Prayer Focus: Lebanon

Prayer

Please join in praying for the country of Lebanon. Pray that amidst both political and economic turmoil the love of Christ would radiate from our Lebanese brothers and sisters.

Monday Motivation: How Long Oh Lord?

Adventure Kids

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13: 1-6

Can you relate to David’s words here? How long, O Lord? How long will our world be so divided? How long will our nation have so much unrest? How long will my heart ache for those that have been lost? How long will my child be sick? How long will my spouse treat me so unkindly? How long will I feel alone? How long will someone I care for reject you?

These are all good, hard questions that many of us have taken to the Lord at some time throughout our lives. Our hearts can mislead us and can tempt  us to believe that our God is cruel, but that is the farthest thing from truth. The Bible tells us countless times that all trials, suffering, and hardship are for our good and God’s glory. 

Waiting on the Lord’s perfect, all-knowing timing is always worthwhile. It’s not easy in our own strength to lean in to the growing pains of waiting, but we are not called to do it in our own strength. Call on the Lord to show Himself to you in the waiting, longing, and unknowing. 

His ways are not our ways. Trust in His steadfast love. Rejoice in your salvation. Sing to the Lord. Thank Him for all the good, thoughtful gifts he has given to you. Not focusing on the answers you don’t have. 

Our weakness is often a reminder from the Lord to stop trying to be in control. We may never know how our response to suffering points another to Jesus. May we always point others to the one who can comfort, heal, and change our hearts.


ACTION STEPS with your kids: Read Psalm 13 with your kids. Ask them what things are hard for them right now? Maybe what’s hard to understand about our world, a relationship, or a decision you made that has impacted them. Pray together asking the Lord to give them a desire to know and trust the word of God above anything else. Pray for their hearts to trust in the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank the Lord for His many good gifts.

Prayer Focus: Justice & Righteousness

Prayer

Please join us in prayer for our nation and our world—that as the true justice and righteousness of God pervade the hearts of His people, the Church would be a light to the nations as they see our love for one another.

Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who fear youand worked for those who take refuge in you,in the sight of the children of mankind! Psalm 31:19

Monday Motivation: Who do we Love?

Adventure Kids

There are two choices we are given as to what we can love, the world or God. We can’t love both.

John 2:15- 17 says “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

You cannot love both the world and the Father at the same time. We must choose. As believers, the best part is that we do not have to choose to love the Father on our own strength. In Christ, we can do all things. All impossible things become possible with Him.

Our flesh is sinful. It desires the things of the world. The world coaxes us into wanting the fleeting things it can offer. Money, popularity, and fame. The things of the world come with a great price. Death. They are not of the Father. The Father offers us security through his provisions, through his love, and through a relationship with Him. The Father offers us life. The world cannot offer life as the Father can.

How do we love the Father? We love our heavenly Father by loving His son. Loving His word. Loving those who He loves. Seek first His kingdom. 

ACTION STEPS with your kids: Read 1 John 2:15-17 with your kids. Talk about what desires of the flesh are. Help them to see some consequences of giving in to the earthly desires that we may have. Pray together, asking the Lord to give you a desire for the things that please Him. Pray boldly with and for your kids to seek first His kingdom and His glory.