More often than not, we forget how important we are and think we're ordinary, instead. Now, our importance isn't because of our education or finances. Oh no, we're significant because of how God sees us. We were and are so valuable to Him that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us long before we were born. He knew that a blood price was needed to free us from the sinful inheritance left behind by Adam. God didn't blink. He paid the high price.
And yet, we sometimes doubt our worth to Him. We forget that He promised to pay entire nations as a ransom for us (Isaiah 43:3). And when we're not wondering if He knows we exist, we worry about how we'll meet His many expectations. Love others. Respect everyone. Help the poor. Don't gossip, deceive, or lie. Don't lust after other people. Don't covet what others have. Submit to authority. The list goes on.
These concerns arise because we don't realize that the same God who rescued us from sin through Christ's sacrifice is heavily invested in keeping us from falling back into the devil's clutches. These fears stem from not knowing that once we gave Him our lives and chose to believe in Him alone, everything changed. He took complete responsibility for us.
Romans 5:10 states, If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us (GWT).
Therefore the God who paid a blood price for us will certainly help us with all that follows our submission to His will and plan for our lives. We don't need to try to do everything on our strength and be burdened by it all. We simply need to allow Him to carry the weight.
All we must do is cooperate with Him. He won't force us to step aside so He can go ahead of us. We have to make that choice each day. To do this, we can't ignore 1 Corinthians 1:8 - He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Or the prayer said on our behalf in Hebrews 13:21 - May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen (GWT).
We should be excited that God has given us everything we need for a righteous life: Him (2 Peter 1:3). We have to let His Holy Spirit remind us of what Jesus taught and apply it. We have to remember and rest on the promise in Philippians 2:13 - For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (NLT). We must know that the God who rescued us before we knew we needed rescue is still rescuing us today, helping us to live a life pleasing to Him. We need to cooperate with Him, knowing He'll stick around despite our mistakes. His grace is and will be sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). We just need to remember.
Be sure to return for fellowship at Noon EST. God bless you.
From MFC - Father God and Savior Jesus Christ we lift up those grieving their loved ones so closely to the Holiday season like my Pastor whose Mom passed last weekend, to Sis. Valerie in the loss of her beloved grandson and caretaker, Sis. Mattie in the loss of her beloved husband, and Sis. Yandy in the loss of her beloved Mother.
We pray for through the War in Israel. We pray over China after the terrible train crash that took so many lives.
And we cannot forget the people that we loved and lost along the way this year. We lift up our fellow peppers in their grief.
While our hearts are breaking, we look to the Balm in Gilead. Thank you Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. In difficult times, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, even when our words and hearts fail us. We are so grateful for Your unconditional love, it is what keeps us during the storms of life. Hallelujah and Amen!
From CMDR - I know I have been MIA but I’m always happy to see y’all. I appreciate the prayers - this week, I’ve been frustrated with my job and the lack of work / life balance. Just be praying for me y’all -if God has something out there for me that’s better .
From LB - I am so sorry that I am late to the party but nonetheless I am here with you all! I had a couple of meetings get in the way but that will not stop me from participating in fellowship and praise. I just want to just say Thank God for breathing new life in a new day today.
I also want to say God Bless this group for being there through some hard times that I have gone through within the last year or so. This group has been such a huge blessing in providing a way to worship the Lord judgement free and without fear. This group has truly been such a lifesaver for me in more ways than one. Thank you all for the support you have given me and Thank you for the support that you have shown to others. Y'all are truly a blessing!
I am still battling with my insurance company over a year later with the water damage repairs and I am still going through some struggles on the job but I am still here and I still have faith that both situations will work out for the better in the end. I will see them both through. I just pray and ask for complete guidance and wisdom throughout the storm and that there will be sunshine waiting in the end. I know that God will bring me through better than ever.
And God, please continue to look out for all of us no matter if we are going through good times or bad times. Continue to be a guide and a comfort to us every step of the way and continue remind us that you have the victory over our lives. I wish Peace and Blessings to all of us during this season of thanks and fellowship during this holiday season! Amen!
