10 Days of Prayer

So, I guess I'm really bad at this... but I've made a new commitment to update this on a consistent basis. I'm going to shoot for once a week, but if I get every other week, I think I'll be doing alright. :)

2009 is The Boaz Project's 10 year anniversary! We are all so excited; it is amazing to look back and see the Lord's faithfulness and how He made all things work together for His glory, and we are just as excited to see how the new plans He has in store for our ministry unfold.

Because we acknowledge that absolutely nothing we have done has been possible without our God, we are starting our year off with an intentional 10 Days of Prayer. We have made a simple brochure, sent it out to everyone on our mailing list, and know that we will have thousands joining with us in prayer for the next 10 days.

Today is what we are calling our "Day of Preparation." The brochure lists the following things as "Helps to remember to pray:"
(1) Mark a calendar as a reminder to pray.
(2) Put this brochure where you will see it.
(3) Ask someone to partner with you in prayer during this time.
And if you live in the Indianapolis area...
(1) Plan to come to the Boaz office (494 S. Emerson Avenue, Greenwood, IN 46142) to join the staff in prayer each morning at 9.
(2) Mark the closing prayer service on your calendar for Feb. 26th at 7pm at Southport Presbyterian Church (7525 McFarland Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46237) and join us if you are able.

This morning as we joined together to pray, a good friend and volunteer of The Boaz Project shared his thoughts about a book he had been reading on prayer. He said that kings are not known for giving out nickels and pennies, but precious gems and gold. And as we come before the Lord in prayer and petition, we truly are approaching Him on His glorious throne. So as you prepare to pray, you need to humble your heart and remember that you are approaching the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

This was a good reminder for me as I so often forget that when I start talking with the Lord, I am talking to the God of the universe, the Creator of all. It reminded me of the Nichole Nordeman song "Tremble." I think the lyrics to that song are so incredible. I won't post them here because I know this is kinda long already, but if you want to read through them here is a link where they are written out: http://www.christianlyricsonline.com/artists/nichole-nordeman/tremble.html.

I am excited for the next 10 days. So often in our busy lives we forget or simply don't make the time to be still...to quiet our hearts long enough to try and listen for the soft, quiet voice of our Maker.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9
"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help in time of need." -Hebrews 4:16
"But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His lovingkindness from me." -Psalm 66:19-20