I would like to share some advance thoughts about prayer that may actually may encourage or help prayer to grow and develop through relationship with each other and God.

written by Lewis Turner, Wheatland Ministries December 2023

1. What I have when groups have a focus on prayer is that such emphasis or focus does not seem to be drawing on building on the foundation of prayer which may have been in the region for many years. We need to draw on the prayer experience of those who were involved in prayer in the past.

.         I.E. Many times, in the past we developed a prayer team, but never involved the prayer team with the leadership.  Many of those teams were set up independent of the                    leadership.  It would have been better to have the leadership involved with the leader of the prayer team and vise/versa.---Involvement with Leadership.

2. Encourage people involved in prayer to solicit what Christians in Frederick are involved in and to add that to what they pray for.—That is supportive prayer, which is involvement supporting others in their ministry activities.

3. Holiness- I have observed your focus in ministry is on Holiness and relationship with the Lord.   In my study of the Names of God, I am sensing that God is showing himself to us as a nurturing God, and that He wants us to be involved in nurturing encouragement. Many think of prayer as praying for something—I would like to present a challenge –Part of prayer should be on building others—involvement with them—not just teaching someone how to pray—but come into relationship with the Lord. This is an area that we should consider and should spill over into our prayers—that the Lord will help each other to learn to be encouraging to others and to be involved in the lives of others—looking for ways to build up others.

—I would like to share how my wife stood up for Marriage at the Great Frederick Fair in Frederick, Md. and how it challenged a violinist to also stand up and share about the Lord Jesus. 

At the fair there is a spot which is called the free stage.  There was a band. Led by Dennis Lee, who rented it and held outdoor concerts at the fair. Dennis is a Christian as well and openly talks about the Lord as well. The Dennis Lee, when we got there, was interviewing a couple who have been married for over 55 years.  My wife is proud that we have been married 55 years.  She got his attention and shared it with him.  Dennis asked her what held us together, and my wife unashamedly that it was the Lord.  She also shared briefly about reading the Bible together and praying together with her husband. 

In Dennis Lee’s Band was a violinist, an accomplished violinist—Stephanie Ann Simon. (StephanieAnn.com) She was going to play the National Anthem at the Demolition Derby that night.  The Band leader asked her to play it for us while we were there.  Before she did, she looked at my wife and told her that what she said about Marriage encouraged to her to share her thoughts too.  She proceeded to talk about Jesus, and how Jesus was important to her and her home.  Wow!!!!!!!!!!  Talk about a move of God’s Holy Spirit.  One person spoke up initially—my wife, then what was said encouraged someone else to share—Stephanie Ann Simon.

—She ended her testimony with playing the National Anthem—with a performance that I wish you could have heard.  It was so moving that this retired Army officer rendered a military salute as it was played.

Seeing this move of God’s Holy Spirit in sharing a word about Christ—there must have been someone in the crowd who needed to hear that word.  May God’s word bring the fruit to which it was sent.

The above has been shared to encourage others to share their testimony.

A few years agok my wife and I were saddened to learn that the VBS director of my church did not encourage asking children to put their faith in Jesus by asking Him into their heart.  She did not believe children understood the concept of a Spiritual Heart.  She thought most thought of the heart as an organ that pumps blood.  The result was, no one was Saved during that VBS.  SAD.

On hearing this, my wife and I both wanted to find a way to explain the Spiritual Heart.  I looked for a visual way to help a verbal explanation. From my past studies, I decided on using some etymology discipline and my studies of the ancient Hebrew Pictographic letters.  I found that the the ancient Hebrew Pictographic letters in this case were very helpful. 

The attached document are lessons that may be helpful in explaining the Spiritual Heart, both verbally and visually.

In posting these Lessons, I would apprecaite feed back.  

One other consideration--Sunday School attendance is down, and possibly VBS too.  Someone could veryfy if that is correct--but I believe it may well be true.  We have many of our youth leaving church and Christianity.  My heart in sharing this study is to provide a way that can help people and children learn about the Spiritual Heart. Hopefully when they do, they will desire to put their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.   

Please, if you take the time to read this, study the lesson provided and let me know some constructive thoughts about how we can encourage leaders to teach about what the Spiritual Heart is.

Thank you very much.

Here is are the Lessons that may help assist a Child's Understanding of the Heart:

A1 Lessons on Prayer for Children---Assisting a Child's Understanding of the 'Heart'-AA.pdf

Over the last 10 years, in my study of God’s Word and Ancient Hebrew letters, in a discipline call Etymology, the Lord showed me something interesting in two of the Names of God that I studied.  One is Prince of Peace, which is Sar Shalom in Hebrew.  The other Name of God is Everlasting Father, which is El Gibbor in Hebrew.  In my study of Names of God, I use an etymological approach, looking at the meanings of Hebrew letters as found through Archeological research.  I know some do not accept that letters of Hebrew have meaning--but the research using archeological studies, which that I have done, shows that they do have meaning. 

There are two different letters in Hebrew which focus on similar concepts—the concept of ‘lifting up’. 

