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Forgiveness (24)
Hajj 2021 - Day 1
Sacred Act 1: Ihram (cleaning, preparation day
Pilgrims must enter into the state of Ihram (purity) which involves ritual washing and then wearing white, plain garments. These garments indicate that all pilgrims are equal. Following this cleansing, pilgrims are officially on the Hajj. As they cross the pilgrimage boundary, the men will shout the Talbiyah, a Muslim prayer: “Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners.” During this day of cleansing, pilgrims visit the the Grand Mosque in which the Ka'aba is located. The Ka'aba is a black building in the center of the Mosque that is considered to be the Bayt Allah (“House of God”), the most sacred site in Islam. It is equivalent to the Holy of Holies in the Jewish Tabernacle and Temple. After leaving the Grand Mosque, many pilgrims will walk to the tent city of Mina to spend the night.
Key Scriptures to Pray
“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:11-14
Going before the Father
Pray Muslims would know that only the Lord Jesus Christ provides the “purification for sins” that they desire. Pray for their spiritual journey to include dreams and visions of Jesus.
As Muslims walk into the Grand Mosque and see the Ka’aba, they feel like they are entering the most holy place on earth. Hebrews 9:11-14 says the Lord Jesus entered the “Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption”.
Pray that pilgrims would know that only in Jesus can they have an unblemished conscience and eternal redemption.
Fasting from all, one day at a time.
The body grows weak, dreams come to mind.
All food abandoned, an annual fast.
We’re seeking forgiveness and healing that lasts.
Forty days pass, like Jesus I fast.
Temptations and trials start to attack.
Breakthrough will come, if only I win.
Could fasting help us all overcome sin?
Abstaining from pleasure, I walk Daniel’s path:
Rich foods forgotten, in this partial fast.
I yearn for my homeland: a vision revealed.
The future unfolds; the Scripture unsealed.
Demons must flee, as I starve my old flesh.
Evil must leave! I passed the test!
Mercy increases, I yearn to be right.
The journey’s been long, but the end is in sight.
Transform my hunger to faith in the Lord.
Refraining from comfort as I bear the Sword
Of the Spirit to vanquish my foe and pierce
Through the dark: no lusts, no pride, and no fears.
Thank you to all of you who prayed during the Hajj last week. Let's continue to pray this week for the pilgrims who continue to perform Hajj rituals and for those who have returned to their home countries. Muslims also go to Mecca to perform the "Omra", which is a smaller version of the Hajj, a pilgrimage that they can do anytime during the year. Therefore, we can always be praying for Muslim pilgrims in Mecca and the city of Mecca itself.
A Saudi believer wrote the following prayer concerns and so let's join him and all Saudi believers in praying for Saudi Arabia and Mecca:
"The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and it comes with the promise of cleansing the pilgrim of all their past (but not future) sins. Due to the physical and financial difficulty that can be involved, this pilgrimage is not mandatory, but many Muslims are willing to take the risks in order to be (temporarily) free from the burden of their sin and transgressions.
Many Muslims consider this pilgrimage an invitation to personal sacrifice, self-reflection and spiritual development by immersing themselves in the throng of their fellow Muslim brothers and sisters and drawing close to powerful symbols of Islam and its God.
Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again." (John 4:13-14)
To be totally free from sin, Muslim pilgrims must continue to return to Mecca to be cleansed over and over again, often at great personal cost. Pray that they will instead turn to the Messiah Jesus and confess him as Lord to be permanently set free from not only slavery to sin, but also religious slavery.
Pray for Muslims who return from Hajj to fall under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be ever-restless, finding no peace and no false-sense of reconciliation with God apart from Christ.
Pray for the growing number of local Christ-followers who slip in among the pilgrims during Hajj to share the Gospel and proclaim the risen Savior. Ask the Holy Spirit to give them boldness and a love that casts out fear. Ask the Father to send pilgrims who receive Jesus back to their home countries as missionaries proclaiming the Gospel!
Near the western coast of Saudi Arabia lies the City of Mecca, the birthplace of Islam's Prophet Mohammed, and at its center is the Kaaba, a cube-like structure draped in black cloth and the holiest site in Islam. Muslims believe the Kabaa is the first mosque, the first place of worship, ever constructed, built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (thus predating even the Jewish Tabernacle/Temple). This structure is the focal point on Earth of all Islamic prayers and nearly every mosque in the world has been designed to point toward it.
Mecca itself is oriented around the Kaaba, the Hajj, and the year-round lesser pilgrimages to Sacred Mosque. The constant stream of pilgrims from all over the world has made Mecca quite diverse for the region and many locals are employed in the "Hajj Industry", serving the needs of visitors and always preparing for the next Hajj. Non-Muslims are forbidden from entering the city.
Pray that the increasingly commercialization of the Hajj will lead to disillusionment among both visiting Muslims as well as the native workers as they strive to please God with empty rituals and dead works.
Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is considered to be the holiest of the two great Islamic holidays and takes place during the last three days of the Hajj. This feast commemorates and honors the Prophet Abraham for his willingness to obey God without question, even when he was asked to sacrifice his own son. Much like the Genesis story, in Islam the Prophet Abraham is prevented from actually killing his son when a lamb is miraculously produced by God as a replacement.
