God Heard Their Prayers

The priests and the Levites asked the Lord's blessing on the people. In his home in heaven God heard their prayers and accepted them. (2 Chronicles 30:27 NLT)

Day 31 of 31 days of prayer

• Thank you for praying for Emmanuel College during this special New Year's emphasis. 

Today's meditation:

• It is enough that God hears our prayers, but it is especially wonderful that he accepts and answers our prayers as well.

Pray Today:

• For the Emmanuel family to focus on prayer in 2017 as never before, for faith to be strong, for love and mercy to prevail.
• For the prayers offered during these last 31 days to be accepted and answered by the Lord, for patience to wait  upon the Lord and his timing, for fear to be banished, for courage to rise.
• For God's blessing and favor to rest upon Emmanuel College in 2017, for his purposes to be accomplished, for his work and will to be done.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Pray For Me

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. (Ephesians 6:19 NLT)

Day 30 of 31 days of prayer

Today's meditation:

• God's plan can be mysterious and counter intuitive at times, but regardless, we should move forward in confident faith in the Lord and his plan.

Pray Today:

• For me as president of Emmanuel College to lead with compassion, to have a servant's heart, to have a fierce resolve to defend and advance the mission of the College.
• For me to know God's heart, to seek and find wisdom, to speak the right words, to take bold action.
• For me to cast God's vision for the College, to be spiritually enabled, to be full of the Holy Spirit, to be strengthened mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Shout Louder

They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  
"Be quiet!" the people in front yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:37-39 NLT)

Day 29 of 31 days of prayer

Today's meditation:

• The people told the blind man that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by, but he called out for Jesus, the Son of David, not the son of Nazareth.Who are we calling out to today? Jesus, an ancient, historical figure or Jesus, the Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Pray Today:

• For persistent prayers to come forth from God's people for Emmanuel College, and when the world says, "Be quiet", we shout all the louder, "Jesus, have mercy on us!"
• For streams of prayer rising continuously to God from this prayer blog, not just once per day, but throughout each day, as people intercede on our behalf for the petitions listed.
• For our prayer partners to re-visit many of the petitions in past weeks and months that still need prayer (students, staff, faculty, EC Serve, enrollment, elimination of the debt, to name a few) and vigorously keep them before the Lord.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Many People Praying

Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen." When this dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. (Acts 12:11-12 NIV)

Day 28 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• When people pray, if evil is present evil is thwarted, if angels are needed angels show up, and if rescue is necessary rescue happens.

Pray Today:

• For the thousands of youth gathered in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at Accelerant which is happening now and finishes on Sunday, for many to receive Christ, for many to be inspired and encouraged to live for Christ, for many to commit to serve the Lord.
• For our admissions team to be super successful in connecting with these youth, for them to guide them and advise them, for them to say the right words, not just about Emmanuel, but about living a life in Christ.
• For many of these youth from across the IPHC and from other churches to be inspired and called to attend Emmanuel, some next fall, others in the years to come, but coming by the thousands to learn and to live in ways that fulfill their potential and find their destiny in Jesus.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Your Father Knows

When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:7-8 NLT)

Day 27 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Pray specific prayers for what we think we need, and even if we ask inappropriately, the Father will give us what we actually need because he knows the difference between needs and wants.

Pray Today:

• For more than 1000 students to be enrolled at Emmanuel College in the fall 2017, just 80 more students than last fall, for the needs of these students to be met on our campus, for the College's needs to be met as we meet theirs.
• For students who have never heard of Emmanuel to find us through alumni, friends, acquaintances, Internet searches, and most importantly, promptings of the Holy Spirit.
• For students who are familiar with Emmanuel, and for those who know very little about us, to prayerfully consider enrolling, to decide to visit campus, to engage with our admissions staff, to talk to our students, staff and faculty, to obey God in this life-changing decision.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

After this Prayer

"Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:30-31 NLT)

Day 26 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Every believer is called to serve, following the example of Jesus, using our hands to help, our words to enlighten, our actions to bring hope, and our prayers to change the world.

Continue to Pray Today:

• For the ministry of EC Serve to be the heartbeat of the Emmanuel College campus, for there to be a culture of service pervading our campus as we seek to live out the lessons of Jesus.
• For EC Serve to be characterized by power, wonder, and boldness, shaking us loose from our lethargy and comfort, compelling us to follow the words of Jesus - seek, save, wash feet, feed, clothe, visit, not to be served but to serve.
• For EC Serve to be a magnet, drawing students from across our nation who have a heart to serve, who enroll in record numbers to reach their educational goals and service objectives, who are resolute in following Jesus with heart and action.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Voices Together in Prayer

When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: "O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. . .hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word." (Acts 4:24, 29 NLT)

Day 25 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• As the concert of prayer ascends from his people, it is like the melody of a beautiful song rising to God, who hears every word, understands every emotion, sees every need, and knows best how to respond.

Pray Today:

• For the ministry of EC Serve, for the EC Serve Committee and leadership team, for those who volunteer for this vital work to be strengthened and protected, to find resources to support them in their work, to minister faithfully where God leads, to inspire and be inspired.
• For EC Serve trips planned this summer to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Kenya, for the leaders to have wisdom, for sufficient numbers of students to go, for all involved to be able to raise their support, for fruit in the field this summer from their labors of service and love. 
• For potential EC Serve trips still in the making to Haiti and the Cherokee Nation, for our plans to align with God's plan, for leaders to emerge, for student volunteers to step up.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

The Moment You Pray

The moment you began to pray, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen very carefully so that you can understand the meaning of the vision.  (Daniel 9:23 NLT)

Day 24 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Results follow prayers as God speaks his will for us into existence, because he is a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to all his children who are precious in his sight.

Pray Today:

• For our students to be motivated and inspired to follow Jesus closely, to obey his every command, to serve the kingdom of God through their words and actions.
• That among our students are those who will have great influence for Christ, that in their worlds they will be change-agents for good, that in the world at large their influence will be felt.
• For our faculty and staff to look beyond the rough edges in some of our students, and instead, see the diamonds in the rough God has set before us, to do our work of polishing and cleaning, building and inspiring until they shine forth as the light of Jesus in the world.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

All I Really Want

Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, "You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life." (Psalm 142:5 NLT)

Day 23 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Problems can be extremely complicated, but the basic answer to any challenge is surrender to Jesus, finding in him a place of refuge and allowing him to make fragmented lives whole again.

Pray Today:

• For our students, for those struggling with self-esteem, for them to find their place in Jesus, for them to see their worth and their potential in Christ.
• For students who come from dysfunctional families, who are hurting every day because of their past, who are searching for relief in the present, who have no hope for the future, to find healing from emotional and spiritual damage through the power of Jesus.
• For students who are academically disadvantaged, who think there is no point in trying, who feel the odds are stacked against them, to find hope, resolve, support, persistence, success, and most importantly, to find Jesus.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

You Restored

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. (Psalm 30:2 NLT)

Day 22 of 31 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• When our health is compromised, sometimes our prayers indeed become cries of help from the severity of our pain, but never fear, God hears our petitions, gives us grace for the hour of our need, and brings comfort and healing in his timing.

Pray Today:

• For those within the Emmanuel family struggling with illness, for the cancer survivors to be in complete good health, for those facing surgery or medical procedures for any malady to be comforted and healed.
• For students, staff and faculty with colds and viruses to be healed so that they can successfully fulfill their responsibilities, for those recovering from recent health issues to be totally and quickly restored to perfect health.
• For those suffering with pain and discomfort from headaches, muscles and joints, digestive issues, and any other symptom that inhibits functioning fully, to be freed of these and completely healed.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Devoted

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. (Acts 2:42-43 NLT)

Day 21 of 31 days of prayer

• There's so much more to pray about so we are extending the prayer emphasis at Emmanuel College for the entire month of January. Please join us.

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• The Word, the fellowship of believers, and prayer - a powerful combination from which miracles always follow.

