Dear Praying Friends~As we continue in Lent 2024, we will pray this week for Troubled Youth, Sick People, Educators, Health Care Workers, Prisoners, and Prisoners’ Families. I hope you will stay in an attitude of prayer all week. Alvin Vandergriend says: Praying continually does not mean we are to do nothing but pray. It means that we live all our hours and days so conscious of God that we are actually, in one level or another, keeping company with him always. (Love to Pray) As we keep company with God, let’s ask him how to intercede for others. Lord, teach us to pray! I encourage you to join me as we continue to pray “SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES!”
Lent 2024 began on Ash Wednesday, February 14. During this season, these posts will be focused on praying to make disciples in every area of our cities’ cultures. We have the entire prayer guide that is downloadable here.
Let’s pray on, Saints! ~Gina
Monday, February 19, 2024: Read Psalm 12:1,5 Praying for TROUBLED YOUTH
Prayer Pointer: The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. ~Oswald Chambers
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I pray for the TROUBLED YOUTH in our city and in the world. Touch them, reach them! Show them that You are the One Who can satisfy their deep desires for significance and belonging. Break through the spiritual forces that hold them in bondage and use Your people to embrace them in Your authentic love. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES among the TROUBLED YOUTH!
Think/Journal/Apply: Are my spiritual “eyes” open to the harvest field around me? Is there a troubled youth or young person that God is calling me to pray for? Ask the Lord for opportunities to share your faith.
As You Have Time: Worship Song for Today: Perfect Love
Tuesday, February 20, 2024: Read Matthew 14:14 Praying for SICK PEOPLE
Prayer Pointer: The Hebrew word translated as “excel” in Proverbs 31:29 means “to ascend.” This word is used to encourage us to ascend or carry above the norm–to differ through the qualities of virtue and goodness. ~Cynthia Heald (Gina’s note: although this scripture refers to a woman, I believe the challenge to excel is for all of us!)
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I pray for the SICK PEOPLE in our city and in our world. Please reveal Yourself as the true healer. Minister to them with Your comfort and healing. Help all to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Provide for financial needs in illness. I pray also for their caregivers and families to be strengthened in Your strength. I pray that many will renew their trust in You and proclaim You boldly even in their affliction. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES among the SICK PEOPLE!
Think/Journal/Apply: Consider praying for your local hospital in a prayer walk or a drive by this week.
As you have time: Worship Song for Today: Healer
Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Read Luke 6:40 Praying for EDUCATORS
Prayer Pointer: Joseph would be the first to tell you that life in the pit stinks. Yet, for all its rottenness, doesn’t the pit do this much? It forces you to look upward. Someone from up there must come down here and give you a hand. God did for Joseph. At the right time, in the right way, he will do the same for you. ~Max Lucado
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I pray for the EDUCATORS in our city and in our world. Help them to impart godly wisdom to help form character in their students. Provide the needed tools and proper facilities for education. Help those who are home-schooling their children to find order and strength in their busy days. Help all educators to have the opportunity to know God through Christ. Remind those who know You to pray for their students. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES among the EDUCATORS!
Think/Journal/Apply: Is there someone who has taught you much about faith in Jesus? Take a moment and pray for them.
As you have time: Pray that Educators and each of us can persevere: Persevering in Jesus
Thursday, February 22, 2024: Read Psalm 41:1,2 Praying for HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Prayer Pointer: A life of absolute surrender has its difficulties…it is a life that with men is absolutely impossible. But by the grace of God, by the power of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, it is a life to which we are destined and a life that is possible for us. Let us believe that God will maintain it. ~Andrew Murray
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I pray for the HEALTH CARE WORKERS in our city and in our world. Help them to serve with wise and loving hearts. Bless them with perseverance and joy. Help many to follow Christ. Protect them and their families and friendships so that the demands of their professions will bring no harm. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES among HEALTH CARE WORKERS!
Think/Journal/Apply: Do you know a nurse, doctor, CNA, or EMT? Say a prayer for them and consider sending them a note or text letting them know that you have prayed.
As you have time: Worship Song for Today: Jesus You are My Healer
Friday, February 23, 2024: Read Psalm 69:32-33 Praying for PRISONERS
Prayer Pointer: God extends to us, in our times of quietness, the opportunity simply to be in the Divine Presence…to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen, to allow the Spirit to work within us the changes that need to be wrought. It’s an invitation of grace. ~Penelope J. Stokes
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I pray for the PRISONERS in our city and in our world. Provide laborers in the prisons to share the gospel. May many prisoners follow Christ. Build fellowships of Christians within prisons. Protect prisoners and their guards from violence and forces of spiritual evil. Help released prisoners find strength and wisdom to live abundant lives. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES among PRISONERS!
Think/Journal/Apply: As you are able, pray near a jail or correctional facility.
As you have time: Take a few extra moments and choose a few prayer points to pray for prisoners from this list from Prison Fellowship: Prayer Needs of Prisoners
DURING LENT, We will provide Bible/Prompts on Saturdays but not Sundays.
Saturday, February 24, 2024: Read Psalm 107:10-11,13-14 Praying for PRISONERS’ FAMILIES
Prayer Pointer: Have you ever been swept up in the purposes of God, the lostness of the world, the brokenness of your own condition, the desire for Christ’s honor, that you lifted your eyes to heaven and wept?… It is the kind of cry we hear Jesus pouring forth when He wept over the city of Jerusalem. ~One Cry-A Nationwide Call to Spiritual Awakening
Prayer “Fuel”: Lord, I pray for the PRISONERS’ FAMILIES in our city and in our world. Protect and provide for the spouses and children of prisoners. Surround them with good, healthy community. May many of them follow Christ. Help our churches to be welcoming places to help those in need. (add your own prayers) SHOW US YOUR GLORY, LORD as WE MAKE DISCIPLES among PRISONERS’ FAMILIES!
Think/Journal/Apply: Reflect on this: For those who sin and those who suffer. For those who suffer because of sin. For those who sin to alleviate suffering. Lord, have mercy on us. Robert Gelinas, The Mercy Prayer
Sunday, February 25, 2024: Take some time to rest and to worship with others
Next Bible/prayer prompts will be posted at midnight on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Lent 2024-Praying for Our City Prayer guide if available here.
Rhythms of Grace 