WEEKLY PRAYER A blog from First Baptist Santa Barbara http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/ Weekly Prayer Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/weekly-prayer-3 http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/weekly-prayer-3 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

Suffering is a difficult subject to talk about. Everyone, including me, asks why at some point. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do Christians have problems just like non-Christians? Why me? Well, there is no easy answer. But, as Christians we have hope. We believe that God keeps his promise to,"never leave us nor forsake us," which means that we are never alone, and we always have someone to listen to us, and who will speak words of comfort. God does not always take us out of some trouble or hardship. He takes us through them. God sometimes bring hardship on us to test us, or to teach us something that we will be able to use to bless somebody else with. It may have nothing to do with us, but our willingness to be used by God however he wants to use us. It may not be any fun, and you may never want to go through it again, but God will use it for his Glory. 

Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ: In Sudan. Christians face growing persecution because of a large population of Muslim extremists. Pray that God would fill their hearts with love for their enemies, and courage to follow Jesus.

Pray for your church: Join with Tomi Eaton and our church in praying and fasting for our children's ministry. We are seeking God's direction, and taking time to listen for where God is leading us rather than doing our own thing.

Pray for your local Missions: Pray for the SB Rescue Mission. Their aim is to help men to be set free from addiction. Pray that God would use them to raise up men of and women of God to boldly proclaim the gospel.

Pray for your city: God. Raise up the men in this city. Make them your own. Draw them to yourself. Lead them, so that they may lead their families, friends, and churches in following you. Make your glory shine through them.

Pray for your nation: Pray for our leaders. The choices they make affect millions of people. Pray that God would remind them that their purpose is to represent the people, to protect people, and to serve people. Ask him to continue to remove corrupt individuals and replace them with men and women who will be a blessing to their country.

Pray for your international Missions: IJM (International Justice Mission) Pray that the work they do to set women and children in slavery free would grow, and that God would continue to provide for them so that more and more oppressed people might see God's salvation.

Praise God: Praise the Lord for his mercy and compassion. Praise Him for not leaving us alone, and for sending His son so that we might spend eternity with Him. Thank you Lord for giving away your son so that we might have an abundant life.

In addition I wanted to let everyone know that I will begin sending out the prayer e-mail every other week until my schedule becomes a bit more normal. Thank you for your patience.

May the Lord bless you and and fill you with strength and endurance, so that you might finish the course that God has marked out for you. May his presence guide and council you daily, and may hislove pour out of you to everyone around you.

Michael

Prayer Request - (Notes: Pray for these as the Holy Spirit leads you. That is why I keep them concise.)

Rose Ortiz - Husband diagnosed with cancerous tumor in his chest. Currently in Chemo, and unable to work. They have two children.

M. Macias - Job search. Applied to a couple of full time positions. Looking for God's open doors.

Prayer Updates - Rick Moritz, and Gibby may be housed within the next month. Please continue to keep them in your prayers until everything has been brought to completion.

]]> Weekly Prayer Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/weekly-prayer-2 http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/weekly-prayer-2 Hello everyone,  
   2 Chronicles 7:13-14 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

   Repentance. That is part of what God is talking about here. There is a progression. We begin in humility. We move to prayer. We don't stop till we find God. And we stop sinning. This last part is important. It's easy to apologize. It's easy to pray without caring. It's easy to get knowledge of God without letting it affect your heart. It's transforming when we stop sinning. It radically changes who we are when we stop sinning, and opens us to finally receive the healing that God has prepared for us. Allow yourself to truly see your sin, and realize what is has been doing, and then ask God to forgive you, and then, stop sinning. Fill that need with something that glorifies, and honors God, your maker, healer, and savior.

Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ : In the Philippines. Pray for Leodel. Pray that she would find comfort after the loss of her husband to Muslim murderers. Pray that God would provide for her and her children (3yrs. and 1 on the way). Pray that she would forgive, and love her persecutors, and share the love of God to them. 

Pray for your church: Pray that God would continue to strengthen us with his direction, and guidance, as we prayerfully step out in faith to love with our actions as a united body of Christ.

Pray for your local Missions: Christian Surfers - One of our partner organizations. Pray that God would provide opportunities for them to share the love of Christ in tangible ways that open the door to talk about God and his amazing love.

Pray for your city: There have been a lot of accidents on the roads lately. Lets pray that as the holiday season starts to get underway, that God would watch over the roads, and that they would be safe for everyone to drive on.

Pray for your nation: Texas - In the midst of a year long drought, fires have sprung up in Bastrop County. The blaze is only 30% contained. Pray that God would protect the people of Texas and keep the casualties low.

Pray for your international Missions: IJM (International Justice Mission) Pray that God would allow their lawyers, and investigators have more freedom, and grace, and authority to defend the weak and oppressed throughout the world.

Praise God: For loving us enough to die while we still didn't know him, or care about him. What amazing love that would do that. Praise God.

May the Lord bless you with his healing; Poured out in abundance, and overflowing with joy, so that your light may shine in this dark world. May we all together encourage each other to shine brightly for God. Be a light this week.

Michael

Prayer Request - (Notes: Pray for these as the Holy Spirit leads you. That is why I keep them concise.)

Bridgette  40 yrs old - Suffering from seizures, that have sent her into comas. Needs at least one more surgery.


Prayer Updates - None at this time.

]]> Weekly Prayer Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/weekly-prayer http://www.firstbaptistsb.com/weekly-prayer Hello everyone,

   I just wanted to say, that I have received a lot of feedback, and comments about my e-mails, and I appreciate everything that you have to say. So thank you.

   Psalm 139 (Some highlights) "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me... Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord... How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!... Search me, O God, and know my heat; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

   It's easy for me to do my own thing. Especially when I have been doing it for a while. It's easy for me not to listen to God. I just don't ask him. I don't seek him first. I can find all sorts of things that get in the way of the time I want to spend with God. So I wanted to take some time today to remind myself to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33a)

   Instead of writing things to pray for, I am going to write down the questions that I have for God. Use these questions yourself, or think of better, or more personal ones, and then listen to what God is speaking to you. Finally, do what he says.
 
Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ : Who is the brother or sister that I can best pray for, and what is on your heart for them?
Pray for your church: What burdens does your body carry, and how can I help give that burden back to you?
Pray for your local Missions: Is there any way that I can help your body grow through a local mission? Which one?
Pray for your city: Where are you at work in our city? How can I be a part of your plan for this city?
Pray for your nation: When will you bring revival to our nation? How can I pray for my nation? Which leader can I pray for?
Pray for your international Missions: What part of your body is in need Lord? Where is it hurting? What will help most?
Praise God: Lord I praise you for how you move your people. Thank you for taking time to speak to us and to love us. For giving us all that we need.

May the Lord bless you with his loving words of wisdom, his powerful guidance, and his amazing love. The Lord be with you all till we meet again.

Michael

Prayer Request - (Notes: Pray for these as the Holy Spirit leads you. That is why I keep them concise.)

  • Carol Brown -  Broke Left wrist. Had surgery Tuesday.
  • Inez Jeffries - Broken pelvis. Currently at Cottage Hospital.

Prayer Updates -

  • Daniel's brother got the job at Sea-Tac International Airport. Praise God! He starts Aug. 15th.

      

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