Sunday, July 29, 2012

July 29, 2012 - Gathering of the Tribes

Prayer focus for July 29-August 3, 2012

It seems that God is gathering together His people from all cultures.  Not that He wants us to abandon our cultures and all become the same, but to blend them together while maintaining our diversity.  To do this we first need to identify with our own ethnicity.  Our uniqueness and diversity are important and not to be abandoned. 

What makes a garden beautiful is to have a variety of plants.  The diverse colors, styles, textures and fragrances make it unique and pleasant.  One individual plant adds something vital to the garden, and each of us individually add something to God's garden as well.  The same is true with a community harmonizing with neighboring communities.

I pray God's people become at peace with their ethnicity, even rediscover it.  That they don't feel threatened thinking that others are trying to change them or take their identity away.  That as they develop this peace they can accept others and their diversity in order to blend and harmonize into a beautiful garden for the Lord. 

We can live and grow together without losing our own identity.  In fact the more we become the unique person that God intended, it will make His garden all the more beautiful.

Friday, July 20, 2012

July 20, 2012 - Prayer Walk

Prayer Walk -Northwest Quadrant

Right away I felt we need to forget the petty stuff and get to the heart of God's kingdom.  100 years from now half of what we worry about today won't even matter!  Whatever effort we put into building His kingdom DOES matter and it IS worth it.  God sees it all and every hard choice and sacrifice you make for Him He sees!

Pray that God's people don't look at being a Christian with a sense of dread but see the joy that it is.  That God's people see, feel and experience God's love.  Restore to us the joy of Your salvation!  Bring refreshing to Your people God!  Let us not look at what we do for You as an obligation, but rather that we experience the joy of building Your kingdom together with You--the joy of partnering with You!

Pray for freedom, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and by the anointing of the Holy Spirit every yoke is broken.  Let God's people receive the healing and miracles they need and with joy and excitement proclaim His goodness to those around them. 

Enjoy the Joy!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

July 14, 2012 - Prayer Focus

Prayer focus for July 14-July 20, 2012

When praying for Waterford I really sought to get the mind of God for what He has in mind for this Township.  We pray a lot for people to come to know Him, to overcome sin and obstacles in their life, to receive the healing and miracles that they need, to stand against the enemy and his plans, and this is all good stuff for us to pray for.  But I think God wants us to look past all of that to see into the beauty and design of this area so we can build His kingdom here.

I see Waterford as a place where travelers can find rest.  I see God's people here as those who are planted by the waters, whose roots go deep to receive something they can offer to those who are weary and in need of refreshing. Wells that people are able to draw from and be revived. 

I also see Waterford as a place of instruction, especially for children.  Where they can learn how to become a well, a tree that's planted by the waters and learn to draw deep from the Spirit of God to offer the living waters to those who need it.

For this to happen, God's people need to learn to do as David did who, 'encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'  1 Samuel 30.  David was a worshiper.  He knew how to draw strength from the Lord when needed.    I pray that the churches in Waterford, and all of the Christians in Waterford, don't become places that give a false sense of security to people who just want to ease their conscience and not really live for the Lord, but that we all become wells of living water, trees that give shade, rest, fruit and life to those who come across our paths.  That we can impart a grateful spirit in others so they will seek to thank, love and worship the Lord themselves.

Have a great week and please add any comments to this post if you have any thoughts about Waterford!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

July 7, 2012 - Prayer Focus

Prayer focus for July 7-July 13, 2012

In the beginning was the Word....(John 1:1)

Everything starts with a word.  Everything God does starts with a word from Him. I believe that last year, 2011, was the beginning of a new season in Waterford.  A ten year season.  We are still at the beginning of that season and there is a Word from God concerning this season.  Even though 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a part of that I believe there is more "beginning words" God wants us to get a hold of.

The ground is being tilled, we are preparing the way for the Lord and as we walk on a new path and acknowledge Him in all we do, every day, He wants to walk with us.  We need to ask for His perspective because, of course, it's so much better than ours, but He wants us to share our desires with Him as well.  Yes, He already knows them but He wants us to share them with Him.  That's really what prayer is isn't it?  As we walk with the Lord, as we would a friend, and talk together our perspective becomes so much clearer and He, hearing our specific desires, has all of heaven's resources available to answer our prayers!

The word for today is, get the word for today.  As you walk on your path today, seek Him and His perspective and share your thoughts, feelings, desires, hopes & dreams with Him as well--For your church, your family, your neighborhood, your government etc.  Let Him know, and listen to Him too.  One word from Him, when received and acted upon, can set things in motion that will bring your desires to pass.  Even a small, seemingly insignificant word from God is full of life!

This ten year season of prayer will give us tenure in Waterford.  It will give God and His people a place, a permanent place that can not be taken away.  But the terms and conditions will be established during this season of prayer now.  Let's not waste this season!