The Prayer of Encouragement for 12 February
Deacon Arlene Burton offers the Prayer of Encouragement for 12 February 2021 for our country, businesses, frontline and other workers.
My Brothers, Sisters and Friends, we are hoping that you are well but if not, just let us know and you will be included in our prayers. You may contact us through our website.
Let us truly praise and honour our Father, Saviour and Lord, the one and only true God who created us all for His purpose. May the works of His hands be established in our lives with power and authority. May we not fear though the earth remains in turmoil. Nor may we lose hope, not lose faith, but trust that God will see us through this journey, this phase of life. May we make ourselves available to be used by God, and may He bless and favour the work of His hands in our lives.
You know, a friend told me that she was tired of everything that is happening in her life. Work has become hard and the constant back and forth from home to work has drained her energy. She has to be doing both online and face to face connections for work, and each requires a different set of preparation and approach. It has been a tough journey preparing documentation and trying to help keep others in a mental state of balance. Now she wanted to get away, to go somewhere. She is tired. She is someone who was always filled with energy, raring to go. One could say that she was always on fire with bursts of laughter.
As I reflected on what my friend was experiencing that gentleman, Elijah the prophet, kept disturbing my mind. Elijah acted in faith on Mount Carmel. He wanted to show the people in his time that there was only one God who deserved to be worshiped and loved. He wanted the people to witness that his God could do great and mighty things, and their gods could not. Elijah set up a demonstration. It was showtime. I am thinking that It would have made the headlines today. Oh yes!
The Bible recorded “Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him’. (1 Kings 18:21, NIV).
Here goes the demonstration. “Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, ‘Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire’. (1 Kings 18:25, NIV).
As the demonstration continued, I am thinking of the big screen. He told them to call on their God. It appeared Elijah had some fun during the ordeal! He taunted them.
So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response. No one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or travelling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom until their blood flowed.
1 Kings 18:26-28 (NIV)
Can you imagine the commitment of the people to Baal, a man-made god who they created and turned around to serve? They shed their blood for a god who could not even breathe. Of course, they got no response. We may say, wow! Do you think some of us give what we have including self to idol worship rather than for God’s glory? Just think about it and reflect.
Nothing was happening for the Baal worshippers and it was time for the evening sacrifice so Elijah led in the preparation of the sacrifice (1 Kings 18: 29-32). Then he gave further instructions to the Baal worshipers. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood.
Then he said to them “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood. Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.” (1 Kings 18: 33-35, NIV). Nothing happened, no fire, no drying up of the water, as was expected. Their gods had eyes but could not see, mouth but could not breathe or speak. I am also thinking that they did not have a functional brain.
Then it was time for the great demonstration. Imagine, the lights got brighter, the presence of the cameras increased and the people drew closer. In the midst of it was the man of God in great stature boldly positioning himself for the great showdown. Just imagine what happens when the prime minister or a prominent celebrity arrives at a function or event. Oh yes!
So Elijah prayed;
At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
1 Kings 18:36-37 (NIV)
The counting down began, and the people waited for the Lord’s response. “Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.” (1 Kings 18:38, NIV).
It sounded like fireworks that left the people in awe. “When all the people saw this, they prostrated and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (1 Kings 18:39, NIV). What a burst of energy? What a demonstration? I am thinking that he who was on fire for God (Elijah), called down fire, and there was fire. However, there must have been a hush, giving rise to amazement and wonder. Wow. Lord, you are Awesome!
During that time Elijah also prayed for rain, trusting God that it would happen. He even told King Ahab, who was the king at the time that there would be rain. “Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:45-46, NIV). What happened next? I will talk about that in the next posting.
Think about the power of God. The apostle Paul reminded the Brethren that it is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead that is in us. He said, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11, NIV). Do we understand what this really means?
As the apostle Paul prayed, so I pray for you and my friend today.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)
As you meditate, let us pray:
Great and Holy Father, we thank You for waking us up to face this day. Lord, we thank You for the air we breathe. We thank You for provision, protection and guidance in our lives, and the lives of our families, communities, Church and nations.
Great and Mighty God, You are excellent in all of your glory and nothing is impossible for You. You made mankind and cause him to shine through your power. Let our lips praise You.
God of mercy and love, we come in the name of Jesus Christ asking that You have mercy on us, forgive all of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lord, cause it that evil does not overpower us. Let not sin rule over us but rescue and deliver us in your righteousness. Cause your face to shine on us.
Lord God who understands our state, many are hurting, confused and giving up on life. Help us not to lose our energy, our hope to live and carry out your will on earth.
Lord, we pray for the leaders of all spheres of life especially those in families, churches and their related associations and institutions; communities; businesses; government and the political directorate. Grant us the wisdom to know what to do, the will, desire and boldness to do it.
Lord, who provides, grant unto us the ability to discern and strategize with creativity, energy and compassion for each other. Lord, we ask that You continue to keep our economies in the balance and sustain our workforce so that our people can be gainfully employed.
We pray for leaders of criminal activities, their resources, and support personnel. Lord, circumvent and confuse their plans and activities. Cause them to be held accountable. Lord, turn every heart of wickedness to You.
Lord, we lift our local leaders in particular; leaders of churches and associations and related institutions, the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Minister of Health and Wellness, Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of Education, Youth and the Environment, Fayval Williams; Minister of National Security, Horace Chang and his team, Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, and the leader of the opposition Mark Golding and his team. We also remember the judges in our congregation, Paula Blake Powell and Grace Henry McKenzie.
Lord, we also present to You the 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.
Lord, cause it that we keep our focus on You, knowing that You are the author and perfector of our faith. You are the beginning and the end, the first and the last. You have power over all this, and all these are in your hands.
Lord, many are working tirelessly as we deal with the Covid19 Virus and its impact. Grant us the will to act responsibly with compassion for each other. Grant us energy and strength also as we face each situation. Heal our minds and bodies, and renew the right spirit in us. Help us to have the right attitude and refresh us.
We also pray for the frontline workers connected with GMC: Medical Doctors: Asana Anderson Wilks and Rohan Wilks, Kahlete Falloon, Tina Kong, Vernon Jones, Leighton Logan; Esther Reynolds (final year medical student). Dentists: doing emergency cases; Jhenelle 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.
Lord, we pray especially for Sister Jennifer Blake who lost her mother. Lord, surround her with your presence and fill her with your peace.
We ask for your healing power upon Mr Lyn-Cook who is in the hospital. Lord, we pray for your healing power upon him and Sister Marcia at this time. We also pray that this family will experience an encounter that enhances their spiritual walk with you.
Lord, fill us with your presence, power and peace. Hear and answer our prayers we pray, with thanksgiving, in Jesus’ name.
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.
