Day 70: Ember Faith Prayer Countdown

When we felt like we needed to do the 100 day prayer countdown for Ember, we sat down and made a list of the traits that we hoped she would have and the areas of her life we wanted to pray over. Our list did not cover all 100 days, but we knew that as we continued on this journey God would reveal more and more things that we would need to pray for. One of these revelations came to me (Shane) while preparing for a message I am planning to preach.

 This coming Sunday, I have been asked to preach the morning service at my church. I had been praying and seeking what God wanted me to focus on for a few weeks. Last weekend while at Conclave, a Youth Minister's Conference, Kyle Idleman was talking about a time when his pastor asked him to preach the Easter Sunday message...and it hit me... the Sunday that our pastor had asked me to preach was right before Valentine's Day. I continued to pray and seek God's guidance and felt like a love themed message was the direction that I was to go. Another speaker at the conference, Derwin Gray, spoke about ministers putting their ministry before God. As I listened to Mr. Gray, I thought of this verse in Revelation Chapter 2 and felt that it would be the perfect Valentine's message and a necessary area of prayer for Ember's life as well.

 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 

                                                                                                              Revelation 2:2

I know that on previous days we have prayed for Ember to seek God, know God, and love God... but if she develops those for a season and then walks away how does that benefit her? We desire that Ember would develop a lasting love for God and that she will never leave her first love.

Dear Father, I pray that through Ember's works, labor, righteousness, and ministry that she would never leave her first love... You. God I pray that she will always remain in Your presence and never forget that You loved her first and thus deserve to be her first love! In Jesus' name, I pray this prayer for the person my daughter will be. Amen.