Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth. (Psalm 143:7a KJV)

I began my journaling for today’s blog post by writing to God.

Do you journal to God or yourself? Please share in the comments.

On the first Thursday of the month, I write a devotional thought aimed at praying for your city.

The blog template for praying for your city does not fit or fill a global scope. I do that on purpose for a purpose.

I look to our neighborhoods and individual towns for prayer needs within them. What is happening in each of our back yards? Crafting a tangible prayer point that most everyone can join in. Prayers over specific needs in our backyards.

A few weeks back, there was a tragedy at a local high school. One boy lost his life, and the other was arrested for allegedly causing the teen’s death.

And then the death of nineteen elementary students occurred. (Not in our town.)

So why am I struggling to write this post?

Because, like you, this kind of news breaks my heart. But unlike us, these events affect the children who hear about these events differently, even when they are not living where these tragedies occurred.

Decades ago, two boys I attended school with tragically made the news in high school. We grew up in the same city and attended the same schools. And one allegedly took the life of the other.

I remember how shocking it was. I had never heard of anything like that happening. But I also knew it was uncommon, rare, and not likely to repeat.

Today, children, kids, adolescents, and teens in our backyards are processing the possibility of this reality playing out in their life. All while their brains are still developing.

And for this, I think we must pray.

Father God,

Our adult brains become overwhelmed at the news of just one precious life taken. Prayers are faithfully being prayed for the families in the communities grieving the loss of their children.

Please give us strength and wisdom to help the children, kids, adolescents, and teens in our town or city with their questions and silences as they process these deaths.

Give us words, ideas, and opportunities to show a child that all hope is never lost.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Keep Walking On Mustard Seeds,
Michele Marie Weisman

PS Thank you for praying with me.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay (letters)
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay (doors)
Image by ElisaRiva from Pixabay (brain)

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13 NIV)

No two families are the same.

Some have two parents.

Some have one parent.

Some have extra parents through second marriages.

Some are living with multiple generations in the home.

Each family has rules they are structured by. These rules can come from society and moral or religious beliefs. And not all people have the same rules even if their society, morals, and religions are identical.

For example, now don’t get your feathers in a fluff, one family may be okay with girls wearing pants and the other family allows skirts and dresses only. (Yes, even today.)

And there are manners some children are raised with where others are not.

Families have different dating ages that are allowed or not allowed at all.

Do you see how different each family is, and should be? God gives us the ability to reason, pray, and seek his direction for our lives and those we are raising.

Families have always been unique, no two the same. The story taking place in chapter sixteen of Genesis, a servant of Sarai, named Hagar, is greeted by an angel of God.

Why this great honor? Let’s look at what has caught the heart of God.

1 Hagar has run away.

2 Hagar was being treated very badly by Sarai, Abram’s wife.

3 Hagar is pregnant with Abram’s child.

4 Hagar’s pregnancy was Sarai’s plan.

Does this short list make you dizzy? It does me! (Read Genesis chapter sixteen if you want the full scoop.)

God chooses to stop and reveal his care and devotion to Hagar in the middle of her pain and confusion.

What family does not go through pain and confusion? And at times are rejected within their society or religion.

Hagar is seen and loved by God. He proves it by showing up through an angel. And this celestial being has a promise and direction for her. She leaves their meeting with a plan and a purpose.

Father,

We lift up all the families in our city. We seek your heart to comfort those who desire to be comforted. To bring community to those who yearn for it. And peace to families who feel torn apart. Thank you for seeing them, all.

It’s your turn!

What topic would you like to pray for over your city? I would love to hear. Please write about it in the comments.

First Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay  & Second Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Until next week, Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

(The topic of our city prayer last month was two parts, we prayed for those who were victims of a crime and the people who committed the crime. That is a lot to digest, so if you missed it, I encourage you to go back and read it. I mentioned in that March 3rd post, that there is a third part to pray about that we will cover today: The family and friends of those in prison.)

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:25-27 KJV)

The sorrow of family and friends gathered around Christ as he pays the highest legal price, loss of his freedom and life, is unimaginable. Mary who once held him as a baby can give him no such comfort now. His friends want to help him but they do not know how. Jesus does not fail, even in this agonizing moment, to show us how to care for the family of prisoners.

