ANNOUNCEMENTS

As summer winds down, we look to the start of Fall and our new study in the book of 1 Corinthians.  It is that time of year again where we are called to pray in “holy anticipation” of what the Lord has prepared ahead of time just for us.  Please use this as a guide each day, adding to it your own petitions, as you are led, to cover our beloved ministry, in prayer for all things.  Praying diligently for our ministry before, during and after each of our events, is a hallmark of the WIWM that can be credited for the favor that rests upon it all for the Glory of God.

Friday, September 1

On this, the first day of prayer, let us praise God that we will soon be together again in our Spirit chosen small groups, as the Lord has willed it. Begin to pray for all who are attending the first day, which will include new ladies, who have taken that step to join us for this study, as well as those who have returned.  Let us remember to give thanks for our ministry, its leaders and Live Oaks Bible Church, whose leadership supports it graciously and wholeheartedly.  “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:13, ESV

Saturday, September 2

In the days ahead, may we all meditate on what it will entail for so many of our sisters to be able to attend WIWM.  Please lift up those who have children, or those who are caregivers, and for the myriad of challenges that must be overcome to faithfully attend, participate and study independently at home each week.  For some, this is a huge sacrifice and one that will yield blessings.  May the Lord enable each one in their own situations, as they learn and grow exponentially, and as they devote themselves in mind, body and spirit through the teaching, through their group discussions and as they devote time to prayer themselves for a fruitful study.  “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Timothy 1:13-16, ESV

Sunday, September 3

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.  Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:8, ESV

This is a busy week for our ministry leader, Joanne! As she has diligently shepherded this ministry for many, many years, she strives to bring forth the Word in Sprit and in Truth.  We know that the enemy of our souls, main purpose is to kill and destroy anything that is good and of God.  As such, I pray that we would all be praying for Joanne as often and as much as possible, as she wraps up her preparations for our first day and thereafter.  May we be diligent and still before the Lord and allow Holy Spirit to lead and guide our prayers for Joanne. As only our Father in Heaven can do, may He protect Joanne from the evil forces that would seek to destroy the work of her hands. May The Lord strengthen her inner person with supernatural insight and physical strength as she labors for the Glory of God alone.  I pray that there be such an outpouring of prayers for our leader that she would be protected by a shield of countless angel armies, surrounding her and her loved ones during this time.  I pray that Joanne would have many opportunities this week to sit at the feet of Jesus and let him minister to her in sweet and tangible ways, bathing her in his assurance of protection and peace, as he goes before her.  “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.  Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.  Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.  Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”Proverbs 4:23-26, ESV

Monday, September 4

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6, ESV   Although a lot of what takes place to enable our ministry to be successful and fruitful is behind the scenes, those who are sometimes unseen need our prayers as much as well.  The servants include, but are not limited to, The Leadership of the ministry, The Women on the Wall, those who serve with the audio and visual equipment and all media involvement, the worship team, the hospitality team who keeps our coffee ready and available, those who are charged with the finances and resources of the ministry, those who are charged with taking care of our participants’ children faithfully for many years, the Prayer Team, whose sole purpose is to pray for the needs of all WIWM participants and any other needs as they arise. The Prayer Team has grown, to meet the increase of our groups and its prayer needs, by God’s amazing grace.  They continue to be the front line, first responders to prayer needs, and are available on three sites.  Let us pray that the Lord would provide a prayer partner for Allison Smith, as she embarks on her first year away from home, as she has been prompted to begin a small group representing the WIWM on the campus of USF.  May the Lord be gracious and fill all the needs they will have.    And if I have forgotten anyone, may our Father in Heaven, bring them to our hearts as we strive to pray over all aspects of WIWM.  May the Spirit of God Himself hover over us and our ministry and keep us as one, united and in peace for the purpose of instruction and learning. Let all we say and do to and for one another be with clean hands and a pure heart.  We are all equal in God’s eyes and may everything we do be for the glory of God.  “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness…“   2 Timothy 2:25, ESV

Tuesday, September 5

 We praise God that our ministry has grown over the years and that we now have two off site groups; one meeting on Thursdays, at Calvary Crystal Beach and a second one, on the Tampa Campus of USF, on Friday, August 25.  God is amazing! I pray that all of us are prompted to remember these off-site groups in our prayers.  We thank these Servant Leaders for their time, efforts, energies and sacrifices on these evenings as their small groups also continue to grow and flourish.  It is by the grace of God that we have been witnesses to His favor upon our ministry.  His plans go before us and as we walk in them, let us please give thanks and offer sacrifices of praise for His goodness, for His generosity, for His grace and for His long suffering, that makes it all possible even when we are not worthy.  Praise to our King today and forever.  “Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.  For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5, NLT

Wednesday, September 6

This morning, as we all awaken to prepare for our first day of Wednesday morning study, I pray that each of us would have a holy quickening in our spirits, gently reminding us to pray for this, our first day of our study in the book of 1 Corinthians.  I pray that collectively, our voices would be raised in unison to our Father in Heaven for a day that is successful on every level.  Please pray for those ladies whose children have already begun school, and who must prepare them before they can come to program.  Pray over all practical and impractical needs, such as the soundness of their vehicles, their homes being in order, their time being managed well so that they would not ne late.  Pray against any illness that might have beset someone, that no one would be tempted to come that first day, not feeling well, and perhaps jeopardize the health of another.  Father, I pray for your perfect peace this morning for Joanne, for the AV team, for the worship team and for all aspects of this morning’s activities as they play out.  The enemy being the liar that he is, will most definitely try to weave himself in and through the particulars of this morning.  Let me remind us that “….He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 and that at the very name of our risen savior, Jesus, the enemy must flee.  Let us use our spiritual God given weapons this morning and remember “We destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV

I look forward to another dynamic study this Fall and Spring, Sisters.  May the God of all love, wisdom and hope preside over all our prayers, in the Mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  Amen!

Hello Ladies and Happy New Year!