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Small Prayers

This is the final blog I will enter on Pray Network. I will miss it, but I will continue to thank God for all that God has done through it.

I have written a great deal in the past about praying great prayers. And I still believe they are terribly important. I have said, “I have cancer. I don’t want to spend my time praying for a better parking place at the Old Country Buffet.”

However, it is important to pray for small things as well. Jesus told us to pray for “our daily bread.”

One of the crucial things about praying for small things is that they are daily. I need to pray for my daily attitudes, my daily habits, my daily devotions. If I do not pray for these I will find I have little power to pray for great things that we face in life. The prophet warned us not to despise the day of small things. They are often the foundations of the mighty works of God.

Praying for small things lays the foundation for my relationship with God. I once heard a man say, “Some of the best praying I have ever done was when I was lying on my back wrestling with a stubborn nut underneath a car I was working on.” As we take our small struggles to God we become instant in prayer. We learn to begin praying as an instant response to life.

 You can see my blog posts at http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/
And you can see other things I have written and continue to write on my website.

 

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Around two years ago, the lead pastor of the largest church in Juarez, Mexico, was quietly praying when he was prompted by God to immediately resign his position, set up a small tent in a downtown park, and then pray and fast for 21 days.
 
Juarez, just over the border from El Paso, TX, made international news due to its high murder rate and very significant drug cartel influence.  Stories of dozens of daily murders became commonplace in the news.  Residents became fearful, and many moved away; if they were able to afford to move.
 
The pastor immediately obeyed God's command; resigning his position, setting up a tent in the park God instructed him to go to, and then fasted and prayed.
 
Around the fourth day of praying, the pastor was visited by a local news reporter.  The reporter, shocked to see the pastor there (the park was filled with many dangerous drug dealers and illegal activities), asked him, "What are you doing here?"  The pastor then shared all that God had told him to do.
 
In the days that followed, the reporter returned to check on a pastor's safety and ask for updates.  Following each visit, the reporter filed a report in the local paper.
 
At the end of the 21 days, the pastor felt prompted by God to visit the city's mayor.  At the same time, the mayor had been reading the reporter's updates about the praying pastor.  The mayor invited the pastor and reporter to personally meet with him.
 
During the meeting, the pastor felt prompted to ask the mayor, "What's the biggest problem facing this city?"
 
The mayor answered, "Our prison.  It's the center of all the drug activity in our city.  People find ways to get arrested and imprisoned there, just so they can profit from the drug running and money laundering happening in that place.  Also, over 60% of the prison guards are actively involved in the cartels as well.  We, as the government, feel powerless to do anything to change that situation, or to help our community's safety."
 
The men then prayed together.
 
Soon, God gave the men a plan.  They jotted it down, then set about implementing it God's way.
 
The next day, Mexico's military came to the prison, surrounded it, and shut all of its activities down cold turkey.  Next, hundreds of doctors and nurses, specializing in drug rehab, were brought into the prison to work with the 1,000+ men; helping them come off of their drug highs and move toward sobriety.  Next, pastors and church leaders were also brought in to pray, share the gospel with each prisoner and prison guard, and counsel each person inside the walls.
 
Over the next couple of months, over 60% of the people within the walls of the prison placed their faith in Jesus Christ.  Many discovered healing from addictions, and others found a passion to share the gospel instead of deal drugs.


Over the next year, the crime rate in Juarez dropped by over 90%!

 
This is one of many things God is doing in our world, and it's one that serves to embolden and strengthen the prayer lives of Christians everywhere!  Did you notice how the story started?  It started by one man humbling himself, praying to God, and listening for His voice/prompting.
 
Let's look at what God told Solomon in the Old Testament:
 
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." - 2 Chronicles 7:13-16
 
Humble ourselves and pray.  It's pretty simple, yet also easy to miss in the busyness of our lives.
 
At that time, people prayed in temples.  Today, we are temples of the Holy Spirit; God's Spirit living and dwelling within each follower of Jesus Christ.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
 
God is working all around us, but He's also waiting for His children to seek Him in prayer for the people, places, and world around us (in addition to our own lives, thoughts, and motives).  We don't have to wait for tragedy, death, or destruction to hit our communities or neighborhoods before we begin to pray.  We can do so right now; and watch what God does as we seek His face!
 
Good friend, Dave Butts, the Chair of America's National Prayer Committee shares this brief, but encouraging word.
 
"It's an exciting thing to be in on what God is doing; to bring about tremendous change that can only happen from the Lord!" - Dave Butts

 

"I can just imagine Satan gathering all the demons in hell and discussing what they can do to destroy Christians. And Satan says, 'Keep them from praying. Because no matter what else they do, if they don't pray, we can beat them every time. But if they learn how to pray, they'll beat us every time. Keep them from praying.'" -Dr. Sidlow Baxter

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Urgent Call to Prayer

9651015871?profile=originalToday our nation is being attacked like never before educationally, socially, financially and spiritually. Christianity itself is under assault, and parents and grandparents are involved in a tug of war for the hearts and minds of their children. 

There is a real urgency at this time in our world to pray for these dear grandchildren for their physical, emotional and spiritual protection.  The enemy is hard at work to distract and steal our children and grandchildren from the truth of God’s Word

That is why Christian Grandparenting Network is calling grandparents throughout the world to join in prayer for their families, especially in these crucial times. I hope you have been thinking and praying how you will get involved in the movement for Grandparents’ Day of Prayer, September 7 on National Grandparents Day.

Will you ask God how you can be part of this special event? At this time we are also asking for volunteers who will take the lead to organize an event in their church, in their home, in their retirement complex or any meeting location you choose. It’s not a complicated process. We will supply you with resources and a step-by-step guide to help you create a successful event.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer, 

please follow the steps below.

Check out this website for blogs, endorsements, testimonials and promotional materials and free downloads. www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com.

For additional information, contact me - Lillian Penner,

National Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network  lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.

By Lillian Penner

 

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"Hey mister...got anything for me?"

In 1984 Annie and I moved to Arizona to start a church.  We did it the hard way with no people and no place to meet except our living room.  In time, we rented a facility and God graciously sent us some people to love and lead. 

 

I remember our first Thanksgiving as a church so clearly (we were only eleven months old and had seventy five people).  Our infant church collected food and had enough to help four different families with their Thanksgiving meals.  I recall feeling very proud that we were able to help some people during that first Thanksgiving season and truthfully, was really hoping that we would have the chance to assist many others as the years went by. 

 

We met at the church and divided into four cars, each taking an entire meal to a struggling family.  Bill and I drove to an apartment in a rough part of Phoenix’s inner city.  You know how it goes… it took forever to find the right apartment in the maze of similar looking buildings and doors.  When we finally found the right place we greeted the family and unloaded four boxes of food.  I again experienced pride that we were far enough along that we could help others at this key time.

 

As we left, a small 8 year old boy called out to us.  His words haunt me to this day “Hey mister, do you have anything for me?”  We didn’t.  The wonderful feelings we were enjoying escaped as I told him we had given everything we had away.  I failed that day.  I should have gone to the store and pulled out my nearly maxed out credit card and purchased some food for his family also.  But I didn’t.   I am ashamed of that.

 

I determined that day to never let that happen again.   

 

Those words have lived with me all these years and I hear them in other places too.  Like in church on Sunday mornings, or when I am greeting people as they file in.  No one says those words audibly but I know that almost everyone is thinking them as they attend Central for the first time.  Their spirits are screaming at them as they walk in the doors, “Hey mister do you have anything for me?” 

 

Every time I have the chance to greet someone new, counsel a new friend who is in trouble, smile when my eyes meet the eyes of another, or have the chance to pray with attendees at the end of a service, those words help me to stay focused and care more.   I hope they help you as well.

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In 1 Samuel chapter 1, we read about Elkanah and his wives Penninah and Hannah.  God had given favor to Penninah.  She birthed sons and daughters to Elkanah.  Hannah, however, was barren. 

Each year, as Elkanah would travel with his wives and children to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord, Penninah would, at some point, provoke and irritate Hannah over her barrenness.  This troubled Hannah to the point of weeping and being unable to eat.


But then we read Hannah's prayer in verse 11: "Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

In verse 12, we read that this wasn't a one-time or one-off prayer.  "As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.  Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard."  Her prayer was a prayer of desperation.

For full context, read 1 Samuel 1 in its entirety.  Later, she stops praying after Eli blesses her by agreeing with her desire for the Lord to grant her favor.

Hannah, certainly frustrated, then provoked in her barrenness, could have tried to do many things to overcome her frustration.  But she went to the Person she knew would make a difference; the Lord!  She humbled herself and prayed.  She didn't hide her fear, frustration, tears, or shame.  She let it out before the Lord- to the point where she could no longer speak her prayers aloud (God still knew her heart- even if others around her didn't).

Hannah humbled herself before God (and around others, too) in prayer.  God gave her favor (as she had specifically prayed), opened her womb, and gave her a son.  In return, she was thankful and obedient to fulfill her vows to the Lord; giving her son (one of the specific answers to her prayers), Samuel, at a very young age to serve the Lord.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” - James 4:6


Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones. - Proverbs 3:5-8


Chapter 2 opens with Hannah's prayer of praise, truth, wisdom, understanding, and strength.  We can learn a lot about God, and ourselves, by what Hannah prays here!


“My heart rejoices in the Lord;

    in the Lord my horn (strength) is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
    for I delight in your deliverance.
“There is no one holy like the Lord;

    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

“Do not keep talking so proudly

    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.
“The bows of the warriors are broken,

    but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,
    but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children,
    but she who has had many sons pines away.
“The Lord brings death and makes alive;

    he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;

    on them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants,
    but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.

