2nd Annual "S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 Days of Prayer" is coming!
I can barely remember those feelings of despair… but I know they were there… but I smile now as I think about what God’s done in the past year… and it’s really amazing to me that while I was losing everything a year ago, I’m packing to move (again) into a new and bigger place that God has truly blessed us with (again). Through all the changes, one thing hasn’t… the need to cover my husband in prayer…
Showing our husbands how much we love them can also come in ways they may not see or even be aware of…
Covering your husband in prayer is so important, and regardless of where your marriage is right now (great, okay, or falling apart)… this event is to simply make sure that your man is being prayed for every day for a month… regardless of how YOU feel. (And might I add, that if things are really bad, that this is a great time to do this! When my marriage was falling apart years ago, and my husband and I were ready to divorce, I came across this book, and it not only changed my marriage… but it changed me as well!)
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: “The Power of a Praying Wife” by Stormie OMartian. (You can use the “older” version as well.
WHAT YOU’LL DO: Read a chapter a day, which includes a prayer. (Even if you’ve read this book before, you can just do the prayers and skip the reading… the point is for you to PRAY!)
FYI: I will be sending out some messages through facebook… To stay updated, join SHMILY Time on facebook! (We are in the process of moving so I may not be online each day, but I WILL be praying…) You can also leave links to your blog post for each day (that pertains to the topic). Please spread the word to others and join the event! Click the following link to sign up through facebook and see how many women are joining… S.H.M.I.L.Y. for 30 days of prayer…
THE POINT: To get wives praying for their husbands… that’s it! Doesn’t matter what the background, denomination of faith (or lack there of), or current state your life is in… Let’s get those hubbies covered in prayer and stand back and expect great things to happen to them, our marriages, and even ourselves as we petition God on their behalf!
SPECIAL NOTE: We’ve had not only married women sign up for this event, but also women separated praying for reconciliation, and divorced, widowed and single women wanting to pray for their husband to be!
To read more about what S.H.M.I.L.Y. is, click the following link: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/shmilytime/154663/
MOVIE MONDAY (uh… Tuesday)…
Day 9: people that need the mailers
Dear Heavenly Father, The mailers have went out and people are talking… but Lord, You know who needs to be at the service on Sunday, and so I pray for You to get those mailers into those hands again… whether it be the people who have already seen them, or someone new. Bring it to their attention again… have someone mention it… do whatever it takes Lord to get the people there.Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen._________________________________________________________
Day 8: My husband
Dear Heavenly Father, There is so much going on in our life right now… but we know that nothing comes as a surprise to You… and that You are still in control in the midst of our chaos. I’m amazed at the road we’ve walked together to bring us here. I never would have imagined us to be where we’re at… and yet, I can’t imagine us being anywhere else now. Today I pray for the man You blessed me to share life with and pray for You to protect his health and his mind this week as he continues to prepare for this Sunday. There is so much going on and he’s so excited for what You’re going to do for Easter! Guard his heart Lord… I pray that others will see his passion for You and be moved closer to You because of it.Be with Him Lord… and guide him as He follows You…
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen._________________________________________________________
Day 7: childrens' programming
Dear Heavenly Father, Kids are such a crucial part of the church… they are the future and how they feel about church will determine how they choose to live… Lord, I pray that You will guide me as I prepare for the Easter service with the kids. It’s not as I would have had it be now that room we’ll be in isn’t as we’d originally planned. Please help me to adjust and make it great and fun!Lord, I also pray for You to supply all the needs for the kids’ programming in the future as well. There are many hands needed to make it a success and we know that You will provide everyone, not only to help, but also the money to buy items as well.
We have big plans for the kids Lord, and can’t wait for them to eXperience Your love in a BIG way!
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen._________________________________________________________
Day 6: equipment
Dear Heavenly Father, Please bring us all the things we need for the Easter service, as well as long term. We are so thankful for all the things we’re able to borrow, but running back and forth is difficult and we know we can’t continue to do that, but we trust You to supply our needs.Please bring us all the sound, lighting, computers, storage… just everything that is needed. There is so much in the details… and we’re so excited to see what You will do!
