SCRIPTURE. REFLECTION. PRAYER FOR OUR CITY.
Let’s pray
for Memphis.
join us in lifting up the city we love, block by block.
THE PRAYER JOURNAL
Prayers for Memphis
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Merry Christmas
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to…
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2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. – Luke 2:1-21
Father God, may we remember you this Christmas season. Bless the homes of all Your children with grace and warmth. We thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us and Memphis. We pray for the Holy Spirit to visit our houses tonight and each night. May we seek You first as we remember these glorious days. Amen.
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Memphis Warriors
“David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul,[a] gathered to him. And he became commander over…
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“David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul,[a] gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.” 1 Samuel 22 1-2
David Vincent will tell you he was arrested at a young age. He’ll also tell you about his jailhouse confession and submission to the Lord. He then will talk about how God saved him and led him to work with men and women who need help.
Today, The Warriors Center brings order to the chaos in lives of men and women.
From their website: Warriors Center offers a faith based long term residential program for men, women & veterans needing support for issues related to homelessness, substance abuse and other life controlling problems.
The Warriors Center encourages faith and recovery to walk hand in hand. Years of abusing drugs or alcohol can destroy not only our physical health, but also our emotional and spiritual health as well. Our long-term program is a one-year residential program that offers the tools and the time necessary to restore our emotional wellbeing.
Lord, we lift up The Warriors Center to you. We ask that you bless the work being done by David and his mighty men and women. Lord, they are Your light in the darkness, showing the redeeming power of your love. Expand their footprint and impact. Keep them focused on the mission of serving You. Protect them from the lies of the adversary as they work to break the bonds of those he’s captured.
Lord, bring funds needed to repair the new women and children housing facility on Walnut Grove. Bless the new men’s facility opening in Frayser. Open doors to new partnerships for the participants. Surround and protect the sober living homes. Lord, build up a community around them that will encourage and sustain their work.
We know the work You have done in the lives of these warriors. Make it known to others. In Christ’s name, amen.
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CMDA Memphis – Preparing Hearts for Healing Work
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor heigh, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV). The above verse leads into the…
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“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor heigh, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).
The above verse leads into the the devotional “Bookend Stories” on the National Christian Medical and Dental Association website. I had the opportunity to attend the local Memphis chapter’s banquet recently and loved hearing about the impact of the organization and God’s work over the course of decades through this ministry.
The Christian Medical and Dental Association works on medical school campuses to spread the Word and encourage those going into the medical field. Their mission statement is listed below.
OUR MISSION
To make God’s name and glory great among the nations and advance God’s kingdom throughout the earth.
To reach and equip students at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to be lifetime disciple makers and use their skills and training for God’s purposes and Kingdom.
To encourage and mobilize medical, dental, and other health professionals to serve the Lord both locally and throughout the world.
…
These students join Bible studies and go on medical mission trips. They use the skills and knowledge they learn to bring healing and hope to others. For some people, this is where they found community in those stressful days. For others, this is where they met Jesus.
Lord, tonight we lift up the Memphis CMDA chapter and the work Chris Sturdivant and others, like Dr. Jeff Harris, are doing. We pray that these men and women going into the medical field know You and Your love and power. Lord, may they see their patients like Jesus looked upon the lost, with eyes and heart full of compassion and love. Bless them in their work, that they may help heal bodies and hearts. May they bless others with the gifts You have blessed them.
Raise up support and open homes for the men and women seeking Jesus on these campuses. May they be surrounded by fellow believers who will walk alongside them. Lord, encourage current and retired doctors to support the next generation.
Lord, when we pray, we often pray for miracles that culminate in a life or death situation. May Your power manifest and Your spirit guide these medical professionals in their cases. Show them how You can use them for Your kingdom. Keep the adversary away from them, that they not get lost in self-importance or monetary rewards. Keep the doors open to the work of this organization in a world that wants to separate God and science, when all science does is reveal Your creation.
We ask all these things in Your name, Amen.
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Psalm 91
Psalm 91 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his…
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Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.” -
Honest Measures
35 “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. 36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah[d] and an honest hin.[e] I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:35-36 My father-in-law signed up to be a poll worker this year. He’s a pleasant, older gentleman doing…
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35 “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. 36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah[d] and an honest hin.[e] I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:35-36
My father-in-law signed up to be a poll worker this year. He’s a pleasant, older gentleman doing a civic duty and participating in the fundamentals of our republic. I’m thankful for him and the many other poll workers who have shown up all year during election seasons to make sure the voters and ballots are both eligible.
Each election seems nastier than the last. In retrospect, they probably aren’t, we just choose to forget. It’s humans on the ballots and humans casting votes. All are flawed.
Lord, thank you for the work of the Shelby County Election Commission. May their work be unbiased and unblemished. May they have calm heads and warm hearts if faced with adversity tomorrow. We pray that they enjoy their work in a peaceful environment and are able to work without interruption. We pray that across America.
We lift up the election, locally, and nationally to You. May Your peace be on our nation. May the fears of the worst reactions be allayed and replaced with the reality of peaceful acceptance. Lord, speak into our hearts, that we may trust You with the outcome of a much greater choice, repenting and turning to Jesus. In doing so, and in reaching all the nations, elections won’t be necessary because Jesus will reign.
Lord, for today and tomorrow, we aren’t there yet. We thank you for those willing to go through the difficult candidate process. We pray for their protection and safety. We pray for Your wisdom to be on their hearts. Watch over our towns and communities. Bless our leaders with a council of Kingdom-led advisors. In Christ’s name, Amen.