40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 12

Focus: The Hope that Perseveres
By Ken Payne, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:

‘Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance , character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us' (Romans 5:3-5)

Devotional:

Disappointment is a part of life. We can become disappointed with ourselves, with others and even with God. God will never disappoint us and the hope we have in Jesus Christ is a certain and definite future with God beyond this life in heaven. Women and men of faith, as recorded in Hebrews 11, persevered with faith and died before seeing the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to them. So, in this life, we also will need to persevere with faith through our
disappointments with self and with others, through personal failures, or when old temptations we thought we had conquered revive with us.

We will sometimes have to begin again . . . begin again with God, returning to him with repentance and trust in Jesus, receiving once more the love, forgiveness and grace of our heavenly Father. Then we must move forward and perhaps begin again with that person, that relationship, that situation or that ministry.

Alexander Whyte would often use these words: “The perseverance of the saints is made up of ever new beginnings.” I also like these words from a poem by A.A.Procter:
“No star is ever lost we once have seen:
We always may be what we might have been.”

By the grace of God we can begin again and again and again, and, when our hearts desire is to truly follow Jesus, each new beginning moves us forward in growth and maturity, and we grow more like Jesus. “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.” (Psalm 42:10).

Prayer Points:
· Praise and thank God for his grace and steadfast love towards us.

· Seek once again the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ . . . forgiveness when “I have assessed the faults of others as worse than my own without due thought to my own privileges and without knowledge of their hard way.”

· Bring disappointments to the throne of grace.

· Pray for those who struggle with persecution and suffering every day of their lives in Christ; that God will sustain them and that they will be renewed in perseverance and hope.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 11

Focus: Change
By Sharon Walls, Africa Mercy

Scripture Reference:
For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for, & require Me (as a vital necessity) and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:11-14a.)

She (the Proverbs 31 woman) smiles at the future. (Proverbs 31:25).

Devotional:

As I contemplate the massive changes around me and before me, and before hundreds of us in Mercy Ships right now, I am reminded that the Lord seems pretty keen on change – in fact, He’s committed to change – changing us from ‘glory to glory’.

With so many unknowns for the immediate future, and some things that are known change from one day to the next, the Lord again impresses to me that He alone is unchanging and consistent – my Rock. It must be Him that we cling to for security with trust that He does in fact have wonderful plans . . . yes, for us corporately, but for you and me personally. He is dreaming dreams for each of us, and we are on the edge of seeing those come to pass.

The uncertainty between now and then is in fact opportunity – fertile ground of trust in Him, plowed by trial and watered by the Word, to see seeds of faith grow into His promises; or the rocky ground of unbelief producing fear of what the future does or doesn’t hold. The choice of soil appears to be mine!

Jesus urges us to seek Him as a vital necessity because He wants us to wholeheartedly find Him – already waiting in the future, for us to step into all He has for us – more of Him to pour out for others!

Reflect in faith and trust on the promises the Lord has made for Mercy Ships, for my location, and for me personally . . . and smile at the future!

Prayer Points:
* Pray for the Lord to identify personal points of fear or unbelief about the immediate future.
* Pray for a heart receptive to change.
* Pray for renewed preoccupation with Jesus to bring into correct focus the changes around me.
* Pray for God’s direction in this season of change in Mercy Ships as a whole.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 10

Focus: Why Do We Pray?
By Doris Rypke, Mercy Ships Germany

Scripture Reference:
“Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. Matthew 6:9-10.


Devotional:
For many years I prayed without really knowing why. I thought that God knows everything anyway and since He is Almighty everything that happens is His will Of course this did not create a great desire in me to pray Then during a teaching on spiritual warfare (Eph. 6: 10-18) the speaker said “If everything that happens is God´s will then what does verse 11 stand for?” Eph. 6:11 tells us to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil.

A little later God reminded me of the Lord’s Prayer and confirmed the teaching I had received. Why did Jesus tell us to pray “may Your will be done” if everything that happens is God’s will? If we are to pray for His will to be done, then we are acknowledging that not everything that happens is God´s will. God created us in His own image which means we have a will of our own.

Therefore if we want His will to be done we have to pray and not give up until His will happens. We also need to listen so that we know what His will is. One indication that something is not God’s will is if that thing is not good and perfect, as James 1:17 tells us.


I am still bothered about unanswered prayers that seemed to be in agreement with God´s will. There might be a reason; for example sin or a lack of faith, but this is not always the case! We will not always see or know why some prayers are not answered. Not everything is God´s will, but in the end He is almighty and nothing is impossible for Him (just have a look at Job). God has shown me (and given me peace) that there are many things we don’t understand and that it is okay. We don’t need to understand everything, but trust God and His word.

Prayer Points:

* Pray that God will send more people of influence and resources who can continue financing the completion of the African Mercy.

* Pray for wisdom about the right timing in the events of our lives.

* Pray that the people who get in contact with Mercy Ships (worldwide) will not only learn
about Mercy Ships, but also that there is a God who loves them and wants to have a
relationship with them.


* Pray for faith to believe for the impossible.

* Pray that everything we do will glorify God and bring people to Him.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 9

Focus: Your Kingdom Come - In My Life
By Anne L. Barker, IOC

Scripture Reference:

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21b).

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? (Job 2:10b).

Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).

Devotional:

I once heard a preacher say that if you’re not going through a Job experience at the moment, then most likely you have recently done so or you soon will! Steve Saint maintains that suffering is God’s covert strategy for our growth towards maturity. However, none of us enjoy the hard times and difficult tests that often come our way.

