Day 2 1

ABANDONED DEVOTION:

Creative Praise:

In response to the following Scripture, sing a song of praise to Jesus, draw Him a picture, or write Him a poem.  

Praise God for “the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33)

3-Stage Bible Study:  Read the Q—Analyze the Verse—Write Your Response

In heaven you will worship God singing Hallelujah (“praise the Lord”).  What will be the motivation for worshipping God in heaven?[i]

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia!  For the Lord god Omnipotent reigns!’” (Revelation 19:6)

Prayer Journal Questions: Listen to the Lord as you meditate on the following verses. 

What are sins that God is showing you that need to be confessed in your life and in your generation? 

“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)

What are ways you can pray for and pursue revival on your campus? 

“The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, You know.’” (Ezekiel 37:1-3)

 
 
GLOBAL PROCLAMATION:

Forgotten People Group: The Jews of the Middle East

Until 1948, Jews formed the largest non-Muslim minority in Iraq and Iran. The Jewish communities fared well over the centuries until Islam was declared the official religion. Since that time, they have been isolated and have experienced much discrimination and persecution. Sometimes they were forced to "convert" to Islam. With the formation of the Israeli nation in 1948 and the Iranian Revolution in 1979, large numbers of Jews have left Iraq and Iran. The few who remain continue to suffer from an anti-Semitic atmosphere.

What are their beliefs?
Rabbinical Judaism is the dominant religion of Jews in this region, and the officially recognized institutions are Orthodox. Rabbinical Judaism replaced the temple with the synagogue, the priesthood with the rabbi, and the sacrificial ceremony with the prayer service. Emphasis was placed on study of the Torah (Hebrew name for the first five books of the Bible), the growing need for national restoration in the Promised land, and the function of this world as preparatory for the world to come. However, approximately two-thirds to three-fourths of the Israeli Jews are non-observant. Jews who consider themselves to be religious can be simply divided into the Orthodox (traditionalists) who adhere to the traditional beliefs and practices, and the Moderns, who may hold to traditional beliefs, but no longer strictly observe the practices. The holy places are maintained by the state and the religious councils and rabbis are state employees.

What are their needs?
The Jews have a wonderful understanding of their connection with the Abrahamic covenant. However, they also have a history of rejection of Jesus Christ as Messiah, the one who has fulfilled that covenant.

Throughout their history, the Jews have been discriminated against and persecuted. They need to experience emotional healing and forgiveness. Pray that as the Gospel is shared with them, it will not be viewed as anti-Semitic, but rather as the fulfillment of what God promised humanity through Abraham centuries ago. Also pray for a spiritual hunger among the Jews who view their "Jewishness" as an ethnic identity and have no religious affiliation.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth loving Christians to work among the Jews of Israel and Iran.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agencies that are targeting the Middle Eastern Jews.
• Pray that as Jewish people watch the Jesus film, they will understand that He is the long awaited Messiah.
• Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of the Jews towards Christians so that they might hear and receive the message of salvation.
• Pray that the Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to the Jews through dreams and visions.
• Pray that God will grant Jewish believers favor as they share their faith in Christ with their own people.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Jews bound.
• Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Middle Eastern Jews by the year 2010.

Promise from Scripture:

“Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth; both young men and maidens; old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints – of the children of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 148:11-14

Generational Barrier:

Becoming Bondservants – In the scripture a bondservant is one who has given up his rights, his opinions, his desires, has become dead to this world, and is a slave of his master. When we are dead to the world there is nothing the world can do to hurt us, to offend us, to cause us to fear, or be upset when he loses possessions. The apostles considered themselves bondservants of Christ. Pray for the emerging generation to give themselves as bondservants unto the Lord to use as He pleases for His own great glory and honor. (James 1:1; Romans 1:1; Ephesians 6:5-9)

Prayer Journaling Response:

Take a few moments to record thoughts, prayers, and any insight. Also, it is often helpful to record how the Lord led in prayer – Scriptures, mental pictures, or a word or thought. Practice not only praying but also listening to the Lord. As we understand how the Lord is leading us, we can more quickly tune into the Lord’s voice when we have major decisions facing us or in times when the Lord feels far from us.

Back to Prayer Guide