After the Earthquake. Letter from Chris Marshall in Novo

Would you pray with me for our teams in the region and for all those affected? Here are some specific things you can pray for:

• In Syria and Turkey, it is desperately cold. People have lost their lives, their loved ones, and their homes. People are in need of places to stay, warmth, food, and comfort.
• For connection with Novo’s teams on the ground, hearing back from those who were affected, and how we can help support their families and communities.
• We are trying to negotiate with the Syrian government to bring aid into the hardest hit areas in northern Syria, but as of yet, still no breakthroughs. Pray for avenues to open up and for the release of aid to the places that need it most. 
• For God’s supernatural hand of protection on all the innocent lives caught in this tragedy. 
• Ongoing ministry and healing for many people who are already traumatized by long years of war in Syria.
• Please also pray for Beirut, Lebanon right now, as they are facing a major collapse of the banks, which would cease all imports. 

These are some of the things we’ve heard from those on the ground:

“I am so numbed, so frustrated, tired, hungry, cold. My grandparents are still under the rubble after 41 hours of the earthquake. We are sleeping in the car. Still having tremors. Some of my childhood friends, my relatives are dead. Some are still missing.  Gosh it’s so heavy.”

“People living in the Middle East are not some special species that becomes more immune to tragedy the more they experience it. They are humans who are suffering at levels that are almost inconceivable.To believe otherwise is to justify your cold indifference”
 

The situation in northern Syria is tricky because the hardest hit areas are also still divided by regime and anti-regime forces, which make getting aid there nearly impossible. The Assad regime is blocking all the aid coming in and, from what I understand, anything that is getting through is from individuals in taxis and cars. Our contacts are saying they’re not receiving anything and people are just using hammers and small tools to try and find any survivors.
 
Cash is being allowed into the country, but funds can’t be transferred to Syrian banks, so we’d look to neighboring countries to transfer funds – Lebanon and Turkey. But Lebanese banks are going through a major crisis right now as well (which also needs significant prayer) and we have no accurate reports that Turkey is allowing aid to pass through to Syria or keeping it.

Prompts in Praying for someone with a serious illness (in this case Cancer)

In 2016 a friend of mine has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Immediately a facebook group was set up for her friends across the globe to know updates and be praying. 

One woman called for a fast and posted this list of idea of things to pray for. Here's what she wrote:

There are many things that happen in the process of chronic illness that mess up the progress of the treatment plan. 

We don't want any of these. Let's pray those away from our friend! 

1. Physical healing including from previous surgery and cancer. 
2. Mental wellness. 
3. Strength for the long road of healing. 
4. Spiritual wellbeing. 
5. Minimization of side effects of medications. 
6. Refreshment to  ____ soul. Pray for her to rest, in mind, body, soul, spirit. 
7. That every organ and function of her body be healthy and continue to work in the marvelous way God has created it. 
8. Encouragement from God's word. 
9. Excellence in health care. 
10. Continued help from her team to keep her home, family, and pets safe. 
11. Wisdom for her doctors. 
12. Opportunities for her to share God's love with those He puts in her path. 
13. Strength and encouragement for her local Team of servants in their care of her and their help with her local needs (bills, food, travel to and from appointments, etc.) 
14. For ____ to know God more intimately and deeply. 
15. For great music to be supplies to refresh her. 
16. Joy. May the joy of the Lord fill and cover ____ as she leans on the Everlasting arms, safe and secure. 
17. May  ____ experience peace and well-being during treatment. 
18. Pray Psalm 119 for  ____. 
19. Pray Psalm 145 for her. 
20. Pray your favorite verses for her. 
21. Pray  ____ tumors are shrinking. God is great, and He is able. 
22. Rejoice with thanksgiving the God has blessed you with the opportunity of knowing a person like  ____. 
23. No secondary infections or complications from cancer treatment. 
24. Showers of blessings to fall upon  ____. 

Ok. That should get you started. There are 24 items in the list above, one for every hour of the day. If you get through them all, then start back at the top and go again. Add to the list, expand the list, rearrange the list. Just keep praying!

My Prayer as I Start this New Year. Prompted from a NOVO 60 Day Devotional Series until Easter.