Jesus never wants the prisoner forgotten. (Matthew 25:39) At the turning point for Christianity, when he is about to remove the eternal impact of our sins, he has one more lesson for us. To have compassion for the loved ones of those in prison. Someone needs to care for them and acknowledge their great loss.

It is important to note, that with over 2million* people in prison in the US, there are children, parents, siblings, and friends, who are affected. A guestimate on my part, there are about 10 million people in the US, who mourn the loss of interaction with their loved one.

How many people in your city are missing…

Hugs

Everyday advise

Daily interaction

Holidays

Birthdays

…with their loved one?

How many people in your city are experiencing the loss of…

Being raised by their parent

Raising their child

Financial support

… (from) their loved one?

Comprehension of their sorrow is not as important as compassion leading to action.

The lost opportunities that tick by with the sentence, are opportunities to extend help. A word of acknowledgment combined with a listening ear to the family member or friend is one way to fill a void.

Jesus cared for his mother, through another, because he was not able to any longer. The Lord of lords and King of kings, required a mere human to help him help his mom.

Lord, thank you for the action of prayer. Open my heart to helping people in my town affected by imprisonment. Comfort and provide the friendships and support needed during this extended time.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

* This number includes Prisons, Jails, Juvenile, Territorial, Tribal, Military, and ICE facilities. My guess of 10 million family and friends comes from simple math. If on average, each inmate has five close family and friends, multiply each inmate by five and you get ten million.

It’s your turn. 🙂

I would love to hear from you! How are you being affected by and seeing the people in your city after reading devotions designed for your city?

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds!

Michele Marie Weisman

PS The drawing winner for the March devotional is Eileen! A Mustard Seed Faith will be at its new home! Congratulations! And thank you to all who shared my blog, Walking On Mustard Seeds, with a friend. I appreciate it.

Images by 愚木混株 Cdd20 from Pixabay

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. Psalms 118:8 NIV

Today’s devotion, designed to pray for your city, is a challenge. I am diving into the past to relay a time I was filled with fear.

Why? Because God offers the opportunity of refuge to everyone.

Who am I to withhold it from anyone?

When I was about nineteen or twenty, someone crossed my path who I did not want to know. Ever!

Once he noticed me, it was too late.

He was fixated.

He threatened me.

I needed to take action.

I did not want to be in this spot and had done nothing to be in it. I had to push back on the fear.

I began the legal process to obtain a restraining order. The court date arrived, a looming October 31^st. The judge had only one question for me, to confirm my name.

Shaking inside, I stated my name. The man’s record was enough evidence to back up my complaint.

The judge granted me the restraining order. “Three years at no less than 100 yards,” it clearly stated.

The court-issued paper, decreeing the 100-yard distance, did not remove my fear. Driving around town, I constantly looked in my rearview mirror to see who was behind me.

Years later and living in another town, God spoke to my heart about that man. It was a Sunday morning and I was sitting next to my husband in a pew at church.

I fought back on what God was prompting me to do. Pray for that man? He terrified me. But God would not be quiet. “If you don’t, who will?”

I knew at that moment that no one was, likely ever had, nor would ever pray for him.

I prayed for him, knowing the gift of refuge is an eternal promise, to be shared.

Father,

We come to you this week, on behalf of the victims of crime and the offenders too.

Thank you for the refuge you offer each of us. We lift up those in our city who are hurting or angry about a crime committed against them. Restore them and give them peace of mind.

Your son died for criminals too and was often filled with compassion, even on the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV We lift up those who are in prison. Show them another way, a way toward your perfect peace and restoration of their hearts.

Amen

Dear Reader,

You may have been the victim of a crime at some time in your life. Please know I am praying for you today.

PS Next month, when we pray for our cities, we are going to look at the third part of these situations.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

How terrible it will be for those who argue with the God who made them. They are like one piece of broken pottery among many pieces. The clay does not ask the potter, ‘What are you doing?’… Isaiah 45:9 ICB

Are you familiar with this verse? It is a humbling perspective to know God created us.

He created you, your DNA, providing your hair and eye color, the tone of your voice, and so much more.

God knows you intimately.

In creating you, God has knowledge of every hair follicle you do or don’t have, everywhere you go, and what you hold in your heart. (Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:30, Psalm 139:1-6)

Do you complain to God?

When you complain about yourself – what you don’t like physically, or the way you learn or don’t learn – you’re complaining about God’s handiwork.

