The One Who Hears

Day Five

Fil-UCC Prayer and Fasting Emphasis Week | April 2017

Devotional for the Week:

THE POWER OF A SIMPLE PRAYER 
by Max Lucado

The One Who Hears

Please Read:

  1. John 1:14
  2. Colossians 1:15-19
  3. John 16:23

When you pray, remember the name of the One who hears. Jesus. 

Jesus has unimpeachable authority. “He sustains everything by the mighty power of his command” (Heb. 1:3 NLT). “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:9 NIV). 

The Roman government tried to intimidate him. False religion tried to silence him. The devil tried to kill him. All failed. Even “death was no match for him” (Acts 2:24 MSG). 

Jesus “disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Col. 2:15 NLT). He was not kidding when he declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18 NIV). Jesus is the command center of the galaxies. “Two sparrows cost only a penny, but not even one of them can die without your Father’s knowing it” (Matt. 10:29 NCV). He occupies the Oval Office. He called a coin out of the mouth of a fish. He stopped the waves with a word. He spoke, and a tree withered. He spoke again, and a basket became a banquet. Economy. Meteorology. Botany. Food supply. “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (Matt. 11:27 NRSV). 

When we pray in the name of Jesus, we come to God on the basis of Jesus’ accomplishment. “Since we have a great high priest [Jesus] over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:21–22 HCSB). As our high priest, Jesus offers our prayers to God. His prayers are always heard. 

So pray! Since God works, prayer works. Since God is good, prayer is good. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. You’re never without hope, because you’re never without prayer. And on the occasions you can’t find the words to say, pull these out of your pocket: 

Father, 

You are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. 

Thank you. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

PRAYER ITEMS

MINISTRY OF PRAYER

  1. Mid-week Prayer Meeting
  2. Prayer and Fasting Emphasis Week (last week of month)

Mid-week Worship Service (last Wednesday of the month) 

Prayer Committee (Pastors and Deacons)

Ministers

  1. Liturgists
  2. Devotional Sharers and Speakers
  3. Worship Teams

Prayer Ministry Projects

  1. Prayer Monthly Calendar
  2. Prayer NETWORK (Prayer Text Ministry)
  3. Prayer Day
  4. Weekly Family Altar

GROWTH OF THE PRAYER LIFE OF THE CHURCH

OTHER ITEMS

Upcoming events

  1. Baptismal Ceremony 
  2. Church 31st Anniversary (program and preparation)
  3. Northern Plains Conference
  4. Community Spring Cleaning
  5. Family Camping
  6. Summer DVBS
  7. Organizational Outdoor Activities 

PRAISE ITEMS

  1. Our church’s participation in the FICF Winnipeg Good Friday Fellowship
  2. Meaningful Easter Cantata and Worship Service 
  3. Healing of our Sick brethren here and abroad