Sovereign Lord

There he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. (Isaiah 25:7-8a NLT)

Today's praise:

• Praise our Sovereign Lord for the hope that is ours because he does what he says he can do.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for Emmanuel College in 2017 to be liberated from debt and its cloud of doom and gloom.
• Pray for the shadow of death to disappear in the bright light of our Savior who surrounds us with his love and provision.
• Pray for tears of sorrow and disappointment to be no more as we see his promises fulfilled before our eyes.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Salvation

But I will sing praises to you; I will offer you a sacrifice and do what I have promised. Salvation comes from the Lord. (Jonah 2:9 GNB)

Today's praise:

• Praise God for his promise of rescue from the challenges surrounding us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to sing praises to God, to be joyful and grateful for his kindness and care.
• Pray for us to fulfill our responsibilities, to do our part - lovingly, flawlessly, sacrificially if necessary, and joyfully.
• God often uses others to accomplish his plan, but pray we never forget it is God who moves all the players into place that ultimately bring about his solution for us. 

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

My Helper

Let us be bold, then, and say: "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6 GNB)

Today's praise:

• Praise God for his promise to help, especially in our times of need.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us at Emmanuel College to stay in his presence continuously, allowing him to help us.
• Pray for us to be fearless by shifting our focus from problems to the Problem-Solver.
• Despite what anyone does or threatens to do, pray we move boldly in advancing God's plan for Emmanuel College.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Satisfied

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you." (Hebrews 13:5 GNB)

Today's praise:

• Praise God for his promise to be with us through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through all of the stuff of life - even with us despite our imperfections.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to focus on Almighty God and his promises.
• Pray for the leadership of the College to entrust it all to the Lord, understanding our roles as facilitators and stewards, recognizing his sovereignty to do as he wills.
• Pray for us to be satisfied with what he provides and the timing by which he provides it.  

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Grace and Truth

God gave the law through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (John 1:17-18 GNB)

Today's praise:

• Grace given. Praise the Lord for the miracle of the Christ child, that instead of giving us what we deserved, he freely gave us what we did not expect nor could ever earn - grace.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for Emmanuel College to always proclaim the truth about Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
• As the Father has made Jesus known to the world, may we make him known in our sphere of influence.
• Pray we never let political correctness nor any other human fad stifle our witness to God's only pathway to redemption and reclamation - Jesus Christ, second person of the Trinity, very God, yet the once and for all sacrifice for sin, our redeemer and friend.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Blessing

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:16 NLT)

Today's praise:

• Starting at the manger, through the crucifixion and resurrection, continuing to the present moment, gracious blessings surround. Praise the Lord!
• Count your blessings for 2016, and despite any dark valleys and difficult moments, the blessings are there, too. Hallelujah!
• We give thanks that God's abundance can never be exhausted, that he is generous, sending what we need when we need it.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to emulate our Savior by giving graciously and generously, sharing the Good News of Jesus' love for all.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Dwelling Among Us

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NIV)

Today's praise:

• Celebrate the birth of Jesus today and give praise for what Jesus has done and is doing in the world, especially your world.
• Praise the Lord for a God who cares and loves and dwells among us.
• Give thanks, and praise the one and only Son of God who lavishes us with his saving grace and opens our eyes to his truth.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for Emmanuel College to thrive as a beacon of Light to the world, sharing the life-changing Gospel of grace and truth with shepherds and wise men, with the poor and the wealthy, the weak and the powerful - with everyone, everywhere.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Favor with God

The angel went to [Mary] and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God." (Luke 1:28-30 NIV)

Today's praise:

• We praise God for his favor upon mankind that he would send a Savior to rescue us from our sins.

Today's prayer topics:

• An angelic appearance, visceral fear, awe and wonder, then the angel speaks: "You are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid." Words he still speaks over us today.
• In the nine months that followed, how many times did Mary remember those words. In times of criticism and harsh words, abandonment and desperation, discomfort and pain, pray we remember we are favored by God who is with us always, speaking words of comfort and assurance. 
• In a dark place? "Do not be afraid." In deep and endless pain? "You are highly favored." Feeling all alone? "The Lord is with you." Pray we allow his words to bring comfort and peace on this eve of the Savior's birth.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Of God

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13 KJV)

Today's praise:

• We praise Jesus that he enables the powerless and dispossessed to inherit authentic privileges as sons and daughters of God.

Today's prayer topics:

• Other than his parents, the shepherds were perhaps the only ones to recognize Jesus as the Son of God on the night of his birth, but they were the first of millions who have received him since. Pray for more to receive him.
• Pray we move in his power to share the news that a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord, the only real hope for change in the world.
• Pray for Emmanuel College to be a place of great joy, sharing the Gospel with all people, declaring peace on earth and glory to God.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Recognize Him

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. (John 1:10-11 NLT)

Today's praise:

• We praise God that Jesus, knowing how few would receive him and that most would reject him, came into the world anyway.

Today's prayer topics:

• Like the shepherds and the magi, pray we always recognize the King of Glory in our midst because sometimes he shows up in unexpected ways.
• Everyone was looking for a powerful king. Instead, God sent a helpless infant to parents in poverty to teach us about faith and provision, obedience and trust, love and hope. Pray we learn these lessons well.
• Even when circumstances seem out of control, they are not. Jesus is with us. He is always with us. Pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to believe - always!

