Forgetting the Past

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, . . .  (Philippians 3:13 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pardon me for stopping Paul's words mid-sentence, but as we finish one year and stand on the cusp of the New Year, it will do us well to forget some things and focus forward on others.
• Pray we forget all the hurts, disappointments, mistakes, and sins of the past, covering them with the blood of Jesus.
• Pray we focus with intensity and purpose on the work God has for us in the New Year, bathing our plans and actions with prayer, following the Holy Spirit wherever he leads.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for the grace of God that is greater than all our sins, cleansing us, healing us, and filling us with renewed purpose.

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

The Light Shines

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:4-5 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• God's light illumines his purposes and nothing can stop him from doing what he intends.
• Pray we bask in his light and with confidence move forward to fulfill the purpose he has in mind for Emmanuel College for the New Year and all the years to come.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for the students who are preparing to enroll in January and for hundreds more who are planning to be here next fall.

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

Abundant Joy

They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. (2 Corinthians 8:2 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• It is no secret that Emmanuel College is being tested by many challenges, but God has helped us meet each challenge thus far and our joy is overflowing as we reflect on the blessings of the past year.
• Pray we respond in the New Year to God's gracious provision by offering what we have to him, generously and completely, serving where he calls.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for every answer to prayer and for every miraculous provision from God.

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

Light Has Dawned

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• The birth of Jesus is the birth of hope for mankind, that what is broken can be repaired, that what is lost can be found.
• As Christ's followers, pray we commit ourselves to sharing the light of the Gospel wherever he leads us, whether to some far-flung corner of the earth covered with the shadow of death or even if it's to those living in darkness across the street in my neighborhood.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for dozens of students who are preparing to serve others through short-term mission trips this spring and summer.

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

Glorious Grace

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. (Ephesians 1:5-6 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• One of the greatest pleasures during the Christmas season is watching the joyful reaction of someone who has been given a gift, especially if you were the giver. 
• Pray we rejoice this season in the glorious grace poured out on us through the gift of the Son of God.
• Thank him for adopting us and giving us a place in the family of God.

Thank you for praying.

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

To Those Who Ask

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Christmas Day has come and gone, but we are still enjoying gifts received, and more importantly, we are thrilled by the love behind those gifts. 
• Pray we continuously nurture the loving relationship with our Father, asking him for God-things in our lives - the best gifts imaginable.

Thank you for praying.

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

God Gave His Only Son

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall  not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• We give and receive gifts today with those we love, but no gift compares to what God gave in a Bethlehem stable nor in what Jesus gave on a Jerusalem cross.
• Pray we honor God today in our joyous celebrations and remind each other often of the meaning behind the gifts on this Christmas Day.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for over 100 students last semester who accepted Jesus, the gift of God to the world, and now have the promise of eternal life. The miracles continue.

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

Opened Their Treasures

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• The wise men traveled the farthest and perhaps understood the most about the Christ-child, his future, his sacrifice, and his provision for man. See how quickly they bowed in the presence of the Son of God and worshiped him. 
• Pray we continually bow down and worship our Savior and Lord, never losing sight of what he has done and is doing for us.
• Pray we open the treasures of our hearts and give him our hopes and dreams, our thoughts and ambitions, to offer them to him for his use and purpose and for our good.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for the gifts of goodwill and the favor of God upon Emmanuel College that has led us miraculously through many challenges this past year.
• Thankful for those who have given financial resources during the last few weeks with gifts ranging from $10 to $1000 and culminating in a donation of $50,000 this week. What generous Christmas gifts to honor our Lord, Emmanuel, the God who is with us!

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

Overjoyed

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:9-10 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• Those of us in education are grateful the wise men are included in the Christmas story. Although they may have been the first to know, they were the last to show up, but they faithfully followed God's direction and let nothing stop them from their pursuit of the Christ-child.
• Pray we are willing to go to the ends of the earth, if necessary, to follow Jesus in obedience and worship.
• Pray for joy in our lives, not just a little, but a lot - joy that's over the top, ecstatic, exceeding great joy - because we found Jesus, and we follow him.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for students, staff, and faculty who are planning short-term mission trips this spring and summer. If we are wise, we must go where he leads.

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

To Worship Him

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2  NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• What marvelous imagery that the most important royal birth did not happen in a palace but in a stable, the lowest and most humble of settings. 
• Pray we fully grasp the significance that Jesus became a common man of the lowest order so that he might elevate us to a higher order, namely, to become royal heirs of God the Father.
• Pray we are wise enough to humble ourselves and always worship him, the one born in Bethlehem as the supreme ruler over death and the grave, who brings new life to all who seek him.

