Fervent Prayer: MH Buildings
Today, we are asking the church to join together and pray for some specific provisions from God. Throughout Scripture, God’s people have sought and trusted the leading and provision of God for places of worship. Whether it was the building of the tabernacle, temple, or the walls in Nehemiah’s day, it was all because of God’s timing, direction, and provision. At this time, all three campuses: Bayview, Lake Country, and Rock County find themselves facing the need for a new location. Finding a new building for just one location can be daunting, but we rejoice that God has been building and blessing His church to the point that we need three! We ask that you join us in trusting for God’s provision and guidance as he has led us to this point, and will lead us beyond.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV
First, pray that these future spaces would glorify Christ, and not Mercy Hill
That they would be used to equip the saints (members of MH) for ministry
That people would be ministered to, and find healing through Jesus
Please pray for guidance and wisdom in finding possible buildings and locations
Pray for financial provisions needed to purchase and renovate spaces
Pray for favor with owners, inspectors, contractors, officials, and new neighbors
Pray against any opposition, or complications that would hinder the process
Fervent Prayer: Missions/Seeking the Lost
“For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost” Luke 19:10
In Luke 19 is the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who wanted see who Jesus was and climbed up a tree to do that. Jesus stops at the tree and tells Zacchaeus that he must come to Zacchaeus’ house today. Those who were around observed this and stated “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” Zacchaeus responds by “repenting” of the way he was cheating others through his tax collecting and states “Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus responds by saying, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
Before this, in Luke chapter 16 it states “Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathered around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” Jesus responds by telling 3 parables, the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each of the parables end with rejoicing because what was lost was found, “…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Lk 15:10).
These stories show us God’s heart for seeking those who are lost. In Jesus’ first coming, he was sent by the Father to do just that and complete a mission of not only teaching us who God is and what His kingdom is like but also to be the long-awaited Savior who could reverse the curse of sin for fallen humanity. Through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, he became the atoning sacrifice for our sins and made a way possible for us to be redeemed children of our Creator God.
But the story does not end there. With those very first disciples he birthed the church which was given the same mission to seek the lost in the world and proclaim the good news of what he has done for us. After his resurrection and shortly before his ascension back to heaven he charges the disciples with this mission. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20). Also in John’s gospel “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (Jn 20:21-22). Our God is a missional God who continues to send his messengers into His fallen creation to bring the good news of His mercy upon us through the sacrifice of His own son which redeems us and allows for our adoption back into His family. This continues to be our mission today. The question is will we be obedient to follow His commands to make disciples of all nations and be used as instruments in His hands? Along with Paul we must ask “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Rom 10:14-15. Lord, let us be instruments in your hands to bring your message to the lost!
Fervent Prayer: Ripple Effects of Addiction and Prayer
“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:3-5
Acts 12:1-19 shows us the struggle that Peter experienced while he was arrested. Peter was seized, imprisoned, and held in chains, and restrained by squads of soldiers. As I read the scripture, I love how verse five says…
5“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church”
Chapter 12:1-19 describes how Peter was imprisoned, physically trapped & powerless, and what seemed to be in a hopeless situation. “But earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church” The Church came together to pray and fast. Verses, 7 – 17 tells us how the power of earnest prayer caused the impossible of the supernatural power of God cause the chains of bondage from Peter to fall.
This is what I mean by the ripple effects of Prayer and Addiction. You see, addiction not only affects the person addicted, it also affects their family, friends, church, their entire lives, in other words it's makes a ripple effect! But so is with prayer, the power of praying believers can make incredible ripples in the heavenly realm; as the church earnestly prays for our addicted.
Unfortunately, we tend to do the opposite with the addicted, we often isolate ourselves from them, we consider them lesser than us, they become outcast, we give up on them. But even worse, we may not even think that the power of our earnest prayers can make an impact on their lives as far as them being delivered from the chains, bondage and their imprisonment from their addiction. The Church prayed and fasted for Peter and God delivered him from what seemed to be an impossible and hopeless situation.
Let us not give up praying earnestly for those who are struggling from the chains and bondage of addiction, God has the power to deliver them from the negative ripple effects of addiction and convert them to God glorifying ripple effects that can even help others.
Lord, you are our deliverer. We can do anything through Christ who strengthens us…but, we must take the first step. We must realize we have a problem and a need… and we must ask for help. Lord I ask, that you will give each person the courage to face up to their problems and to have a strong desire to change.
