Prayer Connection June 2022
Language changes over time. Pick up any dictionary from the 1800s, and you will quickly find that the way we use words today is quite different from that time. So is the case with the word “passion.” The Latin root is passivus, capable of feeling or suffering, or patior, willing to suffer. This is why the crucifixion of Jesus is often called The Passion of Christ. He was willing to suffer for our salvation because of His love for us and His obedience to God’s will.
When something is terribly important to us, we are willing to suffer for it, get uncomfortable, put in the work, stay up late. It’s something that gets under your skin in a way you can’t ignore. It can be lifelong or seasonal.
David Brooks wrote in The Art of Focus, “If you want to win the war for attention, don’t try to say ‘no’ to the trivial distractions you find on the information smorgasbord; try to say ‘yes’ to the subject that arouses a terrifying longing, and let that terrifying longing crowd out everything else.”
Now that’s a passion. Jesus was never distracted from His mission on earth. His passion was our salvation. His longing was to be reconciled to us.
“… let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Romans 12:1b-3, emphasis added
Last week in our Carrying Hope series, we learned that our pain can fuel our purpose for good. First, our passion is going to break our hearts, and because we don’t like pain, we’re going to avoid it. But if we lean into those things that break our hearts, we start to see there can be healing on the other side and, from healing, joy. Our joy can drive us just like it did for Jesus.
That’s how we find our passion.
Pray: God, please show me my passion. Help me be willing to have my heart broken by it, and then give me Your joy as my strength.
Sow: Name your passion this week if you are able. Do you know other women with a similar passion? Get together and discuss what it might look like to let that terrifying longing crowd out everything else.
Discussion Question: What is so important to you that you are willing to suffer for it?
Prepare for Prayer
SPECIAL NOTE: This summer, we are engaging in 100 Days of Prayer (starting in June and leading up to Stonecroft’s National Conference September 22nd-24th), We are inviting, leaders, groups, and YOU to be a part of this important time of prayer.
Join us in this 100 Days of Prayer:
- Be sure you are signed up for our newsletter HERE.
- On June 13, there will be a special Facebook Live, so don’t miss it! Our other social media, like Instagram, will also have prayer prompts for this season.
Please join us on the National Prayer Call each Wednesday as we seek the hope that is only available through Jesus Christ.
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/847270680 Meeting ID: 847 270 680
Our guide to prayer this month is “Passion.”
Read: John 2:17
“Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: ‘Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
Pray: Dear Lord, we are your people, the sheep of your pasture. Fill us with the passion for your Kingdom that consumed Jesus.
Pray:
- Give God your greatest places of hurt and ask Him to turn them into passions for Hm
- Ask God what terrifying longing He wants to burn in your heart
Pray for Your Group’s Upcoming Outreach Event
Read: Isaiah 9:7
“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
Pray: Father God, you have given us this outreach in order to reach those needing to hear the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. You want none to perish without having the chance to know You personally. We ask for your strength to bring it about for your glory!
Pray:
- Ask God to remove obstacles and overcome any disappointments as we seek to lead an event that will reach women for His glory.
- Ask God to give us opportunities to invite new women who need to know Him; ask for a specific name right now as you pray
Sharing Your Faith
Read: James 4:5
“Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.”
Pray: Dear Lord, increase the Holy Spirit in each of us that through Him we would be faithful to you in boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus.
Pray for:
- Ask that God to give you special times of connecting with Him to be filled with His Spirit in order to strengthen you.
- Ask God to give you the words to say and the questions to ask that would lead the lost woman to a better understanding to the Gospel of Christ.
Pray for our Nation and Leaders
Read: Proverbs 8:16
“Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.”
Pray: Lord, we praise you on your throne and know you are in absolute control of all events on earth. We ask that you reach into the hearts and minds of our country’s decision makers to bring wisdom and righteousness for your name’s sake.
Pray specifically for:
- Ask God that our leaders would get the rest and strength they need to keep serving in their roles, to be clear-headed and compassionate.
- Ask God to give favor to any government leaders who believe in the name of Jesus, that they would have unusual influence with the values of your Kingdom.
Pray for the Stonecroft Family
Read: Colossians 2:33
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Pray: Dear Lord, I ask that you fill each person working for and through Stonecroft with a sense of Kingdom purpose and passion, that we would long for things of God and to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Pray for:
- Ask that God give His hope and vision to the leaders of Stonecroft so that they may fulfill His purpose, not their own.
- Ask God that the leaders of Stonecroft would be given a vision for outreach that honors and glorifies God.
Share Personal Requests
Pray for each other’s personal needs and lift up one another’s passions for God to bless and grow.
Closing Prayer
Savior God, You did not spare Your own Son in order to reunited with humanity. Your passion was Jesus’ obedience to death on a cross. But the story continues with each one of us to bring that amazing new to those whose lives intersect with ours. May we clearly sense your leading both in the passions you give us and in those moments when we might shine your light of hope into someone’s life. Amen.