Day 4 of 10 Days of Prayer
Day 4 of 10 Days of Prayer
with Stefan Nichol, September 4, 2020
Reading from Mark 2: 1-12
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Great that people are willing to tear away/push through obstacles to get others to Jesus
Amazing that God sees our faith when we act
Think about some of the things that paralyze – not just injury but fear, doubt, anxiety, guilt, shame, lack of self-worth. There are so many things that keep people from coming into the presence of a loving God.
What about barriers – in this story from Mark the roof appears to be the biggest one, but many don’t have anyone to bring them to church, to introduce them to this Jesus that we gather to worship each week.
Throughout the day, I ask you to pray the following prayers:
Pray for the unchurched to be able to overcome any and all obstacles keeping them from Christ
Pray for Christians to begin tearing away the barriers that keep people from church
Pray for new & innovative ways to bring people into God’s presence (a full 10am service doesn’t have to be their first introduction – show them a clip from the pre-service show so they can see how God is moving in our community, if they have children put on some kids content, play them some music – our worship teams are incredible, and there’s 10 days of prayer, share your favourite one)
When we pray, things begin to change
When we pray, miracles begin to happen
Believe that our prayers will be answered
Believe that we
Will see people come to the realization that their sins have been forgiven, that we will see minds & bodies healed, the world around us left in awe – how can this be? We have never seen anything like this?
Good stuff … we command CHANGE … we rebuke all the barriers to the knowledge of Jesus … Covid goes and a revelation of the goodness and forgiveness of sins is manifest. God bless Impact Church … make the revelation of the Love and Grace of Jesus … Glory to God!!!
GET OUT THERE AND SHARE THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!
good word today Stefan! Let the church, the chosen and eternal vehicle that God is determined to use to demonstrate His goodness and manifold wisdom, arise and speak to walls of opposition and adverse circumstances – command the barriers to fall as in the days of Joshua! Let the people and the kingdom of God ADVANCE!
Praying anything that is paralyzing people and any roof or wall that gets in the way – gone in Jesus name! Praying for opportunities TODAY to share the goodness of God. So good! I feel a stirring of passion for people!
Amen! We tear down the obstacles that would stop lives from seeing the light of the Gospel!!
Thank you Stefan for this great message. I pray that our fellow believers will be bold and courageous and share the good news with others. Give us boldness Lord to share the good news and stand in the blessings of God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus and sitting in our rightful places as kings and priests with all its rights and privileges.
Thank you Jesus for helping us bring others to you. Thank you for all the many resources and tools at our disposal to help others hear you, and thank you for the boldness, tenacity, and willingness to “rip up roofs” to help people hear the words of your grace! Amen!
Obstacles are moving now!
In Jesus name..
Thank you Jesus for Miracles we’ve not yet seen and full services in Jesus name!!