Sunday, May 31, 2009

Dear Fellow Prayer Warriors,

Thanks for praying joining the body of Jesus to pray over the last two weeks. We have had 477 people join together to pray in this way. I feel led to continue these daily prayers during the month of June for two reasons.

First, I have enjoyed doing it. I am not sure I have done anything else as Senior Pastor that has given me as much satisfaction and sense of leading us spiritually. I have long desired to find a way to get more of us praying together. Hurray God!

Second, many of you have said let’s keep going. Some of you have said it has really helped you with your quiet times. Others have said it has helped you feel more connected to the bigger church. Still others have said that you have enjoyed praying scripture.

As I said, these two weeks ended today, May 31st. If you want to pray with us in this way for the month of June, you need to send me an email to this new address: junechurchwideprayer@gmail.com. Please put “I am praying” and your name in the subject line.

Enjoying praying with you,
Neil

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Friends of Jesus,
I am sending Sunday morning’s prayer this evening so you get a chance to pray before we gather as one body tomorrow.

The greatest honor we can give the almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love. -Julian of Norwich

Psalm 63:3-5
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Let’s pray that we come to worship tomorrow morning and evening acutely aware of the love of God.
Let’s pray that we will be glad when we see each other in the pews.
Let’s pray that we will be glad for our leaders and teachers and those who serve silently.
Let’s pray that we will be glad for those different than us.
Let’s pray that we will be glad for those with many years and for those with few years.
Let’s pray that we will sing with gladness that overpowers self consciousness.
Let's pray that we will give ourselves more fully to enjoying the almighty God.
Let’s pray that we will experience deep satisfaction as we gather with others to give attention to the almighty God who loves us!

Thanks for joining us in prayer,Neil

P.S. I think tomorrow will be very different if we can come with all this gladness in the love of God! Help us Holy Spirit.

Friday, May 29, 2009

In preparation for our night of prayer and worship on May 31st, we will pray for ourselves and each other in light of Isaiah 61. My hope is that God will prompt people to come, to share their needs, to be prayed for, and to be cared for. Also, I hope that people will come with promptings in response to praying, “Jesus, we want what you want.”

Isaiah 61:4-7
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.

An Explanation from the Bible Knowledge Commentary
After the Messiah’s Second Advent Israel will rebuild her ruined cities, even those that had been destroyed many years before. Israel will be so revered that Gentiles (aliens and foreigners) will join her in her farming and shepherding. As a nation of priests each one will know the Lord, and have access to Him, and mediate on behalf of others, as did the Levitical priests. This was to be one of Israel’s functions in the world.


Jesus, thank You that You love to restore. Thank you that you love to restore people to right relationship with You and with each other. I pray for restoration in the midst of the disconnections and devastation in my own life caused by my sin and the sin of others. I repent for the times I have lost hope of restoration for myself or others. Help my unbelief. Show us how you want to bring Your supernatural restoration to Your church.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

In preparation for our night of prayer and worship on May 31st, we will pray for ourselves and each other in light of Isaiah 61. My hope is that God will prompt people to come, to share their needs, to be prayed for, and to be cared for. Also, I hope that people will come with promptings in response to praying, “Jesus, we want what you want.”

Isaiah 61:3(The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me…)
to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

An Explanation from the Bible Knowledge Commentary
When the Messiah comes He will change believing Israelites’ sadness to joy. In place of ashes, put on one’s head as a sign of mourning, they will wear a crown. Light olive oil, when applied to one’s face and hair, would soothe him and brighten his spirits, thus dispelling mourning. Another sign of joy is a bright garment. Israel will be righteous and like stalwart oak trees which display God’s splendor.

Ask God to bring to mind people you know have a lot of sadness. As He does that pray that Jesus will move them to joy and stability that comes from knowing our identity as beloved children of the King. Ask Jesus to bring people into their lives who will be the tangible, touchable presence of Jesus.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

In preparation for our night of prayer and worship on May 31st, we will pray for ourselves and each other in light of Isaiah 61. My hope is that God will prompt people to come, to share their needs, to be prayed for, and to be cared for. Also, I hope that people will come with promptings in response to praying, “Jesus, we want what you want.”

Isaiah 61:11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Comment on the passage.
Isaiah 61 promises that the Messiah will comfort, restore, stabilize, exalt and bring joy to the nation Israel. This is a promise to do what God had planned all along for His people—make them a light to the nations.

Jesus, we need You more than we know. As we run to You for everything may You be lifted up. Give us a daily desperate dependence that causes people to see Your righteousness. Be our more than enough so that others praise Your name. In our weakness may Your glory shine so that You add to our number daily those who are being saved. (Pray for two lost friends.)
In preparation for our night of prayer and worship on May 31st, we will pray for ourselves and each other in light of Isaiah 61. My hope is that God will prompt people to come, to share their needs, to be prayed for, and to be cared for. Also, I hope that people will come with promptings in response to praying, “Jesus, we want what you want.”

