Phil Miglioratti talks with David Ferguson, author of "31 Days of Prayer for My Nation"
Phil ~ David, how did the Lord plant a passion for prayer for our nation in your heart and mind?
David ~ two things came together for me years ago ; First was the pain of seeing so many faith leaders not” walking in the light” and darkness overcame them ( John 12:35) ; they must have believed the right stuff but lacked the Spirit’s power to live it. Second , was study and visiting the Great Awakening sites in the US ( and Europe) noting that each was proceeded by United, Prevailing Prayer.
Phil ~ Please respond as to how these chapter titles speak to the vision, passion, and mission of the book?
David ~
*Our nation is broken . . .times are desperate but God’s people are not ; Jesus is praying but too often we are not.
*Why uinty matters . . .unity is part of a “new apologetic” where unity , compassion and justice open minds and hearts of unbelievers to the gospel.
*Wake Up! . . .awakening must begin at the House of God , waking up to His “shaking” of irrelevant religion and declaring our total dependency on Him.
*Prayer for You Pastor . . .only Spiritually Awakened Pastors can lead out in Courageous Preaching into today’s critical issues.
*Praying for Others to Come to Christ . . God’s ultimate “ upstream “ strategy is spirit-empowered disciples making disciples who make disciples
Phil ~ How do we keep our prays for our nation free from political bias and cultural blindspots?
David ~ keep the main thing the main thing ; we are called to 5 profound bible verses ; love God , love people and see others do the same. ( Mt. 22:37-40, 28: 19-20).
Phil ~ Talk about "concentric circles of concern" and how that perspective impacts our praying
David ~ the Great Commandment of Jesus is clear : first love God , then Your near-ones( spouse, children, friends) , then others including those who do not know Him.
Phil ~ "Reflecting on past Great Awakenings, we find hope in four specific initiatives as His Spirit leads." Please talk about each of those Holy Spirit actions:
David ~
*United prayer ~ we need a rhythm of prayer throughout the year to pray for our *Nation , Pastors , Marriages , Children/Families , Education, Media , Marketplace , the least of these , etc
*Pastoral renewal ~ God is “pro-church” and critical are Spiritually Awakened Shepard’s Living and loving like Jesus , vulnerably encouraging their churches to do the same.
*Courageous preaching ~ only bold , courageous preaching from our pulpits can energize Jesus followers to walk in truth as a witness of Him in a perverse generation.
*Church revitalization ~ if you don’t like the “ downstream symptoms” of today’s world , then His Church must look “ upstream” for ultimate solutions of revitalized churches making disciples who make disciples.
Phil ~ What happens when the Great Commandment (love neighbors) is partnered with the Great Commission (make disciples)?
Dave ~ We experience Jesus followers living and loving like Jesus as the world “ takes note that we have been with jesus” !
Phil ~ Please write a prayer that prompts us to pray for our nation; neighbors and strangers, neighborhood-by-neighborhood...
Dave ~ “ Lord , by your Spirit would you move our gaze from being surrounded by so many enemies at home , in our communities and Nation as we declare “ we know not what to do , but our eyes are upon Thee”.
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