Thank you for praying.

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

Keeping Watch

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (Luke 2:8-9 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• The angels didn't form their choir on the temple mount in the city of Jerusalem, but in the lowly hills around the village of Bethlehem, appearing not to the well-heeled and educated in their leisure, but to common men while on the job working the night shift. How unexpected.
• Pray we remain faithful in our work, keeping watch over our responsibilities, laboring in purposeful routines of the expected, but always ready for God to break through with the surprising and the unexpected.
• Pray for the glory of the Lord to shine upon us, giving us light and focus and awe, seeing God not through the diminishing filters we use to limit his presence in our lives, but in the fullness of his energy and power toward us, in us, and through us.

Thank you for praying.

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

The Time Came

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:6-7 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• How surprising that the greatest person ever born could find no guest room prepared for his arrival. The "No Vacancy" sign was out, so a smelly stable with a manger of hay had to do.
• Pray we always make room for Jesus - in all our plans, our hopes, and our actions.
• Pray we have the patience to wait for God's answers to come to full term, birthing in us exactly what he wants when he wants it.

Thank you for praying.

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

A Child is Born

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6  NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• Oh, the difference the birth of a child makes, but the Christ-child changed the world by rescuing us.
• Pray for the leaders of Emmanuel College to allow Jesus to counsel and guide us into his perfect paths.
• Pray the entire Emmanuel family yields to the power of our God and to the authority of our loving father, and pray for Christ's peace to still the hearts and minds, bringing rest, confidence, and hope.

Thank you for praying.

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

Power of the Holy Spirit

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• We never tire of the story of how God provided the gift of life to the world in days of old, but may we remember that he is with us today, listening to our prayers and granting us his daily visitation and provision.
• Pray we allow the Holy Spirit to birth in us the remarkable and miraculous.
• Pray for the people of Emmanuel College to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for praying.

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

Emmanuel

All right then, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel (which means 'God is with us'). (Isaiah 7:14 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• God is with us! Pray like you believe it and never forget it. God is with us!
• While we enjoy the Christmas season with family and friends, and as we hear the Christmas story told over and over, pray for the impossible to become possible as men and women once again yield themselves to the awesome power of God.
• Pray for people inside and outside the Emmanuel family to believe in our mission and support it by their decision-making.

Thank you for praying.

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

Press On

Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Success comes from pressing on, but our most important achievement is not material gain but knowing him. Pray with the prophet, "Oh, that we might know the Lord!" 
• Pray for us to develop recruiting strategies that find streams of students who know the Lord and want to know him more.
• Pray. He will surely respond. Our answers come often with growing perception like the faint hint of dawn, but given time, light comes in ever increasing clarity.

Thank you for praying.

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

He Will Restore

In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. (Hosea 6:2 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• In the crucible, time slows, but in God's timing, everything comes to pass with exquisite precision. Pray for patience to endure and for discernment to guide our actions, and most of all, for determination to live in his presence.
• Pray for those working on the Strategic Enrollment Plan who conclude two days of meetings today. Pray for wisdom and Godspeed to work quickly and effectively.

Thank you for praying.

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

Secret Riches

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness - secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. (Isaiah 45:3 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• God intends to bless us with abundance, much of it from sources yet unknown, and he will do it because he is the Lord, the one who knows everything about us - our past, present, and future. Pray we yield to his intentions in humility and awe.
• Pray for the special treasure that comes in the form of our students who have such potential to change what's wrong in the world. 
• Yes, pray for our returning students who are secret riches for unlocking the future, and for those yet to enroll who should listen to the Lord calling them to Emmanuel - our treasure from hidden places.

Thank you for praying.

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

Seek Him

In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. (Isaiah 26:9a NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we are quick to seek the Lord, whether morning, noon or night, whether the challenges are small or huge, whether the day is peaceful or tumultuous, to always search for him, to seek him, the source of everything good.
• Pray for those engaged in recruiting students to Emmanuel, for recent training to be of great value, for insight and wisdom as they interact with prospective students, and for the confidence and energy needed to joyfully do the work.

Thank you for praying.

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

Your Will, Our Hope

We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire. (Isaiah 26:8 GNB)

Today's prayer topics:

• O the beauty and delight of the will of God. Pray that we always seek it and follow the Lord with all our hearts.
• Pray that our hope is grounded in the will of God, not the works of man, and pray that our obedience to the will of God fuels more and more hope.
• Pray for those in the Emmanuel family who may be discouraged, to seek God's will more persistently as the pathway to hope and the source of great peace. 

Thank you for praying.

