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