|
||||||||
The whole Church taking the whole gospel to the whole nation - and to the world.
|
||||||||
Newsletter Archive | Free MAC membership | Lausanne Movement | Subscribe
|
||||||||
Featured Posts (723)
Sort by
Fifteen churches in the Coachella Valley were among the 7,600 participating nationally in Back to Church Sunday in September. Last year, 3,400 churches participated, resulting in 1.4 million invitations, according to campaign spokesman Philip Nation. Getting people to show up at a church raises the chances they'll attend regularly, Nation said.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Nov. 13, is a global day of intercession for persecuted Christians worldwide. Its primary focus is to encourage intercessory prayer on behalf of persecuted communities of the Christian faith. Open Doors USA has prepared a number of valuable resources for pastors, church leaders, and individuals for this year's day of prayer. Resources to share the story of the persecuted church with congregations, small groups, classes, or friends and family are available online. Downloads include church leader materials, bulletin inserts and lessons, and videos. In addition, Open Doors USA has an initiative to spread the story of the persecuted church to the American church and beyond. "One With Them" serves as a call to action to unite with persecuted believers, not just for IDOP, but always. One way Christians in the United States can show their support is through One With Them wristbands. The black, rubber wristband looks like barbed wire. It provides an opportunity to explain to others the plight of persecuted believers. One With Them seeks to bridge the gap between American Christians and those around the world who suffer for their faith.
The 20th Greater Thomasville Marketplace Leader Prayer & Action Summit was held in September with 69 leaders assembled. Keynote speaker, Dr. Jerry Anderson, CEO of La Red Business Network (ministry) and CEO of Digital Dish & Light Speed Wireless Internet (employer of 900) offered La Red materials (free on the internet) and the services of La Red to train facilitators who will train the next generation to live according to godly principles drawn from the Book of Proverbs. Many local leaders from education, government, law enforcement, the marketplace and the church attended. In addition, in October, two key trainers from La Red are offering four hours of training for facilitators.
Five million visitors have now stopped by
Revolution Foursquare began performing park outreaches with its youth ministry over seven years ago. Through collaboration with other ministries including Luis Palau Association's Next Generation Alliance, the event has grown into an annual full-day festival featuring a growing repertoire of well-known Christian artists and new attractions such as BMX and skate demonstrations. On Labor Day in Portland, Oregon, Next Generation Alliance, Save the City Records and several area churches hosted Day in the Park. The event featured inflatable jump houses, plywood skate ramps and tents of food and activities. Music acts from freestyle hip hop to gospel played as local and visiting Christian artists joined the free event for Portland's inner-city community. Volunteer counselors were available throughout the day to pray and talk with anyone in need. The collaborators expressed a hope that this community-based outreach model would become the norm among churches.
Following in Christ's footsteps, Trinity United Methodist Church in Rome, Ga. provided a week's worth of food to nearly 5,000 people in one day. Organizers of Jesus in the Park, an annual event, saw 1,600 families each take home 50 pounds of shelf-stable free food. In addition, members of the community could also spend a free afternoon at Rome's Ridge Ferry Park listening to concerts, eating hot dogs and cotton candy, and playing games. By 2:30 p.m. about 50,000 pounds of food had already been given away. Organizers estimate that somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 pounds had been distributed by the end of the event. Any leftover food items were returned to a food pantry to be given away on another day.
Fritz Kling is a foundation executive who spent the past decade traveling through villages and cities across the world interviewing grassroots workers and high-level leaders. In his new book, Kling identifies seven big trends impacting today's global church and tells compelling stories from his travels that illustrate the themes of mercy, mutuality, migration, monoculture, machines, mediation, and memory. Equal parts travelogue, character study, and global documentary, The Meeting of the Waters interlaces stories and instruction to help Christians understand a rapidly changing world.
Instead of passing the plate for parishioners to fill with greenbacks, Liquid Church in New Jersey handed out over $30,000 to members in a "reverse offering." Each person received an envelope with the words "God Trusts You!" Inside the envelope were $10, $20 and $50 bills. The initiative took place during a four-part sermon series teaching biblical principles of finance regarding debt and living on budget. The 2,000 member Liquid Church is also investing $60,000 of church offerings into three local recovery projects. Specifically, the funds will be used to bring relief to a Manville, N.J., neighborhood devastated by Hurricane Irene, restoring the Market Street Mission for the homeless in Morristown, and boarding the New York City Relief Bus to feed the hungry in Paterson.
Three Strategic Prayers for Our Spiritual Leaders (Part One)
I am not much of a bowler but I know that it is virtually impossible to get a strike if the ball does not hit the head pin. Satan is a calculating and destructive enemy of God’s people. He knows how essential it is to eliminate pastoral leaders in order to decimate the church and thwart the work of the Gospel.
Yet, we can all make a powerful difference in opposing the attacks of the enemy. Samuel Chadwick wrote, “The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” Oswald Chambers agreed: “The prayer of the feeblest saint who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan.” When we pray for our leaders, we counteract Satan’s attacks and play a vital role in the advancement of Christ’s cause.
Paul’s Word on Why, How, and What
Paul understood this, which is why he often called on the churches to pray for him. In Romans 15:30-33, we find one of the less familiar but most powerful appeals for prayer. This passage offers vital guidance for us all as we intercede for our spiritual leaders.
As Paul wrote to the Romans (probably from Corinth), he reflected on his planned visit with them on his way to Spain. First, he was going to deliver a love gift to the persecuted believers in Jerusalem, which he had been collecting among the gentile churches. He knew his serious need for prayer support in these ministry endeavors so he appealed to the believers to pray for him.
