!

We are closer to the return of Christ that we all know. As we prepare to celebrate Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and RESURRECTION DAY, Easter, I have an idea for us all.

Let’s take the high country!

Brother Charles

Serve The City

Friday, March 26 – Day 38

Seeking His Peace Among All Peoples
Seek God…to gather all peoples in worship

As I read and prayed over today's topic, my first thought was of the prayer service that will take place on Day 38. I pray that this will be the first of many opportunities for congregations within the city of Cedar Rapids to come and worship the Lord together. As the body of Christ gathers together in love, we will be an example for others and show them the unity and love that can only be found in Christ Jesus. In John 17, Jesus prayed that the body of Christ would be one:

²⁰Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; ²¹That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. ²²And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: ²³I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:20-23)

As those who don't know Christ look at us, they should compelled to draw closer to the Lord because the love and unity that they see among the body of Christ. We should be joined together to accomplish the work of the Lord. In Acts Chapter 2 we see that there are great results when we come together on one accord:

¹And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ²And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Let us continue to pray that God would unite us all!

God Bless

LS
Greater Word of Faith Pentecostal COGIC

Sunday, March 23 – Day 33

Seeking His Peace Among All Peoples

Seek God…..for Christ to bless the nations with peace.

In the New Testament prayer today, one of the suggested prayers is “For trust to be restored between the diverse peoples that may dwell in your neighborhood.”

I was recently part of a funeral where those coming to support the grieving Haitian family were from 13 different nations. That was a very special day that I will never forget. As I moved from table to table in order to meet as many fellow Believes as I could; there was the common bond of Jesus The Christ at each table. We shared stories and grieved and laughed together. I could not help but be filled with great joy.

Families from three different nations had lived in the same neighborhood in Cedar Rapids and remained friends after moving in different directions. Others had met in support groups while others had met in different activities.

The Lord has brought “the nations” to Eastern Iowa for those of us that cannot travel abroad. As we pray the prayers today, may we purpose in our heart to seize the moment and see with our spiritual eyes the opportunities we have to be a house of prayer for all the nations - - as well as in practical….caring….actions.

Brother Charles

Serve The City

Sunday, March 23 – Day 33

Seeking His Peace Among All Peoples

Seek God…..for Christ to bless the nations with peace.

As I have read and prayed about "Ethnic Communities" today I was particularly struck by the prayer for "the peace of Christ to become a new factor at work in situations of longstanding racial tension." I think of the conflict that continues between various ethnic communities in this country due to past racial injustices. I am reminded that it is truly only Jesus that can bridge this divide; for Jesus is the great reconciler because He reconciled sinners with a righteous and holy God.

It is through who Jesus is and what He has done for us that broke down barriers between Jews and Gentiles in the early Church. Jesus continues to break down barriers even into the present day. He who makes the dead alive can bring peace from any ethnic conflict that exists. Though conflict will continue to be with us until Jesus' return, let us work to focus others on their need for Jesus for their salvation. Let us pray that as we witness to those of different physical ethnicities that they do not see us, but rather see Him.

God Bless,

JB

Cedar Valley Bible

Friday, March 19 – Day 31

Seeking His Righteousness In Our Communities

Seek God….to establish righteous leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 indicates that a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty is the result of Christians praying on the behalf of all who are in authority. If we walk after the flesh we fall into criticism of those in authority, but if we walk after the spirit we will intercede on behalf of those in authority. We affect what type of society we will find ourselves living in. If we are not leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, we need to examine our prayer life. God has given us a clear path to follow. The hearts of those in authority are in God’s hands - he’s waiting to hear from us.

TE

Jordan’s Grove Baptist

Monday March 15 - Day 27

Seeking His Righteousness In Our Communities
Seek God…to intervene to bring forth justice.

“Oh Lord, reshape our minds to value Your goodness. Penetrate our hearts with Your compassion.”

So we express our faith by presenting the same appeals for justice before Your court, day after day.” Page 42.

Please look at the circle at the top of the page 42. Today is “day 2” of the theme “Seeking His Righteousness In Our Communities.” Please notice that the city in the circle is in darkness and the light is off to the side and partial. Each day the light moves to the center toward the top of the buildings and becomes brighter.

