40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 26

Focus: Success in the Storms of Life
By Nancy Predaina, IOC

Scripture Reference:

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper” (Psalm 107:28–29a).

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

Devotional:

None of us like storms (difficulties) to come into our lives. The human tendency is to escape—or at least to complain a lot.
We can learn an important lesson from the eagle. When a storm comes, the eagle turns and faces it so that the wind will not ruffle his feathers (there’s another lesson in that). As the wind pours over his body, it actually makes his feathers shine. When he comes out of the storm, he is bright and polished by the force of the wind; he comes “forth as gold.” An “old-time” Nazarene preacher, Bud Robinson, said: “If your heart is fixed, when the devil brings out a cyclone of abuse, you may be peeled and scaled and blistered, but you will split the storm wide open and get up in the sky, sit down on the rainbow of God’s promise, and shout yourself to sleep in the teeth of the devil.” With God’s help, we can survive the storms.


Prayer Points:
* Pray that we will burst through the storm of difficulties surrounding the completion of the Africa Mercy.

* Pray that, with God’s help, we will emerge victoriously through the problems in our lives.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 25

Focus: Perspective
By Patrik Bergström, IOC


Scripture Reference:

“Jesus once again addressed them: ‘I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in….You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don't make judgments like that. But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn't make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father’”(John 8:12, 15–16).


Devotional:

In this text Jesus is speaking to his “favorite” audience, the Pharisees. He is trying to help them to broaden their perspective. He is talking about a different way to make decisions, to judge situations not only based on what their senses can register but also on the perspective that the Father wants to give them. The Father wants to be personally involved in their lives, broaden their experience, and provide His perspective on the situations they find themselves in.

Personally I have to admit that I can easily get stuck in only relying on my own previous experiences and any wisdom I have gained in the past. When I apply those to new situations, it is many times obvious that I need fresh insight and a better solution. It is therefore very encouraging for me to hear Jesus talk about and, I believe, invite us to gain a broader perspective from the Father.

I don’t know what your tendency is or what situation you are facing today, but may I encourage you to take your past experiences, your current situation, and insights you have gained and hold them out to the Father? Ask that the Light of the world would illuminate it all, bring clarity, and add His perspective to give you an understanding of the best way forward. As you do that, you can be assured that His kingdom will be expanded and His will done!

Prayer Points:
* Thank the Father for his constant pursuit of us and our wellbeing.
* Ask Him to broaden your perspective and understanding of the situation you are facing.
* Pray for our leaders as they continue to seek access to His perspective.
* Pray that His kingdom will be expanded and His will done throughout Mercy Ships and in the lives of the people we seek to serve.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 24

Focus: Mission
By Sonja Frischknecht, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it' - when you have it with you." (Proverbs 3:27-29).

Devotional:
Since serving with HCS on board the Anastasis, I have always wrestled with the meaning of this verse. More than just repaying what is owed, in a world of overwhelming need, how does this mandate translate into our everyday Christian walk?


Most of us who have chosen to serve on board, including myself, are stirred by injustice. Injustice motivates us to action. We are passionate about the command Jesus has given us as believers to “Go into all the world . . . ”

However, there always seems to be another patient standing and pleading for help. We never get to the end of the need, whether it is in Health Care Services, or another village that needs a well, a homeless person that needs a roof over their head or a beggar asking for money on the side of the road. I confess, that over the years, there have been many times I have turned my head away, unable to process yet another request, even though I have had the material resources or power to help.

God has told us the poor will always be with us. Whether we are on the mission field overseas or in our home town, He allows us involvement in situations to reveal His incredible grace and love and draws people to Himself. In getting involved, we are not only blessed ourselves but are also changed more into His likeness.

It is our task to humble and deny ourselves, surrender our hearts and entrust our lives to God. Christ came that we may experience fullness of life through Him as we abide in Him. It is only from that place that we have the ability to live peaceably and to give generously. Sometimes it’s our money, which is right if it makes the best and only sense. However, sometimes it is our time, or our expertise, our listening ear or our heart attitude. We may be asked to give what Jesus gave . . . everything.

Are we willing?

Prayer Points:
* Lord, make us generous givers, and in doing so, allow us to display the character of Christ.

* Give us wisdom and discernment in responding to the needs with which we are daily faced, that we will honor you.

* Refill us with your Spirit as we are weary, burdened and empty.

* Help us to complete only the work the Father has asked us to do.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 23

Focus: Our Gold and Silver
By Pat Valentine, IOC

Scripture Reference:
“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests, and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He replied, ‘Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.’ They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’ Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said. ‘Surely not I, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘Yes, it is you’ (Matthew 26:14–25).

Devotional:
There are many ways we can betray Jesus. Judas chose his betrayal with money. Many times today we tend to fall away from Jesus in our daily lives by forgetting that the salvation of God is worth more than any amount of gold or silver. This “gold or silver” may come in the form of injustice, selfishness, “it’s all about me thinking,” thinking bad thoughts of your neighbor, etc.
The way we treat our family, our friends, or our coworkers with loving kindness, fairness, equality, and the love of God will be worth more than any amount of “gold or silver.”

Jesus was the perfect example of obedience to God’s will and loving service to others. May we praise and follow Him. Jesus became human, though it meant suffering and death. He did it for the love of God. “Your will be done….”

We have been redeemed by God so we may live in true freedom and joy with one another. And we hope that no one will hear Jesus say, “Yes, it is you,” when we ask Him the question, “Surely not I, Rabbi.”

Prayer Points:
* Pray that Jesus’ death and resurrection will keep the salvation of God fresh in our minds.

* Pray that we strive to be obedient to God’s will and service to others.

