turmoil

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning..." (Ps. 30:5)

The ministry to moms at our church is preparing for our next meeting. We are talking about parenting during turmoil. Would you join me in praying for those in our world who are in turmoil?

GOD who is IN CONTROL

who is all-knowing
all-powerful
mysterious
personal
paradox
Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider...

We pray for provision, wisdom, guidance, and PEACE to those in our world experiencing whatever kind of turmoil...

For those experiencing economic struggles

job loss

economic crash

greed

hunger

doubt about economic stability

May they have the faith of the widow friend of Elijah and trust God for finances, food, and provision.

For those experiencing worldly trials

terrorism

wars

political unrest

injustice

human slavery

famine

persecution

blizzard, hurricane, tornado, typhoon

May they have the faith of David as he was chased by Saul and call out to you for help. May they have the faith of those in the Exile to hold on and keep the faith even when you seem silent and distant.

For those going through family struggles

divorce

death

illness

moving

addictions & substance abuse

infertility

surprise pregnancies

truly troubled teens

mental illness

May they have the faith of Mary and Martha to call to Jesus for help. May they have the peace of Hannah, Sarai, and Elizabeth to accept God's plans for their lives. May they be like the woman who hemorrhaged 12 years and reach out in faith to touch the hem of your garment and be healed.

For those struggling with spiritual issues

unanswered prayer

attack of evil

temptation

sin & its consequences

unsaved loved ones

May they be like the widow talking to the unjust judge and persevere - keep calling out to God for help - put on the armor of God and run with endurance the race set before them. May they continually be seeking God, trusting more deeply, surrendering more fully, and living more godly.

May we remember the ultimate turmoil of the Cross Jesus suffered for us and remember, again, to praise in the midst of the storm.

Turn our sorrow into joy we pray....in the strong name of Christ. Amen

"Desert Song" by Brooke Frasier

(c) 2008 Hillsongs

Chorus 1

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 1

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

Verse 2

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

Verse 3

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Misc 1

(BRIDGE)
All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
(REPEAT)

Verse 4

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

If you can, check out this video of the song "Desert Song"; one of the worship leaders gives her testimony and it's powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE33ejdgWIY

To watch

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. (Prov. 8:34 NIV)

The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled." (Jer. 1:12 NIV)

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Ps. 130:6 NIV)

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. (Luke 12:37 NIV)

I have been trying for the last few days to figure out what this week's prayer is supposed to be. All I have is "watch" - like "be watchful" or "watch for the Lord." I don't know exactly what that is supposed to mean, so I guess my prayer will just be in that direction.

God who watches over your Creation

God who loves your Created

God who seeks and saves the Lost

Hear our prayers...

Help us be watchful...

...for opportunities to share the Gospel

...for times to share love and grace

...for the leading of the Spirit

...for answers to hard questions

...for new ways of thinking about things

...for ways in which you are doing a New Thing in, through, and among us

...for your return. Lord Jesus, Maranatha - come quickly.

Amen.

Trees or forest?

Last week a friend asked me how I was. I replied that I'd been having a bit of trouble lately seeing the forest for the trees. I'm a person who, every now and again, has to get up above the trees to see the forest - to get above the individual incidents or the worries or the annoyances or whatever and see the whole picture of where God is at and where God is leading.

Last night I was at a meeting where we were talking about the "win" for our ministry. Some of us were looking at the big picture to see what God is doing. And later I was able to tell my husband that I think I'm little by little beginning to do that again - do reorient my life, even just a little, toward bigger pictures of goals for myself, our family, child rearing, etc. after a long 18 months or so of being very focused on each "tree" in life.

Jesus was always surrounded by "trees" - people who came for healing, people who he was teaching, people coming to taunt and harass him. But he always had the "forest" in mind. He always knew his mission, his Big Hairy Audacious Goal, his big picture. Why? I think it's because he went away from the trees to reconnect with the Source of his forest - the Father.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35 NIV)

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. (Mt. 14:23 NIV)

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (Luke 5:16 NASB)

May we always see God's Big Picture, know the difference between "trees" and the "forest" of our life, and have self discipline and courage to go apart and seek the Father for our perspective. May God bless us with what we need to see, to know, to understand so that we can participate in the plans he has for us and for our Kingdom work. And may God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be honored by our lives. Amen.

Decked out for delight

Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help.
Every morning
you'll hear me at it again.
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life
on your altar
and watch for fire to descend.

Oh God - hear my humble prayer for forgiveness from sin. Cleanse me from unrighteousness. Restore to me the joy of communion with you.

^4-6 You don't socialize with Wicked,
or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you;
you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
God destroys Lie-Speaker;
Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.

Protect your children from sliding into things that are disgusting to you, things that do not show your Light and Life to this world.

^7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
it's incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.

Thank you for the invitation to be your child, to live the abundant life, to know your directions and protection.

^9-10 Every word they speak is a land mine;
their lungs breathe out poison gas.
Their throats are gaping graves,
their tongues slick as mudslides.
Pile on the guilt, God!
Let their so-called wisdom wreck them.
Kick them out! They've had their chance.

Show us your wisdom. Speak your words through us.

^11-12 But you'll welcome us with open arms
when we run for cover to you.
Let the party last all night!
Stand guard over our celebration.
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers,
for decking us out in delight. (Psalm 5 MSG)

Amen and amen!!