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

A Witness to Tell

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:6-9 NLT)

Today's praise:

• We praise God for those in the Emmanuel family who are sharing the light and life of Jesus.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the students, staff and faculty of Emmanuel College to be witnesses everywhere they go, telling people how Jesus saves and rescues.
• Pray for a greater witness on our campus during the spring semester that leads more students into a closer relationship with Jesus.
• Pray for EC Serve to send out men and women as witnesses who tell about the Light that has come into the world, the true Light that dispels the darkness of sin and sets people free.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Light Shines

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:3-5 NIV)

Today's praise:

• We praise God for the light of Jesus that illumines the key to life - our sin, his sacrifice, our way forward through his redeeming power.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the Emmanuel family to exude the light of Jesus, revealing life with Jesus offered to all.
• Pray for us to overcome darkness with Light, evil with Good, ignorance with the Word.
• Pray for EC Serve to shine the light and life of Jesus around the world.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

The Word was God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2 NIV)

Today's praise:

• We praise God for Jesus, the eternal one, the Son of God, the Word made flesh who dwells among us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the Emmanuel family to be confident in the promises of God we trust throughout the Word.
• Pray for us to work harder in sharing the Word with others at home and abroad.
• Pray for more students, staff, and faculty to volunteer to share God's love through EC Serve.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Ruler Over Israel

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2 NIV)

Today's praise:

• We praise God for sending Jesus to be our Savior and our Lord.

Today's prayer topics:

• Jesus who came to the world over 2000 years ago is God's greatest gift to the human race. Pray we never neglect, neither globally nor personally, what God has done.
• Jesus, we thank you for giving your life away and taking it back again as a demonstration of our destiny in you - life everlasting. 
• Jesus, please dominate our thoughts and actions during this Christmas season.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

In His Eyes

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (Ephesians 1:4 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise the Lord for choosing us and giving us the privilege to serve his kingdom through Emmanuel College.

Today's prayer topics:

• Being made holy and without fault in his eyes does not relieve us of responsibility, but it does relieve us of guilt.
• Pray for our imperfect vision to be corrected by God's 20/20 lenses, allowing us to see with his eyes.
• Rather than bemoan failed choices, pray we celebrate God's choices, trusting his love to change everything - bad to good, failure to success, flawed to faultless.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Every Spiritual Blessing

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for blessing heaped upon blessing on Emmanuel College.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for vision to focus on blessings rather than challenges, on provision rather than need.
• Pray for wisdom to see beyond physical circumstances into the spiritual realm where solutions and blessings abound.
• Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to be blessed with every spiritual blessing and to be united in Christ Jesus.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Grace and Peace

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (Ephesians 1:2 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise the Lord for the promise of peace from the One who is called Prince of Peace.

Today's prayer topics:

• Grace is freely given. Pray we eagerly accept it, especially at this season of the year.
• Can you imagine a less peaceful situation than being pregnant, in a stable, no proper medical attention, miles away from family? Yet into that setting, peace came to the world.
• Pray we release anxiety, and in its place, receive the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

To Prepare and Equip

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (1 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise the Lord for the written Word and for the Word who became flesh and lives among us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Knowing the Word and living the Word are not the same thing. Pray for us to discipline ourselves to know God's Word, but even more, pray for courage to live it.
• Pray for us to allow the Word to prepare us for every encounter, every meeting, every conference call, every decision, and for every good work.
• Pray for those of us at Emmanuel College to be prepared and equipped to do his good work as we engage in another important conference call today.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

How Delightful

Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! (Psalm 147:1 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise the Lord. Yes, it is good to praise the Lord.

Today's prayer topics:

• Do you know someone who does not feel like praising? Pray for them to remember something from the hand of God in which to delight today.
• Can you think of someone who has lost the desire to sing? Pray for a heavenly song of hope to overwhelm them today.
• Who is near you that has let the cares of this world suppress their joy in Christ? Pray for God to use you to help them see how appropriate and fitting it is to praise the Lord today.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Find Rest

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise the Lord who provides shelter and rest.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for those who are stressed during the holidays to find shelter in the Lord, to exchange the world's view of Christmas for that of shepherds and wise men.
• Pray for weary ones to find rest, especially those among our students, staff and faculty.
• Pray for those who are not well to find healing and wholeness in body, mind and spirit.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Spirit of the Lord

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2 KJV)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for his marvelous plan that brought Jesus to Bethlehem, but more than that, we rejoice that he is with us today and that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to invade our thoughts with wisdom and understanding.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and to move with might before us.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to input his knowledge into us even as he inspires us to love and fear the Lord with all our hearts.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

He is beside me

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. (Psalm 16:8 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise the Lord because he is our constant companion, always with us - Emmanuel.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us at Emmanuel College to calmly move forward with him into every battle.
• No matter what comes our way, pray we will not be shaken, but will relax because he is with us.
• We know the Lord - that is enough. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Keep Trusting

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leaders's house, saying to Jairus, "Your daughter has died. Don't bother the teacher any longer." When Jesus heard this, he responded, "Don't be afraid; just keep trusting, and she will be healed." (Luke 8:49-50 CEB)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise Jesus for being the healer of our bodies, and not only that, we praise him for healing relationships, organizations, and even colleges.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us at Emmanuel College to shake off fear, opening the way for courage to take root.
• Trusting is different from believing. People who believe can still be anxious, but people who trust put belief into action and it shows. Pray for us to put our fears to rest, trusting in the healer.
• Jesus hears the critics and the naysayers just like we do, but pray we hear him over the din of others, saying to us, "Don't be afraid; just keep trusting."

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Trust in God

Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me." (John 14:1 NCV)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise Jesus for being trustworthy.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to exercise the discipline necessary to resist the way of the world - anxiety.
• Pray for our trust in Jesus to far surpass our trust in ourselves or even others.
• Pray we continuously entrust Emmanuel College to God, keeping ourselves at peace in every storm, allowing him to work his plan.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Ask the Father

[Jesus said], "You didn't choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you." (John 15:16 CEB)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise Jesus for choosing us to carry on part of his work on earth. Thank God for the honor and privilege to serve him through Emmanuel College.