Every year Muslims, like the Prophet Abraham, offer an animal sacrifice and then divide the meat into three parts: one for the poor, another for relatives, friends and neighbors and the final third they keep and eat in their own household.
As the story of Abraham is replayed by millions of Muslims, pray that many will be stirred to seek out more information about this man of God and that they will have the courage to read the Scriptures for themselves. Pray that the Genesis story will come alive as they read it, more powerfully than anything they've ever read in the Quran."
Also, watch this recent PTAP video about the Bani Atiya tribe in Saudi Arabia. Pray that God would bring this entire tribe to Himself!
"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints." Colossians 1:24 - 26
Fatima Al-Mutairi was a woman from Saudi Arabia who was killed by her brother in 2008 for being a follower of Christ. Her case was widely publicized at the time. Although death is the exception and not the rule, the cost of turning away from Islam to Christ is enormous. Many have lost their families, friends, communities, jobs, reputations, and freedom. They have been imprisoned and killed in honor killings as in the case of Fatima. Jesus even predicted this (Matthew 10:21-22). Since the Arabian Peninsula is the very heartland of Islam, persecution is a reality.
Fatima's Story (See the Video at the end)
Writings by Fatima Al-Mutairi before her execution: Read Here
Watch the testimony of a believer from Bahrain. She persecuted Christians and later became the persecuted.
Arabian Dawn
I persecuted people - Bahrain
Prayer:
O God of all comfort, we pray for our dear brothers and sisters who are currently being persecuted in the AP because of their faith in you. Comfort them in all of their afflictions. May they abundantly share in your comfort as they share in your sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). O Father of mercies, have mercy upon them and cause them to rejoice in their sufferings and fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of the church in the AP. And we pray specifically for the family of Fatima Al-Mutairi, that you would convict them of their sins, that they would repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15). Bring them into your kingdom. Do not let them go until they surrender their lives to you. Make the word of God fully known to them, O Lord. They have done great evil, but you are a God of forgiveness. Forgive them and reconcile them to yourself through Christ your Son! Amen.
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PTAP's Vision
"To see the global church praying for the Arabian Peninsula so that the gospel and churches will be planted for every indigenous people in the Arabian Peninsula"
I fear that the church in these days, especially in the West, has become shallow in our understanding and practice of forgiveness. We sometimes confuse forgiveness with overlooking sins. And agape* love in the church family certainly covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) But the depth of forgiveness in the church family must be more than putting up with one another's faults and weaknesses. Nor is forgiveness the same as understanding. I have heard someone say, “Well, I can forgive him because I understand why he did that.” Real forgiveness does not demand understanding. It can come while you still hurt. Such forgiveness is the key to true reconciliation that releases the power of God in our midst.
In the years that I was pastoring churches I always used the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 as a guide for church discipline when someone had sinned against the whole body. I believe that is justified to some extent. But that is really not the context in which Jesus spoke those words. They begin, “If your brother sins against you.” Because of the importance of this passage I want to present it here in its entirety including verses 18-20. And I encourage you to read it slowly and thoughtfully before I begin to unpack some of it.
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
First, notice the goal of reconciliation. When someone wrongs you, you are not to go to them as the judge pointing out how wrong they are. Your goal is to heal the relationship. From the start you need to have worked through your willingness to forgive, and restore the relationship, possibly deeper than it ever had been before.
This requires humility produced by the Holy Spirit through time spent agonizing in prayer for the person. And that humility extends to a willingness to sit down with a person before an outside party. When you bring in another party, or failing that, go before the entire church, you have to be open for them to see things you haven't seen in the issue. And you have to be humble enough to submit to their authority over you for the sake of reconciliation. This will require nothing short of the agape* love that God is developing in our lives and in the fellowship of the church.
And even the judgment of the church, is to be carried out in heartbroken agape*. While treating people as non-believers does not mean we have no more contact with them, it does mean that the whole purpose of the body of Christ is broken. And seems to be very serious. Jesus says rather forcefully here, “Whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven.” He says identical words in John 20 where He breathes on his disciples the Holy Spirit.
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
(John 20:22,23)
Finally we see the depth of agreeing together in prayer that can only come from forgiving from our very hearts. Peter comes to Jesus and asks how many times shall he keep on forgiving someone who has wronged him. Jesus tells the parable of the servant who has received great forgiveness, but won't forgive his fellow servant. And he concludes with verse 35.
“So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
*Agape is the ultimate love of God poured out in our lives. The fullest description of agape in 1 Corinthians 13.
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Yemen has felt the burden of injustice for the past three years with war, famine and epidemics which have ravaged the country. Please pray Psalm 12:5 over the people of Yemen: "Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise," says the Lord; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs." (NASB).
Young men are forced to join militias in Yemen due to threats and needing the money given them, to feed their families. Displaced people flee from their bombed out homes. Pray for the people who are burdened by fear. Pray that they will hear about the Savior who can give them peace and even joy, in the midst of fearful times.
