Day 187 - 6 July 2021 reflections
Day 187, 6 July 2021
jonah
Jonah 1
The Call of Jonah
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying,
2 "Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it,
because their wickedness has come up before Me."
3 But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
He went down to Joppa and found there a ship going to TarÂshish.
He paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish
from the presence of the Lord.
4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and a mighty storm
came upon the sea, so that the ship was in danger of breaking up.
5 Then the sailors were afraid, and each cried to his god.
They tossed the ship's cargo into the sea in order to lighten the load.
But Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship, had lain down,
and was fast asleep.
6 The captain came to him and said, "What are you doing asleep?
Get up, call to your god! Perhaps your god will consider us,
so that we will not perish."
7 The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots
that we may know on whose account this disaster has come upon us."
So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 Then the sailors said to Jonah, "Tell us why this disaster has come
upon us. What is your occupation? Where do you come from?
What is your country? And from what people are you?"
9 Jonah replied, "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord,
the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."
10 Then the men were very afraid and said to him,
"What is this you have done?" For the men knew that he was fleeing
from the presence of the Lord because he had told them.
11 Then they said to Jonah, "What shall we do to you, so that the sea
may quiet down for us?" For the sea was growing stormier.
12 So Jonah said to them,"Pick me up and toss me into the sea.
Then the sea will quiet down for you. For I know that it is
on my account this great storm has come upon you."
13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to bring the ship to land,
but they could not do it, for the sea grew more tempestuous against them.
14 Then they cried to the Lord and said, "Please, Lord, do not let us perish
for this man's life, and do not make us guilty for innocent blood,
for You, Lord, have done as it pleased You."
15So they picked up Jonah and tossed him into the sea.
Then the sea ceased from its raging.
16 Therefore the men were very afraid of the Lord,
and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
The Prayer and Deliverance of Jonah
17 Now the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah.
And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish.
2 He said:
"I called to the Lord out of my distress,
and He answered me.
Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
and You heard my voice.
3 You cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas,
and the flood surrounded me.
All Your billows and Your waves
passed over me.
4 Then I said, 'I am cast away
from Your sight;
yet I will look again
to Your holy temple.'
5 The waters encompassed me; even to my soul
the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped around my head.
6 I went down to the foundations of the mountains;
the earth with its bars was around me forever;
yet You have brought up my life from the pit,
O Lord my God.
7 "When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered the Lord;
and my prayer came to You,
into Your holy temple.
8 "Those who follow vain idols
forsake their true loyalty.
9 But I will sacrifice to You
with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed.
Salvation is of the Lord!"
10 Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon dry land.
Jonah 3
Jonah Preaches at Nineveh
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying,
2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city,
and proclaim to it the message that I tell you."
3 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three-day journey across.
4 Jonah began to enter the city, going a day's walk.
And he cried out, "In forty days' time, Nineveh will be overthrown!"
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast.
And everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne,
removed his robe, covered himself in sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 Then he made a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By decree of the king and his nobles:
No man or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything.
They shall not eat or drink water.
8 Both man and animals shall cover themselves with sackcloth
and cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways
and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who knows? God may relent and change His mind.
He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish."
10 When God saw their actions, that they turned from their evil ways,
He changed His mind about the disaster that He had said He would bring
upon them, and He did not do it.
Jonah 4
Jonah's Anger and the Lord's Compassion
1 Now this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry.
2 He prayed to the Lord and said, "O Lord! Is this not
what I said while I was still in my own land?
This is the reason that I fled before to Tarshish,
because I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful,
slow to anger, abundant in faithfulness, and ready to relent from punishment.
3 Therefore, Lord, take my life from me,
for it is better for me to die than to live."
4 Then the Lord said, "Is it right for you to be angry?"
5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city
and made for himself a booth there. He sat under it in the shade,
waiting to see what would happen to the city.
6 Then the Lord God appointed a plant, and it grew up over Jonah to provide
shade over his head, to provide comfort from his grief.
And Jonah was very happy about the plant.
7 But at dawn the next day, God appointed a worm to attack the plant
so that it withered.
8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind,
and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah so that he became
faint and asked that he might die.
He said, "It is better for me to die than to live."
9 Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?"
And Jonah replied, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death."
10 The Lord said, "You are troubled about the plant
for which you did not labor and did not grow.
