Amazing Things

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. (Psalm 96:3 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Let us not be silent - or neglectful - or forgetful - of the miraculous and amazing provisions of the Lord for us. Tell it.

Today:

• Give praise and copious thanks to the Lord who has saved Emmanuel College time and again from destruction, and who continues to preserve and advance its God-ordained mission.
• Give praise and abundant thanks to the Lord for the students who enroll year after year, who are shaped and developed by this place to find their purposes and make their marks in the world.
• Give praise and profuse thanks to the Lord for the dedicated faculty and staff who pour themselves into generation after generation, who see their handiwork bear fruit in the ones in whom they have invested so much.

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

Favor on us

May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. (Psalm 67:1 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• When we've done all we know to do, the result is up to God as we pray for his blessings and favor upon us.

Pray today:

• For our students as they take final exams next week, for their preparations to be effective, for their learning outcomes to be successful.
• For our faculty who will administer and grade exams, for guidance, wisdom, and understanding.
• For insight, stamina, and strength for students and faculty, for patience and calm emotions, for a successful and productive ending to this academic year.

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

Seek Them

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. (Proverbs 2:3-4 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Only by making the effort to seek answers will be find them because God is faithful to respond and provide. 

Pray today:

• For the hiring process to find the appropriate faculty to fill openings for next fall in the critical areas of math and science.
• For the Holy Spirit to draw qualified candidates to apply for these positions, for these candidates to have the exact skills and credentials needed.
• For the Holy Spirit to guide the selection process, confirming the candidates who are the right fit for Emmanuel College, who will see their purposes in and out of the classroom, teaching, mentoring and praying for their students.

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

He Answered

I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. (Psalm 120:1 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• No matter how big the obstacles or how severe the troubles, the only sure solutions come from making our requests known to the Lord who is always eager to answer.

Pray today and continuously over the next several weeks:

• For four critical needs:
1. Reduction and eventual elimination of the College's debt, and for critical connections and decisions over the remainder of this calendar year that will move this long and complicated process forward.
2. Successful completion of the reaffirmation of accreditation process with SACSCOC's Compliance and Review Committee in June.
3. Decision by the NCAA Division II membership committee in July to grant Emmanuel College full and active membership status.
4. Enrollment of 1000 students in the fall semester this August.
• Please lift up these critical needs to the Lord on a regular basis.

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

I Will Bless

I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy the poor with food. (Psalm 132:15 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Working hard and being industrious is important, but it is the Lord blessing our work and amplifying our efforts that brings productivity and abundance.

Pray today:

• For clear and positive results stemming from the Founding Farmers Gala held on campus last evening, for greater interest and more financial support to develop in the coming weeks and months for the Emmanuel College Diversified Agriculture Program.
• For recruiting goals to be met this fall, for students to flock to this program, for exceptional student outcomes.
• For the faculty to have wisdom and understanding in the continuing development of this new program of study, for them to be successful in their teaching, recruiting, and managing.

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

Your Decrees

I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. (Psalm 119:12 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Nothing cheers the soul like praise to the Lord, and nothing comforts like the Word of the Lord.

Pray today:

• For our chapel service today at 11:00 a.m., the last of this academic year, for attentive minds and yielded hearts, for prayers of faith, for songs of praise, for worship of our loving Lord.
• For the Word of God to be received with gladness, for the messenger to be effective in communication.
• For the people to be receptive to the Holy Spirit, for them to follow his promptings with obedience.

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

Strength to His People

God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! (Psalm 68:35 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• When our strength is spent and weariness sets in, God holds the remedy and can infuse us with the energy we need if we but ask him and rely upon his power.

Pray today:

• For students, staff and faculty as we enter the Spring Semester's last week of classes today, for them to find strength and stamina in preparation for exams the following week.
• For students to make good use of their time this week, to be disciplined in their studies and diligent in completion of assignments.
• For a successful and productive conclusion to this academic year, for educational outcomes and goals to be achieved. 

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

Every Generation

Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. (Psalm 135:13 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Each new generation is dependent upon the preceding one to share the redeeming power of Jesus Christ and the principles and disciplines of Christian living.