In fact, the sin of hatred is strong in a land where tribes are fighting one another. Please pray that hatred will be replaced with forgiveness and love. This can only be done through Christ. Pray for the people, Ephesians 4: 31-31: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you."
Furthermore, humanitarian tragedies have permeated. Each statistic represents a person who has suffered grief, heartache and hopelessness. Please pray that everyone will hear about a loving Savior who will take away pain and will comfort those who mourn. Pray that the physical needs of the people will also be met, that food and supplies will be allowed into the country and will be given to those who need them.
I have tremendous respect for David Platt. I pray nearly every day for God to continue to use him mightily. I recommend listening to his sermons. You can find many of them on YouTube. David has shocked people by preaching against telling people to pray a sinner's prayer. He rightly notes that we have been guilty of communicating to people that they can be right with God by praying those words as a sort of ritual without becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I agree with David. But I also believe a person cannot become a disciple without a direct connection with the Lord. That is prayer. We respond to God's embrace in prayer. If we look at the words we use as a conversion prayer, we see this intent.
We encourage people to pray a prayer of the conviction of sin.
“Lord I know I am a sinner.”
We also include repentance.
“I want to turn from my sins to you.”
If we are going to lead people to invite Christ into their life, we should warn them that they are doing business with Almighty God. They need to be fearful of praying such words without meaning them.
And inherent is the gospel is the fact that we cannot even repent without God's help. People do not come to God by their sincerity. We must come receiving His forgiveness.
“I know You died for me. I accept your forgiveness, and Your gift of eternal life. I trust myself to You.”
One of the problems with using the “sinner's prayer” for evangelism is that it is so easy. It is tempting for us because we don't have to enter into a life-long relationship with the person praying. Just get them to pray these words.
It is also too easy for the person coming to Christ. Someone can pray those words without even thinking. I also believe a person can come to Christ and truly be born again without saying the right words. We might suggest that a person think about the decision she is making over night before she prays such a prayer. Of course, we will need to be sensitive to the person and to the Holy Spirit in the situation. But You can trust Him to bring to completion the work He has begun in a person who has heard the gospel.
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Day 2 - August 31, 2017
Sacred Act 2: Wuqoof (standing at Arafat)
Today is the most important day of the Hajj. Why? Because Muslim scholars say this is the "day the religion of Islam was perfected." The Hajj only becomes valid when the day of Wuqoof is observed. For it is on this day Muslims believe their major and minor sins are forgiven.* If they miss this day, their pilgrimage is pointless. Today, they will invoke Allah for mercy and forgiveness as they stand or sit near Mount Arafat. Muslims believe that as they finish this day they are cleansed of sin,* which also brings freedom from shame. At sunset, a cannon sounds. Pilgrims leave Mount Arafat going to Muzdalifah, where they sleep or stay up all night under the stars.
Key Scriptures to Pray
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
He [Jesus Christ] commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he [Jesus] is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:42-43)
Going before the Father
◦Muslim pilgrims long for their major and minor sins to be removed from their lives. John the Baptist's words cry out that Jesus takes away the sins of the world. Pray that Muslims would not feel a cleansed heart, mind and soul until they realize the finished work that Jesus has accomplished on their behalf.
◦God appointed Jesus to be judge of the living and the dead. Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of sins. Pray that the truth of the Lord Jesus' life, death and resurrection would penetrate the hearts of longing Muslims. Pray they will be drawn to the Giver of Life.
◦Pray that as many Muslims seek to stay up all night to pray, they would have dreams and visions of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:17). Ask God for an open heaven and for the people who are genuinely seeking an encounter with God to have one that leads them to the incredible truth found in Jesus.
What does the Bible say?
* The Bible talks about sins being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:7
For the pilgrims, day three is the longest day. It might take some people two days, and the pilgrimage is not finished until they complete all of these sacred acts.
There are five different sacred acts to perform today and they can be done in almost any order. This can take some people more than one day.
1. They will stone the pillars of Satan
2. Men will shave their heads (an act of humility and cleanliness)
3. They will sacrifice a permissible animal
4. They will circle the Ka'aba seven times
5. They will run between the two hills of Safa and Marwa
Key Scripture to Pray
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest (Jesus Christ) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Hebrews 10:10-14)
Going before the Father
* Ephesians 6:12 states "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against... the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Muslims understand there is a spiritual battle caused by Satan. Throwing rocks at Satan during the day of stoning is meaningless apart from the cross and resurrection which defeated Satan. Pray that they will know Christ and have mighty weapons "for the tearing down of strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)
* In the Old Testament, sacrificing animals meant the forgiveness of sins. After Jesus died on the cross, animal sacrifice was not required, for His death covered all sins. Pray that Muslims will understand the meaning behind the sacrifice and the cross of Jesus. Pray that they will understand that the Father so loved the world that He had to give His Son (Jesus) because whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
* As Muslims circle the Ka'aba and run from hill to hill, ask that they will see the futility of these acts. They can have peace with God and a commitment to Him, but it is only through what Christ did for them. Pray that they will hear this good news and believe.
* Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6) As the pilgrims leave, pray they may still feel extreme emptiness and a lack of peace until they know the Redeemer of their souls, Jesus.
