A Call to Prayer: provision

Jesus taught us to ask for what we need. Paul said that our Father would supply all our needs from his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil 4). As we look around our community, we can see many needs. Throughout this Prayer Challenge, we’ve turned our attention to many of them. Today, we invite you to consider some of the practical needs WCV has right now.

The Challenge:

Let’s pray for the following needs in WCV:

• Provision to cover our financial deficit.
• Provision of workers for our children & youth.
• What else do you see…?

“Give us this day, our daily bread.”

Prophetic Witness

It is in the very nature of light, to dispel darkness.  A candle doesn’t have to be convinced to shine – it just does.  It is the same with goodness, truth and love.  Their very existence dispels evil, deceit and indifference.  However, there are powers that work to extinguish the light.  Like we’ve seen in Daniel, there are those in positions of power who weaken under the weight of darkness – some give in completely.  The powers of greed, apathy, violence, fear, jealousy and hopelessness need to be confronted. This means holding the light of love and truth up to their ugly faces to declare, “you don’t have power here!”

The Challenge:

Today, let’s pray for those in our lives who hold institutional power – who are charged with the weighty responsibility to make decisions on our behalf.  Our Mayor, Brian Bowman; our city councilors; our Premier, Greg Sellinger; our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.  Pray for those involved in the judiciary and law enforcement.  Pray for our elders, influencers, and storytellers.  Pray that they would hold steadfast in light of truth and not cooperate with the powers of darkness.

“Truth loves the light, and is most beautiful when most naked.” George Baxter

Prophetic Ministry

The chief aim of prophecy is to strengthen, encourage and comfort others. Paul encourages the church in Corinth to let love be your highest goal, but also to eagerly desire the gifts of the spirit, especially prophecy. It’s because, when done in love the person on the receiving end will feel loved. Who doesn’t want to be encouraged, strengthened or comforted?

Paul also says, that now, we know in part and we prophesy in part. This means that usually nothing we say will be 100% from God. We will get it wrong sometimes, and we may get it partly right other times. That’s why we remain humble, test words and keep the whole enterprise low-key and in community. Naturally supernatural as the Vineyard has come to describe this approach.

The Challenge:

Today, let’s ask God for an encouraging, strengthening or comforting word for someone. You can do this at church as we gather, or anywhere else you happen to go today.

“But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.” 1 Cor 14:3

Prophetic Ministry

Prophecy is one of those highly misrepresented activities in Christianity. We either have ideas of some crazy from the Old Testament hurling warnings from God on a godless people (no offence to the OT), or big-haired men on TV making some kind of pronouncement about the end of the world (no offence to big hair). In reality, prophecy is usually far less dramatic and much more accessible to the average Joe (big, small, and thinly haired alike).

Simply put, prophecy is hearing God’s voice for someone else, and telling him or her what you’ve heard. It doesn’t have to be weird or full of drama, and it certainly doesn’t have to include King James English for it to work. It can be as simple as an answer to the question, “God, what do you think about this person?”

The bible teaches that the sheep will hear the shepherd’s voice. When we hear his voice and tell others, we’re being prophetic (skip the “thus saith the Lord” attitude though).

The Challenge:

Today, ask God to bring someone across your path whom you can give a word of encouragement to. When you find that person, simply ask, “God, how do you see this person?” and then tell them what you hear (be nice about it – more on this tomorrow).

Prayer that Listens: God’s list

Making lists can be a great way to get things done. Grocery lists help us shop – school lists help keep track of when assignments are due – Christmas lists ensure we’ll have at least one favourite toy under the tree (hey, a kid can hope).

We often approach God in a similar way. We have our various wish lists that we present to God like that cute kid on Santa’s lap at Portage Place.

Could it be that God has a list too? Do you ever wonder what would be on it?

The Challenge:

Today, let’s listen to the Holy Spirit and humbly ask God to show us what’s on his list. Tell him that, today, you want to listen to him and get to know his longings and desires.

“Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” Mother Teresa

Prayer that Listens: God’s surprises

Sometimes God throws curveballs – loopers – puts us in unexpected situations. This was the case for Philip in Acts 8. Philip had begun preaching in Samaria with great success. Crowds were coming to Jesus, signs and miracles performed, and demons were being cast out. By all accounts, it was a pretty successful ministry trip. You can imagine Philip’s surprise when an angel (messenger) showed up and told him to go to a stretch of deserted wilderness highway. He might have thought, “really, Lord? Are you sure you have this one right?”

As it turned out, this unexpected change in plans was a set-up (they usually are when God’s involved). Philip runs into a eunuch from Ethiopia – likely the treasurer of the Queen of Ethiopia. This powerful man was in his chariot reading the scriptures. The Holy Spirit whispered to Philip, “go and walk alongside the chariot”. Philip obeyed and the man was eager to hear what he had to say and was baptized immediately.

