October 8, 2010

Those who are Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually ill

Isaiah 53:3-5 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

            Jesus Christ, the Son of God carried our illness and our wounds when he gave His life for us. Scripture is clear, by his wounds we are healed. Throughout the ministry of Jesus we consistently see how countless people were healed from different illnesses. We believe that God heals our souls as well as our bodies. Throughout this day let us pray for those struggling with physical, mental, and spiritual illness. Let us declare our trust in God and together say that we believe that through his wounds we are healed. Let us especially pray for the time during which Craig Marsh will be ministering at Grays Chapel. Let us pray for God to use His servant in a mighty way so that His name will be glorified above all other. 

Prayer: Lord, by your wounds we are healed. We exalt your holy name for your sacrifice in the cross, for carrying our sorrows and taking up our infirmities. We will always praise You. We pray for those who are suffering any type of illness. We pray for your healing hand to touch them and heal them. We pray especially for those who do not know You, and we ask that they may come to know and trust You so that they may be comforted by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Thoughts for Day 33: Do I know some one who is suffering from any type of illness? Have I been praying for that person? If she or he does not attend Grays Chapel, have I extended an invitation for the Craig Marsh event?

October 7, 2010

Those With Needs that Seem Too Great

1 Samuel 1:10-16 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

            In this passage we see that Hannah placed her trust in the Lord. In the midst of her bitterness caused by her inability to bear children, she turned her face to the Lord and asked for His favor. Throughout this day let us pray for those who have heavy burdens, for those who have needs that seem too great. Let us pray for them to be able to place their trust in the Lord. Let us pray especially for those who will be at Grays Chapel for worship in the coming weeks, so that God may meet their needs there.

Prayer: Father, no situation is greater than You. Teach us to place our trust in You even in the midst of anguish and grief. We pray for those who have burdens that seem too big to carry and for those who have situations in their lives that seem too great to be resolved. We pray that they may also place their trust in You and in doing so, find peace and joy. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Thought for Day 32: Do I trust in the Lord in the midst of anguish and bitterness?

October 4, 2010

Those Living in Darkness

John 1:3-5 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

            This week we will focus our prayer to intercede for those who are need of God’s intervention in their lives. We will be in prayer for different types of individuals who can either be in our church, in other churches, or in the world. We will especially focus on those individuals that will attend worship in the coming weeks at Grays Chapel and especially those who will come to the Craig Marsh event this month. Throughout this day, let us pray for those who are living in darkness. Let us pray for those who have not known God and thus the light of Christ has not entered into their lives, but also, let us pray for those who being Christian have allowed areas of their lives to be submitted to darkness once more do to sin and other factors.

Prayer: Father, you sent Jesus the life who is the light of men. We pray that your light may shine in our lives and dispel all darkness. Father, we pray for those who live in darkness far from the knowledge of your shinning light. We pray for You to bring them close to You. We pray that you help us be examples of your light to them so that they may see in us your shinning light. Bless all of those individuals living in darkness who will attend worship in the next few weeks and especially prepare those who will attend the Craig Marsh event in a couple of weeks. In Jesus, the light of men, we pray, amen.

Thought for Day 29: How can I be the light of the world to those around me? 

October 3, 2010

Members of One Body Called to Peace

Colossians 3:12-15 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

            Ministry can be a competitive endeavor. At times, when those in ministry leadership positions lose focus, the relationships between them tend to suffer. God is calling today’s Christian leaders to unite as members of one body who are called by God to peace. Throughout this day, let us pray for the love of God to overcome the many different factors that do not allow for good relationships between Christian leaders to be formed. Let us especially focus on the leaders of our church and on the leaders of the churches that are around Grays Chapel. Also, lets pray for those pastors and other leaders that will be joining us during Craig Marsh’s time at Grays Chapel.

Prayer:  Father, we continue to pray for the leaders of our church and for the leaders of surrounding churches. We pray for you to grant them compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience so that they can bare each other and forgive whatever grievances they may have against one another. Father, lead us to respond to your call to be one body in peace so that the World will know that you are love. In Jesus we pray, amen.

Thought for Day 28: How often do I let differences with other believers distract me from our common identity in Christ?

October 2, 2010

Live Coal

Isaiah 6:6-8 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

            None of us are worthy to speak the Word of God. We are sinners whose language is inadequate and thus are unworthy of such a privilege. However, God has redeemed us through Jesus Christ so that we can proclaim His Word. Throughout this day let us pray for those who will be sharing God’s word in the coming weeks, especially for Craig Marsh. Let us also pray for all of those who serve God through the reading of scripture and leading of worship at Grays Chapel and other churches.

Prayer: Father, we are not worthy to speak your Word for our lips are unclean. We pray that you purify us with a burning coal from your holy altar. We want to proclaim your Word and do so humbly and effectively. We pray for all of those who have been called to the ministry of preaching. Especially for Craig Marsh who will be sharing your Word with us in a couple of weeks. We pray in the name of Jesus, amen.

Thought for Day 27:  Proclaiming God’s Word is a privilege. Am I willing to say: “Send Me”?