• In the Name of God—Prince of Peace, Sar shalom, the first letter of Sar in the Name is שַׂ which is pronounced ‘s’ as in the word sin or the word since. It means lifting up. This Name of God is found in Isaiah 9:6.
• In the Name of God—Mighty God, El gibbor, a letter used in that Name is גִּ which is gimmel, which can mean to lift up. This Name El Gibbor is found in Isaiah 9:6.

The concept of lifting up is seen in both letters.  When it is applied to the Names of God, it suggests that both of these Names of God, have something to do with lifting up.  In the Name, Prince of Peace, Sar shalom—it would indicate that a prince’s job is to lift up.  In the Name, Everlasting Father, it would suggest that a Mighty God is lifting something up.  What is that something?  The letter בּ, beyt, which is used in that of that name and refers to a House—or a Family. 

From the study of the Name of God, Prince of Peace above, it suggests that a Prince is to lift up those whom he is prince over.  Putting those two meanings together, the Name, Mighty God refers to lifting up the family, with God who is over his family as the Head lifting up His family!  Both names have the concept of lifting up.  Our God is one that lifts up.  He is one that encourages—which is just one way of lifting up.  Lifting up is way of showing that God cares for us.  Much more could be said, but what we have shared about this concept of lifting up should help us to be thankful that we have a God who cares about us and lifts us up both as individuals and as a family.  God’s Name is worthy to be praised.

A Thought to explore on Journaling and praying with others

Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China, wrote to his college roommate about everyone whom he had shared the Gospel of Christ with.  The roommate prayed over those letters.  Hudson Taylor had the greatest number of people responding to Christ in China that the other missionaries.

Though not much is said how the letters were written—did they just list the names or did they also share facts about Hudson’s contact with the people he share the Gospel with—we do not know.

As an intercessor, who also has journaled, today I find myself taking time to write down some thoughts about situations or when I share a name—I like to give some information that can help in praying.  This is like journaling.  Perhaps another way of praying together would be to journal, and share those thoughts with a journal partner.—Those thoughts, I believe when carried to the Lord by others, and when we join with others about their thoughts—God can use those thoughts to further the Kingdom of God when we come to the throne room in prayer about them—together with our journal partner.  It is a form of praying together in agreement.

Note:  Basic ground rules are needed with this type of praying--i.e. prayer focused.  and do not get into theological discussions--use this method for prayi9ng for others you are in contact with.

Further Note:  these thoughts come from one involved reflecting on prayer and intercessory prayer. 

On March 11, 2018, my church had a Missionary Conference, which was coordinated by our church's Missions Committee. I am on that committee, and can say that everyone working made this conference possible. The whole committee worked very hard. The conference was a blessing to the whole church.

I believe that the following was extremely important to the success of this Missionary Conference:  One member of the committee was not able to physically help in the preparations for the conference->because of her husband's health issues-so she committed to praying for it. Her prayers were answered MIGHTILY!

I have posted a collage of pictures take during the conference. This conference gave opportunity for people to pray, learn about our missionary program, meet people from our supported local missionary agencies, and to have fellowship with each other.

It was a blessing to see the WHOLE church involved in this conference.

Recently, my church’s pastor resigned, putting us into the position of having to search for a new pastor to lead the church. A pulpit committee has been formed, and it is following the pattern of the Tennessee Baptist group that recommends having a Pray Chairman. Prayer is an important part of the duties of the Pulpit Search Committee, and the Prayer Chairman is responsible for keeping prayer at the forefront, and also before the Church Congregation.

Currently I am serving in that capacity on my Church’s pulpit search committee. I would like to know if others have seen a similar position on other Pulpit Search Committees, and if so, how has such a position helped in the selection of a Pastoral Candidate?

I would appreciate hearing from the experience of others who have worked with Pastoral Search Committees.

Recently, my church has started searching for a pastor and has set up a Pastoral Search Committee. We are currently in the administrative part of our duties-developing candidate questions. Since our committee is quite diverse—a number of different focuses/talents/functions in the body—the questions will undoubtedly be diverse. We are working on format of the questions—I.E.—Initial interview, Written Questions to follow-ups, and a second Interview.

Being the Prayer Chairman of the committee, (This position has been described in the Tennessee Baptist church) I have submitted questions on prayer for the candidates. I would appreciate feedback from the folks on Pray.Network as to their applicability, change to them that might help in discernment, thoughts to consider, and such like. Being strongly focused on prayer, this list is quite extensive—Please—do not be afraid to show ways to shorten it and still keep the list effective.—My thanks for constructive thoughts.

Here are the questions that I have submitted:
Prayer Related Pastoral Search Prayer Questions
Compiled Feb 17, 2018

I. Questions for first phone interview:
• Is prayer best kept quiet and personal, or is corporate prayer important?

• Explain how prayer can help you connect with others and bring the body of the church together.

• Why does praying together encourage connecting and possibly friendship

• How important is it to recognize past history within a church?

• If God calls you to a church or ministry—what vision do you follow? Your vision? Or the vision that God has for that church/ministry? Explain your answer.

• Give evidence of how you released people in to God’s work? Was that releasing just into your church’s ministry or other or both?

• What prayer organizations are you familiar with?

• Do you see any value in the prayer leader’s associations?

• What are your feelings about joining with other churches and pastors for prayer?

II. Questions requiring written answers:

1. Please discuss your understanding of intercessory prayer and how it works today. In your discussion please cover the following points below.
• What is your understanding of intercessory prayer and what it does involve.
• What do you feel is the role of intercessors?
• What is your greatest issue with intercessors? Why?
• How would you respond to an intercessor who has a differing vision from yours?
• How would you encourage and intercessor?
• Many think intercessors are mature and spiritual giants? Explain your answer.

Please explain:
• How would you respond to an intercessor who has a differing vision from yours?
• Should a person be a prayer leader who is an intercessor or one who understands prayer and intercessors? Explain your answer. Is there a need for intercessors in a church if you have morning prayer time, and other corporate prayer?

2. Prayer Practice within a church and the surrounding community:
• Would you be willing to work with other churches in the community on projects? Share your thoughts on this.
• How would you draw the line in working with other churches, including praying with them?
• Of the prayer meetings that you have conducted, what method of prayer brings the most out of prayer? Why?
• How would you define sustaining prayer, and how would you encourage it?
• When we pray—what is your basis for using or not using the Word of God in prayer?
• Is prayer instruction needed? What resources would you use to encourage/teach people to pray together? Can you teach about prayer from your personal experience?
• Can you outline some thoughts that would train people in prayer and lead the church to become a house of prayer? Share some of them.

3. Take a few words and describe your church’s prayer ministry? Describe key aspects of your past ministry.

4. How important is corporate prayer—the whole church coming together to pray—explain.

5. Are there stages of humility?—please explain your answer

6. What resource books on prayer have you read?

7. -Every church needs a prayer champion. Will you be that person? And how will you equip us to pray.

Relationships within the Body of Christ
1. Response to others
• When a person says I do not connect—what does that mean?
• How would you react to a person who does not want to spell out medical conditions as to why they have a hard time of being on time. Such issues may be IBS, Heart rythym issues, and other medical conditions that we not being doctors have only limited understanding. They are willing to do much behind the scenes. Explain.

2. The following question deals with items that could block prayer: Please consider the following in answering this question.
• What blocks prayer? Is judgment really a sin problem, and can it block prayer? Explain your answer.
• How do we grieve the Holy Spirit?—explain how our attitude or response can grieve the Holy Spirit. Can the justification of a position on scripture, and interpretation, grieve the Lord? Why?
• Explain what it means to justify a deed or action or decision?—Does justifying a deed block our prayers?
• We may justify our actions—but is justifying evidence of really listening to the other person? Sometimes the Bible is very clear—sometimes our justification comes from our perception. Elaborate on this.

3. What does forgiveness do?
• Does forgiveness mean forgetting?
• Someone has forgiven, but keeps brining an issue back up, what should they do?

4. How are acts of silence and ignoring perceived as throwing stones—or—what do they communicate.

5. Correcting wrongs:
• Is it enough just to turn away and and correct a worng? Explain
• In correcting wrongs—when should we go back to the roots? Explain
• What can happen when the root that led to a wrong is not cleared?
• Issue of 2nd bounce syndrome—a second bounce syndrome is where we think and issue is cleared and find that the issue is not really resolved—what are your thoughts on this—and how should it be handled in love and Biblically?

6. Questions related to service and ministry
• A person is called to serve, but you see relational issues that are apparent with them. How would you respond to them? Explain.
• A person has a ministry. How would you involve that ministry in the local church body?

7. -How would you describe your personal prayer life—elaborate

III. Questions for the last interview:

1. Explain how one hears from God

2. -What do you want to say that we have not asked you?

3. -What questions do you want to ask about prayer in our church that will help you discern our strengths and weaknesses?

4. What do you feel about a group praying for you during your message?

5. What do you feel about the statement, ‘Look for where God is working and join Him’. Who proposed this principle of action?

Some thoughts on the Day of the Crucifixion of Jesus

Psalm 31:5: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

This Psalms prophetically contains the words that Christ spoke on the cross just before he died.  The verse also makes a prophetic statement that Christ himself has committed himself to God, El Emet, God of Truth.: “thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth” that shows the commitment Christ had at His death to the God of Truth.  He totally committed Himself to the word/the covenant.  Thy word is truth (John 17:17).

The ancient meaning of Jehovah Elmet is: The deed that is done and revealed (to us) through the urging of the Strong leader, leading us to the mighty covenant—(the Truth).  Christ on the cross, committed himself to the very word He brought to us while He was on earth.  That word has life—life which overcame death.

As we examine Jehovah, El Emet, that name has a deep meaning, especially as we study what happened on the Cross of Calvary, when Jesus was crucified.  Through the death of Christ on the Cross, we have Christ committing Himself to life.  Today, Jesus is alive, and was seen by many witnesses after his resurrection, and is now seated on the right hand of God making a place (John 14:3) for us and making intercession (Hebrews 7:25) for us.  I should note, that if Jesus is making intercession for us, He is watching over us. 