The Challenge:

Sometimes when we listen, the Holy Spirit whispers unexpected instructions to us. Ask God if there is something out of the ordinary for you today.

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.” Psalm 32:8

Intercession: seeking the good of the city

Jeremiah gave a prophecy to the exiled people of Judah in Babylon. It wasn’t a sweet message promising their quick return to Jerusalem (like some other false prophets were doing). Instead, Jeremiah’s letter told them to buckle down. He said, build houses, plant gardens and build lives for themselves in Babylon.

For some Winnipeg may feel like a land of exile (especially as we head into winter!). It’s not, really, and it’s certainly nothing like Babylon for the Jews. However, in one sense we are in exile. We are separated from the quality of life that we will have once Jesus returns and makes all things new (“all things” includes Winnipeg, by the way!).

We are to seek the peace and prosperity of the city we are in. And we are to pray for it, because, as Jeremiah reminds us, we are all connected. When those around us do well, we do well. When there are people in our city who are hurting, in some sense we all pay the cost of that hurt.

The Challenge:

Today, let’s ask God to bless our city. How can you work for the peace and prosperity of Winnipeg?

“…work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you…” Jeremiah 29:7

Intercession: standing in the gap

A classic definition of intercession is praying for someone else who cannot pray for him or herself. Ezekiel calls this “standing in the gap.” It’s a reference to someone who stands in a hole in a defensive wall in order to protect those inside. They are strengthening the weak spot in the wall with their prayers. The scriptures teach us that God is looking for people who will offer themselves for others in this way.

The Challenge:

Today, take a moment to prayerfully survey at the people in your life. What major needs to you see? Identify one person you can stand in the gap for in one particular need. It could be a crisis they’re facing, a problem they’re up against, or salvation. Ask God to move in their life and that they will recognize the one who will answer your prayers.

“…I searched for someone to stand in the gap …” Ez 22:30

Intercession: the God who sees

These days news headlines come and go like frost in September. There one day, gone the next. However, in our city, one headline has become all too familiar shouting at us: ANOTHER ABORIGINAL WOMAN MURDERED. Just last week our attention turned to the brutal assault and attempted murder of a young 16-year old girl down by the river. In our city aboriginal women are 5 times more likely to suffer a violent death than other women aged 25 – 44.

God sees them and his heart is broken. Our own “Vineyard Memorial Path” stands as a silent reminder that these women and girls will not be forgotten – that they are noticed, loved and honoured.

In Genesis, there is a short story about a woman named Hagar, who was mistreated by her master. God meets her as she’s running away from the abuse. After this encounter, which seemed to profoundly affect her, Hagar calls God, “El Roi” which means “the God who sees”. There is power in being seen.

The Challenge:

Our Father sees each and every vulnerable girl in our city. Today, let’s ask him to care for them and protect them. Let’s intercede on their behalf and ask God to break the cycle of violence that leads to this ugly repeating headline in our city’s news.

“You are the God who sees me.” Gen 16:13

 Intercession: what’s on God’s heart?

Congratulations – you’ve made it ½ way through the Prayer Challenge!  If your daily cues to remind you to pray aren’t working, make sure you find new cues.

A little over halfway though the book of Daniel, we get an interesting glimpse into his perspective on prayer.  He said “We do not present our requests before you because we deserve help but because of your great mercy.” (9:18)

The Challenge:

Today, especially as we gather together in the morning, let’s find ways to rest in his mercy.  Let’s consciously allow his forgiveness and love to surround us as we respond in gratitude to our God who loves us more than we can imagine.

“Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love.”  Richard Foster

Intercession: what’s on God’s heart

God has chosen to place his power behind a people that prays.  In doing so he wants to work with us in an intimate way to accomplish his will in the world.  Prayer changes things.  Also, it changes us.  As we pray, God gives us his heart – his joys and sorrows, dreams, and thoughts.

Intercession transforms both the world around us and our hearts within us.

The Challenge:

Today, let’s simply ask God what’s on his heart.  Ask him to  show you something he thinks you should know.  Perhaps it will be something he wants to see changed, perhaps it will be something that pains him or brings him joy.  Maybe it will be something that will change the course of your life…

“History belongs to the intercessors.” Walter Wink

God’s Big Vision: his vision for your church family

Community is weird.  Sometimes the harder we try to create it, the farther we get from it.  Bonhoeffer said “the person who loves community destroys community… but the person who loves people creates community.”  It seems the more we strive for a dreamy vision of community, the more we miss each other.  However, as we love  each other, and as we love God together, we find community.

The Challenge:

Ask God to show you someone to love in the WCV community.  What might you do to express that love?  Perhaps there is a particular prayer you could offer on their behalf.

“The discovery of love marks the birth of community.”