When I was little growing up in the Light of the World cult sometimes when the Apostle would walk or drive through a crowd after church, the crowds would wave palm branches toward him and place them along the road. Looking back, that was such heresy! Only Jesus deserves such praise. I thank God I was never given a palm to wave, despite how badly I wanted one.
In the accounts of Jesus entering Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week, it says that people met Jesus along the road as he entered holding palm branches. Why palms? They represented sacred things and royalty. Their images were found on coins, engraved in Solomon's temple, they symbolized luxury and were used for holy festivals. It was fitting to use these for Jesus, a true holy king! Sadly, these same crowds would soon condemn Jesus before Pilate.
How I wish I could have been a faithful witness to Jesus and hold my own palm branch in hand! As we launch Holy Week with Palm Sunday, I want us to consider that our prayers can be our palms. The palms were taken as they shouted 'hosanna', meaning, "please, save!" Jesus came to save, he is saving us, and he will one day fully save us when he returns. So as we approach Palm Sunday, pick up your palm, that is, your voice, your prayers, and shout with me, 'Please, save!"
And guess what? One day, we will hold an actual palm in our hands in his coming kingdom, as it says in Revelation 7:9,
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
HOSANNA! PLEASE, SAVE!
~ Pastor Joel
PASTORAL PRAYER REQUESTS
- SALVATIONS. Pray that during all of our Holy Week services and events we would see many people walk down the aisle to receive Jesus as their Savior!
- RETURNING HOME. Pray that many would also come back to church. Maybe you are one of those! We miss you! Church community is vital to our spiritual health. We for families that have fallen away to return, too! All are welcome in God's house.
- OFFERING. Pray for the church to be moved to generosity this Easter through our Resurrection Offering to say, 'thank you' for the Cross and the Empty Tomb.
ALL CHURCH PRAYER REQUEST
| Josie F. |
Pray for my son, Josh, who is going to court on 4/4; may the judge grant him time with his daughter. Pray that all goes well, that he gets a steady job and home and gets his driver's license that was suspended. May God work in his heart as he continues therapy. Also, pray for my son, Elias, who struggles in his English and Biology classes. May his teachers be supportive of his needs. Pray that he is able to do his assignments and get a passing grade. He struggles with writing assignments. And pray that my daughter comes to church and finds Christ-loving friends. |
| Rochelle Scott |
Ruby Woods is in a lot of pain with neck and spinal injuries, and constantly breaking out in hives, which is adding to her suffering. Please pray for healing for her. |
| Dong Kim |
A few weeks ago, I sinned because I got mad at God. Following Him got too hard and it got VERY PAINFUL. I also found a new sin in me--gluttony. The more I eat the more I crave worldly things. The more full I am the more distant God feels. Can you guys pray for me to get back up and start walking forward with Him again? Thank you so much. |
| Monica Hughs |
Please pray for my friend Silvia. She, her husband, and two girls are going to Mexico on vacation. Pray for protection. She’s super nervous about their safety but wants to have a fun time with her family. |
| Monica Hughs |
Please continue to pray for my coworker Sol. I submitted a prayer request earlier this month about her husband wanting a divorce. She has been so depressed and wants her marriage to work out. She asked her husband if he is willing to get counseling. Pray he agrees. Continue to pray for me to be there for her and share Christ with her. Thank you, prayer team! |
| Michelle Valdivia |
My best friend Sandy’s dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His next test is in 2 weeks and the family is asking for a good report. |
| Ray Sebastian |
Prayers for my brother Russell who is recovering from heart surgery, praying for recovery free of complications. |
| Turae Conley |
I need prayers for my husband's strength; courage and guidance. Also, my daughter is really lost, she needs God's guidance. |
| Jamiel St.Clair |
My Great Grandfather passed away. I pray for strength, and healing as we mourn. |
| Alvin Lal |
I just found out my job is relocating to Memphis or Indianapolis. So by early 2024, I will have to make a decision to either find another job or relocate with my company to one of those cities. I just got married a month ago and I moved further out to Duarte, CA, and it hasn’t been the easiest transition because I’ve always lived with my parents or close by them. But then now, having to think about looking for another job or moving across the country just added an amount of stress than just moving out of my parent's house. Being further away from church hasn’t been the easiest either. So, just praying for my job and hoping my FedEx company offers me a good relocation package that pays for my move to Memphis or Indianapolis or that I can find a job here that will help me financially to take care of my new wife and family. |
