As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
 
The best way I have found to enrich my prayer life is to draw ingredients for prayer from whatever Scripture I am studying.  For example, this summer when I studied Ezekiel 36:22 …

          Thus says the LORD GOD, “It is not for your  
          sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to
          act, but for My holy name, which you have
          profaned among the nations where you went.”

… I prayed, Lord, examine me.  Can I accept that You act for the sake of Your name instead of for my sake?  Do I value Your name and reputation above my own desires?  When you pray God’s word back to Him, you can be sure it is not returning empty.  It will have entered your heart, not just your head, and accomplished change in your life.
 
Here are some suggested prayer topics this week:
 
1.  What portion of Scripture are you reading or studying this week?  Try turning it into a prayer.
 
2.  Wes Porter suffered a major heart attack last week.  One of the major arteries to his heart was 100% blocked.  To quote Wes’ wife, Paula, “Praise our Lord and Savior because He has given Wes more days on earth.”  Pray for Wes and the whole Porter family as he recovers.
 
3.  Join Marcus Greene in thanking God that the surgeon was able to remove the tumor with good margins while leaving much of the kidney intact.  Pray for a fast and full recovery for Marcus.  John Gilbert, my husband, was readmitted to a hospital by his cardiologist last Friday to address some post-op issues.  Please continue to pray for him.
 
4.  Please pray for Darlene Young.  She is hospitalized, fighting pneumonia and MRSA with lungs already compromised by chronic pulmonary disease.  She had surgery for bladder cancer only weeks ago.  Ask the Lord to strengthen and encourage Darlene.
 
5.  Jim and Lynette Hatcher ask for prayer for three couples who are in the process of joining them as GEM missionaries in Austria.  Lift up these future missionaries as they navigate the hurdles of funding, visas, and uprooting children.  The Hatchers also report that they have settled their income tax issue in Austria and paid a large tax bill but now face the possibility that they will be required to pay into the Austrian Social Security system.  Jim writes, “The impact of an unfavorable decision on ourselves, our GEM team, and future ministry here could be extremely serious.”
 
6.  Next week, our pastors will start a sermon series called “Under the Hood.”  It is intended as an obedience checkup for us as a church body and as individuals in several key areas.  Pray that we will all engage with open and honest hearts.
 
7.  Thank God for your friends – the ones who stick by you, encourage you, and give you a kick in the pants when you need it.  Picture them and name them before the Lord as you give thanks.  Ask Him how you can be a better friend to them.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea