Day 5 – All Is Well

Genesis 18:31-33 (NIV)
“Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.”

“Abraham was satisfied. He did not need to drop his figure any lower. Whether Sodom was consumed or not, the universe was on a solid footing. The storm might be terrible and its havoc beyond belief. Yet all was well. Abraham had grown into a larger man with a greater God. Prayer had changed him.” (John White, Daring to Draw Near)

“God is inviting, coaxing, luring us into a deeper place of knowing him so that we can have reassurance, whatever he decides concerning the things we desire so much…that it will be good, right and loving. Do you want to know God like that? This is when God becomes larger… that we are secure in all his ways, whatever he decides, whatever we have or not because God is Good, Righteous and God is Love itself.” (P. Jason P.)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, transform us into the larger men and women of prayer who will trust you in greater measure than ever before – to be able to say in every circumstance, “all is well.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord with “Let There Be Wonder” by Matt Redman (click here).

– JL

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Day 4 – God’s Confidant

Genesis 18:17-19a, 22-23 (NIV)
Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him…
The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”

“God has called you to attend a celestial board meeting to deliberate with him on matters of destiny. You can see at once how this raises the whole level of prayer. It is not intended primarily to be centered in my petty needs and woes. To be sure, God is interested in them. They have a place on his agenda. But the agenda itself has been drawn up in heaven and deals with matters of greatest consequence.” (John White, Daring to Draw Near)

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for confiding in your church as partners in your kingdom plans and agenda. Take us deeper into prayer where we are undone as we encounter your very heart and character. We cry out for your salvation, healing, and redemption to reach many more in our cities and on our campuses. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Let’s sing unto the Lord with “It is Well with My Soul” by Matt Redman (click here).

– JL

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Day 3 – New Mindset and Hope

Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭10‬-‭14a‬ ‭NIV‬‬
Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my Lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

“We are guilty of thinking that we have God figured out. When we have that kind of mindset it is hard to believe that God can do the impossible because what we see in front of us is only with our mindset. But we are given the opportunity now to take a step back and listen to what God is saying and what his directive is. God wants us to know the God who says: ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’” (P. Mark)

Prayer: Lord, by your grace, we receive a new mindset and supernatural hope that is way beyond worldly reason and expectation. Holy Spirit, empower and sustain us to agree and believe in what you say and promise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord with “As It Is In Heaven” by Phil Wickham (click here).

– JL

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Day 2 – Daring to Draw Near

Genesis 18:1-3 NIV
The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.”

“Many times we may not realize it, but it’s God who’s calling us to moments of prayer in our lives. God calls us and we have the opportunity to respond. That’s the beginning of prayer…With Abraham and Sarah, it begins with them extending hospitality to three mysterious travelers.” (P. Jason P.)

Abraham responds by hurrying to care for his guests, bowing low before them, and eagerly giving the best of his resources. Today, let’s follow the example of Abraham’s humble and welcoming heart as God calls us to draw near in prayer.

Prayer: Lord God, we respond to your invitation today with open, eager, and welcoming hearts. Help us to offer all of who we are in humble obedience and worship. We desire so much to meet with you and to know you in deeper ways. Like Abraham, we bow our hearts and humbly ask “do not pass your servant by.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord with “Spirit of God (Flame of Love)” by New Life Worship (click here).

– JL

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Day One – The Larger God

Let’s read aloud the following together:

John 15:15 (NIV)
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

The Westminster Larger Catechism
Q1: What is the primary and highest purpose of human beings?
Response: The primary and highest purpose of human beings is to glorify God and to enjoy him completely forever.

Q7: What is God?
Response: God is a spirit, who in and of himself is infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection. He is all-sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, beyond our full understanding, present everywhere, almighty, knowing everything, completely wise, completely holy, completely just, completely merciful and gracious, patient, and overflowing with goodness and truth.

Hebrews 6:13-15 (NIV)
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for calling us your friends. Our hearts are stirred with awe by your invitation to draw near and share in the plans and concerns of your heart. Lead us into greater intimacy of prayer and communion with you. May we encounter and know you for who you truly are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord with “Great Things” by Phil Wickham (click here).

– JL

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