Re-imagine: 40 Day Prayer Challenge, Week 6

This week our prayer focus is forgiveness and how that becomes a crucial part of restoring us into relationship. As you approach this theme throughout the week, think about with whom you might have a weakened (or broken) relationship. Maybe you need to experience forgiveness from God; maybe from someone else—or, perhaps you need to extend forgiveness to someone who you don’t believe deserves it.

Understanding forgiveness is coming to terms with the idea that it is never “deserved.” The wrong has already occurred and driven a wedge in the relationship. Forgiveness becomes a pure act of grace and mercy. It’s something God gives generously and something he urges us to give generously, too.

Pray for courage to seek and offer forgiveness as a means to better relations and stronger community.

Re-imagine: 40 Day Prayer Challenge, Week Five

For this week our prayer focus is praying for the city or community of which you are a part. As you begin this, think of how Nehemiah began praying over the scattered brokenness of Jerusalem:
1. First recognize who God is. Prayer is not about our circumstances, it's about him.
2. Identify with your city. You are connected to it, not secluded or separate.
3. Envision what the Kingdom of God could look like, invading and taking hold there.

Finally, take a gander at some great comments from former Sequoia pastor, Dennis Logie:

I was taken by Garrett’s challenge in his message last week that we think about praying for and ministering to the cities and not get caught up in nostalgic images of rural Christianity. This is especially important because the world is becoming more urbanized, where tens of millions are moving to cities each year. If we don’t focus on ministering to cities and evangelizing their inhabitants, then Christianity will become less relevant.

I appreciated his reference to heaven in the Book of Revelation where it is described as a city! It made me think of one of my favorite Christian songs, The Holy City. If you would like to listen to it, and read the lyrics, try this link and hear Mahalia Jackson, one of the greatest gospel singers, give her Christian rendition: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEhadb5YSpU

For other versions, link from her performance to Richard Crooks, a tenor from the 50s, who sings it more classically, and to Larry Ford, a modern tenor who sings it dramatically.

Garrett’s message also reminded me of the time 6 or 7 years ago when I gathered most Fridays with a small group of Christians and we prayed for the leaders of Redwood City and their challenges and decisions. We also prayed for more Christians to be active in leadership in the City, and that prayer has been wonderfully answered from City Council to various commission members to city department heads.

God cares about the city and so should we.