Friday 13th February

Quiet your heart and mind. Consider breathing deeply and exhale slowly. Speak out who God is for you right now.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me."

Psalm 66:16

Ponder: What breath prayer do you often repeat? A breath prayer is a Bible phrase that helps you focus on God in the moment. You intentionally speak this phrase to remind yourself that God is God and He is here.

Scripture

And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors."

Luke 1:46-55

What do you know about this person’s situation when they are praying this? What does this prayer mean for the person praying? What phrase in their prayer stands out for you? Can this be a breath prayer for you?

God’s unexpected priorities

In Luke 1, God answers the prayers of an old woman who couldn’t have a child, a prayer that Elizabeth and Zechariah may well have stopped praying long before it was answered. Then He sends a messenger to a common girl in a common place who shouldn’t have a child, at least in the ordinary way, and tells her that all things are possible with God. Mary believes, and as she hears the prophetic words of Elizabeth, she erupts in a song of praise.

Mary, a humble, common girl, rejoices in God’s loving attention. All proceeding generations will call her blessed. She focuses on God’s unexpected priorities: The rich and powerful are scattered, brought down, and sent away empty. The poor and humble are seen, lifted up, and filled with good things. And all those who are Abraham’s children by faith are remembered by their covenant-keeping God. This is how God works.

Jason Mandryk of Operation World reminds us: “If our ministry’s success were dependent on our organizational systems or how much money we throw at a problem, then we would be failing all the time. Success is based on the power of God at work in the nations. That means that no matter how new we are, how poor we are, how illiterate we are, how alone we are, we have access to the power that actually brings about change." Let us humbly come before the God of Mary, who is also our God. He delights to come to the aid of those who realize they have nothing but He has everything.

Source for quote: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/jason-mandryk-on-intercessory-prayer/

Scott Finnamore, Associate Regional Director for Strategic Support, East/West Asia, USA

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. What part of this prayer could you pray for them? You might want to say, “Father, please help [name] understand…."

Kids’ Question: When do you feel God’s loving attention in your life?