May We Persevere

CHARACTER: Perseverance

Verse of the Day: Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it. - Luke 11:28

Father God, once we know something is wrong, please give us the moxie to own up and change our ways. And if we don’t have the spunk or stamina needed to do that, give us brave hearts to ask for help. Your Word tells us that we blow it when we deliberately choose, in the light of Your truth, to disobey. You know our hearts. You know why we do what we do or say what we say. Like Joseph who made a bee-line outta there when Potiphar’s wife wanted a piece of him, give us that kind of grit to never EVER give up choosing to do the next right thing! Even when it hurts something fierce and scares the living daylights out of us! Thank you for giving us the freedom to obey You. Amen.

Louise (Bromley) Jewell - Registered Clinical Counsellor - Pacific Rim Care Counselling

Responsibility

CHARACTER: Responsibility

Verse of the Day: And we all, with unveiled faces,
beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just
as by the Spirit of the Lord.–- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJ)

Father God, You have blessed us with the gift your Holy Spirit and have placed within us the very nature of your Son Jesus Christ. Father, our prayer is that we might honor You with a life that is holy and true. That we might reflect Your nature, Your character, Your glory and Your love in the midst of a world so lost and so hurting. Let our lives be the guidebook to heaven for those who are seeking You. 

Give to us a heart for the lost that they might find You and be saved. Father open the eyes of those in this city that they might see Your Son Jesus and come to an understanding of the Living Truth. This we pray in the beautiful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lynne Schaper - Co-Pastor - Arbutus Christian Fellowship

Let Honesty Flow From Our Lips

CHARACTER: Honesty

Verse of the Day: 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. 2 For He laid the earth’s foundation on the seas, and built it on the ocean depths. 3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their Savior.
6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. – Psalm 24:1-6 (NLT)

Father, we weep over a world buried in deceit; Humanity lies to itself daily about who we are
and whose we are. We fabricate images and personas to make ourselves look like more
than we are, To construct purpose and meaning apart from You; And we believe slander in our hearts that imagines us as so much less than Your beloved. 

Bless your people with the precious gift of honesty, Lord; Let it flow from our lips and hands to those around us; Let it refresh souls like pure water, Let it comfort and restore like salve on the wounds of deception That scar our identity, community, and humanity. May your Spirit bring clarity in the lives of those we encounter today; May it separate truth from lies in their hearts and minds So they can draw near to You, find belonging in You, The Way, The Life, The Truth.

                                                                           Travis Hutchinson Pastor Shelbourne Street Church of Christ

Holy Spirit, Kindle a flame of love in Victoria

CHARACTER: Integrity, Wholeness, Strength

Verse of the Day: Let my teaching fall like rain and my
words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like
abundant rain on tender plants. – Deuteronomy 32:2

O God – All people in this community come from you… Created to honor one another and for seeking the common good. From you all peace and justice flows. Come upon this neighborhood like morning dew. Inflame it with your love. 

Lord, Jesus Christ, Light of the World
Come and shine on this community
May hostilities be overcome
May petty differences be dropped
May the old and the young enjoy each other.

Holy Spirit 
Kindle a flame of love in this neighborhood
May its people be content with small means…
Seek integrity rather than luxury… 
Strive to be worthy, rather than wealthy…
Think quietly, talk gently, and act frankly.
Amen. 

(This blessing prayer is based on excerpts from Ray Simpson’s
A Holy Island Prayer Book, Morehouse Publ. 2003)

Henry Jonker - Pastor Emeritus - Victoria Christian Reformed Church

Your Kingdom Come

CHARACTER: Justice

Verse of the Day: But few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. – Luke 10:42

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have divinely appointed us to be your “hands and feet” to all those in our spheres of influence. We thank you that you have strategically placed us
right where you want us to be for such a time as this. We pray that Your Kingdom come, Your
will be done over this neighbourhood and in the businesses that you have us in. We pray Your protection, justice and liberty for those we live around, and for those we intersect with. 

Give us Your heart for the lost and marginalized, and help us to remember, and declare Your promise found in Psalm 2:8 “If you ask, the lost will be your inheritance.” So, Lord, we ask You for the lost in our neighbourhoods and spheres of influence that they may receive You as Lord and Savior.
Amen.

