REJOICE

The call to rejoice:

Come, hope-filled prisoners.
See your God, coming in humility on a donkey
Riding victorious
Breaking the weapons of war.
As we gather to pray today
May we see you in your power,
Rejoice in your splendour
And live according to your covenant relationship
With us.

The need for rejoicing:

Chapter 9:9 calls to the people of God to rejoice and shout! God is coming in victory! However, this is not the image of a dictator, but rather a lowly king riding on a donkey. God has arrived and weapons of war will be no more (9:10).

The final chapters of the book paint a complex picture of our present reality and the future God has for us. Disobedience, rejection, and weeping abound in nations that have rejected God (12:10-14). Yet, God is faithful to His covenant with His people and will bring about full restoration. 14:9 states that there will come a day when God shall reign over the whole earth. ‘On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name’.

A prayer for rejoicing:

• Oppression, injustice, war – that God would bring peace.
• Read 9:14-17 and use these words to create a prayer for children and young people.
• 10:6-7 paints a picture of renewed communities, where children flourish in faith. Rejoice together for the lives of children and young people who have been transformed by the good news of Jesus. Take this opportunity to pray for those who work with displaced children and young people - that the good news will help them thrive, not just survive.
• Pray for Scripture Union as a global movement, that we would live out being ‘prisoners of hope’ in such a way that people will be drawn to God and His Kingdom. https://scriptureunion.org/