Pray Network Forum

PRAYER (426)

A Season for Real Change

Posted by Dave Kubal on November 17, 2010 at 16:18
Today’s Americans are not the first to cry out for change, or to welcomea radical shift in focus. Discontentment is at our core, currentlywoven into the very fabric of who we are as a nation, and echoing thesentiments that first brought pilgrims to these shores. Ourdisenchantment with the abuse of power, and our restlessness withcultural decadence are simply symptoms of national discontent—a desirefor something more; a longing for higher standards and true meaning.

This is nothing new. We have been down this road before.

Take America’s celebration of Christmas, one of our nation’s moresurprising examples of cultural change. A few hundred years ago, thePuritans were so disturbed by materialistic practices influencing theChristmas traditions of their time—the blatant celebration of excess,the distortion of biblical truth—that they demanded reform. Theyexpressed their discontentment with the course of their culture andchose to steer their communities on a different path, even outlawing thecelebration in Boston to help restore godly conduct and perspective.The change took place gradually, and it wasn’t until 1870 that Christmasbecame a federal holiday—a turning point that marked a long journeytoward family-oriented traditions and a heightened reverence for Christand His birth.

Only 140 years later, we are drifting in our focus once again. Culturaland political distortions overwhelm us on all sides. As we consider howto intercede for our nation today, with all of its potential for changeand transformation, our prayer must be that any renewed discontentmentwould drive us to embrace an attitude of reverence for God. Without thisas our foundation, real change will never come. Regardless of who wasjust elected or which party is in control, we must intercede that anattitude of reverence and humility would affect everything from personalbehavior to federal law.

May the Church fall upon her knees and cry out to God for mercy, that wewould be known as a country with restored reverence for Christ, who isboth our Cause and our Celebration. What a true gift of change thiswould bring!

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).
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Marks of a True Intercessor

Posted by Jenni Biegler on November 4, 2010 at 9:56

I don't know about you, but I'm on a quest to become a more self-less pray-er, so I have been looking for something that would be sort of an "Intercessory Prayer for Dummies." My search led me to one of the Classic Christian authors on Prayer, Andrew Murray, and to his book, "The Ministry of Intercession".

Not everyone as we know, is into prayer, much less Intercessory Prayer. I've been asking myself why some are such strong and persistent prayer warriors while others are not. Andrew Murray's book shed some light on this for me the other day. In one chapter, he is extracting "the marks of an Intercessor" from Jesus' teaching on prayer in Luke 11.

He says, "...the marks of the true intercessors as the parable taught us" are:

1) A sense of the need of souls

2) A consciousness of personal impotence

3) Faith in the power of prayer

4) Courage to persevere inspite of refusal

5) The assurance of abundant reward

When I evaluate these marks in my own life, I see myself lacking, especially when it comes to "courage to persevere inspite of refusal". I'm persistent all right, but not necessarily in prayer. I guess I wonder if persistence is a matter of continuing to to ask for something to happen, how many times do you ask? I do not see God as being forgetful so I wonder why persistence is needed. Could it be that the persistence has to do with the process of refining our requests or growing our faith?

As I was finishing this chapter, I was struck by the following quote, "Shall men of the world sacrifice ease and pleasure in their pursuits, and shall we be such cowards and sluggards as not to fight our way through to the place where we can find liberty for the captive and salvation for the perishing?" Perhaps the answer to my question regarding persistence is here.

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“Father, the time has come…”

Posted by Dave Kubal on December 16, 2010 at 15:14

“Is there anybody else praying?” This question came from an incredible prayer warrior who called the office recently, admitting that she felt dejected and alone. Telling her about the thousands who intercede for the nation, our staff had the privilege to spend the next 30 minutes encouraging this dear lady in the Lord. When the phone call ended, she knew the assurance of unity and joy.