Gerry Esselink - Associate Pastor - Trinity Church

Bring Healing to the Broken

CHARACTER: Moral Purity

Verse of the Day: Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. - Isaiah 58:12

Dear Father in Heaven, please look upon the youth who are homeless, abandoned, unwanted and uncared for in our city and come to their aide. Provide for them a healthy sense of who they are and how they are unique and made in your image. Help them have the courage to break the cycle of poverty, of crisis and brokenness. 

Your prophet Isaiah prophesied your people would be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. So we ask that you would use us to repair those things that have taken away their sense of security and safety. Use us to restore a sense of belonging in this world giving them a sense of purpose, hope and direction for their lives. Help them and us to see that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves as a response to the obedience, love, prayers of your people.

Darin Reimer - Executive Director - Sanctuary Youth Centre

Courage to Speak the Gospel

CHARACTER: Courage

Verse of the Day: But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. - 2 Chronicles 15:7

Lord Jesus, we believe that you are actively pursuing the lost. We believe that you are in the business of redeeming and restoring your creation. We believe that you want your light to shine in, through and out of our city. So Lord, we invite you to transform our lives, our neighborhoods and our city. Holy Spirit, give us courage to live out and speak your Gospel in and to our city.

Overcome our fears by the power of your Spirit, and compel us to live with integrity and courageous humility. Reclaim Greater Victoria Lord, and reshape our culture to center our lives in Jesus Christ. With gratitude we declare that there is no one like you to help the powerless, bind up the broken, and proclaim freedom. We rely on you, and in your name we boldly trust and obey.

Kevin Thiessen - Pastor of Outreach/Missions Central Baptist Church

May the Holy Spirit be Working in our Relationships

RELATIONSHIPS: Healthy Relationships

Verse of the Day: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.–- Matthew 5:9

Dear Lord, please bless my neighbours with healthy relationships. Relationships are the context into which we are called to live out our faith. As Jesus was teaching the beatitudes he said, “Blessed are those who work for peace…” We understand the word “blessed” to mean “happy!” Being at peace with the people in our life is a trusted path to true happiness. There are many homes on my street filled with people who need God’s peace and happiness in their relationships. 

Lord please use me to help support my neighbours in their relationships through prayer and the ministry of presence. May my neighbours learn to set healthy boundaries, tell the truth, and stay loyal to the people in their life and in these ways participate in the peace/happiness that you offer God. May the presence of the Holy Spirit be in the homes of people who do not yet know you God. Jesus finishes that teaching by saying “…they will be called children of God.” May my neighbours know the happiness of being a child of God. Amen.

Eric West - Pastor to Families - Gateway Baptist Church

Friend of Jesus

RELATIONSHIPS: Authentic Friendships

Verse of the Day: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

Is there a higher compliment than to be called a friend of Jesus? When we lay down our life for Him we are his friend. When we silence every other voice that shouts for our time, our attention, our focus, and say ‘not my will but yours be done Oh Lord’, then we are a friend of God. 

‘Lord may our neighbours know such friendship in the one with a listening ear and discerning heart, the one who will share his time, his resources and his talents, the one who will bring encouragement, and hope and new answers.....and the one who will pray. May we hear your voice Lord and respond. May we be an authentic friend to you Jesus and an authentic friend to those in our communities.’

Doug & Mary McCulloch - Directors of the Obed House of Prayer

Bless Our Elders

RELATIONSHIPS: Generational Honour/Respect

Verse of the Day: Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord…. - Psalm 102:18

Illuminate our eyes to respect those older than us. Though sight may be dimmed, wisdom shines through. Help us listen. Bless our elders, Lord. Work in us to give them the respect they are due. Forgive us for the individualism we display in our society. Help us, help me be the difference maker(s). Through a deeper sense of humility, help us bless our seniors with time, with attentive ears, and kindness that opens the doors to their wisdom. 

Shine Your Light on them, we pray… through us. Help us to honour and learn from our children - grant us renewed wonder to see as a child. Bless our children and our youth, Lord. Protect them from those who seek to do them harm. Break spiritual strongholds that distract, exploit, and rob our children of their rightful life in who they are created to be in You. Let this begin with us, with me. Transform our hearts as we honour our children, becoming more like them, and in turn blessing them to discover who they truly are.

