#2. WHAT IF THE SKY FALLS?

(Dealing with the Possibility of Natural Disasters)

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

I. Job ─ Four disasters in one day

A. Job was not being punished.

1. A model family

2. A God-centered life

3. A blessed existence

4. An influential person

B. Job was being attacked.

1. Job 1:8-12 NIV Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” 9“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10“Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 12The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

C. It is not likely that we will be able to correctly discern between attacks, punishment, and the natural order of a broken world.

1. Luke 13:1-5 NIV “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans

because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

II. What disasters teach us about God

A. God is the creator and controller of nature.

1. Psalm 135:6-7 NIV The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. 7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

2. Matthew 5:45 NIV that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

B. God can use nature to enforce His purposes.

1. God sent judgment upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. (Numbers 16:32)

2. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. (Genesis 19:24)

3. God sent plagues to destroy Egypt. (Exodus 7-12)

4. God sent a plague that killed 70,000 people because of David’s sin. (2 Samuel 24:15)

5. God sent a storm because of Jonah’s rebellion. (Jonah 1:4-17)

6. God sent natural disasters to judge Israel for her many sins. (Amos 4:6-11)

C. God remains just and good, even when He uses natural disasters to judge sinful man.

D. God’s plan is never thwarted by natural disasters. He remains in control.

III. What disasters teach us about ourselves

A. We need to turn from our sin.

B. We need to be thankful for God’s goodness.

C. We need to care for the hurting.

D. We need to trust in God’s loving promise.

E. We need to rely on God’s presence and power.

Understanding and Embracing our Prayer Assignments September 14, 2022

Prayer Assignments – Leadership and Structure

Pastors

Church Ministries

Government

A.This is what it means when we pray for:

1. Pastors

a. Spirit – discernment, anointing, supernatural power, gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Soul – protect their minds, ask the Lord to align their will with His, keep them emotionally stable through each of life’s seasons.

Body – strength for the journey, wisdom to take care of themselves, rest and work balance.

b. Local Church pastors, as well as, pastors in our city and pastors in our nation

2. Church Ministries

a. Leaders to have fresh vision and renewed commitment to the mission

b. Asking Holy Spirit to highlight those areas of ministry we are responsible for individually and as a church – led by the Spirit and not by a burden

c. Creativity and energy for each ministry to flourish

3. Government

a. We are praying for each branch of government:

Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch

b. We are praying for elected and appointed officials at the National level (Federal), State level and Local levels (County and City).

c. We align ourselves with God’s desires, thoughts and plans for our nation and ask Him to accomplish it according to His will.

d. We do our part in praying, communicating our heart and values to our leaders, voting, and being willing (at the Lord’s direction) to run for office.

B.This is how we pray for:

1. Pastors

a. Pray the Scripture over our Pastors.

i. Pray for the courage and strength of Your Pastor(s).

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

ii. Pray that Your Pastor(s) clearly sees God’s Direction.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

iii. Pray for Your Pastor(s) to be renewed with Energy.

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

iv. Pray that Love will surround and encourage Your Pastor(s).

John 13: 34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

b. Pray for personal and family protection: spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and financially.

c. Pray for wisdom and discernment in making decisions.

d. Pray for ministry influence to be God-honoring and to thrive unhindered.

e. Pray for the ability to recognize spiritual attacks and an understanding of how to confront the powers of darkness.

Sample Prayer: Heavenly Father, we lift up to you today our pastors and Christian Leaders who regularly pour into our lives. Thank you for the impact they have on me and on the body of Christ. We thank you for taking hold of them with your righteous mighty right hand of justice, power, victory and salvation! Give to them a spirit of wisdom, revelation, and discernment in every decision they make. Send your Word to heal them and give them victory in every place where the enemy is resisting or attacking them. Fill them anew with Your Spirit. Refresh and strengthen them with Your incomparably great power according to your glorious might. May they have great endurance and patience, bearing fruit in every good work and joyfully giving thanks to you, in all things!

2. Church Ministries

a. Pray the Scripture for our Church Ministries.

i. Pray for the church’s dedication and perseverance to bring the body of Christ to full maturity.

Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

ii. Pray for church leaders to follow Christ and serve humbly. Pray for protection of their witness and example.

1 Peter 5:2-3 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

iii. Pray for more servants to join Jesus in His Kingdom work.

Matthew 9:37-38 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

iv. Pray that the church will trust Jesus to grow the church, in His way and in His power.

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.

b. Familiarize yourself with the list of ministries in our church.

Altar Ministry Teams Adoption Ministry

Café Team Crew Young Adults

Deaf Interpretation Food Pantry

Giving Tree Intercessory Prayer

KidzLife Volunteers KidzLife Jr. Volunteers

Life Group Leaders Missions Team

Multimedia Team (Sound, Lights, Video) Office Staff & Administrative Assistants

Pastoral Care Phone Ministry Team

Roots & Ivy Team Security Team (Watchmen & Officers)

Seniors Ministry Serve Teams (Hospitality, Greeters, Ushers)

Union Youth (Youth Leaders &Fine Arts Coaches) Worship Ministry (Vocalists, Musicians, Choir)

3. Government

a. Pray the Scripture for our Leaders.

i. Psalms 2:10-11 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.

ii. Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

iii. Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

iv. Job 12:23-25 He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.

b. Pray the Scripture for Ourselves.

i. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

ii. 1 Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

iii. Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

iv. Jeremiah 29:7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.

v. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

C.Results we can expect, when we pray for:

1. Pastors:

a. For the church to grow, remain healthy and walk in the good works we have been created for in Christ Jesus.

b. For the church to remain stable and steadfast no matter what we face as a body of believers.

c. For the church to stay focused and keep on mission with the vision the Lord has given us.

2. Church Ministries:

a. For leaders to be continually developed and for workers to be raised up in the body of Christ.

b. For every person in the family to find their place of worship, giving, and service.

c. For our full potential to be realized as it relates to God’s Kingdom purposes for our church family.

3. Government:

a. For righteous leaders with godly agendas to flourish and increase. For unrighteous leaders with selfish or evil agendas to wither and decrease.

b. For resources (people, money, influence) to be utilized effectively and efficiently for the good of all Americans.

c. For godly protection from evil ideologies and from the influence of our enemies.