“It is not by strength that one prevails;
10     those who oppose the Lord will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven;
    the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to his king
    and exalt the horn of his anointed.”


Hannah remembered to give thanks to the Lord!  But she did more than give a simple thank you to God.  She offered Him praise and honor; bringing glory to His name- for she recognized that all that happened was done by Him.  She worshiped Him, thanked Him, prayed truth about Him and others.  All this helped remind her, and others, of the mightiness of God and the low position of man before Him.


Our sinful nature, spurred on by our flesh, the world's influence, and our adversary, often tempts us to do this or that; ignore this matter, or make a bigger deal out of something than it really is- all as a means to distract us from God; the One who knows us, hears us, loves us, and does all of this and more in degrees far beyond what we understand or comprehend!  We miss out on so much of God by trying to solve matters out of our own knowledge or strength first; often leaving the humbling of ourselves in prayer to be the very last thing we'll do or consider.

Then, the same forces working against us will do whatever possible to distract us from remembering God when He gives us favor.  We often miss out on glorifying God when He gives favor because of busyness, distractions, stealing a little bit of the favor or credit for ourselves, etc.

Humbling ourselves before God, in matters great and small, places and keeps God before us (keeps Him first in our minds, hearts, and more).  The more we do so, the more we'll see and know Him.  If He truly is our Source, Strength, and All-in-All, we should want more of Him and much less of ourselves!

While we often think of prayer as a means of humbling ourselves before God when we pray, we also do so when we worship Him.  Humbling ourselves aligns our hearts in the right position of where we stand before the Perfect, Holy, Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, God of all.  The Holy Spirit helps us to do so when we yield to Him.  Without His help, it's difficult, if not impossible to do so on our own.  Simply put, God is first.  Everyone and everything else (including ourselves) comes after Him.  When we get out of order, we suffer in many ways (great, and sometimes in imperceptible ways).

There are many lessons to learn from Hannah's story, praises, and prayers.

What are one or two take-aways for you?

Lord, there is no Rock like You.  You are our God.  My heart rejoices in You; for You are lifted high.  In You I find deliverance and delight.  You bring poverty and wealth; you humble and exalt.  The foundations of the earth are the Lord's, and you've set the world upon them.

Continue to teach us to pray- not only for our growth and edification, but ultimately for Your glory- in heaven and on earth.  Lead us in prayer far beyond what's written here.  Holy Spirit, lead us now as we continue to pray...

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The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem has wonderful resources available for all ages, including lessons, crafts, and songs for kids, and a savvy video made just for young adults. Everyone has the same opportunity to become involved and knowledgeable about the importance of praying for Israel. 

 

Click Here for free resources (ages 3-17).

Pass this information on to the younger generation at your church, at your Christian School, at your Home School Group, or in your community. Begin NOW to teach them about God's Holy Land... how to pray for it and how to pray for all the people living there. Make them a powerful part of your Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem on October 5th.

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Do you know a college student who wants to know answers to hard questions about what's going on in the Middle East and in Israel? They CAN be a spiritual force for truth and a practical force for transformation in their generation, right where they are.

Check out our FREE Resources specifically for  College Students at  http://www.daytopray.com/allages/oncampus

Prepare the next generation to be  God's Mighty Transformers for the Middle East through PRAYER!

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Someone from our church family, a very good CPA, posted this on our church network:

"As I was starting my devotions last night, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to pray for the 276 girls kidnapped in Nigeria by Boko Haram. As I began to do so, the number 276 triggered my vague recollection that the number saved after the ship carrying Paul to Rome was shipwrecked on a Maltese reef was around 276. Was it? I read Acts 27, and, sure enough, all were saved and the number was 276 (Acts 27:37). Paul prophesied in verse 34, “… for not a hair from the head of any of you shall perish.” And it was so (v. 44): “And thus it happened that they all were brought safely to land.” I encourage you to pray that it will so for the 276 girls."

I responded:

"Very cool. It would take the mind of a gifted accountant to recall this. This is not numerology or some kind of mystical assurance. It simply points toward a direction to pray from scripture: "Not a hair from the head of any" will perish (Acts 27:34), and that "all [will be] brought safely" home (27:44).

There may be a few other "prayables" in the text: 

• Why not pray that there will be visitations of angels in the night, as happened with Paul in this story (see Acts 27:23-25)? 

• From the words of this angel, we can take encouragement to pray for everyone, as Paul must have been praying: "God has granted you all those who are sailing with you" (27:24). 

• Let's pray that among these captive women there will be spiritual gifts of encouragement and faith, "keep up your courage...for I believe God" (27:25); and, "all of them were encouraged" (27:36). 

• The story might also help us pray that rescue operations don't provoke their captors to murder them, as almost happened in this story: "The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none would…escape" (27:42). 

• We might also pray that there will be sufficient food and other provisions for them (27:33-34). 

• Let's certainly pray that Christ will be honored and thanked in the presence of all (27:35)."

Whether we use the Maltese cross-reference or not, let's keep praying.

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Breaking News for Grandparents

Let’s make National Grandparents Day on September 7, 2014

A Day of Prayer for our grandchildren.9651011061?profile=original

Our grandchildren are living in a desperate moral and spiritual climate navigating in a world hostile to truth. Satan has launched an aggressive attack on our families, schools and our nation to desensitize our children to truth and righteousness. Perhaps at no other time in our history is a call to prayer more urgently required than it is today for our grandchildren.

 

God has given grandparents a sacred trust – an opportunity to imprint another generation with His love and faithfulness. Grandparents need to be intentional about the power of prayer to keep the hearts and minds of their grandchildren from falling captive to the enemy’s deception. We are engaged in a spiritual battle that requires prayer as the weapon.

 

Over the last three years, thousands of grandparents have united in prayer on the National Grandparents Day in September and made it a Day of Prayer for their families. Again, Christian Grandparenting Network (CGN) invites you to be a part of this movement to intentionally pray for our grandchildren, our families and our world making it a Grandparents’ Day of Prayer (GDOP).

 

We are looking for volunteers who will host or organize an event to invite grandparents to join in prayer on September 7. It may be in your church, in your home, retirement complex or any meeting location you choose, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple.

CGN will give you guidelines, resources, and online tools to help guide you through the process of engaging grandparents in prayer.

 

Join grandparents throughout the world to unite in prayer on September 7

for their grandchildren.

Check out this website for blogs, endorsements, testimonials and promotional materials and free downloads. www.grandparentsdayofprayer.com

For additional information, contact Lillian Penner

National Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network  lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.

By Lillian Penner

 

 

 

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Praying and Living in His Name

What did Jesus mean when He told us to pray in His name? John 14:14 reads,

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

In this chapter Jesus gave us a clear explanation. Phillip had asked Him to show them the Father. Jesus responded by declaring His unity with the Father.

Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

A few verses later Jesus gave us what is arguably the most astounding promise in the Bible.

     “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Shortly after this declaration Jesus said,

     In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

Jesus said we will pray such prayers in union with Him, for His glory and in His power.

In John 7:18 Jesus said,

“The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”

Praying in His name is more than saying the words. It is praying in the purposes and for the glory of the One who has called us. And we will see greater things for His glory than He did while He walked on the earth. Are you praying for the gospel to the whole world? Do you ask for righteousness on the earth? Are you praying for His glorious return? Are you praying whatever the Father prompts you to pray?

AM I ASKING?

                                                                                  by David Young

PSALM 2:7,8

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.

 

It is hard to sit among those content with the comfortable mundane

And say out loud, “I am God-endowed with a mission to fulfill.”

It is a step of faith to stand unflinching and to all proclaim,

“I hear His call, despite it all. I know; I have been shown God’s will.

I have a vision of distant lands and people beyond the seas.”

He’s not forgotten His Only Begotten, and He’s shown His will to me.

 

He told me, too, “You are my son! Today I gave you heaven’s birth.

My precious one, to know I Am will be your inheritance and wealth.”

The Firstborn of many chosen brothers shares His holy worth.

Like the Father’s promised only Son, He holds me to Himself.

He is the Vine and I’m a branch on the heavenly family tree.

He’s not forgotten His Only Begotten, and He keeps His hold on me.

 

So will I ask for healing, wealth or some other selfish blessing?

For temporal toys and shallow joys, and maybe a nice vacation?

The ends of the earth are promised to me, given for my possessing.

He tells me, “You are mine; ask me for the distant teeming nations.”

They can be ours to know and love and tell as far as God can see.

He’s not forgotten His Only Begotten, and He will answer me.

 

Have I prayed for the Berbers and the Bora, the Jula, or the Han? 

Will I ask for Madagascar, Persia, or the isles of the Coral Sea?

I can seek Him for the nations, Africa, Asia and far beyond.

I can pray and preach and go out and teach as far as I will believe.

He’s not forgotten His Only Begotten, and He has promised me.
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So, what is this all about?

April 28, 2014

Dear friends,

I couldn't wait for his observations. A lifelong friend and mentor came to an A Praying Life seminar for the first time and I had asked him for his input on how we can improve.

“Bob, it was so much more than I ever expected,” he shared passionately. “In fact, it really was about walking more deeply with God and not just praying right.”

He nailed it. For many well-intentioned Christians, prayer is just one more thing that has to be “done right.” A category of the mind or a discipline which frustrates more than it helps. Deep down, we not only struggle with it, but we feel ashamed at how much so. Prayer becomes like... well, flossing -- or getting your oil changed on time -- or filing your taxes. When it becomes like that, it just dies inside of us.