Father, remove the influences that hinder the addicted from coming clean and who perpetuate their addictions. We ask in Jesus’ name, that you will protect them from the world and the enemy, protect them from themselves and from the things that keep dragging them down. Father, I know many self medicate so they won’t have to deal with the pain in their life. I pray that you will give them the courage and strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to face down their demons and hurts… and to clean out the wounds once and for all, so they can be free to be the person that you’ve called them to be…to be free from the sickness and pain that keeps them in bondage.
We ask for healing in families and relationships that are being torn apart by the destructive ripple effects of addiction. We ask for protection for those family members that are in harm’s way because of their loved one’s addictions. Please pour out your grace, mercy and healing power on each person that are under the chains of addiction or have been affected by someone with an addiction.
Amen
Helping an addict through recovery can seem overwhelming, but they don’t have to do it alone. Mercy Hill Celebrate Recovery in Bayview (a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind), we meet every Monday night at 6:30pm You can browse the resources at https://cr.mercyhill.org or contact us at (414) 755-6772 or email us at cr@mercyhill.org.
Fervent Prayer: Marriages (Families under attack!)
OUR ENEMY
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn't come on My own, but He sent Me. Why don't you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word. You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Who among you can convict Me of sin? If I tell the truth, why don't you believe Me? The one who is from God listens to God's words. This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God." John 8:42-47 HCSB
First of all, our enemy is the Devil. But secondly we ourselves are our own enemy when we cannot listen to the Word of God and will not believe Jesus and instead carry out the wishes of the enemy of our soul, the Devil.
LIGHT
In Ephesians chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 Paul is giving instructions to husbands, wives, children, parents, fathers, slaves (employees), and masters (bosses), to wake up.
Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you. Eph 4:32 HCSB
The Holy Spirit wrote through Paul that in our past the Lord Jesus was the light that shined into our darkness. But now, today we are instructed to “walk as children of light” and to not “participate in fruitless works of darkness.”
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead, expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made clear, for what makes everything clear is light. Eph 5:8-14 HCSB
This blog is titled, “Marriages (Families under attack!).” I suppose that is true but every one of us is under constant attack by that roaring lion – the Devil – who has been a “murderer from the beginning.” Go ahead and read through Ephesians 5:1–6:9 and you’ll see what light vs darkness looks like in marriage, as a husband, a wife, a parent, a father, an employee, and as a boss. I think you’ll see what living in this life is really about.
Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you. Eph 4:32 HCSB
WAR
The Holy Spirit has acknowledged that the Devil is seeking to murder us but that our Lord Jesus has vast strength and has given us all we need to stand against the Devil’s tactics. Our God is clearly stating that we are in a war “against the world powers of this darkness.” So if this be the truth then clearly we must be a people who listens to our Lord Jesus for He said…
The one who is from God listens to God's words. John 8:47 HCSB
So let’s do that please. I understand that you are in a war. But sincerely I appeal to you to be one who is listening to the Word of God and are of the Light. Please do not give up the battle against darkness and let Light who is Jesus be lifted up for all to see. “Listen” to how the Holy Spirit finishes the letter to the Ephesians and to us.
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Eph 6:10-18 HCSB
PRAY
Please pray for yourself and for your brothers & sisters that we are able to hear and listen to the Word of God. And pray too for the saints that may be “opposing themselves” and “that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.”
…be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Tim 2:24-26 KJV
Fervent Prayer: Leadership
” Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers” Acts 15:22 ESV
As we have been studying the book of Acts, we see a continuous theme of a commitment to prayer and seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit. This passage begins: ’Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church. . .’ It seemed good, because they had prayed about it and felt led by the Holy Spirit to send these men. Likewise, let’s pray that every decision that our leadership makes at Mercy Hill is guided by the Holy Spirit. The passage then names the two men being sent (Paul and Barnabas) as well as two additional men added to the team (Barsabbas and Silas). Just as the four men needed to be unified in their objective, we can pray for unity amongst the staff at Mercy Hill.
The book of Acts has ample evidence that this brand new Body of Christ was already involved with what we might call ‘staffing’. The details may be different today, but just as in the Acts 15 passage, there are people at Mercy Hill who have been called to serve in positions of leadership. However, it is only through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, not through their own talents and strengths, that they can serve effectively. We can pray that they are so equipped.
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Because the passage implores the brothers and sisters to stand firm, it is clear that the possibility exists to not stand firm. We can pray that those in leadership stand firm. And lastly, ‘know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain’. It is common for people in leadership to feel discouraged. One reason is that they are keenly aware of how much is still to be done. Pray that God continues to encourage.
