We are praying for our Azmera GREECE Haven Retreat this week and would love to have you join us! Please pray as the Lord leads, and may you know His goodness and grace in your life as you do so.
Wednesday, October 21
Pray for the Care Crew as they spend time preparing for the haven retreat, that the time they spend together would be filled with joy, light, and life as they look forward to the rest of the week and the women they will be coming alongside. Ask that this group of women would connect with one another in an easy way, for there to be a spirit of lightheartedness and joy among them.
Pray for Christina as she leads this haven retreat, for her to be rested, focused, and present as she spends time with both the volunteers and those attending. Ask that she would have an increase in sensitivity and obedience to the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit during this time in Greece, and that she would trust and follow as the Lord leads.
Pray for Patti as she oversees the details for this haven retreat, as well as organizes and is the contact person for the Volunteer team. Ask that she would be present and available for those around her, and would be willing to move and adjust things within her power as needed and as the Lord leads. Pray for Tracy as she trains to be a Retreat Host during her time in Greece, for her to be open and willing to learn, to ask questions, and to speak in boldness and love as the Spirit moves her to do so. Pray she would be filled with joy, awe, and wonder at how God moves and works in her life and in those around her during this time.
Pray for J as she recognizes her need for healing and rest, that the time away at the haven retreat would be life-giving and filling for her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Ask that she would be still and listen to the Lord’s voice, that He would speak words of truth, love, and comfort to her in the places that need it most. Pray for her family as they adjust to new normals with their son living away from them in the U.S., and for the heaviness of heart as they love their daughter from afar, knowing the choices she is making are not what they would choose; pray they would trust God and know His goodness and love for each person in their family.
Pray for C as she needs an increase in monthly finances, that she would have wisdom in asking and experience a deeper trust in God’s provision and faithfulness. Pray for physical protection for her, that she would stay healthy and strong and make good choices that will benefit both her mental and physical health.
Thursday, October 22
The Azmera GREECE Haven Retreat starts today! Pray for the Care Crew as they spend time together praying and putting final touches on the preparations for the retreat, for there to be a sense of unity and holy anticipation for what the next four days will hold. Pray for gentleness, compassion, and kindness to be present and felt among this group of women.
Pray for the attending women as they arrive, that they would know they are welcomed and loved as soon as they enter the meeting spaces. Ask for there to be a sense of calm and safety as they gather for teaching, worship, and community. Pray for the presence of the Lord to be heavy and almost tangible as they gather and give space for God to move in holiness and power in their midst.
Pray for Connie as she speaks to the women, for her to share with sensitivity and wisdom. Pray for her to have a depth of insight and knowledge as she speaks and interacts with the women around her, that she would allow the Lord to lead her and give her the words to say in the right moments. Ask for rest and connection with Jesus when she is on her own, for her to be rooted and established in Him in new and deeper ways this week.
Pray for Debi as she leads the women in worship, that her heart and eyes will be focused on the Lord and she will listen to His voice as He leads here. Pray she would make space for quiet and stillness in God’s presence, to allow Him room to speak and move as He so desires.
Pray for S as she seeks God’s leading during a time of transition as her ministry partners are moving. Ask for wisdom during this season for areas she needs to reassess and make adjustments as needed, that she would be confident in her decisions as she trusts what God sets before her.
Friday, October 23
Pray for the first full day of the haven retreat, that as the women gather, there would be a sense of expectation and hope as they look forward to what the day will bring. Ask that God would put a hedge of protection around each group of women as they share, encourage, listen, and pray for one another. Pray for the Care Crew as they facilitate conversation and give space for the women to connect with one another, that they would lay aside any agenda or expectation they might have and allow the Lord to guide the conversations and moments of needed silence. Ask that each woman would be rested and have the energy and focus needed for the day.
Pray for Mindy, Kristi, and Adana as they will be giving their time and knowledge to lead Breakout sessions and one-on-one sessions. Pray for each of these women to be connected to the Lord in specific ways, as they trust Him to give them the words needed and the open hearts and minds as they share and interact with the women attending. Ask for them to stay healthy and rested each day, and to find moments of quiet to connect with the Lord.