It came up in a night and perished in a night.
11 Should I not, therefore, be concerned about Nineveh,
that great city, in which there are
more than a hundred and twenty thousand people,
who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?"
2) Our Daily Bread for6 July 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/07/06/not-fatherless
entitled Not Fatherless
Matthew 6:5-13
The Lord's Prayer
Lk 11:1-4
5 "When you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners that they may be seen by men.
Truly I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret
will reward you openly.
7 But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do.
For they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need
of before you ask Him.
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 8:16
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits
that we are the children of God,
John Sowers in his book Fatherless Generation writes that
"No generation has seen as much voluntary father absence as this one
with 25 million kids growing up in single-parent homes." In my own experience,
if I'd bumped into my father on the street, I wouldn't have known him.
My parents were divorced when I was very young, and all the photos of my dad
were burned. So for years I felt fatherless. Then at age thirteen,
I heard the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) and said to myself,
You may not have an earthly father,
but now you have God as your heavenly Father.
In Matthew 6:9 we're taught to pray, "Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name." Previously verse 7 says not to "keep on babbling"
when praying, and we may wonder how these verses are connected.
I realized that because God remembers, we don't need to repeat.
He truly understands, so we don't need to explain.
He has a compassionate heart, so we don't need to be uncertain
of His goodness. And because He knows the end from the beginning,
we know His timing is perfect.
Because God is our Father, we don't need to use "many words" (v. 7)
to move Him. Through prayer, we're talking with a Father who loves
and cares for us and made us His children through Jesus.
By: Albert Lee
Reflect & Pray
When have you tried to "move God" in prayer by using many words?
How does having a relationship with Him as your Father help you to trust Him?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child
and for being a Father that welcomes me into Your presence through prayer.
Read Talking with My Father at https://www.DiscoverySeries.org/HP171 .
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness
Eph 4:32
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12–13; Mt 6:12)And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Don had lost his job because he sttod against his boss and refused to
comprimise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had
turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,
and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support
of those who cared.
But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to
recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and
honestly, " I beleive my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show
him." The kindness of Don's heart ., and the tenderness with which he
extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's
boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of
forgiving.
Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be
overstocked with judgment and crammed fukk of condemnation, but we have
little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick
to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for
the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,
the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.
Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgivemess when he
looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet
for his cloak, and said, "Father , forgive them, for they do not know what
are doing."
When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are
doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -
not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,
in the simplicity and purity of God's love.
Application
a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?
b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?
c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you.â€
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we prayfor these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapoled for the 2011 National
Household Survay and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
( Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear
all these statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near
to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt
loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good
for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on
a hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick.
And it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of British Columbia, that God's Spirit
would influence them to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to do the Lord's will and not be bitter about it.
Pray to the Lord "Dear heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child
and for being a Father that welcomes me into Your presence through prayer."
Pray to the Lord to have a Spirit of Forgiveness
that shows tenderheartedness.
Pray to the Lord to be a cheerful giver.
Pray to the Lord and thank for the purity of His Word.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have God's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
Pray for brother "S," who has been targeted by authorities from
his country, even after fleeing Jordan.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
jonah
Jonah 1
The Call of Jonah
1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying,
2 "Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it,
because their wickedness has come up before Me."
3 But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
He went down to Joppa and found there a ship going to TarÂshish.
He paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish
from the presence of the Lord.
4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and a mighty storm
came upon the sea, so that the ship was in danger of breaking up.
5 Then the sailors were afraid, and each cried to his god.
They tossed the ship's cargo into the sea in order to lighten the load.
But Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship, had lain down,
and was fast asleep.
6 The captain came to him and said, "What are you doing asleep?
Get up, call to your god! Perhaps your god will consider us,
so that we will not perish."
7 The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots
that we may know on whose account this disaster has come upon us."
So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 Then the sailors said to Jonah, "Tell us why this disaster has come
upon us. What is your occupation? Where do you come from?
What is your country? And from what people are you?"
9 Jonah replied, "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord,
the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."
10 Then the men were very afraid and said to him,
"What is this you have done?" For the men knew that he was fleeing
from the presence of the Lord because he had told them.
11 Then they said to Jonah, "What shall we do to you, so that the sea
may quiet down for us?" For the sea was growing stormier.