Our Father never intended for it to become a chore.

Yesterday, I received a phone call from a dear friend in Los Angeles. We had a wonderful, exhilarating conversation with lots of honest heart sharing, asking for wisdom from each other and loud laughter. Like good prayer itself, it was like “nibbling on a feast” at the table of our Father.

Remember that your Father really does delight in you and thoroughly enjoys hearing from you. Of course you are flawed and often times out of sorts or disorganized when you come to Him. Come anyway. Come honest. Ask for help. Enjoy being part of His family and savor that He knows and delights in you by name. This is how we walk more deeply with God. “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” -Jesus in John 17, as he prayed for us just before his death.

Four seminars are coming up in Spain; Orlando, FL; Winter Haven, FL; and Williamsburg, VA. Would you mind praying for each Seminar Trainer and each one attending? Please pray for those who will, at the last minute, think of not coming for various reasons. Pray they will come anyway and have the time of their lives! Thank you!

Warmly,
Bob

Bob Allums
Director
A Praying Life Ministries

www.seejesus.net

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9651016053?profile=originalThe excitement of a first time grandparent is always the beginning of a new journey.  As most grandparents, I was very excited to become a grandparent even though I was only 42 years old. Now I have 9 grandchildren with 3 married and 2 great-grandchildren and each additional family member brings more happiness.  

Nothing is more important to me than for my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and future generations to be living within God’s design for their lives.

I am happy to announce that I have prepared an eBook “Reflecting on my Grandparenting Journey” for you.  My prayer is that it will be a bless you, encourage you and you will share this eBook with your friends. To receive a free copy, send me an email at info@grandparentingwithapurpose.com and I will send you the eBook. The eBook is taken from the book Grandparenting with a Purpose available at www.gdptpr.com.

 

Lillian Penner

Author of Grandparenting with a Purpose

Nat’l Prayer Coordinator, Christian Grandparenting Network

 

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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 iswould 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

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Making Satan Mad

I never understood spiritual warfare until I got heavily involved in global evangelism and intercessory prayer. Two things that greatly irritate Satan and cause him to attack are the sharing of the Christian faith with intent to convert, and intercessory prayer for the non-believer and the backsliding believer. When Christians do things that lead non-Christians to change their affiliation from Satan’s Kingdom to God’s Kingdom, Satan gets upset and goes on the attack. When Christians do things that cause wandering believers to return to their first love of Jesus, Satan gets upset and goes on the attack. Concerning Satan and witnessing, Martin Luther said, “Where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel.” Concerning Satan and prayer, Corrie ten Boom said, “When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy,” and William Cowper wrote, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon their knees.” When Paul finished describing the armor of God, he wrote, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:18-19). Let’s make Satan mad this week

Read more from Dr. Dan at  http://discipleallnations.org/blog/

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Believing Prayer Works

 

"But he (Jesus) would withdraw to desolate places and pray" (Luke 5:16 ESV).

 

Jesus prayed. Nineteen times the Gospels record instances where Jesus prayed. Prayer for Jesus was not some routine tucked on the periphery of his life; prayer was at the center of his life. Jesus made a habit of prayer. It was his vocation. 

 

Glenn Hinson was a professor of church history and spirituality at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for many years. Once he took a church history class to the Abbey of Gethsemani at Trappist, Kentucky. Their host was Thomas Merton, a Trappist Catholic monk who wrote more than 60 books on spirituality. To Hinson's horror, one of his students asked why someone with Merton's intellect would waste his life in a monastery.

 

Hinson said that, rather than rebuking the student, Merton smiled and answered: "I am here because I believe in prayer. That is my vocation."

 

"You could have knocked me over with a feather," Hinson said. "I had never met anyone who believed in prayer enough to think of it as a vocation."

 

Jesus looked at prayer similarly. Prayer was not just a part of his life; it was his life. It was not a hiccup; it was a habit. It was not a little thing; it was a lifestyle. It was not an exercise; it was his everyday life. Jesus prayed, plain and simple.

 

Biographies of great people are often read to learn the secrets of their success. Reading Jesus' biographies, the gospels, one learns his secret: He prayed.

 

Obviously and practically, Jesus prayed because he believed that prayer works. Jesus experienced prayer's effectiveness and power because he knew the heart of his Father.

 

I imagine that when Jesus came into God's presence, he didn't present a list of needs. He just basked in the presence of his Father in much the same way a sunbather basks in the sun's rays. And, my guess is, God wasn't anxious for Jesus to leave nor was Jesus watching the sun dial to see if he had spent his allotted time. They enjoyed each other's company. They knew each other's heart.

 

I remember as a teenager wanting to ask out the prettiest and the most popular girl in my class, but I was unsure she would go out with me. I lacked the confidence to ask, fearing rejection. So I asked my best friend to ask her best friend to see if she would say yes. To my great surprise and delight, the pretty girl said she would go out with me. Then, rather than fearing and trembling, I asked her out with confidence, knowing that she would say yes.

 

Likewise, you can approach God with confidence when you know Jesus' heart, understanding what he will say yes to. Once you know his plans, his desires, and his wishes, like I knew the pretty girl would say yes, then you can claim the prayer promises, asking boldly.

 

Jesus believed in prayer. He knew the secret. Jesus wants to answer your requests that come from his heart. Answers to your requests come when you pray for what Jesus prayed for: his will to be done, his name to be famous, his joy to overflow, his children to be as one, his message to be sent out, his presence to abide. 

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Join Us For The 6:4 Fellowship’s 2014 National Conference 

 

The 6:4 Fellowship exists to call pastors back to the primary ministry priorities seen in Acts 6:4, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word”.  The 2014 National Conference will not only encourage you to minister with greater passion and focus, but will equip you to more effectively lead God’s people through a greater commitment to prayer and the word.

 

Not just for pastors, but for all seek a more fruitful Christian walk and ministry! Join us and you will benefit from:

 

NATIONALLY KNOWN SPEAKERS

This year's speakers include some of the nation’s most sought after pastors & leaders, including: Alistair Begg (Truth For Life), HB London (Pastor to Pastors Emeritus, Focus on the Family), Al Toledo (Chicago Tabernacle), Mark Vroegop (College Park Church), Chrissy Cymbala Toledo (daughter of Jim Cymbala, Pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle) and MANY MORE.

 

PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS  

We are offering nearly 20 workshops relating to critical topics like Preaching & Teaching, Prayer Mobilization, Leadership Health, Spiritual Revival, and Family & Marriage; All taught by experienced pastors, ministry leaders, and conference speakers.

 

You’ll also be blessed by our TRANSFORMATIONAL PRAYER TIMES in each main session, as well as from the FELLOWSHIP WITH LIKE-MINDED LEADERS.

 

JULY 30-31, 2014 in DENVER, CO!

REGISTER TODAY AND SAVE - EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS APRIL 30th.

 

Childcare provided for ages 10 and under. Bring the family and enjoy a few extra days this summer in sunny, cool Colorado!

 

 

For full conference details visit, www.64fellowship.com/national

 

 

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Walk as He Walked

Daily Lenten Readings in the Footsteps of Jesus

© 2014

By Rev. Jim Reapsome, Th.M.

9570838294?profile=original 

Introduction

 

“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 Jn. 2:6)

 

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

 

“For to me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21).

 

Contemporary applications of these biblical texts range from WWJD (What would Jesus do?) bracelets and car sticker bumpers to full-page newspaper ads asking what kind of car would Jesus drive.

 

Earlier generations took a far more serious tack. Consider for example, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, first translated from French into English in 1503. Others followed, including Imago Christi: the Example of Jesus Christ by James Stalker (1889), The Imitation of God in Christ by E.J. Tinsley (1960), and The Example of Jesus by Michael Griffiths (1985).

 

 Apart from these scholarly works, however, the 1896 novel, In His Steps by Charles Sheldon, has been credited with changing more lives than any book other than the Bible. According to Guideposts magazine (1996) it is the tenth most read book in the world. It remains in print.

 

The story is about an unknown tramp who wandered into a Midwestern church. He stood up and challenged the people to live up to their professions of faith, then he fell over dead. The people were so shook up that they pledged to do what Jesus would do for one year. Other churches followed and the idea spread widely.

 

Meanwhile, for centuries pilgrims have tried to emulate Jesus during Holy Week in Jerusalem by following his footsteps during his trials. Others have tried asceticism and various kinds of self-denial, including beatings and crucifixions. Wearing a bracelet seems much less painful.

 

However, all of these efforts fall short of the main principles Jesus taught and lived by. What did he actually do and why? Are there ways we can follow his example and walk in his steps without resorting to bizarre behaviors?

 

This book is an effort to do just that. We will follow Jesus for forty days. There is nothing magical about the number, even though it frequently appears in both Old and New Testament stories. I chose the number because it fits Lent, but obviously the book can be used at any time of the year. I’ve chosen forty (and there could be more) events and teachings in the life of Jesus that call Christians to serious thought and action.

 

A word about method. To gain maximum benefit from your journey, start by reading the biblical texts first. My thoughts in many cases are simple summaries of the stories. They are not intended to take the place of Scripture itself.

 

A brief prayer closes each day’s journey. Open your heart in prayer in thoughts that fit your needs and desires.

Portions of these devotions previously appeared in Jim Reapsome, Knowing Jesus, Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2008. Used by permission.