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

The Path Ahead

But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. (Isaiah 26:7 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• The journey at times is over unfamiliar terrain so pray we find the path God prepares - smooth, productive, and leading to his best for us.
• Pray for those who will be working over the Christmas break to be super efficient and effective, for maintenance crews, for accreditation committees, for those working on the strategic plan, and for others who have tasks to complete.

Thank you for praying.

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

The Eternal Rock

Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:4 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• The Lord is our place of safety and security, our stability in all kinds of weather, so pray we trust him and walk with him through rain or shine, hot or cold, through the storm or beside the still waters. 
• Pray for the Lord's protection over our students as they travel home for the Christmas break and pray for safe travels for others in the Emmanuel family across the holidays.

Thank you for praying.

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

I Look to the Lord

As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. (Micah 7:7 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we keep a laser-like focus on God who is our ultimate source, the Help behind all other help.
• Waiting is hard, but waiting confidently is even harder so pray for us to remember clearly what God has already done so that our confidence grows in what he is yet to do.
• Pray for those who are working on our Quality Enhancement Plan, a requirement of accreditation, that they will focus on retention with creativity and will find extraordinary helpers, internally and externally, who will masterfully assist us in completing an effective and acceptable plan.

Thank you for praying.

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

You Will Receive

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for persistence in the people of God to keep on praying and calling upon the Lord for what we need to fulfill his purposes for Emmanuel College.
• Keep on asking for problem-solving ideas and abundant resources, for more students, for additional donors, for favor with God and man, for vision to see God's plan, for encouragement, energy, patience and peace of mind, and for anything the Lord puts into your mind to pray for, but above all, keep on asking.
• Keep on knocking on heaven's door, asking God to open the hearts and minds of people who can help us, especially a recent connection that has potential of opening new doors to great resources.

Thank you for praying.

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

Endurance

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to see clearly God's long-term plan for Emmanuel College and for patient endurance to stay the course.
• Pray for correct decisions and actions on our part, following the Spirit to all he has promised.
• Pray for students, staff, and faculty this week to be strengthened as they wrap up the semester and pray for them to have abundant patience and endurance to complete exams, grading, and the myriad of other tasks to be completed.

Thank you for praying.

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

Wisdom

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray all our decisions and actions are grounded in wisdom and understanding, and that success arises from their prayerful application.
• Pray for the delegation attending the annual meeting of our accreditation agency (SACSCOC) to gain clearer understanding and even wisdom regarding our preparation for reaffirmation of accreditation.
• Pray for the team that for months now has been compiling data, and in December, will complete the writing of the first draft of the Compliance Report for SACSCOC, that wisdom and understanding will flow throughout the process.

Thank you for praying.

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

For Prayer

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. (Luke 5:16 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• As we experience moments of respite, pray we are not lulled into inactivity, but may we pray all the more.
• Pray we follow the example of Christ by often finding quiet places to pray.
• Pray for our students to complete their preparations this weekend for exams that begin on Monday.

Thank you for praying.

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

Encourage Each Other

Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for increasing levels of cooperation and collaboration in finding solutions to the challenges we face.
• Pray we use encouraging words and actions to build up faith, love, and trust.
• Pray for the Spiritual Life Committee as they plan and work to meet the spiritual needs of our students.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayer:

• Thankful for so many supporters who give an extra gift this time of year.

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

Enduring Hope

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we remain faithful in advancing the mission of Emmanuel College, and may we never forget that praying for one another is a major part of our work.
• Pray for more and more people to engage in more and more loving actions.
• Pray for hope to grow because of Jesus Christ and his living, breathing work in us.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayer:

• Thankful today marks 365 days of prayers offered through this prayer blog and so grateful for the many wonders we have experienced because of these prayers.
• Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for Emmanuel College. We need your prayers now more than ever. Please keep praying. 

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

He Carries Us

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. (Psalm 68:19 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Praise him for he is the God who saves!
• Pray we learn to rest within his embrace, allowing him to carry us to safety.
• Pray that the daily needs of our students, staff, and faculty are met.

Thank you for praying.

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

Our Strength

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  (Psalm 46:1 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for strength from God that enables us to take action needed today as well as for the long-term challenges.
• Pray for refuge, places of safety and rest, to be found in the Lord our God.
• Pray for our students this week as they prepare for final exams next week.

Thank you for praying.

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

Pray Constantly

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. (1 Thessalonians 1:2 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• We are so thankful for our Emmanuel family - for all of you.
• We pray for our Emmanuel family - for all of you.
• Let us constantly give thanks and pray for one another - for all of us.

Thank you for praying.

