Dawn Kennedy » PWOC International Blog

JOY

Dec 232010

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

(NASB says, “in whose heart are the highways to Zion)

⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping or sorrow),
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

⁷ They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 NIV

In the midst of the joy of Christmas, we are sometimes very happy. Other times we are dealing with hard, painful things in our lives. This passage in Psalms brings us comfort and encouragement. It comes from knowing there is a highway in my heart that Jesus walks in on. He’s not just a sweet baby in the hay. He is also a road builder. He constructs a highway in my heart because He is always looking for ways to be closer to me. He is traveling toward me. He wants to be nearer. He walks the highway with me. He leads me along the road to deeper maturity. He sits and talks with me along the way. Being with Him is the best and deepest joy, fulfilling the profound needs of our hearts!

But sometimes our highway to Zion detours through the Valley of Baca (tears, weeping, and sorrow). How do I find joy on those days, when it’s my first Christmas without a loved one, or I can’t afford the gifts my heart wants to send, or I am aching over lost health, a wayward child, an angry spouse? I want to soak in His presence, but sometimes I just hurt. Where do I find joy then? What a beautiful picture God paints in verse 6. As I pass through (thank God I’m passing, not staying!!), my tears fill the valley of weeping. My tears and crying out to God begins to fill the valley until the water level rises to become a sweet spring that lifts me up. When we are in this valley, it seems there is no way out. But it is the place I depend on Him. I can’t float to the top of the water without surrender! Sweet trust brings deep joy!

My highway builder doesn’t just make a way for me to meet with Him. He doesn’t just lead me in the right way. He doesn’t only lift me up, using the very tears of my suffering as a way out. He even causes us to go from strength to strength until we appear before our Beautiful, Wonderful, Comforting God in Zion. The highway leads Home! Blessed Christmas.

You Can Pray

Prayer Points

Sep 102010

Submitted by Dawn Kennedy, International Prayer

PWOC is one of the most amazing women’s ministries in the world! A group of sisters: drawn together by their love for Jesus and their common military experiences. It gives my heart joy to think there are 10,000 of us around the world studying, worshipping, sharing, training, and lifting one another up. As I meet sisters from around the globe, one question haunts me.

Over and over women quietly pull me aside and share that they don’t feel comfortable praying. It is everyone: new believers, young moms, seasoned saints, even women who have been in church all their lives. The good news is God does not condemn you. He is drawing and wooing us and He wants to equip us. And to take liberty with a few words repeated by a little mouse named Ratatouille (use your French accent, please!), “Anyone can pray!”

Praying is simply conversation with God, and conversation is a skill most of us have in abundance. A conversation is not one person doing all that talking. That would be a lecture. Imagine two close friends sipping coffee, pouring out their hearts to one another. One may talk less, one may bubble over with words, but they both share and they both listen.

I have been intercessor since childhood, but I am learning something new everyday. Almost every day I ask the Holy Spirit to teach me how to pray. I confess to Him that I don’t know what I am doing and ask for His comfort and teaching to guide me. Sometimes He leads me in sweet adoration, other times I weep for another’s pain or loss. Some days I am fiery in war and cry out for the Lord of Hosts to come and intervene. And some days I am weary to the bone, and I can do nothing but sit at His feet in silence, letting His Presence soak the dry, empty places in my heart. All of these things are prayer.

There is one type of prayer that we can all do, and it is probably my favorite. I like to find one scripture, read it a few times thoughtfully, and then listen to My Shepherd’s voice as He whispers His mercy, His truth, His Life to me. Fancy words don’t matter. Talking to Him and listening to Him are JOY!

God has been capturing my attention with a scripture found in Isaiah 33:5-6. It says:

The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high.

He has filled Zion with righteousness and justice.

He will be the sure foundation for your times,

a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge,

the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

God is a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. We each come to the end of our ability to fix everyone around us. When we come to the end of ourselves, we have reached the best place on earth: the beginning of His never ending supply. Simple words from the heart are what He desires.

One year I desperately needed wisdom. I did not know what to do. Situations seemed complex and overwhelming. I read Proverbs 9:10. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. During that time, I did not know the ways of the Lord. As I prayed my simple, “911” prayer all year, He began to teach me.

First, He began to set me free from being afraid of Him and afraid of punishment. He removed my false foundation of fear, guilt, doubt and shame. I didn’t even know those things were blocking the true reverential awe of the Lord in my life. But our enemy, satan, knew. He wanted to stop the fear of the Lord in my life so that I could not open the God’s rich stores of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. One simple prayer can change your life. He wants to uproot the shaky places in your foundation too. I wonder what would happen if we began to trust Him with that process? Would removing the false make room for the true? Would you like the key to His treasure? Anyone can pray, even you!

