The Prayer of Encouragement for 30 October
Brother Nackeemi Smith offers the Prayer of Encouragement for 30 October 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.
This week we mourn the loss of a beloved soul, Sister Madge Hanson. She was 104 years of age. I spent a lot of time speaking with her, and visiting her but mainly in the past. I kept wondering the reason for her continuity. Whilst there are other persons who reached that milestone in age and have various reasons for doing so, she showed me a few things. She had a soft and tender but strong and assuring disposition. I recalled her telling me once that her doctor’s office gave her a three-month appointment though she was in excruciating pain in her joints. However, she decided that it was not going to work. She went to the office, sat down and told them that she will wait until the doctor was finished for the day. Of course, he attended to her. She chuckled, as she recalled the memory.
Sister Madge Hanson had a warm and welcoming spirit. She was always smiling, and soft spoken but assuring. She loved and loved families and friends. Sister Madge loved to have a good laugh, holding back her head with a hairstyle that never seemed disturbed.
I had the opportunity to attend her 100th Birthday party. She stayed up late that night and had a wonderful time enjoying friends and family. She called me her young friend and at times handed me a token. It may be a pack of blank cards or a small box of sweets. There is one gift in particular that I cherish, a scarf. I spoke with her by telephone in recent times. Her voice was low but I felt her trying to put energy in those calls. I miss her, and the fresh air that she carried, and I pray for God’s comfort for her family. I especially thank Dian Hanson, her precious daughter-in-law who called her mom, for updating me whenever it was not okay to speak with her directly. May her soul find the rest of peace in God.
Whenever I saw Sister Madge, I always had an expectation that I would have a pleasant encounter. Every time that she attended church, I tried to ensure that we spoke briefly before she left. At 100 years of age and over, she was in attendance sitting at the back of the church holding her head up to hear what was happening. I would say that over the years my expectations of her were solidified. She was consistent in her behaviour and the way she spoke. If she had acted otherwise, this would pose a concern to me because I had an expectation that she would have said and done things in a similar manner.
As I think of Sister Madge, I find myself going back to the issue of forgiveness as it relates to trust, and the idea that trust and expectations are related. It is those expectations that we built over time that led to trust. My dear Sister Madge was consistent and assuring. I expected her to be that way and she never disappointed me, so I trusted her. I thank God for the experience that He gave me through her. It is very rare that I come across people with the qualities that she possessed. Many times I find that there is some form of disappointment in relationships and I have to forgive, sort things out and move on, or stay. Yet, I also realised that these experiences are just as important for my growth in God, hard as they may be.
What does expectation mean? Vine is of the view that it means “to take or receive from”, or “to await.” “It suggests a readiness to receive something” (Hebrews 10:13); “to look for” (Hebrews 11:10).
If the things that we are looking to receive are not fulfilled, we may become disappointed. This can lead to a break in trust. For some persons, it may require us to forgive. At times, depending on the sadness, anger and hurt experienced, we may find it hard to forgive.
Another thing that came to me is that expectation and hope are related. One may say that out of expectations can flow hope. It could be a commitment or promise made to us. An expectation is built so we wait in hope. Where our hope is placed is critical to our situations. I recalled the Holy Spirit assuring me that it is not what the people around me do. It is what He does that makes the difference in my situation. I have been holding on to this promise.
I like what the Psalmist said. “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5, NIV). On the other hand, the writer of the Proverbs said “Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing” (Proverbs 11:7, NIV). The assurance that our God, a perfect being, gives us is that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, NIV). We trust in Him because we wait with expectation in hope. Does this mean we do not trust man, having expectations and hope? No! Remember what I previously said about Sister Madge. She was a sweet soul. I trusted her with expectations, hoping that she will show continuity, and she did. What do you have to say?
Today’s prayer is led by one of our youths, Nackeemi Smith. He is a member of the Grace Youth Ministries. Nackeemi recently started his university studies and is focused on doing law. He is a young man with brilliance and great potential. Please keep him and the other youths in prayer as this has been a challenging time for them.
Let us pray.
A word of Prayer for the Nation:
Most righteous and heavenly Father we come in the name of Jesus Christ. We thank You for blessing this nation. This small island, Jamaica land we love, has been gracefully blessed. Despite our outward beauty, at its heart, the country has become corrupt by the works of evil. These forces have anchored themselves within the lives of Your people. Many individuals have become cold and gruesome so that we no longer show regard, compassion or empathy.
Lord, have mercy on us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and for all of our sins.
The nightly news showed that the rate of crime and murder has significantly increased. One can infer that it has no plan of reducing anytime soon. At least, not without Your intervention, Lord. Your word states that nothing is impossible with You once we have faith, trust and believe that You will stand by us, and come to our rescue amid our distress. You have proven Yourself time and time again. However, there are still those who refuse to see, accept and believe in Your Glory and realize that You are the salvation.
Father God, the signs are evident. The rapture may be near. Many may enter eternal suffering because of their actions and neglect. I pray for our people that You will open their eyes, allow them to see that these changes are real, cause them to see that Your word is coming to pass and no force can prevent this. The enemy comes to steal our joy, kill Your people and destroy Your creation. I pray for Your divine intervention Lord, in our lives, in our schools, in our homes and this nation.
Lord, remember the leaders of our nation, churches and businesses. Help them to understand Your will and purpose, and move in that direction. Grant them the courage, wisdom and strength to do so.
in particular:
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. We also remember the judges in our congregation, Paula Blake Powell and Grace Henry McKenzie.
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.
I also extend my prayer to our teachers and students who are finding it rather difficult to adjust to the changes in learning. Many have become stressed and perplexed because they feel trapped. Some parents are in deep crisis and are encountering complexities when seeking a job. Some have even lost their job(s). With every sunrise it’s becoming harder for families to sustain themselves. I pray for Your healing within these broken families. This Covid-19 virus has trapped many at home. Some people are dealing with, among, abusers of all sorts.
Lord, we pray for Your guidance and covering over the medical personnel and their families who are most vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus.
We 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.
I pray that You will shine Your light in these homes, cut and clear all that seek to destroy Your people. Cause them to acknowledge Your sovereignty. I also pray that You will never take Your eyes off this little island. Never forget us Lord. Help us to maintain ourselves and each other. Lord, send Your Spirit to reign over us and in us, Father.
Thank You for blessing us so far and sincere gratitude for the sanctification to come, 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.