The lesson we can graphically see from this illustration is that one prayer on a topic most often is not enough. God is a God of persistence, and we are called to be like Him. Daniel prayed ‘through’ for 21 days and finally an angel from heaven arrived with his message. The angel messenger needed help from Michael, one of the chief princes. Daniel was participating in warfare in the heavens. (…Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth…) We are called to the same perseverance, day after day.

Another illustration of perseverance is found in II Kings 13:14:19. Elisha told King Joash to strike the ground with the arrows in his hand. The King struck the ground 3 times “and the man of God was angry with him.” “You should have struck the ground 5 or 6 times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it.” (total victory)

Don’t hold back! Go for total victory in your prayer life! As the circle at the top of each illustrates, let us ‘strike the ground’ with the arrows of prayer that we hold in our heart and speak with our mouth….day after day until the picture the Lord has given us is clear, bright and complete.

Charles Daugherty
Serve The City

Monday, March 15 – Day 27

Seeking His Righteousness In Our Communities
Seek God…to intervene to bring forth justice

Day after day we see injustice; we hear injustice; we feel injustice. The sights and sounds of injustice flood our lives from every direction -coming from neighborhoods, family, work-places, radio, TV...... Sometimes before I get too anxious about it all, I know I just need to turn off the TV and instead re-focus myself on who God is. He is the God of justice. His Word says so. His promises are true. His character shows it and His love reassures us that at some point His justice will be done in every situation. "Vengeance is mine...says the Lord" (Hebrews 10:30). Even as we see people continue their wicked ways in cauldrons of evil, we know that at the end of their days they will have to stand before a righteous, holy Judge (God) and give account for their lives. .....talk about having a bad day!

But in the meantime - I can, you can, as a community of believers we can cry out to God Almighty for Him to break the schemes of the enemy and overthrow evil. We can know that we are heard when we appeal to the Lord for His goodness and His love to intervene in our city, our courts and our legislatures. There is no God like our God. He is worthy to be praised.

Tawnya Gardener
The Salvation Army

Sunday March 14 - Day 26

Seeking His Righteousness In Our Communities
Seek God…to bring blessing through righteousness.

Today’s OT prayer concerning Sodom is both inspiring and convicting. God will show grace and mercy to SO many if only a FEW would walk in righteousness! Of the hundreds and hundreds in Sodom, God would spare the city if only 10 righteous could be found. So sad! Lot had not been a believable witness of the Living God…even to his two future son-in-laws who found him to be “jesting” when he warned them to flee the city…and they perished in the city.

Over the last 30 years I have traveled the eastern half of Iowa calling on business after business. I was always amazed at the grace God had given so many businesses to actually still be “‘in business.” Their ethics were questionable, their business practices were lacking, morale down…..and yet they were still operating. Why? I would always find Believers that were praying for that company. Some were employees, some were family members of the employees while still others were connected to that company in various manners.

The Lord is calling us to a more active roll these days; prayer, then care while being ready to share when appropriate. We recently heard a report of two companies located in Houston Texas. In company A the employees that were many Believers did not connect with each other, may have prayed, but were mostly silent in their day to day lives. The company closed at a great loss to the city, to so many families and to investors across the nation.

In company B, two employees that were Believers (from different congregations) began to meet and pray for their company that was in trouble. The asked this question: “Why are we here?” Slowly their numbers grew. They asked God for His wisdom to bring proposals to management at the right time and with the right attitude. Their proposals were adopted and the company made a complete turn around. In the right time, they presented a proposal that would allow employees to volunteer on a project in the community during company business hours with no interruption to their pay. The proposal was agreed to. This company continues to prosper. The company is serving their city.

Locally, in Linn County, one man praying is the reason (my perspective) that the company he works for is still holding on. One man!

Can we ask the question? What are we here for? Why not look for others in our work place that are Believers and begin to pray for our companies, supervisors, owners and investors? Why not?

As we do so, we become an answer to one of the sentences in our OT prayer for today. “As You transform our lives in Christ’s righteousness, even though we are few, bring about some of the great, long-promised blessing upon the entire city.”

Indeed! Why not?

