Mainstreet | Daily Prayer Guide

DAY THIRTY-SEVEN | PERSEVERANCE

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“Not that I have already obtained all of this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider that I have taken hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12

Persevering becomes essential to living—the only key that unlocks the door of hope. Through perseverance character is built, a strong and solid character that brings about hope.

Why keep persevering? Why continue standing against the strong currents of temptation, fear, stress and impossibilities? Because it is in the realistic arena that true character is forged out, shaped, tempered and polished. Because it is there that the life of Jesus Christ is given the maximum opportunity to be reproduced in us.

Because life is a mission, we need strength to face it, not speed to run away from it. We need what perseverance offers: willingness to accept whatever comes, determination to stand firm, and insight to see the Lord’s hand in it all—then God is glorified.

Prayer Focus:
Pray that our church will persevere with what the Lord has entrusted to us. Proverbs 11:25 says, “...he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Claim this promise as you act upon it.

A Prayer from Lynn Phipps:
Holy, Loving God, thank you for Your faithfulness and mercy through the years on our corner of Dunwoody. Guide us in Your Holy Spirit, to trust in what You have in store for us. May we faithfully and joyfully respond to the challenge before us in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

DAY THIRTY-SIX | OPEN TO GOD’S PROMISES

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“I heard the voice of the LORD saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’”
Isaiah 6:8

God never asks about our ability or our inability—just our availability.

One of the items in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not is a picture of a plain bar of iron. It is valued at $5. The same bar of iron has a far different value, if it’s fashioned into different items:

  • As a pair of horse shoes, it would be worth $50
  • As sewing needles, it would be worth $5,000.
  • As balance springs for fine Swiss watches, it would be worth $500,000.

The raw material is not what is important. What’s important is how raw material is developed.
Each of us has been given talents and abilities—some have received more, others less, but all have received something as a unique gift from God. As Christians, we also enjoy spiritual gifts which flow from the Holy Spirit of God.

The value of these raw materials, however, is a moot point unless we develop and use our talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts as a force for divine good in this world.

Prayer Focus:
If you don’t know what your abilities and gifts are, ask God to reveal them to you. Then, ask Him to show you what He wants you to do with them. Your happiness and success in life will be found in fulfilling His plan.

A Prayer from Jeff Reams:
Dear Lord, help me be available to you today. May I hear your voice. May I be willing to go. May I not trust in my own ability or fear for lack of ability. Instead, may I trust in You and follow where You lead, Amen.

DAY THIRTY-FIVE | DREAM BIG!

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“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not now know.”
Jeremiah 33:3

Faith is dreaming God’s dreams....
What’s the purpose of life anyway? Only to eat, drink, work, play, and love? Or do you have a brain designed to dream dreams? Is your mind created to be an architect, drawing plans? Can you imagine beautiful accomplishments?

Think of this: the human being is the only creature in the universe that has the capacity for exercising creative imagination!

The divine quality of dreaming—what you want to be, where you want to go, what you’d love to do, goals you’d like to reach—all of this makes you the most unique creature in all creation!

You really are “made in the image of the Creator-God!” So you are fulfilling your destiny as a child of God when you start dreaming the beautiful dreams God Himself is inspiring in your mind.

A television is designed to pick up the moving pictures that are in the airwaves around you. Your mind was invented and created by God to pick up the messages and mental pictures He is sending your way. That’s exciting!

-Excerpts from Robert H. Schuller

Prayer Focus:
Pray that we will continue to live our Christian lives in the Spirit and not by our own human effort. Ask the God of grace to help you deepen your relationship with Him by filling you daily with His Holy Spirit.

A Prayer from Allen Jackson:
Lord God, Your Holy Spirit has provided inspiration faithfully to Your people, those with a heart for You, as well as to those who are still searching. Please keep the DBC family— all who love You in this place—in Your care and will. Guide us into the future with the faithfulness that we find all throughout the Bible, as well as in our lives, whenever we look back. Strengthen our love for one another as we take steps to prepare our church for both the present and for the people who will take the baton of this ministry from us in the future. In the Name of Your Precious Son, Jesus, Amen.

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