Daily Prayer

Today, I want to do something a little different with our Prayer Time. So many times, we get focused on praying that we forget to talk about the things that God is doing in our lives. What I want to do is to “Tell On God” today and share some of the awesome things He’s been doing.

Our Fellowship is small. you could even call it a mission church because of how small we are and the location we are in. We are located in a part of town that many are hurting, addicted, abused, used as sex slaves, low-income, etc. If you looked at where we are, you might not be able to catch-all of what is described here, unless, you hung around us long enough.

Because of our size and where we are located, we don’t have a lot of money coming in through giving. People do give what and when they can. What happens is that for us, as a fellowship, we often times have to deal with our landlord, or the utility companies, to figure out how to pay what we owe. So, basically, what that means, is often times we wonder if we are going to be able to continue where we are at. This can be pretty taxing at times and can really challenge one’s Faith.

There are some who would say that maybe we need to move. The problem is that if we did move, then we would be disobedient to what and where God has called us. Yes, not everyone is able to talk and work with the people we get the privilege to do so.

2 Peter 1:5-11 (NKJV): But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;  for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(For those who are interested, the vision and mission of our fellowship comes from Ezekiel 37:1-14.)

This type of  ministry can also be taxing on families. There is a lot of sacrifices that are made to help others, whether it be that those who can, give more money, time and/or resources. It can very much affect a person’s home life.

With all this in mind, here are some things that God has answered in Prayer for us:

We just have been able to start having our Recovery In Action Ministry to expand. Now there are 2 nights a week, Tuesday and Friday nights, that people will be able to meet for help to get away from things that keep them in bondage. This ministry has been in prayer so that we could help more who are in our area, walk away from things that don’t allow them to grow close to God.

We also have committed to have someone at our church, every night at 5, for prayer. This has allowed us to be available for those who need it.

2 Peter 2:11-12 (NKJV):  Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Recently, our gas had been turned off that is used for heating our facility, because we have not been able to pay. Last night, I sent out a prayer request asking everyone to ask God if He would either a. provide a way to turn the heat back on or b. warm up the weather for us. In a matter of minutes after sending this out, someone gave to our fellowship almost 60% of what we needed to turn our heat back on.

This morning, the electric company contacted us to let us know we had to pay our back due or be turned off. That donation that we received for heat was just a little more than we needed to keep the lights on.

After this transpired, I sent out an update and let those who I asked know what happened. I then asked for continuous prayer that God would help meet our needs. I also suggested that maybe people would be able to provide electric heaters, to help get us through this time, because it does not look like we will be having too much more cold weather in the near future. In a matter of a few minutes, again, a couple of people offered to bring us heaters. Ye, God! You provided a way for us again and knew what we needed before we knew we needed it.

Matthew 6:5-8 (NKJV): “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Recently, we have started working with a couple of people from another church. They have asked for our help, to include guidance and discipleship, with organizing an outreach in their area. We have agreed. They saw our needs in needing blankets for the homeless as well as some clothing. They organized and got together in a week and were able to collect some of these items for us to be able to help those who were without. (Note: we are not replacing nor trying to start another ministry like those that are out there that give to the homeless. These are items we use to help people during their time of need, which also, allows us to come alongside of them and see if we can help them get out of the situation they are in.)

Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV):  Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

One of the guys who attends our fellowship shared with me this morning about how God has been working in his life. This is a man who I pray for continuously and have asked others well. He told me that he has quit smoking, using drugs and some small wounds that had been on his hands are healed. How awesome that prayer still works in these situations!

Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV):praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

One of the women, who has been attending, brought her daughter to meet us had asked for us to pray for her daughter. This past weekend she gave her life Christ and wants to keep and to learn to grow in Christ. The son of this family had also made a decision to follow Christ prior and will be joining us in worship soon.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV):  ^“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Here’s the thing, I can continue to go on and on telling you the things that God has done for us because of us being in prayer and being obedient to what He directs us to do. The reason I wanted to share these with you, is that we need to remember all that God has done in our lives. Sometimes, we get stuck in all the bad, we forget to look at the good.

Lord, this is the day You have made, so we will rejoice and be glad in it. Amen (Taken from Psalm 118:24)