Why We Pray for Spiritual Leaders
In Romans 15:30 Paul writes, “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.” Most obvious, we see Paul’s basic encouragement to pray when he says, “I beg you.” The Greek, “parakaleo”, simply communicates Paul’s effort to come alongside these believers, urging them to pray. But there is something even deeper here.
Paul writes, “through the Lord Jesus Christ.” Certainly we pray, only because of the finished work and present intercession of Christ (Hebrews 7:25, 10:20-22). Most literally, Paul is urging us here to pray because of our regard for Christ. As the Amplified reads, “for the sake of our Lord Jesus.” Our prayer for pastors and missionaries must ultimately be motivated by our love and worship of Jesus Christ because it is His name, His cause, and His glory that are at stake. When we are Jesus-worshipers we will also be reliable, passionate intercessors for our leaders.
Third, Paul says that we should pray “through the love of the Spirit.” The most literal interpretation of this phrase speaks of our love FOR the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a vital part of supernatural power and Gospel advancement. Because we love it when the Holy Spirit is working in extraordinary ways, we should commit our hearts to pray for our leaders. If we are dissatisfied with the level of spiritual power in the pulpit or ministries of the church, our love for the Holy Spirit compels us to pray for a greater manifestation of His presence and work.
How We Pray for Spiritual Leaders
Paul’s appeal for prayer intensifies as he continues with this urgent appeal: “Strive together with me in prayers to God for me” (v. 30). This is not a casual word about shallow, short, simple prayers. The Greek work here is sunagonidzomai, which communicates the idea of agonizing with another person in the midst of an intense struggle. Paul is asking them to join him in feeling the weight and warfare of all he is facing. This is a heart of real intercession. Yet, we are so often casual and complacent in our prayers for leaders.
The late David Wilkerson, a pastor and founder of Teen Challenge, spoke about our need for a greater sense of spiritual anguish in a powerful message (see “Anguish” by David Wilkerson on YouTube):
“Whatever happened to anguish in the house of God? Whatever happened to anguish in the ministry? It’s a word you don’t hear in this pampered age. Anguish means extreme pain and distress – the emotions so stirred that it becomes painful; acute, deeply-felt inner pain because of conditions about you, in you, or around you. Anguish...the sorrow and agony of God’s heart.”
He continues, “We’ve held on to our religious rhetoric and our revival talk, but we’ve become so passive. All true passion is birthed out of anguish. All true passion for Christ comes out of a baptism of anguish. You search the Scripture and you find that when God determined to recover a ruined situation He would share His own anguish for what God saw happening to His people. He would find a praying man and he would take that man and literally baptize him in anguish.”
This month, as we recommit to pray for and support our church leaders, let’s ask Christ for a fresh sense of intensity. He is worthy of our passionate intercession. Our love for His Spirit’s supernatural work compels us to pray. As we do so, we can feel the serious nature of the work of the Gospel and agonize in His presence as He shares His heart with us, for His glory.
(Part two will outline three specific prayer targets to pray for on behalf of every spiritual leader.)
-----------------------------------------------
A full sermon on this subject is available at Strategic Renewal. Along with the DVD, you will receive a group study guide and a special interview with Pastor Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals. Go to http://www.strategicrenewal.com/cddvd/your-most-strategic-investment-cd-dvd/
Pastors Need Prayer On Clergy Appreciation Month
Focus on the Family named and began emphasizing Clergy Appreciation Month (CAM) in 1994, reminding congregations that it was biblical and proper to honor their pastoral staffs and pastoral families throughout the year, but suggesting that they set aside the month of October for a special tangible tribute.
Lee Grady has written an excellent column on Clergy Appreciation Month called "Your Pastor Is on the Firing Line—Please Pray!" which I urge you to read. Click here to read the column.
Click here to learn more about Clergy Appreciation Month or to download a free planning guide and resources for honoring pastors and their family in October.
Credit: © istockphoto/sjlocke
Christians Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Monday, October 03, 2011
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Millions of Christians around the world joined the Global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem on Sunday.
Hundreds of Christians in Jerusalem joined participants from 175 nations and more than 300,000 churches for this year's event.
"This is the Day for Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem," Rev. Dr. Robert Stearns, with Eagles' Wings, told the crowd that gathered on the Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem.
The inspiration comes from Psalm 122:6, which says to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper who love you."
Organizers say the event is the largest Jerusalem-focused prayer initiative in the world.
Prayer is Urgent
Stearns told CBN News that prayer is especially important now because of growing tension between Israel and its neighbors and enemies.
"Right now I believe it's vital for Christians to pray for truth to come to the forefront. The amount of lies that so surround these issues with Israel and the Middle East -- incredible amounts of media distortion, are all over the place," Stearns said.
"We've got to pray to for truth and discernment, and that's why I encourage people to become educated on these issues," he said.
Knesset Member Gila Gamliel, deputy chair for the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, said she came to bless the Christians.
"This support brings us -- as the leaders of Israel -- to feel we are not alone. We have a lot of support from all over the world," Gamliel said.
"I want to thank all of them about all their support and prayer, and this is why we are very strong here in Israel to stand very strong about keeping Jerusalem united forever," Gamliel told CBN News.
Columnist Michael Freund, director of Shavei Israel, said it's very moving to see such strong solidarity with Christians around the world.