This is exactly what Jesus prayed for the disciples in John 17. He realized that God’s protection is foundational for both unity and joy. His first request for the disciples in verse 11 was, “Holy Father, keep (protect) ... those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” Protection from what? Protection from discouragement and anything that limits our effectiveness. He continued the prayer in verse 13 by asking that we might experience the full measure of His joy. He knew that the lives of His disciples, His intercessors, would be difficult—even impossible—without our Holy Father’s provision of protection, unity, and joy.

It could be easy to understand unity as a result of joy, but in reality the two are mutually dependent. This is found in verse 22, which is often overlooked, but very important.  We have a chance at unity because “the glory which [the Father] gave [Jesus]” has been given to us, “that [we] may be one.” Experiencing God’s glory through each other is critical. Unity and joy are two sides to the same coin, and God’s glory is the source of both.

Protection, joy, unity. As we consider how we are to intercede for our country this year, I challenge you to consider these foundational elements in the life of an intercessor. Ask yourself two questions: 1) Are you experiencing joy? 2) Are you experiencing unity with the body of Christ? Your answers may indicate the level of your need to pray for God’s protection.

I challenge you to pursue joy and unity with great effort. Like the faithful intercessor who called our office, take joy in the knowledge that your burden to pray is not an isolated task. You are not alone. While Jesus kept His team of disciples encouraged by His presence on earth, He prayed for believers to connect in Spirit-filled fellowship in His physical absence.

That day has come. Let’s ask that God’s destiny for our country would unfold through the unified prayers of His Church. Take time this year to pray for protection, experience His joy, and pursue unity in the Body.

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Hello And Welcome To My Page

Posted by STAR PRATT on November 17, 2010 at 12:14

Hello And Welcome To My Page,

I just found this site today buy some way of a click here and a click there .... lol. It is a great site indeed and I'm liking it already, I hope to meet some very interesting Prayer Peeps to link up with soon. Do you have any tips or new things you can share with me about this site?

Hope to meet you, hear from you, pray with you soon.

Many Blessings to you,

Star!

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For those with a burden to pray for the Church to reach our nation and the nations!

Posted by Reimagine Curator on December 11, 2010 at 19:44
Leadership Consultation on Evangelization

Convened by The U.S. Lausanne Committee / Mission America Coalition
April 4-7, Orlando


US MtgOn Sunday afternoon of the last day at the Lausanne Cape Town 2010 Congress, participants gathered according to country into breakout sessions. The Mission America Coalition team helped coordinate the U.S. meeting and cast vision for a spring gathering in the United Sates that would bring those delegates together with hundreds of MAC / U.S. Lausanne Committee partners and other Christian leaders. The purpose of this gathering is to bring together practitioners, academic leaders, mission strategists, pastors, evangelists - all who carry a burden for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to transform neighbors and neighborhoods, nations and corporations.

Fueled by the glorious gathering of the Church in Cape Town, MAC partners, Cape Town 2010 participants, and leaders from the cities of America will come together for a catalytic consultation on evangelization. We will be in listening mode and learning mode: seeking the mind of Christ on how to reshape our efforts at evangelizing our home nation and looking for ways to partner with the global Church in reaching the nations with the message of Christ. Take advantage of early-bird registration rates at www.missionamerica.org. Then, help us shape the meeting that will shape the future - add your ideas and insights at www.orlando2011.org.

