This past week one of my dear friends from my own Love God Greatly group showed me two small Bibles she had recently inherited through her mother-in-law’s passing. The Bibles dated back to the late 1800’s and were amazing to look at. Inside the well-worn pages listed the date when the Bible was given, to whom it was given, and the occasion.
I could hardly contain myself as I held one of the Bibles in my hands and turned the delicate pages. I can get a little nostalgic at times thinking about what life was like when this Bible was used: what the world was like and who the person was who read it. It’s fun stepping back into history like that.
I pictured a family valuing God’s Word and passing it down from father to son or mother to daughter…
… a family understanding the importance of God’s Word and intentionally passing it down to the next generation.
The precious Word of God, read and treasured…worth more than any gem or stone.
“Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.”- Psalm 119:152
The Scriptures God used to inspire men and women to risk their lives for religious freedom and travel across oceans to an unknown land is the same inspired Word that God still uses in our lives today.
Those same verses they clung to as they risked it all and walked their lives out in faith, God uses to speak and inspire us today to surrender our lives and travel to our own “unknown” lands to make a difference for Him.
The destination doesn’t matter – crossing continents or crossing streets. It’s the same Word of God moving in our hearts and helping us to be brave.
The same Scriptures that motivated men and women to fully live their lives out for God generations before us and make an impact in their world are the same Scriptures we read today.
That’s what hit me this week: God’s Word is unchanging.
Those same verses that moved Corrie Ten Boom, Martin Luther, Amy Carmichael, George Washington, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and thousand of others to be brave, stand up and make a difference in their countries? We have access to those same precious words today.
God’s Word is unchanging, and yet it changes everything.
Reading God’s Word; meditating on His verses as we go about our days with kids in tow, in business meetings or classes… those same God-breathed words have the power to move us like they have the generations before us.
And I pray they do.
In the book of Acts, we see how powerfully God moved through those early believers as they devoted themselves to praying and learning God’s Word. My prayer for our generation…those of us between the age of 5 and 95…is that God will rise up another “Acts” generation. As I’ve been sitting in my church on Sunday mornings for the past few years, I’ve begun praying over all those attending…that we will begin to Love God Greatly with our lives.
Before computers, the internet, Facebook or TV, God used 12 men to change the world….just think of how He can use us?!!!
This weekend, as you sit in church, whether it’s on Saturday nights or Sunday mornings, begin praying over all those in attendance.
Pray they will crave more of God and less of the world.
Pray God will ignite a passion in their hearts to reach those in their lives who do not know Jesus personally.
It all begins with prayer and God’s unchanging Word…God has moved powerfully before and He can do it again!
May He rise up a new generation of Corrie Ten Booms, Amy Carmichaels and George Washingtons…I pray He does!
Love God Greatly!
Let’s Talk:
How are you going to pray over those in your church this weekend? Share your prayer with us if you’d like! We’d love to read it!
Dear Lord, I pray that you will ignite a fire in everyone’s heart for you and your holiness. I pray that they will put you first father. I pray that you give them the wisdom and courage to stand up for you. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen
We unite with you in prayer!
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
Amen!
Thank you again for another encouraging post! Our church has been going through the book of Acts chapter by chapter in preparation for a launch of a new multi-site campus. I love knowing that God’s words are unchanging and that He will provide all we need for this new site if we just ask and have faith to believe Him. I too am praying that the church may be ignited with a passion for the truth of God’s word and the boldness to step out on faith and share the good news.
Johanna,
We unite with you in prayer for an increase in unity, love, diligence, and boldness in God’s Church.
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
We are finishing up VBS this morning. I will be praying this prayer for all of us, but especially those children who do not have a church home, that they would be the light in their own homes to those who need to find our Savior.
MaryBeth,
Thank you for your sacrificial service in the Kingdom of God. We unite with you in praying for children to surrender their hearts to the Lord and to pursue Him passionately.
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to attend church due to a brain tumor and subsequent brain surgery in February. This Sunday, my husband and I are going to attend a brand new church (for us). I am excited for myself, but until I read your words Angela, I wasn’t really thinking about the people who already attend. Thank you for this much needed word. And reading about those who were so brave and changed the world reminded me that I need to be brave.
Linda,
We will be praying for you, your family, and for a stirring and overflowing of the Holy Spirit in the Lord’s Church!
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
Lord,
Please make my church quick to cry out to You,
steadfast in their trust of You,
fearless in faith to follow You,
genuine in their love and devotion to You,
daily surrendering their lives for You because You are Worthy!
Holly,
We unite with you in prayer!
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
So last night we had “vision night” for the volunteers at Kids church(our church’s education/SS etc) and they had us plant seeds in a cup and write names of 5 kids each we would pray for this year on the cup! How cute is that! I’m trying to conceive and have had a hard time some days when I see dedications/baptisms and baby showers (some of my peers are on their 2-3baby). I get distracted on my runs by cute babies!:) I am learning to find contentment in Christ rather than husband, church or having a baby or having many friends or my job etc! Thanks for this
Christiana,
What an innovative prayer activity! We will be praying for your growing intimacy with Christ as you endure this waiting period. We also join you in praying for a generation of babies and children to become hungry for the Word of God and surrender their hearts to Him.
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
I remember visiting my grandmother who had Alzheimer. About every 5 minutes I had to re-introduce myself to her. If I asked her what her favorite scripture, she would say “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want….” She would quote that scripture verbatim. My grandmother was a reverend who loved the Lord. At that point when I was visiting her she was living in a senior home. After she died, they would talk about how she would pray for the staff. My dad inherited a couple of her bibles that she had used for years. He cherishes and has sense rebound it. God’s word travels and transcends.
