Today is the 22nd day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal. During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.
Here is today’s prayer event: 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (Jn. 17:9-12 ESV)
These lines are part 1 of a 3 part prayer which Jesus lifts on behalf of his disciples. Here, what he has been doing (“I have kept them in your name”) he now asks the Father to do (“keep them in your name”). As the disciples have prepared for their mission, Jesus has kept them, guarded them, and protected them. Now, as the disciples pursue their mission, Jesus asks the Father to keep them, guard them, and protect them. Jesus places them in the protective custody of the Father so they may engage fully in ministry.
Think of the names of people or organizations who are involved heavily in ministry, Christian charity, or Christian education. Spend this day in constant prayer for them, asking the Father to keep them, protect them, and guard them.
SHARE WITH READERS BELOW ONE PERSON/ORGANIZATION YOU ARE PRAYING FOR TODAY
[image]
Ealier this week I got the monthly newsletter from Namikango Mission in Malawi, where my friend Mark Thiesen and his wife Era are missionaries. Some of their expenses have risen up to 500% in the past five years, and after declining funds and such steep inflation, it is necessary for them to increase their monthly budget. God is blessing their work so greatly, and I have supported them in the past as they have had specific needs. They operate a preacher training school and maternity clinic, and in addition to all the “normal” things you would expect a mission to do, right now are providing relief for earthquake victims (they had a devestating earthquake soon after the Haiti earthquake). During afternoon prayers on Wednesday, the boys and I talked about this situation and brainstormed how we could help. Alexander came up with the idea to forego ordering pizza on Friday nights, which we do two or three times a month, and committing to sending that money to Malawi. I thought this was a wonderful idea, and George agreed. Every afternoon we light candles for the people we are specifically praying for that day; we will be lighting a candle for Mark and the Namikango mission as long as he is working there.
As a “pastor” at the Med I find myself ministering to many of the staff members. Ministry opportunities are everywhere, and not always just forthe patients and their families.
Comments are closed.