Guided Prayers by Grace CMA Church

Grace CMA Church
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Guided Prayers by Grace CMA Church

A companion podcast to guided art or prayer experiences & initiatives at Grace CMA Church.

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  1. All Nations: Introduction

    JUL 12

    All Nations: Introduction

    Welcome to the All Nations Art Exhibit and Prayer Experience!  One of the things that unifies all of humanity is that we were made in the image of the Creator with a deep desire to create. This creative drive is expressed in many different ways. In this exhibit, you will see and experience the human ability to respond to our Creator through various  expressions of worship.   This exhibit specifically celebrates the work of International Workers, as many of them gather at Grace for a conference this summer. We hope that it ignites within you true excitement, prayer, and reflection as a response to the work of the Alliance around the world.   As you reflect on each art piece consider the theme of the exhibit, as described in Revelation 7:9-11. “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.” Not only do we get to spend eternity with Christ, but we get to worship him surrounded by our brothers and sisters from every nation and throughout all of history! Inspired by these verses, look up towards the heavens as you enter the Atrium space. The natural light coming from the sunlight windows and the upward trajectory of the dome points our eyes toward the illumination of eternity with Christ. It reminds us of the eternal reality that we anticipate as Christians, the person of Christ, and the beautiful diversity of the kingdom of God.  Take a moment to thank God for the beauty of His creation.  Now, one more moment to ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you as you reflect on this art and God’s heart to reach all nations. As you enter this space, please feel free to wander to whatever art pieces catch your eye. You will notice several QR codes throughout the space. Scan these for additional audio-guided prayers, reflections, and information about the work.

    4 min
  2. All Nations: Glorifying Jesus by Accomplishing His Mission

    JUL 12

    All Nations: Glorifying Jesus by Accomplishing His Mission

    Jesus’ mission was to proclaim the Good News to the whole world. John 3:16 and 17 tells us that God’s love for the world and His desire for people to receive eternal life is what motivated Him to send His Son to earth in the first place.  16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. This mission continued throughout Jesus’ life on earth, and still continues today. In the moments before He ascended back into heaven, Jesus was still focused on preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth, saying:  “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The work of International Workers literally brings the Good News to far away and unreached places with the goal of honoring and glorifying Jesus. It begins with a sincere love for Him and a commitment to continuing the work He began on earth.  Take a moment to look at these works of art. Each one acknowledges that Jesus is at the center of our motivation for spreading the gospel.  As you reflect on these pieces, give Jesus praise. You can articulate your praise out loud, quietly under your breath, or silently in your head. Thank Him for who He is, express your adoration, ponder His worthiness to receive praise from every nation, tribe and tongue.  From that posture of adoration and praise, can you renew your commitment to do your part in advancing His mission on earth?

    3 min
  3. All Nations: Every Tribe and Every Nation

    JUL 12

    All Nations: Every Tribe and Every Nation

    When God made mankind in His image, He foresaw the amazing diversity of people groups, cultures, languages and personalities that cover the earth today. In fact, He is so delighted in the beauty of diversity that all of these differences will be preserved for all of eternity in heaven!  In the Apostle John’s vision of heaven in Revelation 7:9-12, He sees representatives of every people group and language worshiping Jesus. It says: 9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.  Take a moment to worship along with the angels as Revelation 7:9-12 continues: They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen!Praise and gloryand wisdom and thanks and honorand power and strengthbe to our God for ever and ever.Amen!” These verses not only reveal that God loves the diversity of the people He created, but also that the gospel will successfully be presented and received by representatives from every people group. Spend a moment asking God to send more workers and prepare the hearts of unreached people groups, so that one day soon Every Tribe and Every Nation will worship at the throne of Jesus.

    3 min
  4. All Nations: Praying for the Nations

    JUL 12

    All Nations: Praying for the Nations

    This series of paintings by Zay Ziegler portrays some of the beautiful diversity of the people God created. Look carefully at each painting and allow yourself to feel any emotions they evoke. With visual art, emotion can be communicated through color palettes, lighting and textures as well as the content itself. In the case of these paintings, each subject is telling a story with their body language, their facial expressions, and even the background colors that provide their context.  First Timothy 2:1 encourages us to pray for everyone. It says:  “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people”  When praying for International Workers or unreached people around the world, we are often praying for people we don’t know. Prayer, then, is often an act of empathy. In the same way that the artist who painted these portraits took great care to effectively portray the stories and emotional states of this diverse group of people, prayer often requires us to think and feel deeply for people with stories and situations that are unfamiliar to us as we intercede on their behalf.  The cards on the table near these paintings each have a description of an international worker. Pick up one of the post cards and spend some time praying empathetically for the person or people it describes. Imagine their stories and allow your heart to be affected by the Lord’s love for them as you pray.

    2 min
  5. All Nations: Salvation Belongs to Our God

    JUL 12

    All Nations: Salvation Belongs to Our God

    In Revelation 7:9-12, multitudes of people from all across the earth worship God in every language. In Verse 10 this uncountable chorus of grateful humans gives thanks to the Lord for salvation.  10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.” Biblically, salvation includes complete victory over sin and all its consequences. This includes bondage to the enemy, the chains of addiction, the guilt of sin, and all forms of brokenness–from broken relationships to broken bodies–ultimately salvation even includes freedom from death itself.  As we ponder and pray about reaching the ends of the earth with the Good News of Salvation, it is important that we joyfully remember God’s gift of salvation extended to us as well.  As you observe this series of mixed-media works depicting Jesus our Savior, think about what Jesus has saved you from. Remember the mercy and forgiveness He has offered you in place of your sin. Think about the direction you were wandering off to when he “left the 99” to find you. Consider the substitutionary sacrifice He made in your place. Think of the eternal life in heaven that awaits you, instead of judgment. Join with the chorus of heaven, and with gratitude, declare:  “Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb.”

    3 min
  6. All Nations: Conclusion

    JUL 12

    All Nations: Conclusion

    As you conclude this time of prayer, raise your eyes once again to the natural light entering this space from above. Thank the Lord for the light of His revelation, which is traveling to All Nations through the intentional work of International Workers and those who send and support them.  The Prophet Simeon said it best as he held the newborn Jesus in his arms and understood the significance of His mission:  My eyes have seen your salvation,     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,     and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32 Thank you for spending time praying for the nations! We hope this experience has helped you connect with God’s heart for the world in a fresh way, and that many of you are inspired to use your own creative or artistic abilities to express your hearts to God!

    1 min
See All Season 3 (6)

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About

A companion podcast to guided art or prayer experiences & initiatives at Grace CMA Church.

Information

  • Creator
    Grace CMA Church
  • Episodes
    22
  • Seasons
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Grace CMA Church

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