Robert McKinley - Regional Church Advisor - World Vision Canada

Reconciliation Through Christ

RELATIONSHIPS: Reconciliation

Verse of the Day: Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:18,19

We thank you, Father, for the blessing of family, friends and our community. We pray that people would be reconciled to you as you are jealous over them with GODLY jealousy (Exodus 20:4-5). You are the GOD that saves, you are Sovereign and Mighty and escape from death only comes from you. (Psalms 68:20). We thank you for the gift of reconciliation through Christ. (2 Corinthians. 5:18) On behalf of our neighbours we stand in the gap and ask that you would forgive us and reconcile us to yourself (repent for any sins as Holy Spirit reveals). Lord Jesus we ask that you would also heal all broken relationships. That the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control would be evident in our lives so that we see our family, neighbourhoods and city transformed. We decree this blessing over all our relationships today: The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make His face shine on you, The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:22-26) In Jesus Name, Amen.

Jacki Knight - Co-Founder Renaissance International Ministry

Relationships: Our Heritage

RELATIONSHIPS: Children

Verse of the Day: Children are a gift from God; they are His reward. - Psalm 127:3

Lord, we bless… Each child in our neighborhoods with the knowledge that they are a gift. Bring revelation that they are our heritage…our reward. Each household with the conviction to raise their children in Your ways, Lord, and each child with the desire to learn Your ways. (Proverbs 22:6) The return of prodigals and pray Your Spirit will lead them safely back to You and to their families. The teaching of Your ways knowing that this will lead the children to great peace. (Isaiah 54: 13) The relationship of children and parents…that each heart will be turned back to one another (Malachi 4:6) The children with mentors who will speak the right words at the right time. (Proverbs 25:11) We release these prayers and blessings in the Powerful Name
of Jesus.

Lorraine Friesen - Pastor Lifetree Church

The Wonder and Joy of Covenant Love

RELATIONSHIPS: Marriages

Verse of the Day: Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. - Romans 13:7-8

Dear Father in Heaven, We praise and worship You with gratitude for creating the gift of marriage. Thank You for sharing with us the deepest kind of relationship possible as your sons and daughters. We stop and pause in the wonder and joy in drawing from your heart of unconditional love in the covenant of marriage; for empowering us to make and keep this promise; and for faithfully accepting and forgiving us when we fall short of that pledge in our broken and sinful lives. 

We thank you, O God, for the contentment and fulfilment of being known and loved by another; for the joy in sharing everyday pleasures by meeting all of our needs - homes, food, the beauty of your creation around us, a good laugh, and rest after a full day. We thank You for family life, and walking with us by your Spirit though all of the challenges we face; by reminding us that we are never alone. We bless you, Lord, that in your love for us there is ongoing restoration, healing and renewal - that You never give up on us; that You empower us to keep going whatever the circumstances. We thank You for hope and the assurance that the best is yet to come - your promise of eternal life with You. We are grateful, Father, for your Church, the family of your followers who encourage us, walk shoulder to shoulder with us, and pray for us when we feel vulnerable and weak. 

Most of all we are so awed and grateful for the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives, who by His Holy Spirit, guides, comforts and renews us daily. We embrace your Word to us, that love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”.

Gord Patterson Interim Pastor The Mustard Seed

Courageous Dreamers

HOPE: Dreams

Verses of the Day: Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life -– Proverbs 13:12

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart … -–Jeremiah 1:5

Afriend, Tony Stolzfus once said: “Dreams are powerful. Dreams and those who live them can change cultures, redirect nations and move mountains.” I believe that global transformation is absolutely possible when we each live our Godgiven dream. This is the key to impacting our community, city, and every nation! If Jesus came that we might have life and life to the full, then discovering and living our dreams is essential! All creation is groaning in anticipation of seeing you and the people around you fully alive!” (Romans 8) Proverbs 11 says: “By the blessing of the upright, a city is exalted.” So go ahead, bless your city! Pray and declare this: Renewed minds…The result? A transformed life! “Lord, awaken our neighbours to Your goodness...which leads to repentance. (Romans 2:4) Transform them into courageous dreamers...unleashed, fully alive with revelation of Your plans and purposes – knowing they were set apart before they were born!”