Today (June 22, 2017) is the 27th day of Ramadan and is known as the Night of Power or Destiny. It is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe that the Qu'ran was first revealed to Mohammad during this last week of Ramadan which established Mohammad as the Messenger of Allah. Nobody knows the exact day but the 27th day is generally accepted.
The Night of Power is found both in the Qu'ran and the Hadith. It is reported in the Hadith that Mohammad said: "Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Power, fully believing (in Allah's promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins." (from hadiths in Bukhari and Muslim)
Therefore, on this night, millions of Muslims around the world will be praying in mosques all night long for Allah's special favor. They pray extra prayers. They recite more of the Qu'ran. They make special requests. They believe that the heavens are open and Allah's blessings are abundant.
Prayer: O Lord of all power and might, on this night of power, would you reveal yourself in dreams and visions to the millions who will be praying and seeking Allah. They want to experience your power, but are looking in the wrong places. As you have for so many Muslims, give them dreams and visions of Jesus. Rend the heavens and come down with power by your Holy Spirit and your Word! And then lead them to the Bible and Christian people who can explain the gospel message. We ask for many conversions on this night! May they find true forgiveness of sins in Christ alone. May they find true peace and blessings by being born again. Show yourself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the resurrection power who raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20). Amen.
Continuing to Pray for Qatar
The diplomatic rift between Qatar and other Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia and UAE, has continued. Countries have boycotted Qatar and closed their borders. Despite continuing tensions in the region, Qatar has remained calm and is continuing with business as usual. Food supply is largely unaffected, as Qatar is now importing its products from other countries such as Turkey and Iran. Daily life appears to be unaffected for many, other than for those who had to make alternative travel plans or are unable to see extended family in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, etc over the upcoming Eid holidays.
Nonetheless, the biggest change that is apparent in Qatar since the blockade has been a deep sense of betrayal Qataris feel toward the other GCC countries whom they have considered as 'brothers' and a rise in patriotism. Many are also offended that the blockade was imposed over the month of Ramadan, a holy month where Muslims are to be drawing close to Allah and practicing kindness and generosity. It appears that for Qatar, there is no going back. The offense is too great, and they have lost trust in their brothers. The Gulf countries have presented a list of demands to Qatar, but Qatar is taking a strong stance and not backing down. Therefore, it seems that tensions will continue on.
Please continue to pray for Qatar and its neighbors--for wisdom and humility for the leaders, for the Church to rise up to intercede for these countries, and for God to reign and make Himself known over the Arabian Peninsula during this time.
I recently finished the rough draft of a book on AGAPE. I have to admit that writing it has been a thrill. One of the things that God pressed on me is that agape, the love of God, the love the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have lavished upon one another from before time, is at the heart of our bond with God. And agape needs to be the driving force of our prayer. Let me point out some natural expressions of the love of God that should shape our prayers.
Prayer for the Needy
God cares for the poor. He loves them with a special love. (James 2:5) You can pray in general for ministries to the poor. Thank God for them. And of course real agape and real prayer will give to such ministries. But that is not enough. You can pray for people you may pass every day. You may see them on the side of the road or in the grocery store. You may very well see them in church. And you can pray for opportunities to get the know some of them personally, and find personal ways to pray for each of them.
The neediest people you will ever meet are people who are lost without Christ
Prayer for the Lost
God cares for the lost. Jesus began His teaching in Luke 15 with this parable. Which one of you who has a hundred sheep but loses one of them will not leave the 99 in the open field to go after the one lost sheep? When he finds it, will he not put it on his shoulders with joy? Coming home he will call his friends and neighbors saying, “Celebrate with me because I have found my lost sheep!” Jesus concluded, “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Are you praying daily by name for people who do not know your Lord? I assumed many of us would have to look for needy people. But that is not true about lost people. God has placed you in the midst of family members, neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances who need Christ. He has trusted them to you. Pray for a clear witness to them. Pray for softened heart. Pray for every need they have. Pray for His power in their lives.
Prayer of Forgiveness
As Jesus hung on the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” Who do you think He was praying for? He was certainly praying for the Roman soldiers who were carrying out His crucifixion. I believe He was praying for the multitude shouting, “Crucify!” I believe He was praying for the men who had condemned Him. But He was also praying for me. His whole crucifixion was a powerful prayer for God to forgive me and you. That prayer was a declaration of the will of God from before the foundation of the universe.
Are you praying for God to forgive those who have sinned against you? They probably include people whom you love, people who are close to you. They will include people who hate you. They will include people who hurt you deeply, and people who are not at all sorry about it. This kind of praying requires spiritual growth. And it will be a major factor in your growing more and more in the love of Christ.
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Prayer Requests & Hajj 2016 - Sept 7, 2016
Praise God for those in the Arabian Peninsula who walked in darkness but now believe in the Savior. Pray that the witness of their changed lives will be strong as they live day to day among people who don't agree with their beliefs. Pray that others will be drawn to them, desiring change also. Pray for many to believe and grow in faith.