 

 

Before You Start Your Journey

 

An important word of caution is in order before we start our forty-day journey. It’s very simple: Do not try to copy the example of Jesus in order to claim acceptance by God for forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. No one can ever be as good as Jesus was. No one can fully track his performance. No one gains salvation by trying to be like Jesus.

 

We are starting this journey because we believe Jesus has forgiven us on the basis of faith alone, not by our efforts to be so good that God will accept us. Our walk will be extremely worthwhile only if we have made a commitment to trust Jesus and receive him into our lives as lord and savior. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

 

Paul, Peter, James and John, who gave wise counsel to the early Christians, always based their ethical standards on the fact that their readers were “in Christ." It is useless and quite disappointing to attempt to follow the teachings of Christ without being certain that we are in union with him by faith.

 

For example, Paul explained that since we are being conformed to Christ’s image we should put on Christ. We are to have the same attitude that Jesus had. “Christ lives in me,” Paul said. We are his workmanship, so we are to grow up in Christ and live as he did. We are rooted and built up in Christ and enjoy his fullness.

 

That must be the starting point of our journey. Christ in us is not only our hope of glory; he is also the means of our walking as he walked. Start each day with thankfulness for all you are and have in Jesus. He promises to walk with us because he lives in us.

 

Day One

Jesus learned the ways of the Lord as a child

Luke 2:41-50

 

Jesus established strong spiritual roots in his childhood. Although the gospel writers give us just one story about Jesus as a boy, that is enough. His parents, Joseph and Mary, both walked in vital faith in the Lord. They obeyed God implicitly under the most demanding circumstances.

 

Joseph’s task was supremely painful, because he wanted to rid himself of pregnant Mary. However, when the angel told him not to do this, he listened and obeyed. When Mary could not understand how she could be pregnant while still a single woman, God told her how, not in medical but in spiritual terms. God’s Holy Spirit had impregnated her with his Son. Mary willingly submitted to the Lord.

 

Given these facts, it is safe to assume that Jesus imbibed strong faith as a child and youth. Luke’s brief conclusion tells us all we need to know: Jesus grew up with such unusual wisdom that he confounded the temple teachers. Beyond that, even at age 12, Jesus was known to walk favorably with God and the people—the neighbors and friends of Joseph and Mary and his brothers and sisters.

 

Because his parents were devout Jews who scrupulously kept the laws of Moses, Jesus learned the basic truths and duties of a God-fearing family. This included not only the regular religious observances, but also the practices of prayer, giving to the poor, and serious study of the holy Scriptures. Later on, his knowledge of the law stumped his critics.

 

Learning to walk in godly ways from earliest childhood brings untold blessings throughout our lives. Parents are responsible to teach their children the gospel and biblical values and habits. Our opportunities and advantages for building strong faith in childhood far surpass those that Jesus had. He was limited to synagogue school and services. Today through our childhood and youth we have not only church and Christian education programs, but also a host of specialized activities led by people with advanced professional training. Camps and retreats help us to learn how to live the Jesus way.

 

However, our children face many more distractions than Jesus did as a boy. No one led him into a regimented sports program, for example. Television was not a staple of his diet, nor were pop music, computers, the Internet and entertainment fads of all kinds.

 

Our children need the same wholesome upbringing as Jesus had. Our children’s spiritual growth and development must rank ahead of other things. Academic excellence is a worthy goal, but attaining God’s wisdom as a child is much more valuable and important. Joseph and Mary taught the child Jesus not just the laws of Moses, but also the intensely practical wisdom of the Proverbs. Living the Jesus way as a child includes both welcoming him as savior and learning the godly lifestyle of Proverbs.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to exemplify the best spiritual values for children. May I be a beacon of truth and righteousness for all children in my spheres of influence.

 

Day Two

Jesus did manual labor as a youth and young man

Mark 6:1-6

 

Vocational opportunities were scarce for Jesus. He had no guidance counselors in the synagogue to suggest possible career paths. It was assumed that the eldest son would learn his father’s business, or trade, and that ended the discussion. So, Jesus did what was expected of him and became a carpenter.

 

Walking the Jesus way as a youth meant obedience, not resistance. It meant following the natural contours of family, culture, and religion. For Jesus, this was a carefully circumscribed route, and yet it was entirely wholesome and pleasing to God.

 

Historians suggest that because the city of Sepphoris, the capital of Galilee, had been destroyed by the Romans  and was being rebuilt, that carpenters would have been in great demand, including those living in Nazareth, four miles away. We can well imagine Joseph and Jesus making the daily trudge to work at the site.

 

Of course, when that project had been completed, father and son would have returned to their regular tasks of operating a home carpentry shop, crafting mostly chairs and tables. We must keep in mind that Jesus continued this practice until he was 30 years old, most of those years by himself because the absence of his name in the stories after Jesus had grown up suggests that Joseph did not live to a ripe old age.

 

Was it drudgery for Jesus to work like this? I doubt it. He learned contentment in a somewhat menial task. Walking the Jesus way in our formative years means that we learn to accept the role God gives us, working cheerfully and expertly because this is what pleases him.

 

How often in church history we see this pattern. God sent early Moravian missionaries—carpenters and others—to plant the gospel. He does the same today, using what we learned as youths to open doors for ministry. God took one of the world’s greatest evangelists, D.L. Moody, from a shoe store to pulpits and evangelistic campaign tents around the world.

 

Visiting a university campus one day to help establish a student witness there, I met one of the resident dorm leaders who asked me about the students I was meeting. When I mentioned the leader’s name, she was shocked. “How could he lead your group?” she demanded. “He does not do his cleaning job here in the dorm very well.”

 

Walking the Jesus way means doing our best every day, no matter how unexciting the task may be, because that is what he did for many, many years in a tiny Galilean town, far from the world’s limelight. He did not achieve fame or wealth. No structures were named after him. But Jesus pleased God, his family and his community. That’s what counts.

 

Prayer: O God, forgive me for thinking my vocation is useless in your kingdom. Give me a positive perspective that will help others to see that I serve you in my work.

 

Day Three 

Jesus worshipped faithfully

Luke 2:41-42; 4:15-16, 44; Mark 1:21

 

Worship was an integral part of Jewish family life in the days of Jesus. It was not optional, “I’ll go to temple if I feel like it.” Every Jew was obligated to observe the Sabbath for the reading of the scrolls. Special feast days called for appropriate ceremonies and sacrifices. All of life centered on the Jewish religious calendar, first given by Moses and then affirmed by the prophets and teachers. Many religious duties had been added over the centuries, so that Jesus found certain laws and traditions bound the people and led to self-righteous pride.

 

In this context we find Jesus going to the temple as a boy of twelve with his parents, Joseph and Mary. The occasion was the highlight of the Jewish religious calendar, the Feast of Passover, which commemorated God’s deliverance of the Jews from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. Luke emphasizes that the family did this every year.

 

The gospel writers skip the next 18 years of Jesus’ life, to focus on his final three years of ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. However, they emphasize the Jesus way of worship by repeatedly telling stories about his synagogue experiences. What is most striking is that Jesus was invited to teach, according to local custom.

 

Synagogues primarily were community places of worship, prayer, and study. Services were led either by priests or local teachers. Traditionally, they taught the children and often expounded the Old Testament.

 

Although Jesus saw through contemporary hypocrisy, he never turned his back on worship. He did not leave because some worshipers and their leaders lacked sincerity, or because they failed to grasp the full meaning of the Old Testament prophecies. Instead, he himself worshiped and sought to teach a higher level of morality and the necessity of repentance and faith, because God’s new kingdom was at hand.

 

Walking the Jesus way calls us to faithful worship and careful observance of our churches’ liturgical year. His house was a house of prayer. He met God there. So must we, week in and week out throughout the year. At worship we understand more fully what it means to follow Jesus. Without faithful worship, our profession of faith is hollow mockery.

 

Prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, for the priceless privilege of worship. May my heart be true to you always and free of idols.

 

Day Four 

Jesus studied the Scriptures earnestly

Luke 2:40-52; 4:1-13; 24:13-27

 

One of our paintings of President Abraham Lincoln shows him perched on a stool in a darkened cabin, reading by the fireplace by candlelight. It’s intended to teach the importance and value of earnest study, regardless of the circumstances. No such picture of Jesus exists, but it’s not hard to imagine him doing the same throughout his childhood and youth and into his early adult years.

 

Too often we mistakenly assume that all his Bible knowledge was implanted by the Holy Spirit at his birth. After all, Jesus was the Son of God, so he knew everything and therefore he did not have to study the Scriptures. I believe such an assumption is false, because the Bible also tells us that Jesus took on our flesh and blood, experienced everything we do, and deigned to call us his brothers.

 

I’m much happier with a Jesus who studied than with one who did not have to. He did not march around the house, flaunting his superior knowledge among his sisters and brothers. He sat with them day by day, patiently learning the Old Testament’s teachings and prophecies.

 

He studied earnestly so that by age 12 he confounded his superiors. His knowledge of the Scripture was so thorough that he was called at various times teacher, rabbi, and master. Perhaps his most dramatic display of scriptural knowledge came when he repulsed the temptations of the devil by quoting Bible verses.

 

However, on other occasions he replied to questions and criticisms alike with appropriate Scriptures. He challenged and rebuked the Sadducees for their lack of scriptural knowledge and understanding. After his resurrection, he chided the walkers on the Emmaus road for not knowing the prophets.

 

Jesus packed his teaching with the Old Testament, surely the fruit of years of study. When Luke noted that Jesus grew in wisdom we can be sure that had foremost in mind the wisdom that comes from diligent study.