The work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary and meaning of this name provides a hope, a direction, and life for us which is found in the covenant that we have receive from the Almighty God.  (See also Jeremiah 29:11)

For further study on the name Jehovah El Emet—see also Day 30 Jehovah EL EMET Lord God of Truth  יְהוָ֗ה אֵ֣ל אֱמֶֽת in the group titled ‘Names of God’.

Oct 11, 2016  Approximately 3600 people gathered in Annapolis MD to pray together and be challenged by Franklin Graham.  This is the 48th stop on his Decision America Tour of the State Capitols.  It was a blessing to be able to be a part of this event, which is so important in our state and our country.

Lewis Turner 

Just wondering—Three reasons why many churches are not houses of prayer.

--One is the lack of Seminary Training in prayer and prayer ministry.

--The second is that many preachers are men—unfortunately a majority of men have trouble working through heart matters, which true deep prayer is about.

--A third reason follows the second possible reason. Since many men have a hard time relating to heart issues, they have a hard time following a pastor who does-especially when it comes to prayer.

Would like to hear comments from pastors who have struggled with their church being a house of prayer.

Father, Thank You for urging us to the work of Christ that was done for us, because You loved us. You are EL ELYON, Most High God   עליון   לְאֵ֥ל, In Jesus’ Name we bring this Thanksgiving to you. Amen

Heart Considerations –do they affect our responses with others?

Tonight, my wife and I watched an episode of the Walton’s.  It was an interesting story.  The father was offered a very nice price for their land and the story showed him looking at all that was involved with considering the offer.  What impressed me the most was, he wanted to hear what his family actually thought about selling the place and moving.  There are two ways of speaking, head speaking or heart speaking.  Mr. Walton wanted to hear the heart.  Finally, one of the children spoke up and shared from their heart.

As my wife and I reflected on that movie, we considered that when Mr. Walton wanted to hear from the heart of his children, he was also teaching them something very important.   We get our concept of God often from the response of our fathers.  If they were not personally interested in us it affects how we view God—we might then view God as just someone very distant.  But when our fathers show an interest in what interests us and our concerns—that shows that God is personally interested in us.  

I grew up with a father who loved us, but I can remember only a few times that he actually listened to us.  I have a brother who has turned away from following the Lord.  He is my only brother, and I have no sisters.

My father is now passed.  Fortunately he knew the Lord.

Today in praying with other men on a conference call, I sensed that my concern and response to my brother may be a way that God is showing my brother that God is concerned about him.  I remember a few years back, there was a crisis—that affected our nation—and my brother had at one time helped the person that was directly in the crisis.  My brother asked me to use my contacts in the prayer arena, to pray about the divide in our country that caused the crisis.  I have not forgotten it, and have encouraged others to pray about it.  One place seemed to come close to doing a story on it, but the news focus suddenly changed, and that story was dropped.  In essence what that action said was that they really did not care about heart issues.   I share what happened, because to show God’s concern to others—we need to hear the heart and respond to the heart cry.  When we don’t, it sends a communication that what happened really does not matter, and that can hurt our confidence that God is interested in us.  When we respond out of concern to heart cries, it can send a good message that God does care.

I for one want to seek the Lord to help me respond with my heart to my brother’s heart cries.  Perhaps then he will see from my action (with the help of God’s Holy Spirit) that God is concerned about him, and encourage him to turn back to the Lord.  That is my prayer.

I would appreciate hearing from others how they developed their concept from God--and the impact of family members on what we think of God.

The work of Wheatland Ministries involves research in learning how to best pray and be involved in intercessory prayer.

I am currently reading the book the Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. In it he identifies 3 spirits affecting our nation, which are the spirits of Defiance, Pride, and Arrogance. I mention them, because we seen many saying we need to repent--and that is in scripture--but there is a question--do we know what we are repenting of?--especially as a nation.

Research is one way we can identify how to pray. What we pray for should be in agreement with scripture.  These three spirits listed above are related to pride, and there is much scripture about pride, and the problems of pride.  A heart full of pride does not seek the Lord. 

This week (week of July 4, 2014) there has been a call to prayer by the National Day of Prayer Task Force-I encourage you to consider what is shared in this blog, and to search for even other things we as a nation need to repent of.

Some may not understand why repentance is so-o-o-o important.There is a verse found in II Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Patriot Praying or Kingdom Praying

Recently, I came across an article in the Connector, published by Intercessors for America.  It was titled ‘A Warning from Macedonia’.  Some of you, who have are on the Intercessors for America mailing list, may have seen it.

It raises an interesting question—are we trying to view control—possibly by encouraging adherence to our particular belief by a political candidate or party as the answer to our problems?  That involves the thinking, that the solution we think is best—is what God wants.  

There is a lot to think about in that statement. –Maybe we are asking God to fix our problems—when we should be asking for God’s presence and power to be demonstrated in the church. --  The real question here is does God just want to fix our problems—or does he want us to know Him?