Jesus. I have so much peace, confidence, and joy because of what you have done for us, for me. Your incarnation (that took you from glory to homelessness, rejection, and suffering) is alone such an impossible model of selflessness to copy. Then you proved all you were and taught by coming back to life and letting us have evidence that this impossibility is an irrefutable fact. 

I look forward to this new year of “making room” for you by “tidying up” both in the details of my physical life, and in my soul. You will guide me through what kind of garbage needs to be thrown out of my mind (memories or wounds, sin, and ungodly beliefs) that has hindered me from having the abundant life you promised.

But more than wanting an abundant life for myself. I want this 100% life as you promised so that I can maximize my presence on this earth.

The Getty's Hymn In Christ Alone comes to mind as I pray this. Oh that this will be more and more true of me in this new year!

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all

Here, in the love of Christ, I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross, as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin, on Him, was laid

Here, in the death of Christ, I live

There in the ground, His body lay

Light of the world, by darkness, slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave, He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here, in the power of Christ, I stand

Novo Mission has started a 60 Day Devotional Series until Easter. GOOD NEWS. GREAT JOY. ALL PEOPLE.

This post was prompted by the first in this series by Bill Randall. 

From that post:

I believe it is essential that we carry on this twofold focus on the good news as Jesus himself and the apostle Paul demonstrate. The next 29 days of devotions will highlight these two themes as the core message of the gospel. In summary,

• The gospel about Jesus refers to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 15:1–4). May Novo be known as an organization that remains fascinated with Jesus above all else!
• The gospel of Jesus refers to the good news that Jesus proclaimed, that God’s Kingdom has been made accessible to all through faith and repentance (see Mark 1:14,15). Let us continue to pray for, declare, and demonstrate with expectation the reality of God’s Kingdom reign that Jesus has brought near!

Suggested prayer focus:

1. Take a few minutes to quiet your heart and mind and simply focus on loving Jesus. Tell him what you are grateful for regarding his life, death, and resurrection. Now listen for what he might want to say to you. Perhaps you need to apply the gospel to an area of sin, brokenness, or despair in your life right now? Is there a family member, friend or neighbor who needs to hear the good news about Jesus? 
2. Take a few more minutes and recall how God’s Kingdom has broken into your life and ministry context. Specifically give thanks to God for those things. Finish this reflection by praying as Jesus instructed, “Father, may your Kingdom come and will be done…(in this person’s life, in this situation, etc.). Pray this prayer with humble expectation with reference to anything where you desire to see what is true in heaven impact people and situations on earth (no sickness, bondage, lostness, etc.). 
3. You might like to finish this devotional time by listening to one of my favorite worship songs by Jeremy Riddle called, “Stand in Awe”. Let’s remain fascinated with King Jesus!

Praying for someone caught in addiction, wrestling with our free will and desire for God's intervention

We all join ____ in this cry to you for _____. 

May this be her time to be able to listen to YOU and not those who want to keep her in bondage. 

Thank you that you have given us a free will, but we do pray for a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit that brings her to the end of herself and leads her to freedom from her addiction to this idol. 

You alone can satisfy our longings. Forgive us for the ways we have reached for other things to replace what only you can give.

For Grandma and Grandpa, as one gets closer to going home...

"Dear Father, please show your loving presence to Grandma and Grandpa.  Let them feel your care for them them.  Ease Grammy’s suffering, give her a joyful transition to heaven at the right time, and give them both peace and hope in your care and faithfulness.  We look forward to heaven - please comfort Grandpa in the loss of his best friend and lifelong partner on earth.  Give him confidence and faith to trust her to you, and to look forward to eternity.  We love you and thank you, in Jesus’ name."

(Jim Creasman)

Prayer Prompt: Sing Spiritual Songs to ONE ANOTHER

This morning I woke up with 2 things running through my mind: Phil Wickham's praise song "This is Amazing Grace" and asking the Lord: "what ONE ANOTHER verse from your Word do you want to encourage the River Warriors with?"

So here it is, a prayer prompt from the Apostle Paul's New Testament letter to the believers in a small city in what is now Turkey: 

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish ONE ANOTHER with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 NIV

The verse is packed, but as a prayer prompt, don't miss the part about SINGING! 

