Rhythms of Grace

Hello, Praying friends,

If you are finding yourself, “late to the game” that is perfectly ok! Remember that the Lord doesn’t want us under the law. As I shared last week, the Lord is calling me into a 30-day season of prayer, June 1-30, 2023, for revival for my own city, family, church…everything! I invite you to join me in this journey in whatever way that Holy Spirit leads you. If you are just getting started, don’t worry about “catching up.” Just jump on board in whatever way you are able. I will be posting prayer guides each week during this season with brief daily prompts. I encourage you, as you are able, to take just a few moments each day to agree in prayer with me. I encourage you to add fasting to your prayers in whatever way is appropriate for you. During this season, consider doing an occasional fast from media, a favorite food, or even by giving up a meal on occasion and using that time to pray. If you miss a day or even a week, please don’t fret! Remember that the Lord loves spending time with you and me! I am excited and expectant to watch God move on our behalf! Blessings, Gina

Prayer Prompts for June 12-18, 2023

Monday, June 12 Read Psalm 105:1-4

Prayer Prompt: Lord, today I praise Your Name! Help me to proclaim Your goodness among those who I encounter today. Please help my brothers and sisters in my church (name it), my city(name it), my nation (name it), this world to be filled to overflowing with Your Spirit today so that they, too, will be proclaimers of Your Truth. Strengthen each of us to seek Your Face always! (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journaling idea: Do you struggle with sharing your faith with others? Don’t fret…we all do. Write a note to the Lord in your prayer journal asking Him to empower you by the Holy Spirit to be a bold witness for Him.

As you have time: A worship song for today: Courage

Tuesday, June 13: Read Psalm 105:5-7

Prayer Prompt: Lord, when I get discouraged, help me to REMEMBER what You have already done in my life! Help my brothers and sisters in my church (name it), in my city (name it), in my nation (name it), in my world to REMEMBER what You have already done for them. I pray that all of our enemy’s attempts to discourage us would be bound and rendered powerless. You are the Lord our God! (add your prayers). SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journaling idea: Ask the Lord to remind you of the great answers that He has brought for your prayers in the past. Take a moment and write Him a thank you note in your prayer journal.

As you have time: Worship song for today: Remember

Wednesday, June 14: Read Psalm 105:8-11

Prayer Prompt: Lord, You are the true PROMISE KEEPER. Help my brothers and sisters in my church (name it), my city (name it), my nation (name it), my world to search out Your promises in Your Word. People let us down sometimes, but You keep every promise You make. I forgive those who have disappointed me and I ask You to forgive me for times when I’ve expected people to do what only You can do. Help all of us to learn more about Your character by spending time with You. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journaling idea: Are there people who have let you down? Have you forgiven them? Write a note to the Lord in your prayer journal, asking Him to help you to forgive them. Consider also writing a prayer for those who have hurt you.

As you have time: Worship song for today: Forgiveness

Thursday, June 15: Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16 & John 14:27

Prayer pointer: The Christian needs to walk in peace, so no matter what happens they will be able to bear witness to a watching world. – Henry Blackaby

Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank You for being the true source of peace. Help me to walk in Your peace each day so that others will know that You give what the world cannot give. Bless my brothers and sisters in my church (name it), my city (name it), my nation (name it) and my world to walk in Your peace today. (add your own prayers). SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journaling idea: Respond to the Lord by writing your thoughts in your prayer journal as you read the prayer pointer from Henry Blackaby above again.

As you have time: Worship song for today: Peace

Friday, June 16: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Prayer pointer: “One resists the Spirit when he refuses to exchange human opinions for heaven sent convictions.” ~Myron Augsburger

Prayer Prompt: Lord, I pray for my church (name it), my family (name them as Holy Spirit brings them to mind), my Nation (name it). Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon all of us. Bring a true spiritual awakening across our land and into each of our hearts. Help us to not quench the Holy Spirit, but to welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journaling idea: Ask the Lord to bring to mind someone in your circle of influence that needs Him. Write a note to the Lord asking for opportunities to share your faith with this precious soul.

