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.

I Call to You

The day I call to you, my enemies will be turned back. I know this: God is on my side - the Lord, whose promises I praise. (Psalm 56:9-10 GNB)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Why pray? Can't explain why it works. Know simply that it works, that the spiritual world responds, that devils flee and angels surround. Yes, call upon the Lord today and every day.
• Pray for the members of the accreditation committee who will begin their evaluation of Emmanuel College based on our Focus Report which they have received this week. 
• God promises favor. Pray for it. Praise him for it.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

I Trust in God

When I am afraid, O Lord Almighty, I put my trust in you. I trust in God and am not afraid; I praise him for what he has promised. (Psalm 56:3-4 GNB)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Meeting the requirements of regulatory agencies such as accrediting and certifying organizations is routine, yet visits by such groups is demanding and stressful for administration, faculty, and staff. Pray for all involved.
• Pray for the NCAA visit October 3-4 and the SACS visit November 1-3 that the promise of his presence will prevail and bring favor and peace as we trust in the Lord Almighty.
• Even as we ask God for help and favor, we praise him continuously because our God is with us. Praise and give thanks for the good he performs in us.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

His People Believed

Then his people believed his promises. Then they sang his praise. (Psalm 106:12 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Promises of rescue, empowerment, provision, favor, success and much more - all promised to us by the Lord. Pray to believe Him. Pray to receive them.
• Pray that faith is born to help my spirit see what my eyes cannot.
• Then, sing, sing his praise, give thanks and praise the Lord because we believe his promises.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Redeemed

He commanded the Red Sea to dry up. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert. So he rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. (Psalm 106:9-10 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• God redeemed the nation of Israel, exchanging their lack for abundance, their enslavement for deliverance. Pray he does the same for Emmanuel College through miraculous intervention.
• Our enemies are the spiritual forces and strongholds that drive the incessant quest to destroy. Pray for their enfeeblement and reduction to impotence as we call upon our God who is able to rescue and save.
• Rejoice and give thanks for the power of God, strong to save and full of grace and mercy.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Mighty Power

Even so, he saved them - to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. (Psalm 106:8 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Emmanuel College is God's possession for it was dedicated to him in 1919, and numerous generations have have been its stewards, but not its owners, for more than nine decades. Praise God, for he knows how to save and nurture what is his.
• Give thanks and praise God for he defends us against his enemies, who have considerable power to do harm, but whose might is like nothing to him who can bring down any stronghold. Pray for all opposition to yield.
• Pray for God's mighty power to demonstrate his love through Emmanuel College as our students, staff and faculty offer themselves in service at home and abroad.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Rejoice

Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. (Psalm 106:5 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for financial prosperity for Emmanuel College, but also pray for an abundance of mercy, favor, and good will.
• Rejoice in the Lord and be glad as we celebrate our heritage of grace and provision.
• May the people of God praise the Lord, even in the crucible of fire, in fact, especially in the tough spots because he is our source and the one who rescues.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Favor to your People

Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. (Psalm 106:4 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for God's favor in every challenge, every negotiation, and every decision.
• Pray for students, staff and faculty who are planning service projects and missions trips through EC Serve.
• Pray for favor with the NCAA compliance committee visiting campus October 3-4.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

With All My Heart

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell all the miracles you have done.(Psalm 9:1 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Humans are odd creatures with very short memories. Pray we never let current challenges cloud our memory of God's victory over past circumstances.
• When all you can do is wait because some decision is in the hands of others, pray earnestly, because ultimately the matter is in God's hands.
• With all my heart, with no holding back, with complete release of my emotions, I praise you, Lord, for you have answered us with miracle upon miracle. We live in continuous praise and eager anticipation of your next move.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

To Pray

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. (Mark 1:35 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Early morning, late evening, high noon, pray then, pray now, pray often.
• Upon your bed, in the prayer closet, alone or in a crowd, pray anywhere, pray any time, pray long or short, but pray.
• In your prayers, please remember Emmanuel College. Pray for discernment, fearlessness, and energy for all who lead and those who follow.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

God's Open Doorway

Happy are those who listen to me, watching at my door every day, waiting at my open doorway. (Proverbs 8:34 NCV)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray that more people gather at God's open doorway to pray and to step into his presence.
• Prayer is first. It is our lifeline. Prayer is about asking, but it is also about listening and hearing from God. Pray we listen well.
• Give thanks for the joy coming from hearing the voice of the Lord, especially as we march into battle - for the battle is the Lord's.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Favor from God and Others

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray that love for others is always at the center of our mission and that we are faithful in our obedience to God and our service to others.
• Pray for favor with the accreditation onsite review committee that visits on Nov. 1-3. Pray now and keep praying for this very critical event.
• Praise God for his favor that prepares the way through every challenge.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Among the Nations