The leader of a local mosque made an unexpected visit to the home of a Christian worker. The Christian was surprised and a little frightened about the possible purpose of his visit, but was relieved when he partook of refreshments served to him. In Muslim culture, this is a sign indicating good will. After traditional greetings and conversation, the Muslim leader said, "Well, you know why I have come to visit you." The Christian respectfully replied, "No, sir, I actually do not know why you have come to visit." "I have come because if I were to die right now I know I would go to Hell." Amazed, the Christian shared the Gospel with him beginning with the Fall of Man and the Promise of the Seed of the Woman in the Garden of Eden-- the very first prophecy of Christ (Genesis 3). By the end of the visit, the Muslim leader left with a copy of the Jesus Film, the dramatized audio Bible, and Arabic worship music. He returned every few weeks with questions and at last put his faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. Please pray for him as he is facing enormous spiritual warfare.
Some years ago a very skinny and dirty little boy came to the home of a Christian family to beg. They gave him some money, but when he returned another day, the wife said she would not give money but would make him food to eat while he played in the yard. Soon, the boy was bringing other apparent orphans with him. The wife invited them in to have sandwiches and tea with a movie, and showed them the Jesus film. This little boy is now a teenager, and still comes to the Christian family's home seeking refuge from the cruelty of the world he lives in. Because he has no passport, he cannot legally get work, but it is also illegal to beg. The Christian family believes God brought him to them for a reason. Please pray for this young man to come to know Christ, and that God will open the doors and lead him into the plans for which the LORD created him.
Join in praise and rejoicing that "Lydia" (one for whom many petitions have been made) has surrendered her heart to the Lordship of Jesus Christ! Please pray that she will let go of the former things that she has believed and walk in His Light and Truth. Pray also for her as she is the lone believer in her family, that she will stand strong and be given wisdom to know how to be a light in her community.
Give praise for a young man who, after careful consideration, has professed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. His commitment is firm, having expressed that he waited until he was sure he would never turn back. Rejoice that he has already begun to share his faith, and pray he will grow in wisdom and knowledge. He is the only believer in his family, for whom he carries much responsibility. Pray that the changes that are taking place within him will draw his family and friends to saving faith as well.
Hajj Prayer 2016
PTAP's Hajj Prayer 2016 is a call for Christians to pray for millions of Muslims as they go to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj Pilgrimage (Sept 9-11 [14*], 2016) as they do every year. They seek forgiveness of their sins through this pilgrimage but we know that it is only through Christ that sins are forgiven. Let's pray that Muslims would come to know the Lord Jesus and true forgiveness of their sins.
* Because of the millions now going on this Hajj, some will complete the Hajj in three days, others will take longer.
All the Hajj 2016 information can be found at the PTAP website:
A video encouraging prayer for Muslims during Hajj:
US formatted Prayer guide for Hajj:
Certainly the most disturbing words in the Lord's Prayer are found in verse 12.
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
We sometimes flit like a butterfly over these words without letting them shock us to the core of our relationship with God. Jesus calls us to surrender all of our resentments, all unforgiveness, as we ask for His forgiveness.
As with all of the Lord's Prayer, these words can be expanded. You understand calling on God as Father better when you tell Him all that calling Him Father means to you. Your praise will be more exhilarating when you take time to hallow His name in every way you can think of. And you will receive a far greater blessing from this prayer when you let its seriousness wash over you, struggling to forgive people who are hard to forgive.
Let me show you two steps of spiritual growth that this part of The Lord's Prayer helps us take. By spending time praying this facet of the model prayer (1)we come to accept the mindset of forgiveness and (2)we surrender our hearts to God in the struggle of forgiveness.
In Matthew 18 beginning with verse 23 Jesus taught something crucial to the kingdom of heaven. He told the story of a king who decided to settle his accounts. He was reminded that one of his servants owed him ten thousand talents. A talent represented a fortune in those days. Ten thousand talents would be like a billion dollars today. It would have been impossible for a servant ever to repay such a sum. So the king arranged to sell the servant along with his wife and children and simply call the debt lost. But the servant came before him and pleaded for time to pay the impossible debt. The king showed him compassion and forgave the entire amount. The servant went away with great relief. But a fellow servant owed him a hundred denari. He went to him and demanded payment. When the other man pleaded with him for more time he grabbed him by the throat and began to choke him. He had him thrown into prison until he paid the full amount. The other servants were upset and told their master. The king summoned his servant and rebuked him. "You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant as I had mercy on you?" In anger the king commanded that he be turned over to the tormentors until he paid all his debt. Jesus then concluded, "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."
Does that mean God will resend your salvation if you will not forgive someone? I do not believe it does. In John 10:28 Jesus clearly said about those who are His sheep, "No one will snatch them out of my hand." But this parable, The Lord's Prayer and other passages like Ephesians 4:32, teach that God's forgiveness is inextricably connected to our forgiving others. Forgiving others should be the natural and supernatural overflow of a forgiven heart. When we pour ourselves into this prayer we immerse ourselves in the mindset of forgiveness. I will be honest there are times that I have had to ask God to forgive someone, still confessing that I was not yet forgiving from my heart. And I had to ask God to do the painful work in my inner being that would bring me to forgive as He so painfully purchased my forgiveness on the cross.
