Jun 10 - Day 161. God is restoring years

Welcome to another episode of our EBC Prayer Podcast. As mentioned earlier, our prayers throughout the year will be taken from the 66 books of the Bible. We began in the book of Genesis and will conclude in the book of Revelation. 

Today, we are diving into the book of Joel. Our scripture will be taken from Joel 2:25-26. And it read, “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be ashamed.” 

The Lord wants us to keep on praying. He is restoring to us the years that the locust has eaten, along with the destruction caused by the cankerworm, caterpillar, and palmerworm; these challenges are represented by the great army that was sent among us. In this promise of restoration, we will find abundance; our tables will overflow with food, and we will feel a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. 

As we pray, let us pray with gratitude and joy; let us lift our voices in praise to the Lord our God, who has performed miraculous works on our behalf, and let us rejoice with a heart full of thankfulness. Never again will God’s people experience shame or humiliation.

Transcript

Dear Heavenly Father. Our Lord, God, and Savior. Father, we come before you with open hearts, humbled by the profound promises woven throughout your word. Help us to embrace each day with steadfast assurance, knowing that your protective love surrounds us like a comforting embrace.  

Lord, thank you for reminding us of your unwavering commitment: “You will restore to us the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm—the great army you sent among us. We will have plenty to eat, until we are full, and we will praise the name of the Lord our God, who has worked wonders for us; never again will we your people be ashamed.”  

So many of us are navigating through seasons covered in loss, loss of precious time, exhausted opportunities, weakening health, broken relationships, or even brief peace. We understand the deep ache of witnessing our hopes and efforts consumed by disappointment, delay, or destruction. But today, we are lifting our eyes above the rubble, focusing them on you, the God who breathes life into desolation and restores all that has been lost.  

You are not only the God who comforts our souls but also the Almighty God, who rebuilds our broken spirits. Where we see nothing but ashes, you bring beauty. Where emptiness feels heavy, you pour out abundance, overflowing our hearts. Where shame lingered, you surround us in honor, reminding us of who you are.

Lord, help us to remember that nothing is beyond repair, nothing too broken, wasted, or lost for your miraculous touch of restoration. Reach into the depths of our hearts and restore the years marked by sorrow and hardship. Heal the heartaches that linger like shadows, the nights filled with tears that go unnoticed, and the hidden disappointments that have left us weary and worn. Lord, let your Spirit breathe joy into our souls, joy that is expansive and enduring, anchored in the certainty of your faithfulness.

Lord, we are pleading for the restoration of our families. Where division has taken root, sow seeds of unity. Where harsh words have inflicted wounds, let your grace usher in forgiveness that mends. Where physical or emotional distance has crept in, let your boundless love build bridges, knitting us closer together. Transform our homes into sanctuaries of protection and grace, where your presence feels welcome, and where your word is embraced and lived out in our actions.

Father, restore our health as we call upon you for those burdened by pain or illness. Extend your compassionate healing touch to our bodies. Strengthen and soothe our minds, revive us from exhaustion, and breathe new life and energy into our spirits.

Lord, restore our sense of purpose. Many of us feel as if time has slipped through our fingers, with years passing without fruitfulness. But you are the Redeemer of time itself. You have the power to open doors that no one can shut, reignite gifts that have long lain dormant, and empower us to walk boldly into the callings that we once thought had been lost to us. Remind us that you can do exceedingly and abundantly more than all we could ask or even imagine.

Lord, strengthen our faith. When we feel like giving up, instill courage and strength in our hearts. When shame attempts to define our worth, remind us that through your sacrifice, we have been washed clean and made whole. Help us to live confidently, as people rooted in your promises, unshackled by the chains of our past.

Lord, thank you for assuring us that your restoration is not partial, but rather complete and transformative. You promise that we will partake of abundance and be truly satisfied, that every emptiness will be filled by your generous hand. You promise that our voices will resound in praise, for it will be undeniable that it is you who has worked wonders in our lives. You assure us that we will never again be put to shame.

Lord, what tremendous hope we possess in you. May our testimonies reflect your goodness and grace. Let those who observe our lives discern the evidence of your presence, for you are indeed a God who restores, redeems, and revives. May our mouths overflow with gratitude and our hearts be filled with unceasing worship.

We seal this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, holding fast to the promise that the years lost to the locusts will be returned to us, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing. And never again will your faithful people be put to shame…Amen.

Everyone. Please have a great day, and by God’s grace, we will pray again tomorrow…Bye-bye.