Angelica,
Your grandmother is an amazing woman! What a precious gift. Thank you for sharing her legacy of faith with us.
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
Merciful Father, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done . On earth as it is in heaven.” Quicken Your people, called by Your name, into love and service for one another; for a hurting world. Open our eyes with the eternal truth and revive our love. Revive our obedience to the entirety of Your holy, life changing, word. Revive our remembrance that You, precious Savior, came to serve not to be served. Strengthen our spirits by the entirety of Your truth and cause us to rise up in YOU Mighty God. Mighty to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against You King of kings and Lord of lords. And cause the love You have for us, and the love we have for You, to bring forth a mighty work of love and service into a hurting world; into a world that needs hope; into a world that needs the truth, the ONLY TRUTH, that can set it (them) free. Cause Your people, called by Your name, to rise in love and service for one another. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Our hope is in You. You are near O Lord. I cry out with my whole heart. For the body of Christ to rise mighty in You. For a world that is crying, unaware, to be touched by the Hand that can save. Save us from ourselves. I pray in the most precious name above all names. Jesus. Revive Your people, called by Your name. Open our eyes to the need(s). Amen.
Lisa,
We unite with you in prayer!
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
Lisa,
We unite with you in prayer!
~Terria (LGG Encourager)
This is so wonderful. I have my grandfather’s Bible and cherish it because it belong to him and that he knew God and loved His word. The one unfortunate aspect is that the Bible is in Italian, but the Word transcends any language. The idea that generations from the past and those to come will be blessed and comforted by God’s loving knowledge.
Maryann,
What precious memories having your grandfather’s Bible. You are so right when you say God’s Word transcends any language. It is such a blessing that it has been translated to reach millions. Have a blessed day! (Jennifer, LGG Encourager)
King of kings and Lord of lords, I come humbly before You to pray for my local body of Christ. I pray for revival in this city. I pray against complacency and against the temptation to blend in with society. I pray for a movement of the Holy Spirit to come upon our church and move each one of us to action. Move each one of us to love, to pray, and to make a difference in the world around us. Grant us with the ability to be faithful, right where we are, to live out Your word before men. That we would truly be light and salt in the lives of one another and in the lives of the lost. Lord, help each of us to live out Your purpose for our lives, so that we can reach many for Christ and usher in Your Great Return! In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
Oh Mistie, what a beautiful prayer! Joining you my dear sister – lifting up your prayer to our God who hears us and works in amazing ways through our prayers! ~ Jean (LGG Encourager)
I love history….reading the story of that old hand me down bible back in 1800s brings me back to all my Journals writing since the day I became a Christian, hoping that someday my children will find and know my walk with Lord.
As I was doing my morning walk this early morning, I found myself thinking our lead Pastor, I started praying for him as he will preach for the congregation tomorrow and all the other Pastors and their family.
Marilyn, what a beautiful testimony your journals will be to your children – your written story of your walk with the Lord! Joining you in prayer for the leaders of our churches. ~ Jean (LGG Encourager)
I pray often for the true church of Jesus Christ to rise up in boldness and be the church. Jesus did not die in vain. I pray for the church to fulfill its purpose so that those who will come will come and Jesus can come back for us.
Joining you in prayer Narva! Giving praise for who God is and all that He has done and will continue to do in our lives as we seek Him, serve Him, and shine His light! Our God is faithful, and His purposes will be accomplished! ~ Jean (LGG Encourager)
Father God I lift all churches up to You. As the world changes around us I ask that we stand firm on Your word. May we not waver nor change to the surrounding among us. Father show my church that change is hard , yes but sometimes it is a great thing. Our youth are leaving and not the ones still there do not like the church. The young ones Father, where are they? It seems are church is so bent on the years gone past. We need to seek You and what You in-vision in our church. How we can better glorify You and Your kingdom. Father I ask for strength and wisdom, for at times I feel we are living in a mini Babylon. I ask that I may be like Daniel and his friends and not get caught up in the worldly things. If we need to change the way we are doing things, Father start with my heart and my thinking first. Help me fill the gap if need be. Father help our Christians stand up to what is going on and not become tolerant. Tolerance is why we have what we do now in our country. We need bold Christians to stand up for You. Help us as parents to raise such people to bring this country back to what You want it to be. Father at times my heart is in anguish on what I see in the news, on TV, the internet, radio. Father I know it is going to be hard and we Christians may have to suffer right along side but one thing we have is You. You are there beside us. We have hope. In Your Holy name Amen
Lifting you up in prayer Amy, as you continue to seek God and serve Him. Trusting that God has a purpose for you to accomplish right where you are at and that He will use you in mighty ways to reach the youth in our world and point others to Him. Our God is sovereign and works in amazing ways as we live our lives serving Him – bringing Him glory as we build His Kingdom here on earth. Thank you for sharing your precious prayer! ~ Jean (LGG Encourager)
I pray a fire ignite in the body of Christ and that it would start with me!
Joining you in prayer! Praying that God give us His boldness to share who He is and how much He loves us with those that cross our paths! May we walk in faith living our lives empowered by the Holy Spirit! ~ Jean (LGG Encourager)
Lord I pray for my country South Africa, this land is yours so lord I declare, through you, that there will be a fire igniting through every city and nation; breathing the word of the lord Almighty. This is your land; so let it be so. Thank you for your love and godliness that flows in every aspect of your goodness around the world. Lord I pray for the plans you have for me; ignite them so I know where I need to be in order to honor you.
As you wish.