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.”

God’s Big Vision: his vision for your church

When God looks at the motley crew we call Winnipeg Centre Vineyard, I wonder what he sees.  When he hears us sing the music of our life together, what does he hear?  Of course we want him to hear beautiful music –  everyone singing on pitch, in time, and in perfect harmony.  But for the song to be what it’s meant to be, everyone needs to sing (it’s ok, those of you who feel you can’t hold a tune, it’s just a metaphor – I was once called a “tone-deaf moron!”).  The song isn’t complete and may even be discordant if each person isn’t singing their part.

What’s your part in WCV’s unique song.  Certainly, we’re joining in the bigger anthem of God’s redemption and restoration through Jesus, expressed through the his church.  But, what’s your part in the chorus?

The Challenge:

Today, ask for an understanding of his vision for you in WCV.  Why has he put you here?  What part of “the song” does he have for you to sing?

 “Only he who sings can understand the song.”  St. Bernard of Clariveaux

God’s Big Vision: his vision for our city

Praying in line with God’s vision is like planting seeds in a  garden.  We get to participate in the growing reality of God’s kingdom.

It’s a fun exercise to imagine what Winnipeg will look like when God’s perfect kingdom is fully expressed here.  When we get even a small glimpse of this reality, hope for our city is born.  If God were to “plant seeds” in our city, what would he plant?  What does he want to see grow, emerge or appear in our city?

The Challenge:

Today, ask God to show you one reason he’s put you in this city – and then ask him to help you plant it!

“Prayer is like planting.”

God’s Big Vision: his vision for your neighbours

People are every neighbourhood’s most important asset. Without neighbours, there would be no neighbourhoods.  Our blocks, streets and suburbs are full of our actual neighbours.  If we are to take Jesus’ command seriously, those are the people we are to love.

Many of us have understood this command outside of our neighbourhoods.  We’ve made it about people who are out there somewhere – perhaps those we run into on the bus, at work or in school.  This isn’t wrong.  However, our neighbours, first and foremost, are the people we live next to.  Whether they are the people across your fence in the suburb, sleeping on the next mat to you in the shelter, or across the back alley in the Elm-lined areas of our city, these are our real neighbours.

The Challenge:

Today, ask God to show you how you can love one of your neighbours.  Perhaps it starts with finding out their name…

“Love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:39, Romans 13:9

God’s Big Vision: his vision for your neighbourhood

Throughout the bible, God seemed to be concerned with location. Daniel was in Babylon for most of his life and, as we’ll explore later in this series, God helped him prosper in that land. In the very beginning, God created a beautiful garden for Adam and Eve to live in – and called the whole thing very good. Later on he gave the Hebrew people a particular piece land to live on. Jesus came and lived during a precise period of time, on a very specific piece of real estate.

The Message says Jesus “moved into the neighbourhood”. He’s not a God who is disconnected from the land we live on, only concerned with the relational ties to those who occupy it. He also cares deeply about where we live and the places we go. We are, after all, made from the dust of the earth and he called it good. Our streets and alleys matter to him. God likes your neighbourhood, if even if you don’t! He loves Winnipeg, and all of it’s unique areas that are full of people who need him.

The Challenge:

Today, ask God to show you today at least one reason why he loves your neighbourhood. You may want to take a walk and ask him while you’re out.

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” John 1:14

God’s Big Vision: his vision for your life

Death by lions is certainly not a pleasant thought.  But Daniel didn’t allow the threat of lions to deter him from his vision.  Don’t get me wrong – the lions were real and Daniel didn’t ignore this reality.  In fact, he prayed with desperation to be delivered from them (6:11).  But even in this intense situation, he prayed in the direction of Jerusalem – a land that encapsulated his long-term hope and God’s promise.  He didn’t let his circumstances dictate his calling in life.

It’s easy to be side-tracked by the “lions” in our lives.  However, we must take them seriously and at the same time hold true to the long-range, big picture that God is calling each one of us to live into.

Today, ask God to help you name your lions, deliver you from them and keep you eyes fixed on that distant land of Jerusalem (whatever that is for you).  You may want to use some of the following movements to fuel your prayer:

• From arrogance & murmuring towards humility & contentment.
• From greed & self-advancement towards generosity and compassion.
• From personal gain towards unselfishness.
• From personal strength / ability towards reliance on God’s provision.
• From addiction towards freedom.

“[Daniel] went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” 6:10