I need to sing more! My guess is, you could use more singing in your life too. Don't let the Enemy continue to censor your voice because of some childhood judgement on it for not being good enough and silence your singing. 

The prompt this morning is to TURN UP THE MUSIC that comes from YOU and let's sing, SING to God with gratitude in our hearts!

2 verses where the song lyrics are drawn from:

The old testament prophet Joel's prophecy of God's judgement on the nations and the end of time: 

“The Lord will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but the Lord will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16 WEBBE

The disciple John's vision of the end of times on the earth as we know it: 

“In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”” Revelation 5:12 NIV

Confessing our sins to one another - James 5:16

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

James 5:16 (NIV) 

“Yes!” we say to the “pray so that you may be healed” part, but my guess is that we’ve been ignoring the first part. 

Confessing our sin to one another is a big part of the healing we need, but we prefer to accept our particular struggle(s) as normal and perhaps even impossible to overcome, instead of inviting another believer into the fight with us. 

“Dearest LORD, we are so independent and proud and admit we have been reluctant to confess our sins to one another. Please, reveal to us by your Holy Spirit who in our community is safe for us to begin sharing about those areas of our life which need healing & freedom from habitual sin. Give us the courage to obey and connect with that person and bravely find more freedom in you because we have followed your will and your ways. We don’t want to settle, we want to be powerful and effective!” 

As I’ve prayed this, the Lord has shown me what I need to do business with sin about, and who I should confess to and pray with about it. So friends, let me likewise encourage you to do it too! Amen? Amen!

Quotes from: Lord Teach Us to Pray, Andrew Murray

Lord Teach Us to Pray, Andrew Murray

(a free classic available on Amazon)

Though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that the feeble child can pray, yet it is at the same time the highest and holiest work to which man can rise. It is fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy One. The powers of the eternal world have been placed at its disposal. It is the very essence of true religion, the channel of all blessings, the secret of power and life. Not only for ourselves, but for others, for the Church, for the world,

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (pp. 1-2).  . Kindle Edition. 

'Lord, teach us to pray.' Yes, us, Lord. We have read in Thy Word with what power Thy believing people of old used to pray, and what mighty wonders were done in answer to their prayers. And if this took place under the Old Covenant, in the time of preparation, how much more wilt Thou not now, in these days of fulfilment, give Thy people this sure sign of Thy presence in their midst. We have heard the promises given to Thine apostles

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 2).  . Kindle Edition. 

It must be to the glory of God, in full surrender to His will, in full assurance of faith, in the name of Jesus, and with a perseverance that, if need be, refuses to be denied. All this must be learned. It can only be learned in the school of much prayer, for practice makes perfect. Amid the painful consciousness of ignorance and unworthiness, in the struggle between believing and doubting, the heavenly art of effectual prayer is learnt.

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 3).  . Kindle Edition. 

The worship of the Father is only possible to those to whom the Spirit of the Son has been given. The worship in spirit is only possible to those to whom the Son has revealed the Father, and who have received the spirit of Sonship. It is only Christ who opens the way and teaches the worship in spirit.

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 9).  . Kindle Edition. 

Let there be the deep confession of our inability to bring God the worship that is pleasing to Him; the childlike teachableness that waits on Him to instruct us; the simple faith that yields itself to the breathing of the Spirit.

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 10).  . Kindle Edition. 

Teach me that the worship in spirit and truth is not of man, but only comes from Thee; that it is not only a thing of times and seasons, but the outflowing of a life in Thee. Teach me to draw near to God in prayer under the deep impression of my ignorance and my having nothing in myself to offer Him, and at the same time of the provision Thou, my Saviour, makest for the Spirit's breathing in my childlike stammerings. I do bless Thee that in

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 10).  . Kindle Edition. 

First, 'Pray to thy Father which is in secret.' God is a God who hides Himself to the carnal eye. As long as in our worship of God we are chiefly occupied with our own thoughts and exercises, we shall not meet Him who is a Spirit, the unseen One. But to the man who withdraws himself from all that is of the world and man, and prepares to wait upon God alone, the Father will reveal Himself. As

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 12).  . Kindle Edition. 

bless the closets of Thy believing people. Let Thy wonderful revelation of a Father's tenderness free all young Christians from every thought of secret prayer as a duty or a burden, and lead them to regard it as the highest privilege of their life, a joy and a blessing. Bring back all who are discouraged, because they cannot find aught to bring Thee in prayer. O give them to understand that they have only to come with their emptiness to Him who has all to give, and delights to do it. Not, what they have to bring the Father, but what the Father waits to give them, be their one thought.

