Mainstreet | Daily Prayer Guide

God’s power does not become apparent until we move beyond the realm of our possibilities. As long as we can do it in our own strength, there is no need for God to display His power for the watching world to see. This is seen clearly in our text as the recently freed Hebrew slaves found themselves surrounded by impossibilities. Before them was a sea that could not be crossed. Beside them was a barren wasteland. Behind them was an enemy that desired to capture them and take them back to where they had been. In this difficult situation they had three options:

• They could go back.
• They could stand still.
• They could go forward.

For the children of God, there is only one real option—go forward! As we move forward seeking God’s direction and by His power, we must be careful. Around us are many roads that can be destructive—loss of focus on God, lack of cooperation with one another, a spirit of division. Avoiding these, through prayer and communication, is vital to the future of our church!

Before us there is a future. There is a land that flows with milk and honey. This future is as bright and powerful as the promises of God that we find in Scripture.

Prayer Focus:
Pray that Dunwoody Baptist Church will not be afraid to move forward with God. Ask God to give you a promise out of His word to claim for our church. Pray about an area of your life that needs to move forward.

A Prayer from Allen Jackson:
Dear God, we are grateful for the love and guidance You have shown in leading your people at DBC. You have brought together an incredible team of leaders to accomplish this task with your guidance. Let our sacrifices be worthy of those who sacrificed so much to build this church. May our works be worthy of that greatest sacrifice of all, made by Jesus on the cross. We want to plant a tree to provide shade for future generations at DBC so that it will be their place of worship, study, and community, Amen.

One of the greatest needs in the church today is power; not political power, not manipulative power, not fleshly power, but heaven-sent, Holy Spirit anointed power. The source of all power is the Word
of God. The Bible tell us in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” The Bible continues to state this truth again in I Corinthians 1:18, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

If the Bible is the source of all power, and there are lots of copies out there, then why are there so few changed lives? How is it possible to read the Bible and be unaffected by it? For the Christian, power and truth are inseparably linked together. Paul says in Ephesians 6:17, “Take the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” God gives us power through Scripture, and the better we know it, the more confident we can be.

Prayer Focus:
Pray that the people of Dunwoody Baptist Church will be a powerhouse for God because we daily put on His armor. This armor includes the belt of truth, the body armor of God’s righteousness, the shoes of peace that come from the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray that we will be a people who pray at all times (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Pray that we will have a genuine love for God’s truth and will claim its power.

A Prayer from Bo Bowen:
Lord, please help this congregation in its efforts to unify our church campus. Grant us the courage to accept the day-to-day challenges that will occur throughout this campaign, and grant us wisdom to know that all our efforts are spent upon building hearts, not just buildings. We know through Your help and guidance we will be successful. Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to commit to building something larger than ourselves, Amen.

The story of the anointing of Jesus in Bethany is one of a few stories of Jesus’ life contained in all four of the gospels. This event of devotion permanently impressed the disciples’ hearts. Mark used it to introduce the passion events in high contrast to the hatred and rejection that Jesus received at the hands of the rulers and the people. This act of worship and devotion stood out as an act of love that the Lord deserved from all, but was only given by a few.

May this act be received as a call to worship for us today. May it inspire us to ask, “How much is too much?” That alabaster bottle was very valuable—worth a year’s wages. Traditionally, it would be saved for the most important occasion of one’s life. What is the most extravagant thing you have done for the Lord? What can we learn from this Scripture?

Real love is always extravagant. Extravagant love is often criticized.

Jesus always comes to the defense of those who are criticized for being extravagant in their devotion towards Him.

Prayer Focus:
Pray that the people who call Dunwoody Baptist their church home will find themselves in an attitude of devotion that moves them to extravagant worship, offering their best for the LORD.

A Prayer from Esther Ortiz:
Dear God, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve You as a member of DBC. As our church is at a crossroads for its future, I ask You for personal guidance in my efforts to support this change. I know You have not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but one of power, love, and self-discipline. Lord, I pray that as each of Your faithful followers at Dunwoody Baptist Church comes forward to support this effort that You would receive all of the honor and glory, Amen.