Saturday, December 29, 2012

December 29, 2012 -Position, Placement & Preparation

Prayer focus for December 29, 2012-January 4, 2013

I always pray about what to pray about.  I feel that God best knows the needs of the Township and what we should be praying for.  Today I felt that we should pray that the people, both privately and publicly, be in proper positioning, placement and preparation.  That we focus on these groups:

Residents
Schools
Churches
Businesses
Government

I pray the people in these five groups be properly positioned, placed and prepared as the Lord desires for each one.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 says that we should offer petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all men-for all who are in positions of authority so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

I pray the residents, families, parents, children turn to the Lord to honor and worship Him.
That the schools be filled with peace so children can grow and develop in their God-given gifts.
That the pastors recognize the gifts in the people sent to them and they become places of refuge and answers.
That the businesses recognize their purpose and calling and do business honestly and with great joy.
That the governmental leaders and staff be properly positioned and prepared to protect and serve the people and work to build the Kingdom of God.

Let us recognize that the children and youth are our future.  Let there be a township wide spontaneous awakening amongst the children and youth that carries on for years to come!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

December 22, 2012 -Marvelous Salvation

Prayer focus for December 22-28, 2012

We can't expect anyone to love and honor the Lord Jesus Christ and celebrate His birth without first having received His love.  We love Him because He first loved us.  I pray that the people of Waterford have a revelation of the love that God has towards them.  I pray they have an awakening to His existence, His sovereignty and His love.  That they find hope in this and salvation in Jesus Christ and as a result, that they honor Him and celebrate His coming which brought the hope of our salvation.

I pray for the salvation of Waterford.  That whatever pain people are experiencing--addiction, family troubles, financial problems, health issues, depression etc.-- that people realize that in Jesus there is a solution to every problem, deliverance from every trap and freedom, life, love, health and peace.

The deeper the pain, the greater they will rejoice because He brings deliverance and great joy.  I pray we cast our cares on Him, realizing how much He cares for us.

One of the things I prayed for this past week for Newtown Connecticut after the school shooting was that they be comforted by the Lord and in turn eventually be able to comfort others with this same comfort.  I pray that for Waterford too, that people realize they can cry out to Him in their times of troubles.  That they look to Him for deliverance and salvation.  That they receive His comfort and eventually be able to comfort others themselves.

This week I was reminded of a dream I had in which a wave began rising out of Elizabeth Lake.  I was standing on the street called Marvel Place watching it.  And then it became such a huge wave that it overtook the whole earth.  As it washed over me it was an experience beyond words, but I knew it was the Spirit of God. This week I kept thinking about the word "Marvel."  According to the Noah Webster 1828 dictionary it means, "A wonder; that which arrests the attention and causes a person to stand or gaze, or to pause." Also, "Wonder; admiration."  I believe the Lord wants to rise up in Waterford and do great things.  Things that are from the Spirit of God and are a marvel.  Waterford--be a place of marvel!


http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,marvel

1 John 4:19; Luke 7:40-43; 1 Peter 5:7; Romans 10:13; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:4

Saturday, December 15, 2012

December 15, 2012-Don't Trust in Facades

Prayer focus for the week of Dec. 15-Dec. 21, 2012

In light of the school shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut yesterday, it stirs our hearts to continue to pray for our kids here in Waterford.  It makes us want to do all we can to protect these kids and we should.  But we need to remember that the safest place to be is under the protection of our Lord. 

These are the days we need to keep Psalms 91 in our heart and at the forefront of our mind. When we say He is our refuge, our fortress and our God and that we trust in Him, He will deliver us.  His TRUTH is our shield and buckler. Even if a thousand fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, we have His promise of protection when we heed what He says here. 

Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name.  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honour him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation. Psalm 91:14-16

During times of peace & prosperity we can end up putting our trust in the wrong things, things that are just facades and will not hold up during tough times.  Our own security measures, our wealth, our intelligence and even our own "goodness" will not hold up.  Only God can protect us.  His truth is our shield and buckler.  By setting our love on Him He sets us on high, meaning in a safe place.

Let's pray this week not only for the healing of the families and community in Newtown, but also that what the enemy meant for evil, God turns around for good and the hearts of school staff, teachers, parents and kids everywhere, here in Waterford as well, turn to the Lord for His truth, His love, His guidance and protection. 

Sunday, December 9, 2012

December 9, 2012 - The Ford of Waterford

Prayer focus for December 9-14, 2012

Father God, I pray for the Township Supervisor, Gary Wall, and all of the board members and trustees, as well as all those in decision making positions over Waterford Township.  Including county leaders, state and federal leaders.  I pray You give them wisdom and guide their decisions.  I pray that Waterford Township fulfills that which You've called her to do.  That Your kingdom be built.

A ford is a shallow place in a body of water where people can cross over.  There are a lot of travelers and visitors that go through Waterford.  Because of the airport and M59 there are people that visit and travel through.  God help us to show Your love and hospitality to people as they visit and travel through this Township.  Let Your people rise up as those who are a safe refuge and place of refreshing to others.  Protect our infrastructure.  Keep safe our water and sewer systems, our natural gas and electric lines. 

Father God, I pray for the Rolladium.  I pray for a fresh refreshing wind of Your Spirit to blow through there. I pray it be a place for families and friends to gather and enjoy each other.  That it be safe from all harm and fear of harm. God I pray for all those in the Township who are going through difficult times.  That those who know You remain faithful to You and those who don't know You turn towards You.  Let us learn from these difficult times and not develop resentments or bitterness.  Let us grow in wisdom and love and get our priorities right.  Help us to let go of all those things we need to let go of and focus on what is important and True.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

December 1, 2012 -Hearts towards our Children

Prayer focus for December 1-7, 2012

Malachi 4:5-6: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

We must make prayer for our children, families and educational system a top priority.  Our children are our future. Parents and teachers have an extremely important job of training and teaching our kids.  Before Jesus told Peter to "feed My lambs" He asked him if he loved Him. (John 21:15). Those who "feed" our children need to be those who love the Lord.  Pray for those who are "feeding" the kids in your neighborhood 's homes and schools!  Also, there are some changes being proposed regarding the State of Michigan public school system this month and we need to pray for God's hand to be involved in this.

I pray for all parents and grandparents and all those in positions of influence over our children.  I pray for their hearts to turn towards the children.  That our children rise to the level of priority You desire for them to be.  That we give our children the time and attention they need.  Forgive us for abandoning our children to go after money and possessions.

Father God, I pray You give wisdom to all those in decision making positions regarding our educational system in Waterford, the state of Michigan and federally.  Influence them according to Your will and plan for our schools and our children.  Let our educational system be patterned after Your heavenly plan.  I pray for all teachers and educators in the educational system.  I pray their hearts turn towards You.  I pray all those who influence our children are influenced by You. 

Father, I pray You give wisdom to Christian parents concerning private and home schools.  Show us Your wisdom of whether to be salt and light in the public school system vs. protecting our children from the darkness of the world.  I pray You send a flood of educators into the public school system who love You and stand for Your kingdom. 

I pray for church leaders, children's pastors and teachers.  I pray You anoint them with Your Holy Spirit to reach these kids for You.  Give them a fresh fire and passion to reach kids for You.  Give them all the resources they need to touch these kids hearts with Your life and love.

Father, raise up an army of children for You.  Touch their hearts, wrap Your loving arms around them.  Reveal Yourself to them.  Pour out Your Spirit upon them.  (Joel 2:28-29).  Touch every child in our community.

"...neither will any be missing or lost, says the Lord." Jeremiah 23:4, The Amplified Bible