Take the First Step

Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the King. They replied at once, "Yes, let's rebuild the wall!" So they began the good work. (Nehemiah 2:18 NLT)

Lessons from Nehemiah: Ten actions steps when the task before you is bigger than you.
1. Pray First
2. Answer the Call
3. Take the First Step

Today's meditation:

• Someone had to lift the first stone into place or the wall would have never been rebuilt. Nothing happens until we take action. 

Pray today:

• And give thanks for the favor of God upon Emmanuel College, for those who are standing with us, for results from action, for miracles from God when human action was not enough.
• For prayers that lead to action, for actions rooted in obedience, for obedience no matter the size of the challenge.
• For the Emmanuel family to be people of action who are centered in faith.  

Pray First! Pray Through!

Answer the Call

"If it please your majesty, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city". . .So the king agreed and I set a date for my departure. (Nehemiah 2:4-6 NLT)

Lessons from Nehemiah: Ten actions steps when the task before you is bigger than you.
1. Pray First
2. Answer the Call

Today's meditation:

• Many people hear God's call to do a certain task or follow a specific path, but because of fear or the desire to maintain the status quo, they sit idly by. Don't you dare. Answer the call.

Pray today:

• For students to respond to God's call to enroll at Emmanuel College, for them to obey the voice of the Lord, for them to find purposes, careers, and callings while on our campus, for them to acquire education, faith, and courage to be world changers.
• For faculty and staff to respond to God's call to work at Emmanuel College, for them to answer the call to prepare and mentor the next generation of leaders and workers, for them to see God's vision for the future and their place in it.
• For our many donors and supporters to answer the call to give as God directs, for some to give from their surplus, for others to give sacrificially, for all to give obediently, for those outside our circle of fellowship, who should be inside, to find us and join with us to build the College, not only as a place of refuge, but also as a place of sending and serving.

Pray First! Pray Through!

Pray First

O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me. (Nehemiah 1:11 NLT)

Lessons from Nehemiah: Ten actions steps when the task before you is bigger than you.

Today's meditation:

• When Nehemiah heard about the troubles in Jerusalem, he prayed - first!

Pray today:

• For our many prayer partners to not give up in the prayer vigil for Emmanuel College, for more partners in prayer, for them to pray by the thousands for God's favor upon us that we may fulfill God's purpose and serve him well.
• For favor with authorities and agencies, for paths to be cleared, for obstacles to be removed, for resources to be abundant. 
• For success in our mission, for clear vision for the future, for our plans to align with God's plans, for courage to do the work he calls us to do.

Pray First! Pray Through! 

Singing Your Praises

What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. (Psalm 84:4 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Such joy in singing. Such peace from praying. How good it is to serve the Lord.

Pray today:

• For the Conquest summer singing group, one of our student-led EC Serve teams, as they continue their ministry through the summer.
• Pray for their work in churches and in camps, for safety in travel, for good health, for the Spirit's leadership and guidance in all they do.
• For their ministry in Word and song to be powerful and inspired by the Holy Spirit, for a great harvest, especially among the youth who will hear and interact with them.

Pray First! Pray Through! 

My Plea

The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer. (Psalm 6:9 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• Prayers answered in the past stimulate our hope for answers yet to come.

Pray today:

• For the NCAA Division 2 membership committee in July to accept Emmanuel College into full membership.
• For our athletic program to be successful in competition, but more importantly, in shaping young lives for Christ.
• For our coaches to achieve their recruitment goals, for our student athletes to achieve their educational goals, for our coaches and athletes to follow God's will and show God's love in all they do

Pray First! Pray Through! 

Right Answer

We can make our plans, but the Lord gives the right answer (Proverbs 16:1 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• We pray. God answers. We trust. All is well.

Pray today:

• And give thanks for answered prayer regarding the decision of our accrediting agency to place us on warning and not probation, for the favor and mercy shown to us throughout the process.
• For the Emmanuel family of supporters and prayer warriors to seek the face of God regarding all matters financial because it is only the debt and its related challenges that led to warning status. 
• For us to manage the debt in ways satisfactory to our accrediting agency resulting in removal of warning status within the next 12 months, for us to obey the Lord in the actions we take, for God to move heaven and earth to reduce and eliminate the College's debt.

Pray First! Pray Through! 

Praise the Lord

Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and praise the Lord. (Psalm 134:2 NLT)

Today's meditation:

• God answers our prayers, and for this we give thanks and praise the Lord.

Pray today:

• And give thanks for answered prayer regarding faculty and staff hiring, give thanks for the new people who will be joining the Emmanuel family this fall. 
• Pray for the one open position in chemistry to be filled in God's timing with God's person.
• Pray for all new faculty and staff to transition to their new positions well, for them to successfully work through the many details of starting a new position.

Pray First! Pray Through!