Our country has great division in it.  We are a people that may be too diverse in our thinking for our own good.  The result of such thinking that does not focus on getting to know the Lord Jesus.  What would happen if we were to focus on asking for God’s presence?

Rather than offer suggestions—I would like to open this discussion up to others.  It you have experience the Lord’s presence—what change has it brought?

Maybe you differ with the focus that we should invite the presence of God.  Tell us why.

Finally-what does it take to replace nationalistic type praying with God’s Kingdom Perspective.

Praying Into Another Person’s Vision-an act of Love and Friendship

We live in a highly individualistic society—which carries over into our prayer life—many of us pray alone—and we justify that by showing in the Bible various occasions where Christ went and prayed alone.—We also look at the prayer closet (Matthew 6: 6)—as reason to pray alone.  Even with these times mentioned in the Bible when Christ prayed alone, the Bible also mentions about Christ taking a few of his disciples with him to pray.  Matthew 17: 1-9  

When we look at prayer, and fundamental points of prayer—which can be called elements, (See ‘Prayer Elements’ at the following link:  http://wheatlandministries.blogspot.com/2010/11/prayer-elements.html), these Prayer elements work together in a way that might be called acts of love of a person on the behalf of others.  (See ‘Prayer is an Act of Love’—link: http://wheatlandministries.blogspot.com/2007/01/prayer-is-act-of-love_04.html) .

The context of prayer being made on the behalf of others, can refer to both individual and corporate prayer when it comes to upholding someone else, especially if they have share a vision with you about what they sense God wants them to do.  Part of that prayer could be—in a practical sense prayer..:

• That their vision will be aligned with God’s Word
• For their vision- that the Lord will work the details out—including the nitty gritty details—
• For needed recourse including financing or other need,
• Asking people to join in prayer as prayer partners,
• Asking for people to join as advisors or a board--people who have a similar vision or calling (we need to ask the Lord to bring these people together).

Here is why those prayer points above are important.  Many times, the Lord has given each of us a vision, but we seem stymied.  Others when they pray, often pray once or twice for someone’s vision, but regular praying into that vision—er—uh—oops—we don’t do it very well—and we often move on praying for other things once we prayed once or twice.  I do know there are some intercessors who will take the challenge to regularly pray for someone’s vision—but they are few in number. 

Taking the time to regularly pray for a friend’s vision could make a difference of your friend being able to move ahead.  It seems that sometimes the Lord waits to answer until others join together in their prayers—exactly what may be happening in the spiritual realm that causes hold back of our prayers being answered, and keeping us from moving forward — is not always clear.  When that happens, it could also be a time of needed preparation or training for us.  Even when answers seem long in coming and there is sometimes a wait in seeing a vision come about, the principle agreeing together is Biblical, in accordance with Matthew 18:19, must not be neglected.  It is important to keep that vision before the Lord.  Consider the example of the woman who kept a request before a judge.  See Luke 18:2-8.  I believe that when Christ shared that story in Luke 18:2-8, He was teaching us to keep our requests before Him.  Praying regularly for someone’s vision is doing just that. 

Perhaps the gist of what I am bringing up here is—would you be willing to join with someone and pray for their vision-regularly?

Now if one does desire to pray for someone, and seeks the Lord on how to pray into that person’s vision—how do we know what to pray for—????  We all like to see clearly, but the Bible says we see through a glass dimly (I Corinthians 13:12).  The result is that we have to depend on God to lead us one item at a time.  This may also require reading between the lines, and asking the Lord for wisdom and discernment on the issues at hand. This would be difficult for someone, but with God’s help it can be done.  Also, it takes a willingness to sense someone else’s burden and involve yourself with that person and learn first hand about their vision/burden.  Once you have an understanding of their vision—what it is, joining together with them in prayer is like taking a weight off a weary traveler.  The action of Aaron and Hur made it possible for Moses to hold up his arms in a major battle when Joshua fought Amalek.  See Exodus 17: 9-13.  Watching out for, praying for, and helping each other is the action that can make it possible to complete/move forward on accomplishing their vision.  That is the action of a true friend.  

In considering what the action of a friend can do in the area of prayer, we need to remember that man was not meant to walk alone.  We need to encourage each other.  We need others to listen to us, listen to the Lord, and seeking God’s word—to help us in seeking God’s thoughts—not only our thoughts, but thoughts and actions that help each other.

In addition to praying for your friend, we should also seek the Lord to include those in our churches to pray for our vision that:

• That your friend’s church will encourage and pray for the vision.

Why pray for their church?—perhaps that church is so self focused—churches are like people—that they fail to bring in help that the Lord provides—which may be what the individual needs to move ahead with the vision the Lord has given.

What is happening when we pray into a friend’s vision—that action is a true act of friendship that is important in helping your friend move ahead.  Proverbs 18: 24 says:  “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Also Hebrews 3: 13 says to “…exhort one another daily,” and such action is a true act of friendship.

Praying with a friend for their vision is honoring to God and encourages each other which the Word of God says we are to do. 

Thoughts-Reflection

**Have you prayed for someone’s desire or vision to serve?  What can you share from that experience that would encourage us on how the Lord worked when you and others prayed for a vision?