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 14).  . Kindle Edition. 

In true worship the Father must be first, must be all. The sooner I learn to forget myself in the desire that He may be glorified, the richer will the blessing be that prayer will bring to myself. No one ever loses by what he sacrifices for the Father.

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 18).  . Kindle Edition. 

Christ has opened the school of prayer specially to train intercessors for the great work of bringing down, by their faith and prayer, the blessings of His work and love on the world around. There can be no deep growth in prayer unless this be made our aim. The little child may ask of the father only what it needs for itself; and yet it soon learns to say, Give some for sister too. But the grown-up son, who only lives for the father's interest and takes charge of the father's business, asks more largely, and gets all that is asked.

Murray, Andrew (2011-03-23). Lord, Teach Us To Pray (p. 18).  . Kindle Edition. 

Refugee Awareness & Giving

Distance From Home - Translating Global Refugee Movement to Song from brian foo on Vimeo.

As American Collegiate Football season launches tomorrow, I somehow can't get into it. After picking up my son from Los Angeles Airport today, we drove the scenic coastal route back to our San Pedro home. We stopped along the way at Redondo Beach to take in the beauty of the LA coastline. I can't seem to get out of my mind the photos which came out yesterday of the Syrian children washed up on the Turkish shore.

The photos of the drowned Syrian children seems to have awakened the “west” about the need for stepping up in helping the newest wave of Middle Eastern refugees.

On the 8th September I continue writing this post...

Charities have reported a surge in donations since the publication of the photograph of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old boy who drowned on a Turkish beach, with Save the Children raising £1.2m in a matter of days. - The Guardian, 8 September

This is from 2 hours ago, the Guardian reports that UK relief agencies are cash strapped. However, I believe Americans are wary about cash donations, even to our larger aid organizations (after the recent debacle reported on how American Red Cross has not used donations for Haiti well).

 

So who can you trust in regard to giving toward this crisis?

Jim and I serve with CRM and we have met those who lead our work based in Lebanon. Here is what the CRM President wrote to me today:

We have huge needs and we have the means to meet both physical and spiritual needs of thousands of refugees throughout the Middle East. CRM has a fund — 9990 Syria — which is specifically designed for Syrian relief and ministry efforts. All of this goes toward the refugee efforts.

 

We can absorb and put to work as much funding as people can move our way, and the results are really good! For example, we are partnered with Heart for Lebanon which is one of the most respected and effective relief and development agencies in the region. While relief is not our forte, this partnership makes up for it and we bring a evangelistic and spiritual focus to the partnership that makes it a powerful combination.

Through our Middle East Relief Initiative, we have the opportunity to uniquely impact refugees through the following programs:

1. Relief for Syrian refugees: This program provides supporting education for refugee children, direct relief (food, clothes, etc.), and counseling. As a result of CRM’s relief efforts, the number of Syrian refugees participating in Discovery Bible Study (DBS) groups continues to grow. We now we have 525 groups among Syrian refugees with several new groups starting each week. Furthermore, the existing churches in Lebanon have observed our work among Syrian refugees and are slowly moving to cooperate and participate, which we will believe will have a positive impact on the growth and health of the Church in that region.
2. Relief for Iraqi refugees: More than 1 million Iraqis have had to flee their homes, many to Erbil. Our team in Northern Iraq is directly engaged in the refugee camps with basic humanitarian relief. In the process, over 50 DBS groups have been started.
3. Trauma counseling and inner healing prayer among abused women: The low view of women, common within Islam and exaggerated among groups like ISIS, has resulted in large numbers of women who have suffered unimaginable abuse. CRM has a growing team of well-trained national women who minister regularly among abused women, providing trauma counseling and inner healing prayer. As a result there are more than 200 DBS groups among abused women in the region with more multiplying weekly. Many are second-generation groups led by the abused women who have become followers of Christ. Another team is currently forming to work with Iraqi women who have fled ISIS.