Isaiah 61:2 (The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me…)
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,


Pray: Jesus, I believe that Your return will be a good day for Your people Israel and for Your church. I believe that all injustices done to all people will be set right.

Meditate: What injustices and “things wrong” in the world are creating sadness, tension, or pain for you at this time? For your friends? For others you are concerned about?

Pray: As I live in world that is not the way it is suppose to be, help me to wait, to not strike back and to entrust myself to You. Holy Spirit, help me to see where I have taken matters into my own hands.

Confess: As the Holy Spirit reveals, confess when and how you have taken vengeance into your own hands. Ask God to give you godly sorrow and deep repentance.

Thanksgiving: Thank You that You are the God of all comfort. You see my tears. Thank You that the sufferings of the present time are producing for me an eternal weight of glory. I look forward to the fullness of comfort that will come when Jesus returns. Come LORD Jesus!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

In preparation for our night of prayer and worship on May 31st, we will pray for ourselves and each other in light of Isaiah 61. My hope is that God will prompt people to come, to share their needs, to be prayed for, and to be cared for. Also, I hope that people will come with promptings in response to praying, “Jesus, we want what you want.”

Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;

Jesus, I welcome You today and acknowledge that You are the fulfillment of these words recorded by Isaiah. I praise You as my herald of good news, the tender of my wounds, my deliverer and freedom winner. I want to receive all the good news, care, and freedom You have for me. Show me today where I most need these things and where I resist or can’t see Your kindness. Thank You Jesus that You really do care.

Let this guide your praying for five people and their specific needs.

Monday, May 25, 2009

A prayer from John 3:16-17
We pray that all that we do is governed by the fact that You so loved the world, that You gave Your only begotten Son, that whoever believes in You should not perish, but have eternal life. For You did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. May we love and not condemn. Father we confess that we have many failings that we have been unable to change. Aware of these failings, we confess that we cannot change another into our liking. Thank You for caring for us in the face of the overwhelming needs of the world. Let us be instruments of Your love in a specific way today.

Pray this for the church, for yourself, and for five other friends by name.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Colossians 3:12-14
12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.


This Sunday as the followers of Jesus gather together:
thank God that you have been hand-picked by Him,
ask for grace to fully embrace your identity of being holy and deeply loved,
pray for yourself and others to live out the clear commands Paul gives in these verses,
boldly ask God to make us a people marked by love,
pray that Jesus increases our desire to want what He wants for the unity of His church.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. The Jesus Prayer

Psalm 51:1-4
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing, loyal, covenant keeping love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Crouched in the security of Your love, Father, we take the risk of being shown our sin. We risk the disruption of pain we have covered, and discovery of lies we have endured. Bring the tears of repentance. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation and make us willing to obey You. In Jesus Name.

Let us pray this together and then sit quietly expecting the Holy Spirit to shed light to any dark places in our hearts that snuff the light of joy. Risk asking for forgiveness and making restitution where necessary.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Keep yourself a stranger and pilgrim upon this earth, to whom the affairs of this world are of no concern. Keep your heart free and lifted up to God, for here you have no abiding city. Thomas a Kempis

Hebrews 11:16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Father, I am distracted by many things. I am not sure I know how to enjoy this life You have given, care for the world Jesus died for and yet live as one who is just passing through. Fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Make me aware of my longing to be home with You. Fill me with the joy of this thought, “God is not ashamed to be called their God.” I want to be like Jesus who risked all for the joy set before Him.

Pray this prayer for yourself and 5 other people today.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Genesis 22:1-2,10,12-14
God tested Abraham…Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and offer him there as a burnt offering… Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son…Do not stretch out your hand against the lad…for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me… and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide

Father, thank You for the many good things You have given me. Thank you for (name some specific things). I praise You as the Provider of every good and perfect gift. By Your grace, I withhold nothing from You. Give me the confidence and courage to risk in any way You ask for the glory of Your name today.

Pray this prayer for yourself and 5 other people today.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

He is no fool to give up what He cannot keep to gain what He cannot lose. Jim Elliot

Matthew 6:19-20
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Father, open the eyes of my heart to see any temporary treasures that I am over invested in. Make us a body of people who are willing to risk all because we are greedy for lasting treasures. Give me one specific way to live this today. In Jesus name.

Pray this prayer for yourself and 5 other people today.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

Holy Spirit, help me to see the things that encumber me and entangle me. Is there any way in which an insistence on convenience, control, comfort, consumerism, or competition keeps me from doing what Jesus wants? Help me to see Jesus as my greatest desire as I fix my eyes on Him.

Pray this prayer for yourself and 5 other people today.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Monday, May 18, 2009
Psalm 90:14
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.


This is a verse I often pray to begin my day. Let’s pray together this verse so that we will be ready to take any risk Jesus wants because we are safe and secure in His love. After you pray this verse for yourself, pray for five specific people in our body by putting their name in place of “us”.