God does not promise to protect and shield us from suffering and disaster. But He does promise that He will always be right there with us, in the good times and in the bad. Turn to Him, recognize Him and invite Him to share in your joys and your trials; He makes all the difference with His eternal perspective, faithfulness, enduring love and compassion for us.
Share your joys and trials with the Lord.

Without the battle there is no victory;
Without suffering there is no maturity;
Without dying there is no rising to eternal life.

Prayer Points:

* Pray for God’s eternal perspective as we walk through good times and troubled times.
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

* Pray for opportunities to share God’s comfort, love and compassion with those who do not recognize Him.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 8

Focus: Jesus Calms the Storm
By: Warrie Blackburn, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:

“On that day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took Him, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:35).

Devotional:
As I read this scripture, I imagine what it would have been like for the disciples in this situation… It had been a long day. Luke 8 says that they were in danger – out in a sinking boat on a dark, stormy night, without electricity or a radio to call for help, at a loss for what to do. The situation was scary.

And Jesus is asleep – on a cushion! The disciples had to wake him. I wonder why Jesus didn’t wake up on His own, but rather waited to be called for help.

Rather than identifying with the sleeping Jesus, I can so relate to the disciples’ sentiment: “Don’t you care that….?”

One would think that the disciples “would have known better” and called on Jesus in their time of need. One would think we would do the same. But I sometimes don’t. Where is my faith? Why don’t I recognize in the midst of the storm that Jesus is in my boat?

With a few brief words, Jesus calms the storm. He can do the same for me! Do I have the faith to believe Him to do it?

The account in Matthew 8 says that the disciples “marveled” at Jesus. How often do I “marvel” at His power and wisdom? How much more often do I try to “save the ship” with my feeble efforts before asking Him to intervene? Why do I battle the storm myself before I ask for help?

I know the storms of life will come. Teach me to be prepared – to call on you when they arise! May my first response be one of faith! Help me trust you! Help me exercise the authority over storms you have given to me. Bring peace into my heart today, no matter what circumstances I find myself facing. Peace! Be still!

Prayer Points:

* Ask the Lord to forgive us for battling the storms of life in our own strength & power rather than calling on Him for help. Forgive us for being afraid when the storms of life rock the boat.

* Pray that we would call on Jesus in our storm, and stand alongside others in their storm.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 7

Focus: Waiting
By Sue Duby, IOC

Scripture Reference:

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Ps. 27:18).

Devotional:

I’ve never been a star at waiting. Red stoplights interrupt my momentum. Delayed deliveries frustrate my progress. Cancelled itineraries confuse my plans. Latecomers to meetings shake up my schedule. Basically, waiting causes me to lose my control.

For any one of us, taking a “freeze frame” of this moment, we could each list a myriad of waiting situations in our jobs and personal lives . . . waiting for:

* a supporter to come through with a promised donation
* a company to send an instrument pack for the Africa Mercy
* the computers to come back on line
* a shipyard to confirm dates
* a longing to be fulfilled that only God knows about
* a child in college to call home with news

For most of my life, I’ve viewed waiting as an obstacle, a barrier, an intrusion . . . all set against me. In wrestling with lots of waiting the past two years, I’m beginning to see the many commands to wait as an INVITATION. It’s as if God is saying, “Please, won’t you come aside with me for a moment or two, pause, reflect, listen and refresh your trust that I am in control and I have your best in mind. Rest.” He is asking us to wait WITH him, not alone. If we skip the waiting, we miss the blessing of relationship with Him . . . of reminding ourselves that it’s not about MY control, it’s resting in HIS control . . . and anticipating with Him what’s ahead.

May your waiting in all areas of your life be rich and blessed!

Prayer Points:

* Pray that we would receive Your invitation to wait.

* Pray that we would be refreshed as we wait.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 6

Focus: Whatever You Do for the Least of These
By Coralie Payne, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:

Who despises the day of small things? (Zephaniah 4:10).

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and the angels with him, He will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. Then the king will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we?” The king will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:31; 34-37a, 40).

Devotional:

Do you ever feel that what you do is of little importance? Are you often comparing your gifts to those of others? Coming to work on the Anastasis has underlined again for me how valuable everybody in this large team is. Perhaps it is more obvious here than in a less confined environment!

There are times for some of us though, when our work, perhaps more routine and mundane, can seem of less worth in helping God’s kingdom to come. Our work may or may not produce dramatic results, transform someone’s life, teach or train another thereby enabling that person to move to new achievements.

The prophet Zephaniah pops this little question in his rather difficult prophecies, “Who despises the day of small things”? Our Lord often emphasized how important it is to be faithful in small things; for example with stories about faithful servants, about wise bridesmaids, and the passage quoted above from Matthew’s gospel.

Brother Lawrence, a monk in the middle ages, had a sign by the sink in the monastery, “Divine service held here three times daily”. I believe Mrs. Ruth Graham had a similar sign. So may we all be encouraged during these days of prayer and fasting; that in everything we do, it can bring glory to God, and all our work and worship done according to his will, is hastening the coming of his kingdom on the earth.

Prayer Points:

* Thank God for your gifts and the work you do for Him.

* Pray that the anointing He gives for our work will bring glory only to Him.

* Pray for those you know who feel less significant; ask God for guidance in how to encourage them.