________________________ DAY 3 – DEPRESSION________________________
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3
Today we pray for attendees: Monica and LaRae
Lord, some of the ladies may have experienced or may now be in the darkness of depression that settles over them like a mantle. They may be having thoughts which descend in varying shades of gray that cover the essence of who they are. We ask You, the true Light, to shine on their value, worth, failures, and lack—breathe into them Your Life-giving Spirit. Create in them the breath of life and a reason for being. May they feel deeply and fully, not reflecting their emptiness. Lord, give them the strength to color their world and remove the shades of gray. May their time at the retreat be one of light and encouragement, lifting their spirits.
One cannot help but be overwhelmed by the numbers associated with the country of China. Over 1.3 billion people in the third largest country in the world. Many cross-cultural workers from a wide range of countries are in China spreading the good news but not in traditional ways. From teaching English to compassion ministries, men and women are being used by God to reach this massive population. Pray that the church would continue to grow in spite of official persecution within the house church movement as well as the temptation to soften one’s witness in the officially recognized churches.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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