February 29, 2012
Texas Christian Women’s and Men’s Job Corps (CWJC/CMJC) will celebrate a Day of Prayer on February 29, 2012. The foundation of the CWJC & CMJC ministries is prayer and each year we set aside a day to pray specifically for the ministries of CWJC & CMJC. Men and women across Texas share God’s unconditional love and His word by serving as site coordinators, volunteers, mentors, advisory councils, boards of directors, prayer warriors and teachers. Participants walk through the door to receive life and job skills education, hear God’s word, restoration, and healing. We would like to invite you to be part of our day by sending a shield with a special prayer to a CWJC/CMJC ministry in your area.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Pray a shield of blessing over Christian Women’s and Men’s Job Corps in Texas! February 29, 2012 is an opportunity to pause during your busy schedule and pray for a ministry. We ask that you use the shield template below and write a blessing or a prayer to a site coordinator, volunteer, mentor, teacher, or participant. Our CWJC & CMJC ministry sites receive blessings and encouragement with each reminder that they are being shielded in prayer.
Tell them that you are praying for them by sending a blessing shield to a CWJC and CMJC ministry. Below are different opportunities to use the Day of Prayer as an activity for your group or organization.
A Shield of Prayer
A shield of prayer is the imagery of the armor of protection as it shields each ministry with the protection of prayer.
When you ask God to shield others, you are simply asking Him to:
1. Provide protection from the serpent
2. Protect the leadership of each TX CWJC/CMJC
3. Protect the foundational structure of each ministry site
4. Protect each person involved in the ministry
5. Give peace and protection
The blessing of prayer you offer will help the one receiving it and it will demonstrate love, encourage others, and provide a model of caring to others.
Here are some ideas of things that you can write on your Blessing Shield (see the attached template for the Blessing Shield):
Use Scripture to encourage and bless (see below for scripture selections that could be used for each age group).
Use words of encouragement, poems, and quote written blessings.
Ex.: “Thank you for serving men and women in your community. May the Lord give you peace. ”, “May you, as one who belongs to God, experience this: God’s protection.”
Mail a Blessing Shield early enough for it to arrive by February 29th. Copy the template provided and write a special note.
AGE-LEVEL ACTIVITES FOR BLESSING SHIELD
Encourage Preschool and Children Sunday School classes , Mission Friends, or GA’s to write “Blessings of Protection “as an activity during their weekly session.Define what a blessing is at age appropriate level.
Art: Decorate Blessing shield to share with CWJC and CMJC ministries.
Scriptures can be pre-printed on the blessing shield templates.
Scripture suggestions:
“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.” Eph 1:3 NLT
“All who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received.” Gal 3:9 NLT
“God blesses those who work for peace for they will be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9 NLT
PRESCHOOL AND CHILDREN
Share information about Christian Women’s and Men’s Job Corps with the group.
“The ministries have classes or lessons about the Bible so men and women can hear how Jesus loves them. They also hear how to accept Jesus as their Savior. The men and women who come to Christian Women’s or Men’s Job Corps learn lots of information that can help them be better moms and dads, like how to take care of their money, get jobs, learn about their personalities and feelings, learn how to use computers, and lots of other helpful information. It takes lots of men and women to help at CWJC/CMJC. Some serve as leaders (site coordinators), teachers, volunteers who do things such as serve lunch/dinner, and mentors. Today we want to send them a blessing shield to encourage them as they serve. A blessing is a gift bestowed by God, a special favor, praise and devotion, or approval and good wishes. Blessings are encouraging and make people happy. Let’s decorate a blessing shield to encourage and bring happiness to the people who serve at Christian Women’s and Men’s Job Corps.”
MISSION FRIENDS: Discuss the role of a missionary. Men and women who serve in CWJC’s and CMJC’s are missionaries. They spread the Good News. Some CWJC’s and CMJC’s are in churches, or store fronts, or buildings or even libraries. A volunteer from an area CWJC or CMJC ministry can visit the class and share information.
GIRLS IN ACTION / CHILDREN IN ACTION: Discuss the role of a missionary in relation to CWJC and CMJC. Define Shield of protection.Have a volunteer share information about the CWJC and CMJC ministry. Discuss how God protects His children.
Cut and decorate sugar cookies.
Decorate the Blessing Shield to share with an area CWJC and CMJC ministry.
Snack: Decorate sugar cookies with happy face and share with a friend
YOUTH / ADULT
1. Define Shield of Protection
2. Discuss the occasions in the Bible when God bestowed protection on people.
3. Write a personal note on a Blessing Shield to share with a local CWJC and/or CMJC.
4. Use scripture to encourage.
5. Scripture options listed above.
Other optional scripture:
“How blessed the man you train, God, the woman you instruct in Your Word.” Ps 94:12 The Message
“Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm.” 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NRSV)
“May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.” 1 Timothy 1:2 (NLT)
“He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17b (NIV)
6. Visit a local CWJC and CMJC and seek opportunities to serve.
WMU / WOM / WOMEN’S GROUPS
Copy the Blessing Shield and write a special note to a CWJC and/or CMJC. (See above for optional selections of scripture to use.)Invite a Site Coordinator or volunteer to speak to your group.
Visit an area CWJC and CMJC and seek ways to be a blessing to others through service.