The Tour is done

A quick thank you to all who toured France and prayed for the country and people we love.  To night there is no tour to watch and no mountains or villages to watch.  Even though the tour is done, please stop by and we will pray once more.  Thank you again
Robin

Stage 21 Paris

Romans 10: 13
 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Father, let the people of Paris call upon the Name of the Lord and be saved.  
Lord, we know that in your name their is power, hope, safety, justification. Lord, we need to call on your name, we pray in your name.  We sing praises in Your Name.  Lord, we pray that France will see that their is a God, one true God, who loves them and died for them.  You have prepared salvation for us all.  Lord, we must see our need of your sacrifice and Call upon the Name of the Lord and Be Saved.  

Hear our prayers Lord.  Intercede on our behalf for the people of France and for the city of Paris.  Lord Paris is known as the city of lights, but Jesus we desire for You the light of the world to be the Light of Paris today.
We desire for others to know You.  
Today we pray for the salvation of the people of France in the name of the Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ.  
Amen. 

Stage 20 Megève / Morzine

 Thine, O LORD,
 is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty:

for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; 
thine is the kingdom, O LORD, 
and thou art exalted as head above all. 

Both riches and honor come of thee, 
and thou reignest over all; 
and in thine hand is power and might; 
and in thine hand it is to make great,
and to give strength unto all. 

Now therefore, our God,
we thank thee, 
and praise thy glorious name. 

We pray in the name of Jesus. 
Amen

I Chronicles  29:11-12

Stage 19 Albertville / Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

Lord, 

We pray for the department of Savoie.  We pray that they will see the light of the world.  You sent the Light in to the world when you sent Jesus as a baby in a village called Bethlehem.  Lord we live in a dark world and so many live in the darkness and they have no clue that Jesus is the Light.  Lord, we pray that here in Savoie we pray that the Light of the World will shine in the hearts of men.  We pray that You will be glorified by those that live with Christ living in their hearts.  We pray that many will receive You as their Savior and Your light will drive away the darkness in their lives.  

We pray in the name of Jesus, our Light.  Amen

John 8:12

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Stage 18 Sallanches / Megève 17KM

HAUTE-SAVOIE (74)

Lord, today is a time trial where these riders who need to limit their time loss give it their all.  They dig done deep and use every ounce of strength that they have to get the job done.

  Lord you have promised to allow us to work in your strength.  Paul wrote "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  Lord over the last few weeks I have learned that you desire to be more than just our strength, but you desire to provide us with love, mercy, strength, wisdom, peace, goodness, meekness, kindness, knowledge, your intercession before the Father, your righteousness.  But you also want us to share in your suffering.  

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to all you are able to provide.  Lord,  so before we go in the red in life remind  us we are not alone and you are able to provide what we need everyday in every circumstance. 

Lord, we pray for France as a nation and as individual people and so Lord, we pray that they will grasp and live in your power and grace as a nation full of individuals who seek after you.  
We pray in the name of Jesus our provider and King.  Amen. 

L'Abri Fellowship

L'Abri is a French word that means shelter. The first L'Abri community was founded in Switzerland in 1955 by Dr. Francis Schaeffer and his wife, Edith. Dr. Schaeffer was a Christian theologian and philosopher who also authored a number of books on theology, philosophy, general culture and the arts. 
Today they have L'Abri communities in Europe, Asia, and in the Americas. 

 I was introduced to Dr. Schaeffer as an christian author from my father, Robert Pick, in the 70's when we lived in Liberia West Africa as missionaries.  I remember my dad digesting Dr. Schaeffer's thoughts, insights and beliefs.   Some of those titles where The God Who Is There, He is There and He Is Not Silent, and then in 12th grade English class I had a research paper to write and so I tackled the subject of humanism and I used Dr. Francis Schaeffer book called  How Should We Then Live?  The Rise and Decline of Western thought and Culture as one of my resources.   

If you want to chew on a few thoughts stop by their website L'Abri Fellowship and read a few articles from the library.  I think Dr. Frances Schaeffer had the gift of prophecy because so many of his conclusion on the direction of our society and the problems we face were spot on when he pinned them back in the 50's and 60's.  

