Good morning…
Our Julie’s Dream prayer team met by Zoom yesterday morning to pray over the lives of the inner city kids we take on trips to explore God’s expansive creation. We prayed for the family of kids who recently witnessed their mother murdered by her boyfriend. We prayed for the talented trip leader from a neighboring non-profit who made some very poor choices in his personal life which landed him in jail. We prayed specifically for the needs of all of our partnering agencies who are deeply invested in the daily lives of these at risk kids and their families.
Then by midday our city was caught up in a manhunt for an armed gunman who had killed one and seriously injured others in midtown Atlanta. I felt drawn back to the prayer sheet we had used in the morning and revisited these encouraging words. I stretched them out as a covering over all who struggle amid the chaos of our world.
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Excerpt from Julies’ Dream Prayer Team devotional for May 3, 2023 prepared by Emily Helton
So as the world gives way, we will stand firm.
It is our prayer that Julie’s Dream and every child we serve will take up their cross and keep their eyes locked on Jesus in the midst of whatever chaos is taking place in their lives. We pray for spiritual strength, protection, and peace for Julie’s Dream and each partner as they embark on mission.
We pray to a God that moves in response to what we ask and is the God of hope and peace. So we ask the God of hope and peace to come and breathe on us, our kids, our staff, and everyone who is a part of the Julie’s Dream family.
Today’s prayer over our staff, partners, and youth comes from Psalm 23, a psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
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If we are locked in a jail cell filled with remorse, if we have made some very poor choices, if we feel the ache of missing a loved one, if our daily lives are pierced by gun violence, do we really lack nothing? Is the first line of our prayer totally true? The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. In the loving care of our good Shepherd, might we really have all we need? Right here. Right now. Amid the mad mayhem of our world.
May we feel led to rest a while in the warmth of the sunshine, to take a short walk in the fresh breezy air, or to focus our attention on a lasting memory of quiet waters and green growing pastures? Knowing our deepest needs, our LORD yearns to refresh our weary souls. Even though we walk through dark, dark valleys, we need not fear for God is here, comforting, preparing, anointing our whole body with healing oil. The power of our enemies is strong, but the Shepherd of our souls is stronger. As we take time to consciously breathe the gift of breath filling our lungs, a sense of hope and peace may gradually be restored. Might abundant life rise up to overflow?
God’s gracious goodness and unending love follow us wherever we are, every moment of every day. Will we stop, breathe, dwell at home with the wise Shepherd who guides our every step, both now and forevermore?
…Sue…