12 So Jonah said to them,"Pick me up and toss me into the sea.
Then the sea will quiet down for you. For I know that it is
on my account this great storm has come upon you."
13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to bring the ship to land,
but they could not do it, for the sea grew more tempestuous against them.
14 Then they cried to the Lord and said, "Please, Lord, do not let us perish
for this man's life, and do not make us guilty for innocent blood,
for You, Lord, have done as it pleased You."
15So they picked up Jonah and tossed him into the sea.
Then the sea ceased from its raging.
16 Therefore the men were very afraid of the Lord,
and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
The Prayer and Deliverance of Jonah
17 Now the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah.
And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2
1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish.
2 He said:
"I called to the Lord out of my distress,
and He answered me.
Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
and You heard my voice.
3 You cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas,
and the flood surrounded me.
All Your billows and Your waves
passed over me.
4 Then I said, 'I am cast away
from Your sight;
yet I will look again
to Your holy temple.'
5 The waters encompassed me; even to my soul
the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped around my head.
6 I went down to the foundations of the mountains;
the earth with its bars was around me forever;
yet You have brought up my life from the pit,
O Lord my God.
7 "When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered the Lord;
and my prayer came to You,
into Your holy temple.
8 "Those who follow vain idols
forsake their true loyalty.
9 But I will sacrifice to You
with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed.
Salvation is of the Lord!"
10 Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon dry land.
Jonah 3
Jonah Preaches at Nineveh
1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying,
2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, the great city,
and proclaim to it the message that I tell you."
3 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three-day journey across.
4 Jonah began to enter the city, going a day's walk.
And he cried out, "In forty days' time, Nineveh will be overthrown!"
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast.
And everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne,
removed his robe, covered himself in sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 Then he made a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By decree of the king and his nobles:
No man or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything.
They shall not eat or drink water.
8 Both man and animals shall cover themselves with sackcloth
and cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways
and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who knows? God may relent and change His mind.
He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish."
10 When God saw their actions, that they turned from their evil ways,
He changed His mind about the disaster that He had said He would bring
upon them, and He did not do it.
Jonah 4
Jonah's Anger and the Lord's Compassion
1 Now this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry.
2 He prayed to the Lord and said, "O Lord! Is this not
what I said while I was still in my own land?
This is the reason that I fled before to Tarshish,
because I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful,
slow to anger, abundant in faithfulness, and ready to relent from punishment.
3 Therefore, Lord, take my life from me,
for it is better for me to die than to live."
4 Then the Lord said, "Is it right for you to be angry?"
5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city
and made for himself a booth there. He sat under it in the shade,
waiting to see what would happen to the city.
6 Then the Lord God appointed a plant, and it grew up over Jonah to provide
shade over his head, to provide comfort from his grief.
And Jonah was very happy about the plant.
7 But at dawn the next day, God appointed a worm to attack the plant
so that it withered.
8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind,
and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah so that he became
faint and asked that he might die.
He said, "It is better for me to die than to live."
9 Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?"
And Jonah replied, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death."
10 The Lord said, "You are troubled about the plant
for which you did not labor and did not grow.
It came up in a night and perished in a night.
11 Should I not, therefore, be concerned about Nineveh,
that great city, in which there are
more than a hundred and twenty thousand people,
who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?"
2) Our Daily Bread for6 July 2021
https://odb.org/CA/2021/07/06/not-fatherless
entitled Not Fatherless
Matthew 6:5-13
The Lord's Prayer
Lk 11:1-4
5 "When you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites.
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners that they may be seen by men.
Truly I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret
will reward you openly.
7 But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do.
For they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you have need
of before you ask Him.
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 8:16
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits
that we are the children of God,
John Sowers in his book Fatherless Generation writes that
"No generation has seen as much voluntary father absence as this one
with 25 million kids growing up in single-parent homes." In my own experience,
if I'd bumped into my father on the street, I wouldn't have known him.
My parents were divorced when I was very young, and all the photos of my dad
were burned. So for years I felt fatherless. Then at age thirteen,
I heard the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) and said to myself,
You may not have an earthly father,
but now you have God as your heavenly Father.
In Matthew 6:9 we're taught to pray, "Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name." Previously verse 7 says not to "keep on babbling"
when praying, and we may wonder how these verses are connected.
I realized that because God remembers, we don't need to repeat.
He truly understands, so we don't need to explain.