Today's prayer topics:

• In the war we are fighting for Emmanuel College, there have been many prayers offered over meetings and conference calls that later produced much fruit and significant results. Thank you for praying.
• Pray for a very important conference call today to be saturated with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Ask the Father, in the name of Jesus, to give us favor with all the participants, to create fertile ground for successful solutions, and to plant seeds of hope that one day bear fruit, lasting fruit of full economic recovery and a debt free campus.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

If You Follow Jesus

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (John 8:12 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise Jesus for allowing us to exchange death for life everlasting.

Today's prayer topics:

• If we follow Jesus, it's like seeing in the dark - no stumbling, no fear. Pray for us at Emmanuel College to follow him closely, walking in the light.
• Pray for our students to know Jesus and to follow his light that leads to life.
• Pray for our faculty, staff, students, and graduates to generously share Jesus, illuminating darkness and leading others to life without fear.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Never Be Hungry

Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise Jesus because he is more than enough - end of story.

Today's prayer topics:

• If Jesus is the bread of life, then why do we often have an insatiable hunger for peace in our lives. Pray we not allow trouble into our souls, creating false hunger that Jesus has already satisfied. Jesus is our peace.
• If Jesus is the water of life, then why do we often struggle with an unquenchable thirst for security. Pray we stop lusting after earthly treasure, which is a thirst that cannot be satisfied. Jesus is our treasure.
• If Jesus is the bread and water of life, then why do we as Christians often behave no differently than pagans and unbelievers in matters of the heart. Forgive us, Lord, and may we drink deeply and eat heartily, filling ourselves with you.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Prepare the Way

A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill make low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 40:3-5 NIV)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for sending Jesus over 2000 years ago, and the world celebrates still.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the glory of the Lord to be revealed through his work at Emmanuel College that people may know there is a God who loves endlessly and works wonderfully among his children.
• While in the wilderness, God instructed the people to prepare for a better day when God's power would dramatically change everything. Pray for us at Emmanuel College to prepare our hearts and minds for the day rough ground and rugged places are smoothed out.
• May prayer and devotion to the Lord inspire us to construct a clear pathway through a barren landscape, and pray for the elimination of valleys of despair and mountains of debt along the way.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Far Beyond

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God who is above and beyond anything we can imagine.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we trust his view of the battlefield, whether mine, yours, or the one for Emmanuel College.
• Pray we tune-in his thoughts and adjust ours to his, appropriately God-sizing our expectations.
• Pray we do not settle for our limited imagination of what is possible, but expand our ways to include his.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

We Can Know

No one can know a person's thoughts except that person's own spirit, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit. And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. (1 Corinthians 2:11-12 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for giving us the Holy Spirit to comfort, to guide, to inspire, and to do what seems impossible to us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we utterly and completely reject the world's spirit that kills the faith of many and limits their thoughts to mere human possibilities.
• Pray we know God's thoughts through the work of  the Holy Spirit, empowering us to be used to accomplish more than we think we are capable of.
• Pray we operate in the Spirit more and more, opening doors to the wonderful solutions God has for Emmanuel College.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

By His Spirit

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for knowing how to love us in ways that stimulate our faith, providing for our needs. 

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for God's plan for Emmanuel College to be clear to each person who plays any part, no matter how small or how large.
• Pray no obstacle or challenge looms larger in our imaginations than the trust we have in our all-powerful, all-knowing God.
• Pray for Spirit-inspired thoughts to stimulate our imaginations, separating what is humanly probable from what is Spirit-possible.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Splendor of Our God

Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. (Isaiah 35:2-3 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for his glory that never abates, but always blazes forth in splendor. 

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to rejoice and find strength in the glory of our God.
• Pray for those whose hands are bruised and painful from battle to be healed and energized to continue the fight.
• Pray for weak knees to bow humbly before God, only to be made strong again to stand for him.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

I Will Bless

My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! "I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word." (Isaiah 66:2 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God and give thanks for blessing Emmanuel College. 

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to be blessed from the bounty that is his - everything!
• Pray for us to be eager to feed on his Word, knowing he has spoken peace and blessing over us.
• Pray for us to humble ourselves before him, resting safely in his hands, amazed at what he has made and what he is still making.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Resist the Devil

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:6-7 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God and give thanks for generously granting Emmanuel College grace and favor. 

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to resist the devil and to reject any temptation to take credit for the miraculous work God is doing at Emmanuel College.
• At times, we are tempted to give in to our fears, but pray we resist the devil, humbling ourselves before God who puts our enemy to flight.
• We are sometimes tempted to give up, but pray we resist the devil, submitting ourselves to God who is merciful and who knows the way forward.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

He Loves

He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. (Psalm 33:5 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for his unfailing love for Emmanuel College - always with us, always loving us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to work for justice in the world, especially for those who have been mistreated and persecuted for their faith.
• Pray for us to do good at home and abroad - wherever God calls us to follow him.
• Pray for EC Serve to be God's ministering hand of love and compassion to people everywhere.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Successful in Everything

So the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did. (2 Kings 18:7a NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God for the Lord is with us, and we give thanks for every achievement, every victory, every success.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for our success in helping students effectively integrate faith and learning.
• Pray for our success in reaching thousands of mission-fit students who eventually enroll at Emmanuel College in ever increasing numbers.
• Pray for our success in managing our financial resources and eliminating debt.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

He Carefully Obeyed

He [Hezekiah] remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses. (2 Kings 18:6 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God and give thanks for the Word of God opening the way of life to us, command upon command, promise upon promise.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for those of us in leadership at Emmanuel College to remain faithful to the Lord in all he commands us to do.
• Pray for us to carefully obey the Lord, even when the going is hard, especially then.
• Praise God because he is so faithful to make his commands clear and lead the way. 