"We know that Jewish-Christian relations over the past 2,000 years have had some very rough spots. So to be standing here now and to see Christians praying for the Jewish state, for the capital of the Jewish state, is something historical," Freund told CBN News.
"And this country, my country, my people, we face some very difficult challenges," he said.
"And all of us who love Israel and support Israel, now is the time to turn to the Creator and to plead with Him to have mercy on His people Israel," he said.
Committed to Pray
Christians also told CBN News of their commitment to pray for Jerusalem and the Jewish people.
Lotof Jammal is one of the directors of Christian Union in the Holy Land, a ministry that is working to unite local Arab Christians here.
"I am here to pray for the peace of Jerusalem as an Arab Christian in Israel. We want peace in the city, in the holy city that's for Christians of course," Jammal said.
Dr. Bambang Susanto co-pastors the World Transformation Church near Jakarta, Indonesia. The country has no diplomatic relations with Israel, yet every year tens of thousands of Indonesian Christians visit.
"Every year we come here from Indonesia and we pray and we bless Israel because [it] particularly state[s] in the Bible that those who bless Israel will be blessed," Susanto said.
Rev. David Pileggi, rector of Christ Church in Jerusalem's Old City, said God loves the Jewish people so Christians should, too.
"I'm here today basically because I'm a firm believer in what Paul says in Romans chapter 11. In that chapter Paul says God loves the Jewish people for the sake of the patriarchs," Pileggi said.
"And if God loves the Jewish people, I think we, as Christians, need to love the Jewish people as well," he continued.
"And probably one of the most important things we can do for the Jewish people and one of the most practical things we can do is pray," he added.
Fulfilling Prophecy
Stearns said the way the world looks at Jerusalem every day is almost lifted from the pages of scripture.
"The most significant thing we look at is that the prophetic scriptures regarding Jerusalem, which wouldn't even have made sense 100 years ago, 150 years ago," Stearns said. "I mean Jerusalem was hardly a topic of conversation among the nations of the world [then]."
Stearns said it was almost a forgotten city except among Jewish people who prayed every year to return to it.
"Now you can't build an apartment building in Jerusalem without having it be a global controversy," he added.
"I certainly believe we're living in prophetic times," Stearns said. "Surely part of what God is saying to the Church today in the world has to do with the city of Jerusalem."
Check web site
pray over & bless non-believers to have ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to know God's truth
pray each Christian lead one to Christ
pray a new wave of evangelists for THIS generation
http://www.usatoday.com/news/graphics/pew-religion-08/flash.htm
** OCTOBER CD Track Listing **
Click 1- or 2-minute ZIP icon to download
an entire month's programs.
What’s your delivery preference?
(Satellite, CD, Zip File) Click HERE
10-3 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Tragedy – Don Jacobson
For Don Jacobson a tragic gun accident altered his walk with God …as well as his goals in life. He shares his story on today’s Lighthouse Report. (Don shown with wife Brenda)
10-4 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Life-Change – Nicole Bromley
Seeing people respond to the gospel really is exciting … and as Nicole Bromley explains … she’s seen lives transformed, firsthand.
10-5 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Loss– Abby Rike
For Biggest Loser contestant Abby Rike losing her entire family in a car accident was absolutely devastating. But …her whole outlook changed when she realized God could use her tragic story to bring healing to others. Listen as she tells us how on today’s Lighthouse Report.
10-6 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Prayers Answered– Lee Strobel
How have you seen prayers answered in your life? Lee Strobel joins Steve Douglass on today’s Lighthouse Report to share a story about prayer.
10-7 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Fathers – Kenny Luck
Fatherhood … it’s an important role that God (as our heavenly father) models for us. On today’s Lighthouse Report, Kenny Luck, of Saddleback Church discusses what he’s seen.
10-10 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Remain Active – Art Rorheim
No matter where we are in life … “being active” for the Lord should be our main goal. AWANA Founder Art Rorheim joins us today on the Lighthouse Report to give us some encouragement.
10-11 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Life’s Obstacles– Wendy Blight
You know, it seems we’re all too busy. But what about the mission field all around us -right in our own neighborhood? Wendy Blight has some thoughts about that on today’s Lighthouse Report.
10-12 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Adversity – Chris Fabry
Imagine leaving your home … and all your possessions behind due to illness. Well, that’s exactly what happened to Chris Fabry and his family. Hear their amazing story … and how God carried them through it on today’s Lighthouse Report.
10-13 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Conversation – Charles Stanley
Maintaining conversation with God is crucial to our spiritual growth. On today’s Lighthouse Report, Charles Stanley describes the correlation between prayer and our relationship with Christ.
10-14 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Life Lessons – Ryan Rush
Ryan Rush experienced a number of life lessons resulting from his daughter's many illnesses. He shares his personal journey on today’s Lighthouse Report.
10-17 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Purpose, Passion, Service – John Tesh
Are you passionate about making a difference for Christ in the world? Or apathetic? John Tesh challenges us on today's Lighthouse Report to find our personal ministry.
10-18 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Struggles – Terri Blackstock
Sometimes, as parents, we go through some pretty dark times. But through Christ, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Today on the Lighthouse Report, Terri Blackstock talks about her daughter's struggle with drugs.
10-19 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Bad Stuff – Steve Douglass
What do you say if someone doesn’t know if they’re going to heaven? Host Steve Douglass has some timely advice on that subject on today’s Lighthouse Report.
10-20 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Music and Lyrics – John Waller
For musician John Waller writing songs about his struggles helps him move past them. Today on the Lighthouse Report, he gives an example.