From AC - Abba, it is by Jesus' stripes that we are healed and so I plead the healing blood of the lamb upon all of my prayer subjects with cancer.
I call on You to destroy and eliminate malignant cells from all systems, bones, blood, and organs. Soothe their discomfort, and pain in the only way that You can and replace the spirit of fear with Your transcending peace, strength, and comfort. Provide solutions and miraculous breakthroughs, and break down barriers and obstacles preventing them from gaining full access to high-quality healthcare, treatments, and medicines.
You are the Almighty God Who heals. The Great Yahweh-Rapha! There is nothing on Earth or in Heaven that is impossible for You to do. Please pour out your power upon Your children and heal them, in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
From AW - Father God, we lift up those who are homeless and struggling on the streets during the holidays. We ask for Your divine protection and care over them. Keep them safe from harm and help them to find shelter and warmth. Fill their bellies with food and their hearts with hope. Bring Your hope and healing into their lives, Lord. We ask all of this in Jesus' precious name, Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Praise be to You Heavenly Father! Once again, You've faithfully brought us to the end of another Praise & Pray (for others). We are grateful for bringing us together despite our being on different continents, time zones, and states.
You are our great and mighty God. Bigger than the biggest. Stronger than the strongest. You who put all others to shame.
Thank You for today's participants and those who will join at a later time. Remember them for serving You through their praises and petitions for others. I pray their lives glorify You and that You will be pleased with them. IJMN, Amen. Hallelujah!
From AC - Abba, it is by Jesus' stripes that we are healed and so I plead the healing blood of the lamb upon all of my prayer subjects with cancer.
I call on You to destroy and eliminate malignant cells from all systems, bones, blood, and organs. Soothe their discomfort, and pain in the only way that You can and replace the spirit of fear with Your transcending peace, strength, and comfort. Provide solutions and miraculous breakthroughs, and break down barriers and obstacles preventing them from gaining full access to high-quality healthcare, treatments, and medicines.
You are the Almighty God Who heals. The Great Yahweh-Rapha! There is nothing on Earth or in Heaven that is impossible for You to do. Please pour out your power upon Your children and heal them, in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
From sis FJ - Almighty God, I exalt You. You the Great Shepherd. Lord consider those that You have called unto Yourself -- see how the enemy is distracting them from You. I pray against every obstacle to the fullness of their salvation.
"Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory, the Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle". So let that obstacle make way for God's light into the lives of God's sheep.
"Arise oh God, let Your enemies be scattered. Let all who hate You flee from Your presence." Every evil spirit bows out of the way in Jesus name.
Let Your light shine now onto every obstacle, let it be confounded and destroyed. Because "the light shines and the darkness comprehends it not"
Even the captives of the mighty will be set free and the prey of the terrible delivered -- so let these Your lost sheep be returned to You.
You care about them and would even leave the 99 to find the 1.
Thank You God for hearing and answering my prayer, IJN
LAST 10 MINUTES
We've reached the last 10 minutes of fellowship. If today's message spoke to you, then please, praise the Lord. Yes, just take the time to thank you for reminding you that He is invested in carrying through this life, through all the ups and downs, until you reach His kingdom in heaven. Because that is the lesson we need to take away from this message.
God will walk you through life on earth into eternity in heaven via the blessing of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will caution you where to go, what not to do, and how to live so that you are passing the tests and becoming stronger in the Lord.
So now that You've thanked God for teaching you, ask Him for the grace of His Holy Spirit to dwell deeply in you. Ask Him for grace to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and walk triumphantly, knowing that God covers you and keeps you from harm. Pray to remember that even when a challenge arises, you will listen to His Spirit and not the voice of the devil.
Remember, all who call upon the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). Thus, as you've prayed, He will answer you, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba I want to say thank you for the Holidays. Thank you for providing us with lots of food, love and warmth. Thank you for bringing us together. Thank you for unity, love, joy and every fruit of the spirit taking root within us. We bless you Father of the Celebrant! Amen!
From M22 - Thank you Abba for sis @FFJ . We bless your Lord concerning her, her family, her job, her interests. Thank you Lord for continually strengthening and transforming her through her relationship with you and your word in this community. I pray that you will continue to do much more through her and this beautiful community! Amen.
