Saturday, April 15, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006
For four years now we have been inspired and challenged each day by a devotional written by a Mercy Ships coworker somewhere in the organization. If you are visiting this site, we pray that you will join us in the focus for the day and pray the prayer points with us.
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 40
Focus: Finishing Well- The Resurrected Messiah
By Don Stephens, Founder/President
Scripture Reference:
“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” and with those words, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 (NLT).
“It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 (NLT).
‘Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! . . . Didn’t our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us . . . and explained the Scriptures to us?’ Luke 24: 31-32 (NLT).
Devotional:
What a powerful model of ‘finishing well’ is our Risen Lord! He endured suffering and the cross that he might accomplish the will of his Father and in so doing, provide redemption for us.
Perhaps we can each one look again to Jesus example of ‘finishing well’, as most of us experience some level of suffering in the ending of the Anastasis era of Mercy Ships. The organizational resurrection we are all experiencing has a new body – the Africa Mercy.
More importantly, as we encounter others on their individual Emmaus roads, may we warm the hearts and minds of those walking alongside us on our journey. Jesus explained His role from the Scriptures as he spoke. As He said a prayer over the evening bread, their eyes and minds were open to the risen Messiah.
Prayer Points:
* Ask God to give us grace to individually finish well.
* Ask God that each person met as we journey may see Jesus through our word and deed.
* Ask God for grace when His will involves suffering and is not our will.
* Ask God that we may corporately finish well.
* Praise God for the thousands of lives we will see in eternity through the service of Mercy Ships.
* Praise God for using each of us in this process.
* Thank God that we are privileged to have a part in what He is doing.
* Thank God for all the stakeholders of the past 28 years. Some have greatly sacrificed that we might serve. Some have been greatly blessed through our service.
By Don Stephens, Founder/President
Scripture Reference:
“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” and with those words, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 (NLT).
“It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 (NLT).
‘Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! . . . Didn’t our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us . . . and explained the Scriptures to us?’ Luke 24: 31-32 (NLT).
Devotional:
What a powerful model of ‘finishing well’ is our Risen Lord! He endured suffering and the cross that he might accomplish the will of his Father and in so doing, provide redemption for us.
Perhaps we can each one look again to Jesus example of ‘finishing well’, as most of us experience some level of suffering in the ending of the Anastasis era of Mercy Ships. The organizational resurrection we are all experiencing has a new body – the Africa Mercy.
More importantly, as we encounter others on their individual Emmaus roads, may we warm the hearts and minds of those walking alongside us on our journey. Jesus explained His role from the Scriptures as he spoke. As He said a prayer over the evening bread, their eyes and minds were open to the risen Messiah.
Prayer Points:
* Ask God to give us grace to individually finish well.
* Ask God that each person met as we journey may see Jesus through our word and deed.
* Ask God for grace when His will involves suffering and is not our will.
* Ask God that we may corporately finish well.
* Praise God for the thousands of lives we will see in eternity through the service of Mercy Ships.
* Praise God for using each of us in this process.
* Thank God that we are privileged to have a part in what He is doing.
* Thank God for all the stakeholders of the past 28 years. Some have greatly sacrificed that we might serve. Some have been greatly blessed through our service.
Friday, April 14, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 39
Focus: A Doorkeeper in the House of my God
By: Rene Lako, Mercy Ships Sierra Leone
Scripture Reference:
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”(Psalm 84:10).
Devotional:
The compound of our team house in Freetown, Sierra Leone is surrounded by a wall, topped by broken glass and razor wire. Two uniformed security guards patrol the compound, equipped with radio, baton and panic button alarm system to keep us safe. This is part of land based life for Mercy Ships staff in West Africa, and it’s quite different from life on a “Mercy Ship”. These guards are not considered Mercy Ships staff, but are employed by the security company. Yet, they get a taste of “mercy ship”, as they say here, and our team house compounds and Aberdeen Clinic and Fistula Centre have become popular postings for the guards.
