DAYS OF GRACE: Azusa
Dictionary definitions of Grace:
1. simple elegance or refinement of movement. “she moved through the water with effortless grace”
2. courteous goodwill. “at least he has the grace to admit his debt to her”
3. (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings
4. a period officially allowed for payment of a sum due or for compliance with a law or condition, especially an extended period granted as a special favor.
In the Biblical meaning of numbers, the number five represents grace.
As a five day prayer devotional, the purpose of DAYS OF GRACE is to experience the meaning of the word Azusa.
As part of the five days of prayer, fasting is also encouraged as fasting is a discipline to help bring focus. Fasting could be abstaining from food, being on Facebook (NO!!!), or any other regular activity of yours that by putting it aside helps you to focus. (Resistance to fasting is an indication of addiction, especially if the reaction is NO!!!).
This devotion is intended to provoke thoughtfulness with an actual prayer included for you to use if you like. You might want to journal your thoughts.
DAY ONE: Many prayer efforts to see societal transformation have been based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. — “…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land”. The context is a dream King Solomon had where the Lord visited him and said if things go horribly wrong in the nation, here is what you do. At times, the phrase “heal their land” is interpreted as a metaphor for communities of people. Other times it’s interpreted literally as the land, Mother Earth. If the land needs to be healed, that indicates a lack of grace. We begin these five days with a deep awareness of our need.
PRAYER: Creator. You are not a God of formulas. Yet you, as the Great Healer, offer us a prescription — humility, prayer, intimate worship, repentance — followed by a promise you will hear and act and healing will come. We recognize our childlike dependence. Our abilities and hard work can only take us so far. We ask for your Grace to bless us. Amen.
DAY TWO: Azusa is the name of the City of Azusa and Azusa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The Tongva, or Gabrielino-Tongva, are Native indigenous people of Greater Los Angeles. Father Juan Crespi of the 1769 Portola Expedition coined the word Azusa as a name for Coma Lee. Coma Lee was a Tongva teen-ager known for having a Gift of Healing. The two main translations of Azusa are Healing and Blessed Miracle.
Creator: The history of our City of Angels is one of many moments of wonder and beauty. We live on extraordinary land. Our history also contains many moments of great injustice — pain and trauma. Both land and people have been violated. Lead us into the past to engage the present to bring us into a future of healing and wholeness. Amen.
DAY THREE: Azusa Street in Little Tokyo very close to Skid Row is the site of the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 which birthed Pentecostal Christianity. Time-Life in their 100 Most Important Events Of One Thousand Years 1000AD — 2000AD named the Azusa Street Revival Number 68. The Azusa Street Revival was led by Rev. William Seymour, the son of slaves at a time when it was illegal in some parts of LA for a Black Man to be on the streets at night.
Creator: The Doctrine of Discovery from the 14th Century provided the religious and legal basis for European colonization of indigenous peoples. The Doctrine of Discovery was intertwined with the Transatlantic Slave Trade. These horrifying systemic injustices are deeply entrenched. We are easily overwhelmed by the past and so we require grace. We require strength to take each next step to dismantle the evils, the obstacles to healing and goodness. Jesus, you said every plant not planted by my Heavenly Father shall be rooted up. Amen.
DAY FOUR: The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Romans — “For the kingdom of God…is righteousness/justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Millions upon millions of Christians pray the words of Jesus — “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. Everything in Heaven is good. Those words are as true today as when they were first recorded.
Creator: We pray for Your Kingdom to come. You promise us as you answer that prayer we will experience righteousness/justice, joy, and peace. Show us what to do and what not to do. Protect us from burning out. By Your grace, give us enjoyment in our work and the blessing of inner contentment. Amen.
DAY FIVE: As a nation, we experienced a Pearl Harbor, a 9/11, on January 6th in our Capital. We move from one challenging reality to a new challenging reality. Our nation is divided. Families are divided. Neighborhoods are divided. We are torn apart.
Creator: We need a Blessed Miracle. We need Divine Intervention. We need Healing. The Prophet Hosea said, “Come let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up”. We are in Your hands. Heal us so we may be of service to help bring healing to others. Amen.