Stage 5 Limoges to Le Lioran

The mountains are here.  I enjoy the sprinter stages most in the last 10 Km, but the mountain stages have an excitement all their own.  I enjoy the crowds at the tops of each mountain and the insane descents that have you holding your breath around every turn and then the agonizing crawl to the summit as the mind games begin.  Who has the power in the legs and in the lungs to push himself up to the top the fastest.  Who's team can keep their GC team member protected and supported furthest up the mountain to win for the day.  Mountains bring the time gaps and the yellow jersey sometimes find a new pair of shoulders to adorn.

 Father, we come to pray for the people we see on each mountain today.  Lord, when you see the crowds, you see lost souls.  You bear the sorrow as you intercede for us, share your sorrow for the lost with us today.  Lord, we desire to share in this burden.  Hear our cry for the lost, let it stir the Holy Spirit to awaken our hearts to the needs of the lost in France. Burden us Lord and let us see what you see today on each mountain top. We pray in the Holy name of Jesus.  Amen

Stage 5 Arras / Amiens Metropole

Department 62 Pas-de-Calais will be our focus here in stage 5 located in the region for Nord-Pas-de Calais.  This region of France was battled over in WWI and WWII.  Here you will find many reminders of those who died for freedom. In the city of Arras from the 10th century men have dug cellars to harvest large stones of calk and lime stones to build the important buildings in this area.  These cellars called Les Boves are connected together by tunnels, the citizens in the past have used them for shelter for themselves and for plants, food, and wine.

Dear Father, we pray for the department of Pas-de-Calais and the people who live in this area of France.  We pray that they will come see you as David did as their shelter.
 Psalm 91:1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Lord we pray that the people of Pas-de-Calais will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus.  Amen