 

Walking the Jesus way will be filled with profitable, soul-satisfying adventures when we soak our minds, hearts, and wills with Scripture. There are no shortcuts here. We have to go deeper than, for example, lifting a quick fix off the Internet. The daily discipline of Bible reading, study, and meditation is the only way to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Since he needed to do that, we certainly need it much more.

 

Prayer: God, you know I need discipline to study your word. I confess giving other things priority. Give me strong desires to meet you every day.

 

Day Five

Jesus prayed regularly

Matthew 6:5-9; 14:23; 26:36-44

 

Anticipating an earthly kingdom, the disciples of Jesus wanted action. Knowing that his kingdom was not of this world, Jesus resorted to prayer. Finally, one day they asked him to teach them to pray.

 

Of course, Jesus grew up in a religious culture of prayer. Some of it was hypocritical, but a godly remnant of Jews prayed with faith in their hearts. They pleaded with God for Messiah to come. Jesus knew the heart’s cry of these people.

 

The entire Jewish tradition of prayer covered every detail of life. The Old Testament stories frequently converge on prayers in a multitude of circumstances. Many of the Psalms are prayers, reflecting a deep piety among the Jews. Prayers were said not just on feast days as prescribed by Moses for the sacrifices. By the time of Jesus, however, prayer seems to have become part of the legalistic framework by which one sought to earn God’s favor and blessing.

 

Jesus radically transformed both the spirit and content of prayer. Most dramatically, he addressed God as Father. “Our father in heaven” burst open the doors of obligatory, rote prayers. Prayer became the heart of a personal relationship with God, whose name the Jews would not say.

 

Jesus also changed the practice of prayer. He did not limit prayer to formal times of worship, or to special events. Yes, he knew and said that the temple was a house of prayer, but many times he went off by himself into the hills to pray. He also saw prayer as a vital element in making God’s power available to people in need.

 

Confronting unbelief, Jesus prayed. Confronting his imminent separation from his disciples, he prayed. Facing the suffering and agony of the cross, he prayed. Hanging on the cross between two thieves, he prayed. At the end, as his life ebbed away, he prayed.

 

Walking the Jesus way means engaging in persistent, disciplined, prevailing prayer. Difficult as it is to find the time and place to pray, we cannot hope to become more like Jesus if we do not pray. Prayer must saturate the family circle. It must encompass church, community and worldwide needs. Without it, we are empty vessels, driven to and fro by our culture.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, how good of you to desire and hear my prayers. Fill me with intensity in praise, thanksgiving and intercession for others.

 

Day Six

Jesus enjoyed fellowship with his heavenly Father

Luke 2:49

 

Somehow, in the mysteries of eternity past and the unique relationships within the Godhead, the man Jesus of Nazareth knew incomparable fellowship with God the Father. Theirs was a father-son relationship like no other. It was so intimate that from a human standpoint we can say that it broke the Father’s heart to send his Son Jesus to earth to die for our sins.

 

Whatever it was like, it continued during the lifetime of Jesus on earth. As a twelve-year-old he talked about being in his Father’s house. The people did not understand. As far as they were concerned, for the next eighteen years his “house” was that of Joseph and Mary. But that understanding exploded one day at the Jordan River when a voice thundered from heaven, “You are my Son whom I love.”

 

From that moment on, the disciples and friends and followers of Jesus knew that he enjoyed a distinctive fellowship with the God of the universe. This fellowship oozed from the personality of Jesus. He loved, taught, and healed like no one else they had ever seen.

 

Yes, he temporarily laid aside his heavenly prerogatives. He became a servant, but his servanthood was energized by constant, irreparable fellowship with his Father. That special Father-Son relationship so angered the Jews that they condemned Jesus to death for daring to call God Almighty his Father. “Blasphemy!” they screamed.

 

That special fellowship was poignantly demonstrated on the cross when Jesus cried out in bitter anguish to his Father, “Why have you forsaken me?” In one disastrously dark moment, it seemed, Jesus lost what was most precious to him—fellowship with his Father and partnership in mission, a world-saving mission conceived in eternity past. But the resurrection power restored his fellowship, which continues because Jesus sits at his Father’s right hand.

 

Walking the Jesus way takes us into the deepest secrets of the Godhead. Nothing in human wisdom and experience can match it. No mystery religion, no cult, no occult practices can take us into God’s heart. He calls us his children and bids us to call him our Father. With Jesus, we can enjoy fellowship with God now and forever. Nothing surpasses the supreme value and blessing of knowing God on the most intimate terms.

 

Prayer: O Lord, may fellowship with you be my extreme passion. I confess not loving you totally with heart, mind and soul. Refresh me with your presence every day.

 

Day Seven

Jesus accepted God’s call on his life

Matthew 3:13-17

 

Early on Jesus knew that God had a special role in mind for him. His knowledge, wisdom and grace—affirmed by his contemporaries—stood out everywhere. Suddenly, however, his story line went blank and remained blank for another eighteen years until he reached thirty.

 

Normally, during those formative years, we make life-determining decisions. They revolve around our education, careers, friends, marriage and long-term goals in life. Our decisions are shaped by our parents, peers, churches and culture. As Christians, we know that the answer to one question determines everything else: What is God’s will for me?

 

Did Jesus face similar questions? No, because in his day such decisions were determined by one’s environment. The only schools were synagogue schools. Vocations and careers were limited largely by family circumstances. Money and investments and insurance did not figure at all. Most people lived day-to-day on the produce of the land and the income of their trades.

 

Jesus knew his calling was to be an obedient son and a skillful carpenter. But one day lightning struck, so to speak, and dramatically changed his life and calling. None of the gospel writers tell us how this happened. However, they are quite clear on why it happened.

 

Some inner voice and conviction told Jesus to join a group of repentant, confessing sinners being baptized in the Jordan River. John tried to turn him aside, but Jesus clearly knew and fully accepted his divine call. It began with his identification with sinners, although he had no sins to confess.

 

His obedience to and acceptance of God’s call on his life was publicly affirmed by God’s speaking from heaven. This divine imprimatur launched Jesus on his mission of teaching, healing and ultimately his death and resurrection.

 

His call was severely tested, first by Satan himself and finally by the prospect of crucifixion. In addition, we can imagine how hard it must have been for him to be faithful to his calling because of the general lack of response to his teaching and the open hostility of the Jews’ religious leaders.

 

But Jesus persevered in spite of everything, including poverty and a hand-to-mouth existence. Thus he gave a model for all those who would walk as he walked. He heard, he obeyed, he followed through until the end. That is our calling as well.

 

Prayer: I want to know and do your will in my life, heavenly Father. Help me and encourage me when this means making hard choices. Give me faith and courage to say Yes to your good and perfect will.

 

Day Eight

Jesus received baptism

Matthew 3:13-17

 

Through his childhood, youth and adult life there was no need for Jesus to be baptized. He was quite familiar with this religious rite and custom because the Jews baptized their Gentile converts. But suddenly news spread across Galilee from the Jordan River. A prophet named John, a cousin of Jesus, was baptizing Jews, not Gentiles.

 

Amazingly, people flocked to John from all over Palestine, including Jerusalem, the seat of religious authority and power. They confessed their sins and John baptized them in the river. The leading clerics came to check this out and John called them a “brood of vipers,” sensing their hypocrisy.

 

John urged people to repent because that was the way to get ready spiritually for the coming of the Messiah. The writers called him the forerunner of Jesus, the one who was called to dig up the hard soil and soften it for Jesus and his mission.

 

Imagine John’s amazement, then, when one day he looked up and there stood Jesus with a crowd of confessing sinners, asking to be baptized. John was so humbled that he said he needed to be baptized by Jesus. However, Jesus insisted, saying his baptism would be a sign of God’s righteousness—despite the fact that he never sinned in thought or deed.

 

When John consented, God sent an impressive message to assure the prophet that he had done the right thing. In the form of a dove, the Holy Spirit came over Jesus and his Father’s voice was heard to declare: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

 

From that moment, Jesus was thrust into his mission. His baptism thus stands as both full identification with humanity’s unrighteousness and as a divine seal of God’s approval. He did not stand on his prerogatives. Jesus plunged into the Jordan River along with a crowd of lawbreakers convicted of their sins.

 

Contemporary church culture reveals an astounding array of theologies and methods of baptism. Amazing how such a simple act could produce not only differences of opinion, but also heated arguments and in some cases the founding of different denominations. Generally, it is agreed that baptism is a command of Jesus, but questions of who, how and why tend to divide us. Sadly, some people drift through life without taking Jesus’ command seriously.

 

We must not focus on doctrinal differences, but on our Lord himself. Church and family customs can be of no lasting value if we do not repent and confess our faith in Jesus. If the holy Son of God humbled himself and was baptized, we must allow his spirit to challenge us to follow him in baptism (Matt. 28:19-20).

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting John’s baptism. Your decision to stand with repentant sinners encourages me to make a public confession of my faith. I want my faith to be a witness to my family and friends.

 

Day Nine

Jesus worked with a team

Matthew 4:18-22

 

The biographical spotlight correctly shines most brilliantly on the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. However, it is our loss if we do not follow Jesus in some other important ways as well. At the outset of his ministry he gathered a team of fellow missioners—the twelve apostles.

 

Did Jesus need a team to accomplish his work? Not in the ultimate sense, of course. Could he have worked alone? Yes. But for the sake of the spread of the gospel and the establishment of the church after his ascension into heaven Jesus needed to build a team.

