Mercy 6: God’s Mercy Rule plus Important info for Prayer Day and Bottle of Tears winners
This is the final devotional on Mercy, preparing us to pray for prodigals on June 2. If you want to participate, there is a lot of info for that following the Mercy Rule post. We would love to have you pray for any prodigals you know. And it’s not too late to give us names (first names only) of loved ones you would like prayer for.
In kids’ sports there is often a “mercy rule”.
If one team gets far ahead, the game is called. It seems only kind and fair to not embarrass or demoralize the kids who are losing so badly.
In life it rarely works that way. There is no mercy rule, no rescue from your losses, your hurts, your failures.
But in God’s Kingdom, Jesus instituted a Mercy Rule. One word describes it: Forgive.
As He walked on earth He mentioned it repeatedly, Here are just a few instances:
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. (Matthew 12:7)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)
But Jesus didn’t just talk about mercy and forgiveness. Even as He was hanging on the cross to deliver mercy and purchase forgiveness, He looked at those who were torturing him and said these amazing words:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Preparing to pray
For five weeks, to prepare ourselves to pray for those in great need of mercy and forgiveness, we have seen that God first calls on us to repent, to confess our need of mercy and forgiveness.
And then, as He freely gives us what we have asked for—mercy and forgiveness—He pours His love and grace into us to flow through us so that we can give mercy and forgiveness to our beloved prodigals.
Many of us pray every day for our own prodigals and for yours. But on this day, on June 2, the Worldwide Prodigal Prayer Day, we pray even more and more intensely. And we invite many—thousands—to join us on our knees.
If you have submitted a name of a loved one of yours to be prayed for, I assure you I will bring that name before the throne of God. And you can know that many others will do the same. We don’t know how or when God will respond, take action, rescue our wanderers, but we do know we can trust Him to keep pursuing and wooing them with His love and grace.
You are invited to join with us. Wherever you, whenever you can. For a few minutes or a few hours or all day. By yourself, with family or friends, at church, online. In your comfy chair, on your knees, even on your face.
Or you can join us at 1-2:30 on June 2 for praying together online.
Here is information to help you:
1. If you are a member of the Prayer for Prodigals community,. you can access the list of names to pray for here.
2. If you are praying with others, you may print the list to share with them. You can take turns reading the names in each alphabet letter, or praying whatever is on your heart. Please try to cover some of the names.
3. You can also print out these prayer resources for yourself and others.
Some suggested prayer requests
4. If you want to pray but are not amember of Prayer for Prodigals, you can use this link to access the link for prayer. It will be available through June 3.
5. If you don’t have people to pray with, you can join our zoom call 1-2:30 ET. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrcOmpqjsvHN16IIMjUj5fLnbIF4UGgDJp
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
6. If you are local to Orlando, you can join us to pray in person 7-9 p.m. at Avalon Realty Group 3925 Peppervine Dr Orlando 32828
7. We would love to hear about your prayer time—feel free to respond to this email.
Some helpful reminders:
1. Though sometimes God steps in and does an amazing miracle in the life of one we have prayed for, more often it happens over time.
2. Keep praying and keep your eyes open to see evidence of God’s good work.
3. Keep your heart and mind open to what God might be saying to you.
4. Realize that our enemy, the devil, does not want your prayers to be answered. You may sense opposition from him. God is stronger and good and holy—and has already won the battle when Jesus rose from the dead
5. Prayer for Prodigals is a year-round always open virtual prayer community. You can post updates on your prodigal and new requests for your loved one and for yourself. Others will pray for your requests. We invite you to do that for them as well.
Winners of the Bottles of Tears Drawing
Thanks to all of you who entered the drawing. If you are one of the three winners, please reply to this email to give me a physical address to send your gift to. These are the winners:
Michelle Daniels
Shirley Leensvaart
Jeannette Negron
Your merciful music for your Prodigal Prayer Day: Mercy Matt Redman
A final word: I believe these prodigals will play a significant role in the coming awakening and spreading of God’s glory in our world.
May God’s mercy cover you,
Judy Douglass