Our culture puts people in front of us who they believe should be worshiped. It is in movies, sports, and technological geniuses. They are talked about often, creating an awe of them. We are not to worship them.

We are to worship the one who created each of us, and in doing so, not hold others above us in esteem.

How do we stop disliking something about ourselves that God put in place? Simple.

Thank God for all you have and all he is, with all of your heart, mind, and soul.

God favors no one. (Romans 2:11)

Do you ever complain about how God created others?

This time of year, with the cold weather, I think more about homelessness in our cities and towns. There are many reasons that a person lives on the streets.

To say it’s a choice or they have an addiction they need to get over is an oversimplification of their life.

We know part of His creation is homeless. Men, women, children, and young adults.

Remember:

God favors no one.

God knows you intimately.

God knows each homeless person intimately.

God favors no one.

God loves the homeless, the hungry, the forgotten, and the more than forgotten – those who are afraid to be known.

Prayer point.

This week, being the first week of the month, we pray about an issue in your city. If you don’t have any homeless in your city, praise God! It’s cold out there in some states, wet in others, and snow falling already for a few.

Lord,

May you comfort family and friends of the homeless. They hope for something better for their loved ones.

Please provide more than enough people to serve at shelters, soup kitchens, and homeless outreach ministries.

We ask for the growth of current and the birth of new ministries helping the homeless. May no homeless person go untouched by the gospel message and the love that Christ came to share with them.

We thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

There are always three things we can do for others:

Pray

Give

Serve

Are you curious about a way to give or serve? Please check out, Kingdom Work Ministries Evangelistic Organization. https://www.agkingdomworkministries.com/

They lovingly refer to the homeless as their “unsheltered friends.”

They gather weekly to connect and minister to the homeless in Antioch, California.

I am humbled to sit on the Board of Directors for this organization.

As always, I am grateful that you chose to stop by Walking On Mustard Seeds today. Feel free to share in the comments, about this month’s prayer point for your city. I would love to hear from you.

Scripture taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly. Psalm 85:8 KJV

Rule Breakers

A family welcomes trouble if they do not uphold rules for their children.

A city welcomes trouble if they do not uphold rules for their community.

We have God’s peace when we live within his rules.

Do you find peace is evasive today?

Peace begins at home:

in ourselves

in our households

in our neighborhoods

Are you at peace with God?

Is your family?

How about your neighborhood or city?

And…folly occurs.

We have a choice to do right or wrong.

It is a choice to live at peace, or not.

>Who has not broken the speed limit?

Folly

>Ever littered?

Folly

Because there are laws there must be law keepers.

Law Keepers

Every generation has proven the need for accountability.

Police Officers

They work while we sleep, watching over our cities.

They train again, and again…and then again.

They are yelled at.

They are hated.

They are human beings.

With family.

With friends.

With dreams.

With drive.

With purpose.

Christ works while we sleep, watching over us.

Christ is yelled at.

Christ is hated.

Christ has family and friends.

Christ has the ultimate purpose.

To protect us from our folly eternally.

Until Christ’s return, police officers protect us from folly everyday.

Until then:

Lord,

May you watch over, protect, and give wisdom to every officer. When they feel weak, lend them your strength. When they feel unwanted, confirm your calling over them. May their training come to mind clearly when situations call, leaving them stainless.

May you bless and protect their families. Let them know how thankful their community is.

Help us all uphold right from wrong, within ourselves and our own family.

Help those who hate you to do right over wrong.

May your peace reign over our city tonight and every night.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

PS Thank you for praying over your city with me. God hears our prayers. Isn’t that exciting?

I think so.

Messengers for the City

I have a hope. To publish these prayers over your cities as a devotional. I have thrown some titles around for a while.

Messengers for the City is what keeps coming to the top. What would you call the devotional?

Are dreams a scary thing for you? They are for me. I would love feedback, kindly stated, thumbs up or thumbs down, about turning these devotions into a Devotional.😊  Thank you!

If you have a dream I can pray for you about, let me know. I would love to pray in agreement with you.

Post 3 of 12*

Jesus praying to his Father:

“I have revealed you to them…Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is prayer the model for change?

This love Christ is talking about means you won’t become easily angered or discouraged. Yet, if you look at your city, town, or village, there are reasons to become angered or discouraged.

Are there not?

So what are you to do? Pretend that what is wrong is not wrong?