 

Early on he confronted a number of undistinguished men—men whom we would most likely not have recruited according to our standards of success. The gospel writers tell us their names and, in the case of five of them, their occupations. Four were seasoned fishermen, one was a hated tax collector. Not a likely pool of talent for a worldwide mission. One of them is identified as a thief and traitor.

 

Why then did Jesus choose them for his team? One reason was their friendship and companionship during three years of homelessness and loneliness. Another was for their help in his preaching, teaching and healing. Eventually, it turned out that they were the corps God used to spread the gospel.

 

We look for clues about how Jesus trained them. Basically, he wanted them to learn to live by faith. He wanted them to focus on God’s kingdom, not that of the Jews. Naturally, his team was alternately confused, surprised, disappointed and defeated. Despite their lack of understanding about his mission, Jesus never gave up on them, except for Judas.

 

Jesus was not a Lone Ranger evangelist, teacher and healer. He needed a team and so do we. Walking the Jesus walk means we learn to work with and depend on others for our spiritual growth. We learn patience and forgiveness. We learn to trust people with our needs and problems. We are not in the game of life alone. We can’t run through all the opposing tacklers without some blockers. God puts us on teams for our good—our spouses and children, fellow church members, and people in the community. Just as Jesus did, we also need their friendship and companionship.

 

Prayer: God, help me to be a team player for Jesus. I want to join my heart and hands with those who love you, that together with them I might be stronger in my Christian faith and work than by trying to stand by myself.

 

Day Ten

Jesus preached the good news

Matthew 4:12-17

 

Our word “gospel” is the traditional word to describe what Jesus talked about and what the apostles later preached. When we read in newer translations and paraphrases that he preached the good news, we impose a modern, more readable concept on the word used by the writers who wrote the original Jesus stories.

 

The New Testament writers took a commonly used word and gave it a Christian spin. It was a Greek word used when someone ran into town and said the army had won a battle. Amplified, it became any message of joy, or good news.

 

So, Jesus launched his career by coming to Capernaum with good news, or gospel. Why did the writers describe his message in such glowing terms? Jesus did not come to town to announce that the Roman conquerors had been defeated. In fact, he reiterated again and again that his good news was not earthly but heavenly. It was about God’s kingdom, not man’s.

 

His proclamation was good news because he announced liberation from sin, forgiveness by God, and a new community of faith and obedience that lived by completely different standards. Contemporary religious, social and political culture was turned upside down by such news, especially because the one who brought it claimed that he had come from heaven. Good news from Jesus meant bad news for the religious hierarchy and hypocritical, self-righteous people.

 

Now that’s really good news. But Jesus completely reversed the common understanding of things when he explained that the good news from heaven would cost him his life. The kingdom way was the way of the cross, not the way of political, military and religious power.

 

However, in the towns and villages and along the highways and byways, many people did in fact rejoice because good news had arrived from heaven. People of faith looking for God’s promised Messiah welcomed him. Jesus’ news reverberated in their hearts with a heavenly beat.

 

Walking the Jesus way calls us to be bearers of good news. Jesus lived, died and rose again to open heaven’s gates to all who believe. Our Christian lives are meant to be billboards announcing good news. Our words are intended to instruct others in how to find the key to heaven. Like Jesus, we must make the words of eternal life available to all.

 

Prayer: Thank you, heavenly Father, for the good news of Jesus that saves my soul. May I be a consistent bearer of the good news of Jesus to those who are defeated and discouraged.

 

Day Eleven

Jesus taught with authority

Mark 1:21-22; Luke 4:22-37; John 7:14-17

 

People look for religious authority anywhere they can find it, from books, sermons, videos, sacred scriptures, personal gurus and holy women and men. Confusion reigns in the search for truth. Wars based on different religious authorities mar the records of human history.

 

Within the relatively small circle in which Jesus traveled and taught, authority rested pretty much with the established Jewish experts and their interpretations of the laws of Moses and traditions handed down over hundreds of years. Yet even within this sphere there was no unanimity of thought, so many debates raged over minute matters. So much so that Jesus charged the leaders with straining gnats and swallowing camels.

 

Ordinary folks peppered with this kind of teaching woke up one day to find a new kind of teacher in their midst, a man who spoke with authority. Jesus did not hem and haw. He did not say, “Rabbi so and so says this, but rabbi so and so says that.” He spoke directly without equivocation, or theological subtleties.

 

Soon not only common people but also those in charge of teaching them saw the difference. They challenged Jesus to reveal the source of his authority. If it was from heaven, they were in trouble. Jesus answered them with a question of his own, and they fled because they refused to acknowledge his deity.

 

We Christians believe Jesus is the truth and therefore he spoke the truth. We believe that Almighty God authorized what Jesus said. God spoke from heaven and told people to listen to Jesus. In our day, as in his, people refuse to believe and obey Jesus.

 

Walking the Jesus way means taking a tough and often unpopular stance on the issue of religious authority. While we listen and learn what we can about different religions, we never compromise the truth we find in Jesus. Because he was authoritative, so must his followers be, albeit with grace and love.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to be as authoritative as you were, in the best way, so help me to grow in both grace and knowledge. Help me to engage others lovingly and truthfully for your sake.

 

Day Twelve

Jesus healed the sick

Matthew 8:5-13; 14:34-36; 15:29-31

 

Our culture confronts sickness with an overwhelming array of weapons and treatments. New technologies, equipment and drugs arrive virtually every day. Our costs of healing the sick mount accordingly. People face astronomical medical bills.

 

Health has seized the media like an onslaught of locusts, and when we look at the Jesus stories we find something just like our contemporary media frenzy. People flocked to him for healing, as if he were the latest medical discovery.

 

Purveyors of food, natural remedies and drugs vie competitively for our dollars. But in A.D. 30 no such plethora of expensive treatments existed. People were at the mercy of practitioners of all sorts of alleged cures. They crowded after miracle workers. They flocked to the supposedly healing waters. Many doctored for years without results.

 

Jesus entered this miserable scene like a laser beam. Moved with compassion, he healed by word and touch. He healed a dazzling array of illnesses and ailments, from leprosy to blindness. He healed people who had suffered for a lifetime. He healed people because he loved them and hurt for them. He acted because of their terrible needs and sometimes on the evidence of faith. Consequently, people thronged to be near him and to touch him.

 

Sometimes Jesus distanced himself from the mobs of people seeking cures. But he was never far from crowds of suffering people. His mission included healing as well as teaching. He told his disciples that his miracles proved his deity. His healing was God-centered, not something he bragged about.

 

Walking the Jesus way compels us to serve and comfort the sick. We can be Jesus for many people who need emotional and spiritual wholeness as well as physical healing. Jesus empowers us to be companions, friends, healers and comforters. The Holy Spirit gifts some to heal. Jesus calls all of us to find his touch because it opens doors to God’s love and care. In a world surrounded by medical technology and professionals, the personal touch is often the key to physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

 

Prayer: O Lord, open my heart to the needs of the sick and chronically ill. May I respond with love and care to those in hospitals, to people taking cancer treatments, and to those confined to nursing homes.

 

Day Thirteen

Jesus cast out demons

Matthew 4: 23-24; 8:28-34; 12:22-29; 17:14-20

 

 

The Jesus stories include an astonishing number of encounters with demons. The land and the people were infested with them. People lived in dread of them. They believed Satan had his legions of emissaries to inflict woeful pain and suffering.

 

Many people think that talk about demons is pure superstition, fit only for the prescientific, medieval mind. They charge that people who believe in demons are guilty of intellectual obscurantism. Surely, they say, what Jesus confronted was mental illness, not real spiritual beings controlled by Satan.

 

Two thousand years removed from the scene, we cannot possibly diagnose someone’s condition. Instead, we accept at face value what our eye-witness writers told us about Jesus. He regularly cast out demons and set people free. He spoke to demons and demons answered him. We have to decide. Is this all made up, or did it really happen as the writers say it did?

 

I accept the reality of the spirit world and of the powers of darkness, as do many brothers and sisters in Christ in Asia and Africa. I believe Satan exists, that he tempted Jesus, and that he tried to thwart the salvation mission of Jesus. The three-year record of Jesus shows him constantly engaging demons. He also empowered his disciples to exorcise demons.

 

Jesus cast them out because people suffered under their power. He cast them out to show that he is stronger than Satan. He cast them out to heal and to confirm his deity and divine mission. If people choose to cut this part of the record, or revise it according to modern insights, we lose both the passion and power of Jesus.

 

To walk the Jesus walk, we must engage in ministries to afflicted people.

We cannot be too quick to pull the trigger and try to analyze certain symptoms as demonic in origin. Great care and wisdom must be used.

 

Walking the Jesus walk requires us to be sensitive and loving. We face the reality of the demonic as Jesus did, but we do not panic. We resort to the power of prayer. We consult wise counselors who know something about Satanic abuse and oppression. We cannot flippantly consign suffering, hurting people to the dustbin by denying the reality of demonic attacks.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you defeated Satan. I pray for wisdom to discern demonic influence without fear. Give me confidence in your victory as I pray for those hurting under Satan’s influence.

 

Day Fourteen

Jesus fed the hungry

Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39; John 6:1-14

After awesome, terrifying Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in November, 2013, hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless and starving. Roughly 90 percent of Tacloban was destroyed.  Journalists described the devastation as, "off the scale, and apocalyptic.” Thanks to television, scenes of mobs of hungry people fighting for food thrown from helicopters became commonplace and numbing. In well-fed America we wince at the plight of these desperate people and we give generously to feed them.

