Unstoppable Love!

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we experience the beautiful and subtle shifting of the seasons, please continue praying through Romans 8 with us. We suggest also thoughtfully reading Romans 5 multiple times this month. Before we spotlight verses 38-39, recall the crucial question in verse 35: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Allow these verses to speak for themselves. Ponder them. Pray that each student at Greenhouse would know the love of God deeply and personally, that they would be “convinced” of it. As we head toward the celebration of the incarnation of this amazing and powerful Love, consider ways we can show this side of God’s love to one another this season.

Overwhelming Victory!

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we begin the academic year, please continue praying through Romans 8 with us. We will focus on this passage over the next two months. We recommend also thoughtfully reading Romans 6 & 7 multiple times. Now let’s spotlight verses 35-37.

Romans 8:35-37 (NLT)

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

We encourage you to pray Paul’s powerful questions and culminating response before the Lord. As you do, in what ways is the Spirit nudging you to respond? Perhaps he will nudge you to pray for those who are experiencing “trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death.” If the Lord brings specific people to mind, consider letting them know that you are praying for them. How else might the Spirit be prompting you to encourage or support these people? 

Please specifically pray that Greenhouse students will know the breadth and depth of God’s love for each of them personally. As we pray for those in our community, contemplate that “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Allow that reality to affect your prayers, your posture of heart, and your active service for our King.

What Shall We Say?

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we wrap up summer and head into the academic year, please join us in praying through Romans 8:31-39.  In fact, we expect to focus on this passage over the next three months. Consider reading the entire chapter of Romans 8 multiple times in the weeks ahead. This month we will spotlight verses 31-34.

Romans 8:31-34

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 

Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Pray Paul’s powerful questions and responses out to the Lord. As you do, consider how the Spirit may be nudging you to respond. Perhaps he will nudge you to seek other scriptural answers to these important questions, responses beyond the obvious initial answers. Perhaps he will nudge you to turn these questions into prayers for your family and loved ones; for the Greenhouse faculty, staff and students; for our community and country. 

As we pray for others in our community, how does the reality that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father “pleading for us” affect your prayers and the posture of your heart?

Seeking the Lord, Experiencing His Blessing

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As summer unfolds with its unique rhythms and adventures, let us pray through portions of Isaiah 55 together. In praying, consider how the Spirit may nudge you to respond.

Isaiah 55:6-13

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.

Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.

Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

---

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.

It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

---

“You will live in joy and peace.

The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!

Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.

Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.

These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;

They will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

During the month, take some time – alone or in a small group – to turn these powerful words into focused prayers and blessings. For example, “Lord, help me to seek you and call on you because you are near and able to be found.  Show me my wicked ways so that I can, in the power of your Spirit, change and banish any wicked thoughts...”  We encourage you to use each of the three sections to pray for your family and loved ones, Greenhouse faculty, staff, and students, our community and country.

Wisdom in Community

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we transition into summer let us pray for wisdom in navigating our relationships, our travel, and our ministry opportunities. Receive this nudge to consider reading and praying through Proverbs with your family, a friend, or other loved ones this summer. 

Pray for God’s wisdom to flow throughout the Greenhouse community: faculty, staff, students, and parents. Pray that our community will be strengthened as we grow in wisdom. As you prayerfully read the Proverbs, ask the Holy Spirit to prompt you in what…

• to grow personally

• to act on within our community

• to humbly receive from someone else.

Proverbs 1: 1-7

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

At the Year-End Celebrations last week, Grammar 2 students recited Saint Patrick’s prayer. Pray these words over ourselves, each other, and the Greenhouse community on our adventures this summer. Consider praying this daily.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

The Power of Blessing

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we prepare for the end of the school year and transition into summer let us pray through this ancient and timeless blessing from Numbers 6.  We invite you to pray this blessing over the Greenhouse community, students, faculty, and staff. 

Numbers 6:22-26

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

When you think about praying this over someone, who does the Holy Spirit bring to mind? Consider praying it aloud, or better yet, in-person?

Act in tandem with this blessing. Contemplate in what ways may God be inviting you to extend His heart to bless, keep, shine upon, be gracious to, lift up his countenance upon, and offer peace?  To whom is the Spirit nudging you to offer such blessings in the Lord?

