1 Corinthians 9:19-27

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (New International Version, ©2011)

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Prayer and Scripture Guide

2011 Haiti Mission Team – Prayer Guide - Northminster Presbyterian Church

Use this prayer guide along with your regular preparations for the trip to Haiti! Just like you would not consider leaving the US without a passport, we must not think that we can do this trip and all the tasks on it, without prayer. What is prayer? It is talking to God about specific things – asking – praising – confessing sin – seeking guidance. It is listening to God. It is dwelling in scripture, and seeing what the Spirit lifts to your attention. Prayerful living is attentiveness to life – in the ordinary and day to day – to see where our prayer and reflection intersects with what God is bringing right in front of us.

Scripture, Prayer & Reflection Challenge

Reflect on this scripture during the week, journal your thoughts and prayers:

January 30 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

February 6 Psalm 5

Feb 13 Mark 2:13-17

Feb 20 Psalm 63

Feb 27 Mark 12:28-34

March 6 Psalm 79

Mar 13 Mark 9:14-29

Mar 20 Psalm 8

Mar 27 Mark 4:1-20

April 3 Psalm 121

Apr 10 Mark 8:34-38

Apr 17 Psalm 22; Mark 15:21-41

Apr 24 Mark 10:17-30

May 1 Psalm 47

May 8 Mark 4:35-41

May 15 Psalm 77

May 22 Hebrews 12:1-15

Challenge to Pray for Haiti

The earthquake of 2010 was a disaster on many levels. It is believed that 230,000 lost their lives, 300,000 were injured and over one million were rendered homeless. Hundreds of thousands of homes and buildings were also destroyed, including some major government buildings. For a host of reasons, Haiti struggled as a nation from its very inception. This shattering disaster could be an opportunity to reshape not just the physical infrastructure of the nation, but the cultural, economic, political and societal infrastructures as well. Some points to cover in prayer include:

a) The rebuilding efforts will take years. Haiti’s infrastructure was never good, and Port-au-Prince’s was especially weak due to rapid urbanization from poorer rural areas. Countless homes will need to be rebuilt or restored; the sheer scale of money and manpower needed is staggering for the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. Pray for the best long-term development for the city and nation, rather than quick fixes.

b) The human suffering was immense in the immediate aftermath and will continue for years. The shared emotional trauma of the events, the massive loss of life and the long-term injuries will all leave major scars on the Haitian population. Healing from such hurts needs time, care and the love of God.

c) Haiti was a financial and social mess even before the earthquake. Repairing all the damage, however, will not create a healthy economy. Haiti must rebuild beyond its previous state and develop long-term plans and policies that are shaped with wisdom and justice.

d) Cholera - From mid-October to January 16, 2011, 194,000 people throughout Haiti have been infected with cholera. This has resulted in almost 4000 deaths. Though the epidemic has not reached its peak, the lowest number of deaths were reported between January 12-16, according to the World Health Organization.

Pray for family members who have separated from one another and for those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones. Survivors have had to try to put their lives together, yet many have lost homes, family, and limbs which have been amputated.

Pray for relief workers and all those on the ground who are trying to bring order out of chaos, comfort and resources to those affected most.

Pray for Haiti’s leaders, as well as the grass roots efforts of the various relief organizations in Haiti—that they might have a vision for a reconstructed Haiti, and the courage, perseverance and resources to make the vision a reality.

Pray that God would use even this to draw people to Himself, and make something beautiful out of this ugly tragedy.

Pray for the church in Haiti—that it might persevere through this trial, and continue to exalt the name of Jesus. Pray also for the pastors and all those who “speak for God” – that they might bring clarity and hope to their communities.

Challenge to Pray for our Mission Team

Pray for Love a Child – missionaries Bobby & Sherry Burnette, and the many who lead ministries: orphanage, schools, radio station, medical clinic, mobile medical team, food distribution, and now…cholera center and home building. Read Sherry’s Journal online – read current stuff and go to the archives to see what has been going on over the past year+ www.loveachild.com

Pray for each member of the team from NPC. We all bring uniqueness to an experience like this – and God can and will knit us together to use us in a powerful way. Pray for friendships and fondness to develop, that we may grow to trust and depend on each other.

Pray for the congregation of NPC. Thanksgiving for their support in fundraising and being an encouragement to us. That they may take ownership of this trip as much as us, and they would be led to pray for our team and trip.

Pray for trip details and plans to come together.

Pray for God to break your heart for Haiti, and the people there.

Pray for God to open our minds to ways that we can be used in spite of our own limitations or differences – local knowledge, language, culture, customs, etc. That we would not be afraid.

Travel – airplanes, airports, security, customs, ground transportation, simple walking, travel to debrief site, and return home.

What else?

Welcome!

Hey there! This blogsite is meant to be a tool for the NPC Mission Team to Haiti to connect with via posts, replys, etc. Particiularly since not all of us are in the same city at the moment, this is a place where we can reflect together on the the scripture of the the week that we are praying though.
Blessings, Pete