I took a break from my blog during the month of August, 2015. And I told you I would see you in September. Well, it is September. And I am back as I said I would be. I pray for God to speak to each of you in these entries.
I am so blessed to have people whom I love and love me on daily prayer lists. I am not sure anything cultivates my love for them like prayer. I also have the names of people on prayer lists who are hard to love or even like. Exercising kindness toward them is necessary for feeling and growing my love for these people. But these actions must begin with and be carried out in prayer.
FORGIVENESS AND PRAYER
I have people on prayer lists who have wronged me, or worse, harmed people I love. God clearly impressed me to put these people on prayer lists. But I do often find it difficult to pray for them. Praying in general helps me understand and apply the truth of God's grace to them. God's forgiving love begins to rub off on me. Especially as I put forgiveness into words by asking God, even against my will, to forgive them.
PATIENCE AND PRAYER
Interestingly enough I often need more patience with people who are closer to me than those I have trouble loving. They are sinners. And I am a sinner. We sin against each other. I thank God that prayer brings me into contact with God's patience with me. Despite what the devil accuses I can go to God in confession immediately after sinning. I am still His child even after I sin. Praying in that grace opens my heart to patience with others even when we rub each other the wrong way.
HUMILITY AND PRAYER
I am not sure anything is as necessary to love as humility. And nothing cultivates humility like access to God by grace in prayer. I do not deserve the privilege of prayer. The Son of God had to die on a cross to purchase it for me. I did not just need a little more righteousness to see the kingdom of God. I had to be born again. And I am no more deserving of God's grace than that person I find it difficult to love.
Today I plan to pray specifically for God to show His great love to everyone one my prayer lists and people I come in contact with all day.
Next week I plan to begin a series of blog entries on the Foundations of Prayer
watchinginprayer.blogspot.com
I recently listened to a powerful sermon on missions by Tim Keller. sermons.redeemer.com/missions He drew his text from the prayer of Jesus in John 17. When he came to verses 16-19 where Jesus prayed that His followers be sanctified, Tim Keller asked the question, “What did Jesus put in the hands of the first disciples as He sent them out to change the world?” Did they have manuals on evangelism, or church planting, or even preaching? They did not. They had one thing, holiness. And they turned the world upside down. Surely the Lord’s holiness is something we need to pray for.
How do we pray for His such transformation in our lives? If we take the Lord’s prayer for our guide in this, we might begin with forgiveness.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
None of us is holy before God. We need the Holiness of Jesus imputed into our lives.
Forgiveness also has another side. A major part of transformation into the likeness of Christ is developing forgiveness in our hearts for others. We need to exercise prayers of forgiveness for those who have wronged us. You can pray for God to forgive people who have harmed you. Have you ever prayed like Stephen while he was being stoned,
“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
How could you ever pray such a prayer for those who hate you and are harming you? I have trouble praying that prayer for people who love and annoy me. Stephen saw Jesus seated on the right hand of God. If you had such a vision of the majesty of our Lord, you might be able to pray as he did. Hebrews 11:27 tells us Moses endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 1 John 3:2 tells us we will be like Jesus when He returns for we will see Him as He is. We get a glimpse of His face as we spend time with Him in prayer and we are made more and more like Jesus.
In fact, for holiness we need to start earlier in the Lord’s prayer than His word on forgiveness. As Jesus modeled, we need to begin with worship and praise.
“Hallowed be your name.”
As we grow in fellowship with Him we will expand our praise more and more. Such praise gives us a clearer and clearer vision of the glory and majesty of our Lord. And it naturally leads to submission to His will.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Holiness is not simply the absence of sin. It is growing obedience that rejoices in His will.
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VERSE:
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come....2 Corinthians 5:17
PRAYER:
Most Holy and Gracious God, You are a good of new things. In the beginning You created something out of nothing and You made all things new. Most Holy Father in Heaven, You molded man out of the dust, breathed life into Him and gave Adamah his own work to do and food to eat in the Garden. Since the corruption and the Fall of Genesis 3, You gave Your prophets and Your Word for 3500 years, very specifically of when Maschiach would be born, live, minister and cut off and Jesus paid it all on the instrument of death almost 2000 years ago.
Because of that historic act, ordained in the Heavens and flawlessly executed by the Only One Who is flawless as both man and the Son of God, we can now be new creations, remade even while we are standing in perishing mortal flesh and be made new by simply seeking His Forgiveness and repenting of our sins, crying out to Him to save us because we understand His sacrifice and the amazing thing is He sees our heart longing for transformation and accepts us so that we can be regenerated by the Holy Spirit and made new, born again and saved as a new adopted child of God!