Pray for their ministry and they continue to be salt and light to our world.  

Lord, thank you for those who cause us to think of you in a discerning way or shake the practice of our faith with questions of why or dare to question the direction the church is walking.  Lord, every generation needs people who are willing to question the weakening of our faith or the direction we are compromising our beliefs.  Lord, raise up Frances and Edith Schaeffer in our time, people who will call the church to be salt and light to this world of darkness.  We pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen

Stage 16 Moirans-en-Montagne / Berne

DIEU Tout-Puissant,
toute pensée de vérité et de paix procède de toi: nous te prions d’allumer dans les coeurs de tous les hommes le véritable amour de la paix et de guider de ta sagesse pure et paisible ceux qui délibèrent du sort des nations de la terre; puisse ton royaume avancer dans la tranquillité jusqu’à ce que la terre soit remplie de la connaissance de ton amour;
par Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur.    Amen.


GOD Almighty,
all thoughts of truth and peace proceeds from you: we pray to kindle in the hearts of all men the true love of peace and guide of your pure and peaceable wisdom those who deliberate the fate of nations of the earth; may your kingdom advance in peace until the earth is full of the knowledge of your love;
 through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Le Recueil des Prières 
The 1962 Canadian Book of Common Prayer in French

Stage 15 Bourg-en-Bresse / Culoz

It is hard to believe next Sunday we arrive in Paris, but today we have a few more hills to ride over.  Today the race stays in the department Ain (01).


Lord, today we have the blessing of watching the beauty of the department of Ain here on the eastern border where it lies between Lion and Geneva.  Lord, thank you for the beauty of your creation we will enjoy the scenes of the Jura Mountains.  Lord, we can see this beauty, but you can see the beauty in the hearts of those who love and adore you.
 Lord, bless our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Ain, we pray for their growth in You.  We pray that they have the freedom to share their faith in You with others.  We pray for their children that as they grow up they will stay true to their faith.  Lord, thank you for their faithfulness  and for their love for You.  Deepen that love as they serve you.  We pray in the name of Jesus our Savior.  Amen

Stage 14 Montélimar / Villars-les-Dombes Parc des Oiseaux

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40: 31

Yesterdays stage finished in Villars-les-Dombes Parc des Oiseaux that is known for its bird sanctuary.  At times in our personal and public lives we become weary and this verse is there to remind us and to refresh us.  God is working and he is personally working in our lives for our good.  I am not sure how God will work good from the events in Nice but we know from past history God is working and He will use these actions, tears and sorrows for our good.  There is a race to be won, run it in his strength and he will lift us up. 

Father, we are weary and our strength is beginning to wane.  Renew our strength and let us mount up on eagles wings and let us soar. 
We pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen. 

Stage 13 Bourg-Saint-Andéol / La Caverne du Pont-d'Arc

Time trial today, but we watch with heavy hearts.  Praying for safety of all who are in the race and those watching the race.

Lord, our hearts are truly broken for the people of France today.  Lord, we pray for the families that have lost love ones yesterday.  Lord, bring peace and wisdom.  Comfort their hearts and  heal their land.  Lord give wisdom and direction to the leaders of France.  Show them how to fight against this evil so that the citizens of France can be safe and free from fear.  Lord, we pray for the salvation of France even here in  the department of ARDÈCHE (07).  We lean on you on this day.  We pray in the name of Jesus our Savior.  Amen

Stage 12 Montpellier / Mont Ventoux

Up up up we go.  Mont Ventoux has been shortened due to the wind.  When I think of wind I think of the wind on Pentecost.

Acts 2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Almighty Father, we pray for the power and the freedom of the Holy Spirit. Lord, as the wind blows today allow the Holy Spirit to have freedom in our hearts.  Stir Hearts as you go through the south of France. 

Lord, we pray for the area that has been touched by fire.  Lord heal this land and hearts. 

We pray in the name of Jesus. 