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Thanksgiving

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. (1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT)

Give thanks today:

• Give thanks for he is the Lord our God, the author of every blessing.
• Give thanks and proclaim to family and friends today that God is good all the time.
• Give thanks for what he has done for Emmanuel College, rescuing and preserving this cherished college, invigorating and advancing his purpose through our mission.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Sorrow into Dancing

You changed my sorrow into dancing. You took away my clothes of sadness, and clothed me in happiness. (Psalm 30:11 NCV)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God and give thanks for the joy and happiness in loving and serving him.

Today's prayer topics:

• Even as we celebrate the close of another successful semester, pray for the December semester starting next week and the Spring Semester that begins in January.
• Dance and rejoice for what the Lord has done for Emmanuel College these last 30 months even while continuing to pray for total victory in the months to come.
• Pray for those who may be discouraged and fearful to see who the Lord is, to see what he has already done, and to hope in what he is yet to do.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Heard My Cry

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. (Psalm 28:6 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God and give thanks because he listens to our prayers and responds.

Today's prayer topics:

• Rejoice in the Lord's mercy and favor during fall semester, but pray on for his mercy extended and for his never-ending favor.
• We prayed for mercy and favor with the NCAA, and now that we have been accepted into provisional membership, we praise God for he heard our cry for mercy. Pray for continued favor.
• We prayed for mercy and favor with the onsite accreditation committee, and now that we have the result of no core requirement recommendations, we praise God for he has heard our cry for mercy. Pray for continued favor.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Guard Me

Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8 NLT)

Today's praise topic:

• We praise God and give thanks for his care and protection.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for our student's who are finished exams today and tomorrow.
• Pray for students, staff and faculty who will be traveling this week during the holiday.
• Pray for the power of God to guard us in our comings and goings, keeping us close in his loving presence.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

All Glory to Him

All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 1:25 NLT)

Give praise and thanks today:

• We praise God and give thanks for the personal relationship we are permitted with Almighty God through the person and work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
• As we gather on this Lord's Day, worship him whose glory and majesty is above all and give thanks we are privileged to worship him today.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for God's power to break down strongholds, bringing rescue and release for his children.
• Pray we at Emmanuel College are diligent in submitting to God's authority, following courageously where he leads even when challenges and obstacles abound.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Encourage Each Other

But encourage each other every day while it is today. Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you. (Hebrews 3:13 NCV)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for random words of kindness flowing into our lives at just the right time, nurturing our hope, stimulating our faith.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for those in the Emmanuel family who may be discouraged, weary with the fight, to receive support and encouragement that refreshes and brings peace.
• Pray for students in the stress of exams or facing personal challenges to find solace in the company of believers who pray for them and speak comforting words.
• Pray for spiritual discernment to unmask the tricks of the devil, throwing off oppression, allowing God to soften our hearts and exchange our anxiety for rest.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Satisfaction

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for his faithfulness in helping us do our work and follow him.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for our students and faculty who are in final exams now through next Tuesday.
• Pray for students to be diligent in their preparation for exams and to take responsibility for their learning, and for those who may be struggling, pray for them to develop the self-discipline needed for success and the satisfaction of personal achievement.
• Pray for faculty to be strengthened to do the many tasks necessary to complete the semester, especially the grading of exams and assignments. 

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Encouraging Words

"He [king of Assyria] may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!" Hezekiah's words greatly encouraged the people. (2 Chronicles 32:8 NLT)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for the Lord our God who loves us and fights for us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we use our words wisely remembering they can be powerful weapons of hurt or they can be a healing balm.
• Pray for those who speak encouraging words to have greater influence than those who don't.
• Pray the words of the Lord dominate our thoughts at Emmanuel College helping us keep a correct perspective between our potential in Almighty God and the works of mere men.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Everything We Have

O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! (1 Chronicles 29:13-14 NLT)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for everything he has given to Emmanuel College - the resources, the people, the mission, and the hope of a bright future.

Today's prayer topics:

• God has given us life. Pray we share our lives with those around us, pointing the way to Jesus.
• God has given us Emmanuel College. Pray we excel at educating, shaping, and sending into the world generation after generation.
• God gives us hope. Pray we understand that hope is not a dream but a potential reality born out of his great love for us and our obedience and faithfulness to him.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

In His Hand

Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. (1 Chronicles 29:12 NLT)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks that Emmanuel College is the beneficiary of the power and might in his hand.

Today's prayer topics:

• Rejoice because God rules over everything, especially the hearts and minds of his followers.
• Pray the people of God obey the voice of God in making prayers and offerings for Emmanuel College at his direction.
• Pray for Emmanuel College to be strengthened with financial and human resources as we follow God's path to expanded influence and greater effectiveness in the world.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Your Kingdom

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. (1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for his sovereignty over all and over Emmanuel College.