Starvation was not endemic in the Palestine of Jesus’ day. He did not confront long feeding lines of thousands of people standing forlornly with their bowls. On the other hand, neither did his society provide food kitchens and food pantries for the hungry. They were left to fend for themselves, sometimes eking out a sparse existence because of droughts, crop failures and poverty.

 

Jesus was well acquainted with these people because he traversed the hills and valleys. He lived a hand-to-mouth existence as well. Jesus and his disciples knew what it was to be hungry. He knew poverty first-hand, not theoretically. He knew farming on hard soil and the apparent capriciousness of rain and harvests.

 

The poor and hungry flocked to Jesus because they sensed that he cared and that he was one of them. Rather than send them away, he fed them. He fed them by his unique power because there were no 7-Elevens or food pantries, just some fish and bread brought by a little boy.

 

What amazing opportunities we have to walk the Jesus way to help feed the hungry nearby and around the world. American Christians have more than enough to eat. Our garbage cans could easily feed the five thousand, as it were. Therefore, it is imperative that we follow Jesus and model his feeding of the hungry. By so doing, we show not only that we care, but also that Jesus cares.

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I thank you for my food help me to understand that millions go hungry every day. Show me what to do, and how to do it, so that I might be Jesus to these people.

 

Day Fifteen

Jesus paid taxes

Matthew 17:24-27; 22:15-22

 

For as far back into history as we can peer, taxes have been a sore subject and a cruel burden. Despots from time immemorial have feasted on taxes. When ancient Israel demanded that the prophet Samuel give them a king, he warned them about onerous taxes.

 

Skip a thousand years and you find the people still chafing under taxes, this time exacted by their Roman overlords. In this provocative environment Jesus grew up and lived as a taxpayer. In fact, he was born in the city where Joseph and Mary had gone to pay their taxes. The Romans fixed taxes every fourteen years based on the census.

 

Jesus could easily have been tax-exempt according to our tax laws. He definitely met the requirements of a not-for-profit charity. After leaving his carpenter’s job he could have pleaded poverty. There’s no reason to think that he had squirreled away a nest egg in Nazareth.

 

Prevailing religious and political stances motivated hatred for the Romans and their taxes. Messianic hopes centered on deliverance from such burdens. Into this milieu Jesus stepped and his critics tried to trap him into making a false step. If Jesus, in effect, voted for taxes he would be a traitor to his people. If he voted against paying taxes to the Romans, they would arrest him.

 

Jesus neatly sidestepped their hypocritical question and gave us a principle to live by. We may regard our tax rates as unfair. We wish our leaders would be more circumspect in the use of our money. But whatever our political and economic convictions, living the Jesus way requires that we pay our taxes honestly.

 

Many tax dodges tempt us. Every year when we complete Federal Tax Form 1040 we may conveniently forget some income and add some fictitious deductions. When we do such things, we do not walk as Jesus walked. If we claim to be his followers, we will be scrupulously honest in paying our taxes.

 

It’s hard to accept the fact that walking the Jesus walk includes paying taxes. By so doing we affirm our loyalty to Jesus and set an example to others. Walking the Jesus walk includes so much more than going to church on Sundays.

 

Prayer: Lord, keep me honest when paying my taxes. Keep the people who use my money honest as well. 

 

Click here for the complete file:

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Top Books on Prayer

There are volumes of books and reading material on all subjects and matters; good and bad.  Sir Francis Bacon once wrote, "some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."

With hundreds of books on the subject of prayer, ranging from how-to books, to books that answer why we pray, to books filled with others' written prayers, and more, where does one begin?  What are the best books on prayer out there?

Here's a humble attempt to begin answering these questions.  This list is not exhaustive by any means!


#1- The Bible

The whole counsel of God gives us all we need to pray, study prayer, draw near to the heart of God, and much, much, more.  If there's one book on prayer that's a must to read, re-read, and read again, without question, it's the Bible!


#2- Matthew

Jesus' teaching on how to pray is chock full of wisdom, instruction, and practical application.  Chapter 6 in Matthew is one of the places where Jesus answers His disciples' request, "Lord, teach us to pray."  He models how to pray (worship and exalt God, seek His will to be done in your life and all around you, request for your needs to be met, confess sins and forgive others, request for protection and guidance- also confessing your full reliance on Him, return to worship and continue in praising and worshiping Him).  If you struggle with knowing how best to pray, follow Jesus' example here (and practice substituting your own words in place of reading or reciting Jesus' prayer.  He wants to hear your heart, expressed your way, not only in his modeled way shared in this chapter!).

#3- Psalms

The Bible's book of prayer!  Some psalms center on worshiping God and are helpful to help us worship and praise Him in prayer.  Others are laments mixed with praise and adoration.  Psalms show raw prayer and emotion by David and the other writers of this book.  It's a book that will likely help you expand the ways you pray.  Read and pray through a chapter or section today!


#4- Luke

In Luke 11, Jesus' model prayer is recorded again, but this record shows Jesus' encouragement to continue in prayer; persisting and following through in prayer until God shapes and answers your prayer by His Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit helps us pray!


#5- John

John 17 records Jesus' prayers for Himself, his disciples, and for all who follow Him.  In this record, we see Jesus' heart to see the Father's will perfectly accomplished through Him and His followers, plus He gives us another model in how we can pray for ourselves and others (beyond our personal, immediate wants, needs, and desires that can often encompass most if not all we think to pray about).  It's an excellent chapter to read, study, and pray!


#6- 1 Thessalonians

Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to pray in all ways- giving thanks in all things, praying continually, be joyful always (in the Lord's strength), and be careful not to quench or put out the Holy Spirit's fire in willful sin.  Many applications to our daily lives in prayer are listed toward the end of chapter 5.

#7- James

James exhorts his readers to pray and praise in all times and places, and describes ways to go about doing so in all circumstances (James 5).  In Chapter 1,  he also reminds us to be doers of the word, and not only watchers, listeners, and idle observers.


#8- Acts

The first-century followers of Christ prayed together corporately (recorded in chapter 4), and as they did, the Holy Spirit moved upon them and gave them boldness to speak the Word of God with boldness.  This is a great reminder of the importance of praying with others- and seeking God to empower us to speak the Word boldly in the power of the Holy Spirit; not only of our own strength or wisdom!


#9- Ephesians

Paul writes his prayer for the Ephesians toward the end of chapter 3.  It exalts God while covering those he prays for with powerful requests that strengthen them and honor God all at once!  This is another great model of prayer that we can benefit from applying to our lives when we pray!


As you began to read the list, you may have felt a twinge of disappointment if you were expecting a top 10 list of books on prayer that are separate from the Bible itself.  While there are many quality writings on prayer by many authors, recent and past, we are wise to keep our #1 source as the #1 source now and always! 

If you already own a Bible, you already possess all you need for your prayer life

You don't need to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars into building a library of books that will likely catch dust, take up space, and frustrate you in the future if they're left on the shelves unread.  You have all you already need.  Open your Bible to one or more of these books/chapters and before you read a single word, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truths and practical ways He'd have you pray from what you're about to read.  Ask Him to lead you through what you read.  Thank Him afterward for what He revealed to you, and then pray about what He taught you.

Lord, today and every day, continue to teach us to pray!


Rob Griepentrog

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Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 251 | Wed 12 Mar 2014

NORTH KOREA: DOZENS DETAINED, 33 TO BE EXECUTED


by Elizabeth Kendal

On 27 February South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jung-wook (50) fronted a North Korean press conference in Pyongyang to 'confess' to his crimes and plead for mercy. For seven years, Kim Jung-wook had been providing food, clothing and sanctuary to North Korean refugees and job-seekers in the Chinese border city of Dandong. Kim was arrested in North Korea on 8 October 2013, a day after crossing into the state, although a source in China told South Korea's Chosun Ilbo that Kim was kidnapped by North Korean agents in Dandong. In the press conference, Kim confessed to conducting 'anti-State' crimes with funding and assistance from South Korea's intelligence agency. When arrested, Kim reportedly had Christian literature and DVDs that allegedly he was going to use to set up 500 underground churches to spy on and overthrow the regime.

When Hong Kong-based Australian missionary, John Short (75), was arrested in North Korea in mid-February, he confessed to his 'crimes', apologised and was expelled. As an Australian, Short was of little value to the regime in Pyongyang. The situation is more serious for Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae. Arrested in late 2012 while leading a tour, Bae gave a similar press conference confession in April 2013 before being sentenced to 15 years' hard labour. In August 2013 Bae was transferred to a hospital due to his deteriorating health. However, on 20 January the regime returned Bae to the labour camp to protest American B-52 bomber flight drills around the Korean Peninsula. As an American, Bae is a pawn of great value.

There is no word yet as to what punishment Kim Jung-wook will face. According to Radio Free Asia, 'dozens' of people have been detained, accused of assisting Kim. Border guards who let Kim slip through security, North Korean believers, new converts and the families of the accused are amongst those banished to labour camps upon Kim's 'confession'. Now South Korean news agencies report that 33 of the accused have been sentenced to death, charged with conspiring with Kim to overthrow the regime. It is reported they will be executed in a secret cell at the State Security Department. Doubtless these 33 are predominantly Christians, probably significant Christians who may or may not ever have been in contact with Kim but whose ministry is deemed an existential threat to the regime. This will be a terrible and traumatising blow to North Korea's remnant Church.

