PRAYER
GUIDE
SEPTEMBER
2024
"Prepare Ye The Way"
1
PRAY
THAT WE WILL HAVE A HIGH EXPECTANCY OF JESUS' RETURN,
AND THAT IT WILL ENCOURAGE ALL OF US TO REACH MORE SOULS FOR CHRIST
2
PRAY
FOR OUR WIN DEPARTMENT,
WITNESS TEAM, AND
ONE HIS LIFE MISSIONS
TO HAVE INTENTIONAL STRATEGIC MOVES ON HOW TO ENGAGE THE UNSAVED AND UNREACHED PEOPLE PREPARING ALL TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
LORD JESUS CHRIST
3
PRAY
FOR HIS LIFE MINISTRIES PASTORS, TRIBE GROUP, AND LIFE GROUP LEADERS TO BE ENCOURAGERS, EQUIPPERS AND EMPOWERERS OF PEOPLE THEY DISCIPLE
4
PRAY
FOR THE SPIRIT OF SERVANTHOOD
AND CHRIST-LIKENESS TO BE IN US AND MANIFESTED THROUGH ALL OF US
5
PRAY
THAT THE HOPE WE HAVE IN JESUS WILL CONTINUE TO FUEL OUR SPIRITS TO DO THE TASK AND RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN TO US BY GOD
6
PRAY
FOR OUR SEPTEMBER 22 JULIUS HALL UNITED GIVING COLLECTION
7
PRAY
THAT HIS LIFE MINISTRIES WILL BE A SANCTUARY OF GOD'S GOODNESS, MERCY AND GRACE
PREPARE THE WAY
His Life Ministries
September 2024 Series
Main text:
Isaiah 40:3-5 NJKV
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
"Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
SERIES OVERVIEW
Humanity has been dramatically affected by the harmful effects of sin when it entered the world. Primarily, it affects people's understanding of God's nature. Personally, it affects how we view ourselves and others. Throughout our existence, we have seen, and experienced, sin's devastating effect.
Broken relationship. Damaged reputation. Hatred and resentment. Lives wasted. And the list continues.
And when we come to our senses and realize our shortcomings, mistakes, and blunders, not only do we long to correct our mistakes, but deep within, we ask if restoration is possible. And if it is possible, what is the way towards restoration?
And such is the essence of our September series, PREPARE THE WAY, based on Isaiah 40:3-5. This section of Isaiah's prophecy is often called the Book of Consolation. God provides a comforting promise of hope for the brokenhearted people of God that they would return to Jerusalem. After the judgments in chapters 1–39, God's message to his people is comfort and blessing. From here, we can learn the following lessons:
(1) God never gives up on us, no matter how bad the things we have done.
(2) The punishments will end, and God will restore us to a loving relationship with himself.
(3) To join him in a relationship means to clear out the (4) obstacles in our life: sin, pride, addiction, hypocrisy, greed.
(4) When those obstacles are dealt with, we are free to become the people God wants us to be.
Therefore, the series aims to educate people on the importance of personal repentance as an essential factor in experiencing restoration. Also, it seeks to remind every believer of their respective part in the RESTORATIVE work of the Lord; for comfort to be received, it needs a voice to serve as the herald of Good News.
Weekly Titles | Synopsis
Emphasis
September 01, 2024
Week Kick Off | Birthday Sunday
Title:
PREPARE THE WAY:
Preparing for Restoration
Verse:
Isaiah 40:3a
The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
"Prepare the way of the Lord;
Beginning with Chapter 40, Isaiah prophecies Jacob/Israel's return from captivity and deals primarily with comfort, peace, the Messiah's advent, and His future reign.
In verse 2, the prophet's message was to encourage Jerusalem with the good news of His forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration.
From here, we can learn that periods of fresh start come to us after great crises. They cause us to realize the need to reevaluate our priorities. And so, as we look forward and prepare for the restoration to take place, we must:
1. Regularly examine your heart and motives. Are there areas where you need to repent or turn back to God?
2. Reflect on your thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
3. Request (Spend time in prayer) to ask God to reveal any hindrances or obstacles in your life. Seek His forgiveness and guidance.