Pray today:

• For every future generation enrolling at Emmanuel College, from the class that enters next fall to the classes in all the years to come, that the Lord will be lifted up and praised, that each generation will know the Lord.
• For the administration, faculty and staff to be faithful to proclaim the name of the Lord to each generation, for them to point to Jesus as the one who saves and as the one upon whom we build purposeful lives.
• For each new class to make its way here led by the Holy Spirit, for each class to be formed and shaped by the Holy Spirit, for faculty and staff to be keenly aware of their responsibility to guide and teach, in academic disciplines, yes, but also in the ways of God. 

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

Strength for Battle

You have armed me with strength for the battle. (2 Samuel 22:40a NLT)

Today's meditation:

• When it is the Lord's battle, he provides us with everything we need - courage, stamina, resources, people, opportunities, and much, much more.

Pray today:

• For what God has next in the life of Emmanuel College, for his perfect plan to unfold, for each obstacle to be overcome, for each opportunity to be exploited.
• For battles yet to come where we must defend our College, our purpose, our mission.
• For the challenges ahead that will come from extending our reach by charting bold new courses of action, for strength sufficient for each task, both now and in the future.

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

Lord of Peace

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Although following the Lord may lead to challenging events in our lives, it will never disrupt the peace of God that comes from knowing our Lord and fulfilling his purpose in our lives.

Pray today:

• For prospective students for whom Emmanuel College is the best option, and who may be undecided or wavering, to commit and register for classes, finding peace in purpose.
• For the first early registration event tomorrow to reach its attendance goals for new registered students for fall semester.
• For the other early registration events in June and July to exceed registration goals.

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

The Holy Spirit

But those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. (Romans 8:5b NLT)

Today's meditation:

• May our minds work well and our motives be pure, but above all, may we yield to the control of the Holy Spirit in everything we think and do. 

Pray today:

• For students to be drawn from around the world to Emmanuel College next year and every year as our recruitment methods and personnel work in sync with the Holy Spirit and the purposes of God.
• For the admissions team to reach its goal for next fall of enrolling 276 freshmen and 55 transfer students, a total of 331 new traditional students.
• For overall enrollment to exceed 1000 students next fall.

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

With Songs

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. (Psalm 101:1 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• The soul devoted to the Lord sings, regardless of circumstances and conditions, and that song of praise is unstoppable.  

Pray today:

• For the team of students who will travel under the name Conquest this summer in camps, churches and other venues - singing, preaching, teaching, and serving.
• For their preparation time to be effective in rehearsals, in study, and in prayer. 
• For safety in travel, for good health, for spiritual growth, for powerful ministry, and for their labors to yield an abundant harvest.

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

Our Good Work

The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. (2 Corinthians 3:2 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• While God only knows the extent to which Emmanuel College alumni have influenced the world for good, the greatest chapters of God's work through the College are yet to be written. 

Pray today:

• For the publications of the College to be successful in sharing the achievements of our alumni around the world.
• For the Advancement department, its personnel and outreach, to be effective at communication, leaving no doubt regarding the positive influence of many who have been shaped by their time spent at Emmanuel College.
• For the latest issue of Forward magazine, a vital Advancement publication for the College, to be read and shared far and wide by alumni and friends.

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

They are Working

They are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!  (Colossians 4:11b NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Working together in God's kingdom with a team dedicated to each other and to the Lord produces joy, a sense of accomplishment, and most of all, results that match the will and purposes of God. 

Pray today:

• For the admissions managers in the hiring of student admissions workers for summer and for the next academic year, a group that is critical to our enrollment success.
• For the interviews of applicants to yield EC students who will be effective in communicating the benefits of Emmanuel College to prospective students.
• For the admissions team to gel into a cohesive and successful enrollment unit, assimilating the new hires efficiently.

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

He is Risen!

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. (Matthew 28:2, 4-6 NLT)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• The guards with their swords and armor, their bluster and bravado, fell as dead men in the presence of the resurrection, which is an apt illustration of what happens in our lives when darkness encounters the Light, when the insurmountable meets the Savior.

Give thanks today for the words of the angel at the tomb when he said:

• "Don't be afraid!" Don't fear death, its darkness, its mystery. Don't fear life, its twists and turns, its uncertainties.
• "I know you are looking for Jesus." May we always look for Jesus, in our decisions, in our plans, in our work, always finding him and following obediently.
• "He is risen from the dead just as he said." Jesus' does what he says he will do. Count on it. And because he has solved the problem of death, he is alive today to help meet our every challenge of life.