Prayer Points for December 20th -26th

Prayer Points

Dec 182009

²¹“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

²²Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

²³“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

Dear Father,

God I praise you for the glorious miracle of Jesus’ birth. I praise you that you, the God who spoke the universe into being, became a little baby, helpless and needy. Thank you for understanding how much we need you to come. Thank you for knowing how alone, how lost, how lonely we are for you.

I praise You for being Immanuel. We worship You, Immanuel. The God who wanted to be with us. The God who gave up everything to be with us. The God who desires and longs and looks for us. Thank you for searching for us. Thank you for dying for us. Thank you for drawing us to yourself. What an amazing, joyful, precious thing to know that You are Immanuel. You never leave us or forsake us. You bring us to your banquet table. You anoint us with your spirit and allow us to partner with you in the earth. Help us to lift You up in our lives so that other will be drawn to You. You give us your beautiful Name! We look forward to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. We look forward to being with you forever.

Today, give us grace to slip away with You, to spend time with You, to worship You. Feed us with the apples and raisins of Your Word. We soak in Your Presence. We rest in Your goodness.

God, reveal yourself in us! Let us be so one with you that your glory blazes through our lives to touch others who are alone and afraid.

We love You, Immanuel, God with us! In Jesus Name, Amen

Prayer Points December 13-19

Prayer Points

Dec 112009

⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-8 (NIV)

I have heard this preached a thousand times. We need to make room for the Christ Child. We need to allow Him room, this is true. But let’s think from a different perspective. When the story is told, the Innkeeper is often described as harsh, greedy, or selfish. They say he didn’t make room for Jesus. Is that true? He had a lot going on during that census. He could have brushed Mary and Joseph off, but instead he DID find room. He actually had the courage to give something to God that wasn’t perfect, that wasn’t “good”. He just gave what He had. He didn’t know that his willingness to share the humble things would be told around the world for centuries. He didn’t know the comfort our hearts would receive today as we ponder a king who would leave His throne and palace to be born in an animal feeder for the purpose of dying to save us. We praise Jesus humility for doing those things, but what about the inn keeper’s humility? We would all rather show God to the guest rooms with the beautiful bedding and the sweet smelling soap. But what about the barn out back? What about the failures, the mistakes, the shame. What about the dangling issues we can’t figure out? Do we have the humility to give ALL to Jesus and watch His glory shine through our own barns and mangers?

Dear Father,

I like to show you my good side. I really like to fix myself and bring you a pretty package. But I acknowledge that isn’t working out so well. I have some things I am ashamed of. I have some issues I can’t fix and I can’t control. I willingly bring you my strengths and gifts. Today I am letting you come to stay in the barn too. Would you please come in to the weak, broken places today with your tender grace? Thank you for not judging me or condemning me. Thank you for forgiving me, healing me and wonder of wonders, loving me with a relentless passion through it all. Oh God, your kindness leads me to repentance today. I confess perfectionism as sin. I confess hiding behind a mask. Set me free, My Deliverer! I surrender all. Take it. Take me. Make me clean. Draw me near to you again. Come in; come in, King of Glory! I am yours.

I love you so much!! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer Points December 6th - 12th

Prayer Points

Dec 072009

⁶ For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, ^[a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9: 5-7

Dear Abba,

Thank you for sending us your precious firstborn son. Thank you for His Kingdom Government. We rejoice in you Wonderful Counselor. Give us wisdom and heal us. We honor you Mighty God; reveal your dunamis power through us! We place our security in you, Everlasting Father. Guide us, mentor us, connect us to your heart, bless us and ignite us with your purposes for us. Prince of Peace, thank you that you are crushing Satan under our feet. Thank you that you are giving us authority to break chaos. Thank you that your garrison our hearts when we dwell upon your goodness.

Let your government and peace increase in me, in my local PWOC, in my region, and in our chapels and homes around the globe. As we Arise because you Extend Your Scepter, let us be ambassadors of your justice and righteousness in our own spheres. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer Points October 25-31

Prayer Points

Oct 232009

Fear Not!!! God is love. He is not all talk and no action. He proves His love through His incredible sacrifice. God loved us and gave Himself for us. We have His strength to help us love one another.

I John 4:7-21⁷Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹²No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

¹³We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. ¹⁶And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ¹⁷In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

¹⁹We love because he first loved us. ²⁰If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. ²¹And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Dear God, You loved me first, when I was unlovely. Strengthen me to love those around me who aren’t so lovely. Help me love my spouse, my kids, my neighbors, and people who don’t look like me.

