Day 16: Life to the Full for Our Town
Bible passage: John 10:7–11; Psalm 36:5–9; Jeremiah 29:4–7
What Jesus Came to Give
Today is Thursday 16th of January 2020. Welcome to Day 16 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. For the last two days we have prayed for our neighbours and learned to welcome them. Today we ask what the church is for in the place where God has put it.
Jesus described His mission by a contrast. The thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. He came for the opposite reason. “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 (NLT)
The Fountain of Life
Life Begins in God
David says that God’s unfailing love is as vast as the heavens, and that all humanity finds shelter in the shadow of His wings. He is the fountain of life, the light by which we see (Psalm 36:5–9).
Life in the fullest sense is not something a town can generate for itself. It flows from God. And He has chosen to let it flow through His people.
The Good Shepherd
Jesus goes on to say that He is the good shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). The life He gives was bought at the cost of His own. This is the centre of our message. People need more than a better neighbourhood. They need the Shepherd. We must never be shy about saying so.
Seek the Good of the City
The life of Jesus also touches everything around it. When God’s people were carried off to Babylon, He sent them a surprising instruction through Jeremiah. They were to build homes, plant gardens and raise families there. They were to work for the peace and prosperity of that city and to pray for it, because its welfare would decide their own (Jeremiah 29:5–7).
God’s people are not meant to huddle away from their town or to stand over it in judgement. They are meant to bless it.
A Church That Brings Life
Beyond the Building
What does that look like here? It means a church that shows generous love, a warm welcome and ready forgiveness. It means kneeling to serve our community as Jesus knelt to wash feet. It means caring for single parents, supporting families under strain, serving our schools and standing with those who are hurting.
We do these things because of Jesus, and we tell people about Him as we do them. Words and deeds belong together. Paul says that the church is Christ’s body, made full and complete by Him who fills all things everywhere with Himself (Ephesians 1:23). Through us He means to make His goodness visible to our whole town.
Three Steps for Today
Speak life. Write down some words of blessing over Wythenshawe and pray them aloud. Ask for peace, hope, healing and salvation.
See a need. Ask God to show you one need in your street or community that you could help to meet.
Point to the Shepherd. Pray for an opportunity this week to tell someone what Jesus has done for you.
Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You are the good shepherd, and You came to give life in all its fullness. Thank You for laying down Your life for me. Let Your life flow through our church into this town. Show us how to serve our community with generous love, and give us boldness to speak about You. Bless Wythenshawe, Lord, and let many find life in You. Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
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