You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. (2 Samuel 22:49-50 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray for many EC Serve projects to be formed and successfully implemented this year.
• Pray especially that God will call many students, staff, and faculty to go among the nations next spring and summer in service and ministry.
• Praise the Lord we are safely held in his hands to do his work even in the heat of battle.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Produce Fruit

Even in old age they will still produce fruit; and will remain vital and green. They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my rock!" (Psalm 92:14-15a NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Emmanuel College is approaching 100 years old. Praise God our halls swell with more students than ever before and give thanks that our capacity to produce fruitful lives has not diminished.
• Pray for strength and vitality that increases our capacity and enlarges our boundaries.
• Pray we have the good sense to focus on Jesus who is our rock and support in every circumstance.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Flourish and Grow Strong

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord's own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:12-13 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• The sky may darken, the wind may blow, but we withstand the assault, grounded and rooted in the Lord our God. Give thanks.
• Pray we stay in the center of God's will, all in all the time, that we may flourish and prosper in his presence and at his command.
• Praise the Lord for his promises of provision and strength which are greater than the circumstances surrounding us.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Be Exalted Forever

But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever. Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish; all evildoers will be scattered. (Psalm 92:8-9 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Though the enemy is active and arrayed against us, we exalt the Lord God Almighty, our hope, our help, our Savior.
• Though the storm surrounds us, and at times, slows our advance, we exalt the Lord God Almighty, our peace, our provider, our victor.
• Pray for us to understand and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every skirmish with the enemy.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Great Works

O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. (Psalm 92:5 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Rejoice and give praise over the students who gave their hearts and lives to Jesus this week in chapel.
• Pray for them and for others who are newborn Christians to grow and mature in Christ, feeding on the Word of God, walking in the light of his presence.
• Pray for every chapel service this semester to be effective in reaching students at their points of need and bringing them into closer relationship with our Lord.
• Special prayer request today for Mary Roberson, wife of David Roberson who is chairman of the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees. Mary will be in surgery this morning so please remember her in your prayers throughout the day.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

What You Have Done

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. (Psalm 92:4 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Sing and give thanks for another record-breaking enrollment at Emmanuel College this fall at 920 students.
• Be joyful and give thanks that Emmanuel has been admitted to provisional membership in the NCAA Division II.
• Be thrilled and give thanks for all who are praying, and yet, ask the Lord for more people to pray more prayers than ever before because the tasks before us are still enormous, and we need God's help in the days to come.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Proclaim

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. (Psalm 92:2 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Whether morning or evening or some time between, God be praised for it is good to praise the Lord.
• Praise and give thanks for his faithful and constant care for Emmanuel College and for our students, staff and faculty.
• Pray for more students to hear and answer the call to Christian service.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

It is Good

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.  (Psalm 92:1 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Give thanks and praise for what the Lord has done at Emmanuel College and for what he is planning to do.
• Pray our plans are in sync with his plans, our vision his vision, our goals his goals.
• Pray for those writing and editing the final version of the Focus Report for our accrediting agency, that the words are effective in explaining, enlightening, and inspiring those who read them.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Slow to Speak

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Pray we listen eagerly and attentively with heart and head, allowing the Holy Spirit to discern and interpret truth and understanding from the flow of words surrounding us.
• Pray we speak thoughtfully, giving way to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, always quick to encourage and build up, always giving thanks and praise to the Lord.
• Yes, praise the Lord. He loves. He forgives. He sustains. He overcomes. Praise the Lord.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Good Works

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

Thinking of students who may encounter educational and spiritual challenges this semester.

• Pray they are motivated to work hard and persevere, achieving the good works of educational accomplishment.
• Pray they reach out for help and turn to the Academic Resource Center, their professors, student development staff, and others who can support and help them.
• Pray they experience acts of love from others who come to their aid and that they learn to praise the Lord even in the hard times.

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

God is Great

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" (Psalm 70:4 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Every day, O Lord, we see your greatness, your goodness, your grace - in us. We thank you.
• Pray for phase one of a new system at Emmanuel being implemented this semester to work with students who are at risk of dropping out. 
• Pray the system works well by identifying at risk students, and pray we work well at saving them from failure and helping them achieve their educational and spiritual goals. 

As the praises go up, the power comes down.

Praise

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. (Psalm 66:20 NLT)

Today's praise and prayer topics:

• Praise - the evidence of a trusting soul who knows God is in control.
• O God, we praise you throughout this day as we think of all our prayers you have heard and answered.
• Pray our praises flow, never silent, always rising - always!

As the praises go up, the power comes down.