Mark De Toit - Senior Pastor Trinity Church

Protection

HOPE: Protection

Verse of the Day: The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. -–2 Corinthians 4:4

Father, I pray for my neighbours. I ask that You would bless and protect them. Let Your blessings permeate every area of their lives, including and especially the blessing of salvation. Blanket them with Your protection, Father, including their property, health, family life, and souls. 

There are so many things in this world that can weigh them down with the anxieties of life, desires for useless or harmful things, and distractions which can lead them nowhere at best. These make it hard to keep the things that really matter in view. Protect them from these I pray. I particularly pray that You would drive back the influence of the god of this age, who blinds people’s minds. May all veils be lifted, enabling them to come to a knowledge of the truth and of Your great love for them. In the matchless Name of Jesus, Amen.

Scott Campbell - Pastor New Life Community

Enduring Hope

HOPE: Destiny/Future

Verses of the Day: Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. -–Romans 5:2

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for he who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23

Father, we thank you for the enduring hope we have in you, both now and in eternity. We pray today for the people of our neighbourhood and of this city that they will come to know this hope through Jesus in whom is eternal life. We also lift up the destiny and future of our city and her people. 

We know according to Psalm 139, that you have written the account of our life in a book before we were even born. We pray that the people of Victoria will fulfill the pages of their book and realize the destiny for which they were born. We pray also that Victoria, as a city, will fulfill her redeemed spiritual purpose. You always have good plans for us, for hope, righteousness and blessing, and we agree with your heart that these plans be accomplished in Victoria and in her people, in Jesus’ name.

Dan & Susan McLean - Pastors Victoria Miracle Centre

The Monday Minute

Good morning Bless My City!  

How was your first week of prayer walking?  What is God saying to you as you walk and pray?  Have you had any conversations with your neighbours about what you are doing?  We want to hear your stories!  Would you take a minute to visit our share page and tell us what God is doing on your street?

Here are some quick updates for you:

1) We are building our Prayer Map this week so we can see where people are walking and praying.  This will help us fill in the gaps so that we can pray over as many streets as possible.  We'll send out a newsflash when it's ready to go.

2)  We have just over 400 people following us via email, twitter and Facebook.  Can you help us build those numbers by asking/encouraging your friends to register with us.  

In my first few weeks of ministry training, I hear a guest speaker say this during a chapel period: 

 God + 0 = 0    

God + YOU = You can't write it on the blackboard!  

His point was that God does not operate in a vacuum but chooses to work through people like you and me.  When we partner with God, the possibilities are endless!  Bless My City is loaded with possibilities and opportunities for God to work and move because you are showing up to walk and pray!  Keep praying.  Keep looking. Keep listening.  This is going to be amazing!

Fear No Evil

HOPE: Security/Safety

Verse of the Day: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your love for the people of this neighborhood. Thank you, that you desire that they might know you the way you know them. Lord, where there is fear of any kind, fear of the future, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, fear of failure, any kind of fear, Lord Jesus, may these folks come to know that you are greater than all.. We pray for a knowledge of your goodness and mercy, your protection. 

As the Palmist says, “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” In the midst of the challenges of life, may you be made known as the Living God who is our shelter from the storms. Nothing can take us away from your love, your presence, your care. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. He will say you from the fowler’s snare. . . . He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge.”

Sharon Hayton - Living Edge Community

Redemption from Sin and Sickness

HOPE: Health

Verse of the Day: Great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all. - Mathew 12:15

Father we recognize with so many still having no revelation or understanding of the Good News of the Gospel that many are bound by sickness, disease and ill-health with little hope. We pray that you open hearts and minds to a revelation of your miraculous healing power that comes through solid, unwavering faith in you as our healer. Lord, let it be known that we have redemption from both sin and sickness through your blood that was shed and that it is by the stripes that you bore that we have the promise of healing. Highlight your word that constantly promises that it is your will to heal whoever comes to you in faith so that hope will arise in our city once again. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Kelcy Snyckers - Event Coordinator The Mustard Seed

Opening Hearts to the Spirit of Hope

HOPE: Favour

Verse of the Day: I pray also that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. - Ephesians 1:18-19

