Azmera EGYPT Haven Retreat 2023 | Prayer Calendar (November 8-14)

Hi! One more week of praying has just landed in your inbox! Thank you for taking the time to read this and to continue praying. Please pray as the Lord leads, and know that we are equally grateful for the time you will spend praying as we are excited for how you are going to connect with and experience Jesus as you do so. We are grateful for you.

Wednesday, November 8

Pray for C and her family as they wrap up their time serving in Ethiopia, and look ahead to moving to North Carolina, with all the transitions and adjustments that will come for both of their kids, as well as themselves and job/ministry. Pray that they would allow themselves to be present in each moment, to feel all the feelings that come, and to be gracious, compassionate, and kind with one another. Ask that they would trust God with both the ministry they are handing over to others as well as the things yet to come, that they would move with peace and confidence in who God is.

Pray for K as she struggles with the stresses and frustrations of living in a different culture, especially after having been home for three months recently. Ask that she would put in place healthy self-care routines and boundaries, that she would know what is life-giving and encouraging for her and would embrace those things without guilt or fear of letting something else go. Pray that God would open her eyes to see the beauty around her and she would be able to step fully into the places around her with peace and hope.

Pray for L and her husband as they ask God to provide the resources and finances needed for her husband’s job. Pray that God would open doors, soften hearts, and draw specific people in her life to Himself, that she would be able to see where and how God is at work and would trust Him to continue to do good. Ask for peace and confidence as they wait on God’s good timing.

Pray for B and her desire to be refreshed and renewed in her walk with God. Ask that she would know Him deeply and intimately through the time she spends in Scripture and in prayer and communication with Jesus, for her to recognize and His voice and know His presence with her as she sits with Him and waits expectantly for Him to speak and lead. Pray that she would know God’s presence with her closely, for distance to fade, that she would know Him to be Emmanuel. 

Pray for S as she continues to deal with long Covid symptoms that have made it challenging for her through this season. Ask for healing and wholeness over her, for God’s presence with her to be tangible and good. Pray for her mother who has been in and out of the hospital recently, for healing over her body as well; pray that they would have wisdom and discernment in how best to be with her mom through the distance and time that comes with living overseas.

Thursday, November 9

Pray for R to know the fullness of the joy of the Lord is hers, to be reminded that God desires good things for her and delights in her always. Pray she would make time to stop and sit with God and feel her heart and spirit refreshed and renewed by her intentional time with Him. Ask that she would lean in and listen intently as He speaks words of truth and life to her.

Pray for B and her desire to know and see God even more clearly in this season, that her heart and eyes would be opened to what God is doing, and for her to be bold in joining the work at hand. Pray that she would see where God is using her and those in her country to bring people to Him, that as she sees the work He is doing she would be encouraged and would take heart. Ask that she would also see how He is blessing the work of her hands and the words of her mouth.

Pray for A as she gets back into the rhythms and routines of life and family and ministry after spending time in Egypt at the retreat. Pray that she would see where and how God was with her family while she was away, and would be encouraged by His goodness and faithfulness. Ask that the things she learned and experienced at the Haven Retreat would be held close to her heart and would continue to speak truth and hope to her.

Pray for L as she gets back into the routine and swing of things as well, that she would be encouraged in listening to how her family took care of one another and made memories of their own while she was away. Ask that she would enter new areas of trust and faith in God where her family is concerned, and would walk with a new boldness in stepping out of her comfort zone to minister and see to her own heart and desires apart from being a wife and mother. Pray for protection and peace over her family.

Pray for D as she settles back into ministry and life after spending time in Egypt, particularly as she was able to attend the Haven Retreat with her daughter. Pray that she would take away so much good and life from the time spent away from home, that she would be encouraged and filled with a new sense of hope and enthusiasm for the jobs, relationships, and ministries set before her. Ask for anticipation to see where God will lead her and a boldness in following him.

Friday, November 10

Pray for D as she trusts God to lead her to the right university for her, and for His provision for her to be abundant. Ask that as she follows His leading she would be filled with peace and confidence and excitement for this next season of life. Pray for protection and a sense of His presence guarding her wherever she goes. 

