PRAYER EMPHASIS WEEK - “Finding Our Way Through Prayer”

Daily Devotional October 25, 2020

Today marks the first day of Hope Chapel's 2020 week of prayer and you are invited to join along. Due to current restrictions, participation will be self-directed; materials to guide your week will be provided each day. May you be blessed as we walk together during this week in intentional prayer...both as individuals and together!

Prayerful Fast: Choose a meal or activity to fast from in this coming week to set aside more time to spend with God each day. A shift in our focus often requires us to forego set routines in order to make space in our day.

Verse: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
“Spirit Lead Me” Michael Ketterer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABWnLjXer10

Day One - PRAISE GOD

Song for Reflection - “So I Will” (100 Billion X) Hillsong United - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2U7ffUM5Ec
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Have you recently considered God’s words to Job? Job had been an entirely righteous man, whom God had allowed Satan to put through the wringer of life. In a single day he lost his vast fortune and his children; he suffered illness and the contempt of friends; even his wife told him to curse God and die. While Job refused to curse God, that didn’t prevent him from demanding an explanation. But God makes it clear to Job–that though He loves him, requires his obedience and is choosing to bless him to an extent greater than what had been lost–God does not owe him an explanation.

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?...’” (Job 38:17)

God continues to put Job’s thinking in order over the course of the next four chapters and leaves no doubt concerning God’s need to justify Himself. He doesn’t! God doesn’t give Job an explanation at all, but by the time He’s finished, Job realizes he doesn’t need one. “Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, “Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?” Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.’” (Job 42:1-6)

The God that Job served is still the God of today and we, like Job, must remember whom it is we serve. He loves us and we can trust Him, but we are not entitled to call God on the carpet, demanding an explanation for any of His actions. As we begin this week long emphasis of prayer, “Finding Our Way Through Prayer,” it would be beneficial for us to remember to whom it is that we are speaking–the Sovereign Lord of Creation–and make certain that we adopt the proper attitude as we diligently seek His help in our lives and intervention in His Creation.
~ Pastor Jane