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

Praises to my God

I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2 NLT)

Today's praise:

• O God, our lives our living examples of praise to you because knowing you is the ultimate in what really matters, and praise the Lord, we know you!
• Lord God, our commitment is to serve you and to always do so with praise and appreciation for you in our lives.
• May the Emmanuel family live in continuous praise to the Lord for who he is and for the privilege we have of working in his kingdom.

Thank you for giving praise to God today.

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

Thank You, Lord

All your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. (Psalm 145:10 NLT)

Today's thanksgiving topics:

• Give thanks today for God's wonderful work in us.
• Give thanks today for so much to give thanks about.
• Be faithful to follow him closely, and as we go, give praise for who he is and offer thanks for what he does.

Thank you for giving thanks.

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

Share the Story

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. (Psalm 145:7 NLT)

Today's thanksgiving topics:

• Give thanks today for God's remarkable faithfulness to Emmanuel College, sending help and provision through the right people at the right times.
• Give thanks today for our students, many of whom do not yet understand how God is shaping them, but all of whom will eventually see the work done in them here.
• Give thanks today for our staff and faculty who perform daily miracles, supporting and teaching in ways that change students' lives for the better.
• Give thanks today for all who share the Emmanuel story.

Thank you for giving thanks.

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

Thanksgiving

But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone. (Psalm 109:30 NLT)

Today's thanksgiving topics:

• Give thanks today for a loving, merciful Lord who actively engages in our lives for our good.
• Give thanks today for "our daily bread" and every other creature comfort and material blessing we enjoy.
• Give thanks today for Emmanuel College which is more a people than it is a place - a people who spread around the globe as salt and light, making the world a better place because we are there.

Thank you for giving thanks.

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

Your Security

For the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. (Proverbs 3:26 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we never become over confident, moving in our own strength, but may we stay within the protection and security of the Lord.
• Pray we stay ready for battle, avoiding the traps of the devil, and paying careful attention to follow in God's steps.
• Pray for protection for our students as many of them travel home for Thanksgiving, and pray for all in the Emmanuel family to have a safe and thanks-filled holiday.

Thank you for praying.

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

Victory

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. (Proverbs 21:31 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we prepare ourselves completely, wearing the full armor of God.
• Pray we put forth our best effort in battle, every day in every circumstance.
• Pray we always remember that God brings the victory.

Thank you for praying.

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

Pray in the Spirit

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:18 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for an abiding persistence in prayer by thousands of alumni and friends who daily call out to the Lord on our behalf.
• Pray we stay alert and experience accurate discernment, making our prayers effectively focused and on target.
• Pray we allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten our true prayer needs, and may we pray in perfect unity with him who knows what to pray for even when we don't.

Thank you for praying.

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

Sword of the Spirit

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray our minds are protected from negative, faithless thinking through the saving grace of God surging through our brain cells.
• Pray we learn to skillfully handle the awesome sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to defend and advance the cause of Christ.
• Pray we constantly see the opposing forces through the lens of God's magnificent provision.

Thank you for praying.

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

The Shield of Faith

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. (Ephesians 6:15-16 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we face the devil with the peace that comes from knowing God, standing with firm-footed stability.
• Pray we live and move in faith in all we do, recognizing the power of faith to protect us from the offensive actions of the enemy, rendering them ineffective.
• Pray we understand that being fully prepared starts with activating God's protective gear: Truth, integrity, our salvation, and faith for living.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Stand Your Ground

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we place the truth of the Word, especially his promises to us, at the core of everything we do.
• Pray we stand our ground, not because we are good and able, but because the Lord our God replaces our inadequacies with his perfection and righteousness, making us his agents of good in a world gone mad.
• Pray we understand it is what God has done and is doing that covers us with protection and keeps us safe in the heat of battle.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for a faithful alum who sent his $10 this month like he does every month, and also thankful for a friend of the College who sent a one-time gift of $1000. Both are used of God to provide for the needs of Emmanuel College.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Resist the Enemy

Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:13 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we use God's armor, both defensively and offensively, in the struggle with the unseen world.
• Pray we resist the enemies forces who would tempt us to doubt God's purpose and provision, and pray we stubbornly stand.
• Even when we do not know the battle plan, pray we learn to stand in God's armor and from that vantage point we will see what to do next.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• As I remember the dozens of battles we've already fought, some of them life and death struggles, each of them requiring different strategies and tactics, the common threads are God's leadership and the fact that we are still standing firm.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