Here’s more of my notes of the highlights of my reading in the past 3 days:

 

Ann Voskamp has posted 2 articles this week giving ACT NOW suggestions of how to get involved.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/09/why-now-is-the-churchs-moment-it-will-take-all-of-us-not-to-miss-it-wewelcomerefugees/

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/09/5-ways-to-stand-up-be-the-church-in-the-worlds-worst-refugee-crisis-since-world-war-ii/

 

https://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/category/christian-refugees/  (and other posts…)

 

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/syria-crisis-appeal/ 

 

*I like the presentation of the stats, graphics, interviews and photos here, though wouldn't send my donations their direction: http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/syria.php

 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/28/activists-want-us-to-do-more-to-help-christians-fleeing-isis/

 

You might have this questions: Why are the refugees NOT settling in the wealthy nearby countries (Arabic speaking, Muslim majority)? Quora has an interesting discussion on this. This infographic came from a muslim website (but I can't find it in a search on their site now). Shame on them! Should we start a trend with #stepupGCC (GCC=Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman. countries import THOUSANDS of workers from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, etc for manual labor, but they don't want the muslim refugee neighbors).

*from February 2015

there isn't currently on up on the site that shows it like this.

I also read over various websites for refugee resettlement programs in Los Angeles, and it’s quite overwhelming! Will have to sort more of that out later.

Pray against DESPAIRING WITHOUT HOPE

Day 8 Put Off

As your child Lord God, purchased by your blood Lord Jesus Christ, I choose to confess and acknowledge my despair.

I will trust in your promises Lord God. Your word says, “Sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” [Psalm 30:5] Your word also tells me that your will for me is to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances”. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]

Because of my circumstances, I have found “rejoicing always, and giving thanks in all circumstances” difficult in the past. Today I will choose to “pray continually” and focus on my hope:

YOU, Oh God of the universe have chosen me to be your heir, and want a relationship with me. You have proven this love by sending Jesus to be a sacrifice for my sin and make a way for our relationship! The hardships of this short life will not seem so hard in comparison to the eternal blessing of sorrow-less life that you have promised me later. You have shown me amazing grace! Impress upon me Lord how much I needed your salvation and the magnitude of your love!

I ask your Spirit to also open my eyes to see the many other temporal blessings you have given that I have to be thankful for.

Save me from being overwhelmed by sadness because my life is not turning out how I had hoped. Give me an accurate vision of heaven and an eternal perspective. Lift my despair.

If I learned these sins from people in my past, I choose to forgive and release them and not hold them accountable for each and every way that their sin has affected me.

[Name memories that come to mind and choose to forgive for each instance.]

In the name of Jesus, I now renounce the despair in my ancestors that may have caused this stronghold of despair. I release myself from the effects of any curse or ungodly dedications by my ancestors. Based on the finished work of Christ on the cross, I release myself from any demonic claims upon or oppression of me that have been telling me I have a reason to lose hope. I will not listen to them!

I affirm that I have been crucified with Jesus Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. On this basis, I announce to Satan and all his forces that Christ took upon himself the curses and judgments due me.

Your Word says I have been raised up with you Christ and now sit with you in the heavenly places, where I have a place as a member your spiritual family, I declare myself to be completely and eternally signed over to, owned by, and committed to, you Lord Jesus Christ. YOU ARE MY HOPE AND SALVATION!

I also break all curses that I have spoken or thought about myself that have lead to this despair. I also break the power of any curses I have spoken about others and caused them to despair. I receive my freedom from every one of these curses. Lord please heal the wounds in others that I have caused. Show me ways to make restitution and seek forgiveness if it is appropriate.

[Curses that come to mind are…]

I receive my freedom from every one of these curses.

Lord, I am sorry for giving in to despair. I ask you to forgive me for this and to wash me clean. I choose to receive your forgiveness.

In repentance, I ask you to teach me to identify and remove any “stinking thinking” when it enters my mind, so that I will refuse to despair.