Charles Daugherty
Serve The City

Saturday, March 13 – Day 25

Seeking His Glory in Evangelizing All Peoples.
Seek God…for God to be worshipped by all peoples.

I know that God has answered, is answering and will further answer this prayer in the days ahead…..and we get to participate in the answer!

Pray Globally – Gather Locally!

We have celebrated the Global Day Of Prayer (GDP) twice. GDP originated in South Africa in 2001 when 45,000 gathered to pray for their nation. In 2002 a little over 350,000 gathered in 6 nations in Africa, then 22 nations the next year, then all of Africa, then across the globe until their were over 400 million praying in 2006.

As we celebrated locally in 2007, we had Believers praying in their native tongue representing the following nations or language: in addition to English (America and Australia) we lifted up prayers in Chinese, German, Fijian, Korean, Shona (Zimbabwe), Nagaland, Nigerian, Portuguese, Samoan, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Mexico), Swahili (Kenya), and Telegu (India). Thirteen (13) different nationalities plus English! I could not understand what the words were but I could understand the cry of the heart as each one prayed….at times I cried but at all times I understood the call of the Spirit. When we gather this way, it is an amazing experience.

In the OT prayer for today, the second to last prayer sentence is: “Gather willing worshippers from the diverse peoples in our city.” We were an answer to that prayer. We will continue to be an answer to that prayer! “Oh Lord God, we want to be that House of Prayer For The Nations that You desire us to be. Help us answer the call!”

This year, May 23^rd, is the date set for Believers praying the same prayers all across the globe for a world that God has given us to pray for, care for and share with.

We are determining if we are called to do this here again. Would you like to take part in such a gathering? Let us know at prayer@servethecity.org Please put in the subject line: “GDP 2010” and give us your phone number!

Charles Daugherty
Serve The City

Wednesday, March 10 – Day 22

Seeking His Glory in Evangelizing All Peoples
Seek God…to be recognized and honored by leaders.
Seek God On Behalf of Government Leaders

As Christians we are to serve and honor our Lord in all we do, and seek to glorify Him. Our thoughts and behaviors in the political and governmental realm are included in that. How easy it is to jump on the media bandwagon – conservative or liberal – and use our voices to tear down politicians whose views don’t agree with ours. How many emails do you receive each week, forwarding a cartoon, column or essay berating a politician or the government? And how many times do we forward this type of material along to others! I can only imagine how my heart and mind would be transformed if I spent the time I waste on watching political television programs or listening to radio talking heads, praying for those government officials instead! And I mean truly caring about and praying for their salvation! And for Christians in government, praying that their hearts would always make decisions that line up with Scripture and that they would be infused with the power of the Holy Spirit to be Godly leaders in their public and private lives. When I wonder just how involved believers should be in government – and the opinions are vast – I know that prayer is the type of involvement that the Lord always views as right!

Kathryne Oates
Isaac Newton Christian Academy

Monday, March 8 – Day 20

Seeking His Glory in Evangelizing All Peoples
Seek God....that His people would reflect His great name.

In his classic book The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer states that when God created our world he first created things. Then, he created mankind. The things became very important to man. These things became so important to our first parents that they denied God and sought things. They sinned against God and brought death as a penalty on us all.

In the cover letter for the Seek GOD for the CITY 2010 booklet states the same thing. “Prayers focused on needs [things] can gradually shrink to selfish wish-lists concerning our own circumstances.” Let’s pray that we do not concentrate on the needs [things] of others in the world, but on the spread of God’s grace and life to all. In these trying times, it is very easy to dwell on things instead of true spiritual needs.

It says in the Bible that God so loved the world that he gave His only son to die for us. It does not say he died for us to give us things.

Pastor John Bailey

Family of Faith Community

Monday, March 8 – Day 20

Seeking His Glory in Evangelizing All Peoples
Seek God....that His people would reflect His great name.

What makes people NOT want to glorify God? It is “mind boggling” to me that anyone would want to “slip away” from God – yet didn’t I 30 years ago? Didn’t I accept Jesus in my heart at the age of 20 and then turn away?