The Unseen World

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor. (Ephesians 6:12-13a NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we accurately discern behind our opposition in the seen world, an array of beings in the unseen world who are moving against us.
• Pray for wisdom to fight spiritual beings and battles with spiritual methods and weapons.
• Prayer warrior is an appropriate description of those who are needed to effectively manage the battles and overcome the enemy. Pray for more prayer warriors to support our mission.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• I keep getting a glimpse of the vast army of prayer warriors actively engaging in spiritual warfare. Sometimes it's in an email or a social media post, sometimes in a quiet comment, sometimes in a note attached to a check. 
• Thank God for the continuous prayers offered with Godly precision that make surgical strikes against the designs and plans of the unseen world.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Stand Firm

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we understand what it means to suit-up in God's armor, finding strength and might his way instead of ours.
• Pray for discernment to see the strategies of the devil so that we unleash the holy firepower of prayer and the Word to defeat his every move.
• Regardless of what the devil throws against us, pray we stand firm.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thanks to God and the people of God that Satan's strategies have failed to destroy us or even make us ineffective. 
• As the battle continues to unfold, thankful for God's promises to be what we need when we need it, to rescue and deliver, to make us strong in his mighty power.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Peace

Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you. (Isaiah 26:12 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for peace of mind and steady actions in the work before us.
• Pray we keep our actions in proper perspective to God's responses, always acknowledging what he has accomplished through us.
• Pray we always remember what God has already done for us, causing faith to rise as we ponder what he is yet to do.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for how God works in our students. One recently commented that God took the broken pieces of her life and made it something wonderful. She said, "I've discovered a career and a calling" and been "completely transformed."

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

My Helper and My Savior

As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay. (Psalm 40:17 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Although God has blessed us with a brief period of respite, pray for the battles over the life and mission of Emmanuel College that are yet to come.
• Pray for long-term solutions which will require great financial resources to meet the needs and obligations of the College.
• Pray for God to hold us close, to move swiftly and not delay in bringing the necessary help to overcome the challenges looming in our future.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

The Lord is Great

May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!" (Psalm 40:16 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we joyfully do our work even when the tasks are difficult and heavy.
• Pray we proclaim God's marvelous nature which often reveals his amazing actions among us like rescue and relief.
• Pray our faith extends beyond past miracles to believe for even greater wonders in our present and future.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Tender Mercies

Lord, don't hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. (Psalm 40:11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we never stray from God's loving care but always bask in his tender mercies.
• Pray for his love to change us into people who are more loving, who learn to deal with our challenges by helping others deal with theirs.
• Even as he is faithful to us, pray that we, like him, are always faithful to follow wherever he leads, knowing his protection surrounds us.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Never Stop Telling It

In the assembly of all your people, Lord, I told the good news that you save us. You know that I will never stop telling it. (Psalm 40:9 GNB)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we constantly share how God is rescuing Emmanuel and preparing us to do more than we've ever done.
• Pray the news of God's saving miracles spreads throughout the alumni and friends of the College and through them to others who are yet to become friends and alumni.
• Pray for more miracles, for more telling, and for miraculous responses from those who hear.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Blessed

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aide to false gods. (Psalm 40:4 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for blessing upon blessing flowing to us as we trust the Lord with everything.
• Pray we never make false gods by trusting in anything or anyone other than the Lord our God, maker of heaven and earth, the all-powerful and holy One.
• Pray we never take God's blessings for granted, but pray we are always keenly aware of him who is the source of all blessing.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

We Trust

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. (Psalm 33:21 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Rejoice, for God is good and kind, and he invites us to trust him.
• Pray for us to never look at difficult circumstances without first looking to God.
• Pray for us in the challenges ahead to be able to trust and exalt our reliable and holy God.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Our Help

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for hope to run strong in the minds and spirits of the Emmanuel family because knowing God is to know hope.
• Pray we never confuse the source of our help, for even though people do the deciding, the giving and the serving, it is God who influences and moves them to be wise, generous and kind.
• Pray we never do anything that removes us from God's protection, but pray we always carefully position ourselves behind the shield of his awesome power.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• I've been reviewing the gifts that have come in these last couple of weeks, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. We have received many gifts through the Phon-a-thon, yet there are many unsolicited gifts as well. There are gifts from. . . 
• trustees of the College
• alumni
• local residents of Franklin County and the area
• pastors and bishops
• churches
• organizations
• doctors
• retirees and others on fixed income
• current and former faculty and staff
• parents of current students
• those who give every month
• those who give every time the Lord enables them
• those who give small gifts and large and everything in between
• Let us rejoice in God's provision and remember that if the people will pray and ask God what to give and then obey him in their giving, Emmanuel College will everything we need.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

The Lord Watches Over

But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.  (Psalm 33:18-19 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to always possess a healthy respect for our all-powerful and limitless God, and may we never presume upon his kindness but always humbly bow in obedience to his will.
• Give thanks to the Lord who promises us unfailing love, vigilant protection and miraculous rescue.
• Pray for our obedience and God's power to synchronize and produce sufficient resources for our survival in the current lean times and for great prosperity in the good times to come. 