Pray for Jan and Tary as they oversee the Create Station, for them to be excited and ready for what the Lord will do in the space they have and in the time they will spend with the women around them. Pray for them to be bold and courageous in their conversations, that they would be willing to follow the Holy Spirit as He leads and to trust Him in those moments.
Pray for S to have smooth travel and good connecting flights both to and from the haven retreat. Pray that during her time traveling, she would be intentional about quieting her heart and mind in preparation for what God has in store for her, that she would be open and excited to encounter Him and receive the good things He is waiting to give her. Ask for protection and peace over her as she travels and is away from home, ministry, and the responsibilities she has.
Pray for P and her family as they continue to adjust to the absence of their third child, who is back in their home country. Ask that she would be adjusting well to life on her own away from her family, and that she would be making friends and creating her own community. Pray for this family to be gracious and kind with one another, and to live life fully and with joy even as they grow and begin to branch out on their own.
Saturday, October 24
Pray for the second day of the Azmera GREECE Haven Retreat, for the women to be experiencing the presence and power of Jesus in unexpected and delightful ways - both the women attending and those volunteering. Pray for a sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a desire to allow Him to move, speak, and change hearts and lives as they gather together. Ask for a spirit of fun and for laughter to be present even in heavy, hard moments.
Pray for Barb, Heather, and Jessica as they will meet with women one-on-one in counseling sessions, that they will each be attentive to the voice of the Lord and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray for a deep trust and faith in God, different than they’ve known before, as they are entrusted with the stories, hurts, and questions that will be brought to them. Ask that they would be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and know His protection covering them in those holy moments.
Pray for Beth and Dawn as they minister through Inner Healing Prayer, that they would be intentional about being still and listening to the Lord’s voice and leading before speaking on their own. Pray that as much as they desire the women they sit with to encounter Jesus and know His healing power, they both would experience His presence and voice in profound ways during the time they are ministering.
Pray for Sheri, Sarah, and Barbara as they serve the women through giving pedicures and providing a place for the women to rest and have relaxed conversations, that they would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as they minister. Pray for good connections and conversations, and an overwhelming sense of the presence of the Lord as they gather.
Pray for S as she finds new footing in her life and her walk with God after recently being diagnosed with ADHD. Pray she would give herself both grace and space as she learns new rhythms and has new understanding about herself and how she operates best. Ask that the time she spends at the haven retreat would fill her with encouragement, hope, and a renewal in her relationship with the Lord, for her to have a new understanding of His goodness and grace in her life, and the deep, unending love He has for her.
Sunday, October 25
The final day of the Azmera GREECE Haven Retreat is here! Pray for the Care Crew as they spend one last morning leading conversations, encouraging, listening, and praying for those around them. Ask for an increase in sensitivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit, for boldness and love to cover them as they speak truth as they are led. Pray they would continue to know rest and peace as they experience Jesus and watch the things He does, and as they enter a time of rest to process the things they experienced and witnessed over the past four days.
Pray for the women attending as they soak in one last morning of community, connection, and encounters with the Lord in the spaces they’re in, for them to be filled to overflowing with the goodness of God and the reminders of His love and their belovedness to Him. Pray for each woman as she prepares to go back to family, jobs, ministry, and the responsibilities that were set aside for a few days, that there would be a sense of renewal, hope, and a deep encouragement to carry them through their next seasons.
Pray for N as she takes in the Retreat, that as she sees God’s goodness and provision for her in the finances to attend, she would be reminded of how precious she is to Him. Ask for her to deepen friendships she has with the women attending, whether they are new friends or old, and that she would be encouraged by the community and support around her. Pray for good health and wellness and healing over her sinuses.
Pray for R to know the financial provision for her to attend the haven retreat is a good gift from God alone. Pray she would have a heart of joy and peace as she connects with God during her time away, and that the change of place and atmosphere would give her the space she needs to realign and refocus her heart on the Lord. Ask for protection and safety over her as she travels.
