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Monthly Prayer FocusMarch 2006 As followers of Jesus Christ, He calls us His brothers, sisters, and mother. He calls us friend. But who did His disciples call Him? Master, Teacher, the Christ, the Son of God. In Acts 4 the believers' prayer is beautiful. As they raised their voices together, they addressed God the Father as "Sovereign Lord" and declared His majesty and glory. The prayer continues beginning in verse 29- 31 " 'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness. Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant, Jesus.' After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (Emphasis mine) The believers called themselves, the Sovereign Lord's servants, and they referred to Jesus as the Sovereign Lord's Holy Servant. I love being called a child of God, for I know Him as Father. I love being a friend to Jesus, His sister. Becoming His servant, truly identifying myself as the Sovereign Lord's servant is a bit more difficult. Sure I can give lip service to it. I can even serve Him in all the ways that are comfortable, exciting, and fairly easy. But to serve Him in times of suffering, to serve Him in the face of persecution, to serve Him when the enemy of the cross targets me I wonder, am I really a servant of the Sovereign Lord? So I go to Him and He speaks Isaiah 49 to me in a very personal way. Do you ever struggle with thoughts of being the Sovereign Lord's servant, of truly serving Him well, Him alone, being completely yielded to Him? Then perhaps Isaiah 49 will encourage you, too. O Sovereign Lord, I praise Your holy and glorious name. You are my Lord God, my Yaweh Elohim. Before I was born, You called me, from my birth You made mention of my name. You are making my mouth like a sharpened sword. In the shadow of Your hand, You hide me until the time has been accomplished. You are making me into a polished arrow and concealing me in Your quiver. In Your perfect time, You pull me from Your quiver, striking me afire with Your Word, and send me forth into Your people and into those who don't know You. And the Holy Fire of Your salvation spreads to the ends of the earth. You say to me, "You are my servant, (your name) , in whom I will display my splendor." Yes, Lord, I believe You. I am Your humble servant, Most Holy One, and You choose to display Your splendor in me. What Love, indeed! What lavished, ever-flowing, poured-out love! Thank You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I am Yours! Thank You for never forgetting me. Thank You for engraving me on the palms of Your hands. Thank You for contending with those who contend with me. Thank You for saving my children and my children's children. Thank You for putting Your words in my mouth. Thank You for covering me with Your hand. Thank You for calling me Your servant, Your child. All mankind will know that You, the Lord, are my Savior, my Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. I praise You, my King. On bended knee, I bless Your holy name. Help me become a servant who carries Your name well. In Your Holy Servant's name, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen." |