AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE Hebrews 10:19-25

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His Body, and since we have a great Priest over the House of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What kind of salad do you like? I like mine with lost of lettuce and fresh tomatoes with oil and vinegar dressing. Maybe some cheese and avocados. And some red onions. With bacon. Maybe some bread cubes.

Five times in this passage, the author writes: Let us… That is a very nice salad. Lettuce alone is a great Honeymoon salad. This implies unity and the ‘feeling' of working together in agreement.
The writer of Hebrews really wants his readers to KNOW the Lord of their Faith. He goes into deep details to reminding them of how the temple has been set aside. The New Calling is to the Person of the great High Priest, the Lord Jesus.

We find ourselves in a similar situation. We, as well, want you all to know this One who has called you to serve Him. So let us… draw near. Let us… hold onto the Hope. Let us… spur each other to love and good works. Let us… not give up. Let us… encourage each other.

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

The first instruction is to draw near to God. This should be our initial response to what the writer of Hebrews has written thus far. Because of Jesus death on the cross, resurrection and ascension we can have confidence to enter the Most Holy place.

If we look at this verse a little more closely, we see that what allows us to have this assurance is that we are cleansed from a guilty conscience. Think about it—what keeps you from drawing near to God? Somewhere in our lives we are struggling with sins that keep us from God. We feel inadequate, without worth, sure that we don’t measure up to what God wants. We have thoughts that wander to places they shouldn’t go. We hate, we grumble, we are dissatisfied, we are selfish, full of pride, or full of self-loathing. We may even like these things—and if drawing near to God requires us to give them up, we will resist. But we can be cleansed, released from that guilty conscience; we can be washed with the pure water. And when we respond in this way, we are drawing near to God.

Some of the Spiritual Formation materials I (Faith) work with in my role in missionary care and training says “doing flows from being.” Who you are determines what you do. We need to draw near to God before we can effectively do any of the following “Let us” instructions.

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

The Apostle’s Creed comes to mind here.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

It is to this Hope that the early church and the many millions that followed died to protect and pursued. They held onto the teachings of the Early Fathers unswervingly. Why? Because it is true. The author here wants us to remember where we have come from. This Hope is not based on fairy tales or myths. History bears witness with our Faith. This Jesus gives us Hope in the hereafter PLUS Hope for today! He was pressed up against the wall and was crucified and yet placed His trust-His Hope in His Father. There are no hopeless situations; there is life after death for those who believe in His Name. Don’t forget that and hold onto that truth. Your life depends on that!

We do serve the One who has set HOPE into the hearts of all who put their trust in Him.

We are not to be like the world. They have not lasting hope in the hereafter nor for any better life here and now.

Typical inscription on a grave in Paul's day:

I was not
I became
I am not
I care not.

Warren Wiersbe, Be Ready, p. 83.

But not with Jesus. We know the One who cares and He has placed our names in His Hands. He is our true Hope.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

I (Faith) have watched many of you already urging one another to do good. To love God. To live faithfully. I encourage you to continue, and to be responsible not only for yourselves, but for those near you. Draw others into this. “Catch one another doing good.” Remembering that doing flows from your being—keep drawing near to God, hold unswervingly to hope, and then you can DO the work of spurring one another on.

I have enjoyed participating in a women’s bible study here at ICCS for many years. Two years ago, the composition of the group created some of the most open and authentic sharing I have experienced. Almost all of us were dealing with really messy life situations. We encouraged one another to make life choices that demonstrated Christ’s love. Sometimes we were spurring one another to do something loving to people who were difficult to love. We were learning from one another about the power available to do these things as we prayed for one another. And God has done amazing work in each of us in answer to these prayers.

As we’ve just completed a series on spiritual gifts, each of you has the opportunity to explore how God has gifted you. I challenge you to consider how you can use those gifts in the body of Christ called ICCS. Whether your gifts are in teaching, administration, service, mercy or any of the others we’ve looked at, by finding a place to use them within the fellowship, you live out God’s love as you do good deeds.

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.

There are some around today that feel that coming into a building like this is a waste of time. Some feel that the Church is a has-been institution without any claim on life or it’s followers. I dare to challenge that! The Church is the Bride of Christ. Jesus loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. He is preparing the Bride for His return. He will gather the Bride up on the Last day and be united with her forever. In the meantime, we are to be getting ready for His return. (The biggest promise yet to be realized.)