As you have time: Worship Song for Today: Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God

Saturday, June 17 & Sunday, June 18: SABBATH Read Matthew 11:28-30 (both days)

Prayer prompt: Ask the Lord to teach you how to rest!

Let’s Keep Praying and Believing!

Hello, praying friends!

If you are finding yourself, “late to the game” that is perfectly ok! Remember that the Lord doesn’t want us under the law. As I shared last week, the Lord is calling me into a 30-day season of prayer, June 1-30, 2023, for revival for my own city, family, church…everything! I invite you to join me in this journey in whatever way that Holy Spirit leads you. If you are just getting started, don’t worry about “catching up.” Just jump on board in whatever way you are able. I will be posting prayer guides each week during this season with brief daily prompts. I encourage you, as you are able, to take just a few moments each day to agree in prayer with me. I encourage you to add fasting to your prayers in whatever way is appropriate for you. During this season, consider doing an occasional fast from media, a favorite food, or even by giving up a meal on occasion and using that time to pray. If you miss a day or even a week, please don’t fret! Remember that the Lord loves spending time with you and me! I am excited and expectant to watch God move on our behalf! Blessings, Gina

Prayer Prompts for June 5-8, 2023 (Sabbath on June 10 & 11)

Monday, June 5 Read Philippians 4:6,7

Prayer prompt: Lord, please bring everyone who is anxious in my life to the Cross. Help my church and the CHURCH throughout Your world to turn to You at all times and in all circumstances. You hold the future and we trust You. Help us to embrace the “peace that transcends all understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (v. 7) (add your own prayers over any places of anxiety.) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: Are there places where you have a hard time embracing God’s peace? Write Him a note in your prayer journal, asking Him to help you surrender those concerns.

As you have time: A worship song for today: Peace Be Still

Tuesday, June 6 Read Psalm 46:1

Prayer prompt: Several times today, declare: “Lord, You are MY refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble. Thank You!” (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of places where you have received help from the Lord. Write a note to Him in your prayer journal, thanking Him for His help.

As you have time: A worship song for today: Nobody Loves Me Like You Love me, Jesus

Wednesday, June 7 Read 1 John 3:1 in the International Children’s Bible

A prayer point: “When Jesus taught us to pray “Our Father”, he was teaching us to pray as children. The words “Our Father”…involve us in a relationship -a Father/child love relationship.” ~Alvin Vandergriend in The Joy of Prayer: A 40 Day Devotional to Invigorate Your Prayer Life.

Prayer Prompt: Ask the Lord to give you a humble heart and then say The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: Address God as “Abba” (this Aramaic word expresses intimacy. Learn more here.) Thank Him for loving you with a the love of a “daddy!”

As you have time: A worship song for today: Abba

Thursday, June 8 Read Psalm 91

Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank You for Your promises of protection recorded in Psalm 91. Please help all in my (church, family, business, other…) to stay in the shelter of Your protective power. Protect us from the evil one. Lead us by Your Spirit. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: What is your favorite part of Psalm 91? Why?

As you have time: A worship song for today: Psalm 91

Friday, June 9 Read Hebrews 6:1

Prayer Prompt: Lord, please help our church to mature in faith. Help us to move from the elementary things into the deeper mysteries of our faith. Help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. (add your own prayers). SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: How can you keep growing in faith when you are worn out?

As you have time: Worship song for today: The Change in Me

Saturday, June 10 & Sunday, June 11 SABBATH Read Matthew 11:28-30 (both days)

Prayer prompt: Ask the Lord to teach you how to rest!

Prayer Prompts for June 1-4, 2023

Hello, praying friends!

