Do you ever feel a little overwhelmed? A lot overwhelmed? When we find ourselves in trying or troubled times, true hope emerges through how Jesus responded to adversity. “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart…” – Luke 18:1; 11:1-13

Losing heart is a common human malady. It happens when initiatives or outcomes go sweepingly differently than we hoped or planned. Right now there are many things occurring right here and around the world which provide windows for people to think more deeply. We are out of our patterns. We are uncertain about the future. We are open in distinct ways because of agitation or fear.

Here are a few things we can request of the God of the universe on behalf of our city.
Do you think He will listen?

1.  That God would expand the heart borders of those around us. John 4:31-38

2.  For God to thwart the work of the evil one and overcome soul-devastation with truth. James 4:6-10

3.  That God will use the wake of our current experiences to turn hearts. Malachi 4:1-6

4.  For clarity for God-servants in doing good and sharing. Hebrews 13:15,16

5.  And finally, that our Great God would awaken sleeping souls. Ephesians 5:14

Here are some awesome passages about effective prayer which can be considered by the searching, intentional heart!

Jeremiah 6:16/Zechariah 10:1-4/Matthew 7:7-11/Mark 11:20-25/James 1:2-8/James 5:13-20/Jeremiah 29:10-14/Acts 3:19/Revelation 22:16,17

Peace upon your home friend!
Dave & Burnadette

Catalyst.city and praying for our city
A great awakening song to pray for our neighbors 

 

 

Here are some great passages and songs to help you celebrate with your kids.

Exodus 12:21-27/the Message —- A Song: A Sun & A Shield

Moses assembled all the elders of Israel. He said, “Select a lamb for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the bowl of blood and smear it on the lintel and on the two doorposts. No one is to leave the house until morning. GOD will pass through to strike Egypt down. When he sees the blood on the lintel and the two door posts, GOD will pass over the doorway; He won’t let the destroyer enter your house to strike you down with ruin.

“Keep this word. It’s the law for you and your children, forever. When you enter the land which GOD will give you as he promised, keep doing this. And when your children say to you, ‘Why are we doing this?’ tell them: ‘It’s the Passover-sacrifice to GOD who passed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt when he hit Egypt with death but rescued us.’” The people bowed and worshipped.

John 1:29-34/the Message —- A Song: Shine Upon My Heart

The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I’ve been talking about, ‘the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.’ I knew nothing about who he was – only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God.”

John clinched his witness with this: “I watched the Spirit, like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him. I repeat, I know nothing about him except this: The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ That’s exactly what I saw happen, and I’m telling you, there’s no question about it: This is the Son of God.”

Luke 23:39-49/the Message —- A Song: Joshua 24

One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!”

But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him – he did nothing to deserve this.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.” He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.”

By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours – a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last. When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: “This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!” All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil.

John 20:24-29/the Message —- A Song: Season Song

But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.” But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.” Thomas said, “My Master! My God!” Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

A few more kid’s songs:
Jesus is the King
A Merry Heart
Bible Book Song
All Your Heart

This is a cool Psalm for those who deal with guilt and personal imperfection. It was written during a time of huge failure and testing for King David. In fact, He could have easily train-wrecked, had he not found the solution represented in this Psalm. He has been confronted about his sin with Bathsheba and had faced down by one of God’s prophets (2 Samuel 12).

VERSES 1-4
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always in front of my face. Against You and You alone I have sinned. I have done what is evil in Your sight, so You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge (my actions). What is happening in David’s heart as this process unfolds?

5-9
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. For You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me able to hear joy and gladness, and let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
What is David saying about his nature? About his hope?

10-13
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will come to know You. What had David robbed himself of? What were his fears? What was he asking to get back from God?

14-19
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, for then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it. For You are not pleased with mere burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; and a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. By Your favor do good to Zion and build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.
What is bloodguiltiness? What immediate price had David paid?

David paid a huge price for his sin, but God is gracious to uphold his heart and deliver him from being overtaken by his choices. You can read the complete story in 2 Samuel 11-12. What does Psalm 51 bring to you within your story?