Perhaps the same Lord who spoke to Moses is pressing other blessings upon you to pray over our community. Consider Ephesians 3:14-21 for example. Let us build up our community through pronouncing and activating blessings! As we bless each other in the name of the Lord, may we see new growth in our community as we see it all around us in creation.

Love Each Other

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we prepare to celebrate the passion and resurrection of Jesus, let us use His poignant words to pray over the Greenhouse community this month. 

Consider the iconic image of Christ washing Peter’s feet (below).  In John’s gospel this scene transpires in John 13 at the Last Supper. Ponder what it would be like to have Jesus kneeling on the floor before you with His hands holding and washing your bare feet.

Ford Maddox Brown Jesus Washing Peter's Feet

Now as we pray these words from John 15, let the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice add gravitas to His admonition for His disciples, for us, and for the Greenhouse community to “Love each other.” We have broken up the passage and highlighted some phrases for deliberate reflection as you pray. After you read what Jesus says, let the Holy Spirit guide you to reframe those words into a prayer for yourself, your family, and the Greenhouse community. Consider speaking Jesus’ words and your prayers out loud. Note how the Holy Spirit may prompt you to act as you pray these prayers. Take note of what Jesus says about action and love throughout this passage. 

John 15:9-17

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” 

‘When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” 

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” 

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” 

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 

“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” 

“This is my command: Love each other.”

May you remain in the Father’s love and may your joy overflow during the culmination of Lent and into Eastertide.

Bearing Fruit

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we anticipate the growth, life, and newness of spring, let us pray Psalm 1 over the Greenhouse community.

Psalm 1:1-3

1 “Oh, the joys of those who do not

follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.”

There is joy when one does not fall within the sway of evildoers. Let us pray for our community to hold fast to truth in these tenuous times.

2 “But they delight in the law of the Lord,

meditating on it day and night.”

Delight in the Scriptures helps us eschew evil. As you pray this verse, what Scripture comes to mind? With whom can you share it?  What does it mean to “delight” in God’s word and to “meditate” on it?  Practice this.

3 “They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do.”

Pray for the Greenhouse community to bear fruit this spring. Pray that our faculty, staff, and students will “not wither” in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the Lord will prosper His work through us for His Glory. 

Armor Up

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we settle into 2023, will you commit to pray through these verses daily for the month of February?

Ephesians 6:10-18

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

How can we focus on fighting our real enemy and not each other?  What does it look like to model this for the students at Greenhouse and in our workplaces, churches, and communities?

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. (Or, for shoes, put on the readiness to preach the Good News of peace with God.)  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Prayerfully ask yourself: How can I “armor up” every day?  Pray for the students and faculty as they “armor up” each day.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Consider these last two sentences not as suggestions but as admonitions for us this month.

Let’s do it!

The Spirit of the Lord

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?

Rescued & Transferred

We so appreciate your faithful prayers, promotion, and provision on behalf of Greenhouse as a Builder.  In preparing to celebrate Christmas, we invite you to pray Colossians 1 with us. The season of Advent is a time of reflection, a time of gracious giving, and a time when light illuminates the darkness. So we particularly invite you to reflect on the final words of this passage: “he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.”

 Colossians 1:9-14

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

O Lord, grant to the people of Greenhouse–students, parents, teachers, staff, Board, alumni–spiritual wisdom and understanding.

 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

May our daily lives—the work of our hands, the conversations of our mouths–be not only fruitful, but pleasing and honoring to you, dear Father.

 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 

Strengthen us, Lord, with your power. Fill us with your joy. Grant that your light may shine in us and through us as your people.

 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

We praise you, that in the midst of encroaching darkness, your light breaks in. Thank you for rescuing us and transferring us into the Kingdom of your Son, our Savior. May we use the freedom he has purchased for us for good and holy purposes in our families, our workplaces, our churches, our neighborhoods, and within Greenhouse. Amen.

Persecution & Praise

We so appreciate your faithful prayers, promotion, and provision as a Greenhouse Builder. In this season of gratitude, reflection, and celebration, let’s pray through more themes from Matthew 5. 
Matthew 5:10-16 (NLT)

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. [Rejoice and be glad!] …For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” 

Come to Jesus through His word, and prayerfully reflect on His promises: the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs – a great reward awaits you in heaven – it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless – everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Pray that His Spirit will teach and guide you to greater understanding of Kingdom building action.