The Lord is calling me into a 30-day season of prayer, June 1-30, 2023, for revival for my own city, family, church…everything! I invite you to join me in this journey in whatever way that Holy Spirit leads you. I will be posting prayer guides each week during this season with brief daily prompts. I encourage you, as you are able, to take just a few moments each day to agree in prayer with me. I encourage you to add fasting to your prayers in whatever way is appropriate for you. Consider doing an occasional fast from media, a favorite food, or even by giving up a meal on occasion and using that time to pray. If you miss a day or even a week, please don’t fret! Remember that the Lord does not put us under the law, but He loves spending time with you and me! I am excited and expectant to watch God move on our behalf! Blessings, Gina

Prayer “prompts” for June 1-4, 2023:

Thursday, June 1 Read Psalm 23 International Children’s Bible

Prayer prompt: Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are my Shepherd and that You are a Shepherd that truly cares! Please help everyone in my circle of influence (name them if you can) to know You as Savior and Lord. Please revive the Church that I attend and the Church worldwide from Your Shepherd’s heart. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: Are there any areas that you need to give to the Lord? Consider writing a note to HIM in your prayer journal.

As you have time, here is a worship song for today: Psalm 23

Friday, June 2 Read Ephesians 6:18,19 NIV

Prayer Prompt: Holy Spirit, thank You for helping me to pray. Forgive me for “occasions” when I don’t pray, but I try to figure things out with my own understanding. I pray for the Pastors of my church and the Church worldwide, and I ask You to give them Your Words to speak so that Your gospel will be proclaimed boldly from every pulpit. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD!

Journal idea: Is there a recent occasion where you did not listen to the Lord? Considering writing a note to HIM in your prayer journal, asking for forgiveness and for help going forward.

As you have time, here is a worship song for today: Breathe

Saturday, June 3 & Sunday, June 4, 2023 SABBATH Read Matthew 11:28-30 (both days!}

Ask the Lord to show you how to rest!

Emmaus Road Community Church Rhythms of Grace—Adopt a Ministry in Prayer Until December 31, 2022

Ministries at Emmaus Road Community Church: Discipleship/Journey Groups Kid’s Klubhouse Youth Ministries Pastoral staff Connections/Outreach Elders Rhythms of Grace Prayer Ministry Worship Team Tech Team Greeters/Hospitality Missions Facilities

Would you consider praying for one or more of the ministries of Emmaus Road weekly (or more as the Holy Spirit directs you) until the end of 2022? Prayer starter:    Father, I come today asking for more of Your Holy Spirit in the _________ministry of Emmaus Road Community Church.  Fill each leader and each disciple afresh with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  Help each one to be increasingly radical in putting to death our sinful natures that the Lordship of Jesus might be fully established and there is greater room for the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and in our church.  (add your own prayers as you are led…)

The Rhythms of Grace team is continuing to seek the Lord for wisdom in calling Emmaus Road Community Church to be a “house of prayer for all nations.” (Isa. 56:7) Please join us in this prayer. We would love to have several others join our team as we mobilize the saints in prayer. If you feel a calling from God to join us, please email us for more information: rhythmsofgrace721.com

Ways to get involved:

Corporate prayer : Sundays, 8:15am Church Sanctuary

Weekly prayer conference call: Wednesdays, 8:30am, dial: 717-908-1948 access code: 775792# *6 to mute/unmute

Learn more about prayer: We have a subscription to PrayerU, a comprehensive “school of prayer” that includes videos and other helpful prayer resources. We invite you to set up a free subscription by clicking here.