10-21 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Hardships – Stacy Delisle
Imagine … knowing you are going to lose your child. What would you do? Well, today on the Lighthouse Report, Stacy Delisle, who experienced that very scenario, shares her story.
10-24 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Following God – Jeremy Riddle
So, what desires has God placed in your heart? Today on the Lighthouse Report, musician Jeremy Riddle talks about following after God.
10-25 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Junk in Life – Regi Campbell
Isn’t it great how God loves us and cares for us despite all the junk we have in our lives? On today’s Lighthouse Report, Regi Campbell explains.
10-26 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Insecurities – Dave Fitzgerald
Do you ever struggle with insecurities in your life? Well, music artist Dave Fitzgerald does sometimes. On today’s Lighthouse Report, he discusses what he’s learned regarding that.
10-27 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Buying Their Coffee – Steve Sjogren
Sometimes it's very simple to *stir up* a godly conversation with others in a very nonthreatening way. It may begin by buying them a cup of coffee. Listen for more details from Steve Sjogren on today's Lighthouse Report.
10-28 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * God’s Presence – Clayton King
So, how can you experience God’s presence in your life? Well, on today’s Lighthouse Report, Clayton King discusses what he’s learned.
10-31 * MP3 1-MIN 2-MIN * Protective Power of Prayer – Steve Douglass
Too often we neglect to pray and simply forget the power of God behind prayer. And praying for someone's protection is one of the greatest privileges we can have in the life of a loved one. Steve Douglas tells a woman's story on today's Lighthouse Report.
I’m pleased to announce the release of our newest free ebook. You can download my book And When You Pray: The Deeper Meaning of the Lord’s Prayer in Kindle, Nook, and PDF formats. Click on the link to download your free ebook.
Please note that the free version is only available at the KBM website. If you go to the Kindle store or the Nook store, you’ll have to pay for it. But we believe so much in the message of this book that we’re making it available for free on our website.
When I first preached through the Lord’s Prayer, I discovered what Christians have known for centuries. This is truly a prayer for all occasions. It is so simple that a child can understand it but so deep that you can study it for a lifetime and never come to the end of it.
Here are the chapter titles:
1. Invitation to the Heart of God
2. God Our Father
3. Taking God Seriously
4. Kingdoms in Conflict
5. Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else
6. Daily Bread Living
7. Unless You Forgive
8. Does God Lead His Children into Temptation?
9. Deliver Us From Evil
10. Praying From the Footnotes
A Final Word
Epilogue: Singing Through the Lord’s Prayer
The book contains a built-in study guide with question embedded in each chapter and additional questions at the end of each chapter. The questions make the book very suitable for Bible study groups, discipleship groups, and Sunday School classes.
I actually wrote the Epilogue on “Singing Through the Lord’s Prayer” after the manuscript had been turned in. But I felt so strongly about it that the publisher agreed to include it.
Because the book is out of print, the only printed copies are quite expensive. We’re hoping to acquaint a new audience with the deeper meaning of the Lord’s Prayer by giving away the free ebook.
Just go to our digital download page, look for the image you see above this blog entry, and then download the version you want. It’s as simple as that.
And if you’d like to help us out, help us spread the word about this new ebook version of “And When You Pray.”
Note: If that link doesn’t work for you, try this one instead.
A year of non-stop prayer
http://www.jwipn.com
God is harnessing the technology of this age to further His Kingdom purposes in this hour through YOU and your Cell Phone.
This is an exhilarating and powerful experience you won't want to miss: The Global Body of Christ, praying with one heart and one mind to One God through One Spirit, despite many diverse cultures, ages, and languages.
SIGN UP NOW to lead a Prayer Watch or to review the prayer topics scheduled for Oct. 2nd
The number people will dial to participate is 1 -712-432-0075 and the Access Code is 7739241#. This unique prayer room is open from 12 Midnight EST (US) on October 2nd until 11:59 PM EST (US) October 2nd.
This is a ‘teleconference prayer’call with hourly prayer topics for the needs of Jerusalem and her people for the 24 hours throughout October 2nd, where people will be praying in groups together using their telephones, cell phones, or Skype.
People can call anytime during the 24 hours and stay on the line as long as they would like. If you volunteer to lead a Prayer Watch, you will receive training, resources, and appropriate Scriptures to lead intercession on your chosen prayer topic. There will also be time devoted in each hour for ‘open’ prayer where callers can pray what is on their hearts regarding Jerusalem, Israel, and all of her people groups.
The dial-in number is a toll number and can be reached from anywhere in the world. To connect for FREE, people are encouraged to use their cell phones where minutes are generally free and unlimited on weekends, or to use a VOIP service like Skype to use their computer as a telephone. International callers can call in to the US phone number utilizing regular phones, cell phones, calling cards, or VOIP phones like Skype.
We look forward to praying with you on October 2nd as you particpate in The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.Remember, God blesses those who bless Israel (Gen. 12:3) and prospers those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6)
I am encouraged by the number of Christians joining together asking for prayer at the 9-11 memorial event. Today as I was reading about more joining in on the issue, a thought came to me. This is what is was: What if all the Christian at this ceremony, dropped to their knees and prayed--on their own -- at the 'Memorial Event Service', even though no prayer was offered by the leaders of the event. Perhaps that level of humbly submitting to God, in the face of our nation looking on, may turn the course of future events of our nation and honor those who perished.
It is definitely something to think and pray about.
