Prayer Service

Fresh Oil for the Assignment

Tonight, before we pray for our church, our families, and our community, I want to remind us of something important:

The assignment God has given us is bigger than us.

The call of God on your life, the responsibility of stewarding your family, serving in ministry, reaching lost people, discipling others, and impacting this community - none of it can be accomplished in the strength of your flesh.

You can have talent. You can have experience. You can have passion.

But if we're going to accomplish what God has called us to do, we need the oil of heaven.

We need the anointing of God.

The anointing is God's divine enablement for a divine assignment. It is the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit that enables ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God.

Throughout Scripture, oil became the symbol of that anointing.

The first time we see oil used in this way is in Genesis 28.

Jacob had a powerful encounter with God. He laid down to sleep and had a vision. He saw a stairway reaching into heaven with angels ascending and descending. When he awoke, he realized God had visited him in that place.

The Bible says he took the stone he had used as a pillow, stood it upright as a memorial, and poured oil over it.

Then he named the place Bethel—"The House of God."

Why pour oil on the stone?

Because oil marked something as holy.

Oil marked something as set apart.

Oil marked something that belonged to God and would be used for God's purposes.

From that moment forward, throughout Scripture, oil would be poured on kings, priests, prophets, altars, and sacred objects.

The message was always the same:

"This belongs to God."

"This is set apart for God's work."

Church, can I remind you tonight?

You belong to God.

Your life belongs to God.

Your family belongs to God.

Your ministry belongs to God.

And God has set you apart for His purposes.

The oil wasn't merely special.

It was necessary.

And it still is.

Psalm 92:10 says:

"I shall be anointed with fresh oil."

I love that phrase - fresh oil.

Not yesterday's oil.

Not last year's oil.

Not the oil from a past season.

Fresh oil.

Fresh strength.

Fresh grace.

Fresh empowerment.

Fresh dependence on God.

One of the meanings behind anointing with oil carries the idea of rubbing or smearing oil onto someone. In Bible days, oil was expensive. It wasn't splashed around carelessly. It was carefully applied and worked into the skin.

Think about that picture for a moment.

God Himself has placed His hand upon your life.

The hand of God rests upon you.

The Spirit of God has been given to you.

You are not trying to serve God alone.

You are not trying to carry your assignment alone.

You are not trying to lead your family alone.

The hand of God is on your life.

Tonight, I believe many of us need fresh oil.

Not because God has abandoned us.

Not because He has forgotten us.

But because every new season requires fresh dependence upon Him.

Some of us need fresh oil for our families.

Some need fresh oil for ministry.

Some need fresh oil for leadership.

Some need fresh oil for endurance.

Some need fresh oil because we've simply become weary.

And tonight we can boldly ask God for it confidently as sons and daughters.

We can pray:

"Lord, lay Your hand on my life in a fresh way. Rub the oil of Your Spirit deep into my heart. Let the fragrance of Your presence be evident in my life. Let people encounter You when they encounter me.”

But if we're talking about fresh oil, we also have to talk about something else.

Consecration.

Because throughout Scripture, anointing and consecration always travel together.

Consecration simply means setting yourself apart unto God.

It means separating yourself from things that contaminate your relationship with Him.

It means deciding that holiness matters.

Our culture doesn't talk much about holiness anymore.

But holiness is still beautiful to God.

The grace of God is not permission to live carelessly.

The grace of God empowers us to live differently.

Holiness isn't perfection.

Holiness is a heart that continually says:

"God, I want to stay close to You."

"God, I want to remove anything from my life that grieves Your Spirit."

"God, I want clean hands and a pure heart."

Paul tells Timothy that in a great house there are vessels used for honorable purposes.

I love that picture.

Special utensils are reserved for special occasions.

Over this week God used special utensils for accomplishing the vision HE cast through this church body. We are standing in the fruit that comes from the obedience of God’s people doing the special work He’s given to them. That’s right - im not talking about only prayer teams and worship teams right now. I’m talking about the hands and feet who came to this place with a trade and made this happen.