As noted in RLPB 248 (18 Feb 2014), the regime's main concern is managing the state monopoly on information in the face of severe challenges posed by new communication technologies, while endeavouring to raise living standards so as to ward off revolt. In response to pressure, the regime is ramping up repression, spreading darkness and stoking fear. Security on roads has reportedly doubled, making it more difficult for North Koreans to travel around the country. Furthermore, North Korean security agents now have new signal detectors, enabling them to intercept mobile phone signals in real time. Now people using cellphones smuggled in from China can be arrested within minutes. The recent wave of arrests will ensure that people stop using their cellphones.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL -

* 'lift up his hand' to 'break the arm [instrument] of the wicked' and 'call his wickedness to account'. Pray Psalm 10 for North Korea.

* spare the lives of the 33 who are to be executed. However, if that is not to be, then sustain and comfort them so that instead of being overwhelmed with fear, they will know 'the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding' (Philippians 4:7 ESV) as God himself encompasses them. 'And he will become a sanctuary [Hebrew: miqdas, the place where God dwells] . . .' (from Isaiah 8:11-14a ESV).

[For more on this subject of the promised presence, see http://www.turnbackthebattle.com/pdf/Reflections-ThePromisedPresence.pdf ]

* comfort and encourage the North Korean remnant Church; may they know 'the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding' (Philippians 4:7 ESV). 'When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."' (See 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ESV.)

* take this evil event of the executions and use it for his glory to effect the exact opposite of the regime's intent. May the news of these executions spread through all the country, establishing not terror, but the link between Christianity and freedom.

* cause interest in the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ and in his power and grace to spring up all across the nation. 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.' (John 12:24 ESV)

'Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.' (Psalm 24:7 & 9 ESV)


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE


DOZENS DETAINED IN NORTH KOREA, 33 TO BE EXECUTED

On 27 February captured South Korean Baptist missionary Kim Jung-wook (50) fronted a North Korean press conference in Pyongyang to 'confess' to 'anti-State' crimes and plead for mercy. Dozens of people accused of assisting Kim were immediately arrested and banished with their families to labour camps. It now emerges that 33 of the accused have been sentenced to death and will be executed in a secret cell at the State Security Department. This will be a horrific and traumatising blow to North Korea's remnant Church. Furthermore, security agents now have new signal detectors that enable them to intercept mobile phone signals in real time and arrest mobile phone users within minutes, further isolating the State. Please pray that God will intervene in North Korea and pray for the remnant Church.


To view this RLPB with hyperlinks or to access RLPB and RLM archives, visit the Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin blog at http://rlprayerbulletin.blogspot.com

We suggest that churches and fellowships using the Summary above might also provide a copy of the listed prayer points to be used in their worship by people who are leading in prayer.

This RLPB was written by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, and is issued as a ministry of the Evangelical Alliance in Australia.

Elizabeth Kendal is the author of 'Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today' (Deror Books, Dec. 2012) http://turnbackthebattle.com/thebook.html

Elizabeth is Adjunct Research Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at the Melbourne School of Theology. She is Director of Advocacy for Christian Faith & Freedom based in Canberra, Australia.

If this bulletin was forwarded to you, you may receive future weekly issues direct by sending a blank email

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undefinedFree Ebook:

Unreached Peoples, Least Reached Places: An Untold Story of Lostness in America

by JD Payne

- March 3rd, 2014

I am delighted to share that Unreached Peoples, Least Reached Places: An Untold Story of Lostness in America is now available to download as a pdf.  It’s brief, about fifty pages. That is intentional.  You can read it quickly.

The pastors with The Church at Brook Hills are always asking how we can best equip our faith family for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:11-12).  Part of shepherding others to reach the nations requires painting a picture of the realities of lostness.  Therefore, I wrote this short ebook for our people.

Unreached Peoples, Least Reached Places is written to cast a vision of reality in the United States, and to offer some practical steps to move us along in disciple making and church multiplication.  We know much about lostness in other parts of the world; we know little about it in our backyard.

One of the convictions that we hold as a faith family is to give away many om advancement.  With this in mind, I am releasing this book to you.  I pray that it will be a blessing to you and your ministry.

So…

Download your copy.  

http://www.jdpayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Unreached-Peoples-Least-Reached-Places-Payne.pdf

If you do, tell others to get a copy.  Spread the word, far and wide.

Take it. Give it away.  Use it for leading your church to the nations in this nation and beyond.  If you do, tell others to get a copy.  Spread the word, far and wide.

---------------------------------------

Join us in praying for America to understand LOSTNESS right here.

Persistently prevailing,

Linda Bemis

Director, Prayer

International Orality Network

Visit: http://Orality.net

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Prayer Discovers God’s Agenda

"Every time the Lord faced an important decision, He prayed. When He was being tempted to do things by the world's methods instead of the Father's, He prayed (Matthew 4). When it was time to choose His disciples, He prayed the entire night (Luke 6:12). If the Son of God required a night of prayer in order to determine the Father's mind, how long might it take us in prayer to clearly determine our Father's will?" Henry and Richard Blackaby

Let prayer set the agenda of your life. Many of us often worry about our lives. What should we do next year? Where should we live? What school should we go to? These are all good questions that need careful thought. But if most of us were honest, we would admit that we worry needlessly. It is right to get wise counsel and weigh out the options; however when concern turns into unnecessary anxiety, we are not trusting God, who knows exactly how to handle every situation we face. Life becomes simpler when we learn to seek God for every aspect of our plans. Our times spent in prayer will bring revelation of His agenda for us. We can be confident that in the final analysis, it is God who knows what is best for us and what will give Him the greatest glory.

Prioritizing prayer and letting God set your agenda brings great peace. We lived for five years in Asia and experienced the typhoons that are so common in the Indian Ocean. Primarily they move in circles instead of from east to west or north to south. Before navigators understood their movement, they would try to maneuver out of the storm and often suffered serious destruction in the process. With a better understanding of typhoons, navigators have learned to locate the center of the storm—
where it is totally calm—and go there. This is much like prayer and discovering God's agenda. As we pray, we are able to circle in on God's agenda and find the center of His will. In this place, we experience His peace. When we try to get out of His will, we find destruction and chaos. Through prayer and renewing our mind in God's will, we discover God's perfect and pleasing will (Romans 12:2).

We must learn to pray about everything and trust in God’s wisdom, which far surpasses ours.  At times we may sense His direction and feel the peace that comes from the Holy Spirit even though nothing may look logical according to our human perspective. I remember a time when my husband and I began to pray about lengthening our ministry time overseas because we felt God might want us to extend our visit to certain countries. We had already been traveling for two months, we were tired, we had much to do in the U.S., and my father was ill, so an extension needed prayerful consideration. There were other reasons why going home would have been the right choice from a human standpoint. The problem is, often God's viewpoint is different from ours. He sees things far in advance and from His perspective, which far surpasses ours. 

Through prayer, we discovered God's agenda. We sensed His peace in staying longer, even though going home would have been easier and seemed more logical. In this case, we felt we had to go with the leading and peace of the Holy Spirit. The real key for us was prayer and waiting upon God, listening and hearing His voice. 
 
We may not know the full picture of why we were to extend our time overseas, but we do know that we had to take that step of faith that was guided and empowered through prayer in order to do God's very best. We knew that we were in the right place and that when we did return home, we had completed what God had for us. 

God loves to hear us pray with fervency and then listen and step out in faith according to His leading. Perhaps there is something you need to pray over regarding God's plan and purpose in your present circumstances. Praying through every decision, listening to His voice, and leaning upon His wisdom will enable you to determine His agenda. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Guidelines to Hear God's Voice in Prayer

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7, Amplified).

How can we hear God when we pray? Here are some guidelines to help you hear His voice as you seek Him in prayer:

  • Bathe your life in prayer - Pray about all the decisions in your life daily. Ask Him for direction so that you may fulfill His will for your life for that day. Continually bring major decisions to Him in prayer. Pray, listen, and wait with expectancy. 

  • Believe that God does speak to you - Accept the promise in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." 

  • Find time to be alone with God - Take time to pray and listen. Most of life is very busy, but time with Him is of utmost importance so we can hear from Him. Often the Lord responds with a thought planted by His Spirit into the mind or heart.

  • Keep a journal of what God says - We can better evaluate guidance and see what God is saying when we journal on a regular basis. Journaling helps us to ponder our thoughts and impressions so we can clearly discern the path God wants us to take. 

  • Test what you hear - What we think is God’s voice may come from the Holy Spirit, the enemy, or from our own souls. Ask the Lord to confirm what you think He may be saying. First John 4:1 exhorts us to test the spirits. It's good to seek confirmation from at least two other Christians before taking action, especially on big decisions.

  • Carefully check all guidance with Scripture - God’s Word is truth. What we think God is speaking should line up with Scripture. This is why we should examine everything carefully with the Bible.  

  • Obey God - We must be willing to act on what God has told us. When we obey God, there is blessing. If we still doubt what we think God is saying, it is good to continue to ask Him for confirmation until we sense His peace.

Let's follow these guidelines and practice listening to God. Let's learn to eliminate the distractions in our life.

"Jesus knew that His mission was not to attract a crowd, but to remain obedient to His Father. It was prayer that set the agenda for Jesus' ministry (Luke 6:12). Prayer preceded the miracles (John 11:42-43); prayer brought Him encouragement at critical moments (Luke 9:28-31); prayer enabled Him to go to the cross (Luke 22:41-42); and prayer kept Him there despite excruciating pain (Luke 23:46). Follow the Savior's example, and let your time alone with God, in prayer, set the agenda for your life." Henry and Richard Blackaby


Intercessors Arise News

Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
International House of Prayer (IHOP) KC Staff
deb@intercessorsarise.org
www.intercessorsarise.org

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