RELY

The call to rely:

Come, hope-filled prisoners.
Shout and be glad for God is coming
To live among you.
A wall of fire to protect you.
As we gather to pray today
We acknowledge our reliance on you
Our protector and defender
Our source of hope.

The need to rely:

Day two focuses on a reliance on God. The chapter opens with a man seeking to measure the boundaries of the city, only to discover that the city does not need to be bound by walls. God will be a wall of fire around it! This chapter emphasises that God dwells in the city and that many will come to live there and experience God’s presence (2:11). As we come together to pray, let’s consider that

God’s presence dwells with us. We can rely on God, rather on our own ability and efforts to build. It is through God’s presence that the Kingdom of God is established.

Pray together for where you can see the walls broken down and in need of repair.Pray together for God’s direction as to how to respond to each of these seemingly overwhelming realities. Consider what it means to see God’s Kingdom reigning from a global perspective.

A prayer of reliance:

What might it look like to experience God’s protection and indwelling in each of these places:

• The impact on nations of the pandemic or civil war or natural disaster.
• The rebuilding of communities impacted by violence or apathy.
• Families torn apart by poverty or neglect.
• Churches that have been stunned into silence with the closing of their doors.

Pray the Lord’s prayer together - Your Kingdom come!