Church, Christ paid the highest price imaginable for your life.

You are valuable to Him.

You have been purchased by His blood.

You have been set apart for His purposes.

And when we walk in holiness, we position ourselves to be ready whenever God chooses to use us.

So tonight, as we prepare to pray, I want us to remember three things:

First, the assignment is bigger than us.

Second, God has already placed His hand upon us.

Third, fresh oil flows where there is fresh consecration.

Let's ask God tonight for fresh oil.

Fresh power.

Fresh passion.

Fresh surrender.

Fresh holiness.

Fresh dependence.

And let's believe that as we pray, God will strengthen us to steward our calling, this church, and this community well.

Because we are not doing this alone.

The hand of God is upon us.

And He has anointed us for the work He has called us to do.

Spiritual Health

A greater hunger for God's presence

Unity within the church body

Spiritual maturity among believers

Increased faith and dependence on God

Conviction of sin and genuine repentance

A culture of prayer throughout the church

Fresh passion for God's Word

Protection from spiritual attack and deception

Salvations & Discipleship

Lost people to encounter Jesus

Salvations every week

Baptisms and public declarations of faith

New believers to become rooted in Scripture

Effective discipleship relationships

People to discover their God-given purpose

Prodigals to return to the Lord

Families to be transformed by the Gospel

Children’s Ministry

Children's hearts to be receptive to Jesus

Wisdom and protection for volunteers

Strong partnerships with parents

A safe and welcoming environment

Future church leaders being raised up

Children to develop a biblical foundation

Families reached through the ministry

Student Ministry

Students to develop an authentic faith

Protection from cultural pressures

Boldness to live for Christ in schools

Strong relationships with leaders and mentors

Students called into ministry and missions

Freedom from anxiety, addiction, and identity struggles

Revival among local schools

Small Groups

New groups to launch successfully

Group leaders to be encouraged and equipped

Authentic biblical community

Deeper discipleship and accountability

New friendships and connections

Healing, restoration, and spiritual growth within groups

Point Men

Men to become spiritual leaders in their homes

Strong biblical brotherhood

Freedom from addiction and hidden sin

Husbands and fathers strengthened in their faith

Men to answer God's call on their lives

Future leaders developed within the church

Women's Ministry - the future

Women to grow in their identity in Christ

Strong discipleship relationships

Healthy marriages and families

Encouragement for single mothers and widows

Women to discover and use their gifts

Worship Ministry

Worship that honors God above all else

Humility and unity among team members

Anointing and authenticity in worship

New volunteers and musicians

Protection from burnout

Worship that leads people into God's presence

Church Leadership

Wisdom for pastors and elders

Discernment in decision-making

Protection for leaders and their families

Physical, emotional, and spiritual health

Integrity and humility

Clear vision for the future

Dream Team

New Dream teamers to step into ministry

Joy and fulfillment in serving

Strength and endurance

Healthy team culture

Marriages & Families

Strong Christ-centered marriages

Restoration of broken relationships

Parents raising children in faith

Healing from past wounds

Family unity and peace

Protection against attacks on the home

Outreach & Evangelism - PIP

Opportunities to share the Gospel through the Point Intern Program

Boldness for church members to witness

Community impact

Favor with local schools and organizations and communities

Effective local outreach efforts

People far from God being reached

The Next Generation

Children and students to know Jesus personally

Young adults to stay connected to the church

Godly leaders raised up for future generations

Revival among young people

The Community

Local schools and educators

First responders

Government leaders

Businesses and employers - call them in and to serve you in the capacity they are in

Families facing hardship - that they experience your never ending love and comfort

Those battling addiction, grief, or loneliness

Church Growth

Growth in spiritual depth before numerical growth

New families to find a church home

Financial provision and stewardship

Favor in the community

Expansion of ministry opportunities

• A reputation that reflects Christ well