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for a wonderful Homecoming weekend and for all of our faithful alumni who pray and give to make Emmanuel stronger.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

The Lord's Plans

The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.  (Psalm 33:10-11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray that Satan's plans for Emmanuel College are frustrated, at every turn his schemes disintegrate into nothingness. 
• Pray for God's plans for Emmanuel College to be supported by the unrestrained prayers of his people and by the strong hand of the Lord.
• Pray for God's intentions to flow unfettered by man's limitations, and may the Emmanuel family assist and support his plans to their completion.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for a very good and productive Board of Trustees meeting this week. So grateful for the passion and commitment of this dedicated group.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Your Favor

My future is in your hands . . . Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.  (Psalm 31:15-16 NLT)

Today's prayers:

• O Lord, we submit to you and your plans for us knowing your ways are good.
• May your favor overwhelm us with everything we need to serve you well.
• Jesus, may we do nothing to limit your work among us, and instead, may we do everything that opens the floodgate of your blessings upon us.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful God has brought us through each crisis of the last fourteen months and for the promise of his rescue from the challenges we will face in the future.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Privilege of Trusting

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.  (Philippians 1:29-30 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we correctly assess all the privileges we have in serving Jesus including the opportunities to sometimes suffer, knowing that each one is also an opportunity for greater faith.
• Pray for unity and single-minded purpose throughout the Emmanuel family to work well together, through good and bad, in the valleys and on the mountain tops.
• Pray for the meeting of the Board of Trustees today, for creative thought and good decision-making.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for every gift in the Campaign FOR EMMANUEL and in the Phon-a-thon, from $10 to $50,000.  All are deeply appreciated and will be put to good use in God's work at Emmanuel College.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Saved by God Himself

Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. (Philippians 1:28 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we correctly perceive what is happening around us, that Satan is our enemy and God is our Savior. 
• Pray for cool-headed courage under fire, for clarity of thought and effective action.
• May we learn to stand and fight by first kneeling in surrender, learning to obey the commands of our Lord and trusting him to save us.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for multiple gifts recently of $1000 in the Campaign FOR EMMANUEL and in the Phon-a-thon.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Standing Together

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. (Philippians 1:27 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for agile minds and deep faith to infuse our conduct with wisdom and Christ-centered lifestyles.
• Pray for unifying vision and collaborative action in several high-level meetings this week with consultants and trustees.
• Pray for unflinching resolve in the Emmanuel family to stand together and fight the spiritual forces arrayed against us.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for gifts of $5,000 and $6,000 in the Campaign FOR EMMANUEL  in recent weeks from dear friends of the College.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Bold for Christ

For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. (Philippians 1:19-20a NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for more prayer partners to join us, because although we have won the first battles, there is a long and challenging journey ahead over which we must pray for complete deliverance and victory.
• Pray for us to continue to be bold, even more so than in the immediate past.
• Pray for people to feel God's influence upon them as they give of their time, talents, and money so that what is given is exactly what he intends.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for a $15,000 gift in the Campaign FOR EMMANUEL this week from a faithful friend and supporter.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Perspective

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God. And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. (Philippians 1:11-12 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for our Christian character to be as bountiful as a tree in full fruit, easy to see, wonderful to the taste, and producing actions that bring glory to God. 
• Pray we understand that God has not caused our trials, but may we rejoice knowing that he is using them to advance his kingdom.
• Pray for perspective in good times and bad which opens our eyes to see what God is doing, and more importantly, to discover how we can align our efforts to cooperate with his plan.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for a $10,000 gift this week from an alumna in the Campaign FOR EMMANUEL.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Abundance

To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing even what little they have will be taken away. (Matthew 25:29 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for us to use well the talents and the resources we have been given, making us a magnet for more.
• Pray we are never guilty of doing little; instead, may be work harder and smarter to accomplish our God-given mission.
• Pray for an abundance of mission-fit students, generous supporters, and beneficial assets as well as for a profusion of powerful ideas, productive creativity, and boundless opportunities.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for a $20,000 gift from a faithful alumni couple.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Be Strong in Your Faith

Stay alert! Watch out for your enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9a NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for alertness to see the moves of the enemy and for wisdom backed by faith to make the correct counter moves to thwart his advances.
• Pray for rock-solid faith growing from the skirmishes and battles of each passing day.
• Pray we stand firm against negativity, pessimism, and defeatism because these are the weapons of the devil that are so unlike our positive, optimistic, and victorious Lord.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

