How Jesus Takes Care of His People
Mar 29, 2020 | by Mike Prah
PRAYER POINTS & MESSAGE NOTES
1. TODAY’S PRAYER POINTS BY MIKE PRAH
Begin with praising the name of the Lord. God instructs us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise.
Today’s prayer is focused on the prophet Isaiah’s prayer from Isaiah 33.
“2 Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. 6 You are the foundation on which we stand today. You always protect us and give true wisdom and knowledge. Nothing means more to us than obeying You. 22 For the Lord is our judge, our ruler, and our king. He will care for us and save us. 24 The Lord will forgive your sins, and none of you will say, “I feel sick.” (Isaiah 33:2,6,22,24, NLT+CEV+GN)
Pray these prayer points over your life by faith from the above Scripture.
1. PRAY FOR GOD’S GRACE
“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you” (vs. 2a)
Pray specifically for:
(i). Saving grace
(ii). Restoring grace
(iii). Sustaining grace
(iv). Covering grace
2. PRAY FOR GOD’S STRENGTH IN EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE
“Lord … be our strength every morning … be our our salvation in time of distress. You are the foundation on which we stand today” (vs.2b, 6a)
Specifically, ask God for physical strength, mental strength, emotional strength, financial strength, relationship strength, vocational strength.
3. PRAY FOR WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE. ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO & GIVE YOU THE DESIRE &THE POWER TO ACTUALLY DO IT
“Lord … You always … give true wisdom and knowledge” (vs.6c)
4. PRAY FOR A HEART OF OBEDIENCE & FAITHFULNESS TO GOD
“Lord … nothing means more to us than obeying You (vs.6d)
5. ASK GOD TO RELEASE YOU FROM EVERY INJUSTICE OR OPPOSITION AND ASK HIM TO COMPLETELY MANAGE YOUR LIFE
“For the Lord is our judge, our ruler, and our king. He will care for us” (vs.22)
6. PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS & HEALING
“The Lord will forgive your sins, and none of you will say, “I feel sick.”” (vs.24)
7. PRAY FOR GOD’S PROTECTION & DELIVERANCE
“Lord … You always protect us” (vs.6b)
8. PRAY FOR THE CHURCH, YOUR FAMILY, LOVED ONES & GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Jesus said: "I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it" (Matthew 16:18, NLT)
I will pour out my Spirit into your children and my blessing on your descendants. Your children will grow like a tree ... beside streams of water." Isaiah 44:3-4 (NCV)
"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior" (1 Timothy 2:1-3, NIV)
9. PERSONAL PRAYER REQUESTS, INTERCESSION & THANKSGIVING
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
(i). Present your specific personal prayer requests to God
(ii). Close with thanksgiving for all God has done.
HOW JESUS TAKES CARE OF HIS PEOPLE
Pastor Mike Prah
March 29, 2020
PSALM 23
“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I have everything I need. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me! Your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepare a banquet for me in front of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, and my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”
WHAT’S A ROD & A STAFF?
- A rod is a tool for PROTECTING, which represents POWER & AUTHORITY
- A STAFF is a tool for GUIDING, which represents CARE & COMPASSION
“Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep.” Hebrews 13:20b (NIV)
Jesus: “I came so that my sheep will have life and everything they need. I am the good shepherd! The good shepherd gives His life for His sheep.” John 10:10b-11 (GW)
How Does Jesus TAKE CARE OF His Sheep?
1. JESUS SHOWS ME COMPASSION, IF I BRING HIM MY HURTS
"When Jesus saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (BSB)
“For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (LB)
2. JESUS LEADS ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, IF I CHOOSE TO FOLLOW HIM
“[The Good Shepherd] leads me in the right paths for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3b (NRSV)
Jesus: “(The Good Shepherd) walks ahead of the sheep; and they follow Him, for they recognize His voice.” John 10:4 (LB)
“Lord, Your constant love is my guide; your faithfulness always leads me.” Psalm 26:3 (GN)
3. JESUS RESCUES & RECOVERS ME, IF I FAIL OR FALL
Jesus said, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not rescue it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!” Matthew 12:11-12a (NIV)
“You never need to be afraid of sudden disaster or hidden troubles that ensnare the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep you safe and keep your foot from getting caught in a trap.” Proverbs 3:25-26 (NLT)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and NO ONE can steal them out of My hand. My Father gave my sheep to Me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29 (NCV)
“NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)