Day 11 – Rejoicing in God-Given Results

Suggested Format for the Final Sabbath
This final Sabbath should be a time of great rejoicing in all that God has done for you and your church during the Ten Days of Prayer. Design your day to celebrate God’s goodness and mighty power. Consider how you have experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the past ten days. This Sabbath is an opportunity to rejoice in what He has done, is doing, and will do.
“Christ rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. He spoke with assurance, knowing that an almighty decree had been given before the world was made. He knew that truth, armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the contest with evil; and that the bloodstained banner would wave triumphantly over His followers. He knew that the life of His trusting disciples would be like His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but recognized as such in the great hereafter” (The Desire of Ages, p. 679).
Theme Text:It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; or a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:1-13, NASB).
The needs of each congregation are unique, so please work with local leaders to develop a specific plan for your church. Some suggested items to include in your final Sabbath church service:
• Biblical Teaching on Luke 11: This could be a sermon or homily, or the passage could be used as a basis for weaving together stories of how God has worked during the Ten Days of Prayer.
• Testimonies: Include ample time for testimonies of answered prayer. Those who have participated in the Ten Days of Prayer should have many stories they can share with the congregation, but encourage them to be brief so that everyone can participate. Others may also have stories. It might be good to have some testimonies pre-planned, in addition to having an open sharing time.
• United Prayer Time: Invite the whole congregation to join in a time of united prayer. You could lead the congregation through an interactive prayer similar to what you have used throughout the week. This could be done with people in small groups or with everyone praying together. Another option would be to have several different kinds of prayer throughout the service—small-group, individual, congregational, silent, and so on.
• Singing: This is a day to rejoice in all God has done, and music is a great way to celebrate. If there is a song that has become a theme song for your group, make sure to sing that with the whole congregation.
• Future Plans: If God has led you toward a special outreach or ministry through the Ten Days of Prayer, let your church family know about your plans and invite them to join in.
• Children/Youth: A children’s story about prayer would certainly be appropriate. Also, if you have had any children or youth involved with the regular prayer meetings, have them share their testimonies and/or lead out in a prayer time.
• Flexibility: Make sure to be flexible in your plans so that you can follow the Holy Spirit’s leading throughout the service.
Text credited to NASB is from the New American Standard Bible, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.