Wednesday Night Prayer May 22, 2024

Valley Gate

The valley gate metaphorically represents two areas of spiritual growth. 

One area is learning to humble ourselves, and the other is standing firm in our faith through the trials we encounter in life. 

Think of the valley-type experiences (sickness, the loss of a loved one, betrayal, rejection, financial burdens, disappointments…) that are used by the Lord for our personal growth. Romans 8:28 reminds us that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. Many people leave discouraged, tired, and offended when they get to the Valley Gate. He wants to change us in the middle of our valley. Not much grows on the mountaintops here on earth, but the ground in the valley is fertile to produce much fruit. This is true for our spiritual life as well.

1^st Prayer Point: Pray for a new perspective when we are in the valley. 

James 1:2-4 (MSG) Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work, so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 

• Pray that we will freely and quickly forgive those who offend and hurt us.
• Pray that we will pause in the valleys of our lives to seek the Lord and to allow Him to direct our path.
• Pray for strength and discipline to persevere and not step out of anything prematurely.  

James 1:12 (HCSB) Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

• Pray for times of refreshing and new growth to come.
• Pray that in these valleys, we will allow our afflictions to produce endurance, which produces proven character, which produces hope. And this hope will not disappoint us. 

Romans 5:3-6 (HCSB) And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

2^nd Prayer Point: Pray for those who are in a valley of despair, discouragement, or disappointment.

• Pray that we will rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; and be persistent in prayer. Romans 12:12 (HCSB)
• Pray for a visitation from The Comforter, a fresh filling of Holy Spirit, for those walking through a valley. He is our friend that sticks closer than a brother in all situations. 

John 14:16 (MSG) I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.

• Pray for hope, encouragement, and peace to replace despair, discouragement, and disappointment.

3^rd Prayer Point: Pray that we will not allow the valleys of our life to lead us into isolation, and away from community.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 (HCSB) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ.

• Pray that pride will not cause anyone to be in isolation if they are currently walking in a valley. 

1 Peter 5:5-7 (HCSB) Likewise, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.

• Pray that we would ask for help and allow others to carry our burdens with us. 
• Pray for our life groups, that many will join and find family and community.

4^th Prayer Point: Pray for those walking through a valley of decisions. Pray that they will hear a word from the Lord for direction.

Proverbs 4:5 (HCSB) Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

Psalms 25:4 (HCSB) Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

• As you seek direction for difficult decisions, Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB) “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 
• Lord, we are asking for clarity in what to do. Help us to be led by You, Holy Spirit. 

Psalms 25: 4 (HCSB) Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. 

Psalms 86:11 (HCSB) Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name. 

Romans 8: 14-15 (HCSB) All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”

• Lord, we ask for Your wisdom as we make decisions. 

James 1: 5-8 (HCSB) Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.