40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 33

Focus: His Will versus Our Will
By Andrew Conteh, New Steps, Mercy Ships Sierra Leone

Scripture Reference:
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9).

Devotional:

It was on a hot Thursday afternoon in Lunsar, a northern town 120 km from Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. A crowd of polio mobility impaired children and their parents were gathered outside our work center. Alone in one of the rooms of this building, I was quietly assembling a couple of PET units (Personal Energy Transportation) while my colleagues were busy seeing the patients outside.

While I was doing this job with a passion for the many children it would help, I suddenly began to ponder the theme of this year’s Mercy Ships 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting—“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). I realized that each time you obey God, His kingdom is operating in your life the same way it does in heaven.

Can you imagine anybody in heaven telling God, “I will think about it” or turning a deaf ear? The last person who tried that was Satan, and we all know the consequence that followed.

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done” simply means, “God, be fully in control. Let my steps be ordered by You. Let my decisions be based on Your approval alone. Let my choices be subject to Your veto. If you’re not Lord over all, then you are not Lord at all.” Be honest with yourself and reexamine the greatest mistake you have ever made in your life. Whose will were you operating in, God’s or yours? Did you ever consult Him? Did you wait upon Him long enough to hear what He had to say? Or did you disagree with the direction He gave to you, and so launched out on your own?

God’s will can be painful because He has only one plan for your flesh—death.
In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the apostle Paul said, “I die daily.” The end result of dying to self is abundant living.

When we pray “Thy will be done,” we are seeking the heart of God. He will never hide from us what is in His heart, if we are willing to listen. Our challenge is to submit and obey even when we do not fully understand His purposes.

Prayer Points:
* Pray for God-given grace to accept His will.

* Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you relax in the hands of God each time He gives you a new direction.

* Pray that God will reveal His heart’s desire for you.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 32

Focus: A Costly Sacrifice
By Lois Astwood, Africa Mercy

Scripture Reference:

“I’m not going to offer to God, my God, sacrifices that are no sacrifice” (2 Samuel 24:24e).

Devotional:

All of us know that there is a cost involved in following Christ. We experience this in different ways in our lives. Those involved in Mercy Ships have all offered something to Him.

Many are aware that, during this stage in Mercy Ships, the cost seems to have been raised. More seems to be required of us as we face change, loss, delays, and frustrations.

The challenge I face is, how much am I really willing to give? Am I willing, as David was, to give what really costs me?

As I look back over the years, I recognize times when the cost has been truly great. Times when I have struggled and cried at the cost of the sacrifice I have been asked to make in order to be obedient to Him. But, as I look at my life day by day, is there the same willingness to sacrifice to the point where I feel the pain of the cost involved?

In this Scripture, we read of David, who could have taken the easy road with his sacrifice. He was given the opportunity to sacrifice at a much lesser cost to himself, yet he chose to make the full sacrifice, deeming it the least he could offer his God.

The words of a song come to mind:
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be;

For it’s only in Your will that I am free.

All of my ambitions, hopes, and plans,
I surrender these into Your hands;

Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

Prayer Points:

* Pray that we might grasp the privilege of offering a “costly sacrifice” to Him.

* Pray that we may be willing to lay down our own ambitions, hopes, and plans.

* Pray that we may daily count the cost and offer our sacrifices to Him as a sweet smelling savor.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 31

Focus: Running the Race – With Joy.
By Marianne Lako, ACFC, Mercy Ships, Sierra Leone

Scripture Reference:
Running the race set before us – with perseverance – joy –
(Hebrews 12:1).

Devotional:

Athletes or not, we are all in this race together: The race of life. In this Bible passage we are not only reminded to “run the race”, but also to “run the race with perseverance, with joy”. Those of us who are involved in exercise are aware that getting fit and staying fit means perseverance and determination. Exercising once in awhile might make us feel good, but does not prepare us for a “race”.

To win the race we need a goal; for most of us the goal would be to focus on the finish line. In the race of life our focus will be “eternity with Jesus”; not to only run the race, but to finish strong.