It took me 20 some years to turn back to God. In those years of being selfish, self-centered, condemning and sinful how did I turn back? It was POWER of PRAYER! I had a wonderful Aunt who prayed for me for those years. I had a Mother, who knew that I was lost, but had to turn me over to God because she didn’t know what to do. Then one day this woman came up to me and asked me if she could pray for me! Yes, a complete stranger who saw that I needed prayer. That night I knew that I needed a Savior. God worked in my life that day, but of course many times in those lost years He was working, but I was so blind.

So, for anyone who knows a person who is back sliding, a person that is NOT giving God glory – STOP right there and pray for that person. Go to that person if possible and ask them if you can pray for them. You may be that “saint” that God is using for HIS GLORY.

A. O.
Valley View

Friday, March 5 – Day 17

Seeking His Light to Awaken the Lost
Seek God....for God to overwhelm spiritual power of darkness.

“This day we are praying that the Lord overwhelm the spiritual powers that hold millions captive in our land, Indeed, Lord, you know these powers hold untold millions in all lands. We know that you are omnipotent, that no power can stand up to you. Untie the burdens of those we know and the many we don't know. Help us to be as effective as we can in this spiritual warfare, to turn many to the light.

Help us, also, to be earnest in praying for each nation, no matter how small. After all, you care for each of us. How much more do you care for the hundreds in even the smallest country.

Thank you that you do care. Help us to do our part.”

Grant Carpenter,
Oakland Church of the Nazarene / His Hands Free Medical Clinic / Aid to Women

Saturday, February 27 – Day 11

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God…to bring life from His people to the world
Seek God on behalf of Health Care Workers

Today I am thinking of the His Hands Free Medical Clinic on 3rd Avenue. It is faith based and connected to congregations in the area. Prayer support is available for the patients.

The physicians, nurses, pharmacy, clerical and prayer support volunteers are ‘servants’ and examples of what we are praying for today. They are, in fact, conduits of God’s life to others – serving their patients with respect and honor releasing dignity to them. Therefore, certain phrases in today’s prayer become a reality in the clinic. […life-giving river…releasing reviving power….boundless transforming power…deepest yearnings…sources of healing what is broken.]

As a result, their patients are impacted by God’s love and we see transfers of attitudes in some patients from humiliation to dignity, or from entitlement (result of fear) to gratitude, or from anger to tears of happiness and in some impatience to peace.

PLEASE pray the prayers listed for today with passion! Pray for their protection. As you pray, you become part of the answer to this question. What if every health care worker became a conduit of God’s life and love to those hurting in every community in this nation? What if indeed… Go for today’s prayers with all of heaven you have in you.

Brother Charles
Serve The City

Friday, February 26 – Day 10

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church

Seek God….for God to Unite His People

Recently an elderly woman requested help, from the church body, with moving. She was moving from a second floor apartment (with an elevator) to a third floor apartment without an elevator. Every piece of her furniture felt like a lead bar was hidden in it by the time we had finished. I am happy to report that nearly every man in church showed up and helped her move. It was a lot of work but we had a great time joking with each other during and after that move. I've always said that if you ever want to know how many people really love you, invite them to help you move. The ones that show up, really love you. That statement is not meant to be cynical but, it is the essence of love. Love is a choice and many times a sacrifice. Love is sacrificing your time, your energy, your money and a kind word with those you love, with strangers, and even with that special someone who annoys you.

As I grow older and hopefully wiser it becomes more and more clear as to how simple the Gospel really is. It's all about love. Jesus broke it down when he answered the Pharisee's lawyer's question of what is the greatest commandment. Jesus simply answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Two things I've learned about loving others is, you really end up loving people you sacrifice for; and God doesn't grow your love for others through the prayer: "Oh God, help me love others", he grows your love for others when you're obedient to his commandment to love others.

Michael Parsons
Oakhill Jackson Community

Thursday, February 25 – Day 9

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God....for His people to love and obey Him

"I have set before you life and death...so choose life in order that you and your children may live..." Deuteronomy 30:19-20

How many choices do we make every day? Do we choose daily to live boldly as a people saved by grace? A people saved to live a life of love? Some choices are more earth shattering and more life changing than others. Yet God shapes our lives through the choices we make.