Lord, I thank you for this neighbourhood and my neighbours. I ask you, by your Spirit, to call each person in this neighbourhood into your body, the body of one hope, Ephesians 4:4. I proclaim and declare over each person in this neighbourhood your favour for the plans you have for each one are plans to prosper them, not to harm them, plans with a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) I pray Lord that by your Spirit you will grant them your favour by opening up their hearts, minds and spirits to your hope, the hope that is rooted in your power to give them comfort and encouragement, (Psalm 119:49-50); the hope that will transform their character and behaviour, (Ephesians 1:18-23), (Romans 8:9-11), (Galatians 5:5); that their hope will be in you, (Psalm 39:7); and that this hope will stimulate faith and love in them. (Colossians 1:5) I also pray that your favour will enlighten their hearts in order that they may know the hope to which you are calling them, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for those who believe. (Ephesians 1:18) I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Bill Southward - Pastor Temple Yeshua

God, bring YOUR HEART to Our City!

HOPE: Prosperity/Provision

Verse of the Day: Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it. - Jeremiah 33:9

Father God, as we pray for our city today, we look to you to be the one who will bring prosperity and provision to her residents. Shower your love in tangible ways upon every household in each neighbourhood. Your heart is for this city and we as your people are passionate about seeing the blessed hope that we have in you, fill every heart. 

You have blessed our city with abundance, but we are also painfully aware that many in our city have very little. With that awareness, we want our prayers to partner with your word to 
bless those who are in need of your provision. Just as it was spoken over Jerusalem many centuries ago, we speak this over Victoria today: “I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food”. (Psalm 132:15) “So that the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth”. (Job 5:16) Thank you God for all that you provided in Victoria for the generations that came before us; how you are prospering those who are living here today; and for the hope that you will give to the generations that are
yet to live here. Amen.

Today's prayer submitted by Graham Jackson - Director YWAM Victoria

 

God Our Provider

AWAKENING: Provision

Verse of the Day: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -–Ephesians 2:10

O Lord God Almighty. You are my Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. I give You thanks today that You provided everything I need to do good works in Your Name. I ask for Your awakening and the renewal of my mind so that I see my neighbours the way You see them. They are also created in Your likeness and Your image so please continue to draw them to Yourself by Your loving kindness. Please grant them eyes to see that they also are ‘created in Christ Jesus’. 

Please bless my neighbours and help me to be prepared for any opportunity to speak to them and minister to their needs, thereby declaring and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God has come near. I ask, O Lord, that You encourage the hearts of all those who are joining me today all over the Greater Victoria region and are praying on behalf of our neighbours.

Today's prayer submitted by Neil Blackstock - Pastor Victoria Foursquare Church

A Fresh Revelation

AWAKENING: Power and Presence

Verse of the Day: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. . . . Then you will look and be radiant, you heart will throb and swell with joy. - Isaiah 60:1, 5a

Lord, we need an awakening! We ask You to awaken us TODAY to a fresh and new revelation of Your Presence and Power. Our neighbours need this, and so do we. So, today we invite Your presence and power to move throughout our neighbourhoods, replacing the drab and the gloomy with the radiant and the joyful. 

You probably need to start the makeover with us, the people who are called by Your Name. We admit it. So, please, we ask that Your presence and power would arise and shine in us! And then. . .we pray that the glory of the Lord will rise upon the people who live around us and with whom we work and recreate, that their hearts, too, “will throb and swell with joy” as they encounter Your presence and power. We ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Gary Bennett - Pastor Victoria Church of the Nazarene

Since the Beginning of Time

AWAKENING: Holiness

Verse of the Day: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. - 1 Peter 2:9

Dear Heavenly Father. We appreciate the love you extend toward us and ask you to help us know you in a deeper way. You have been calling us to yourself. Let us hear the voice of the Spirit of God beckoning us into a richer spiritual life. I believe you long to draw the people of this neighbourhood into a loving, caring relationship with yourself. 

You have desired to call people out of darkness and into the light of your love since the beginning of time. These people who live in this place are meant to be your chosen ones, set apart as special and holy. We ask that you bless us all with the miracle of a life devoted to you. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rod Fair - Lead Pastor North Douglas Church

The Monday Minute

Good morning Bless My City!  What a fantastic Easter weekend at every level. God is doing some amazing things across our city and the next 7 weeks are going to be incredible.  