September 08, 2024
Week One | Communion Sunday
Title:
PREPARE FOR AN UNHINDERED CONNECTION TO GOD
Verse:
Isaiah 40:3b
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
The idea is that the LORD is coming to His people as a triumphant King with the road prepared before Him so He can travel in glory and ease. The text is not only about the return of the Exiles but also, on a more profound note, the return of God to the promised to restore His people. Moreover, the imagery of making straight paths signifies removing obstacles and hindrances. - It encourages us to remove anything that obstructs our relationship with God. Also, straight paths stand for a direct and unhindered connection to God. Hence, God's presence is the most important thing to be restored to the people when they are restored from their sins.
And so, to have unhindered connection to God, one must must involve some sort of spiritual discipline, such as prayer and the reading of scripture—such as proper worship and pure lives.
September 15, 2024
Week Two | Lifegroup Sunday
Title:
PREPARE TO REMOVE OBSTACLES
Verse:
Isaiah 40:4a
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The wilderness and desert represent the barren waste of Babylon where God's people lived, complete with obstacles and impediments to overcome, and through which He would come to them with refreshment, as He did formerly at Mount Sinai. And these hills and valleys are poetic metaphors for the spiritual obstacles that have stood in the way of God's return to these exiles.
And since the Lord desires restore us, we must clear out the obstacles in our lives. Only when those obstacles are removed can we be free to become the people God wants us to be.
Week Three | Facility Sunday
Title:
PREPARE FOR UPRIGHT LIVING
Verse:
Isaiah 40:4b
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
This is another way of expressing the same thought—that the people must smooth out the uneven ground and the rough places in their lives in preparation for the Lord's coming. The crooked places being made straight refers to living a life of integrity, which practically means being honest and upright in your dealings. Meanwhile, smoothing rough places can mean softening harsh attitudes or behaviors and promoting peace and reconciliation.
The restoration of the Lord offers forgiveness, a fresh start, and a blessing to live right. And so, as we have experienced His restorative work and power, we must prepare for upright living by being deliberate that we will no longer accept what contradicts the Ways of the Lord. Understand that sinful choices (which always result in much pain) are made because of rough places that are not yet made smooth.
September 30, 2024
Week Four | Mission Sunday
Title:
PREPARE TO BE HIS VOICE
Verse:
Isaiah 40:3-5
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
"Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Though the hearer of God's words is not specified here, it is best to see them as being directed to the prophet Isaiah, who was commanded to bring words of comfort rather than judgment to God's people. And this gives us an important lesson and reminder: for comfort to be received, a voice must serve as Good News's herald.
Therefore, we have to get ready and prepare to be His voice. A lot is living without hope and looking for comfort. Others are living a pretentious life. Some are confused and lost and can't find a way to repent and restore. The world needs to hear God's comforting words that no matter how the present appears, He is working to free people. For when someone receives forgiveness and salvation and is restored, the glory of the Lord is revealed! The question is, will you participate in what the Lord is doing in the world?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. NIV LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE
2. JOHN MC ARTHUR’S STUDY BIBLE
3. CSB RESTORATION BIBLE
4. sermonwriter.com
5. Dr. Constable Study Bible
6. Wiersbe Study Bible
7. Bible.org
8. NIV Biblical Theology Bible
9. Thoughts and ideas from Ptr Manny Salvacruz
10. Got questions.org
------------
Additional Notes:
Insights:
Shared by Pastor Manny Salvacruz.
to Bishop Ranty Camponion
SEPTEMBER SERIES OIC
with Collaborative Team
(Pastor Anthony Ibanez Bishop Glenn Arellano Pastor Christian Mangubat).
1
The Wilderness and the Desert:
- The wilderness and desert represent places of barrenness, isolation, and spiritual dryness. - In this context, they symbolize the spiritual condition of humanity—estranged from God and in need of redemption.
2
Preparing the Way:
- The voice mentioned here refers to John the Baptist, who fulfilled this prophecy by preparing the way for Jesus. - John’s message was one of repentance and turning back to God. He called people to prepare their hearts for the arrival of the Lord.
3
Making Straight Paths:
- The imagery of making straight paths signifies removing obstacles and hindrances. - It encourages us to remove anything that obstructs our relationship with God. - Straight paths also stand for a direct and unhindered connection to God.
4.
The Arrival of the Lord:
- The verse expects the coming of Jesus Christ—the Lord and Savior. - John’s ministry paved the way for Jesus’ earthly ministry, teaching, and sacrifice.
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