Why would someone give up meeting together? Maybe they became angry with someone in the group. Maybe they got insulted. Taken for granted. Unloved by the group. All these things might be real or unreal; imagined or dreamed up. Nonetheless, feelings have been hurt and there has not been any forgiveness given nor received. The heart has been hurt. Broken. So, they, in their hurt condition, fall away from fellowship. Fall away is the right word for it. Here Hebrews encourages us all to stick with it. It is worth the effort. It is worth the pain. But not for us to stay separated. Even for a season. “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Eph 4:26.

but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I don’t know about you, but I find it a lot easier to do things, especially hard things, when people give me encouragement. One mental picture I will take back with me to the States from ICCS is that of people gathered in groups at coffee time, praying for one another. How encouraging!
And as our family prepares to leave Japan for a year, we want to encourage you to continue walking in the faith you have been taught. Continue to draw near to God with a sincere heart and in full assurance of faith. Continue to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. Continue to spur one another on in love and good deeds. Continue meeting together. Continue to encourage one another.

Our hope and prayer is that when we return, we will find that you have grown in your faith and in confidence. We hope that you will have discovered not only what your spiritual gifts are, but have enjoyed exercising them. We hope that the “Community” in ICCS will be blessed through you as you demonstrate Christ’s love to those right here in Enoki Cho.

We have confidence to enter the Most Holy place…So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. (Heb 10:35)

And as you encourage one another, you will learn of some deep hurts. You will hear of how some have traveled very far to get where we are today. Some still carry a very heavy load. Some of this load is not yours to carry. We are to be forgiving others and look for the good in their lives as they reflect God’s image. And as you encourage each other, you will find that the Great Physician is there to heal and to save. The community services Andy is willing to start here is one of the great steps God can use within us to bring inner healing and a great sense of how Grand and Glorious our God really is.

May His Grace fill you as you all seek to serve the One Who has called you!

And stay together!

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Keiko Holmes: Forgive Your Enemies

Keiko Holmes will be speaking at ICCS on the last Sunday of this month, June 28. The service starts at 10:30. Please bring your friends.
ホームズ恵子氏を迎えての特別礼拝
第２次世界大戦が終わって、６０年以上経ったいまも、当時の日本の侵略と残虐行為の傷跡が残っており、非常に多くの人々が憎しみと嘆きのなかにおられます。この事実を受けとめるとき、戦争は、決して遠い昔話に終わっていないことに気づかされます。
日本のために他国が何を苦しんでいるのか、無知のまま私たちはずっと過ごしてきてしまいました。

ホームズ恵子さんは、戦争当時日本軍の捕虜となったイギリス人の、今に至る苦しみを知り、日本とイギリスの和解を進める「アガペ」の働きを始められました。戦争の犠牲者に直接会い、話を聞き、心から謝罪する、和解の働きを行っておられます。1992年より、元捕虜の人々の訪日を支援し、すでに400人以上が日本を訪れ、多くの人々が憎しみから解放され癒されています。その功績が認められて、イギリスのエリザベス女王より大英第4級勲功章（OBE）を授与されました。また、日本政府からも外務大臣賞を授与されています。「アガペ」の和解の活動は、オランダ、オーストラリア、ニュージーランド，アメリカ，カナダ，シンガポールなどの東南アジア各国、韓国、中国、インドへと広がっています。

２８日には、その、和解のストーリーを、映像を交えて分かち合ってくださいます。
現在、ロンドンにお住まいですが、4月から6月まで、日本そしてアジアを回る旅で、来日しておられます。かなりお忙しいスケジュールのなか、貴重な時間を割いて、私たちのために来てくださいます。どうぞこの集会を祈りに覚え、お友達を誘って、期待して参加してください。

Building On The Gospel

Here is the short answer...

Baring with one another in Love.
We have love for each other.
Forgive each other.

Jesus’ prayer is for us to be ONE as the Father and the Son is ONE.

One in Design: we look like this…not the same but diverse.
One in Purpose: mission that we do

John 17:1-26 (Please read this passage before moving on to the sermon.)

So where are we in this passage? How can this be true of our lives and our Church? Why did He pray this way? Does this mean that this is reality: we can be one in Him? Or is there some other meaning? Let’s explore this teaching this morning.