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen._________________________________________________________
Day 5: tehnical details
Dear Heavenly Father, We know that You are the reason behind each and every part of the service… and in addition to that, we’re trying to come to people in a way that captures their attention… is different… relevant… and fun. So today, I come to You asking that You guide those who will be taking care of the sound, lighting and power point at our service on Easter. Be with Patrick and Chris as they set everything up and I pray for it to run smoothly both in rehearsal (with the band) and during the service as well. Be with Nik as he runs powerpoint, and may that run without a hitch. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t even notice until it goes badly. Be with all of the details Lord. May it cause others to take notice and desire more so they will learn more about You.
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Join us in praying for eXperience church’s Easter service! To learn more about eXperience church, you can visit our website at www.eXperiencethechurch.com.
Day 4: the city
Dear Heavenly Father, We prayed for over a year for the city You wanted us to plant a church in. It was so hard to wait… to continually tell others when they would ask where we were going, "we don’t know yet…" but we trusted in Your timing and You opened the doors to Detroit Lakes, MN.And so, we moved our family from the place we’d always known… to a place completely unfamiliar where we knew one couple… two people… that was it. And again, we trusted You… and we held an "event" in January and sent out mailers to the city of Detroit Lakes… and from that event, people began to talk… and a group formed willing to help with an Easter service… the service we’re praying specifically for 14 days…
It’s hard moving to a place where you know no one… but Lord, we know that You have big plans for this city. We know that there are so many who don’t go to church, for one reason or another… and we know that You have called us here to be something to those who aren’t "connected"…
We’re so excited to see what You’re going to do in this city…
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Join us in praying for eXperience church’s Easter service! To learn more about eXperience church, you can visit our website at www.eXperiencethechurch.com.
Day 3: the place
Dear Heavenly Father, We know that the church is not about the building… but about the people within the body of Christ… and we know that group of people can meet anywhere. With that being said, I come to You asking for a space for eXperience church to meet. We want to have a place where people can feel comfortable… that looks different than what they’d expect… and that’s big enough for the dream You’ve placed on not only Mike and I, but our children as well. They are dreaming big for this church too… and with every space we look at, they say "it’s not big enough"…Lord, where ever it is that we’re suppose to have… help us to find that space/building so we can begin to meet and grow… You called this family to a place that was unknown… and we have followed, trusting You to provide. We know Your timing is perfect… and we know the place to show others about You will be as well.
I pray for all the pieces to fall into place… bring the financial parts together Lord. I pray for people to see what’s happening and believe in our mission to reach those who aren’t going to church… whether they don’t believe, don’t "fit", or don’t care…
I think of our story every time I hear, "If you build it, they will come…" and I pray this to be true of eXperience church. Show us the place…
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen._________________________________________________________
Day 2: the musicians
Dear Heavenly Father, There are so many aspects to a church service… but it the music that Mike and I noticed when we walked into the church for the first time after so many years… It was different than we’d expected and we "related" to it… among other things, it really was one of the things that kept us coming back…Now, I know that church is not about the music Lord… just like it’s not about the lights, the seating, or what color the walls are… but I also know that when people walk into the doors for the first time with a critical eye… they are looking at everything… including the music.
So today, I pray specifically for Aaron who will be leading our worship team. He has many things on his plate right now, and I ask that You would be with him and clear his path. Be with the entire worship team as they practice over the next week and a half. Fill their hearts as they sing to You Lord. Be with them as they travel here for the Easter service, as they’re all coming from Brainerd. Watch over their families as well and keep everyone healthy.
Lord, may the music touch the hearts of the people who come to the service… speak to them through song and break down any walls of bitterness, hurt, anger, and loneliness.
Use us Lord…
In Jesus’ name,
Amen._________________________________________________________