The Prayer of Encouragement for 27 November
Sister Alana Morgan offers the Prayer of Encouragement for 27 November 2020 for our country, businesses, frontline and other workers.
My Brothers, Sisters and Friends we hope that you are well. However, if not, please let us know.
As you may be aware, we have been looking at the prophet Jeremiah and his emotional display. One could say that he was filled with emotions. His emotions were at times very intense. Jeremiah was one of those prophets who did not hold back what he felt. He told the Lord what was on his mind concerning his calling and the people’s response. At a point in time, you may recall that he thought of getting out of his calling but realised that there would be no peace for him (Jeremiah 20:9).
As I continue to reflect on Jeremiah’s life, I took some steps back and realised that his calling started out with fear. We may say that could be understood because he was of a tender age. He said “The word of the Lord came to me, saying,’Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5, NIV).
Would you say that Jeremiah was consecrated (set apart) before he came in contact with the cells and other makings of humankind that gave rise to his conception, and birth? Do you think that Jeremiah considered this too much of an honour? Or was he just afraid? Just to add, Gideon thought that his calling was too much for someone of his status, (Judges 6:15). Would you say the same of Jeremiah? If not, why not?
How did Jeremiah deal with his fear? It seemed like he thought about the Lord’s pronouncements and came up with an excellent excuse. Jeremiah said “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak. I am too young.” (Jeremiah 1:6, NIV). What was the Lord’s response? “But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord,” (Jeremiah 1:6-7, NIV).
Think about it. Jeremiah was speaking to the Lord but told Him that he did not know how to speak. He knew that as a prophet his voice would become an oracle of God. He was not afraid to speak to God, a person of greater power. Yet he was afraid of the people who the same God created by His power. This is interesting. The Lord encouraged Jeremiah not to be afraid. He assured Jeremiah that He would be with him, and rescue him. You may note that at this point the Lord did not tell him there would be challenges.
The Lord made known to Jeremiah, the purpose of his ministry, and empowered him.
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 1:9-10 (NIV)
We may say that Jeremiah was appointed by God to remove the things that brought Him displeasure and restore His nations to Him through Him. The Lord went on to explain to Jeremiah details concerning his calling. He gave him the choice of facing terror or doing what was required (Jeremiah 1:11-17). One may say that was not a choice, but do you think many people are making that choice today? Could it be out of fear, lack of confidence, or disobedience?
Let us divert a bit and look at fear. Fear is described by Vine as, “that which caused flight”; “that which is caused by being scared”. I recalled that in previous writings, we looked at fear of man versus fear of God. So we will not get into that type of analysis for the purpose of this writing. I must add though that fear can be associated with anxiety including panic, which may result in nervousness, worry, confusion, scepticism, among other things. I wonder which ones Jeremiah experienced at that time. The apostle Paul referred to fear as a negative spirit. He pointed out that such a spirit was not of God. He has given us a spirit of power, love and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
You may note that God not only assured Jeremiah but affirmed him.
“Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 1:18-19 (NIV)
Did you notice that the Lord endowed Jeremiah with strength, power and authority? He also disclosed to him that he would face opposition but would overcome, and be rescued. The fight that he would come against was not disclosed in the initial conversation between the Lord and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6-7). However, the assurance of His presence and rescue of Jeremiah was promised. Could it be that the Lord broke things to him in a measured way because of his fear?
As I reflect on the way that the Lord affirmed Jeremiah, I remember another prophet who complained, Habakkuk. He complained a lot about injustice but became assured and encouraged as he prayed. “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19, NIV). Do you see any similarity in God’s affirmation of Jeremiah? “Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land….” (Jeremiah 1:18, NIV).
Brethren and Friends, fear is something that grips us at times but we need to understand that it is a negative spirit that God has not given to us. He has given us a spirit of power, love and sound mind. I also noted that the Lord endowed Jeremiah but told him to stand up and get ready (Jeremiah 1:17). The Lord has done similar things for us but we need to respond as He requires. Jeremiah’s emotions came into focus and he tried to convince the Lord not to use him as a prophet. However, the Lord spent time helping him to understand his purpose in His plan, which was bigger than him. So what do you have to say?
Let us pray:
Alana Morgan does today’s prayer. Alana is 13 years of age. Let us pray;
Dear Most Righteous and Heavenly Father, we come before You today, in the name of Jesus Christ, thanking You for granting us the gift of life.
Lord, as we come to You today, we ask that You forgive us of all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In a time like this waking up every morning is truly a blessing, which is why we look to You Lord on behalf of our frontline workers, leaders and essential workers.
Lord, we ask that You protect our frontline workers. They have been risking their own well- being for the sake of others; staying away from home for extensive hours; and staying away from their families who they want to protect. Dear God, they are constantly running the risk of contracting the coronavirus. Therefore, we ask You to give them strength, courage, wisdom and hope. We know this is a hard time for them and we pray that You will send Your guardian angels to protect them. So please protect our modern heroes.
We also remember frontline workers connected with GMC: Medical Doctors: Asana Anderson Wilks and Rohan Wilks, Kahlete Falloon, Tina Kong, Vernon Jones, Leighton Logan; Dentists: doing emergency cases; Jhenell Black, Dania Jones, Eleanor Reynolds; Pharmacists: Sandra Bucknor-Jones, Viveen Watson; other doctors and nurses from GMC or in connection with members and adherents of GMC who are working on the frontline (for example Dr. Richard Reynolds) and their families.
Dear Lord, we also ask You to protect our national leaders, as well as government workers. Lord we pray especially for the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Minister of Health Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of National Security Horace Chang, Mark Golding leader of the opposition and their families; Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force personnel and Security Guards.
We also ask You to grant them the wisdom to make the right decisions, ones that will better the state of this country.
Lord, we ask that You will help business leaders in Jamaica and the world. Lord remember especially: Business owners Business leaders in our congregation: Ewan and Maxine Oliver; Lanna and Desmond Bennett; Warrick Bogle, Carol and Leroy Blake, Marcia Leair, Robert and Bevelin Smith, Paulette Dixon, Kemorine and Karl Henry, Ava Comrie, Catherine Barkley and husband, Cornel Richards and family, Everton Lewis, Pauline and Mark Garvey, Brother Astley Hall, Maxine and Benedict Ranger, Melva Knight, Nicole Fender, Sharon Baldie, Karl Jones and others.
Dear God, we pray that with Your mighty power You will cease this coronavirus disease.
In Your Magnified name we pray with thanksgiving.
Amen.
Our Prayers of Encouragement are for everyone. Therefore, if you are also in need of prayer or comfort, please contact us with your request. We would be so very happy to share with you.