That is easier said then done. Maybe when we first started this “race” or journey – we experienced excitement, people were cheering us on, and the first couple of miles were not too bad . . . we were excited and believed in ourselves. Yet once when we get further along, the race it is getting more and more difficult; and unless we keep the “finish line” in mind – it could be very tempting to let go and forget about finishing all together. Yet nothing just happens. We need to practice and continue to strive for the goal set before us. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. We take one step at a time, and one day at a time.

Winning the race of life is getting to know God and seeing our lives transformed in the process. It will require repeated practice. Yet it is worth it. Now the “joy” part is a different story and most of the time a choice we need to make. Am I willing to let go of circumstances around me and focus on God’s “joy”? This is a daily choice to make.

Definition of Joy: To take great pleasure; rejoice, the emotion of great happiness.

Definition of Perseverance: Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.

Prayer Points:

* Pray for God’s joy to come and take control of our lives.

* Pray for the work of Mercy Ships, the Anastasis, the Africa Mercy and Mercy Ships Sierra Leone: the Aberdeen Clinic and Fistula Centre and the New Steps Centre and for our local and international staff.

* Pray that key positions at ACFC, such as Finance/Admin Officer and Ward Nursing Supervisor will be filled soon.

* Pray for perseverance in this “race of life”, and that we will be able to finish strong.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 30

Focus: A Merry Heart
By Larry Mast, IOC

Scripture Reference: “A merry heart does good like a medicine . . . .”(Proverbs 17:22).

Devotional: My wife is an exceptional cook, but sometimes . . . well, things don’t always turn out in life as you’ve planned them.

Several years ago my wife and I sat down to lunch. Helen had heated up a quick meal for me—rice, tomatoes, gravy and meat. She had a leftover salad. I ate about a third of my food without saying anything; not her best ever, but not too bad either. Finally I asked, “What kind of meat is this?”

“Turkey, why?” She replied.

“It tastes like old liver,” I said.

I ate a couple more bites and then Helen got up and went to the kitchen. I immediately heard hysterical laughter. I was sitting with my mouth full when she brought me the empty can and pointed to the label, which she was unable to read aloud due to her laughter. It said, “Turkey & Gravy . . . for dogs and puppies.”

Missionaries are supposed to eat anything and be happy about it but I now confess that I spit it out in the toilet. I think I’d rather have fried grub worms, thank you.

When things calmed down a bit and Helen quit laughing, she explained to me that she got the can at the food bank and hadn’t looked at the label closely. (Obviously!) “But” she said, “It was similar in size to a can of tuna.”

I’ve been pondering over this experience a lot. Mainly I’ve been wondering whether I’m a dog or a puppy. I guess since I’m over 50 I’m probably an adult dog by now. Actually it didn’t seem to hurt me any, it’s just that - - well, every once in awhile I start barking. It’s annoying, kind of like having the hiccups. To avoid any possible further embarrassment, I’ve taken to avoiding fire hydrants until this wears off.

In the midst of life’s serious situations, never pass up the opportunity to laugh at yourself. By the way, we’d love to have you come visit us. Helen will cook up a nice meal for you . . . .

Prayer Points:
* Pray for a positive, faith-oriented and happy outlook on life.

* Pray for the capacity to laugh at ourselves.

* Pray for the ability “to change the things you can, accept the things you cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.” St Francis of Assisi

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 29

Focus: Freedom
By Lyn Westman, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:

“So Jesus said, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.’ As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying to these Jews who believed Him, ‘If you continue in My word, then you are true disciples of Mine, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’” (John 8:28–32).

Devotional:

Freedom means different things to different people—how free you think you are is influenced by your perspective. In national and international wars, freedom may mean release from tyranny and/or loss of life. For many youth, freedom means release from parental expectations and control. For people of color, freedom means release from discrimination.

Freedom for the Christian, however, is defined in spiritual terms. In Isaiah 26:12–14 it reads: “Lord, You will establish peace for us, Since You have performed for us all our works. O Lord, our God, other masters besides You have ruled us; but through You alone we confess Your name. The dead will not live, the departed spirits will not rise; therefore, You have punished and destroyed them, and You have wiped out all remembrance of them.” This Scripture speaks of spiritual forces, rather than natural forces. The paradox of natural life versus spiritual life is found in Matthew 10:39: “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.”