Today's prayer topics:

• Rejoice that Emmanuel College is part of the Lord's kingdom, his possession where he reveals great and mighty works at his pleasure and for his purposes.
• Give praise for the power of the Lord bringing past victories even as we pray for victories yet to be won in the battles ahead.
• Pray for his majesty and glory to cover us with protection and blessing.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

We Trust

Some trust in their war chariots and others in their horses, but we trust in the power of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7 GNB)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for his miracle-working power so ably used on behalf of Emmanuel College

Today's prayer topics:

• Many colleges and universities boast of their huge endowments and massive foundations, but we at Emmanuel College, while thankful for every resource we have, pray that we always place our trust in the Lord our God.
• Pray we never envy those who have more, but always rely upon the Lord for remarkable actions and improbable outcomes he brings into our lives.
• Pray for the reduction, even the elimination, of our debt.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Even More

[Jesus, explaining the parable of the talents.] "Yes," the king replied, "and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." (Luke 19:26 NLT)

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for staff, faculty, and administration who are so diligent to use well the resources God entrusts to us.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for success in our quest for greater excellence in delivering and expanding our mission.
• Pray our success brings us even more resources which we will use to turn back the enemy and advance the kingdom of God.
• Pray for those who are weary in the fight, perhaps tempted to give up, to instead give themselves and their work to God, trusting him for what they need.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Merciful

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Merciful - full of mercy, full of kindness, full of compassion. Are we?
• Pray our decisions and actions are full of mercy - always.
• Pray we give kindness and compassion generously even as we expect the same from others.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God for being full of mercy on our behalf, and we thank him for those who have shown mercy to us.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Singing to the Lord

After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!" (2 Chronicles 20:21 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Praise God for the many prayers offered on behalf of Emmanuel College throughout the accreditation reaffirmation process thus far which has made all the difference and has brought us miraculous results.
• As the process continues, please pray earnestly over the next eight months that we find favor with the members of the review committee next June in the same way God's favor was upon us during the onsite committee visit last week.
• As we move into the next phases of battle on all fronts, pray we lead the way with songs of praise, acknowledging our great God as our source and our champion.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God for his holy splendor, and we thank God for his faithfulness to us.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Supreme Lord

For you, O Lord, are supreme over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. (Psalm 97:9 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for those elected, and those already in office, to see justice through God's eyes and to lead and legislate following God's will and influence.
• We rejoice in the Lord for nothing escapes his attention, not elections nor governments nor the need for revival in our land. 
• Pray for a spiritual awakening in our nation where men and women everywhere repent of their sins and experience salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We exalt the Lord our God who is over all, and we proclaim him our Lord and Savior, the hope of the world.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Mighty Rock

Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side - leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.  (Psalm 94:20-22 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for our nation today on election day for evil to fail and for righteousness and common sense to prevail.
• Pray for healing from this ugly and discouraging election cycle when many leaders claiming to speak for justice have condemned the innocent and exalted the wicked.
• Pray for righteous people to be elected, and where they are not, pray for evil leaders to repent and be saved.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks because our hope is not in elections and governments but in the Lord our God who is our peace and our passion. 

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Trust

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does.  (Psalm 33:4 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Although we do not know all God plans to do for Emmanuel College in the coming months, praise God because we know him and that is enough.
• It is not always easy to see the hand of God, especially when the challenge is large and complicated, but praise the Lord, he can be trusted even then - especially then. 
• Pray for the next steps in the accreditation reaffirmation process, namely our final written response due in April and the final decision by the review committee in June.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for his plan to give us a bright and purposeful future. 

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Sing Praise Forever

I will sing to you and not be silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30:12 NCV)

Today's prayer topics:

• Praise the Lord, our God, whether winning or losing, moving forward or backward - always praise him who is worthy to be praised.
• When the hand of the Lord is merciful and gracious toward us, praise him all the more and do not be silent.
• Pray for active memories of battles won at Emmanuel College to help our song be loud and strong in all future conditions and in every future circumstance.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God today for the miracles he permits us to experience and enjoy at Emmanuel.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Rebuilding

Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem. (Psalm 147:1-2 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• We praise God for being so attentive to our prayers and for working through us to accomplish his will.
• Delight in the Lord and sing praises because he is our source and the one who rescues us.
• Praise the Lord, all you people, and acknowledge that God is rebuilding Emmanuel College to his specifications and for his purposes.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for his daily provision for us and the steady advance of his will and purpose for Emmanuel.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Shout Joyfully

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.  (Psalm 95:1-2 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• We praise God and give thanks for the very good report from our accreditation visit this week. All core requirements met and only six issues to work on. 
• Praise God for his words framed over us two years ago: "This is like nothing to me. This is easy for me." Believe it!
• Sing and give thanks. Shout joyfully. Rejoice with thanksgiving.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for hearing and answering our prayers.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

No Fear

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. (Psalm 27:3 KJV)

Today's prayer topics:

• Because of God with us, confidence, not fear. 
• Pray for emotions devoid of fear and full of faith.
• Pray as we scan the horizon, we release our faith to see God greater than any opposition.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for seeds of faith in us that grow to full flower.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Great Calm

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him." (Matthew 8:25-27 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we always turn to Jesus when facing threats and challenges, keenly aware that these are opportunities for him to save. 
• If Jesus is in my boat, why am I at times afraid? Forgive us, Lord, for emotions lost on wind and waves instead of centered on you.
• Pray for great calm in our thoughts and emotions, always advancing with steady determination regardless of circumstances, because God is with us, Emmanuel.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks that even the winds and waves obey him.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Jesus Reached Out

But when he [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" When they climbed back in the boat, the wind stopped. (Matthew 14:30-32 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we focus on Jesus and not the winds and waves that sometimes surround us because storms are sporadic, but the presence of Jesus is our constant.
• Pray our faith is strong enough to believe in Jesus to hold us safely whether we are in treacherous waters or safely in the boat.
• We may doubt others, and we may even doubt ourselves, but pray we never doubt the Lord Jesus who rescues us.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for the unwavering and strong presence of God in our lives.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Lift My Hands

Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28:2 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• We thank God for the great work of Emmanuel's faculty and staff in preparing for the accreditation visit that occurs this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
• Pray for all expectations to be met and for exceptional outcomes.
• Pray for efficiency, for effectiveness, and for favor.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We praise God and give thanks for competent faculty and staff who so capably deliver the mission of Emmanuel College.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Hunger and Thirst

Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. (Matthew 5:6 CEB)

Today's prayer topics:

• God, forgive us for hungering and thirsting after the inappropriate, even the good, because anything less than God's best fails to satisfy.
• Pray we direct our appetites toward God's holiness and righteousness that we may be filled up with his goodness to share with others. 
• Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to hunger and thirst for God for he is more than enough to meet our needs and help us conquer our challenges.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for helping us turn our affection toward him who is our provider rather than focusing our attention on our lack.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Humble

Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised! (Matthew 5:5 GNB)

Today's prayer topics:

• Humble and passive are words often used together, but they are not synonyms, because humble people have been known to lead from the front and breathe fire.
• Pray for the kind of humility that recognizes who we are in the context of who God is and in light of his command to passionately serve others even if it costs much.
• Pray for leaders who are free of arrogance and notions of privilege, who humble themselves before Almighty God, leading with determination, persistence, and unconquerable love.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for his promises to us who believe and walk in his ways.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Those Who Mourn

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• When there is loss, our natural response is to mourn which may be necessary but should never be permanent. 
• Within our Emmanuel family, pray for those who mourn to receive the comfort they need, but also pray for them to receive renewed strength and commitment to follow the Lord.
• Pray for the comfort of Jesus to nurture our spirits and strengthen our resolve to take the fight to the enemy.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for comforting words and encouragement from friends and co-workers that come to us when we need them most.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

God Blesses the Poor

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (Matthew 5:3 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Poor? Lack of resources or short on resolve or without hope? Pray we turn our lack into blessing by looking to Jesus.
• Pray we understand our poverty in the context of our utter dependence on God and our riches in Christ Jesus.
• Pray for Emmanuel College to be rich in mercy, love, and mission regardless of the size of our bank account or the extent of our material assets.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for being absolutely dependable in providing resources for us from his kingdom to do his will.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Get Up

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Everyone gets knocked down once in a while, but it's what we do next that matters most. Pray we always get up.
• Pray for persistent resolve to stay in the fight for the Lord and never give up.
• Praise God for those who pray for us and encourage us.

Never give up unless its praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Wait Quietly

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for insight while waiting before the Lord, insight guided by the Holy Spirit who leads us to decisive victory.
• Pray for greater financial stability for Emmanuel College as we shelter in him.
• Praise God, for we know where our strength lies and in whom are hope resides.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• We thank God for students who are growing in the Lord and answering the call to serve.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Renewed Hope

I cried out, "I am slipping" but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. (Psalm 94:18-19 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for those who grow weary in the fight for Emmanuel College that they feel the empowering love of God, supporting and encouraging.
• Pray the emotions of fear and doubt are always subdued by the constant renewal of our hope in Jesus and the comfort he brings.
• Pray for those making final preparations this week for the accreditation visit November 1-3, and pray for the favor of God to be upon Emmanuel College and its people.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Regardless of the events swirling around us, we thank God for the comfort and cheer we feel in his presence.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Joyful Symphony

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! (Psalm 98:5-6 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Regardless of your troubles today or any day, sing praise to God and join the symphony of voices around the world, lifting praise to the Lord.
• Sundays must be wonderful for the Lord as millions of Christians create a joyful symphony of song. Let's do our part and praise the Lord today.
• Pray we never let any problem, person, or principality stifle our melodies of praise.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the freedom and privilege to worship him today.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Break Out in Praise

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! (Psalm 98:4 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• When we think about God's provision for Emmanuel College, who can help but break out in praise? Praise him now for his goodness and faithfulness to us.
• Reading through the pages of materials in preparation for the visit by our accrediting agency, I am overwhelmed by evidence of God's grace and protection for Emmanuel. Give thanks and sing for joy!
• The committee members who will visit November 1-3 are preparing and reading our materials as well. Pray for favor with them and for an excellent outcome.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for increasing enrollments, improving revenues, and better operational financial position.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Words

But I keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. (Psalm 71:14-15 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Words. How many words do we speak each day? Would the playback reveal faith or folly? Words of praise? Hope?
• Forgive us, Lord, when we waste our words. Please help us to realize our best words are praise words.
• Pray we offer praise to God throughout each day as well as words of encouragement to those around us.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for his saving power.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Keep to the Path

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to the path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.  (Psalm 50:23 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Giving thanks, a sacrifice? Releasing thanks is quite a sacrifice when we are so intent on throwing a pity party so pray we replace "Woe is me" with "Thank you, Jesus." 
• Pray we honor God with constant thanks that defy circumstance by declaring our confidence in him.
• Pray we understand that God never promised us an easy path, but he does promise to be with us - Emmanuel - on the path.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for his promise to save and rescue those who are faithful to him.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Do Not Lose Heart

For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart.  (1 Chronicles 22:13 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we see the linkage between obedience and success. The latter is possible because of the former, not the other way around.
• Pray we rocket from fear to courage by changing our perspective, by seeing our problems through God's lens instead of ours.
• Weakness is vanquished, literally replaced with energy and strength, when we compare our challenges to the power of Almighty God. Pray for better vision to see God's perspective.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for his unlimited power which he longs to engage in our favor when we follow him.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Peace

"Peace be with you, " he [Jesus] said. "Why are you frightened?" he asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt?" Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder.  (Luke 24:36, 38, & 41 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Why are we frightened when Jesus is speaking peace to us? Pray we live in his peace, not in our doubts. O God, snuff out our disbelief and invade our space with your peace.
• Disbelief, wonder and joy - all at once. It's the stuff of miracles. Pray for more of them.
• Pray for students, staff, and faculty who are fearful to focus on Jesus who offers peace and causes faith to rise.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the miracles of generosity, whether it's a fortune given or a few fish and some bread.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Surefooted and Strong