**What does it mean pray without ceasing when it comes to praying for someone’s vision?

**Does the individualism that impacts our society, keep us from praying for someone else’s desire to serve the Lord or their vision?

**Do we understand the importance of importunate prayer (link: 

http://christianresourceministry.com/2013/12/26/bible-study-on-importunate-prayer/

) when it comes to praying for someone else and their vision?

**there may be other reasons not touched on in the above reflection questions of items that affect our praying for the vision of someone else.  Would you be kind enough to share some?

©2014 Lewis Turner

Praying into another person’s vision

We live in a highly individualistic society—which carries over into our prayer life—many of us pray alone—and we justify that by showing in the Bible various occasions where Christ went and prayed alone.—We also look at the prayer closet (Matthew 6: 6)—as reason to pray alone.  Even with these times mentioned in the Bible when Christ prayed alone, the Bible also mentions about Christ taking a few of his disciples with him to pray.  Matthew 17: 1-9  

When we look at prayer, and fundamental points of prayer—which can be called elements, (See ‘Prayer Elements’ at the following link:  http://wheatlandministries.blogspot.com/2010/11/prayer-elements.html), these Prayer elements work together in a way that might be called acts of love of a person on the behalf of others.  (See ‘Prayer is an Act of Love’—link: http://wheatlandministries.blogspot.com/2007/01/prayer-is-act-of-love_04.html) .

The context of prayer being made on the behalf of others, can refer to both individual and corporate prayer when it comes to upholding someone else.  Part of that prayer could be—in a practical sense prayer..:

• That their vision will be aligned with God’s Word
• For their vision- that the Lord will work the details out—including the nitty gritty details—
• For needed recourses including financing or other need,
• Asking people to join in prayer as prayer partners,
• Asking for people to join as advisors or a board--people who have a similar vision or calling (we need to ask the Lord to bring these people together).

Many times, the Lord has given us a vision, but we seem stymied.  Others when they pray often pray once or twice for someone’s vision, but regular praying into that vision—er—uh—oops—we don’t do it very well—and we often move on praying for other things once we prayed once or twice.  I do know there are some intercessors who will take the challenge to regularly pray for someone’s vision—but they are few in number. 

Taking the time to regularly pray for a friend’s vision could make a difference of your friend being able to move ahead.  It seems that sometimes the Lord waits to answer until others join together in their prayers—exactly what may be happening in the spiritual realm that causes hold back of our prayers being answered, and keeping us from moving forward — is not always clear.  When that happens, it could also be a time of needed preparation or training for us.  Even when answers seem long in coming and there is sometimes a wait in seeing a vision come about, the principle agreeing together is Biblical, in accordance with Matthew 18:19, must not be neglected.  It is important to keep that vision before the Lord.  Consider the example of the woman who kept a request before a judge.  See Luke 18:2-8.  I believe that when Christ shared that story in Luke 18:2-8, He was teaching us to keep our requests before Him.  Praying regularly for someone’s vision is doing just that. 

Perhaps the gist of what I am bringing up here is—would you be willing to join with someone and pray for their vision-regularly?

Now if one does desire to pray for someone, and seeks the Lord on how to pray into that person’s vision—how do we know what to pray for—????  We all like to see clearly, but the Bible says we see through a glass dimly (I Corinthians 13:12).  The result is that we have to depend on God to lead us one item at a time.  This may also require reading between the lines, and asking the Lord for wisdom and discernment on the issues at hand. This would be difficult for someone, but with God’s help it can be done.  Also, it takes a willingness to sense someone else’s burden and involve yourself with that person and learn first hand about their vision/burden.  Once you have an understanding of their vision—what it is, joining together with them in prayer is like taking a weight off a weary traveler.  The action of Aaron and Hur made it possible for Moses to hold up his arms in a major battle when Joshua fought Amalek.  See Exodus 17: 9-13.  Watching out for, praying for, and helping each other is the action that can make it possible to complete/move forward on accomplishing their vision.  That is the action of a true friend.  

In considering what the action of a friend can do in the area of prayer, we need to remember that man was not meant to walk alone.  We need to encourage each other.  We need others to listen to us, listen to the Lord, and seeking God’s word—to help us in seeking God’s thoughts—not only our thoughts, but thoughts and actions that help each other.

In addition to praying for your friend, we should also seek the Lord to include those in our churches to pray for our vision that:

• That your friend’s church will encourage and pray for the vision.

Why pray for their church?—perhaps that church is so self focused—churches are like people—that they fail to bring in help that the Lord provides—which may be what the individual needs to move ahead with the vision the Lord has given.

What is happening when we pray into a friend’s vision—that action is a true act of friendship that is important in helping your friend move ahead.  Proverbs 18: 24 says:  “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Also Hebrews 3: 13 says to “…exhort one another daily,” and such action is a true act of friendship.

Praying with a friend for their vision is honoring to God and encourages each other which the Word of God says we are to do. 

Thoughts-Reflection

**Have you prayed for someone’s desire or vision to serve?  What can you share from that experience that would encourage us on how the Lord worked when you and others prayed for a vision?