What we have just read is the most extensive and deeply profound personal prayer of the Lord Jesus. A while before, at the funeral of His friend Lazarus, Jesus made it clear that He really did not NEED to express prayer because He and the Father were already ONE. He did pray then to teach the followers and us. It was to benefit us. (11:41-42). The same is true here in John 17. To teach us what it is to be in union with God, the Father, Jesus prayed. He was about to exit this world. His death is soon coming. He was letting His Followers know of His prayer for them.

If you were to attend the death of a very wealthy man, and you knew that he was going to give you some very important information as to where to find his hidden riches, would you listen intently? He would be sharing the bank address, the pin number, the combination to the vault, and the details of how to unravel the directions. I think you’d listen well.

You can also believe that Jesus wants you to know and remember His prayer for you because of how Jesus prayed in this prayer. It is usually known as the High Priestly Prayer. Reading in Hebrews and see what the role of a High Priest is and you will see that His is the perfect One to make such a prayer—on our behalf. He really comes boldly before the Throne of Grace: our example of how it is to be done.

We also can see the relationship of the Father to His Son and the Glory They both have in common. The Father ‘gives’ (used 13 times in this passage), as He is the center or source of all that is in the God Head. Jesus singles out the special gift His Father had given to the Followers, that is eternal life that is found in Jesus. Jesus then is the One who reveals the Father to the World. As the Giver He gives His disciples the Father’s Word, gives His Glory and gives Eternal Life that is based in the Father to begin with.

Have you ever been someplace where there is an echo? It can be really weird, hearing your voice coming back to you…even on Skype or on the phone but esp. in nature. Helloooooooo. This is is is so so so cool cool…

Here we have echoes coming from the lips of Jesus. Me in You and You in Me… In the Father… in the Son…

This prayer has an outline. Do you think Jesus was thinking of an outline when He said this? I think so.
1. A petition for the glorification of the Father and the Son (vv. 1-5),

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2 For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4 I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.

2. after which He prays for the disciples gathered around Him, first describing their situation (vv. 6-10)

6 "I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me and they have obeyed Your Word. 7 Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8 For I gave them the words You gave Me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to Me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name—the Name You gave Me—so that they may be one as We are one.

and then…
3. praying that they be protected and be sanctified by God (vv. 11-19).
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name—the Name You gave Me—so that they may be one as We are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that Name You gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. 14 I have given them Your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify [set apart] them by The Truth; Your Word is Truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

4. Jesus then prays for all who will become believers through the witness of the 11, (and the Church that follows.) ...that they may share in the Divine Oneness (v. 20-24).

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 22 I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: 23 I in them and You in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. 24 "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world.

5. He concludes with a summary of His past and future Work (vv. 25-26).

25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that You have sent Me. 26 I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them."

Jesus covers time from the Creation to the Cross. It is all part of who He is and what He had done in the World. His Work. And on the basis of that completed Work, He can now ask His Father that WE could be unified with His Father the same way He is. Oneness found in that relationship.

Jesus had begun His prayer with the relationship between the Father and the Son (John 5:19-23). The oneness-yet-distinctness continues here as Jesus speaks in a very intimate way with His Father. This is the way we can talk with God. Close; Sure. Boldly; Confidently. Built on a relationship already set in place by His finished Work on the Cross. He dies so that we can be forgiven. He paid the price; the full price for our Salvation. THAT is the Gospel!

The Gospel is the Plan of God that comes out our experiences. Our response is our responsibility. Our responsibility is to live out this Gospel, the transformed life, in all clarity, in all honesty and with all the Grace of God that He willingly gives to us who believe.

As we look to the new year, this building the Body of Christ is on His heart as well. He will help us—as we look to Him and surrender our hands and hearts to His Will for us in His Son, Jesus. Do you believe this?

Next Sunday is our regular Covered Dish Sunday (3rd Sunday of each month-plan to share a meal with the Fellowship. Bring some food or drink along with you or buy it next door at the Seiyu store.) This is also the last Sunday Pastor Stan and his family will be at ICCS for the year.

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Next week is ALSO Father's Day.

MEN: Wear an Hawaiian shirt!
All neck ties will be taken and made into head bands!
Come celebrate the Lord together.
Faith and Pastor Stan will be sharing from the Word of God.