Where were you on September 11, 2001? That’s a question the vast majority of Americans can easily answer. On that unforgettable Tuesday morning I was driving to work listening to the radio. The announcer interrupted the music and read a news bulletin. First reports indicated a small single-engine plane had crashed into one of the towers of the World Trade Center. Subsequent reports brought the fuzzy news story into fearful focus. We were a nation under attack.
The magnitude of the tragedy soon became unimaginable. Thousands of lives had been lost. Tens of thousands had been personally impacted. The skyline of New York City had been altered beyond recognition. What was worse, our enemy was unknown. Subsequent attacks were possible. As a result, airports across the country closed down for the better part of a week. Churches opened their doors for spontaneous prayer services. There was a renewed sense of patriotism and dependence on God independent of party lines or religious affiliation.
Although the sudden fervor of faith faded as our nation regained its emotional balance, a haunting fear has dogged us for the past decade. National security remains on most everyone’s mind. The increase in terroristic activity overseas as well as the senseless mass-shootings in our country has left us feeling vulnerable.
The tenth anniversary of September 11th provides us with an opportunity to remember how quick we were willing to turn to God a decade ago. This sad milestone causes us to recall the fragility of life and fleeting nature of peace. It is an invitation to reflect and listen to what our Creator is attempting to say to us in the midst of daily headlines that rob our sense of confidence.
We all reflect and listen differently. Some meditate in silence. Some brush paint on an empty canvas. Others journal their inmost thoughts. Still others go on a contemplative walk in nature. My preference is to write poetry. As the anniversary of 9/11 approached, I put pen to paper reminded that God holds us securely even when the slippery fingers of our faith find hanging on to hope difficult.
Since September 11th is on a Sunday, local clergy can use the following poem as a congregational hymn. (Suggested tunes: “Ode to Joy” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)
God remains our source of courage when we're traumatized by terror.
When we're haunted by the headlines and the violence everywhere.
Hear God whisper in the silence, "Don't despair, I'm in control.
Hurting hearts and broken cities will at last one day be whole."
God recalls that tragic Tuesday when twin towers disappeared,
when three thousand people perished and our hearts were numbed by fear.
Yet God whispers ten years later, "Justice will in time be done.
I will stand with those who need me 'till my Kingdom fully comes."
God invites us to be trusting when we find that faith is hard.
When we're fearful for our safety and our nerves are frayed or jarred.
Still God whispers in the silence, "Even when your faith is weak,
I will keep your feet from stumbling when your way is dark and bleak."
An ancient Hebrew poet composed a hymn for an insecure nation that offers a similar theme. You don’t know the tune, but it’s likely you know the words.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV)
Wednesday night
I had a Skype conversation with Peter Wang in Dalian, China tonight. He told me that Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of the first time the police tried to shut down his church. They first raided a prayer meeting and later interrupted a Sunday church service, eventually forcing his congregation to move into Peter’s apartment and then forcing Peter’s family to move to a different apartment. Those were dark, hard days for Peter and his family and his congregation.
How are things now?
“The police now call me and ask for my advice,” he said. “If they are concerned about a house church in Dalian, they call and ask me, ‘Do you know this church?’ If I say yes, they leave the church alone.”
How did such a change happen?
“It has to do with you and me, Pastor Ray.” Peter was referring to our visit last October when despite much opposition, we were able to have a Sunday night Meet the Author event at Dalian University of Technology. Up until the last second we thought the event would be canceled. Later we made a video of that amazing evening.
Peter told me that it wasn’t until months later that the police told him what happened. We wondered that night why no police showed up at all. It turned out that two days before the event, the “big boss” over religious affairs said to the police, “You must stop this event with Peter Wang and Ray Pritchard.” My name only matters because I am a foreigner. Peter said the police have no problem shutting down a Chinese-led event. But they have to be much more careful when foreigners are involved because they fear pressure from other governments. So the police officer said, “I will shut them down but I want a written order,” thus covering himself in case things went badly. He was promised that the order would be delivered.
That weekend was a holiday in China so many offices were closed. The police officer said he called everywhere and no one knew where the order to close us down was. It never arrived so the police just ignored the event, which was attended by 400-500 students. Here’s the kicker. The officer told Peter then when he arrived at his office on Monday morning, the order was on his desk. But it didn’t matter because the event had already happened. The policeman couldn’t figure it out, but Peter told him that God had protected us. The officer even agreed with him and then asked him to pray for his son (even though the officer is evidently not a believer). Peter prayed for his son, thus opening huge doors of friendship.
At the moment Peter is doing well, and the police are not bothering the house churches in Dalian (this isn’t true of the rest of China. In some cities there is continuing persecution).
My son Mark and I are going to Korea and then to China in late October and early November. We will spend time with Peter and, God willing, visit his house church once again.
There are other stories of God’s amazing protection that Peter told me, but this one stuck in my mind. Why did the police allow us to meet last October? Because God arranged it so that the order stopping us would be “lost” all weekend and then show up on the officer’s desk a day too late.
We do serve an amazing God. I know Peter is very grateful for your prayers.