**What does it mean pray without ceasing when it comes to praying for someone’s vision?

**Does the individualism that impacts our society, keep us from praying for someone else’s desire to serve the Lord or their vision?

**Do we understand the importance of importunate prayer (Link: http://www.praynetwork.org/profiles/blogs/importunate-prayer) when it comes to praying for someone else and their vision?

**there may be other reasons not touched on in the above reflection questions of items that affect our praying for the vision of someone else.  Would you be kind enough to share some?

©2014 Lewis Turner

A Function of God’s Family Which Relates to Prayer

A Study of the Words ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ in Psalms 119:154

“Plead my cause, and deliver me...”

Written by Lewis Turner, Wheatland Ministries

The use of the words ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ in Psalms 119:154 are significant in that they speak of a function that the Psalmist asked the Lord to do for him.  An examination of the words above and related scriptures will help us further understand a significant function which relate to intercession and agreement.

To start this study, we will be closely looking at the Hebrew spelling of the two words, Plead and Cause, and deriving possible meanings of the words from the Hebrew letters used in the spelling.  Hebrew letters do have a meaning for each letter.  The Hebrew spelling for both words ‘plead’ and ‘cause’ in Psalms 119 verse 154 shows that the spelling appears to be the same. Looking at the Hebrew letters for these words we have:  רִיב‎.  An examination of the meanings of the letters of Hebrew for ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ reveals some interesting observations.  The first letter, Reish רִ, in the word refers to the Head/most important Person.  The 2^nd letter, Yud י, in the word, means a deed done. The 3^rd letter in the word רִיב‎ is the letter Bet ב.  Its meaning implies a house.   (The meanings of the letters are listed in the reference A below)  Putting all this together, you might conclude that the word could mean:  the work done of the House of the Head/Highest Person.   Other meanings derived from the letters are possible, but in the context of this verse, this definition seems to be the best. 

Examining the meaning that we have developed of רִיב‎ —using the meaning of the letters, we find that they refer to the work of the House of the Head/Highest Person.  The Head/Highest person referred to in the context of the verse is the Lord.  Speaking of a House of the Head/Highest Person also seems to refer a family.  Looking further at the definition, we find that it speaks of the work done of the house.  This work may be what the Psalmist desired of the Lord when he asked the Lord to ‘plead his cause’.  A work of this nature could be considered a function of the House of our Lord.  

Let’s look this concept further.   In Psalms 119: 154, I believe the Psalmist was referring to the Lord, whom he directed his words in seeking help.   This seeking of the Lord’s help, reminds us of  Romans 8:26-27 and 34, where we find that both the Holy Spirit of God making intercession for us according to the Will of God and in verse 34 we also find that the Lord Jesus making intercession for us.  The word for Intercession in Hebrew is  פָּגַע‎,  which in the context of making intercession, and using the meanings of the Hebrew letters to help define the word, we have the following possible definition—To  speak, lifting up, of the desire of the righteous. (see Reference B below).  The statement in Romans 8:26-27 and 34 is a powerful statement.  Considering that and looking back to the verse in Psalms 119:154, the work of pleading one’s cause especially when it is a righteous cause, is a function of God’s family.  Both the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus make intercession for us. 

The principle of the desire of the Righteous is also seen in I John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to His Will, he heareth us :”  When we pray and ask for something in accordance with God’s Will, God hears us.  The Bible is God’s Word revealed to us and represents His Will.  When Christ was on earth, He provided a way that we could be right with God.  Bringing this together, a function of God’s family is to pray pleading our cause and focus on what the Will of the Righteous One is.

At this point since both the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus are making intercession for us, we should also consider the scripture Matthew 18:19 which speaks of two being in agreement.  When both the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus make intercession for us, they are in agreement.  That verse says that what two ask in agreement, it is done.   They both intercede according to God’s Holy Word, and because what they ask in intercession for us in agreement, it is done!  That is an important fact to learn and remember.

Their example of pleading for us should encourage us to join together; seek what God wants; learn his word; use His Word in prayer; and pray with others who have their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do this we are functioning as part of the family of the House of God.    

Reflection questions: 

The example we have in the document above should encourage us to join together with others in prayer.  What attitudes hold us back?

Many Intercessors pray alone, and there were times when Christ rose up early and prayed alone.  Is then there a case to pray with other?  Consider the study above and respond to this question:  should intercessors also seek time of prayer with others?  What about others?

What can happen if we pray together and in agreement with God’s Word?

This study is also posted on the Wheatland Ministries blog at the following link: 

http://www.wheatlandministries.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-function-of-gods-family-which-relates.html

Reference A: 

Note:  The development of a meaning of words using the meanings of the Hebrew letters in the words is not a private interpretation, but one derived from the context of the verse and other related scriptures. 

Psalms 119:153-160; looking the words ‘Plead’ and ‘Cause’ in verse 154.