When have you been persecuted for doing right? In what new ways did you experience the Kingdom of God as a result? Who else do you know that has suffered opposition for doing right?  Pray for them. How might you help them see the Kingdom of God in their experience?

When have others spoken evil things against you, mocked, persecuted, or lied about you specifically because you follow Jesus? How did Jesus respond to similar treatment? Has your response mirrored His description in this passage?  Why or why not?  Who can you encourage--speak courage into--today that has suffered for following Jesus? 

Ask Jesus what it means to be salt and light in your home, Greenhouse, and our larger communities.  Prayerfully read John 15 with section of the Sermon on the Mount in mind.

Please pray for the Greenhouse community to lovingly act on these words of Christ. With our neighbors and in Greenhouse, may we become those who persevere, encourage, shine, and abide through the power of the Spirit. Pray that the love, humility, and joy of Jesus and a spirit of gratitude will be evident and bear fruit in our lives individually, as families, and as a learning community. 

Mercy, Purity & Peace

We so appreciate your faithful prayers, promotion, and provision on behalf of Greenhouse. Thank you for being a Builder. As autumn settles in, pray with us through more themes from Matthew 5.  

 Matthew 5:7-9

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

 Coming to Jesus through His word, prayerfully reflect on these promises: “They will receive mercy – they will see God – they will be called children of God.” Believing His promises, in what ways can you show mercy, pursue purity of heart, and make peace this month? Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us in exercising mercy, purity, and peacemaking in our homes, in Greenhouse, and in the community at-large.

•  Look up a definition of mercy. Consider when have you received mercy … and when you have shown it. How does showing mercy reflect the heart of God? Prayerfully ask the Lord to whom you can show mercy this month and ask Him to grant you courage to live full of mercy.

• Purity comes in many forms. Reflect on what Jesus means when He says blessed are the pure in heart. Contemplate Psalm 51, in which David asks the Lord to create within him a clean heart. What is to be learned from David about inviting God to clean our hearts? 

• “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) In prayerfully reviewing the last few years, do certain relationships or circumstances surface in which you could pursue peace, which was lost or stolen?  What might it mean for the Greenhouse community– as “children of God”–to be peacemakers in our current milieu? 

Intercede on behalf of the Greenhouse community that we will act on these invitations from Jesus. May the beauty of mercy, purity, and peace be evident and bear fruit in our lives individually, as families, and as a learning community. 

Mourning & Meekness

We so appreciate your faithful prayers, promotion and provision on behalf of Greenhouse. Thank you for being a Builder. As we start the school year and usher in autumn, we invite you to pray through the some more themes from Matthew 5.  

Matthew 5:4-6

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “

As you come to Jesus, prayerfully reflect on His promises: “They will be comforted – they will inherit – they will be filled.” Based on His promises, consider how can you participate in mourning, meekness, and pursuing righteousness this month. Pray that His Spirit will teach and guide you. 

• What grieves your heart? For what do you mourn in our culture? With whom can you mourn? How does such mourning reflect the heart of God?

• Meekness shows itself primarily in humility before God, and self-controlled strength and gentleness toward others. To what degree does meekness characterize your relationship with the Lord, and your fellowship with others (including your family)?

• For what do you hunger and thirst? What soul-level desires drive you? Ask Jesus to show you what it means for you to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  What does that mean for the Greenhouse community?  

Please pray for the Greenhouse community to act on these invitations from Jesus. In Greenhouse and with our neighbors, how can we be those who comfort, those who share an inheritance, and those who fill others through the Spirit?  Pray that the beautiful attitudes of mourning, meekness, and desiring righteousness will be evident and bear fruit in our lives individually, as families, and as a learning community. 

Embrace Your Poverty

We so appreciate your faithful prayers, promotion and provision on behalf of Greenhouse. Thank you for being a Builder. This summer, and into the fall, we invite you to pray through several of the themes from Matthew 5 which we briefly cited last spring.

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Ask God to help us to embrace our poverty of spirit, in which we come to Him empty-handed and longing to be filled with His Spirit. Pray that Greenhouse will mirror that posture of joyful and expectant dependence while preparing for the new school year. Ask for God’s protection from the temptation to rely on our own understanding and our own righteousness rather than His. Pray that the kingdom of heaven will be evident in our lives individually, as families, and as a learning community.