Mainstreet | Daily Prayer Guide

“Excellence is the stuff of which greatness is made. It is the difference between just getting by and soaring—that which sets apart the significant from the superficial, the lasting from the temporary. Authentic excellence is not a performance; it is there whether anyone ever notices or tries to find it....”

We must seek our own outer-most limits as a congregation—not ...”merely drift along with the tide or half-heartedly catch a wave and wash ashore. No, we must soar! Since it is the living Lord and the final analysis who appraises our excellence, it is He whom we must please and serve, honor and adore. For His eyes only, we commit ourselves to living above the level of mediocrity. He deserves our very best; nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.”

- Excerpts from Living Above the Level of Mediocrity by Charles Swindoll

Prayer Focus:
Pray that our prayer warriors will be encouraged in some way today. Pray that God’s people at Dunwoody Baptist Church will continue to strive to deepen their relationship with God on a daily basis and that a spirit of generosity and excitement will reflect their increased faith.

A Prayer from Allen Jackson:
As our church family enters into this stewardship campaign, Dear Lord, please give to all of us the courage, wisdom and strength to do according to Your will for us as we contribute to this great church. May what we build be to Your glory, for the purpose of expanding Your Kingdom here on earth. In Your name we pray, Amen.

It is important to realize that the fruit of our labor is a gift from God. All of the experiences listed in these verses are appropriate at certain times. The secret to peace with God is to discover, accept, and appreciate God’s perfect timing.

So, are we ready? To some of us, it may seem presumptuous to say that our plan for expansion is God’s plan, or is God’s will. Yet, maybe we can have some confidence that we are on the right track.

How do we know? The Bible says wait for the LORD, and through the past year of thinking and planning, the dream has not faded, nor has God stopped us. The Bible says that we should pray for guidance, and we have prayed, receiving inspiration to simplify, consolidate or revise the plans.

The Bible says that we should consult with one another, and we have—through the various committees, Congregational Town Hall Meetings, and small focus groups; many perspectives for this project have been discussed and refined. In God’s time, He will move His people to inspire one another.

Prayer Focus:
Pray that He will do a mighty work through DBC because we are of strong faith. Ask God to show you if there is a roadblock of unbelief in your life.

A Prayer from Allen Taliaffero:
Lord, as we begin our building campaign, let us always remember that our plans are just not for our present members but also for future generations. Guide us. In Christ’s name, Amen.

The air must have been so charged in Capernaum at the time this Scripture passage took place. There was a crowd, and this crowd was curious about the ministry of Jesus. Scribes surely were scowling as they watched this new Rabbi closely, hoping that they could catch Him in an error. The room was charged with excitement. Everyone knew that something dramatic was about to take place, for when He is present, something miraculous is going to happen.

Sure enough, excitement mounted as four men began to tear up the roof in order to let a friend down in the presence of Jesus so that he could be healed. The Bible says they literally “took off the roof.” When our group of believers gather, it ought to be a “roof- raising experience.” And we too should be able to say, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

According to this passage, three things are needed to have a “roof-raising” experience with Jesus: We must have a Savior who can save. We must have a preacher who can preach. We must have a flock who has faith.

Prayer Focus:
Pray that Dunwoody Baptist Church will be filled with people of faith like these four roof removers, for they did everything possible to bring their friend to Jesus. Ask the Lord to make you like one of these four.

A Prayer from Mark Chapman:
Dear God, thank You for the church family we all are in the midst of here at Dunwoody Baptist. Thank You for the opportunities You continue to bless us with and for allowing us to be a part in furthering the message of good news that is Christ Jesus. Remind us that in Your eternal world there is nothing new under the sun. We are not the first, and we are not the last church body to improve our church home. Remind us that Your church isn’t about buildings and landscaping and enrollment. It is about loving You and loving others as ourselves. It is about making disciples and making a difference. Help us to have a fearless faith. We pray for the peace that only You can provide, Amen.