Pray for J to have courage as she pursues healing and wholeness. Pray she would know that the hard work she is doing is holy and will be sanctified by the Lord. Ask for hope, rest, and the reminders of the beauty of the world around her, and the beauty that she specifically brings to the world and to those she encounters.

Pray for C as she leads Bible studies and meets with women from all walks of life – from trafficking survivors to asylum seekers to women from Brazil living overseas. Ask that she would have wisdom, discernment, and sensitivity in each conversation and interaction she has, that she would listen attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit and would be filled with boldness to speak the words He gives in truth and love. Pray for her as she helps her daughter finish High School and prepare to go to university, for the transitions that are coming to not overshadow the present time they have together.

Pray for A to trust that God will move mountains for her, for their property in Brazil to be returned to their possession. Pray that they would have faith and would trust God’s timing and provision. Ask that as she waits on the Lord she would come to know Him in new ways and would see where and how He is at work in her life and heart.

Pray for T and her family as they transition the older kids to an International Christian school where she will also be working, as well as transitions for ministry and schooling for her husband. Ask that as they continue to adjust to new rhythms they would be understanding and patient with one another.

Saturday, November 11

Pray for N and her team as they ask the Lord for favor in working with key influencers and people in high positions within the city. Pray for trust and peace as they ask boldly and take action to invest in this part of the population, that they would see God at work and would heed His voice and leading. Ask for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as they are given guidance and direction in where to go and what relationships to build.

Pray for T as she continues to do the hard work of walking through counseling and moving toward healing and wholeness. Ask for God’s hand of protection and peace to be over her as she moves into spaces of vulnerability and trust, as she allows God to lead her and show her how to unlearn things that no longer serve her. Pray she would be able to begin seeing the fruits of her labor, and would not lose heart or momentum as she bravely walks this path.

Pray for B to be encouraged in the work she is doing, especially when it is hard to see the fruit of her labor and faith. Ask that when she grows weary and frustrated she would have good people around her to remind her to stop and recenter her heart and mind in the Lord. Pray for life-giving community and relationships in her life to support her, point her towards the Lord, and show her how God is answering her prayers.

Pray for K as the school year is well under way, that she will maintain focus and enthusiasm each new day. Ask that she would be wise in making time for quiet and rest, for those to become habits that will be life-giving. Pray for peace and calm over her household, for fun and laughter to be a part of the daily routines.

Pray for D and her family as they ask the Lord to be abundant and timely in His provision for finances for their ministry. Pray that as they trust Him to provide they will be reminded of His faithfulness and goodness to them throughout the years. Ask for His presence and peace as they endure a very personal hardship in their family, that they would see where God is with them and would know comfort, truth, and hope in this season.

Sunday, November 12

Pray for A to be given the energy she needs to give her best to herself, her ministry, and relationships each day. Ask God to restore the parts of her mind, heart, and body that are weary and out of alignment, and that as He does so that she would heed the invitations for rest and renewal. Pray she would trust God with leading her and the ministry she’s involved in, and to know that His timing for others to join her and to answer His call for teaching will always be good.

Pray for M as she asks for inner restoration. Pray that she would find places and make time to sit quietly in the presence of the Lord, and will turn her face, ears, and heart towards Him to listen to the words of life, love, and truth that He is waiting to speak to her. Ask that as she spends time with Jesus, she will recognize His voice and will step fully into the truth of who she is in Him, of who He has created her to believe, and in that stepping will be filled with courage, peace, and hope.

Pray for C as she looks for balance in meeting the needs and requests of all who ask, even as she knows it is more than she is able to give. Ask that she would set good boundaries in place and will trust God to fill in the gaps for her when she says “no” to people. Pray that God would bring others alongside her to help even the load and make space for her to rest.