Psalm 84 emphasizes the theme of God’s dwelling place and the desire to be in God’s presence. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Ps. 84:1-2).
The birds have nests to protect and feed their young. This is the kind of safe haven God offers us in his presence. When we are close to him, we have reason to praise him and we experience God’s protection and strength. Yet, this is not just about being stationary in a home. The Psalm speaks about setting your heart on pilgrimage . . . and this was a song pilgrims were singing as they traveled the long road to their destination, the literal “house of God”.
Sometimes, I see my life in Mercy Ships as a 26-year pilgrimage, having served on the Anastasis, the Rotterdam office, the IOC and now in Sierra Leone. Some legs of the journey have felt like dark valleys, other parts have been on sunny hillsides. Even as we pass through the driest desert lands, we can turn them into a place of springs. In God’s presence, as we follow Jesus, we can go from strength to strength.
Although we may not always feel significant or like a hero of the faith, even as a doorkeeper in God’s compound, we can be in his presence and make a difference in the world we live in. In Sierra Leone we aim to serve some of the forgotten poor afflicted by child birth injuries, such as women with fistulas (VVF) or children with disabilities, such as polio. As we meet their physical needs we also share God’s love and compassion with them and bring them into his presence.
Prayer Points:
* Pray for God’s protection for staff in Sierra Leone, and for crew and staff around the world.
* Pray for God to send workers into the harvest field of Sierra Leone, especially 1) VVF surgeons (short term/long term), 2) a ward nursing supervisor, and 3) a financial administrator.
* Pray for continued good relationships with all our local and international stakeholders/partners.
By: Rene Lako, Mercy Ships Sierra Leone
Scripture Reference:
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”(Psalm 84:10).
Devotional:
The compound of our team house in Freetown, Sierra Leone is surrounded by a wall, topped by broken glass and razor wire. Two uniformed security guards patrol the compound, equipped with radio, baton and panic button alarm system to keep us safe. This is part of land based life for Mercy Ships staff in West Africa, and it’s quite different from life on a “Mercy Ship”. These guards are not considered Mercy Ships staff, but are employed by the security company. Yet, they get a taste of “mercy ship”, as they say here, and our team house compounds and Aberdeen Clinic and Fistula Centre have become popular postings for the guards.
Psalm 84 emphasizes the theme of God’s dwelling place and the desire to be in God’s presence. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Ps. 84:1-2).
The birds have nests to protect and feed their young. This is the kind of safe haven God offers us in his presence. When we are close to him, we have reason to praise him and we experience God’s protection and strength. Yet, this is not just about being stationary in a home. The Psalm speaks about setting your heart on pilgrimage . . . and this was a song pilgrims were singing as they traveled the long road to their destination, the literal “house of God”.
Sometimes, I see my life in Mercy Ships as a 26-year pilgrimage, having served on the Anastasis, the Rotterdam office, the IOC and now in Sierra Leone. Some legs of the journey have felt like dark valleys, other parts have been on sunny hillsides. Even as we pass through the driest desert lands, we can turn them into a place of springs. In God’s presence, as we follow Jesus, we can go from strength to strength.
Although we may not always feel significant or like a hero of the faith, even as a doorkeeper in God’s compound, we can be in his presence and make a difference in the world we live in. In Sierra Leone we aim to serve some of the forgotten poor afflicted by child birth injuries, such as women with fistulas (VVF) or children with disabilities, such as polio. As we meet their physical needs we also share God’s love and compassion with them and bring them into his presence.
Prayer Points:
* Pray for God’s protection for staff in Sierra Leone, and for crew and staff around the world.
* Pray for God to send workers into the harvest field of Sierra Leone, especially 1) VVF surgeons (short term/long term), 2) a ward nursing supervisor, and 3) a financial administrator.
* Pray for continued good relationships with all our local and international stakeholders/partners.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 38
Focus: When God is Silent
By Melissa Hall, Anastasis
Scripture Reference:
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).
