Every year on the first Thursday in May, our nation celebrates the National Day of Prayer. Would you and your congregations join me in a week of prayer, asking God to unite us and transform the way we live among people who have disabilities? The guide below is available online for free download and includes a wonderful list of scriptures celebrating our friends with indispensable gifts. May our lives, families, churches, communities, and nation reflect the creative mind and heart of Jesus!
DAY 1: Lord, show us what your Word and Jesus’ model have to say to us about people who experience disability—even a temporary disability—and other special needs. We understand that you consider every single person, regardless of their ability, to be an indispensable part of the Body of Christ. Praise God, we are better together!
DAY 2: Lord, please awaken our hearts and open our lives to new friends with disabilities, chronic health issues, mental health difficulties and aging-related conditions. Show us how to make our homes, neighborhoods, churches, schools, workplaces and communities places of welcome and belonging alongside people of all abilities.
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DAY 3: Holy Spirit, You give us opportunities and power to share the Good News of Christ with people of all abilities. Shape our understanding, attitudes and compassion so we bring encouragement to these friends and help them grow in faith. This includes caregiving parents, siblings, spouses, grandparents, volunteers and support staff too.
DAY 4: Jesus, make us aware of anything that creates a barrier for someone to experience personal relationship with You. Show us how to adapt resources, buildings, programs, activities and relationships so that people of all abilities can know they matter to God. Help us to put love into action by making the Gospel fully and joyfully accessible to people of all abilities, including their families and care team members.
DAY 5: Lord, help us to better understand the special needs of individuals and families who experience things like disability, chronic illness, traumatic injuries, aging-related conditions and other special needs. Open our eyes to see these friends in our midst and move us toward each other in loving ways.
DAY 6: Jesus, You are a friend to all. Help us enjoy friendships with people of all abilities too. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for using our worship in community to celebrate diverse abilities and reveal the mysteries of our faith in You.
DAY 7: Father God, You made each and every person with a purpose. And You promise to help us in that purpose. Help us explore creatively and compassionately how to serve alongside our friends with disabilities in the ministry of the Gospel.
THANK YOU AND AMEN!
Click here to download your FREE Prayer & Scripture Guide from Walk Right In Ministries.
Lisa Jamieson is a caregiver consultant, pastoral counsellor and author of popular books and Bible studies including Finding Glory in the Thorns and Jesus, Let’s Talk. Lisa and her husband, Larry, live in Minnesota with the youngest of their three grown daughters, Carly, who has Angelman Syndrome. Together, the Jamiesons founded Walk Right In Ministries in 2008, a non-profit organization building faith and community with special needs families.