From M22 - Abba I want to say thank you for being there for my siblings. Despite how tough this year was , you held our hands through it. Thank you for being our father, mother, shield, buckler, safe haven. Thank you for every single person that has interceded, prayed, helped and being there for us. Abba I pray that 2024 will be a bigger and better year for us!! Amen.
Dear Lord, You are the sovereign over the universe. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. The world and all who dwell in it. You have control over and created all that is visible and invisible. Your word instructs in Matthew 6:33 - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (NLT). And so in accordance with Your instruction, we seek first Your kingdom during this period of intercession.
Father, we lift up the hungry to You. Fill their tummies with good things (Psalm 107:9). Lord, we call on You to stand up for the oppressed. Remember that You have promised to not despise or scorn the cries of the suffering (Psalm 22:24). Lord, be their Defender. Show the wicked that the orphan and the widow have a fighter on their side. Do not remain silent while the evil ones mock and squint the eyes as they maltreat those who they deem easy targets. Remember Your word and move according to Psalm 12:5 - The LORD replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.” (NLT).
Good God, Merciful God, remember the weary and the brokenhearted. You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). This world has a way of crushing spirits and overwhelming many. But You are He who binds wounds. You heal, rescue and save. We call on You, the God who neither slumbers nor sleeps to stand. As stated in Zechariah 9:8 - But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.
We make this petition in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
From M22 - Baba I pray for orphans across the world. I pray that you will continue to their parent. I pray that you will fill that void in their heart. I pray that you will guide and protect them. I pray for your provision and protection over their lives. I pray that you surround them with the most loving and supportive community IJMN amen!
Father, You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You are God all by Yourself and none can compare or ever come close to Your majesty and splendor. Hallelujah!
Many are overwhelmed by a spirit of sadness at this time. Their joy has been crushed and their hearts no longer rejoice. The devil is pleased to see this and revels in it.
However, Your word tells me in Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Almighty Redeemer, I call on You to Your oil of joy to those who need it. Refresh the weary and satisfy the faint as You promised in Jeremiah 31:25. May they receive the garment of praise for the spirit of despair they are dealing with. May they know that praise and worship are the key to their freedom as Your word reveals in Isaiah 61:3. IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Baba I lift up everyone that has felt like they didn't achieve anything major or improve in anyway this year. Like sis @FFJ said - you are always working even when nothing is happening. I pray that you touch the hearts of this people and help them to rest in your comfort and authority. Help them to be grateful no matter the circumstances. Help them to navigate the new year and I pray 2024 will be a year if breakthrough, testimonies and upliftment for them IJMN amen.
From AW - Father God, we thank you for this opportunity to praise you. You are worthy of all our praise and we are so grateful that you allow us to come before you and worship you. Thank you for your many blessings, and we pray that we would always be aware of your presence in our lives. We ask that you would continue to guide and lead us, and that we would always be willing to follow you. IJMN, Amen!
Lord, I lift up this platform and the many people who use it. Thank You for its existence as it is a means for us to gather in Your honor. I acknowledge, nevertheless, that it is not always used to Your glory and praise.
Yet, great King, I pray for those who are on this platform and in shackles. God, I remind You of Your word in Nahum 1:13 - Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.
Father, the devil wants people bound and enslaved for its evil purposes. You, however, came to bring fullness of life (John 10:10). You have also promised that even the lawful captives are set free by Your might (Isaiah 49:29).
Therefore, Sovereign LORD, break the shackles of the bound on this site. May the chains at their ankles and wrists fall. Just as You did for Peter, when he was in jail, send an angel so that the chains fall (Acts 12:7). Set them free to see and know that You alone are God. May they encounter You and praise You for their freedom, IJMN Amen.
From C - Please uplift my mom and brother in prayer
From M22 - Abba I want to pray for children across the world. Thank you Abba for accepting our prayers on behalf of children in this community. I pray that you will continue to nourish and nurture them. I pray that you will continue to shield them from harm, violence and abuse. Help them to live out your purpose for them. IjMN amen.