The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (Habakkuk 3:19 NLT)

Today's prayer and praise topics:

• Pray for solid footing when faced with slippery slopes of doubt, fear, and discouragement.
• Praise the Lord for his sovereignty over all, for he brings strength when all we have to offer is weakness.
• Continue to pray for strength and favor during the upcoming accreditation visit November 1-3.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for a good report from the NCAA Compliance Blueprint visit. Progress was noted and our work appreciated.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Rejoice

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:18 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise and rejoice in the Lord, not because all our challenges are over, but because he is our Lord, the one who rescues us.
• Praise rises regardless of circumstance, for we know our God is good and that he delivers.
• Pray we look for lessons of character and promise in the difficult places we find ourselves, knowing there is good to be found and praises to proclaim.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the good report from our auditor, for although there is much more work to do, it is the best audit in five years.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Listen Carefully

But listen carefully to everything I command you today. Then I will go ahead of you and drive out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. (Exodus 34:11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we fully understand the principle of listening to the Lord and obeying his commands which include in Exodus 34:
• Avoiding entanglements with the enemy - no compromise
• Worshiping only the Lord our God - not power, position, or wealth
• Celebrating our deliverance by the Lord's hand - both formally and informally
• Giving liberally from the harvest God grants - God is our source.
• Pray for the power of God to drive out principalities and powers from their evil strongholds so that we are released to possess all that God has in store for us.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the influence of Emmanuel College that literally reaches around the world, bringing abundant harvests through the work of our alums.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Covenant

The Lord replied, "Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord - the awesome power I will display for you." (Exodus 34:10 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for miracles, but also pray we attend to our covenant with the Lord if we dare to hope for his miraculous intervention.
• Pray we are faithful to our God, loyal and obedient, calling upon the Lord with praises and petitions.
• Pray for the miracle of debt relief for Emmanuel College in whatever manner God chooses to provide.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for answers to prayer that display his power for all to see.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

God of Compassion

The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness." (Exodus 34:6 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• After the hurricane, many are destitute and feeling great loss so we pray for them to experience God's compassion and mercy.
• Pray for the storm victims and also for the workers and volunteers who need strength and resources to manage this tragedy.
• Praise the Lord who faithfully loves his children, providing miraculously and loving unconditionally.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the church standing tall in the aftermath of the storm, becoming the hands and heart of Jesus to hurting people, bringing comfort to so many.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Plead with the Lord

He [Jesus] said to them, "The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest." (Luke 10:2 CEB)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• If the challenge is bigger than we can imagine, then the solution is bigger still. Pray to the Lord, the only one who is capable of solutions greater than we can imagine.
• Pray for God to assemble the workers, both employees and volunteers, at Emmanuel College who will trust him regardless of circumstances, who will release their faith and joyfully obey.
• Plead with God for a mighty harvest of students among those who flock to Emmanuel that they in turn become workers in an even greater global harvest.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the doors that are opening to unlimited resources that will be used to expand the reach of Emmanuel College in the harvest of souls all around us.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

All Day Long

That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. (Psalm 71:8 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise God in the morning when the day is new and the possibilities are endless.
• Praise God throughout the daylight hours when we see his hand at work in our lives and sense his strength for every hour.
• Praise God in the evening after the day's accomplishments when we reflect on what he has done and rest in confidence in his abiding love.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the Christian example of our faculty and staff who declare the glory of the Lord by their words and actions.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

An Example to Many

My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. (Psalm 71:7 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise God that Emmanuel College stands out as a powerful example of God's faithfulness to the church and to people everywhere.
• Pray that we refuse to run in our own power, but rather, we envelope ourselves in the Lord's strength.
• Pray for wisdom to stay within the protective defenses provided by our Heavenly Father, shielded from the attacks of the enemy and advancing at his command.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for a wonderful Homecoming last weekend, especially the groundbreaking for the Diversified Agriculture greenhouses and the dedication of the Dr. Frank Mann Science Laboratory.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Rejoice Out Loud

My very being longs, even yearns, for the Lord's courtyards. My heart and my body will rejoice out loud to the living God! (Psalm 84:2 CEB)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• On this Lord's Day, we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving in the presence of our God.
• Rejoice and sing praise, for God is good, always with us, faithfully protecting and providing.
• Pray for spiritual renewal on our campus, our hearts beating in unison with the heart of God, his will our will, his ways our ways.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for a very productive meeting of the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

In Every Generation

I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever. (Psalm 45:17 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise the Lord for his faithfulness to many generations who have attended Emmanuel College since 1919.
• Praise God that the mission of the College advances in the lives of so many, especially the students of today.
• Pray for the mission and reach of Emmanuel College to expand and extend to the nations of the world.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the international students on our campus from 19 different countries.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Amazed

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, "We've never seen anything like this before." (Mark 2:12 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise God for the constant flow of miracles at Emmanuel College that sustain and heal us.
• Pray for more amazing miracles that stun the casual onlooker and stimulate the faithful to greater accomplishments in the name of Jesus.
• Pray for our Homecoming activities beginning today and throughout the weekend. May the crowds be amazed and praise God for all he has done. 