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Talking Politics in Church

Posted by Dave Kubal on October 14, 2010 at 10:14
“You can’t talk politics in the church; everyone knows it’s against the law.”How often do you suppose this will be said over the next few weeks? It will be said enough that it would be good for Christians to understand what the law is and where it came from.For the first 178 years of our country’s history, politics were freely discussed in churches. In fact, one of the early leading preachers, Dr. John Witherspoon, signed our Declaration of Independence, helped author the Articles of the Confederation, and even served on more than 120 congressional committees as an elected official from New Jersey. He was the President of the College of New Jersey (now called Princeton), whose motto was “Dei sub numine viget,” which means “under God’s power she flourishes.”As Witherspoon’s example shows, our founders did not have a problem talking about politics in church. On May 17, 1776, the Continental Congress declared a National Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer for God’s guidance in the war. That same day, Dr. Witherspoon delivered a sermon titled “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men,” and he publically addressed England’s attempt to control the colonists’ laws. Witherspoon said, “I call this claim unjust, of making laws to bind us ‘in all cases whatsoever’…If your cause is just, you may look with confidence to the Lord, and intreat him to plead it as his own. …The cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature. So far as we have hitherto proceeded, I am satisfied that the confederacy of the colonies has not been the effect of pride, resentment, or sedition, but of a deep and general conviction that our civil and religious liberties….”(If you would like to learn more about our country in the form of a historical Bible studies series, go to IFAResources.com and look for the “Country of Character” series.)There was complete freedom to talk about politics up until 1954. On July 2, Representative Lyndon Johnson made a motion on the floor as the House was debating the 1934 IRS Tax Law when he said the following:Mr. JOHNSON of Texas: Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk, which I should like to have stated.The PRESIDING OFFICER: The Secretary will state the amendment.The CHIEF CLERK: On page 117 of the House bill, in section 501(c)(3), it is proposed to strike out “individuals, and” and insert “individual,” and strike out “influence legislation.” And insert “influence legislation, and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.”Mr. JOHNSON of Texas: Mr. President, this amendment seeks to extend the provisions of section 501 of the House bill, denying tax-exempt status to not only those people who influence legislation but also to those who intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for any public office. I have discussed the matter with the chairman of the committee, the minority ranking member of the committee, and several other members of the committee, and I understand that the amendment is acceptable to them. I hope the chairman will take it to conference, and that it will be included in the final bill which Congress passes. [Emphasis added.]And with that short interchange the Church was “muzzled.” There was no debate. There was not a committee that looked into this, it just happened. Subsequent writings of both his staff and Johnson himself indicate that he never intended this legislation to apply to churches, just “non-profits.”Why did he do this? History is not clear-cut, but he was in a difficult reelection campaign, and two outspoken anti-communist non-profit organizations in Texas were neutralized because of this legislation.To summarize, today’s interpretation of the law is that, yes, you can talk about politics. It must be done in a non-partisan manner with an effort to educate people about issues. To understand today’s interpretation of the law check out the Pew Foundation’s excellent publication on the issue:“Religious Organizations…are prohibited from participating or intervening, directly or indirectly, in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. This prohibition encompasses a wide array of activities. It precludes direct political activity, such as the making of statements, whether oral, written or in an electronic medium, supporting or opposing any candidate, political party or political action committee (“PAC”), creating a PAC, rating candidates and providing or soliciting financial support (including loans or loan guarantees) or in-kind support for any candidate, political party or PAC. It also precludes indirect political activity of a sort that reflects bias for or against any candidate, political party or PAC, such as distribution of biased voter education materials or conduct of a biased candidate forum or voter registration drive.”The Church in America needs to understand where our laws came from and why our laws exist. The most important question we need to ask ourselves is, what is God’s perspective on the law? If the laws are unjust, as Witherspoon put it, “you may look with confidence to the Lord, and intreat him to plead it as his own…the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature.”Now when someone says “you can’t talk about politics in church,” you can give them an answer with depth and confidence.
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The Mid-Term Elections Have Already Begun

Posted by Dave Kubal on October 14, 2010 at 10:10
Experts estimate that at least one third, maybe as high as one half, of voters will vote before the official election date. All states allow for absentee balloting, but 32 states (plus the District of Columbia) allow early, in-person voting. Georgia, Vermont, Maine and South Dakota have allowed in person voting since September 21. Candidates have factored these facts in, realizing that their campaign cannot simply put on a last minute push to convince people which way to vote.