Father, we know You have absolutely no grandchildren but call all women and men to repentance to become adopted daughters and sons, that we may not be thrown into outer darkness with unforgiven sin, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. But because You are such a God and Creator of Love, as the Scriptures testifies from cover to cover, as You are such the Supreme mechanical engineer of all time, as You are such the most amazing Architect ever, You take our foul Adamic nature, corrupted as it is and use the same process You used to make Adamah in the Garden, at the dawn of time! You take the spiritual dust and clay we are, You morphe us into the image of Christ at the point of Salvation where we immediately turn from a confirmed resident of Hell, breathe Your Spirit into us, exactly as You did in the beginning and flip our spirit man around in an instant into a whole new creature! This salvific process will never be appreciated and understood by even those who come to Faith until we see His nailed-pierced Hands in Glory, heavenly Father, but oh what an amazing RE-CREATION You have made!
Now, the old man is gone, the old man is dead and the new man lives. You have no just taken our sins and removed them, to forget them from Your Sight, but going one step amazingly better, You destroyed the work of Satan in our lives, and renew everything to such an extent, if we just stay in, abide in, walk in Your Ways and live daily in Your Presence as you want us to, You will reveal more and more new things which we could never imagine in our puny little minds! So, Father and Maker of All Things, thank You for that. Thank You for returning us to the old paradigm of Creation at the Point of Salvation, which sets us on the road to return to the Glory of the Garden one day in Paradise, when You have restored all, defeated all evil and brought back Your Intended and Your Anointed to rule forever more, and it is in His Name - YaHWeH - Commander in Chief all all Heaven - Jesus I pray, amen.
I Thessalonians 5:17 simply reads "Pray Without Ceasing" Is this really possible? Did Paul issue a mandate that is unattainable?
In my studies I read that this means "a believer should always remain in an attitude of prayer, though not always praying audibly." *
Whew! That's a relief!
I am able to pray without ceasing if I am willing to have an attitude of prayer. If we are honest with ourselves we don't always feel like praying, but a strong prayer life is vital in the life of the Christian. What does it mean to have an attitude of prayer? Having an attitude of prayer is when your mind has been changed to reflect the mind of Christ. An attitude of prayer says "[Lord] Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10)
Okay so here's an example of Kay's Attitude of Prayer*:
"I have this co worker who really knows how to get under my skin. This person slacks off and causes me to have to pick up the slack. This person is rude and sometimes can be very obnoxious. I have asked this person to try to be respectful and consider others' feeling before they speak, but its as if it goes in one ear and out the other. I find myself really getting upset by this person and one day I almost lost my cool (but the grace of God). So one day during my time of prayer and meditation I could hear that still small voice say: "Pray for them". Wow, I thought to myself, pray for them? I came to God to help me to be able to deal with this person, but now I have to pray for them? It took me a while but after considering what God had done for me over my life, I decided I have a responsibility to pray. As I prayed for this person a sudden peace came over me. I actually began to wonder why this person was so difficult and wondered what their life was like outside the workplace. I began to pray again and I fell asleep feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted off of me. The next day I greeted this person with a hearty good morning instead of trying to avoid them like I normally do. I even felt the urge to ask them how their evening went. After I asked this person, "how was your evening", this person began to reveal to me that they were caring for an elderly parent and how much of a struggle it had been. She said that she really needed some help. I knew just what to do as I had found myself in that same situation with my own parents. I shared with her some of the resources that I had used. We are now the greatest of friends and we have have found great joy in discussing our families. I never thought that I could have any type of functioning relationship with this person but my attitude of prayer changed the way I viewed this person, and made me realize that prayer is an attitude adjuster and can change things for the better."
So what do you think?
Do we live with an attitude of prayer? Kay's example makes me examine my own prayer life. Am I praying for those hardpressed issues? Am I asking God to bless even my enemies. Do I pray for my enemies and that they are made aware of the hurt and pain that they cause.
Could it be that our prayers are so consumed with personal requests that we fail to understand that God's will is more important than our own?
Be encouraged, God understands all that we are going through and he will guide and lead us into all truth.
Be encouraged that our prayer life will grow the more that we seek God.
We may not always get it right but its awesome to know that God knows our hearts. He has already prayed and continues to make intercession for us.
Confession: I will have a great attitude of prayer so that I may seek the will of God for my life and continue to be made new in Christ.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time---I Timothy 2:1-6 ESV
May God, through his son Jesus continue to richly bless and keep you!
Your sis in prayer
Irene
check out my personal blog www.empoweredtoliveanointed.wordpress.com
Join us in Prayer Each Thursday at 7:30pm EST
Call in to (209) 647-1600 access code 148178#
*The King James Study Bible Nelson Press 135BG
**Kay is a fictional character based on similar real experiences to protect the identity of individuals
As we journey through life, we frequently need forgiveness of sin and relief from guilt--something only God can give.
“The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed -- It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.”
- Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
It God did not have a heart, we would not stand a chance.
If He corrected us in anger, we would be reduced to nothing.
If He took up arms against insurrection, we would be devastated.
If He dealt severely, we’d survive less time than dandelions in a windstorm.
To our great relief, between God’s pure holiness and unbending law is a mercy seat.
He is the Fountainhead of pity, with sole authority to extend clemency to condemned prisoners.
Guilt is a burden we cannot manage on our own—thankfully, God is far easier on us than we are on ourselves.
Attempt to cover sin, and He uncovers it to our dismay; uncover it before Him, and He covers it with Jesus’ blood.