Ray
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com
9/11 Remembered
By Wayne Pederson
Special to ASSIST News Service
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (ANS) -- Where were you on September 11, 2001? On that 9/11, I was involved in a meeting of National Religious Broadcasters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Erwin Lutzer was keynote speaker. As we learned of the tragic attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, we gathered the group and Dr. Lutzer began to teach of St. Augustine's "City of God" vs. the "City of Man".
 |
A sight on 9/11 that we will never forget |
Our world has changed since 9/11/01. One can't get on an airplane without thinking how our world has lost its innocence. And the attacks on our nation transformed America from the great benefactor of the world to a country fearful and suspicious of our international colleagues. Many call them "the enemy"
However, many mission organizations have chosen to not view people in these nations as enemies. Jesus taught to love our enemies and pray for those who despise us. He gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
 |
A fireman surveys the devastation |
In the last few years, HCJB Global has re-doubled efforts to proclaim the message of Christ through media and demonstrate God's love through human care.
The verse I discovered in 9/11/01 rings true this 9/11. It's Psalm 91:1. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
In fact, all of Psalm 91 is a statement of God's shelter and protection. It might be good reading and reflection on this 911.
The Psalm goes on to state: "you will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.
If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent."
This is better than taking your shoes off before your board an airplane. This is the calm assurance that God's protection is worth more than the war on terror, or the TSA screenings.
 |
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.
Tuesday, 06 September 2011
No religious elements will be included in New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 9/11 commemoration service this Sunday. Quotations and poems will be read by a variety of leaders, and the list of 9/11 victims will be read in its entirety. Unfortunately, not a single prayer will be offered for the survivors of this tragedy, for our leaders, or for our nation. Nor will a single religious leader be included in the event.The mayor's decision is surprising, given his support for including the so-called Ground Zero Cross in the 9/11 Memorialand his defense of those who want to build a mosque and Muslim community center nearby. It might be difficult to decide who should be included, as is the case for most public events. But it is a mistake to allow no one to offer prayers or represent faith traditions at a ceremony for so many grieving families.
In response to the mayor's decision, Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren is planning a service at Lower Manhattan Community Church, a "daughter church" of Saddleback located two blocks from Ground Zero. The "Hope & Freedom" eventwill be webcast live. Manhattan pastor Ryan Holladay explained: "We want to give people an opportunity to process the anniversary from a spiritual perspective. It wasn't just a national or civic tragedy, it was a spiritual tragedy."
He is absolutely right. It is deeply troubling that the leader of our nation's largest city apparently believes religion to be so inconsequential to our culture and problems. I cannot think of an event in recent history so indicative of America's escalating secularism.
How should Christians respond? By viewing the mayor's decision as a call to action. Christians are "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13, 14). Salt and light are powerful all out of proportion to their size. History proves that just a few of us can make an historic impact on our nation.
A small gathering of believers at Pentecost sparked the most powerful spiritual movement in history (Acts 2:1-12). Anunknown German monk living in a remote village initiated the Protestant Reformation. A frontier preacher named Solomon Stoddard hosted prayer meetings that led to the First Great Awakening under the preaching of his grandson, Jonathan Edwards. The spiritual awakening currently winning more people to Christ than ever before in history began in war-torn South Korea 50 years ago.
What do these catalytic events have in common? They were led by people who were sold out to Jesus--men and women who were submitted to the Holy Spirit, grieving the secular state of their lost culture, determined to use their influence to serve their King.
Let's join them.
August 2011 Newsletter
Dear HPN members,
HAPPY END OF SUMMER! It’s already time for students’ return to school and for the new TV season to begin. During our 10th year anniversary let’s end August with prayers for the entertainment community and the new Fall TV season.
SUMMARY:
• We praise God for our Jewish friend, Earl who embraced his Messiah last month• We praise God for Burt Swardstrom, who passed away last month
• Pray for the people involved in the 42nd annual Comic Con
• Keep praying for Justin Bieber as he and his mom make decisions on giving
• Please keep praying for all of the people involved in the summer movies
• Pray for the family members of Amy Winehouse, English singer/songwriter
• Pray for HPN’s friend Sherri Shepherd as she looks to her upcoming wedding
• Let’s pray for the Christians working in Hollywood
• Let’s pray for the Christians working in Hollywood
• Pray for the Jewish community in Hollywood
• Cassandra has asked for us to pray for her as she gets into production
• “I pray for the HPN staff, that you would be very aware the spiritual warfare…”
• “My daughter, a producer in Hollywood, just got nominated for an Emmy…”
• Could you do us a favor and show your support for HPN on a ministry link…
• Thursday, Sept. 8th is HPN’s Quarterly Prayer and Praise night
• HPN is one of three ministries involved in a collaborative fund/friend raiser
PRAISES:
• We praise God for lovingly leading our Jewish friend, dancer/choreographer Earl to embrace his Messiah!!! Earl has been prayed for by many friends and family members and in God’s perfect timing, he became a Messianic Jew last month. We are sooooo excited and thankful, and he is very happy!
• We praise God for Burt Swardstrom, who passed away last month after a long and fruitful life. He was a wonderful, faithful prayer warrior in our Christian entertainment community. As a retired Pastor, he became head of prayer for MasterMedia Intl. and then spent the last couple of years leading prayer groups for the people in our creative and business entertainment community. We will miss Burt very much but we know that his life and prayers made an eternal difference in all of our lives and in our industry.
UPDATE:• The world’s largest entertainment convention, Comic Con, just completed it’s 42nd annual gathering (July 21 – 14, 2011) at the San Diego Convention Center where over 125,000 attendees come together to celebrate comic books, pop culture, graphic novels and current blockbuster movies based on comic books. It’s the most popular event of the year for filmmakers and audiences alike and we want to keep praying for God’s hand on the people who create, market and support today’s pop culture. For more info on Comic Con visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Comic-Con_International
• Keep praying for Justin Bieber as he and his mom make decisions on their generous giving. One thing he supports is the Save the Children fund that aims to help people in East Africa and Somalia that are in danger from famine. We ask the Lord to continue to use his generosity to make an eternal difference in the world and to encourage his fans to help others as well. For more thoughts from Pattie, click HERE.
