Welcome to The Turnaround’s 52 Days of Prayer!
Introduction
The nation was in disrepair, the city was in shambles, the health of marriages and family significantly compromised, and morale was at an all-time low. Proposing the idea of spiritual, marital, economic, and physical recovery was risky business, knowing that false hope could prove to be even more devastating. Day 33 reminds us He is our shelter, our refuge, our fence, our wall.
Insight
You can’t train a horse or a child without a fence! Healthy fences are used to Defend, Define, Direct, and Develop. Predators are always in search of the unprotected! Over the years we have watched the attacks launched on college campuses turn against younger audiences even to the unprotected unborn.
Even Jesus speaks to the importance of earthly coverings: “The foxes have holes and the birds have nests but The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). Sin strips away earthly coverings—physical, relational, and moral protections.
“… LOVE COVERS…” (I Peter 4:8).
Love takes the responsibility to PROTECT: the unborn and physical needs for safety, the relationships providing a home for fellowship and security, and the spiritual needs guarding against the schemes of The Evil One. The righteous rebuild broken walls, stand, and intercede for the next generation to grow and flourish! (See Proverbs 14:26,27; Proverbs 18:10.)
Rebuilding from physical, relational, and spiritual ruins is tough work and can be very overwhelming. While keeping the Big Picture/Goal in mind, define very small steps. Whether it involves cleaning and organizing one drawer, or reconciling just one issue, or resisting just one temptation…DO IT! Step back often and encourage yourself. Then take another step.
Remember MOMENTUM = MOTIVATION!
Turnaround Questions
How are you speaking up for and protecting the “unprotected”? Start by being strong and standing for righteous values. Then define and defend healthy boundaries, and continue by persistent intercession for righteousness to flourish.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, TODAY, we cry out in YOUR NAME for Life, for Hope, for Recovery, for the Way, and for Refuge for ourselves, for our children, for our community, for our nation, and for Israel. Grant us the Wisdom and Courage to be a refuge for the unprotected. Allow us the opportunity today to see needs and speak life into those around us today!