Choices can be personal, every day decisions. Some are on a larger scale, made in community. As a nation, we choose men and women to lead us and to make choices that affect the whole nation, and even the entire planet. Lord God, Your church makes choices on a national level, regional level and congregational level. Have mercy on us and those who lead us...together may we be obedient to You alone, and not fall prey to foolish distractions.

When face to face with a choice, should we rely on our own wisdom and intellectual prowess, or do we rely on unsearchable wisdom from a higher, infinite source? Romans 11:33 is one of my favorite doxologies...Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

Let us choose to pray, to have a conversation with this God who sets before us life and death, and gives us the freedom to choose...life with Him or death! Let us believe that prayer makes a difference. The Lord our God is always near to His people, His chosen ones. God speaks to all who will hear.

As a mother with young adult children in a conflicting world where a battle is being waged for souls, my most passionate prayer from today's prayer guide is for each of my children to love God with all their heart, hear God’s voice directing their lives, sense the touch of His hand, and cling to Him every day. O Lord, may they stand firm in their faith, that worldly pleasures and the ruler of this age have no power over them. Let us all pray for today's generation, tomorrow's leaders.

Every day, I pray God will help me to make life-giving, love-giving choices. Father in heaven, may each and every one of us, Your beloved people, choose life today! May we turn our affections daily away from worldly treasures and “the seductive powers of this age” we live in, and toward You, the One who still comes to be at the heart of us and to lead us in finding our way. Amen.

Kim Drischell
St. Mark’s Lutheran

Wednesday, February 24 – Day 8

Seeking His Life to Revive the Church
Seek God....to purify His people

When George Washington was about 20 years old, he filled a little book he titled Daily Sacrifice with prayers written in his own hand. An entry for Sunday Evening reads like this:

“O most glorious God… I acknowledge and confess my faults; in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins, but so coldly and carelessly that my prayers are become my sin and stand in need of pardon. I have heard thy holy word, but with such deadness of spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer… But, O God, who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not, I beseech Thee, what I have done amiss; remember that I am but dust, and remit my transgressions, negligences and ignorances, and cover them all with the absolute obedience of Thy dear Son, that those sacrifices (of sin, praise and thanksgiving) which I have offered may be accepted by Thee, in and for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered upon the Cross for me.” *

When we, like this great President, are honest enough to tell ourselves and God that our “prayers have become our sin”, we will know that the Spirit of Truth has been doing some real “surgery” in our lives. May we live in such sensitivity to the Spirit that we can experience His refining and purifying power at all times.

*Excerpted from the Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel

Bernie Hayes
Noelridge Park Church

Wednesday, February 24 - Day 8

Wow! What else could I say to express how powerful the words are that the Psalmist uses in Psalm 51:7, 10? Powerful words like “purify me”, “wash me”, “create in me”, and “renew… within me” in order that I “shall be clean”, “whiter than snow”, possessing a “clean heart” and a “steadfast spirit”. These are words that require transparency and expect transformation. Maybe the honest question for us is whether we’re ready for either.

We’re in the eighth day of our 40 days of prayer and the call to pure hearts has to be embraced or ignored. Ignoring the call is like saying, “Jesus, I know this is what you want but there is only so far I’ll go in following you.” Embracing the call requires of us a bold action like I find with David in the 139^th Psalm. In this Psalm it is as though we get to step into David’s personal chambers and listen to him think out loud about God.

In all the insight we are privileged to gleam from David nothing may be as important to us during these 40 days of prayer as verses 23 and 24 of Psalm 139. It is in these verses that David, as it were, gives God permission to, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” When I use the word “permission” some of us cringed because we know that God can do whatever he chooses. But we also know that God is a gentleman and he doesn’t force himself on us. So, after David revels in the wonders of God’s consuming presence, and gets excited about the potential he has with God he gives God permission to examine his life and if necessary realign it with His.

I wonder if in these 40 days of prayer if what we may need to do is give God permission to search us and know our hearts; to test us and know our anxious thoughts. To see if there is any offensive way in us so that He can purify our hearts and lead us in the way everlasting? So, does God really have permission to do that in your life?

Pastor Tim Carter, First Church Of The Nazarene

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”