REQUESTS:
• It’s the end of the summer blockbuster movie releases and the final four films are battling for box office numbers. Please keep praying for all of the people involved in the summer movies – for their relationships, their personal choices, and that the Lord will open their eyes to their moral and ethical decisions and their belief in Him. As we are called to go to all ends of the earth to share the truth of Jesus, let’s pray for those whose careers impact all ends of the earth. For info on the August films, click HERE.
• Please pray for the family members of Amy Winehouse, English singer/songwriter. Amy’s problems with drug and alcohol abuse, violence, and her self-destructive behaviors were regular tabloid news from 2007 until her death on July 23re, at the age of 27. The cause of her death is “yet unexplained.” Amy is only one in the list of musicians who died of either suicide or unknown causes at the age of 27. That’s why we need to be praying for the salvation of entertainment celebrities, because more often than not, celebrity is a curse, not a blessing. HPN believes that only God was meant to get glory, attention, fame and power, which is why most “men” cannot handle it. Learn more about an organization giving attention to this pattern of early death, “The 27 Club”, click HERE.
• Pray for HPN’s friend Sherri Shepherd in her upcoming wedding to television writer Lamar Sally in this month. Sherri is known as one of the co-hosts of The View, but she’s known in the Christian community as a committed believer who stands firm in her faith, despite any ridicule or challenge. Let’s pray for Sherri and Lamar as they commit their lives to one another, to the Lord, and to her 6-year-old son, Jeffrey. May they be shining lights in our industry! To get to know more about Sherri click HERE.
• Let’s pray for Christians working in Hollywood and for the Lord to strengthen their walk with Him, for His Holy Spirit to make them salt and light in the work place and for their stories to be sold and made into quality films, TV shows, songs, video games, news pieces, etc. And let’s pray for the Christian audience to be slow to judge and quick to pray for these professionals to be encouraged to seek God on their vocational and spiritual journeys. It’s a hard place to live and work here and we need all the prayer and encouragement we can get! Click HERE to read about a new film coming out and how we may respond.
• HPN has found a growing desire among Christians to pray for the Jewish community in Hollywood and for Jews in Hollywood to seek after their Messiah. The industry was begun by immigrant Jews and currently about 80% of entertainment decision-makers are Jewish. However, many of them don’t even believe in God. Let’s pray for the wonderful, creative Jews in our industry to discover how much their Creator loves them and that He has a beautiful plan for them through knowing His Son, their Messiah! Two great books of stories about how some Jewish people have found God, read: “Betrayed” by Stan Telchin and “They Thought for Themselves: Ten Amazing Jews” by Sid Roth. As you pray, remember “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom.”
REQUESTS FROM HPN MEMBERS:
• Atlanta Local Chapter Director, Cassandra, is a filmmaker and she has asked for us to pray for her as she gets into production on her new film, “A Praying Grandmother: The Helen Baylor Story,” a biopic film about Gospel singer Helen Baylor. Let’s ask the Lord to give Cassandra wisdom, strength, a great team, her needed financing and perseverance as she jumps into this huge project. For more info, check out: www.holyhillproductions.com
• “I pray for the HPN staff, that you would be very aware the spiritual warfare in film and television is huge, because of the obvious global influence.” Stephen
• “My daughter, a producer in Hollywood, just got nominated for an Emmy! Please pray for her, that the Holy Spirit would intercede and she would give her life to Jesus Christ - so God can do a work in her and through her to glorify His name with the gifts He has given her.” Anne
• Could you do us a favor and show your support for HPN on a ministry link called Giving of Life. They want to help non-profits get more exposure for their ministry by having the registered ministries qualify for a grant that they give through getting VOTES on-line on their site. The more votes, the closer we are to qualifying for their grant. Wild huh? Well, it's legit. So, if you're interested, here's all you do: Click on the site here and then go down to the bottom of our page and VOTE! Thanks so much. Let's see how we do: http://givingoflife.com/browse/hollywood_prayer_network/
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Thursday, Sept. 8th is HPN’s Quarterly Prayer and Praise night. This night isfocused on INDUSTRY FAMILIES. If you are part of a family with an industry professional of any age in the family, then come pray with us and be prayed for by our prayer team. If you have a heart for young professionals or industry families, then please come to pray, and if you just want to praise God and prayer quietly then come as well. We want the evening to be a joyous time of prayer and praise for all the industry families who want to be encouraged by others in the Christian community in Hollywood. For more information click HERE.
• HPN is one of three ministries involved in a collaborative fund/friend raiser in October. Would you join us in praying that the Lord will use it to expand our vision, build our team of volunteers and donors, and that it will bring more strength and unity into our community.
• For other upcoming events click HERE for the list.
Thanks so much for praying for 10 years! Have a great end of your summer and know that we appreciate you!!
Warmly,
Karen and Caren
--------------------------------
TIP OF THE MONTH:
How can you have more influence in your workplace? Click HERE.
VOTE on our HPN Twitter or Facebook pages and tell us which quote you like best this month!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"In a way humans are not made of skin and bone as much as we're made of
stories." Sue Monk Kidd
or
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
Have you seen the bumper sticker "Honk if you love Jesus. Text if you want to meet him"? Anonymous
Twitter - Retweet the quote you like the best.