The KEY: Unity in the Body

Eph 4:1-16.

Live a life worthy.

Given by the Lord.

Each part does its work.
(This is the short answer...)

It is my firm belief that we all want what is best for ourselves and our family. Sometimes, when situations change, it is hard to hold on to those intentions. Something always seems to enter life and with it, brings a mixed bag of problems and interesting changes that must be dealt with over time.

One of the facts of the Holy Scriptures, from were we get all understanding of who God is and what He requires of us is found, is that our walk MUST reflect what we hold in our hearts. Should our hearts be dark and uncertain, then our walk would not be a true one if we act out our Belief system based on falsehoods and un-unbelief. For those who’s walk matches their growing Faith in God, they then are walking the right road and God gets the Glory.

Notice, I said growing Faith. We are not there yet! A process over time. We are not to be discouraged; not give into the pull of the World. We are to run the race of Faith with diligence and with truth.

Such was the case in the Church founded by Paul in Ephesus. It seems that Paul was well pleased with them in every way. We can see from the opening verses that he has been in prayer for them as they were blessed with every spiritual blessing that are found in Christ Jesus.

Paul saw in them such great evidence of their love for others in the Faith (1:15).

He then tells them just what he was praying for them:

Giving thanks for them
For the spirit of wisdom and revelation
For a better understanding of their God
That their eyes would be enlightened
That they will know the Hope they have in Jesus

Then Paul goes into one of his long sentences covering the full council of God—on their behalf.

Paul then explains WHY we are saved. By Grace. Grace alone. That alone covers all the things that had been on his heart for them. God could not love them any more than He does right now. They are IN Jesus, and therefore, all His Grace is on them. Not by works…not by guilt…not by wishing…not by any effort we could muscle up on our own…all by just His Grace---alone. And as he says in 2:10, For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

He called the Believers to remember where they had come from. Outside the Faith. Far from God. 2:12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the Blood of Christ…

What does this mean for us today? Are any of you in some personal pain? Anyone going through a hard time emotionally? Are you feeling alone and forgotten? Yes, even you could feel this and be in the Family of God. That is why He has given us His Holy Spirit to be---what? Our Peace. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.

It means that we are no longer OUTSIDE God’s Grace. All of it! His peace. His Forgiveness. His love. His Grace. His touch—even in the times of hardship. His touch is one of healing—with time—and would cover all our pain and concerns. Over time: a process. Worth the wait.

It means that we are built into Him. Look at verses 19-22. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.

This is one of the reasons I love the Church. (Oh, there are some problems with what the church looks like in history and what the church did in history,) but it is His Body and we are His Bride. He loved the Church and so do I. He died for the Church.

Which brings us to Chapter four. There is much in Chapter three, but we shall leave that to someone else to cover and deal with.

Paul starts chapter Four with: As a prisoner for the Lord… Strange way to put it but what a privilege. To be tied to Him. Under His authority. No freedom except what He gives us… No were to go. Tied to Him. Depending on Him. Surrendered to Him. Lost to your own ego and set free to be owned by the God who made the universe. All that in six words in English.

Paul then urges his fellow prisoners to live a life worthy of the calling they have received.

Not to throw the life away to foolish living like the prodigal son.
Not to waste the joy of forgiveness on temporary pleasures.
To walk in such a way that brings total joy to Him who has called us.
Live a life worthy.
Not drifting around like a ship blown by winds of the sea.
Not wasting time with silly petty foolish activities that pull us away from His Love and Service.
Not half-power but full power.
Not weakly following but strongly leading others to that life of worthiness.
Not luke warm but Hot for Jesus.

Living a life that is humble and gentle. Is the word “humble” a positive one in your heart language?
HUMBLE -
Dictionary:
1. modest and unassuming in attitude and behavior

From the other words in this list, we can see that it is not a negative meaning. In fact, looks like the life of Jesus. So live life that way! Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love

You were called to a better way. Called to live a life that is worthy of His calling on you and that we are called as well into ONE HOPE. He is our Peace and He is our Hope. Paul states this as fact. No question about this at all. He is our Peace and He is our Hope!

As we have been looking at the Spiritual Gifts for a few weeks, we can see that Eph 4 continues in this same vein. There is a reason you have been given each a Spiritual Gift. Verse 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up.