Pray for T as she bears the weight of multiple family members in the midst of health crises, for her to be bold in asking for help and support from those around her to carry the burden with her. Ask for wisdom and discernment as she navigates how and when to help and come alongside those in need, that she would be sensitive and obedient to the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray for rest for her in deep and needed ways, for her heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Monday, October 26
Pray for the Israel Care Crew as they begin their trip to Israel. Pray for protection and safety as they travel, for smooth connections and easy connections as they meet one another and begin to build their team. Ask for this team of women to feel a sense of unity, friendship, and trust as they prepare to serve alongside one another. Pray for rest, good health, and excitement to be a part of what God is doing in another part of the world away from their norm.
Pray for A as she adjusts to not homeschooling after 17 years of doing so, that as she seeks the Lord’s leading in what to do with her days, she would be intentional about being still and listening to His voice. Pray for her to discover, or rediscover, things that bring her life and joy and fulfillment, and for her to be gracious in giving herself space to explore and learn in this season. Ask for grace and protection over her as she sets new habits and daily routines.
Pray for H and her family as they return to their home country after spending 13 years in ministry in Asia, for the transitions they will experience to be easier than expected. Ask for good friendships and a solid community to come alongside them as they make this adjustment, and for them to each give one another grace as they face different challenges and struggles. Pray they would know the peace of God’s hand guiding them as they walk the path set before them.
Pray for F as she asks God for physical healing and wellness, for her to trust His timing and goodness in her body and life. Pray for the salvation of her nieces and nephews, and for her to have wisdom and compassion in her relationship with them, for her to be gracious and loving as she lives out her walk with the Lord before them.
Pray for E as she works to have a healthy balance between work, family, and supporting her teammates. Ask that she would be wise and intentional about how and where she is spending her time, and to be attentive in listening to God’s voice as well as those around her who may be speaking words of caution to slow down. Pray she would be confident in the decisions she makes with her time, and to know peace in giving good yeses and nos.
Tuesday, October 27
Pray for the Greece Care Crew as they begin their trip back home, that they would be leaving filled with joy, hope, and a new sense of who God is and what He can do. Ask for rest as they travel, for good weather and smooth connections. Pray there would be good conversations as they travel and continue to share with one another the things they learned and experienced during the haven retreat.
Pray for J and her husband as they parent their eight children - four adults and four with special needs, three of whom are minors - for them to have wisdom and grace with their kids as well as one another. Ask for understanding and trust as they observe the struggles and challenges their kids face, with their faith walks as well as life in general, that they would know God’s goodness in all things. Pray for their marriage and for them individually, as they know they are exhausted and in need of rest, for them to ask for help and know when to step back from other responsibilities and duties.
Pray for A as she is in a season of needing rest and renewal, as she figures out new balances and routines to stay healthy and well in all areas. Pray she would trust God to walk with her during this time and to give her what she needs even when she doesn’t know how to name it. Ask for wisdom and knowledge as she raises her two children and gives of herself to ministry and the relationships around her, that she would not neglect her mental and spiritual health as she pours into others.
Pray for M as she is in language school and has also recently been diagnosed with dyslexia. Pray she would give herself grace and would be patient with her speed of learning, and to remember and focus on the “why” she is learning the language. Ask for her to be able to sleep well on a consistent basis, and to learn healthy rhythms of rest for herself.
Pray for S and her friend A and the time they spend together going through books and sharing life with one another. Ask for wisdom and discernment as the love of Jesus is shared, that A would be drawn towards Him and would experience His love and kindness for herself. Pray that S would be patient and kind and would trust the Lord’s leading and timing as she desires those around her to know Jesus and to walk with Him.
Pray for S as she is in a very long season of hardship in ministry, living circumstances, and physical health/life. Pray that even as she acknowledges the goodness of God in the midst of these things, she would give herself space to grieve and acknowledge what has been lost to her and to recognize the toll this season has taken on her physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Ask for her to be intentional about making time and space to connect with the Lord to be filled with wisdom, hope, energy, and renewal on a regular basis.