No. Never.

Examples are a great place to start:

Jonah was called by God to warn some horrible people about their doom. If you recall, he was dismayed God wanted to offer a second chance to this community.

How did rebellion turn out for Jonah? Sunk at sea in the belly of a whale. 

You are not called to judge who or what situations are worthy of prayer. Only God can judge the heart. [1 Samuel 16:7]

What are you to do with frustration?

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God is not surprised by what he is calling you to. You are his adopted children, ambassadors, and friends. [Galations 4:4-5; 2 Corinthians 5:20; John 15:15] 

Walk neither by your thoughts or desires of how things ought to be. Be led by your love from God and by your love for Christ.

Jesus prayed for those he taught and also believed his message. And he prayed for you. If you did not catch that fact, re-read verse twenty above.

He prayed for you and for me. He knew what our sins would be, yet he chose to pray. He had compassion for you. Even…knowing what he still had to do.

Are you grateful Jonah was not the one praying for you?

If humbleness does not remove the frustration, what will?

Jesus still had to face the cross when he prayed for all who would come to believe.

Jesus’ prayer was not light and sweet. It was a ground-turning idea. God’s love, through Christ, is in us, so God’s promise of grace can be revealed through us. Think about that for a minute. (It might help to read the entire prayer in John chapter 17.)

Prayer is not passive. You don’t get in shape by sitting on the couch.

Prayer is work that gives birth to answers. #prayeriswork

In Summary:

We have a heart for prayer because the Father’s love is in us.

Jesus, 

Thank you for praying for me and revealing the Father’s heart. I am humbled by your compassion and sacrifice.

Show me where I don’t recognize your love in me.

Show me a situation or a person to pray for this week, local to me. That I may pray for wisdom and provision in their life.

If their situation breaks my heart help me to pray for them each time I think of them.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you believe Christ prayed for you so you could pray for others? Then be brave and invite someone to pray along with you. 

P.S.

This post is part 3 in a 12-part series, posted the first Thursday of every month. This is a sampling of a six-year prayer ministry I started one prayer at a time, over a specific city. Please join us each month, as we look at scriptural ways we are called to and can pray for the people in our city.

Want to catch up? Click on the links below.

Post #1/12 https://www.walkingonmustardseeds.com/?p=409

Post #2/12 https://www.walkingonmustardseeds.com/?p=455

For this post: Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

…seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you…and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah‬ ‭29:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many years ago, my husband and I moved to a city to start our life together. It was a good and prosperous place to live. 

We did not know:

>We were supposed to be praying for the people in it

>It would change drastically in just a few years

>We would desire to leave the city we once loved

God told the people something that is still true today. Peace in the place we call home is contingent upon the rest or unrest in the lives of those who live around us.

God wanted his people to pray for those who did not call upon him.

Has God changed his request?

…I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 1 Timothy 2:1 ESV

Years ago, commuting home on public transportation,  a man began yelling and cussing when the exit door did not open at the stop.

I recall fear filling my chest. As I sat waiting for what would happen next, it hit me that I could silently pray for all of us on the train. Not to simply pray away my concern about my own welfare, but for everyone’s welfare. Including the man.

According to 1 Timothy 2:1, you are to:

>Humbly ask for things on everyone’s behalf

>Talk to God for their good outcome

>Legally be the go-between to God

>Thank God for the good he has done for others

In God’s view, everyone qualifies to be prayed for.

But what if:

>You don’t like specific people?  Can you leave them off your prayer list?

>They make you angry? God will understand, right?

>They don’t have anything to do with your daily living?

>The way they live contradicts God?

Do you get a loophole?

I was caught off guard when God asked me to pray for someone who I tried very hard to not think of. Someone from the past who created pain in my life. God convicted my heart in a time of prayer asking, “If you don’t pray for him who will?”

Are you thinking this task is too big for you?

It is! It is too big for any of us to do on our own.

…where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I… Matthew 18:20 ESV

The task of praying for our cities can quickly become overwhelming. 

Crime and the occasional natural disaster can leave you feeling:

>Small

>Weak

>Speechless

Do you know who wants you to stay feeling that way? Not God!

So invite someone to pray with you. The people of your city need prayer. 

There are many situations to pray about:

>Those who run your city

>Those who work in your city

>Families

>College students

>Prisoners

>The addicted

>The homeless

See how quickly that list became overwhelming. What would you pray, right now for each of those needs?

