May Our Neighbours Know the Freedom in Christ.

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Calling of God (Life Purpose)

Verse of the Day: The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, 'must turn aside now and see this marvellous sight….' – Exodus 3:2-3

Everlasting Father, Long ago, you heard the cries of your people and you came down to rescue them. You appeared to Moses in a burning bush. And even though Moses was old and ineloquent, you called him and equipped him to be your servant. Today, we need you to come down in a special way again. We long for our neighbours to know the freedom that you offer in Christ.

And so we pray:
• Glorify your name in our city.
• Blaze among the Garry Oaks and Douglas Firs that line
our streets.
• Give us, and our neighbours, eyes that can see your
marvellousness, and courageous hearts—that we would
“turn aside” and embrace your Kingdom.

Show us where we fit in your salvation mission, Father. Even though we are limited and ineloquent, equip us and use us for your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

David Salverda - Victoria Christian Reformed Church

Bring Clarity to the Confused and Strength to the Weak

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Mental Health/Healing

Verse of the Day: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. – Luke 4:18,19

Father, we thank You for the people in our neighbourhoods. You love them, You made them and You have redeemed them. You care for them, You have given them life and breath. Jesus, You give hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, clarity to the confused, strength to the weak, and deliverance to those bound by the enemy. 

We pray for those that struggle with mental illness. Father, reveal Your truth and power to them show them the Hope that is found in the triumph of an empty tomb. We pray that they would reach out to You and be found by You; that they would experience Your light as it obliterates their darkness. May the presence of Jesus overwhelm and heal them; deliver them from their bondage and draw them to Your perfect love, in the name of Jesus.

Lindsay Hodges - Youth for Christ

Thank You For Your Miraculous Provision

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Miracles of Provision

Verse of the Day: But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Matthew 6:33 (CEV)

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the way that you have provided for your children through the ages. I come to you this day as your child looking to you for the provision that you have promised in your word. It is my heart’s desire to know you and hear your voice. Please help me to walk in obedience to you and put your work first and do what you want me to do this day. There are so many needy people around us Lord. I pray that you will draw us all to yourself so that we all can know You and claim this promise for our lives.

Thank you for your miraculous provision in my life at times when I thought there was no way and no hope. Help me be your hand extended to someone in my community today and bring them some hope along with a random act of kindness that you will direct me in. May they encounter You and Your love and may it be a miracle of provision in their life this day. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Don Allan - Glad Tidings Church

As You Have Reconciled Us with the Father

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Relational Healing

Verse of the Day: If I have found favour in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favourably. - Genesis 33:11b

Precious Father, you are Lord over the earthly family, over our extended and nuclear families from which we descend and of which we are all a part. O Lord, on this day as we walk, cycle and drive through our neighbourhoods, we pray your healing into the relational estrangements of our existence: into every fracture between parent and child, every open wound between siblings, every thinly-veiled scar between friends that unfortunately, for so many, has come to
define them. We pray your blessing for ourselves and those entrusted to our care that we may all see “the face of God” in those once lost to us. Meet us in this complicated and muddy process, Jesus, for you have reconciled us to the Father through the Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

Ken M. Peters - Saanich Community Church

Give Us Boldness to Speak the Truth

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Personal Boldness

Verse of the Day: Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News. - Ephesians 6:19

Lord, I thank you I have been sent to proclaim the Good News, not only
to the nations, but to my neighbourhood. Holy Spirit, give me confidence so that I can be bold. Today I walk with my spiritual antennae up ready to receive divine direction. Give me opportunities to initiate conversation and push beyond any inhibitions and fears. Father, I ask that you would grant my neighbours boldness. Boldness to love deeply, boldness to stand for what is right, and boldness to speak the truth in love. Amen.

Jason Goertzen - Pastor Lifetree Church

May the People of Victoria Encounter You

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Miracles and Healings

Verse of the Day: Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. – Acts 2:22

We praise the One True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praise you that the Holy Spirit fills God’s people with the incomparably great power which raised Jesus from the dead. We are humbled that You choose to work through us. Thank you for the gracious blessing of new life, which is transformed daily into the image of Christ with ever increasing glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

It is our hearts desire that all people in the city of Victoria will encounter Jesus, as personal Saviour, Lord, Healer, Provider and Friend. You know their needs. You know why they may resist You, Lord. We pray that the blessing of healing in body mind and spirit will confirm the Lordship of Christ in many lives who will turn to You in faith. May this city sing praises with joy and thanksgiving, because of complete restoration in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lynne Ellis - Assistant Pastor - Church of Our Lord

May Your Spirit Move Among Us

GOD ENCOUNTERS: Supernatural Dreams/Visions

Verse of the Day: 'In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. - Acts 2:17 (NLT)

Gracious God, we thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. Through the outpouring of the Spirit we are able to communicate personally and deeply with you. We pray for Victoria and surrounding
area that the Holy Spirit would move among us. Father, may you bless our neighbours by drawing them to your son Jesus so that everyone who calls on his name will be saved. 

Father, it was your son Jesus who said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the church and so Lord we thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to build the church before Christ returns. May your people encounter you as they prophesy, as they dream dreams and see visions of what you will accomplish on this earth through your church. May your Kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

David Grice - Salvation Army Victoria Citadel