When I struggle with shame and guilt, help me to remember that I am no longer marked for punishment because you took my sentence. I run to your throne of mercy and confess my sins and failures. I joyfully receive your cleansing, healing love and forgiveness. You are my friend.

I love you.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer Points for October 18-24

Prayer Points

Oct 212009

Fear Not!! Bring your heavy burdens to the feet of Jesus. Cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you. Often we carry our own burdens as well as the burdens of many we know and love. Problems may be overwhelming, insurmountable, and even heartbreaking. God is still on His throne pouring out His message of strength, hope, forgiveness and restoration.

Father, I ask you to give us joy in you! I choose to rejoice. Let the gentle fruit of your spirit be abundant in my life. You are near, not far away. God, I bring my fear and worry to you. I ask you to protect my children, my spouse, my friends, my neighbors, those serving in our unit. God, today, I specifically need your help with —————————– (fill in the blank). Thank you so much for hearing my prayers. I pray your peace would be like a garrison around my heart. Let me think about things that are true and lovely today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Phillipians 4: 4-9

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Prayer points for October 11-17

Prayer Points

Oct 162009

Fear Not!! Our VBS song this summer declared, “I will not, be afraid, though trouble’s out there, night and day. No I will not, be swamped with fear, because God is always, always, always….yeah… He’s always here.

In a season where cute pumpkins and happy hayrides sometimes get overshadowed by death, gore, and fear, God gives us a clear message of hope. He is with us, He loves us and He is personally involved in the details of our lives!!

Isaiah 43: 1-7

¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—
       he who created you, O Jacob,
       he who formed you, O Israel:
       “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

² When you pass through the waters,
       I will be with you;
       and when you pass through the rivers,
       they will not sweep over you.
       When you walk through the fire,
       you will not be burned;
       the flames will not set you ablaze.

³ For I am the LORD, your God,
       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
       I give Egypt for your ransom,
       Cush and Seba in your stead.

⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
       and because I love you,
       I will give men in exchange for you,
       and people in exchange for your life.

⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
       and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
       Bring my sons from afar
       and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

Dear God, I praise you because you know my name. You not only formed me, but you called me by my name, and you even came looking for me and brought me back to you. You protect me in ways I don’t even know. When I go through hard times you not only know about it ahead of time, but you even walk through the difficulties with me. You don’t allow me to be destroyed. You restore my children. I am called by Your Name! You wanted me in your family. Help me to remember that you made, formed, and created me for your glory! Let my strengths bring you glory. Shine your light through the cracks in my life. God, my neighbor, my husband, my child, my friend needs to know your Name. Draw _______(insert name) to Yourself. You are good and kind. I love you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

To reach Dawn Kennedy please click here.

Prayer Site

Prayer Points

Oct 022009

The PWOC Prayer Site contains scripture that we can pray together in agreement around the world. We know that when we agree together, using the mighty Word of God, which is our weapon of warfare, that God will do mighty things on our behalf. I encourage you to pray by faith, believing God’s Word and declaring it for yourself, your family, and your sphere of influence locally. We also declare these words for our 10,000 PWOC sister around the globe, the chaplains who support us and for our beloved armed forces. I like to declare these scriptural prayers out loud. It increases our faith as we hear God’s Word proclaimed.

Much love,
Dawn Kennedy
PWOC International Prayer Coordinator

Please feel free to check out monthly updates as well as downloads on prayer at the PWOC prayer site. You can go to the prayer page on the international website by clicking here

Praying for you Everyday....

News & Announcements, Who are we

May 122009

Hello my name is Dawn Kennedy and I am the PWOCI Prayer Coordinator. I have been married for almost 19 years to a wonderful man. We have four lively children ages 13-3. I have been involved with PWOC since 1995 and served in various ways. Prayer is my passion and I love to teach women to listen to God’s voice and pray what is on His heart. Please check out our new prayer tabs at www.pwoc.org. This week we are lifting up our mothers, mentors, and children in prayer.

Standing in His Grace,
Dawn Kennedy, PWOCI Prayer Coordinator

You can email Dawn at prayer@pwoc.org

PWOC International Blog

JOY

You Can Pray

Prayer Points for December 20th -26th

Prayer Points December 13-19

Dear Father,

I love you so much!! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer Points December 6th - 12th

Prayer Points October 25-31

Fear Not!!! God is love. He is not all talk and no action. He proves His love through His incredible sacrifice. God loved us and gave Himself for us. We have His strength to help us love one another.

Prayer Points for October 18-24

Prayer points for October 11-17

Isaiah 43: 1-7

Prayer Site

Praying for you Everyday....

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