MONDAY - November 2

Read. Isaiah 9:1-7
Nonetheless, those who were in distress won’t be exhausted. At an earlier time, God cursed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but later he glorified the way of the sea, the far side of the Jordan, and the Galilee of the nations.[b]
2 [c] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
    On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
3 You have made the nation great;
    you have increased its joy.
They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest,
    as those who divide plunder rejoice.
4 As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them,
    the staff on their shoulders,
    and the rod of their oppressor.
5 Because every boot of the thundering warriors,
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned, fuel for the fire.
6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
    and authority will be on his shoulders.
    He will be named
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be vast authority and endless peace
    for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
    establishing and sustaining it
    with justice and righteousness
    now and forever.
Reflect. This passage is often read near Christmas and serves as an announcement of the Birth of Jesus. Isaiah says that those who were in distress won’t be exhausted. What does it feel like to be exhausted in your distress? 

• The reason that you will not be exhausted is because a child is born. The reason that you have hope is because Jesus came to bring you how. How does Jesus bring hope in your distress?
• In response to the pain in our community and world, this week will focus on prayer. You are invited to pray, daily, the PRAY model of prayer. 

Pray.

• P — Pause. At the beginning of the time of prayer take a moment to pause. Focus on your breath; focus on God being present with you in this time. Maybe even say a brief breath prayer as you are breathing, such as “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”
• R — Rejoice. Now move into worship and praise of God. When you pray, take time to rejoice and express thankfulness to God. At this point, you can say thank you to God for something in your life; or you can praise God for God’s character as they did in Acts. 
• A — Ask. Even though God knows what you need, God still wants you to ask. So take time to name your needs and desires to God. 
• Y — Yield. In this concluding moment in prayer, you place yourself in a posture to yield to God’s Spirit. Prayer is more than just asking God for stuff, we also are being shaped by God in prayer, therefore it is important to say “yes” to God’s spirit and to yield.

​COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug Lawson. Collier. Glenn Ethridge. Adam Funderburk.  Mary Reber.  Linda Harmon. Betty Carolyn Ward. Albert Rasanke. Lois Robinson. Ross Henley. Tiny & Donald Creasman. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeff Green. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr family. Smith family. Crowder family. Lillard family. Family of Floyd Eaton. Family of Eddie Rynes. Robertson Family. Harmon Family. Nancy Ryan & family. Bobby Roberts. Elizabeth May & family. Melvin Rinehart. Susan Rogers. Brandon Haugh. Barbara Buchanan & family. Harold Cordell. Debbie Arrowwood.