Welcome to The Turnaround’s 52 Days of Prayer!
Introduction
Welcome, and thank you for partnering with us on day 40 of our 52 days of prayer! Isaiah 58 begins with God telling Isaiah to loudly and clearly declare to Israel their rebellion and sin! They had been going through the motions of fasting and acting like they wanted to serve God; they were upset that God wasn’t answering their prayers. But God pointed out that their hearts weren’t right and they were only observing an empty ritual. In reality, while they were “fasting”, they exploited their workers, fought with each other, and sought their own selfish desires. God told them how to fast and worship in a way that pleases Him. Then, He laid out the blessings that would come when they did these things with a pure heart.
Insight
When we honor and worship God with a pure heart and treat others how He wants us to treat them, then He promises that we will be able to accomplish mighty things for His Kingdom.
We live in a world full of things that are broken and in ruins. The enemy has wreaked havoc on families, churches, businesses, schools, communities, relationships, and individuals. But there is much we can do. Many faithful generations of saints have done a good work for His Kingdom. Our job is to recognize these areas where God began a work but the enemy came in and destroyed it. Then we need to clear the old ruins off the foundation and begin to build the new thing God is doing in this season on His firm foundation!
We have the honor of partnering with others to repair the breach and rebuild the wall that protects the cities from attacks from the enemy. With the power of God flowing through us, we can restore communities and reestablish those paths that lead people home. We are all called to the ministry of reconciliation!
Turnaround Questions
Are we willing to examine our own lives and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to us areas where we are not honoring and worshiping God in the right way? Will we receive and steward God’s promise that we can have a ministry of reconciliation? Where are those long ago laid foundations that God wants us to rebuild upon? Do we have eyes to look beyond the rubble and see God’s heart for a person, place, or situation?
Prayer
Father God, we thank you that You have a plan and purpose for Your children and Your heart is to restore them to that original design and purpose. Thank you that You promise that when we honor and worship You with a pure heart, You will partner with us to bring restoration and Your Kingdom upon the earth. Show us any areas in our own lives that are hindering Your restoration and resurrection power from flowing freely through us. Give us eyes to see things as You see them and a passion to do the work needed to repair, redeem, and restore the places, people, and things You have assigned us to. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, AMEN!