Pray Today:

• For more miracles in the life of Emmanuel College, for more students to be changed and inspired to follow the Lord, for more students to be called into full-time Christian service.
• For more miraculous enrollments, for students to be drawn to Emmanuel College by the Holy Spirit, for admissions staff to follow the Lord in their recruiting actions, for enrollment in fall 2017 to once again break all records and far exceed our expectations.
• For the Word made flesh, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, to be central on our campus, for fellowship and healthy relationships of sharing and caring to dominate our culture, for prayer to be as natural as breathing, continuous and powerful, breaking down strongholds and releasing Emmanuel College to fulfill its destiny in Christ.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Pray for Rulers

Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. (1 Timothy 2:2 NCV)

Day 20 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Despite the many challenges and imperfections of the United States, it is still the greatest nation in the world because it protects our freedoms, especially the freedom to worship and the freedom of speech.

Pray Today:

• For for the safe and peaceful transition of power at the inauguration today, for Donald Trump to be an effective and God-fearing president, for him to experience spiritual renewal through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• For the people of our nation to experience spiritual renewal as well, for them to seek the Lord in all things, for them to turn to moral living using the Bible as their standard.
• For the Congress to make righteous laws, for the courts to render righteous judgments, for righteous men and women to be appointed to the courts and confirmed.
• For government agencies to be effective and efficient and to stay within the bounds of reasonable regulation, especially the U.S. Department of Education in its relationship with Christian colleges and universities.
• For God to bless America.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Forcefully Advancing

And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. (Matthew 11:12 NLT)

Day 19 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Human eyes are incapable of seeing all that God is doing, and in fact, what we see may not look like success, but rest assured that despite the enemy and in the face of demonic attack, God's work is steadily moving forward.

Pray Today:

• For faith to believe that every obstacle in the path of Emmanuel College will disintegrate and fall away as the people pray.
• For faith to believe all things are possible even when the storm howls about us and the way forward is difficult.
• For patience to move in God's timing, for endurance to stand firm when the going is tough, for hope to blossom and flourish as we trust in God's ultimate victory over evil.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

The Whole Night Praying

They were filled with rage and began to discuss among themselves what they could do to Jesus. At that time Jesus went up a hill to pray and spent the whole night there praying to God. (Luke 6 11-12 GNB)

Day 18 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• When devilish opposition tries to destroy you, follow the example of Jesus - pray first and pray through.

Pray Today:

• For the Student Development department of the College to be strong in the good work of supporting and helping our students with the challenges of youth.
• For those from the national level to the local who fight against the enemies of God, against those who would legalize immorality, and pray for those who are standing for right against wrong, whose voice is lifted to declare to this generation, "Holiness unto the Lord."
• For the personnel who counsel and pray with our students, who plan and implement spiritual and personal growth activities, who discipline and advise, who challenge and inspire.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Keep On

I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. (Ephesians 6:20 NLT)

Day 17 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Chains or not, we will keep on proclaiming what God has done for us, using words and lifestyle, declaring faith and hope, and despite restraints, always praying first and praying through.

Pray Today:

• For the Finance Division of the College and all its personnel in accounting, human resources, technology, security, facilities and campus operations.
• For chain-breaking management of resources leading to the elimination of all the College's debt.
• For wisdom in stewardship, for strong cash-flow, for balanced budgets, for sound financial statements.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

When You Pray

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6 NLT)

Day 16 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Nothing escapes the Father's attention, but consider the bigger issue: Is he the focus of our attention?

Pray Today:

• For the Enrollment Management Department to be effective in recruiting and admitting students who fit the mission of Emmanuel College, students who want to be difference-makers in whatever arena of life they serve.
• For the recruiters to be protected in their travels, guided by the Holy Spirit, making God-ordained connections with others,successfully achieving their goals.
• For the student workers, whose job it is to call and interact with prospective students, to be clear communicators, to be effective workers, and to be successful in reaching their goals.
• For the personnel in the financial aid office to be successful in helping students find resources to pay for college, to be patient and to communicate well, and to find more resources to help more students.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Hear My Cry

Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. (Psalm 142:6 NLT)

Day 15 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• When our strength is gone, maybe it is because we are working in our own strength rather than his.

Pray Today:

• For the Athletic Department, for the coaches, trainers, and administrative staff.
• For our student athletes, for their academic success, for their spiritual development, for their athletic prowess in the field of play.
• For advancement from provisional membership to full membership in the NCAA Division II, for favor with the membership committee, for approval to be granted in the decision-making meeting next July. 