Thanks for registering with us.  There are literally hundreds of people just like you, all across Greater Victoria asking God to bless their streets and neighbourhoods. Some people are committing to multiple street which really great!

An unexpected surprise has been the number of people who have registered from across the country. We have participants in Vancouver, Calgary, Ontario and New Brunswick!  

As you pray this week, watch for God to open doors of opportunity to you.  The opportunities will be by divine appointment and the Holy Spirit will have prepared the people you encounter to be receptive to you and to what you will share with them.  Be genuine.  Be relaxed.  Have fun!  God is WITH you and has gone BEFORE you because He is BLESSING our city!

May Your Grace Reign

AWAKENING: Grace

Verse of the Day: In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. -–Colossians 1:6

As I stand in my neighbourhood at the corner of these crossing streets, I ask your love and grace to descend on all the homes I can see. Homes that represent individuals, families and extended communities. Today may my neighbours experience your grace, your generosity, your kindness in their lives that will result in transformed relationships, health, finances and purpose. 

As in Isaiah 55, “the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish”, may your grace rain down and saturate my neighbourhood so that all would know you as Lord and Savior. I thank you for your plan for all those who live in these homes and how you can use me to bless them. Your desire is for all to experience you. I declare the grace of Your Kingdom come, your will be done, accomplished and completed in my neighbourhood today.

Today's prayer submitted by John Wason - Word to Life Ministries

Happy Easter! Holy Spirit, Reveal Jesus To the People On My Street!

AWAKENING: Love

Verse of the Day: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. -–1 Peter 4:8

Father, just as your Spirit hovered over the waters at creation causing everything to awaken and come alive, I ask that your Spirit would now awaken each person in this neighbourhood to your love that brings true life. 

Father, in Jesus’ name, we come against every lie and distortion in people’ s minds concerning who you are. Please awaken each person to the sacrificial love of Jesus that is the covering for every sin. 

Father, you say in your word that it is your goodness that leads and awakens people to cause them to repent. Lord, pour out your love that draws and turns people in this neighbourhood to your love that covers sin and frees people from guilt and shame. Even now, as we walk this street, we pray for the love of God to be shed abroad in each household, in each marriage, in each adult and child. 

Release your loving Spirit to brood over this neighbourhood to awaken each person to your incredible love.

Today's prayer submitted by Arnie Toews, Pacific Rim Care Counselling

Awaken Hearts To Who You Are, O God!

AWAKENING: God, Our Kindness and Mercy

Verse of the Day: Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?–- Romans 2:4

Father, awaken each heart in our city. Awaken each heart to Your kindness and mercy. We pray for ourselves and our neighbours, friends, family members, enemies, and brothers and sisters in Christ, that we would be awakened wide awake, eyes peeled, senses on full alert to Your extravagant kindness to us that is intended to bring us to repentance and turn us from our sin. 

Bless the people of our city with wide awake senses to perceive, receive, and respond to Your kindness. Wake up, O Victoria, come alive and be alert with sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat anticipation, stare intently at “how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you.

Today's Prayer Submitted by Cam Aitken - Esquimalt Community Youth

Good Friday - Awaken Our City To Your Salvation

AWAKENING: God, Our Salvation

Verse of the Day: Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. - Hebrews 7:25

Father we need you to awaken us. 

We feel lost and alone; trapped in despair and confusion; like failures with no hope. We pray that you make us whole. We need your transformation in our lives so that we can be your agents of transformation in Victoria. We pray to you, Jesus, to awaken us to the work that you have already done. Remind us that you are the God who came to the earth to save us all. 

May our neighbours have visions of the cross so they can understand how much they are loved by you. May they understand the message of the empty tomb so they will be blessed with the new life that you are offering to them. Awaken us as all to the work you are doing in heaven. You did not retire in heaven but you are working on our behalf. May we never forget that you always live to intercede for us. May our neighbours also come to know that you are also praying for them. You are their Saviour. 

Let this message spread this Easter season and become a permanent truth in our city.

Today's prayer submitted by Pastor Jeff Sears, First Baptist Church