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:31: “I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” Therefore, if we as Christians can recognize the freedom we have in Christ—that our eternity is decided and secure, and that the things of this world have relatively little power in our ultimate existence—we can more easily die daily to sin, earthly circumstances, the expectations of others, fear of the unknown, and internal wrestling. When we truly realize the power given through “Christ in us, the hope of glory,” our daily deliberations will pale in comparison. May we come to realize in greater measure the truth of John 8:36: “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” The price has been paid. We belong to Him. We are set free.

Prayer Points:
* Pray for greater revelation of the freedom we have in Christ and the love that He has for us.

* Pray that this revelation empowers us to live in the freedom we have been given by the blood of Christ.

* Pray that we walk in obedience in response to the indescribable gift we have been given.

* Pray that with the freedom we have been given, we will set other captives free to live without torment in this life and to spend eternity with Jesus.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 28

Focus: Praying According to God’s Will
By Andre Cronje, Anastasis

Scripture Reference:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” (James 4:3).

Devotional:

Commenting on the above Scripture from James, Richard Foster in his classic book Celebration of Discipline writes the following:

“To ask ‘rightly’ involves transformed passions. In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after Him; to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves, to will the things He wills. Progressively, we are taught to see things from His point of view.”

The most effective prayers are those that are birthed in the knowing of His will. To know God’s will, His Word needs to abide in us. His Word is the revelation of divine truth, so the more of His Word that abides in us, the more we know His will. It also involves listening to that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. Soren Kierkegaard once observed, “A man prayed, and at first he thought prayer is talking to God. But he became more and more quiet until in the end he realized that prayer is listening to God.”

Knowing God’s will does not come naturally. It is a learning process through regular meditation on His Word and learning to recognize His voice clearly. It starts by having the faith that God truly desires to reveal His perfect will to us, if we are willing to seek it with all our hearts.

“I am the ground of thy beseeching; first, it is My will thou shalt have it; after, I make thee will it; and after I make thee to beseech it and thou beseechest it. How should it then be that thou shouldst not have thy beseeching?” —Juliana of Norwich

Prayer Points:
* Ask God to give us the grace and the faith to keep on growing in the knowledge of His will (for us personally, as well as corporately).

* Ask God to transform our passions in alignment with His passions

* Pray out Scripture over different aspects of the kingdom as you feel led—personal lives, Mercy Ships, etc.

* Pray now for those things (personal and corporate) that we are still trusting God for and that we know are truly His will.

40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 27

Focus: The Prayer of Faith
By Rob Miller, Africa Mercy

Scripture Reference:

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:13–20).

Devotional:

This portion of Scripture is very special to Denise and me. Ten years ago, Denise’s mom was near death in a hospital in Maryland with a recently diagnosed cancer; we lived in Florida. When we heard of her condition, we prayed and asked God to protect our family and to heal Mom. Denise was comfortable that her sisters, both Christians, would be with her mom and praying with her, and we didn’t need to drive to Maryland. I was restless and felt very strongly that we needed to go and pray with her. At the time, I was not familiar with this Scripture. Our pastor directed me to it when I explained my struggle and that I felt I was being nudged by the Holy Spirit to be with mom to pray. I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and wondering if I needed to be there. I wasn’t ordained as an elder; what was I going to do that other Christians couldn’t do? But I couldn’t ignore the feeling that we should be with Mom. So we went.

When we arrived around midnight, we weren’t mentally prepared for her physical condition. Mom was always a radiant, beautiful woman. Now she looked very fragile and hurting. Denise’s sister and Dad had been at the hospital all day with her. We encouraged them to go home for some rest. We would stay with mom. After they left, we anointed her head with oil and prayed for her. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit come into the room, and into mom. Up until this time she had been unconscious. She awoke as we anointed her head with oil and said, “I knew you would come. Would you pray for me?” That night Mom prayed and talked with Jesus out loud most of the night and gave her whole self to Him. The next night she asked Jesus out loud to heal her. We had come to pray for her, but instead she was an example of faith and prayer to us. She went home from the hospital after having recovered from kidney failure in about a week’s time. Jesus heard her prayers and answered them; Mom was healed of cancer.

Prayer Points:

· Listen to and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
· Pray with expectation, pray specifically, praise God.