Week 6 | May 9–15

 

Discovering Jesus in the Word and in Prayer

Prayer Focus

 

1. REST: Pray that God would help us slow down and find our peace and rest in Him as we prepare for the best day of the week, the Holy Sabbath day of rest. (Claim Isa. 26:3)

2. REMEMBER: Pray that this would be a high Sabbath as we come back to the altar, remembering that Jesus is our perfect Substitute and Surety. Pray that we can understand and share the message of righteousness by faith. (Claim Heb. 10:14)

3. PLEAD: Pray for God's will to be accomplished in who should lead our church in the next five years. Pray that we would not lean on human wisdom as we make leadership choices, but that we would plead for God’s wisdom, for “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” (Claim James 1:5)

4. DISCOVER: Pray for the Holy Spirit to be our heavenly guide as we daily seek to discover fresh pictures of Jesus in the Word and in prayer. (Claim 1 Cor. 2:12-13)

5. FOCUS: Pray for a renewed heart for service and mission, no matter your sphere of influence or responsibilities. God has a place of service for each one of His children! (Claim Matt. 6:33) May the theme, “Jesus is coming soon, I will Go!” be our focus.

6. SEARCH: Pray for a renewed interest in the books of Daniel and Revelation as God’s people search for hidden treasure. Jesus is our Treasure, and He’s coming soon! (Claim Psalm 119:162 and Luke 24:27)

7. REFRESH: Pray that God’s people would have boldness as they pray the promises of God’s Word. God’s Word does not return to Him void. (Claim 2 Peter 2:4 and Isa. 55:11)

Promises to Claim as you Pray

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
 
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, 
and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
 
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9

Weekly Zoom Prayer Time

Join us this Sunday, May 11 at 6:00 A.M. EST (10:00 UTC) on Zoom for the 100 Days of Prayer. Language interpretation for this meeting is available in Spanish, Romanian, Russian, and Swahili.

Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/BTTA100

Join Zoom | May 11, 6:00 AM EST (10:00 UTC)

Learning to Linger in the Word

By Nina Atcheson

Some time ago I visited a church organization for some meetings I was attending. Before my workday began, I decided to join the morning staff worship. Someone was reading from a short devotional. There were about forty workers who sat in rows. I sat on the end of a row, looking with curiosity at the faces of those around me. I saw various responses. Some looked out the window, seeming eager to get on with the day. Others looked a little blank, perhaps disconnected. Others were listening. I waited, hungry for some takeaway words that would fill me as the day began. However, before I knew it, a short prayer was being offered, and everyone was rushing off to start their busy day.
 
I found myself longing for more; longing perhaps for what God was waiting to give and wondering if I was the only one left feeling a little empty. While I’ve read many good devotionals, as I’m sure you have too, there’s nothing as deep or inspiring as the Bible itself. However, it’s so often that we rush—even in our personal Bible reading. 
 
Perhaps you have tried to read the Bible through in a year. Maybe you’ve given up after a few weeks of hurriedly reading one or two chapters a day because it felt like just another thing to check off your daily to-do list. Instead of finding joy in our reading, it can sometimes feel like a chore we need to accomplish. If we don’t “keep up” with what we think we should be reading, guilt can drive us away from spending time with God.
 
Many of us are busy, living in a rushed society. Sometimes I’ve looked at the clock and thought, “Right. I have a few minutes before I need to shower, eat breakfast, and get to work. I better quickly read and pray and get on with my day!” And so, I’ve gone through the motions very quickly and at the end of my brief time with God I continued to rush into my day, only a little satisfied that I had appeased my conscience and spent a little time reading my Bible...