Amen

Stage 10 Escaldes-Engordany / Revel

Father today we pray for the city of Revel, located in in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France. 
Lord, we pray for the eyes and ears of the people of Revel will be open.  Open their eyes so they may see our need for a loving Savior.  Open their ears, so that they may hear the voice of the Lord so that they will obey your word.  Open their hearts to so they will invite you as Lord.  Lord, open up their lives so that others will see you as the joy that floods their souls.  Lord, stand as the door and knock, so that we will open up our lives to you.  You are Lord, reign in our hearts and in the hearts of Revel France.   We pray in the name of Jesus. 
Amen

Stage 9 Vielha Val d'Aran / Andorre Arcalis

We leave France today to ride in to Spain and ending in Andorra.  Monday is a rest day and the riders will take their rest day here in Andorra.  Today is the Queen Stage for the Pyrenees.  A Queen stage is designed to set apart riders and create a day that will bring time gaps between the GC riders.  I think yesterday was an appetizer for the Queen Stage.  It will be interesting to see how much gas Froome left in his tank for today.  If yesterday took him into the red then it will be a good day for the other GC riders to make their move. Enjoy the race.

Father, today we ride down into Spain and end the day in the small country of Andorra.  We pray for both of these country.  They both have a strong Roman Catholic influence.  Lord, we pray that the Word of God and the Work of God will have the freedom it needs to create a revival in the hearts and minds of the people in Spain and in Andorra.  Lord.  allow the Holy Spirit to have freedom to move in and through Hearts.  We pray that the people of Spain and Andorra will share the love of Christ with neighboring France and people all over the Pyrenees mountain will have a revival in the land and many will come to know You as Lord and Savior.   Lord, save souls in this area of the World so that the people who live in these mountain will shine for you as a beacon of light to a very dark area of Europe.  We pray in the name of Jesus Amen.

Stage 7 L'Isle-Jourdain / Lac de Payolle

Isaiah 55 6 -13

Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
¹¹ So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
¹² “For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
¹³ “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up,
And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up,
And ^[e]it will be a ^[f]memorial to the Lord,
For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

Stage 7 L'Isle-Jourdain / Lac de Payolle

Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.                          
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
12 “For you will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up,
And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up,
And [e]it will be a [f]memorial to the Lord,
For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” Isaiah 55:6-13 NASB

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

Cavendish yesterday and Kittel today

This year the sprints have been evenly won, except for Cavendish winning two stages.  The last two days have been within centimeters of each other.  Congrats to all the winners this year.  Hang in there because the mountains are coming. Praying you are able to pedal safety over each and everyone.

Stage 4 Saumer/Limoges

Lord Jesus, pray for us as we pray for France.  Lord this region of Aquitaine has a special place in my heart because this was the very first region we began to pray for in France.   Lord, we pray for the church in this area and we know that You are working through your body here and we ask for the freedom of the Holy Spirit to work.  We ask for souls to be reached and for Your word to be proclaimed with boldness and with love.  We ask that your truth be spoken  so that the church will be strengthen and the lost will come to know their need of You.  Lord.  We pray for souls to be saved today and for days to come.  Lord, be glorified in France today.   We pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Stage 3 Granville to Angers

Pump up your bicycle tires because today we ride through 5 departments of France.  We will be leaving (50) Manche, and moving through (35) Ille-et-Villaine, (53) Mayenne, and ending our ride in (49) Maine-et-Loire.   Or by regions with leaving Normandie  pedaling through Bretagne and ending our trip in Pays-de-la-loire. 

Holy Father, Redeeming Savior, 
We humbly ask that you intercede on our behalf for the people in the north western side of France.  Lord, You know your hearts desire for this area.  You know every need and heart ache.  You know their hearts cry, so teach us to pray for these needs.  Lord, we thank you for each soul that will come to know your this week in France and we thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit in lives.  Lord, use your Church in France to be the salt and light to those around them.  Lord, we desire a change in the hearts of men and women.  We pray that they will leave their way of thinking and turn to You.  Redeem souls, cleanse hearts and transform lives today, and we humbly ask that you begin in us.  
We pray in the name of Jesus our Redeemer.  Amen. 

No longer the bridesmaid. Today the Bride

Last year 2nd place was Peter's spot, even though he wore green but today he is the victor and it is great to see that his team was able to salvage their day with a great stage win by Sagan.  Congrats to Peter.  Good to see you with the Lion in your hand.