Days of Awe – what do I need to change?
Prayer Focusweek 16 (Sunday-Shabbat)
FOCUS: Days of Awe
G-d’s Holy Days are an integral part of His calendar – and every year are becoming more a part of our personal lives as well.
The ten days, starting with Rosh haShanah and ending with Yom Kippur, are called the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur.What do “I” need to change?
True repentance continues in our every-day decisions. It is not just a one-time act that we do and then forget about it for the rest of our lives. When we really repent, we not only confess our sins and turn from them, but we continue turning from them. There are many places in Scripture where even believers in God are called upon to repent. Repentance is not just sorrow for our sins and our sinful ways– or sorry we were “caught” – it is much more. It includes sorrow that causes us to change. (Esau was sorrowful and wept bitterly, but his ways were not changed, so he did not receive the promise (Heb. 12:16-17). The Bible tells us there is a sorrow of this world that leads only to death, and a godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation (IICor. 7:10).
· Verses upon which to meditate:
· “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” I John 1:8-9, NIV.
· “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes,” Ps 119:59, NIV.
· “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORDdoes not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah,” Ps 32:1-5, NASB.
· AND WE HAVE THIS PROMISE:“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
“These are the appointed feasts of the LORDthat you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts’”Lev 23:2, NIV.
o Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement): “This shall be a permanent statute[“a lasting ordinance,” NIV] for you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month [October/evening of the 7th -8th/ 2011], you shall humble your souls [fast] and not do any work, whether the native, or the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute.
Prayer:
o “Mighty God, Heavenly Father! Your blood has brought us near to You. Thank You for having given us Your Torah that we might understand how to walk upright before You. Help us to change our ways that are displeasing to You. We pray Your healing intervention for each of these who is recovering from surgery, help us to be a blessing to our work place, bring Your jobs to those who need work, traveling mercies to those who are out of town. Draw the families to You and to each other. Help us to understand Your Holy Days and to revere them, even as You do. In Your most holy Name, we pray!”
Hallelujah!
o Rhonda’s foot surgery was successful – more involved than expected, but no pain the first couple of days
o Maxine and Joe are visiting her daughter and son-in-law, Matt!
o Bev and Ruben were able to attend her 50th class reunion – and be with her brothers!
o Everyday Phyllis is doing a bit better – and continues to have an amazing attitude!
o God has changed Natan’s deployment date from Oct 1 to Oct 18! (Natan and family are now together in El Paso! Their belonging are there also!)
o Les’a continues to marvel at how God postponed her foot surgery! Daily, she realizes how MUCH she needs two feet right now, during Natan’s days prior to deployment
o Dawn’s therapists were amazed at how quickly she is healing and at the mobility she has. She said: “I believe it is because of our Lord and all the prayers – thank you!”
o PJ’s back situation: can be improved with pool exercise – doesn’t look like he will need surgery! – now, we can pray for a pool!
o Fred (Bonnie’s brother): able to leave hospital again and return home.
o Sarah and Tommy (Les’a’s niece and boyfriend): accident in which their car was totaled. They are very sore but not seriously injured! (prayer their bodies heal totally).
o Deb’s requirements have been fulfilled!
Requests: (please email updates on these situations)
o Rhonda: is able to stay ahead of the pain – and that these weeks of healing pass quickly!
o PJ: back will to return to normal without surgery. That the paperwork issues will be resolved ++ JOB!
o Favor & wisdom in the work force: We would be excellent in the work place – even as Joseph, Daniel, etc. were – blessings to the companies because we are there!
o Deb and those who need jobs will get jobs – God-chosen jobs.
o Phyllis: knee surgery:pain and flexibility
o Dawn: continued prayer for total healing of her knee.
o Maxine & Joe: traveling mercies and God’s tremendous favor as they travel to see Debbie & Matt (her son in law): God has been gracious by giving Matt many good months. Cancer is again moving aggressively. He is in much pain and in hospice. Pray for the family.
o Debbie Martinez (Bev and Ruben’s daughter-in-law’s mother): open heart surgery. Also lift up Christine as she is exhausted. And her fiber myalgia is really kicking her. And her move this weekend.
o Food bank (Cynthia’s parents’ ministry). Two of those injured by the accident at the food bank at her parents’ church are trying to sue the church and Cynthia’s parents to recover their medical costs. We are believing God to see this activity stopped and against fear. We know no weapon formed against them will prosper.
(Insurance has made a payment, but lawyers aren’t satisfied.)
(Insurance has made a payment, but lawyers aren’t satisfied.)
o Natan and family (Les’a and Don’s son and his family): the date of his deployment would be God’s date!
o Jon (Phyllis’ son): That God intervenes and places him where he will be encouraged to make good decisions which will impact his family for good, for Your good.
o Norman’s relative’s issues.
o Y’s grandson: pray that his mom and her boyfriend treat Ryan with love.
o A’s relationship with his daughter – that there would be a healing and mending of hearts at the dinner next week.
o Bob Kaiser (Maxine and Joe’s friend): special prayer for physical healing.
o Judy (Art’s, Norman’s, and Pamela’s friend): God will intervene in health issues and strengthen Frank.
o Deb: migraines and onslaught of the enemy.
o Sherri (Dawn’s daughter): migraines would permanently leave.
o 6-yr old Elijah (Beverly’s friend): severe shaking in one arm. He wants the shaking to stop and the scary people who he sees at night to go away.
o Anna and IDF (Israeli Defense Force, Israel’s army): safety, protection, and wisdom. Many of the residents of the border areas and soldiers experience 100 enemy assaults/attacks in just ONE week!
o Marita: date she is to return to Israel – where she is to live in the meantime.
o That children will stop running and will turn to God.
o Marriages to be healed.
o Corbin (Jim’s acquaintance): God will open his eyes to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior and that he will accept the word of God.
o Cynthia’s sister: recovering from a divorce.
o Cynthia and her sisters to meet godly men.
o Sons: return to the God of their parents/ of their youth; that their families be healed.
o A’s daughter in law: her heart would be drawn to her husband; that the Lord would place believers in her path.
o A’s Medicare situation to be straightened out – to his financial benefit. And for doctors to find the right solution to his health issues.
o Ruthie (Bev’s friend): heavy spiritual attack; that she is encouraged and resists.
o T (Les’a & Don’s friend & a man of God): that the Lord would bring him the perfect helpmate – to share his life and to be a partner in ministry.
o Families (all of our families): to be whole and walk in the ways of the Lord!
o CFS (we!): will have wisdom and tenacity to continue on to see victory!