* Pray that we work toward living according to God’s truth of freedom and joy in Him.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 22

Focus: Do Not Worry
By Nina Page, IOC

Scripture Reference:
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25–34).


Devotional:
Well, the evening had finally arrived. All day I’d had the cares of the moment, world, and work on my mind. As I walked across the Mercy Ships campus, God drew my eyes to the ground where one of the first daffodils of spring had sprouted. The daffodil was so lovely. It was pale yellow, delicately formed. It moved gently with the breeze. I marveled at its appearance, beautiful and sufficient. Here was a mere flower, standing tall one minute, perhaps trampled under someone’s foot the next. Wow! The daffodil, like the lilies of the field alluded to in Matthew 6, was His creation. My mind moved to the thought that God made me. He had provided clothing, shelter, work, friends, coworkers and food. Why did I ever worry about my life, what I would drink or eat, what I’d put on for clothing? God knows my needs, and He will provide.

The above are questions that often plague us. What are we to do in order to fix our focus on Him? I suppose the key is found in verse 33 of Matthew 6. In this passage, we read the directive to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to us. As with all aspects of our Christian walk, we are not able to do this in our own strength. Rather, it is via His Holy Spirit, which He has freely given us that we are able to ponder how much God loves and cares for us. Ask the Lord to grant you His eyes to look past your current concerns to view your particular situation through His eyes, actually seeing God’s provision for you today. Focus on today, not tomorrow, next year, or the distant future. Ask God to enable you to see your situation differently, in a new way.

Prayer Points:

* Pray God will grant you wisdom to see your daily stresses and strains through His eyes.

* Pray God will help the crews of the Anastasis and Africa Mercy to look to Him in a new way as they transition to new experiences and different places.

* Pray God will grant peace to those of us at the IOC and national offices as we act to support the progress of the developments on the mercy ships, Anastasis and Africa Mercy.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 21

Focus: God Chooses the Weak and Foolish of the World
By Jon Fadely, IOC

Scripture Reference:

“Consider your own calling, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth... Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong; and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:26–27).

Devotional:

“Foolish.” “Weak.” “Nothing.” Not exactly words of encouragement. If we heard such a declaration from the church pulpit on Sunday, we might consider changing congregations. Paul is not doing much to build up our self-esteem, is he? No, he most certainly is not. Perhaps, instead, he is working on our “God-esteem.”

We so often focus on our own strength (or weakness); our own wisdom (or lack thereof); our own status and position; or someone else’s status and position; when our focus should really be: What is God doing? Who is God leading, guiding, speaking to and through?

Maybe one reason that God chooses the “foolish,” “weak” and “nothings” of the world is because they are not quite so sure of themselves . . . not that quick to propose solutions to problems they don’t fully understand; a bit more aware of a certain emptiness within; a hunger that can only be satisfied by something or Someone else.

Why does God “shame” the “wise” and the “strong”? In the King James Version, the word “shame” is translated as “confound,” which leads me to think God’s intent here is not so much public embarrassment, but rather a self-awakening . . . a good dose of old-fashioned humble pie. It’s pretty good food for any journey of faith.

When the “strong” and the “wise” of the world are confronted with the reality of the dignity, the beauty, and the humanity of those they have forgotten, they often experience just such an awakening. When, in that encounter with Truth, the “strong” and the “wise” of the world experience the love of God for the first time in their hearts, suddenly, those hearts are changed, softened, and opened to being loved and to loving others. This is the wonderful way of a loving Father, who desires that not one of His children, not the foolish and weak, not the strong and wise, be lost.

Prayer Points:

• Pray that we would be confounded by His wisdom and His power.
• Pray that we would learn from those the world might regard as “weak” and “foolish.”
• Pray that we would embrace His love in a new and deeper way this Lenten season.
• Pray that we would love those around us as we have been loved by God.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 20

Focus: Taking Your Stand
By Naomi Johnson, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).

Devotional:
Let’s look at God’s armor and make sure we have it on. First Paul says, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth” (Ephesians 6:14). A Roman soldier’s girdle was all-important because his breastplate rested on it and his sword hung from it. It was the foundation of his entire armor.

Truthfulness! You’ll accomplish nothing worthwhile if your life isn’t based on it—if you are lying to yourself, deceiving others, and trying to “block out” what God is saying to you.

Righteousness! “. . . having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14). The breastplate of righteousness is not a list of “do’s and don’ts.” The moment you trust in Christ, you are made righteous before God. From that point on, He sees you “in Christ” (Romans 8:1). The blood of Jesus alone transforms you from the inside out and wraps you up in His identity. Your defense against the enemy is not what you have made of yourself, but what Christ has made you to be.

Peace! “And your feet shod with the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). What does this tell you? God’s peace will keep you standing when others fall; it will keep your priorities in place as you move toward your God-given goals. And you will refuse to go anywhere, do anything, or think any thought, unless it maintains the peace of God in your life.

Salvation! “And take the helmet of salvation . . .” (Ephesians 6:17). By calling this “the helmet of salvation,” Paul could not have made a more powerful statement about your redemption.
Because the helmet of salvation covers your head, Paul is saying that our minds must be focused at all times on the most basic of all spiritual truths—you are saved!

The Word! “. . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). So far, all of your armor has been “defensive.” Now you must put on the one piece that is “offensive.” If you really want to hurt the enemy where it counts, start declaring the Word of God to him, and he’ll flee. He has to! He can’t handle being repeatedly stabbed and slashed by the sword of God’s Word, which is the very life of God!

Prayer Points:

* Lord, teach us how to pray more.
* Pray that doubt and fear would flee.
* Pray for strength to take our Stand.