We are to be prepared to work for this new life—not in the sense of working so that we get it but working so that we would walk worthily of the Calling.

And He has called us to this walk of Faith. Three reasons are found in the next verse. until …
a we all reach unity in the Faith and Possible in Christ Jesus!
b in the knowledge of the Son of God and Our goal is to know Him! Not just a head knowledge nor just a bare accepting Christ to be the Son of God, but the kind of knowledge that brings trust and obedience. There is the FULLNESS in Christ. Never full measure until we arrive in Heaven.
c become mature, So that we are not falling away.

So that the Way of the Cross is followed to bring Him Glory as the result of our obedience. Mature. Isn’t that why we are here this morning. To grow up. To grow up in Jesus. Not to remain satisfied with how things are in our walk but to press on to the FULLNESS of Christ. Mature in Him. Grown up Godly People.
= attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

In no way are we to act as infants. Vs 14-15.
So that each part does its work. Mature and with unity of heart and mind. Working together to build a Kingdom-like community where we love each other and effect the society we live in because of the Grace of God alive in our walk of Faith. That is why we studied Spiritual Gifts!

Verse 16 From Him the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in Love, as each part does its work

Monday is a Day of Rest!

GDOP came and went and it is now history but Oh, such a history! We started a little late yet the crowds kept coming. We ran out of out song sheets (200) and they still came. Ended with maybe 240, but we have not counted the heads yet. While it was raining heavy in Tokyo--and even at Higashi Kurume (CAJ area), it only had a very light rain fall at the Park. In short, the weather DID NOT cause a damp response to the event.

With the Shofar blown, a greeting prayer and a warm welcome (saying that today, all over the world, well over 500 million Believers were in prayer for repentance. Family, I got to tell you, it felt great! And I co-hosted with a most excellent friend and translator, Kiku-San. He had just returned from an Alpha/VIP Holy Spirit weekend!

A friend brought his professional video and took 60 min of the high lights of the day. From two Black Gospel groups--not one Black in them--to a Japanese/Jewish Believing Church's Jewish dance, we were prayed into the presence of our Lord. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, English, Tagalog, Hebrew, and Portuguese was used during this 3-5:30 meeting. (Well, it started around 3:40 and ended around 5:50.) For some, they never had seen so many Believers together in one place before!

I loved it!

And my voice held out for the whole evening.

We had the Pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers come to the front for prayer by the people in the seats. It was great. Later, we asked the kids to come to the stage and one Japanese young girl prayed and then our own Ken N. covered them with a powerful prayer. TJ, the worship leader from KBF (meets at CAJ) covered us with worship songs and played in the background during some silent times.

New Life League made a large poster! It was almost ten feet by 7 feet.
"Global Day of Prayer" in blue on while. Really set off the stage as we had not had one last year.

So, next year, I will be in the US and the group will need to grow much bigger. I spoke of a city wide program and the crowd seemed to love the idea. Maybe Tokyo Dome! This place had room for 2,000 so we need for more contact and more ads. Got to get local pastors on board. Those that did, came and had a wonderful time!

Now, today, Monday, I rest.

And God is Good! All the time!

Thank you for your prayers and support. Do come to the next GDOP event.
Look for the next time,

Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010!

Plan ahead! Save that Day!

TODAY is THE DAY World-wide Prayer!

A Prayer for the World
“They lifted their voices to God with one accord…” –Acts 4:24

Almighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Together with believers all over the world,
We gather today to glorify Your Name.
You are the Creator of heaven and earth.
There is no one like You, holy and righteous in all Your ways.
We submit to Your authority as the King of the universe.
We pray with one voice to enthrone You in our hearts
and to honor You before the world.

Lord God, You alone are worthy of our praise and adoration.

Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving the world so greatly.
You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ,
to die on the cross for our sins
so that we could be reconciled to You.
We are grateful to call You Father and to be called Your children.
Nothing can separate us from Your love.

Thank You Father, for adopting us into Your family because of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You alone are worthy to open the scrolls of history,
for You were slain and have redeemed us to the Father by Your blood.
We confess that You are Head of the Church
and Lord of all heaven and earth.
May people from every tribe and language become Your followers
so that Your blessing brings transformation among all peoples.
Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world
so that governments will rule with righteousness and justice.
And may Your Name be great, from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Jesus Christ, You are the Savior of the world and the Lord of all.