Since you have convicted me of this stronghold, and have forgiven me, I am serious about working with you toward change. Bring to mind the friend or godly counselor would be best for me to confess my struggles to and find accountability. Guide me to finding support so that I can experience lasting change. Give me the courage to seek them out this week.

It is a mystery to me how you are the one who changes me, and still I do my part in working out my salvation. I am so thankful for victory over sinful habits and behavior in the past, and the ways you have already changed me. Continue this good work in me as I work with you and submit to you.

I believe you will do this, because by thinking rightly about who I am in you, and your promises for my future, you will give me the strength to face the challenges of today and will renew my hope and confidence. I believe that this bleak winter season of sorrow will pass and that you Lord will walk with me into a new season of spring in my life.

I pray in the name and with the authority of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen!

(From Put On / Put Off: 31 Days of Prayer for Freedom in Christ, my work in progress. Message me if you'd like a soft copy of the draft.)

A Mother's Day Corporate Prayer for Worship

Used in worship at Redemption Hill Church, Singapore today. Written/compiled by Sally Wuu. Used by permission.

Today being Mother’s Day here in Singapore, we want to recognize as a body of Christ that it is both a time of rejoicing and of mourning. Lord, help us to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.

Father, we rejoice and are so very grateful for all the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, mothers-in-law and spiritual mothers in our midst and in our lives.

They have laid down their lives for our sakes, sacrificing their time, rights and resources to nurture, nourish, protect, comfort, encourage, admonish, discipline, and indeed embody Christ’s love to us. We honour these women and praise you for such love.

For mothers in our midst who are facing the very real hardships in life, whether it is the day-to-day toil of caring for children, physical challenges, financial needs, relational difficulties or depression, I pray that Jesus you meet them there in their troubles and remind them that you are always with them, and will never leave nor forsake them. Lord, surround them with community and may we who are their family be there for them and care for them in practical ways.

Father, I pray for moms like me who are filled with self-doubt – as we question our qualification to mother, despair at our inability to be patient and longsuffering, wallow in guilt for bad decisions, and plunge into condemnation – first and foremost, I ask for your forgiveness. We have taken upon ourselves an identity you have not given, looked to ourselves for the resources we need, and sought to be valued apart from what Jesus has done for us. Father I pray you remind us that our identity is in you and you have given us the grace that we need for each day to accomplish your will. For there is indeed now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – our righteousness is Christ alone. Help us find joy in you alone and enjoy the unending and abundant love, affection and acceptance of being your daughter and be free to love and serve our families.

In this way, we pray for all those who are moms, that you would give them strength where they are weak, wisdom where they are unsure, patience with the many demands placed upon them, faith in your care for them and their families, and deep love for those whom you have given them to nurture.

Father, we also mourn with those are mourning this day – in this interim before you come back again, there are many amongst us who are hurting and grieving – please give us hearts that break with theirs and arms to comfort them.

For those among us who have suffered the loss of mother or loss of child and the grief is fresh – Lord be a tangible presence of comfort for them – for you are a Man of Sorrows and you understand their pain. May your tenderness be real to them and your mercies envelop them daily.

For those among us who are estranged from mothers or children, please meet them in their pain. May your humility and Spirit go before them, to salve and heal wounds, to soften hardened hearts and enable forgiveness and to love even those who have hurt them. And to hope in you for reconciliation.

For those who greatly desire children but unable due to singleness, infertility or circumstance, please give them comfort in their sadness, help them trust in you despite unfulfilled longings, and joy in knowing that you never stop loving them and having their best in mind.

For those among us who are still battling the guilt of choices made in the past – whether it is to give their child up for adoption or to have chosen abortion, Lord I lift them to you. Remind them that Jesus’ blood has fully paid the price and help them receive complete forgiveness. For you are merciful toward our iniquities, and you will remember our sins no more. I pray for freedom from this guilt and renewed joy in Christ’s salvation.

Lastly, if there are any amongst us whose pain is unspeakable - women who suffered great violence to become mothers, or women whose children suffer greatly, Lord have mercy! Yet there is hope in you. Yet you will turn it around for your glory. Lord grant them hope and strength each day and provide the tenderest of mercies - for you love them before the world began and will love them forevermore.

Even in the mourning, we praise you, for you are near to the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit.

For your glory, we pray in Jesus name, amen.