Unworthiness makes us tremble at the thought of standing before God—
but freely forgiven by Christ, at His mercy, we can relax.
“May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man.”
Genesis 43:14 NLT
Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized
[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 30 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]
GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)
A great controversy exists in the church at large today over how we “do” church. Should our worship cater to culture, or do we have a responsibility to remain counter-cultural? Is it acceptable to serve Starbucks and Krispy Kremes during a service or are we drinking disrespectfully? Are live worship bands and drums too noisy? Does God prefer doctrine-rich hymns? Before you pick a side, let’s agree (at least for the length of this article) not to judge, and to take a look at the real issues behind the controversy.
As a longtime Christian and more than an occasional worship leader, I have worshiped and served in denominations on both sides of the fence. I was raised a Presbyterian and worshiped God in a cathedral-style building. The choir numbered hundreds of voices, reverently singing hymns and anthems accompanied by a massive pipe organ. I have sung Negro spirituals with families in fundamental churches. I have had the pleasure of being part of a modern, up-and-coming worship team (yes, with drums!) in what is called, in popular leader Billy Hornsby’s terms, an “attractional” church. And I have taught schoolchildren in Africa to sing simple songs of praise to a God they were just getting to know.
So who’s right? The answer is: nobody. We’re all got it wrong, and we will continue to have controversies until we find out what it is that God wants. Impossible? No, and it’s actually easier than we think!
The truth is that churches, like individuals, have callings, visions, and purposes in the Kingdom of God. A church in an inner-city slum area is going to have a different mission than the church on suburbia’s main street. Transient campus outreaches will worship differently from wealthy cathedrals. God’s mandate to go and make disciples didn’t include a “style” requirement; it did stress the importance of preaching the Word. We know from the Bible what God wants: He wants His Word to be preached to the ends of the earth through every available voice, instrument, church, and method. The “how” is largely up to us. The elements of a service, while controversial, are largely non-essential. When we focus on the things we don’t like, we sabotage the efforts of the community we are in to do the job they are called to do: preach the Gospel to this community, in this way, with these resources, at this time.
The real question is: where has God called you to be? Not whom has He called you to be, (you should of course know what your own gifts and callings are and be using them), but where has He called you to be spiritually? Discontent, if not discerned, leads to disagreement. When we find ourselves judging others’ methods, there are really only two possible causes: unforgiveness or vision. Both have to do with where we are, or our position in Christ. Let’s look at each of these separately.
Unforgiveness ultimately leads us into making judgments. The most important place God calls us to be is at peace with Him and others. But it’s not easy to stay there! When our superb vocal abilities have been pushed aside to make room for the hip, young worship leader the church just hired, we get offended. And if left to fester, this offense will take root and become bitterness. Once bitterness takes hold, the vine of discontent begins weaving its way out of our heart and mouth and into the congregation, where it poisons and divides. This division is of the enemy, and can only be stopped through the power of forgiveness, which is not just a decision of the heart, but also a spiritual location. Forgiving moves us from a place of opposition back to a place of right-standing with God and man. As the Christian band Point of Grace sings, “there’s a cross to bridge the great divide.”
Vision: We also know that our spiritual life is a journey, and there are times when God is making us discontent on purpose, like a mother bird trying to cause her baby to fly. It is rare that God will call us to leave a church (although if you are in a place that is abusive or not preaching the Gospel, then by all means get out quickly!). But as we mature, God often calls us to enter new seasons of growth with different visions and possibly a change of position or location. This change might be to something within your current church or to a different location altogether. If you are feeling discontent, take the time to pray and ask whether God is calling you to make a change.
Change doesn’t come easily; in fact, one of our funny expressions (“Get behind me or get out of my way!”) greatly resembles Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:23. Just before Gethsemane, Jesus began casting a new vision for his disciples: one that included violent suffering, death and resurrection. Peter disagreed and rebuked Jesus. This did not match his idea of what a new religious order should look like! Jesus, in effect, said to Peter, “Either get behind Me (My vision) or get out of the way.” Peter was in danger of yielding himself to Satan’s strategy. Thankfully, he repented and was restored to Christ’s purposes in the end. But this would not be the only time he struggled to follow his leader. We need to learn from Peter’s example and get into agreement with our leaders or get out of the way!
For Peter, it was a heart issue that kept him from serving God’s greater vision. We need to check regularly to be sure that we are truly on board with the church’s mission. If we are sowing discontent, God could be calling us to repentance, or He could be asking us to enter into a new season. This is the great thing about God: He’s not upset about the drums being too loud! But He is upset when we disagree with each other. And His heart is for each of us to serve Him to our full potential, not always in areas where we are most gifted or comfortable, but surely with His clear direction and support.
Is this the community you are called to serve at this time in this way? If so, cater to your church’s culture by extending mercy and forgiveness when things upset you. If not, then be counter-cultural! Find out what’s on God’s agenda and ask Him to lead you a place where you can serve wholeheartedly. It’s time to bridge the great divide.
Copyright: Deborah Perkins 2014. You can follow Deborah on Facebook at His Inscriptions for more related articles.