Submit a prayer request or join our team to pray for the requests of others: We have a team ready to pray for you. Requests can be sent to thericksjourney@gmail.com

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NIV

¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Prayers for Our Pastors

Lord, I come to You on behalf of the Pastors of our community today.  I pray that each one will dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  May their declaration be: “Lord, YOU are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”  (Psalm 91:1-2)

Lord, help each Pastor in our community to trust in You with all of their heart and not to lean on their own understanding.   Help them to submit to You in all of their ways so that You can make their paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5,6)

Lord, I pray that the Pastors of our community would  come together in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ . Bring Holy Spirit agreement with no divisions among them so that they would be perfectly united in mind and thought for the sake of the fulfillment of Your Great Commission. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Lord, help the Pastors of our community to present themselves to You as those approved, workers who are not ashamed but who correctly handle the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness!  Please strengthen each Pastor in our community and protect them and all that concerns them from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Lord, fill our Pastors with joy and peace as they place their trust in You each day.  Cause them to overflow with hope by the Holy Spirit  that will draw others to you.  Empower them to be bearers of Your Good News. (Romans 15:13)

(add your own prayers…)  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

We are beginning this post to record the great things the Lord is doing in our midst. The Lord is great and GREATLY TO BE PRAISED! Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart and to reveal Himself to you. If you have a “God sighting” to report in the form of a “glory story”, please send it to rhythmsofgrace721@gmail.com. Even just a few sentences of testimony can encourage someone else.

“Glory Story” #1: During the preparation for our recent Day of Prayer for Emmaus and the World on November 13, 2021, I knew that the Lord was asking me to seek Him and to write a prayer “guide” to mobilize others in prayer. I wrote a draft and then shared it with our intercessory team for additions and corrections. But when I went to write the final edition, something precious and supernatural happened. I could feel the manifest presence of the Lord in a very tangible way. He just showed up and I found myself with hands raised at my computer in pure worship of my Abba. I could feel His pleasure and even His anticipation of meeting with His people on that day. At the end of the day, when we gathered in prayer with the Elders, I again could feel His pleasure in our sanctuary. All I can say is “WOW! Lord, You are so good!” ~Gina

“Glory Story” #2: When Emmaus Road Community Church was launched back in 2003, we used to sing a particular song…”Did you feel the mountains tremble…?” I felt them tremble a few Sundays ago when the children led the congregation in the singing of Joy to the World. The congregation was in full voice. I felt the Spirit of God in our presence. I felt His pleasure—there was a true joy coming from our hearts. We were exalting our Lord together and it was powerful. I love having the children participate up front, although it’s not something we can do every Sunday. When we do though, the purity of their worship is palpable. Did you feel the mountains tremble? I did. ~Carol

Praying in Jesus’ Name

Written by Carol Kobulnicky

“…no one comes to the Father except through me.” – Jesus (John 14:6)

“Jesus Christ has brought every need, every joy, every gratitude, every hope of men before God. He accompanies us, and brings us into the presence of God.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Last fall, our church small group (aka Journey Group) studied the book, Love to Pray: A 40-day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life by Alvin Vandergriend. This summer, our Fellowship of Christian Graduate Students here at the U of Wyoming studied it as well. In addition to the book, there is a DVD featuring high quality speakers who know much more about prayer than I do. We watched those too. I will read the book again, as I know I will continue to learn more. It’s so rich with God’s truth about prayer and it’s filled with prayer prompts and actions to take in response to these truths. 

What does it mean that we pray in Jesus’ name? Jesus tells us that it is only through Him that we can approach God, the Father. In the Book of Hebrews, we are instructed to “approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) The only reason we can confidently enter the throne room of the King is because of Jesus and what He’s done for us. 

The author of Love to Pray lays it out so clearly in three points: 

1. As believers, we come to the Father not because of our own accomplishments, but on the basis of Christ’s merit. He paid the price for our sins by living a perfect life and laying down His life as a perfect sacrifice. When we pray to the Father, we are identifying with Jesus. 
2. We’re also “authorized to be Christ’s representatives”—given permission to act in His place. 
3. And last, we come to the throne “in accord with Christ’s will.” With the mind of Christ in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to ask what He would. 

Heavenly Father, 

You are holy O God. You welcome us to your throne and you promise to hear and respond. We thank you for this amazing access to you. We are in awe that our faith in Jesus and in His life and sacrifice makes this possible. Let us never take this for granted. Help us to truly have the mind of Christ. We know that you desire to hear our prayers, even though you know our thoughts. You want us to ask, and to ask again on behalf of ourselves and others, to impact your world. You don’t grow tired of us. Thank you.