Pray for E as she looks to the Lord to give her clear direction and leading in ministry, next steps, and relationships. Ask that as she asks, she will make time to be still and listen; pray that she would tune her ears and heart to the voice of the Holy Spirit and would move in boldness and faith when He speaks leading to her. Pray for protection and safety over her as she interacts with people in places that are unfamiliar to her.

Pray for M as she trusts God to provide the finances and resources needed for her life and ministry. Pray that she would ask for help as she reorganizes her time and commitment, in stepping down from areas of leadership and responsibility to letting go of what is not for her in this season. Ask that she would recenter herself in the Lord and allow Him to speak and lead her to the areas that bring her joy and life; pray she would see the fruit of letting go and walking into new places of commitment and life.

Monday, November 13

 Pray for C to walk in courage and boldness as God leads her in new areas of ministry, faith, and relationships. Pray that she would trust Jesus to be with her and in that trust to know she is not alone. Ask that as she explores the new areas she would be filled with hope and anticipation for the things God is holding in store for her.

Pray for S to walk in belief and faith that she is covered continually by God’s protection, presence, and hand of peace. Ask that she would allow His covering to be her freedom, and in that freedom she would know beauty, abundant life, and hope. Pray she would see herself as Jesus sees her.

Pray for D to trust that God will provide for her specific needs in His timing and way and that as she waits on Him she would not grow impatient or disappointed. Pray that she would remember every time He has provided for her in the past, and the remembrance would bring hope and peace. Ask that in this season she would be a testimony to those around her of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and the glory of the Lord would be seen through her.

Pray for M to see where and how God is restoring joy and beauty to her and in her life. Pray she would not be afraid of the good things God has for her, that she would respond with hope and faith as His Spirit calls to her. Pray that she would walk wholeheartedly into the places God is inviting her, and that as she does so she would meet Jesus and know that He is good.

Tuesday, November 14

Pray for Azmera’s leadership and Board of Directors, that as they meet and discuss the highs and lows of the both the Greece and Egypt Haven Retreats they would speak honestly and with wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Pray for a spirit of unity and compassion, and for room for truth to be spoken and heard, covered by the presence and love of Jesus. Ask for wisdom as the future and direction of Azmera is a consistent conversation, for hearts to be humble and wise, for any and all movement and decisions to be lead by the Holy Spirit, and for this group of people to be obedient as the Lord leads.

Pray for the Haven Retreats that are scheduled for next year. Pray that God would be gathering the volunteers He wants in each specific place; to clear schedules, time off, and speak truth and clarity into hesitations or doubts. Ask for an abundance of finances for each volunteer to be able to go, for God to open the storehouses of heaven and rain down in great measure every resource needed, even above and beyond. Pray for the women who will attend these retreats; that God would be preparing the hearts and minds of each woman who desires to attend, to soften hearts and make ways where there seems to be no way. Ask for favor and grace over each person who will be involved in any capacity in these retreats.

Finally – as always! – Thank You, dear prayer partners, for your support, commitment, and consistency in praying with us these past four weeks. We are so grateful for the moments you spent praying and interacting with Jesus on behalf of each of the women who signed up for, attended, or volunteered in Greece and Egypt. These Haven Retreats would not be what they are without your prayers, so thank you.

I’d like to give a little shout-out to Kari for not only managing the Greece Retreat, but also stepping in temporarily for Egypt, and with all of that making sure these prayer calendars landed in your inboxes and on our website. If you think of her, would you say a prayer of thanks for her? And of course whatever else the Lord may lay on your heart on her behalf.

And now, as we head into the Holidays with all the weight and joy they carry, my prayer for you:

May you know the goodness of God over every part of your being this Holiday season, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet, and everything in between. May you know His goodness in spectacular ways and small, and may you know His goodness for you and you alone. May you experience peace and hope as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the promise of a King to come. May you know Emmanuel in the dark of night and in the dark places of your heart and mind; and in that knowing may there be the hope of Light and the kingdom come. May you know joy and happiness and laughter when least expected, and may those moments carry you and point you towards Jesus and all things made new. May you know that you are a light and hope to those around you. May you see Jesus and be changed by Him again and again. Amen.

love, suzanna