Dear praying friends~ Do you find yourself in a “desert” place? Many that I have prayed with this last week are in a season of suffering. I felt that God was speaking to me as I read Numbers 9 this week. I was struck when the Lord told Moses to have the people celebrate in the desert. Then I heard a sermon about “ultimate joy” that reminded me that my joy is not based on my circumstances. Whether I am in a “desert” or on a “mountain top”, Jesus is Lord and that is the ultimate joy. This week, I will focus on walking in “desert” places with the hope of the Lord. Let’s keep praying: SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH! Pray on, Saints! Blessings~Gina
Announcements:
Join us in the Nightwatch 2024: Every year, for many years, we have hosted prayer 12midnight-6am Eastern time on our national prayer line for the first three weeks of January. This year’s Nightwatch begins at midnight on 01/01/2024 and continues every night until 1/21/2024. To participate, dial: 667-770-1523 Access code (when prompted): 4961322#. To mute/unmute during the call :*6 Be sure to adjust for your own time zone. For more information, please email Gina.Gibson@nationaldayofprayer.org
Psalm 91 Prayer: We’ve had a daily 15-minute prayer call, 8-8:15am Mountain Time, since March 14, 2020. Every morning, we begin by reading Psalm 91 with praying friends from several states. Then we take time to pray as the Holy Spirit directs us. Some come to pray aloud and some come to listen silently and “soak” in what the Holy Spirit is doing. If you are interested in joining us, you can find details here.
Monday, January 15, 2024: Read Hosea 13:5
Prayer Pointer: …the point of going through a desert, whether literally or figuratively, is to remind us that we are dependent on God to sustain us… ~Julie Ackerman in Desert Places
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, as we continue in this new year, help each of us to truly understand what it means to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Thank You that You are with us on the mountaintops and in the deserts of this life. Thank You for caring for us. Holy Spirit, when we are in hard places, remind us that our ultimate joy is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to keep our focus on Him. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
Think/Journal/Apply: Respond to this: In every desert, God has an oasis of grace.
As You Have Time: A beautiful worship song: Desert Places
Tuesday, January 16, 2024: Read Isaiah 48:21
Prayer Pointer: Today, most of us don’t live in literal deserts, but we often go through desert-like places. Sometimes we go as an act of obedience. Other times we find ourselves there through no conscious choice or action. When someone abandons us, or disease invades our bodies, we end up in desert-like circumstances where resources are scarce and life is hard to sustain. ~Julie Ackerman in Desert Places
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, as we continue in this new year, help each of us to truly understand what it means to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Thank You that You are with us on the mountaintops and in the deserts of this life. Thank You for providing living water for us even in the barren places. (Isaiah 48:21) Holy Spirit, when we are in hard places, remind us that our ultimate joy is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to keep our focus on Him. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
Think/Journal/Apply: Are you living in a place of plenty or of need? In what ways is God sustaining you?
As You Have Time: Worship Song for Today: Desert Song
Wednesday, January 17, 2024: Read Habakkuk 3:17-18
Prayer Pointer: Worshipping in the wilderness might be the last thing we feel like doing. However, when we worship, we are speaking out words in faith. ~Robert Sang in 8 Biblical Tips for Surviving a Wilderness Experience
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, as we continue in this new year, help each of us to truly understand what it means to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Thank You that You are with us on the mountaintops and in the deserts of this life. Help us to rejoice in You even when there don’t appear to be any answers to our prayers. (Habakkuk 3:17-18) Holy Spirit, when we are in hard places, remind us that our ultimate joy is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to keep our focus on Him. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
Think/Journal/Apply: What survival tips do you have for getting through a wilderness period?
As You Have Time: Worship Song for Today: Habakkuk’s Song
Thursday, January 18, 2024: Read Proverbs 18:21
Prayer Pointer: “David tells us that God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Nowhere and at no time is that more important than the rocky, rugged, tangled terrain of the wilderness. We need illumination to keep us from tumbling down a ravine; we need a bright light to ward off wild animals that would attack us in the dark; we need a map to keep us from wandering in circles like the Israelites after leaving Egypt for the Promised Land. By speaking God’s words in the wilderness we find deliverance.” ~Darlene Zschech in Worship Changes Everything
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, as we continue in this new year, help each of us to truly understand what it means to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Thank You that You are with us on the mountaintops and in the deserts of this life. Help our words to glorify You even in these difficult places. (Proverbs 18:21) Holy Spirit, when we are in hard places, remind us that our ultimate joy is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to keep our focus on Him. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
Think/Journal/Apply: Do I need to repent of grumbling and complaining today?
As You Have Time: Worship Song for Today: Speak Life
Friday, January 19, 2024: Read Exodus 13:21-22
Prayer Pointer: “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within you’ll be depressed. If you look at God, you’ll be at rest.” ~Corrie Ten Boom
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, as we continue in this new year, help each of us to truly understand what it means to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Thank You that You are with us on the mountaintops and in the deserts of this life. Thank You for providing Your guiding light even in the darkest places. (Exodus 13:21-22) Help us to look for Your guidance in all our circumstances. Holy Spirit, when we are in hard places, remind us that our ultimate joy is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Help us to keep our focus on Him. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
Think/Journal/Apply: Have I taken my eyes off God?
As You Have Time: Worship Song for Today: Thy Word
Saturday & Sunday, January 20 & 21, 2024: Sabbath and Reflection
As we start another weekend, I hope you will take some time to rest and to reflect on where we have been this week. Only God truly understands the “whys” of the wilderness. But we can trust Him in the midst of the wilderness. I encourage you to keep on praising and to keep on praying! He hears us and He cares as we pray: SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH!
Next Bible/prayer prompts will be posted at midnight on Monday, January 22, 2024.
Rhythms of Grace 