Will you join me, praying for your city? 

Ask someone, or several someones, to join us as we explore topics and situations that matter to those who live around us.

And when words fail, because they will…

…we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…according to the will of God. ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Once a month, I will write a blog continuing this conversation. On the first Thursday of every month, you can gather here and be led in prayer for your city. 

You have a unique opportunity to boldly pray, united in heart with another, for the welfare of strangers. Strangers to you but not to God. 

Some weeks, your heart will be broken over events that have occurred. In those times, submitting your heart to the Spirit of God will be enough. 

Other weeks, prayers and praise will be easier.

Will you invite someone to pray with you?

God,

Sometimes the news of what is happening in my city is too much to process. 

Thank you for showing me there is another way to view these circumstances. You have a plan for me in the midst of where I live.

Open my eyes to the people around me in a new way. Help me to see them more clearly. Not for my gain, but for your purpose.

May my invitations to others to pray with me be bold and received with a ‘Yes and Amen.’

Thank you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next week… another devotional review! I look forward to introducing you to a newer devotional. It has been exciting to read.

Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Distraction has become a way of life. Current events have us glued to, ‘What is happening next?’

Bad reports about occurrences near home and far away have grown fear in people’s hearts for generations. In the book of Numbers, chapter 13, begins the story of God instructing Moses to send out a man from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, into the land of Canaan. The land God had promised to the Israelites.

Do you know what happens after these men spent 40 days spying in the land? No matter the good they saw, because they did see good, most of the men focused on the bad. This made them fearful and their worry spread to those who heard their report of the people in the land. 

Caleb, one voice among the men, reported they could go into the land and overcome it. One man standing alone.

The other spies spoke in fear again, scaring all the people who heard the report. Chapter 14 describes people crying and complaining about Moses and Aaron, who led them, with God’s instruction, out of slavery to this promised land.

Concern flooded their minds. And they were losing focus of what they were supposed to be good stewards of.

Years ago, my husband and I found ourselves living in a city that was unrecognizable from when we moved there ten years earlier. Neighborhoods had gone from peaceful to hearing gunshots at night, cars being broken into or stolen, occasional home invasions, and gang activity was on the rise.

I began to feel God wanted me to pray for the people in that city.

The problem was, every time I went to pray for them, I was overwhelmed by the news of current events from the night before.

Researching in the Bible, I found God’s heart for cities and the discoveries showed me how to pray. I felt he wanted more than just me praying. He wanted me to invite others into that prayer time. So I did.

Sunday for six years, I sent an email that led people in prayer over their city. It helped us to stay focused as we prayed over those who lived, worked, or were passing through the city. It gave us one heart and one purpose, in line with God’s word, to cry out for a city in need. 

We are not being asked, like the Israelites, to take over a land promised to us. God, in his word, asks us to live a certain way as we live and interact in our cities of residence.

Confusion is not from God. We are living in confusing times, but we serve a God who has given us instructions for all time.

Moses and Aaron, tasked with moving the Israelites from slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land of Canaan, often repented before God in response to what the people were doing. Hearing the men’s bad report and knowing this was a rebellion against God, they repented again for the Israelites. God’s people were not treating the situation as God wanted them to.  I admit that I have not always responded in the city I live the way God has wanted me to.

Fear, judgment, and a desire for things to be different have left me unable to see the city how God sees it. And this has left me blind in how to live within its structure.

Father, I am distracted by so much these days. Help my focus be what you want it to be. I am sorry that I have not looked to your word for solutions for my relationship in this city. You have created every inhabitant.

Help me, over the next few weeks, to see the people in your city as you see them. Help me to notice what you would have me notice as I go about my regular activities.

I am truly sorry I have cared more for my own wellbeing than what you want me doing in this city. Spark a compassionate curiosity in my heart for the people in this city.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We have a few weeks before my next installment of this series. This gives us time to look closer at our city. What are you curious about? Do you want to look up the population? Maybe you want to know how many schools there are. Or hospitals. Where is the courthouse and how many people work there? Where does your city council meet and how many people serve on it?

What questions would you add to this list? Please share them in the comments. I would love to know!

Next week, I will be telling you about a great Devotional I read recently. Do you have a favorite Devotional? Please tell me about it in the comments. I would really love to know!