Open for Business
Posted by tom | Dec 19, 2006Pray for us as we prepare to lead (and engage in leading) a prayer team for participants in Urbana's Open For Business Track (OFB):
a specialized track for those who have a passion or growing interest in business and global missions. It will build, mobilize, and equip a multi-generational network of business practitioners who seek to harness the potential of business to contribute to the global advance of God's kingdom around the world.
Theresa and I will be praying for track leaders/presenters and those which are in need of prayer during the track time (dark blue sections of the schedule of the conference which runs from December 27-31). Pray for strength, stamina and focus as we lead one of the prayer teams. Pray us not to be distracted by leaving Hayley, Ellen, and Eden in the care of Grandma/Grandpa Ginder. Pray for both sets of grandparents to have the strenght, stamina and focus in their time with the girls while we're away. Pray for us to be ready to jump back into family life when we return. Track specific requests are below.
Day of Prayer & Fasting for Urbana
Open For Business
v Picks up at end of guide: Pray for your own ministry and that of your teams
Lift up you heads, ye mighty gates,
Behold, the King of glory waits:
The King of kings is drawing near;
The Savior of the world is here!
Fling side the portals of your heart;
Make it a temple, set apart
From earthly use for heaven’s employ,
Adorned with prayer
And love, and joy.
Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to Thee:
Here, Lord, abide.
Let me Thy inner presence feel:
Thy grace & love in me reveal.
- Delegates:
Pray that OfB delegates would experience God in a powerful way during the Conference (and that the trajectory of lives would change). Note: 910 registered, and we are still praying for 1,000. 20,099 total completed registrations for the whole convention.
Deepen the theology of business for delegates.
Be equipped with the latest business-as mission strategies.
Network with hundreds of people who draw experience from around the world.
That God would weave the content of OfB with the rest of Urbana for a seamless experience.
We have over 900 registered; it would be great to have 1,000.
- Speakers
Many of the presenters are trying to finish up their talks or seminars – pray that they will have time, energy, and focus to finish the work.
Several speakers have asked for prayer for clarity, wanting to connect well in the time allotted, and to get their ideas communicated well.
Pray for a good Christmas with family and friends, then for safe travel. Pray for their families and for concerns of families that remain at home.
- Worship , Prayer, Bible Study, Quiet Time
All be fed from the word, and be ready to hear from God.
God would take joy in our worship.
Use prayer times to help delegates connect head and heart – hearing God.
- Service For the Kingdom – Our Great Operations Team
Pray for last minute administrative details, particularly as we communicate with speakers and other program staff.
Pray that Jon, Jimmy, JT, our speakers, etc., will stay healthy.
Pray for our working relationship with the larger Urbana Operations Team.
Pray that we would maintain a joyful spirit amidst the demands.
Pray for protection of Jon, Jimmy and JT - they have put in and continue to put in lots of hours. Ask for God to surround and care for them.
- Staff
Pray that God would be preparing us to use our gifts for Him at Urbana.
Pray that we would come open to what God has for us.
Pray for your jobs.
- Last, but not least
Pray for the intercessors who will continue to pray while we work, that is their work!
Thank God, that we have such good work to do today! May He receive the glory!
Thoughts on Prayer:
"Prayer does not relieve all suffering, but it assures us that no difficulty comes without a purpose. When we pray "in Jesus' name", we have God's assurance the He will answer our prayer in a way that brings glory to Jesus and furthers His kingdom. When the Lord said of the apostle Paul, "He must suffer for my name," the Savior was not intending to ignore the apostle's prayers but was promising to use them beyond Paul's imagining (Acts 9:16). The difficulties Paul would have been crazy to want, God used to glorify the name of Jesus throughout the world-- precisely Paul's deepest prayer whenever he petitioned "in Jesus' name."
Posted by Miller Peck, Jan 9 2007, 11:17The godliest and most prayerful people know from experience the meaning of disappointment, grief, failure, rejection, betrayal, incapacity, and illness. In this fallen world you cannot avoid suffering; you can have peace in the midst of it. You cannot avoid trials; you can have confidence of their purpose. You cannot bind God by your prayers; you can guarantee His blessing. You cannot direct the will of God; you can pray according to His will and rest in the assurance of His love. You can pray knowing that God will marshal the powers of heaven to accomplish on earth all He knows is best for your eternity. Praying in Jesus' name is the key.
Through Jesus we pray without the limitations of our wisdom or faith. We seek the favor of the heavenly Father represented by the Son He loves. We approach the throne of grace without the burden of our sin and with the righteousness of our Savior. We ask for His blessing based on God's wisdom, not ours. We trust in His faithfulness, not in the adequacy of our faith. We petition God with confidence that earth and eternity will bend to His will on our behalf. All of these assurances are ours as we pray in Jesus' name."
Bryan Chapell's book, "Praying Backwards"