The Lord Gives

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. (Psalm 29:11 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for God's gifts of strength and courage to engage the right battles at the right times.
• Pray for God's peace to cover us and keep us regardless of circumstances.
• Pray for men and women to respond to the Lord by giving that makes us fiscally strong and brings us financial peace.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thank God for an alum who recently pledged $2200 over the next two years.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Bless Your Special Possession

Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd and carry them in your arms forever. (Psalm 28:9 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for wisdom to follow the direction and guidance of our Lord regardless of the terrain, whether it's easy or arduous.
• Pray for blessings upon our people and upon our work as we continue as his special possession for generations to come.
• Pray we know when to engage the battle and when to let him carry us in his arms to safety.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• We prayed for God to raise up students of destiny among us, and we are now seeing the answer to that prayer as more and more step up and answer God's call upon their lives.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Filled with Joy

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. (Psalm 28:7 NLT)

Today's prayers:

• O Lord, we give thanks for every time you have helped us which are more times than we can count.
• Father, we thank you for protection from calamitous events and for how you have snatched defeat from the precipice of disaster. 
• Dear Jesus, we burst with joy. We cannot hold it in. You are worthy of our shouts of victory and our songs of joy.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• He has blessed us with record attendance.
• He has sent us financial gifts both large and small.
• He has brought us an exceptional and caring faculty.
• He has gathered here a marvelous and nurturing staff.
• He has surrounded us with wonderful students who have remarkable potential.
• He has developed in us a firm resolve to advance the mission of Emmanuel College.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

He Has Done It

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (Psalm 22:30-31 NIV)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we resist the urge to take the credit for what the Lord has done and continues to do at Emmanuel College; rather, may we declare, "He has done it!"
• Pray for our culture of service to develop so strongly at Emmanuel that thousands upon thousands will know God in the future because we served faithfully in the present. 
• Pray for generous responses in the second week of Fall Phon-a-thon.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayer:

• Thankful for the first week of Phon-a-thon resulting in nearly $9,000 in pledges. Give thanks.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

A Pattern for You

"So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do." (John 13:14-15 MSG)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we learn how to get our hands dirty in service that it may lead to many who's hearts are washed clean by Jesus.
• Pray for our student team who will be at Safehouse in Atlanta this week to wash the feet of homeless people and then give them clean, new socks as well as food and other necessities.
• Pray for the material needs of our service mission to be met.

Thank you for praying.

Answered prayers:

• Thankful for the team of volunteers under the direction of Lou and Becky Shirey who are completing today a Spiritual Encounter Weekend with a group of thirty people comprised of students and faculty. Thankful for this wonderful preparation for greater service in the name of the Lord.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Fruit of Good Deeds

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. (James 3:17 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we reveal our depth of wisdom by serving others at their points of need, doing good works of mercy and peace.
• Pray for additional mission trips to be formed and implemented for Spring Serve and Summer Serve. Pray for personnel and financial resources to support all these efforts.
• Pray for God's favor on the Fall Phon-a-thon as it continues for two more weeks.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

God's Way

If you are wise and understand God's way, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we closely follow God's way by expanding service opportunities for our students, staff, faculty and alumni to do good works.
• Pray for those who plan to be on the mission trip to inner city Atlanta next spring break. Pray each person is able to raise his or her support. Pray for strength and resources to do the work.
• Pray for our alumni and friends to respond generously to the Fall Phon-a-thon.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Breathing Good Works

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. (James 2:26 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray our acts of service happen as naturally as taking the next breath and by them we reveal our ever-improving health.
• Pray for those who plan to be on the mission trip to the Dominican Republic next summer. Pray each person is able to raise his or her support. Pray for strength and resources to do the work.
• Pray for our callers in the Fall Phon-a-thon to learn quickly and to be effective.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Completed Faith

You see, his [Abraham] faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. (James 2:22 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Just as God made Emmanuel College a place of learning, pray we become more complete as he also makes us a place of greater service.
• Pray for those who plan to be on the mission trip to Uganda next summer. Pray each person is able to raise his or her support. Pray for strength and resources to do the work.
• Pray for our Fall Phon-a-thon to be successful and raise significant funds to support the College over the next three weeks.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Showing My Faith

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." (James 2:18 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray our faith becomes obvious through our compassionate actions of love and mercy.
• Pray for those who plan to be on the mission trip to Tanzania next summer. Pray each person is able to raise his or her support. Pray for strength and resources to do the work.
• Continue to pray for God to send us someone to serve as our Service Coordinator.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Faith and Good Works