Facebook - Like whichever quote you choose.
VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” I Corinthians 1:21-25
For those Prayer Warriors with God’s heart for Jerusalem and all of her people – Jewish and Arab alike - you can make a powerful difference from the comfort of your own home and the convenience of your own schedule.
Go to http://www.daytopray.com/difference/greatercalling
and sign up to receive a brief daily prayer TEXT starting Sept. 1st to intercede for the global work and workers of The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ), October 2nd. It only takes a minute but makes all the difference!
You are also invited to help lead a prayer watch on the October 2nd 24 Hour DPPJ Prayer Conference Call for this critical global prayer movement, where churches in over 175 nations - including underground churches in 7 Muslim countries – participated last year. Over 1200 Christian leaders of all different denominations and cultures endorse this united call to prayer for God's peace and purposes in this troubled but strategic region. We provide you with a guide and scriptures to help you facilitate intercessors who united from all over the world in this exciting cyberspace prayer room. To sign up & view hourly prayer topics, please log onto http://www.greatercalling.org/dppj/
The call is simple: Scripture consistently and repeatedly calls us to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and for the establishment of God's purposes within her walls; and the current tragedy, bloodshed, and loss of innocent life in both sides of this conflict warrant our focused, fervent, and informed intercession. So without needing to be on the same theological or political page, we are simply, in response to a timeless Biblical mandate and a current human crisis, calling the Body of Christ in the nations to set aside the first Sunday of October - October 2nd - as the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.
It’s true. I long for a day when prayer seldom will be mentioned in church. Now before you drop your membership to CPLN or report me to the heresy watchdogs, let me explain.
My dream is to see churches so committed to prayer that it is just done! It is so much a part of the spiritual DNA of a congregation that no one has to beg “please come to this prayer gathering.” People just come to pray.
Or the worship leader or prayer leader doesn’t have to fight for space to get some prayer times in the morning worship service . . . it is expected. Or people naturally participate in group prayer and get excited about what God is going to do in response. Or before or after a service you see pairs of people with heads bowed, praying for each other . . . spontaneously. Or when a decision is hard to come by in a board meeting, everyone realizes that they need to spend some time in prayer . . . and someone just starts praying!
Wow! Wouldn’t that be something.
So why isn’t that the DNA of most western churches? There are lots of possible reasons. Of course Satan hates to see a praying church, so he is working mightily against that happening. But I suspect there is another reason that is pretty prevalent in churches.
Prayer and its results cannot be controlled. And we like control.
In our western society today, rare is the church that does not adhere to a tried and true order of a service . . . and a pretty set time that the service should take (an hour, an hour and 15 minutes and so on). So because that is what the people want, and what seems to work the smoothest, we time everything (there is even program software to help us do it!), and schedule everything to make sure it fits the popular timeframe. So even if a pastor, as he prepares his message “gets something from the Lord,” it has to fit in 25 minutes . . . or he can beg the worship leader to remove a song or two, but that could be dicey. Easier just to shorten the message. In that kind of a setting prayer is pretty much a perfunctory thing that we control. No one is really encouraged to pray, “in the spirit,” sensing what the Holy Spirit would have them pray. Instead, the pray-er knows to keep it short and to stick to the purpose—is the prayer a welcome, a bridge to something else, etc. Heaven forbid if the person praying starts to get moved and prays too long. That would really muck up the plan.
Any church elder’s meeting or board meeting begins with prayer--usually one or two people, asking God for wisdom and to bless the meeting. A smaller number of boards might spend 15-30 minutes or more in prayer, but that is rare. And very few boards indeed would think to break into the meeting with prayer at a crucial roadblock moment. Why? Perhaps the reason is as sadly innocent as no one thinks enough of the importance of prayer to remember to do so . . . but I think the underlying issue of giving up control is at work here too. You see when we actually use prayer as a way to seek real direction from God—to hear His heart on a matter—we give up control. We have to obey what we hear. And that is often too uncomfortable for boards and leaders to do because the status quo may change. Years ago I was in a very uncomfortable situation at a ministry where I worked. A core of us had heard God say to do something differently. We had worked through it and discussed it, feeling this was of God. But when push came to shove with obedience, neither the individual who would have to incorporate this change nor our leadership would do it. It was not what conventional wisdom said to do . . . and what the industry typically did. It is much easier not to seek God!
Prayer cannot be controlled. Prayer opens the door to change, to rearrangement, to going off bulletin, to seeing the power of God displayed in the midst of His people. Prayer gives the Spirit “permission” to respond in whatever way He wants to respond. And deep down, our western, gotta-be-in-control mindset does not want to go there.
A recent news story in the premiere issue of Prayer Connect, “Mercy Drops of Revival” tells what happened when a pastor listened to God and threw away his comfortable plan. Prayer took over, and a mini revival that lasted several months profoundly altered his ministry. (You can read this article in the news section at prayerconnect.net.)
For many, sadly, that is too dangerous, and unconsciously prayer is kept in a safe, perfunctory, filler role in the life of a church. As a prayer leader or church leader, I encourage you to pray that God will open the eyes and hearts of your church leadership to realize that they must give up control . . . and pray.
| It Seems to Me ... Prayer is a collaborative experience.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (vv 22-23).
It seems to me, many of those missing from our prayer gatherings (or silent when they are present) would welcome conversing with the Lord, communing with open another, and ollecting spiritual insights-- if only they knew we believe that prayer is a collaborative experience. Originally published by the Church Prayer Leaders Network |
