7th Inning Stretch
Enduring Through The Stretching Season

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.”
(Jn 12:27–28)

The Lord is stretching us into a new season

You may not like the methods he has chosen to stretch you with, but are going to love the results of the stretching

There is a purpose in the stretching

The pain in the stretching is to pull on your potential to bring you into His purpose


STRETCHING IS NECESSARY

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”

Benefits of Stretching
- Flexibility
- Posture
- Injury Prevent
- Increases nutrients
- Calms your mind
- Releases tension and stress
- Increases energy

STRETCHING IS PAINFUL, BUT THERE IS A PURPOSE

STRETCHING IS HARD

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34).

Jesus’ stretching was hard. How did Jesus make it?

“let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1–2)

This is the Joy Set before you

STRETCHING IS GOOD

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Php 3:12–14)

The end result of stretching is reaching!

While you were stretching, your reach was extended

You’ll never reach the goal, never reach the destiny if your not stretched

How To Finish the Game

EYE ON THE BALL - Perspective

Eph 3:20–21) Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

HEAD IN THE GAME - Attitude

Your attitude determines your altitude
And it determines the length and the success of the stretching

STAY ON THE TEAM - Fellowship

Find other believers to go through the stretching with and enjoy meaningful relationships

UNITE714
Weekly Prayer
10 through 16 January

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:4-6 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, we have been walking through the “valley of the shadow of death” for many months now. In a world scarred by division and traumatized by pain, the temptation to succumb to fear and despair is constant. This pandemic has resulted in many physical deaths, but also emotional, mental, financial, and economic downfalls as well. Today, however, we choose to fear no evil, for You are with us. Your presence and power are greater than anything we have faced or ever will face. Our souls are comforted and secured by the fact that You are both the Sovereign of the universe and our loving Shepherd.

Almighty God, we humble ourselves before You as the Sovereign of the universe, and we ask You to hear the prayers and cries of Your people around the world. We implore You to exercise the rod of Your authority against COVID-19. Smite it by Your power and eradicate it from our world, both directly and indirectly, through medical intervention as well as Your healing touch. You are our great Shepherd. We ask You to pour out Your comfort and love on our broken planet.

Lord, in the midst of conflict, challenge, and pain, You promise to prepare a table of provision for us. We come to Your table today, knowing we will find renewed strength as we worship You and feed on Your Word. We are desperate for a fresh in-filling of Your Spirit. We cling to Your promise to anoint our heads with oil. This anointing will bring faith, hope, and joy as Your fresh life and love flows to us—and through us—to those around us.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, freshly fill us with Your Spirit today. Embolden and empower us for evangelism as we share the gospel with those around us. Send a mighty revival, which will shatter the gates of hell and rend the veil of spiritual darkness blinding the eyes of the world’s peoples. May Your faith, hope, and love flow into our lives with torrential power, bringing an overflow into our communities, cities, and nations. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.