Resh, Reish  ר 

ר   Resh, Reish - what comes first, capstone, head, highest, first, top, beginning, (2b) The literal meaning of the Reish is "first", "Head" and the symbolic meaning is "first" "person", the "most important", "highest" or the "highest/first person".(1a)    R

Psalm 119:153-160 (KJV)
^119:153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead (the work done of the house of the most important person) my cause (the most important work done of the house of the most important person), and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. 
¹⁵⁶ Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

154 Plead ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7378

ר   Resh, Reish – what comes first, capstone, head, highest, first, top, beginning, (2b) The literal meaning of the Reish is "first", "Head" and the symbolic meaning is "first" "person", the "most important", "highest" or the "highest/first person".(1a)    R

י    Yud - deed done, to make, power, might- Work, worship (2b) In the ancient Hebrew word pictures, the yod was drawn as a "hand" complete with the arm above the elbow. It symbolized work done - (1a)    JI

ב  Bet, Beyt -house, It's literal meaning is House or tent. In the ancient Hebrew, it was drawn as the floor plan of a primitive house, and thus it's symbolic meaning is an household, in or into. (1a), family (2b)  B

Possible Letter Meaning of Plead : 154 Plead ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7378:  Capstone/most important person, work/deed done, house:  the work done of the house of the most important person—note in Romans 8:28 & 34, the Holy Spirit and Jesus make intercession for us—the work of His house is to plead our cause.
154 Cause ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7379

ר   Resh, Reish – what comes first, capstone, head, highest, first, top, beginning, (2b) The literal meaning of the Reish is "first", "Head" and the symbolic meaning is "first" "person", the "most important", "highest" or the "highest/first person".(1a)    R

י    Yud - deed done, to make, power, might- Work, worship (2b) In the ancient Hebrew word pictures, the yod was drawn as a "hand" complete with the arm above the elbow. It symbolized work done - (1a)    JI

ב  Bet, Beyt -house, It's literal meaning is House or tent. In the ancient Hebrew, it was drawn as the floor plan of a primitive house, and thus its symbolic meaning is a household, in or into. (1a), family (2b)  B

Possible Letter Meaning of Cause: 154 Cause ‏רִיב‎ rîb reeb Hebrew Strong’s Number 7378: the most important work done of the house of the most important person

Reference B:

Note:  The development of a meaning of words using the meanings of the Hebrew letters in the words is not a private interpretation, but one derived from the context of the verse and other related scriptures. 

Interceded/Intercession

Gen 23:8 ‏פָּגַע‎ pāgaʿ paw-gah' Hebrew Strong’s Number 6293

פֶּ   Pey - Pe - mouth, speak, word, to speak, to open, It's literal meaning is mouth and it's symbolic meaning is "to open", "speak", "word", "the beginning" (like a river). In the ancient picture Hebrew, the letter Pey was drawn according to the meaning, in this case, a mouth.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 (1a) P

גִּ    Gimel – to lift up, It's literal meaning is a camel, to lift up. Its symbolic meaning is kindness, to nourish, or pride, to be lifted up. (1a) gather, walk (2b)

CG

צִ    Tzade harvest, desire, just, righteous—In ancient Hebrew this letter was drawn like a hook. In Hebrew, to "want" or "desire" is Ra-tsah and the word picture tells us that desire is when a person is "hooked". Another significant word is the Hebrew word for Righteousness, Tse-dek and the word picture tells us that you are righteous when your hook is the door you follow. See John 10:7, 9 (1a) Journey, chase, hunt

Possible Letter Meaning of Intercede: פָּגַע‎ pāgaʿ paw-gah' Hebrew Strong’s Number 6293:  To speak lifting up the desire of the righteous.

Additional References: 

(1a) Yarah  Ministries   http://webpages.charter.net/yarahministries/alphabet.html

(2b) Hebrew28_alphabet chart  http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/28_chart.html

©2013 Lewis Turner

Last March, I went on a prayer journey to my parents home county, and prayed over areas where my family had connection.  It was both a prayer of repentance and also about good things that I knew.  When you confess sin, prayer is not easy.--Important point.  One place I prayed, had been the house of a Lady of Prayer, which was on the property of a former school that my Great great Grandfather had written the charter to.  Prayer at that place was the easiest.

Now what is interesting, is that about 6 months later I was challenged to share about my family homestead--As I did, the Lord helped me find material--old letters, diaries, and such like.  These showed many good things.  Now as I am putting together a document in response to that challenge, I find myself honoring past parents (Grandparents).  Before that prayer time in March, what I knew was just facts, and lots of unconnected information.  Now after that prayer time--of removing sin--clarity and new information became available allowing me to honor my past parents--and God says in the Ten Commandments to honor them.  

The Lord recently showed me what was happening in my situation.  He was giving clarity that helped me honor my past Grandparents by showing their love for the family and their commitment to Him.  In my case the change was not immediate--but it came as I kept my focus on Jesus. It makes me wonder what would happen if starting with individuals, we encouraged people to pray over their families and regions where they live. 

Removing sin clears our sight--and allows us to grow closer to the Lord!!!  I found this happening to me. This is an interesting thought to pray about and consider.

I would like to hear if others have had similar experiences of clarity coming after praying over past issues in their families.