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

The Next Day

The next day. . .the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They said, "Sir, we remember that while that liar was still alive he said, 'After three days I will rise from the dead.' So give the order for the tomb to be guarded closely till the third day." Pilate said, "Take some soldiers and go guard the tomb the best way you know." So they all went to the tomb and made it safe from thieves by sealing the stone in the entrance and putting soldiers there to guard it. (Matthew 27:62-64a, 65-66 NCV)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• No amount of human effort can thwart the plan of God, not then, not now, not ever!

Give thanks today:

• For more proof of the resurrection coming through the feeble efforts of the priests, Pharisees, and soldiers who sealed the stone and placed a 24-hour guard, inadvertently providing what they were trying to prevent - evidence of a risen Savior.
• For the dialogue captured in Holy Scripture: Pilate - "Guard the tomb the best way you know," and Jesus - "I will rise from the dead." 
• For Jesus' power, that although the soldiers made their best effort to keep him in the grave, it was no match for what God would do on the third day.

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

Praying

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." (Matthew 26:39 NLT)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• May we follow the example of Jesus who in the final hours before his greatest trial was found praying.

Give thanks today:

• For Jesus' submission to the Father's plan that included a trial, beating, humiliation, and death sentence, none of which he deserved, all of which he endured - for us.
• For the people of Emmanuel College who have faithfully believed in the Biblical truth that there is no way to be reconciled to God except through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
• For all who pray the prayer - "Father, not my will, but yours."

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

A New Commandment

So now I am giving you a new commandment: love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35 NLT)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• Does the witness of our love for each other prove we are his disciples or does it reveal something else entirely?

Give thanks today:

• For the Church, the body of Christ, where love is the common denominator.
• For the love within the Emmanuel family that reaches around the world.
• For the love of Jesus that propels us to go where he sends us, to speak what he tells us, to share what he gives us.

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

All He Has Done For Us

Editor's note: It has come to my attention that some of you did not receive the prayer blog yesterday. Please remember that if it ever fails to show in your inbox, you can always go directly to the blog by going to PrayForEmmanuel.blogspot.com and see all blog posts. Thanks. 

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7 NLT)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• God's grace is unabated after more than 2000 years since the cross, and you and I are privileged to be recipients of his kindness and grace in the 21st Century.

Give thanks today:

• For all God has done for us in Christ Jesus, most importantly, saving us but even more, allowing us to know him personally.
• For the opportunities we have at Emmanuel College to be good examples of God's grace, sharing with current and future generations the Gospel of Jesus.
• For all God has done for us at Emmanuel College, especially in recent years by keeping our witness alive and our mission advancing. 

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

Raised

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6 NLT)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• Dead in sin and not even knowing it until Jesus changed everything, bringing with him the bright hope of the resurrection of the dead, even of the walking dead.

Give thanks today:

• For the liberation of mankind, born in sin, condemned to death, but raised to new life through Jesus, our friend, our brother, and our Savior.
• For the privilege of living in the presence of God because we have chosen to be united with Christ and led by the Holy Spirit.
• For Emmanuel College, where disciples of Jesus are nurtured, prepared and sent into a decaying world that needs the life that only our resurrected Christ can bring.

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

Saved

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God's grace that you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT)

Today's Holy Week meditation:

• During Holy Week, may we be constantly reminded of what Jesus did for the world, and even more, what he did for you and me, offering mercy we didn't deserve and grace that saves.

Give thanks today:

• For God's plan of salvation that forgives the wrong in us, exchanging sin and death for life in Christ.
• For Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. May we never take it for granted.
• For the people of Emmanuel College who take the Gospel wherever the Holy Spirit leads, sharing the rich mercy and great love of God.

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

Thanks

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3 NIV)

Today's meditation:

• There's nothing quite like the love and support of family and friends, and thinking of them brings joy to the soul and makes a happy heart.

Thank you:

• Thank you to all who have been praying for me and my family during our bereavement at the loss of our father. He lived to within 13 days of his 99th birthday, a full and blessed life. 

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

Great is your love

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. (Psalm 57:10 NIV)

Today's meditation:

• God's love penetrates to the darkest corners, to the deepest sadness, to the greatest discomfort, and he is there, faithful Father and friend.