Father of mercy and grace,
We acknowledge that we have sinned
and that our world is gripped by the power of sin.
Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred and violence.
We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land.
We mourn all loss of life in murder, war and terrorism.
Our homes are broken and our churches are divided by rebellion and pride.
Our lives are polluted by selfishness, greed, idolatry and sexual sin.
We have grieved Your heart and brought shame to Your Name.
Have mercy on us as we repent with all our hearts.

God of mercy, forgive our sins.
Pour out Your grace and heal our land.

Spirit of the living God,
Apart from You, we can do nothing.
Transform Your Church into the image of Jesus Christ.
Release Your power to bring healing to the sick,
freedom to the oppressed and comfort to those who mourn.
Pour Your love into our hearts and fill us with compassion
to answer the call of the homeless and the hungry
and to enfold orphans, widows and the elderly in Your care.
Give us wisdom and insight for the complex problems we face today.
Help us to use the resources of the earth for the well-being of all.

Holy Spirit, we need Your comfort and guidance. Transform our hearts.

Lord Jesus Christ,
Because You were dead, but are now risen,
and the Father has given You a Name above all names,
You will defeat all powers of evil.
Tear down strongholds and ideologies that resist the knowledge of God.
Remove the veil of darkness that covers the peoples.
Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.
Bring deliverance from demonic oppression.
Break the hold of slavery, tyranny and disease.
Fill us with courage to preach Your word fearlessly,
and to intercede for the lost faithfully.

Almighty God, deliver us from evil.

King of Glory,
Come and finish Your work in our cities, our peoples and our nations.
We lift our voices in unison with believers from Africa and Asia,
from the Middle East and Europe, from North and South America,
and from Australia and the Pacific Islands—together we cry:

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Be lifted up ancient doors so that the King of glory may come in!

As Your deeds increase throughout the earth,
and as Your blessings abound to all the nations,
they will seek You, asking, “Who is this King of glory?”
Together we will answer:

He is the Lord Almighty!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Come fill the earth with Your glory as the waters cover the sea.
The Spirit and the Bride say:

Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

BECOMING THE BLESSING OF CHRIST

The Global Day of Prayer can become a catalytic moment.
Those who pray together can become those who serve
together, bringing practical, transformational blessing to their
communities. To help you dream and plan about how you
might become part of the answer to your prayers, check out
“90 Days of Blessing” at www.globaldayofprayer.com.

KEEP ON PRAYING!
To help you keep growing in prayer during the 90
days, make use of the excellent resources available at
www.globaldayofprayer.com:
• The 90-Day Prayer Guide. A daily guide to pray
toward transformational blessing.

• Seek His Face. Learn to devote yourself to God daily
with an hour of prayer.

• 24/7 Prayerwatch. Many are launching 24/7 prayer
in many styles and ways.

Global Day Of Prayer planed through 2010

Watch www.globaldayofprayer.com for announcements about more GDOP events. The NEXT big event is planned for Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010. Plan NOW to attend and take part in this Prayer Movement!

DAY TEN; Saturday 30 May

GLORIFY!

…for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Great and marvelous are Your works, LORD God Almighty!

Righteous and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!

Who shall not fear You, O LORD, and glory Your Name?

Because You alone are kind.

All nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteousness have been revealed.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours.

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.

May your glory and power be revealed through the humility, compassion and holiness of the Church, to all nations.

Manifest your kingdom again through signs and miracles until all nations kneel and worship at the name of Jesus.

The glory of the LORD will fill the earth as the waters cover the seas.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of Jesus Christ will be glorified.

Now unto You, the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.

AMEN!

GLORIFY ... FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER. AMEN.

PRAY ...
• that signs of Christ's kingdom will so fill the earth that many will be moved to celebrate the Hope of His coming.


• that Christ's Power will be seen in the humility and compassionate service of His people.


• that Jesus would be honored openly, worshiped extravagantly and glorified globally.

"I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and My heart will always be there." 2 Chronicles 7:16

Preparing to consecrate ourselves as His dwelling: Welcome His Spirit to fill you and your family and friends. Invite Christ to make His dwelling among His people so that His heart will overflow our hearts with His magnificent love, in order to bring His Glory to all the earth.

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