Today, let’s focus our prayers on our Leadership:
Pray that the elders decisions would always be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Pray that our teaching pastors in all three locations will be inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Pray for unity amongst our staff.
Pray for the ministry leaders, that they will be equipped for they have been called to do.
Pray that our Sunday School teaching has eternal value for our children.
Pray that our leaders are encouraged.
Fervent Prayer: Providence - God’s Provision
We can read, study and research a lot about God’s provision. We can reflect looking back in our own lives or the lives of others how God’s provision has been made visible. However, it’s often much more difficult to trust, to live out today, knowing God is our provider. He’s our provider today as much as he was yesterday. This is difficult.
I’d challenge us to reflect on God’s provision today through prayer and scripture. To help us to reflect on this, I’d ask we start with Matthew 9:11: “Give us this day our daily bread…” there can be so much in this one verse we could reflect on.
Known to be someone that prayed often, every day, Martin Luther was once asked for advice on how to pray. So in true Martin Luther fashion, he wrote a letter to help provide guidance. I’d encourage you to read that letter. Today, I’d like us to reflect on his response to verse 11 of the Lord’s Prayer below.
The fourth petition. "Give us this day our daily bread." Say: "Dear Lord, God and Father, grant us thy blessing also in this temporal and physical life. Graciously grant us blessed peace. Protect us against war and disorder. Grant to our dear emperor fortune and success against his enemies. Grant him wisdom and understanding to rule over his earthly kingdom in peace and prosperity. Grant to all kings, princes, and rulers good counsel and the will to preserve their domains and their subjects in tranquility and justice. Especially aid and guide our dear prince N., under whose protection and shelter thou dost maintain us, so that he may be protected against all harm and reign blessedly, secure from evil tongues and disloyal people. Grant to all his subjects grace to serve him loyally and obediently. Grant to every estate-townsman or farmer-to be diligent and to display charity and loyalty toward each other. Give us favorable weather and good harvest. I commend to thee my house and property, wife and child. Grant that I may manage them well, supporting and educating them as a Christian should. Defend us against the Destroyer and all his wicked angels who would do us harm and mischief in this life. Amen."
Here is an excerpt from Martin Luther in his letter “A Simple Way To Pray:”
The nature of God’s provision is well reflected in Luther’s letter. Several elements that stand out when reflecting on God’s provision are:
God’s blessed peace.
Wisdom and understanding to rule, notice it’s not about looking for prosperity; but rather managing what we have.
The grace to serve.
The ability to display charity and loyalty to each other.
Wisdom to manage our household well and protection against the enemy.
These are just a few. All of which, seem reflective of God’s characteristics as it relates to his provision. Very countercultural to how we see provision today. The intention of asking God to give us our daily bread ultimately can be viewed as follows:
A declaration that he is our provider and not us.
A reflection that this isn’t just about us, but rather asking he provide so we in turn can provide for others.
Hopefully today, you too can reflect on what God’s provision means for you. What’s our understanding of the intention of this declaration? Is it simply to be comfortable today? Or is there more we should be considering?
Fervent Prayer: Gratitude and Praise
Do you see it? Do you notice it? Can you feel it? Or has life and the circumstances of your life - the struggles and pains, or even the joys and triumphs - overshadowed it? You probably ask, “What is he talking about - what is ‘it’?”
I’m talking about grace. I’m talking about mercy. I’m talking about the deepest love. I’m talking about Sonship.
“It” is the reality of our position as sons and daughters and all that is afforded us because of Christ and His sufficient work on the cross. It’s the fact that we were once lost, enslaved to sin, and dead in transgressions, but God - who is rich in mercy - loved us and sought us and made us alive with Christ. And in Christ and His promised Holy Spirit living inside of us… we lack NOTHING.
Today’s prayer emphasis is centered on prayers of gratitude and praise. It reminds me of Paul’s instruction to the Thessalonian church:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Hear those words. God’s Church is to rejoice all the time, pray all the time, and give thanks all of the time - no matter what is going on - and it’s God’s will for us that we do.
However, so often gratitude and praise are not readily on our lips. Often, our eyes lower from the glory of Jesus to the things of this world, to our circumstances and trials, and we lose sight of magnitude of Christ and all that He’s done for us. This week, let us “fix our minds on things above” as it says in Colossians 3. Let us fix our eyes on our glorious Redeemer who has given Himself for us completely so that we might lack nothing. Let us see the fullness of who He is and find our satisfaction in Him alone. And in turn, let us rejoice and give thanks for all that He is and all that He’s done!
Rejoice always. Pray all the time. Give thanks in all circumstances. For this is the will of God for you.