Devotional:
You have an important decision to make, or you feel unsure about your ability to do something and don’t know where to start. You’ve prayed to God and asked for his guidance. You’ve constantly petitioned him (Luke 18:1) but there’s been no answer. You’ve pored over your Bible (Psalm 119:105), sought the advice of your friends (Proverbs 20:18), even returned to the last bit of guidance you received only to find out it doesn’t apply. Finally you repent of everything you can think of (Isaiah 59:1-2), but still God is silent. You feel like Job (19:8), wandering in the darkness, desperate for encouragement. But God is silent. What next? What happens during these times in the wilderness? Are we left to wander around in circles - or worse freeze, into inactivity too scared to make the wrong decision lest we fall off the narrow path?
God knows us; we as Christians have to trust that if we’re about to wander from his will for us he will warn us (Numbers 22:21-38). After all he sent us his Son to be our Shepherd (John 10:14) and what do shepherd’s do? They make sure their sheep don’t go wander onto dangerous paths, fall into holes or start chewing on something that looks really good but turns out to be poisonous. Now I confess I have never herded sheep, but in England it’s a sport; you can even watch it on television! When the sheep are going in the right direction the shepherd and his dog are quiet, but they whistle and bark like crazy when the sheep are going in the wrong direction. We are Jesus’ sheep, we know his voice (John 10:27), but when we don’t hear him perhaps we shouldn’t despair; maybe we are just going in the right direction.
When I made my decision to join Mercy Ships it was based on wisdom and the desires of my heart. I love sailing and wanted to serve God in Africa. I agonized over whether it was the right decision. God never gave me that resounding, ‘Yes! This is the way walk in it!’ It was only after I’d signed the contract, when money came pouring in and I discovered we were going to Liberia (a country I’d supported as a schoolgirl) that I felt God confirm my plans.
Perhaps, occasionally God wants us to simply step out and ‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed’ (Proverbs 16:3). This is after all a journey of faith: we cannot always see the path before us. It’s like that scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when Indiana has to find the way across a great abyss to reach the Holy Grail. The only clue he has is to, ‘Take a step of faith’. He closes his eyes, and places his leg over the chasm, shifts his weight and bang! His foot makes contact with a glistening path, reaching to the other side of the ravine. It’s sometimes only when we move forward that God reveals and confirms the way.
Prayer Points:
* Pray we will know when to persevere in seeking God’s guidance and when we need to step out in faith and commit our plans to Him.
* Pray for an increase in faith for every person in Mercy Ships, faith in our ability to hear God and faith in His ability to keep us on the right path.
* Pray for God’s Liberian sheep - that He will comfort them and guide them to fresh pastures this Easter.
By Melissa Hall, Anastasis
Scripture Reference:
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).
Devotional:
You have an important decision to make, or you feel unsure about your ability to do something and don’t know where to start. You’ve prayed to God and asked for his guidance. You’ve constantly petitioned him (Luke 18:1) but there’s been no answer. You’ve pored over your Bible (Psalm 119:105), sought the advice of your friends (Proverbs 20:18), even returned to the last bit of guidance you received only to find out it doesn’t apply. Finally you repent of everything you can think of (Isaiah 59:1-2), but still God is silent. You feel like Job (19:8), wandering in the darkness, desperate for encouragement. But God is silent. What next? What happens during these times in the wilderness? Are we left to wander around in circles - or worse freeze, into inactivity too scared to make the wrong decision lest we fall off the narrow path?
God knows us; we as Christians have to trust that if we’re about to wander from his will for us he will warn us (Numbers 22:21-38). After all he sent us his Son to be our Shepherd (John 10:14) and what do shepherd’s do? They make sure their sheep don’t go wander onto dangerous paths, fall into holes or start chewing on something that looks really good but turns out to be poisonous. Now I confess I have never herded sheep, but in England it’s a sport; you can even watch it on television! When the sheep are going in the right direction the shepherd and his dog are quiet, but they whistle and bark like crazy when the sheep are going in the wrong direction. We are Jesus’ sheep, we know his voice (John 10:27), but when we don’t hear him perhaps we shouldn’t despair; maybe we are just going in the right direction.