In Jesus’s authority, on the basis of His merit and in accordance to His will, we pray. Amen.

written by Gina Gibson

Psalm 59:9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God are my fortress…

Let’s be honest…the world we live in right now seems like what some would call “a hot mess!”  It is easy to “watch” the world events and become very discouraged.  But notice that the Psalmist says he is “watching” for God.  I encourage you to take your eyes off the world and spend some extra time with the Lord.  I know it can be hard in a world that demands our time for work, family, and other responsibilities.  Be intentional in taking some time to just be silent with the Lord and then ask Him to open your eyes to “see” what He is doing.

Several weeks ago, while in a prayer time with friends, I could “see” a picture of a runner.  When my daughter Jessica was in high school and college, she was a champion runner.  She was intense when she was in a race and it made her a winner.  The Lord reminded me that a good runner gets in their zone (mentally), stays in their lane(physically), and keeps their eyes on the finish line.  We are runners, too, but in a spiritual race.  This is what Paul tells us…Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.  1 Corinthians 9:23

Ask God to help you stay focused.  Ask God to open your spiritual eyes and to help you watch for Him.  I think you will be surprised at what you will “see”!

Prayer: Lord, as we wait upon You, help us to be ever “watching” for You.  We know that You are at work in Your Church and in our lives.  Most days we feel like we only see through a “peephole.”  Open our spiritual eyes in a wider way so that we can see more clearly what You are doing.  We want to agree with You!  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN

Written by Carol Kobulnicky

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! —Matthew 7:11

I was recently in need of an electric knife—to cut upholstery foam to redo the cushions in my 28-year-old couch. I was sad I hadn’t saved an old electric knife I could have had from my mom when she recently scaled down her belongings. I tried not to dwell on that. I asked God if He would be willing to provide one. Afterward I felt compelled to go and look at our local Goodwill. It felt like a long shot in our relatively small town but I believed God would provide it if He chose to. I searched the shelf with kitchen electronics. Lots of crockpots, a rice maker…but no electric knife. 

I walked away slowly and decided to look around. I found myself glancing down into the deep bins that hold a multitude of plasticware. I told God I was fine with not finding an electric knife, and that I knew I could purchase a regular bread knife to devote to the cause, even if it would be inferior for the job. Then I suddenly looked up and saw a complete Cuisinart electric knife set sitting precariously on the four corner edge of the bins. I laughed out loud!  At other times in my life, I may have thought: “I can’t believe it!” But the reality is that I could believe it, I did then and I do now. I believe God provided that electric knife for me. 

I bought it for $8. It’s as good as new and lists for $175 new on Amazon. It feels extravagant. 

As I continue to reflect on this answer to prayer, I am realizing deep down in my soul that God truly delights in giving good things to His children. I am moved to realize more deeply than ever that God cares about my little life. My ask was nothing like some prayers that I continue to pray—for spiritual and physical needs for myself and my family—far more important prayers. This electric knife ask was a simple, conversational prayer. I believed God could provide this for me—not that He should—and that He was capable of orchestrating it. I know I feel Him smiling. My faith grew that day because of that one little prayer and how God decided to answer it.

And one more thing, when I think of that electric knife that was my mom’s—we donated it to a Goodwill back in my hometown in Wisconsin. It makes me smile to think it may be blessing someone else right now who was in need of it. 

Lord, I confess too often that I don’t ask. I have been guilty of having the mindset that You do not care for the little things of my life, but You do. I’m utterly convinced of that and I’m convinced more now than ever that You desire for us to ask for the little things—because in the same way that I would delight in getting my own child something they are wanting or needing, You delight in providing for us. Help me to trust in You more and more and to receive from You all that you offer. In Jesus’s Holy Name. Amen.