He has a compassionate heart, so we don't need to be uncertain
of His goodness. And because He knows the end from the beginning,
we know His timing is perfect.
Because God is our Father, we don't need to use "many words" (v. 7)
to move Him. Through prayer, we're talking with a Father who loves
and cares for us and made us His children through Jesus.
By: Albert Lee
Reflect & Pray
When have you tried to "move God" in prayer by using many words?
How does having a relationship with Him as your Father help you to trust Him?
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child
and for being a Father that welcomes me into Your presence through prayer.
Read Talking with My Father at https://www.DiscoverySeries.org/HP171 .
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 6 Showing Grace to Others - Day 3 The Kind Heart of Forgiveness
Eph 4:32
32 (2Co 2:10; Col 3:12–13; Mt 6:12)And be kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Don had lost his job because he sttod against his boss and refused to
comprimise his Christian principles. Certain friends in the company had
turned against him, choosing to save their own jobs at any cost,
and he felt very alone, abandoned when he most needed the support
of those who cared.
But Don showed no signs of bitterness or unforgiveness. He refused to
recite the details of his firing to those around him, saying simply and
honestly, " I beleive my boss was wrong in what he did. But God can show
him." The kindness of Don's heart ., and the tenderness with which he
extended forgiveness, became a testimony to all who knew him. Don's
boss never "saw the light", never repented, but Don lived in the freedom of
forgiving.
Comparison is a rare commodity among Christains today. We seem to be
overstocked with judgment and crammed fukk of condemnation, but we have
little space in the corners of our lives for tenderheartedness. We are quick
to assume that we know another person's heart and have the remedy for
the problem, rather then giving that person the benefit of the doubt,
the room to grow, the freedom to make a mistake and seek forgiveness.
Jesus demonstrated the king compassion necessary in forgivemess when he
looked down at the soldiers who has crucified him, gambling at his feet
for his cloak, and said, "Father , forgive them, for they do not know what
are doing."
When others hurt and betray us, they often "do not know what they are
doing." we can, in Christ, offer compassionate forgiveness to them -
not condoning their actions or excusing their wrong, but forgiving ,
in the simplicity and purity of God's love.
Application
a) What is the difference between excusing a wrong and forgiving?
b) How has God forgiven me for Christ's sake?
c) What does today's verse tell me about my attitude in forgiveness?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Luke 6:38
38 "Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over will men give unto you.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you.â€
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
Proverbs 30:5
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we prayfor these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapoled for the 2011 National
Household Survay and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 12 They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to each other,
"What does this mean?"
13 (1Co 14:23) Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
Peter's Speech at Pentecost
14 (Ac 1:26) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice
and said to them, "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose,
since it is the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 (Isa 44:3; Ac 10:45) 'In the last days it shall be,' says God,
'that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.'
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, atheists, secular humanists, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
6th Day of the Month
a) Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
( Deut 4:6-7
6 (Job 28:28; Pr 1:7) Therefore, keep and do them, for this is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear
all these statutes, and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise
and understanding people."
7 (2Sa 7:23; Ps 46:1) For what nation is there so great, who has a god so near
to it as the Lord our God is in all things whenever we call on Him?
Matt 5:13-16
13 (Lev 2:13; Lk 14:34-35) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt
loses its saltiness, how shall it be made salty? It is from then on good
for nothing but to be thrown out and to be trampled underfoot by men.
14 (Jn 8:12; Pr 4:18) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on
a hill cannot be hidden.
15 (Mk 4:21; Lk 8:16) Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick.
And it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 (1Pe 2:12; Mt 9:8; Jn 15:8) Let your light so shine
before men that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
8 (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
b) Pray for the province of British Columbia
I) Pray for the leaders of British Columbia, that God's Spirit
would influence them to act justly, serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards.
( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province, that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord to do the Lord's will and not be bitter about it.
Pray to the Lord "Dear heavenly Father, thank You for making me Your child
and for being a Father that welcomes me into Your presence through prayer."
Pray to the Lord to have a Spirit of Forgiveness
that shows tenderheartedness.
Pray to the Lord to be a cheerful giver.
Pray to the Lord and thank for the purity of His Word.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have God's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Pray for a more effective witness by the church in every Canadian community
Pray for brother "S," who has been targeted by authorities from
his country, even after fleeing Jordan.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.