Cry for the Harvest
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. -Habakkuk 2:14

 

As families, couples and friends seek to get the last vacations in the summer and prepare for another school year, we enjoy God’s glorious summer rays of sun, feel the soft sand between our toes, and maybe even catch the exhilarating waves. Paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, or boating can also integrate us into the fullness of creation that the Lord designed us to enjoy with Him. It’s from this season of rest and refreshment that we can engage our neighbors or coworkers, friends and even family members, though wounds may still be lingering, fresh or old. We must engage them again to know the Lord amidst any painful memories or bad habits.

 

If you missed out on a refreshment with the Lord this past month, it’s never too late to start! Every week He gives us a Sabbath day to trust Him with the undone work and take a day of rest. It’s so critical to practice working from a place of trust and rest, seeing that He will make up the difference when we rest in Him. Now we work again, seeking His kingdom and His righteousness as He adds the rest He knows we need. As farmers around the country begin to bring in what should be some of the largest harvests of the year, we pray that the Lord of the harvest will also continue releasing His great global Glory, catalyzing the largest end time harvest that many have seen coming, like a wave of the Spirit.

This month we invite churches and Christians from all around RI and MA to join in the 10 Days of Prayer, a worldwide initiative of intently pursuing Jesus through fasting, mourning, and even altering our schedules to make room for more attention on Him. This year the 10 Days movement with more than 300 locations around the world, is partnered by many global ministries to bring prayer and kingdom collaborations together. You can check out the 10 Days Prayer Guide here.

How might God respond if the entire body of Christ stopped what we were doing for 10 days to seek His face? The 10 Days of Prayer run from September 15-25, and right here in Rhode Island there will be 10 churches hosting altars of prayer, throughout 4 of our 5 counties. Please join us in answering Jesus' prayer that we would be one as He and the Father are One (John 17) by joining an altar of prayer on 1 or more of these nights. Might the Lord be calling you to fast - media, news, movies, and/or food, like a Daniel fast or simply drink juice or water for 1 or more of the 10 days? Step out and trust Him to move in your life as you consecrate yourself to Him for any amount of time. The more we do this among all the churches in RI, the brighter His glory and love will shine through His Church!

Let’s pray and encourage one another to trust the Lord in our rest – to even work from a place of rest.  In our prayers, though it may be difficult to do as a church, let’s pray with mourning, fasting, and joining with the sacred assemblies:

● Mourn (with those who are lacking in the midst of inflation and economic uncertainty, or with those suffering - poor health, loss of work, depression, anxiety, death) -Joel 1:8-13

● Declare a holy fast; -Joel 1:14a
         
● Call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. -Joel 1:14b

 

Optional: turn darkness to light in your neighborhood
Take a prayer walk around your neighborhood this week. If you see any neighbors, engage in conversation and ask, “What is one thing I could pray for you right now? The next time you see them, ask if they’ve seen any answer to prayer yet or if you can pray again.