When I made my decision to join Mercy Ships it was based on wisdom and the desires of my heart. I love sailing and wanted to serve God in Africa. I agonized over whether it was the right decision. God never gave me that resounding, ‘Yes! This is the way walk in it!’ It was only after I’d signed the contract, when money came pouring in and I discovered we were going to Liberia (a country I’d supported as a schoolgirl) that I felt God confirm my plans.
Perhaps, occasionally God wants us to simply step out and ‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed’ (Proverbs 16:3). This is after all a journey of faith: we cannot always see the path before us. It’s like that scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, when Indiana has to find the way across a great abyss to reach the Holy Grail. The only clue he has is to, ‘Take a step of faith’. He closes his eyes, and places his leg over the chasm, shifts his weight and bang! His foot makes contact with a glistening path, reaching to the other side of the ravine. It’s sometimes only when we move forward that God reveals and confirms the way.
Prayer Points:
* Pray we will know when to persevere in seeking God’s guidance and when we need to step out in faith and commit our plans to Him.
* Pray for an increase in faith for every person in Mercy Ships, faith in our ability to hear God and faith in His ability to keep us on the right path.
* Pray for God’s Liberian sheep - that He will comfort them and guide them to fresh pastures this Easter.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 37
Focus: Praise God
By Sherry Carpenito, Anastasis
Scripture Reference:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, or height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).
Devotional:
So many things come our way during the course of our days . . . deadlines, chores, promises that we don't know how we can keep; small headaches and big headaches. Leaders, co-workers, cabin mates and projects are only a few of our daily tests. We have finance, family and friends, here and at home, who take a share of our hearts. Some have more intense struggles. Life and death does not stop just because we are in the Lord's army. And that is exactly our focus for today - we ARE the Lords children, and nothing can separate us from His love. Overwhelming victory . . . not just winning the battle . . . but overwhelming victory is ours! Like a landslide, Jesus Christ has won our victory . . . because He loves us. How can we not praise Him? Nothing can separate us from His love.
The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace (Ps.29:11).
For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield (Ps.5:12).
Do not fret because of evildoers nor be envious of the workers of iniquity (Ps.37:1).
And you have been give fullness in Christ who is head over every power and authority (Col.2:10).
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Col.3:15).
Now may the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way
(2 Thessalonians 3:16).
Prayer Points:
* Pray for acceptance of Christ’s peace and love to penetrate our mind and heart; even through our specific struggles.
* Praise Him for His love revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
By Sherry Carpenito, Anastasis
Scripture Reference:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, or height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).
Devotional:
So many things come our way during the course of our days . . . deadlines, chores, promises that we don't know how we can keep; small headaches and big headaches. Leaders, co-workers, cabin mates and projects are only a few of our daily tests. We have finance, family and friends, here and at home, who take a share of our hearts. Some have more intense struggles. Life and death does not stop just because we are in the Lord's army. And that is exactly our focus for today - we ARE the Lords children, and nothing can separate us from His love. Overwhelming victory . . . not just winning the battle . . . but overwhelming victory is ours! Like a landslide, Jesus Christ has won our victory . . . because He loves us. How can we not praise Him? Nothing can separate us from His love.
The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace (Ps.29:11).
For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield (Ps.5:12).
Do not fret because of evildoers nor be envious of the workers of iniquity (Ps.37:1).
And you have been give fullness in Christ who is head over every power and authority (Col.2:10).
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Col.3:15).
Now may the Lord of Peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way
(2 Thessalonians 3:16).
Prayer Points:
* Pray for acceptance of Christ’s peace and love to penetrate our mind and heart; even through our specific struggles.