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

My Deliverer

But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to help me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay. (Psalm 70:5 NIV)

Day 14 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• God is our provider, but he doesn't own a bank account, that is, other than yours and mine, and he provides for Emmanuel College when his people obey and give as he instructs.

Pray Today:

• For the Advancement Department of the College to be productive in fundraising and financial development, to cast a vision for the College far and wide that opens the door for more of God's people to help.
• For supporters to pray about their giving, to ask the Lord what they are responsible to give to Emmanuel College, to obey the Lord in every gift they make.
• For endowment funds to grow dramatically, for scholarship funds to be abundant, for funding of special projects to be plentiful, for resources sufficient to pay off all debts of the College.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

I Pray

I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees. (Psalm 119:145 NLT)

Day 13 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Pray more to obey more; obey more and you will pray more.

Pray Today:

• For the academic departments and personnel of Emmanuel College to excel at preparing this generation for success in life.
• For abundant enrollments in all majors, for students to develop the inner drive to succeed academically, for those who struggle to find support and to work hard.
• For the development of new academic majors, for dramatic growth of online classes and majors, for innovation and creativity throughout our academic enterprise.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Call on the Lord

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13 NLT)

Day 12 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Save - verb (used with object), saved, saving: to rescue from danger, injury or loss; to keep safe, intact, unhurt; to preserve; to keep from being lost. So be it, Lord! Amen.

Pray Today:

• For the Spring semester that has just begun, for faculty to effectively communicate, for students to achieve and succeed, for the entire Emmanuel family to work harmoniously together.
• For awakening and renewal across our campus this semester, that the unsaved will be saved, that believers will grow in Christ, that all will serve and share with others at some level.
• For the Pray First initiative to stimulate more prayer campus-wide, prayers of praise and worship, prayers of petition and intercession, prayers of faith and hope. 

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

My Prayer

Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. (Psalm 54:2 NLT)

Day 11 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• If God is listening to our prayers, and he is, and if he responds to our prayers by coming to our aid, and he does, then why are the prayer lives of many believers so anemic, and what could be so important to cause us to neglect spending time with him every day, throughout each day? 

Pray Today:

• For more prayer partners to join with us to ask the Lord for his provision and the fulfillment of his plan for Emmanuel College.
• For our student prayer groups to expand in size and influence.
• For our faculty and staff to pray more and pray first.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

When You Fast

And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. (Mathew 6:16-18 NLT)

Day 10 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Fasting is a mysterious and difficult spiritual discipline, and during our 21 days of prayer, the next seven days include an emphasis on fasting, so let the Holy Spirit guide you to fast and pray.

Pray Today:

• For repentance and forgiveness of sins.
• For us to turn from the attractions of this world that lure us away from God's best.
• For us to continuously turn toward God who knows what we need and when we need it.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

When Trouble Comes

Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me. (Psalm 50:15 GNB)

Day 9 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Every trouble that comes our way has the potential to become a breakout moment when God shows up to save, but first, we must call on God.

Pray Today:

• For Emmanuel College to eliminate its debt.
• For continued favor and positive outcomes from all regulatory agencies, including accreditation, governmental entities, athletic organizations, financial institutions, and such.

Praise God Today:

• For the countless miracles in the life of Emmanuel College in the past, for his keeping power in the present, and for all he will do for us in the future.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Keep Watch and Pray

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak. (Matthew 26:41 NLT)

Day 8 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Temptations abound - to complain, to quit, to do nothing, to do too much, to be proud, to be arrogant, to choose the wrong path, to pray last - but the remedy is the same: pray, pray often, and pray first.

Pray Today:

• For Emmanuel College students to resist the temptation to give less than their best.
• For our students to discover purpose in life, to choose God-ordained careers, and to reach full potential.
• For our students to learn to pray first and pray through when they face spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical struggles.
• For our students and their families, their dreams and hopes for the present and the future.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

My Strength

Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. (Psalm 22:19 NIV)

Day 7 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Regardless of the work we do and the responsibilities that are ours, all of us need to stay close to the Lord and rely on him for the understanding and wisdom to perform well, turning to him often and quickly, praying first in every circumstance, challenge, and choice.