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the celebrations at homecoming over the new science lab and for the groundbreaking of the new Diversified Agriculture program.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

I Am Here

He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them walking on the water. . .They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid, " he said.  "Take courage! I am here!" (Mark 6:48, 50 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for our friends and families in danger from Hurricane Matthew to take courage in knowing that Jesus is with them.
• Pray for the hurricane to go out to sea and inflict minimal damage.
• Pray for courage in every storm, whether literal or figurative, and pray we look to Jesus who walks calmly upon the turmoil and commands the forces around us to obey him.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the peace and comfort he brings in the midst of the storm.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Joyful

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. (Psalm 119:1 NLT)

Today's prayer and praise topics:

• Praise God for the joy of serving him even when the pathway is difficult.
• Pray for the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees who will meet this Friday.
• Pray for the Administration and Board of the College to clearly understand God's will for Emmanuel College and to faithfully obey the Lord.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the dedication and commitment of the members of the Board of Trustees. 

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Mercy

Lord, hear me and have mercy on me. Lord, help me. (Psalm 30:10 NCV)

Today's prayer and praise topics:

• Praise God for hearing our prayers and responding to our needs.
• Pray for the mercy of the Lord to flow over our campus and our personnel today in the final day of the NCAA Compliance Blueprint visit.
• Pray for the Compliance Blueprint visiting team to find our athletic program and processes in order and functioning well.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the competence of our staff and faculty and for the commitment they have to our students.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Help

Listen to my cry for help, my God and king! I pray to you, O Lord. (Psalm 5:2 GNB)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for favor with the NCAA team visiting today and tomorrow for what's called the Compliance Blueprint visit.
• Pray for students, staff and faculty who will interact with the Compliance Blueprint team.
• Praise God for our athletes who strive for excellence in sports, in academic achievements, and in Christian living. 

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for our coaches who live a Christian example before their players, pointing them to Jesus.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

The Source

Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel's life. (Psalm 68:26 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise the Lord for his ever abiding presence in our lives.
• Praise God, for he is our source and provides all that we need.
• Pray we never fall into the trap of thinking that people, governments, churches, employers or even family are our source. God empowers many channels of provision, but ultimately, he is our Source.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for peace and assurance, even in the storm.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

You Will Preserve

Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land. (Psalm 12:7-8 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for revival and renewal in America to dispel the confusion and sin of our nation where so many cannot tell the difference between good and evil.
• Pray for Christian colleges and universities that are under attack from politicians and government agencies pressuring us to abandon God's principles while they promote vile and abhorrent practices as if they were good.
• Pray for the Christian community throughout our country to vote in the upcoming elections for candidates who support our Christian values and our right to freedom of religion.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for those in government who defend our rights to practice our Christian faith.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

The Lord's Promises

The Lord's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. (Psalm 12:6 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise the Lord who makes clear promises to his children and knows how to keep them.
• Pray for the people of God everywhere to take God at his word and believe.
• Pray for students, staff, and faculty to turn to the light of God's presence and hold to his promises, melting away fear and discouragement like morning mist in the rising sun.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for those who pray faithfully for Emmanuel College.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Believe in Miracles

And so he [Jesus] did only a few miracles there [his hometown of Nazareth] because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:58 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray we never limit what God wants to do.
• Pray for the miracles we need and for the faith that releases them.
• Praise God who responds to our prayers with remarkable answers.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for family and friends who faithfully support Emmanuel College.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

What is impossible?

Jesus replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God." (Luke 18:27 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for our faith to soar and for us to really believe that impossible is not a problem for God.
• Pray big prayers for big miracles beyond what we can imagine.
• Praise God for his limitless capacity to intervene in our lives and accomplish his purposes.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for those who encourage and lift our spirits.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

With Praise and Thanks

With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: "He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!" Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord. (Ezra 3:11 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Who is worried about your troubles today? Focus on the Lord's goodness and praise your worries away.
• Who is anxious over the difficulty you face today? Focus on the Lord's faithful love for us, giving thanks for what he's already done, releasing anxiety with a song of love and a shout of praise.
• Pray for one another, especially the discouraged, and fly to victory on the wings of praise.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the strength and stamina to stay in the fight.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

God Reigns

For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm. God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. (Psalm 47:7-8 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• May we never forget who is in ultimate control of the world - the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth who lives and reigns forever.
• We praise you, O Lord, for you are supreme and omnipotent, yet you are kind and good, calling us your children, making you our Father.
• O Lord, not one of us is worthy of the gifts you have given, and even in the most difficult of circumstances, all of us have blessings we can count.

Give thanks for God's generous care and for his answers to our prayers:

• Thanks be to God for the opportunities we have each day to shape young lives in ways that change the world for good.
• Thanks be to God for the promise of a gift of property of considerable worth.
• Thanks be to God for a group of supporters who are working together to assist us in debt relief.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

With Joyful Praise

Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. (Psalm 47:1-2 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Sunday. The Lord's day. First day of the week. Praise. Give thanks. Clap your hands. Lift your hands. Shout with joyful praise!
• Give thanks and praise for who he is - the Lord Most High, the Sovereign of all nations and all peoples.
• Give thanks for his tender and generous care and for answers to prayer.

Answers to Prayer:

• Thanks be to God for financial gifts last week ranging from $25 to $5000.
• Thanks be to God because our annual audit is nearly complete and will be our best financial position in five years.
• Thanks be to God for two athletes who accepted Jesus as their Savior last week.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Encouraged

Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying, "Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side!" (2 Chronicles 32:7 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for stamina and courage to fulfill our responsibilities and to successfully complete the tasks required of us.
• Absolute power resides with our God by which he achieves his purposes. Pray we always find ourselves in step with his plan.
• When all we can see is the posturing and maneuvering of evil forces in our world, pray for our eyes to be opened to God's power that calms our fears and lifts our spirits. Be encouraged!

As the praises go up, the power comes down.