Pray today:

• For our students who may feel unloved and emotionally drained to experience the great love of God.
• For those who feel abandoned and alone to find him as faithful Father.
• For the love of God that surrounds us to break through every circumstance and bring peace.

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

Refuge

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• A place to hide, to find comfort, to feel safe and less vulnerable - God is this and more!

Pray today:

• For those within the Emmanuel family who need to worry less and trust more.
• For students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College to never cease to pour out our thoughts, our needs, and our praise to God our Father - the one who welcomes us into the safety of his outstretched arms.
• For students working through the last few weeks of the semester to be diligent in their studies and trusting in God's support and guidance.

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

Thirst for God

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• No matter the circumstance or trial, no matter the problem or difficulty, in life or death, in joy or sorrow, God is more than enough.

Pray today:

• For steady resolve to face the day and every day with the hope and confidence we have in God.
• For our longing to walk with Jesus to increase, for our hearts to beat as one with his, for our lives to be overshadowed by his presence.
• For the sweet comfort of the Holy Spirit, for our thirst to be assuaged by his healing stream, for no desire to be greater than our desire to follow in his steps.

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

Training

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• The undisciplined achieve little, but the trained and disciplined mind, body, and spirit can accomplish more than otherwise expected.

Pray today:

• For our athletic programs to be a part of advancing the mission of Emmanuel College, for our athletes to be successful academically, spiritually, and athletically.
• For our coaches and other athletic staff to be mentors and guides to our players, for our coaches to lead their teams with wisdom and skill, for our players to see examples of the love of God everywhere they turn.
• For our athletic recruiting goals to be met, for our coaches to fill their rosters with athletes who love Jesus or will come to know Jesus, for our coaches and players to pursue their sport with a strong work ethic and relentless persistence, applying the same to education, faith, and career. 

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

Amazed

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Ordinary people who have been with Jesus are often called upon to do the extraordinary.

Pray today:

• For boldness to advance the mission of Emmanuel College, for discernment to know what to do, for empowerment to do it.
• For wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent, to know when to act and when to wait.
• For people around us to see the hand of God in all we do, for current and prospective students to be inspired to enroll at Emmanuel and challenged to obey the Lord, for donors to recognize God's handiwork and invest time, energy and money in obedience to his will.

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

Ministry

Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you. (Colossians 4:17b NLT)

Today's meditation:

• There is no excuse for Christians to be disengaged from the world when the Holy Spirit is always calling us to places of service and ministry enabled by his gifts in us.

Pray today:

• For the ministry outreach teams of Emmanuel College to be effective in sharing the Gospel wherever they go, for an expansion of their influence and purpose in the months and years to come.
• For the Emmanuel Singers, the Emmanuel Players, and the Revive Dance Team, for each student who participates in these outreach teams, for the students who should attend EC next year and take their places in one of these groups.
• For the leaders of these teams to have insight and wisdom in planning, rehearsing, and serving through their respective ministries, for all decisions related to EC ministry outreach teams to be covered in prayer and led by the Holy Spirit.

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

Serving Others

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. (Romans 12:7 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• All Christians are called to serve, but those who are gifted in service should lead and teach the rest of us, so that Jesus is clearly seen through our loving and compassionate acts of service.

Pray today:

• For EC Serve trip to Kenya on June 1-15, for group leaders Owen Thomason, director of our Diversified Agriculture program, and his wife Gina, for the group of five participants who will serve.
• For this service project that will be working with missionaries, helping at orphanages, building and repairing facilities, and leading an agriculture seminar.
• For abundant resources and support for this trip, for spiritual, physical and financial needs to be met.

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

Insight

Common sense and success belong to me [wisdom]. Insight and strength are mine. (Proverbs 8:14 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• When we allow God to enable wisdom and common sense in us, we marvel at the outcomes.

Pray today:

• For God to bless all the employees of Emmanuel College with wisdom and strength to perform their duties, with spiritual insight, good health and financial prosperity.
• For spring hiring activities for open positions to be successful, for the Holy Spirit to lead search committees and managers to the right individuals to fill staff and faculty positions.
• For student positions to be filled wisely, including resident assistants, admissions counselors, sports information workers, and others.

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