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well" - but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. (James 2:15-17 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray our actions of mercy and good works flow naturally and generously from our ever-increasing faith.
• Pray for our those who plan to be on the mission trip to Nicaragua next summer. Pray each person is able to raise his or her support. Pray for strength and resources to do the work.
• Pray for individual and corporate supporters who give as an extension of their faith, making charity one of their good works.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Love Your Neighbor

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (James 2:8 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we love those less fortunate by serving them in ways that meet their spiritual and material needs.
• Pray for our students, staff and faculty to become the hands of Jesus, helping the needy, the voice of Jesus, comforting those who hurt, and the heart of Jesus, caring, going, and serving.
• Pray for neighbor-loving to translate into charitable giving to support those who go and serve.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Go and Do the Same

"Now which of these would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same." (Luke 10:36-37 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for clear vision to see the needs around us and for compassion to drive our actions.
• Pray for obedience in going where and doing what God has already commanded, making it easier to do what he is yet to ask of us.
• Week 24 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. Pray for funding that enables our acts of compassion and mercy.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Pure and Genuine

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:27 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for more students, staff, faculty, and alumni to step forward in service to those less fortunate wherever they may be found and to resist the corrupting influence of the world that says, "Do nothing but help yourself."
• Pray for ever-increasing connections and networks that lead to expanding service opportunities.
• Pray for God to send us a benefactor with an intense passion to fund our service projects to feed the hungry, to teach the less fortunate how to be self-sufficient, to care for the homeless and loveless in their distress, to share the Gospel, and to go where Christ leads us to do what he asks of us.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Helping the Least of These

Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give your something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?" And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" (Matthew 25:37-40 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for a passion for service to overwhelm us at Emmanuel that compels us to help the lost, the needy, and the disenfranchised. 
• Pray for God to send us a person, perhaps a retiree with organizational skills and experience, who can coordinate our various streams of service projects.
• Week 24 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. Pray for resources to flow to our points of need, especially to underwrite service initiatives at home and abroad.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

His Plans

The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. (Psalm 138:8 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for God's plans for Emmanuel College to be our plans, and as we discuss and debate options, may our intent always be to discover his way.
• Pray for the developing vision of service at Emmanuel resulting in hundreds of students and graduates serving at home and abroad in places where God calls us to be light and salt.
• Week 24 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. Pray for resources to not only enable the College's operations, but to flow through us to points throughout the world that need our hands and hearts to serve.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

You Encourage Me

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Psalm 138:3 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for persistence in prayer that never lets up and constantly offers our praise and our petitions to the Lord.
• Pray for encouragement and strength throughout the Emmanuel family as God works out his plans for us.
• Week 24 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. May faith rise up in us as we pray and no sooner have the words left our mouths that we turn and see the answers. 

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Make Us Strong

You are their glorious strength. It pleases you to make us strong. (Psalm 89:17 NLT)

Today's prayers:

• O Lord, may we resist the temptation to rely upon our human abilities; instead, may we offer our talents to you and see them enhanced and used in your glorious strength.
• Father, help us to exercise our spiritual muscles and grow stronger in your might and power working through us.
• Week 24 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. O God, thank you for financial provision you have sent our way. Help us to be good stewards of what you've given us and bless us with more that we may fulfill your mission for Emmanuel College.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Call to Worship

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness. (Psalm 89:15-16 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray for God's people to gather today around the world in joyful worship and may there be great rejoicing in his presence.
• Pray the Emmanuel family keeps worship central to our experience for it is in his presence where we receive what we need to fight on and to succeed.
• Week 25 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. Pray for Emmanuel's supporters to honor the name of the Lord through their living and their giving.

Thank you for praying.

Answered Prayer:

• Thankful for over 100 students and parents attending our Campus Preview last Friday. So impressed with the ones I spoke to. God is preparing to send us the next wave of human potential which we have the privilege to shape and to send out to change the world.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.

Follow the Spirit

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (Galatians 5:25-26 NLT)

Today's prayer topics:

• Pray we trust the Holy Spirit to lead us even when our human vision is clouded and when trusting in him is the only way through.
• Pray we guard our attitudes and keep our emotions in check about the unfinished work around us by rejoicing in the good work that's been done and in God's purpose behind it all.
• Week 24 in Phase 3 of the campaign FOR EMMANUEL. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for every Christian when it comes to managing God's money which we hold in trust and use as he directs.

Thank you for praying.

Never give up unless it's praise we give up to God; never give in except to give in to him.