Weekly Prayer of Encouragement 17 May
Brother Nathan McPherson offers the Weekly Prayer of Encouragement 17 May 2020.
My Brothers, Sisters and Friends,
We hope that you are well. However, we continue to suggest that if you or anyone you know is in need of prayer or any other forms of support, please let us know. A request for prayer can be made on the church’s website.
Based on your feedback so far, we appreciate your concern for each other. We are encouraging those who want to provide any form of support for persons who are in need at this time, to do so. One of the avenues to give support is through the church office.
Many of us may recall this song:
; “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine.
Don’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine.”
(Do not let COVID-19 blow it out; I am going to let it shine).
This song takes us to Jesus Christ’s teachings on the Mount:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
My dear Brothers, Sisters and Friends, how can we let our light shine in these dark times? Remember that the purpose of light is to dispel darkness. If we are light, it means we shine in the dark days. Darkness has no power over us. It does not, in the name of Jesus Christ! We are not slaves to darkness, but the light of God shines through us by His Holy Spirit. Yes, we may be told otherwise, and even led to believe otherwise, but always, always hold on to the fact that Jesus Christ has conquered death, hell and the grave and the gates of hell will not, it will not prevail against us! God’s word tells us that we must not fear, instead, take refuge in Him (Psalm 46). Let us replace the thoughts of darkness with the word of God.
We are children of the Light! We belong to the one and only true Almighty God. Darkness has no authority over us, in the name of Jesus Christ! We walk in light, we live in the light of God! We are His light! Through our circumstances, through our goings may we shine and be the light. May God Almighty give us mental and physical strength, and ignite His power which is in us to do so.
This month we celebrate and acknowledge families, and in particular, this weekend, children. The word of God has given us many insights into the way God appreciates little children, and the way He views them. Jesus said:
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)
We are called to nurture and direct our children through the word of God, allowing them to shine and not be hidden, set aside into a corner, feel devalued, or subject to abuse. Let their light come forth, and shine.
Today’s prayer will be led by Nathan McPherson. Nathan is 10 years of age. He is a member of the Youth in Praise Ministry of our church.
Let us pray:
Lord God I thank You for today. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that You will forgive us of all our sins.
Lord, I pray that everybody who is sick with the corona virus will be healed because we can’t come out of our houses to go to anywhere we used to go to. Lord, the beaches and other exciting places are closed.
I ask You dear Lord to help us to have enough faith and to trust in You. Lord, You are a miracle working God and at this time we look up to You for mercy and for love.
Lord, I pray about the doctors and nurses who are risking their lives to keep this corona virus from spreading that much. I thank You Lord for the efforts of the doctors and nurses and what they have done for this country, and for the world.
Lord, I pray for the helpless and needy. Help us to at least try to not get sick because we need our country safe. You died on the cross for a reason, to wash away our sins. We look up to You to take this pain from us in Your Holy Name.
Help me to be generous and to look out for the forgotten.
Our world calls for cooperation among national leaders, scientists, health care providers, and all who are involved in overcoming this crisis.
Lord, we pray that You will help our national leaders: including Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Health Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of National Security Horace Chang, Peter Philips leader of the opposition and their families; Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force personnel and Security Guards. May my prayers and support be with them all.
Lord, I know that Your open arms will never fail.
God of hope, may Your love cover the earth, as You teach us to live more generously today than yesterday.
Dear Lord, may my anxieties be transformed into love.
So thank You for hearing my prayer as I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Our Weekly Prayers 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.