* Praise Him for His love revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 36
Focus: Trust
By Bonnie Usher, IOC
Scripture Reference:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
Devotional:
There once was a program on TV called “Who do you trust?” Maybe it was before your time, but it is a good question.
I am the parent of two adult sons and last year we had a situation in our family that almost destroyed us. My oldest son freely admits he is an alcoholic. He had been through rehabilitation and three months later fell “off the wagon.” My younger son and I lived thousands of miles away and we were concerned. We went to a family get-together with high expectations. Unfortunately Colin and I could see immediately that Ian was literally killing himself with alcohol and pills. We felt helpless, along with his wife, but God would not leave this situation unchanged. The Lord actually arranged an intervention for us with Ian; he wanted help and was willing to change. I asked Ian to commit to at least six months in rehabilitation and he agreed.
The next day I made some phone calls and arranged to bring Ian to Texas with me. He had an appointment at Rhema Ranch, and the counselor agreed to take Ian into their program following detoxification. After five days in a psychiatric hospital Ian entered the program at Rhema Ranch. During his second week a pastor prophesied over him that he would go home and be the spiritual leader of his family. He went back to the single wide trailer where he lived with nine other guys and got down on his knees and asked Jesus to take over. He stayed for nine months, made a wonderful recovery, and is now home with his wife and little girl.
It is a miracle, but nothing is too hard for God. Many people prayed for him and I know God heard our heartfelt cries. I still pray for my son everyday and thank each of you who have done that with me. We can trust God with the most important things and people in our lives.
Prayer Points:
* Pray for increased trust in God to finish the good work He has begun in each of us (Philippians 1:6).
* Pray that we can trust that the Africa Mercy will sail in His time.
* Pray for a renewed sense that God hears our prayers and will answer.
By Bonnie Usher, IOC
Scripture Reference:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
Devotional:
There once was a program on TV called “Who do you trust?” Maybe it was before your time, but it is a good question.
I am the parent of two adult sons and last year we had a situation in our family that almost destroyed us. My oldest son freely admits he is an alcoholic. He had been through rehabilitation and three months later fell “off the wagon.” My younger son and I lived thousands of miles away and we were concerned. We went to a family get-together with high expectations. Unfortunately Colin and I could see immediately that Ian was literally killing himself with alcohol and pills. We felt helpless, along with his wife, but God would not leave this situation unchanged. The Lord actually arranged an intervention for us with Ian; he wanted help and was willing to change. I asked Ian to commit to at least six months in rehabilitation and he agreed.
The next day I made some phone calls and arranged to bring Ian to Texas with me. He had an appointment at Rhema Ranch, and the counselor agreed to take Ian into their program following detoxification. After five days in a psychiatric hospital Ian entered the program at Rhema Ranch. During his second week a pastor prophesied over him that he would go home and be the spiritual leader of his family. He went back to the single wide trailer where he lived with nine other guys and got down on his knees and asked Jesus to take over. He stayed for nine months, made a wonderful recovery, and is now home with his wife and little girl.
It is a miracle, but nothing is too hard for God. Many people prayed for him and I know God heard our heartfelt cries. I still pray for my son everyday and thank each of you who have done that with me. We can trust God with the most important things and people in our lives.
Prayer Points:
* Pray for increased trust in God to finish the good work He has begun in each of us (Philippians 1:6).
* Pray that we can trust that the Africa Mercy will sail in His time.
* Pray for a renewed sense that God hears our prayers and will answer.
Monday, April 10, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 35
Focus: It’s not About Me.
By Charles White, IOC
Scripture Reference:
“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above is above all…” (John 3:29-31a).