| Sandra Feliciano |
Please continue to pray for my son, Brendon. He’s still in the midst of drug abuse and he’s estranged from me. I want him back, whole, and in God’s purpose for his life. Thank you, Church 🙏🏼 I love you all and am grateful for the years of support and prayers for my family ❤️ |
| Linda J. |
Please pray for my son as he navigates part-time work and cares for his dad and girlfriend. Please pray that he will seek God's will for his life and then follow as God leads. |
| Mark Keppler |
I need another car due to mine being totaled from an accident I was in I am OK. Please pray that God would provide me with another car. |
| Teresa Darden |
I am praying about what ministries I should invest my time in when I retire. |
| Michelle Acone |
Please pray that my daughter, Aili, and son, Aidan’s love for God and the church would be restored. Pray that any and all influences that are drawing them away from God would be removed, that any and all unclean or demonic presence that may have footholds or attachments to them would be rebuked, loosed, and cast into the fiery pit. |
| Al Bacani |
A close relative just found out she had breast cancer. |
| Anonymous |
Please pray for any demon-causing sickness of my womb to be cast out, all irregular bleeding and pain to stop, every curse over my womb to be broken, and for a MIGHTY MIRACLE of healing to take place. Pray God would help me look to him for healing like the Israelites looked to the brazen snake lifted high in the wilderness and that God removes all doubt, confusion, and all unbelief about who he is and why he died on the cross for us. Pray all guilt, shame, bitterness, blame, fear, sickness, and condemnation be lifted from me forever, in Jesus' name. Pray for God’s love and to be cleansed completely of all sin and to be white as snow. Pray, I would burn with holy fire instead of the fires of hell. Pray for complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God, for understanding, and for revelation. Pray for transformation of heart and mind and to walk in the blessings, power, and authority God wants me to walk in. Pray for victory in these things, faith, strength, and rest, that every mountain in the way of God’s best will bow low, and that God be glorified in Jesus' name. Pray God opens the floodgates of heaven and comes quickly to heal, set free, and deliver me, in Jesus' name. Thank you so much! |
| Cynthia Freeman |
Pray for my son, Donovan, who lives in Chicago to find a job soon to meet all his financial needs. |
| Armstead Ayanna |
Please pray 🙏🏾 for health reasons, as I received bad results. |
| Nicky Kelly |
Carrie - Continue prayer for her physical, emotional, and spiritual healing and recovery from aggressive breast cancer and pregnancy - to keep strong in Jesus. Jennie - healing from stomach and allergy issues as well as favor with Social Security Disability inquiry. Steve - Prostate cancer, pray for healing and for him to stay strong in his faith. Bobby - Minor knee surgery in April, pray for complete healing and recovery. John - Healing from facial skin cancer surgery, has two more surgeries in April, pray for complete recovery. Kevin, Adalinda, Hank, Kristiana, and John - Recommit to Christ and spiritual growth. Val, Maddie, Andrew, Kevin, Billy, Caroline, Willy, and Natasha - Salvation. |
| Patti Feolo |
Please pray for me as I just went to the bathroom & am having rectal bleeding again. |
| Sam Tomasello |
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired and dwelling in my isolation and loneliness. Please pray that God blesses me with the will to ignore the evils of the world and get back out there in health and joy. |
| Mark Keppler |
I need another car due to mine being totaled from an accident I was in. I'm OK. Please pray that God would provide another car, thanks God bless. |
| Darryl Poston |
I just want to find out what I can do or what I need to get through this Neuropathy. |
| Jacqueline Quasny |
Please pray for my upcoming hip replacement surgery, on the 29th. |
| Melisa Whitecotton |
Our plumbing company is going through issues between workers - if certain workers leave it could cause lots of hardship to the company in many ways. Please lift up these issues and pray things will get resolved in a way that is best for all involved.
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ALL CHURCH PRAISE REPORT
- Jon Sloan: Praise the Lord! Jon passed the Private Investigator's Exam.
- Ray Sebastian: My brother, Russell, accepted Jesus as his Lord & Savior.
- Katherine Morgan-Brown: Praising God for Jesus and always being faithful in keeping me in all situations. So thankful.
- Michelle Acone: Praise God for His faithfulness in my life, in my children’s life, and in my family’s life.
- Al Bacani: My sister's surgery went well.
- Armstead Ayanna: I have been at peace and blessed with work.
- Nicky Kelly: Thanking God for His faithfulness in every aspect of our lives!
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