Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we start the new year, we invite you to pray through the start of Isaiah 61. Jesus read from this passage at the beginning of His public ministry (Luke 4). He read this in the first person, as the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy.

Ponder what it means for us to be more like Jesus. Consider these Scriptures as you pray: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40), and “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love as Christ loved us..." (Ephesians 5:1-2). Now, pray through Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,

for the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

and to proclaim that captives will be released

and prisoners will be freed.

He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,

and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

To all who mourn in Israel,

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Pray it again asking Jesus to help you and the Greenhouse community to be more like Him in 2023. Sometimes when you pray the passage, change the “me” to “us”. With whom can you share this prayer and good news this month? It is an active passage. How can you act on what you have prayed?