Devotional:
A devotional could be written about verse 29 but it is only included here as context for verse 30. Early in my Christian walk I learned about verse 30. I had been a Christian for only about 6 months when a friend at our church invited me to lunch. During that lunch he asked me to consider teaching a short course with him, “Living the True Christian Life”. I was cool on the outside but panicking on the inside! Who was I to teach anyone about Christianity when I still had so much to learn myself? My mind was racing for excuses and then, suddenly, I knew I had the answer that would get me out of doing this. I smugly told my friend, in a most humble way (sarcasm here!), that I really could not assume such responsibility because I just was not big enough to handle it yet. My friend smiled at me and the next words he uttered have stuck with me since that day: He said, “Charlie, it is not about how big you can be, but how small you can be and understanding how big our God is.” John the Baptist understood this perfectly. He had been getting a lot of attention but understood who Jesus was and is and put himself in the rightful place. John said it even more clearly in verse 31a,”The one who comes from above is above all…”
Prayer Points:
* Pray that we will understand and truly realize in our daily lives that this life is NOT about us but about Him.
* Pray that Mercy Ships corporately will continue to seek His will in all we undertake.
* Pray that we all individually will continue to grow in His likeness and will decrease as He increases.
By Charles White, IOC
Scripture Reference:
“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above is above all…” (John 3:29-31a).
Devotional:
A devotional could be written about verse 29 but it is only included here as context for verse 30. Early in my Christian walk I learned about verse 30. I had been a Christian for only about 6 months when a friend at our church invited me to lunch. During that lunch he asked me to consider teaching a short course with him, “Living the True Christian Life”. I was cool on the outside but panicking on the inside! Who was I to teach anyone about Christianity when I still had so much to learn myself? My mind was racing for excuses and then, suddenly, I knew I had the answer that would get me out of doing this. I smugly told my friend, in a most humble way (sarcasm here!), that I really could not assume such responsibility because I just was not big enough to handle it yet. My friend smiled at me and the next words he uttered have stuck with me since that day: He said, “Charlie, it is not about how big you can be, but how small you can be and understanding how big our God is.” John the Baptist understood this perfectly. He had been getting a lot of attention but understood who Jesus was and is and put himself in the rightful place. John said it even more clearly in verse 31a,”The one who comes from above is above all…”
Prayer Points:
* Pray that we will understand and truly realize in our daily lives that this life is NOT about us but about Him.
* Pray that Mercy Ships corporately will continue to seek His will in all we undertake.
* Pray that we all individually will continue to grow in His likeness and will decrease as He increases.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
40 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2006 - Day 34
Focus: Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work
By Dee Patton, IOC
Scripture Reference:
“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4) (KJV)
“And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:4)(NASB).
Devotional:
Sometimes we go along merrily (or not so merrily as the case may be) for a long time…years in fact…and then out of the blue we see something, look at something, read something and perceive it in a whole new way. Small changes in us align. The tumblers fall into place and something unlocks. Small details and bits of understanding get pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle in our conscious and sometimes subconscious minds and WHAM! Suddenly things that were just bits before are now a bigger bit. Maybe not the whole picture yet, but enough so that we can see that it really might be a picture of something.
Puzzles take time to put together . . . longer for some people than others, of course. When that piece finally fits something that was lacking in us is fulfilled, perfected. It’s a process….a work on the way to completion. When we struggle on and persist, the picture grows and we want for less and less - lack for less and less. We become more complete and more completely who God means us to be.
Faith is knowing that all those pieces actually will be a completed picture eventually and that God Himself is helping with the project. And patience in not just waiting. Patience is knowing that something is happening when it looks like nothing is happening. Patience is putting that small troubling piece of jigsaw puzzle aside and working on the edges, finding something useful to do until the moment arrives when those tumblers align, when those pieces finally fit in our hearts and minds. Patience is knowing that if you keep after it you will eventually know where to put that piece of sky.
When you allow her to, Patience works, not only in you, but in others as well and in the situation itself - even when you can’t see it. Let her.
Prayer Points:
· Pray for that Fruit of the Holy Spirit, Patience, to grow in your heart. Not through more trouble or trial, but through trust in the Father himself.
· Pray that the Lord will show you that patience is, indeed, at work in your life and work.
· Pray for leadership, that they will be filled with the Spirit as they walk through difficult times of decision making.
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