Pray Today:

• For the Emmanuel College staff to be strengthened to do the work of supporting our students and faculty, keeping our educational enterprise moving efficiently.
• For staff, who work directly with students, to be enabled to pray for, counsel with, explain to, supervise, discipline, mentor, coach, and help. . .our students.
• For staff, who are often behind the scenes, to be strengthened to do the cleaning, repairing, maintaining, cooking, computing, filing, organizing, supporting. . .and endless other tasks.
• For staff with leadership and management responsibilities to follow the example of Jesus in caring for the flock entrusted to them.
• For staff and their families, their dreams and hopes for the present and the future.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Lord, Hear Me

Lord, hear me begging for fairness; listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, because I speak the truth. (Psalm 17:1 NCV)

Day 6 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Those who teach have amazing opportunities to change lives like no other profession, yet all of us have the responsibility to communicate God's love so, in one way or another, all of us teach.

Pray Today:

• For the Emmanuel College faculty as they prepare for the new semester that begins next week.
• For the faculty to be wise and full of knowledge.
• For the faculty to be effective communicators of truth.
• For the faculty to be inspiring examples of Christ's love.
• For the faculty, their families, their dreams and hopes for the present and the future.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

When He Prayed

Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. (James 5:17-18 NLT)

Day 5 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• What crazy excuses we sometimes give for not praying - not enough time, busy with work, community, family, even church - but these need our prayers the most and will yield more if we pray more.

Today's prayer topics:

• For Campus Pastor Chris Maxwell and all who work in the area of spiritual life.
• For our chapel services to be effective in stimulating spiritual growth.
• For the Pray First Initiative on our campus.
• For students, staff and faculty to pray more and for more of them to pray first.

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Turn

The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. (Deuteronomy 30:10 NLT)

Day 4 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• More than ever we need to ignore the gods of this world, pushing agendas of selfishness, lust and power, and instead, with all our hearts, turn to our loving Lord in simple obedience and with deep commitment to be his hands, his feet, his voice everywhere we go.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for EC Serve and its dedicated group of volunteers:
• Coordinator of EC Serve, Bob McConnell
• EC Serve Committee, Coach Ben Hall, Chair
• Volunteers in current service projects
• More volunteers for more service projects
• Local service projects
• Spring Serve opportunities
• Summer Serve opportunities

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

O Lord, Listen and Act

O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name. (Daniel 9:19 NLT)

Day 3 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Time seems to slow to a standstill when struggling with big challenges, but fact is, God acts precisely and forcefully in his timing for those who bear his name.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the Emmanuel College Board of Trustees:
• Chairman of the Board, David Roberson
• Vice Chairman, Bill Cox
• Secretary, Robin Cato
• Academic Affairs Committee
• Board Development Committee
• Enrollment Management Committee
• Finance Committee
• Audit and Investment Committee
• Building and Grounds Committee
• Institutional Advancement Committee
• Student Development Committee

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Your Servant's Prayer

O our God, hear your servant's prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary. (Daniel 9:17 NLT)

Day 2 of 21 days of prayer

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• The New Year will hold ups and downs, joys and challenges, and certainly some surprises, but like Daniel, we determine to pray to God who often brings surprising answers to our prayers in ways we do not anticipate.

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for the senior management team at Emmanuel College:
• Dr. Ron White, President
• Mr. Greg Hearn, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Dr. John Henzel, Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Mr. Brian James, Vice President for Advancement
• Ms. Donna Quick, Vice President for Enrollment
• Dr. Tracy Reynolds, Interim Vice President for Student Development

Pray First in every circumstance, challenge, and choice. Always Pray First!

Pray First

When I heard this [discouraging news], I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4 NLT)

Day 1 of 21 days of prayer

Today is the start of 21 days of prayer, a national effort to begin the New Year with prayer. At Emmanuel, today also marks the start of our Pray First initiative, and like Nehemiah, we acknowledge our total dependence on God and our desire to turn to him first, in every circumstance, with every challenge, and not for just 21 days, but always. 

Today's one-sentence meditation:

• Life brings us times of sorrow and weeping, but life also is filled with gladness and rejoicing, and through each passage, our response is to turn to Almighty God to pray and praise first.

Today's prayer topics:

• For students, staff, faculty, board of trustees, alumni and friends to develop and strengthen our disciplines of prayer and fasting.
• For wise decisions in 2017.

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