Wednesday Night Prayer January 31, 2024

East Gate

This gate represents the return of Christ. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that “the man then brought me back toward the sanctuary’s outer gate that faced east, and it was closed. The Lord said to me: “This gate will remain closed. It will not be opened, and no one will enter through it, because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it. Therefore, it will remain closed.” (Ezekiel 44:1-2 HCSB)

 The east gate opens and looks toward the Mount of Olives, and we know according to Zechariah 14:4 that when Jesus returns, He will return to this mount. He will then enter Jerusalem by the east gate. The east gate then speaks of the return of Jesus Christ. For our Christian life, it shows us of our need to live with this hope and to long for His return. A specific crown is even given to those who do this. 2 Timothy 4:8 (HCSB) In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.   

Philippians 3:20 (HCSB)

20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1^st Prayer Point: We want to be prepared for Christ’s return. We want to be a church that remains in Him.

1 John 2:28 (HCSB) So now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

• Pray for a lifestyle of repentance. Revelation 3: 3 (HCSB) Remember therefore what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you.
• Pray for a lifestyle of prayer. Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB) With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
• Pray for a greater desire to read and study the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (HCSB) All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2^nd Prayer Point: We want to be a people who live with eternity in mind: hospitable, loving, and serving.

1Peter 4:7-10 (HCSB) 7 Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. 8 Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

• Pray that we will live like we truly believe Your return could be during our lifetime. Pray that the Lord teaches us to live with eternity in mind.
• Lord, help us to love others like you love.
• Lord, help us to treat people the way we want to be treated without complaining.
• Pray that we will be known as a Church that loves to serve others.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (HCSB) Love: The Superior Way

1 If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited; 5 does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; 6 finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.

3^rd Prayer Point: We want to be a people who are intentionally seeking the Lord on how we can partner with Him to establish His Kingdom here as it is in heaven.

Ephesians 2:10 (MSG) 10 No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

• Pray that we as a church and individually will come to know the good works God has prepared for us.
• Lord, we are asking that you visit us with dreams and visions of what you would have us do.
• Help us Lord to take advantage of every opportunity you give us to expand Your Kingdom.

4^th Prayer Point: We want to see our lost family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers saved before His return.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (HCSB) First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

• Lord, we ask that our loved ones will have a divine encounter with you and receive your salvation.
• Pray for the names that are in our “salvation box.” We pray that every person whose name is written down will be saved by the end of 2024.
• Pray Isaiah 43:5-8 (HCSB) Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north: Give [them] up! and to the south: Do not hold [them] back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth- 7 everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him.” 8 Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes, and are deaf, yet have ears.