As Christians consider their need to intercede for these elections, we need to have the same understanding. People are making up their minds and casting their ballots right now! If you have considered praying for the election, but have been putting it off, now is the time to ask the Lord to intervene in our country. A great website to find issues and candidate information is iVoters.com.

“Can a corrupt throne be allied with you – one that brings on misery by its decrees?” Psalm 93:20 serves as a great reminder for all believers to pray for honest and truthful elected officers who will enact laws that bless people. Let’s begin praying this scripture over our election today!If you would like to encourage your family or friends to pray for our country, consider our historical Bible study called “Legacy of Character.” The study tells stories of our Godly heritage with practical application for today. Go to IFAResources.com for more info.

Here is a complete list of early voting states, taken from the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Early Voting

The following states permit no-excuse, in-person early voting at election offices, and in some cases, at satellite locations:

Alaska Montana
Arizona Nebraska
Arkansas Nevada
California New Mexico
Colorado North Carolina
District of Columbia North Dakota
Florida Ohio
Georgia Oklahoma
Hawaii South Dakota
Idaho Tennessee
Illinois Texas
Indiana Utah
Iowa Vermont
Kansas West Virginia
Louisiana Wisconsin
Maine Wyoming
Maryland
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Hearing God Together

Posted by Cynthia Bezek on August 23, 2010 at 17:44

Whenever I read Jesus’ last recorded prayer—“that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity” (John 17:22-23) I add my “amen,” but usually with a certain poignancy. The corporate unity He prayed for has always seemed so elusive to me. How can we get our ministry teams, churches, Christian organizations, families—any group of two or three believers gathered in His name—to operate in one accord?

Yet, somehow the early church seemed to find unity, even when they had to make important decisions and handle conflicts. I’ve been thinking about that lately, asking God what we can learn from them so we, also, can fulfill Jesus’ desire and prayer.

Two examples stand out to me from Acts. In chapter 13, while the church worships and fasts together corporately, they hear the Holy Spirit say that they are to send out Paul and Barnabas as missionaries (v. 2, emphasis added). They agree with God and one another, lay hands on them and send them off. Then, two chapters later, Luke reports a huge conflict about what is to be required of the Gentile believers who have recently come to faith. After much discussion and debate, the apostles and elders with the whole church wrote a letter with their decision. In the letter they state, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28) and they move forward with what they heard from God and each other.

In neither of these cases do we learn the exact process by which the believers got onto the same page with each other and God. But we do know that they had a habit of meeting together to worship, pray, and listen to one another and God. I think we can learn something from that.

In the past few months, three significantly different ministries that I’m a part of have been trying to practice listening-together-to-get-on-the-same-page. Some attempts seem more successful than others, but overall, I’m hopeful. In one group we needed to make a decision about our participation in a specific event that we each held different opinions about. In another we wanted to know God’s heart for the people we serve so that we could get onboard with Him. In the third, we wanted to hear Him about specific strategies for doing His work.

Although the exact methods differed, there were some definite commonalities in the ways the three different groups approached listening to God corporately. In each case:

1. Someone started the time by asking God a specific question out loud
2. We took time alone in silence (depending on the group, this ranged from 10 minutes to the better part of a day)
3. During the silence each of us individually jotted down our impressions of what we thought God might be saying
4. We came back together and compared notes on what we were hearing, and noted where several of us were hearing similar things.
5. Based on where we found agreement, we took that as confirmation and talked about next steps for moving ahead.

I’m still new at this, but in each of these recent experiences, I’ve been encouraged. I’m not sure it’s the actual method that matters so much as the group’s acknowledgement that apart from Him we can do nothing, that we need His Spirit in order to come together as His body, and that we’re going to take time to be quiet and listen for what He has to say—together. It seems like God honors our desire to honor Him in this way. And I get excited because I’m starting to see that maybe Jesus’ prayer for unity could actually be answered! I want that, don’t you?

—Cynthia Bezek

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Intercessors Prayer Pillow Set

Posted by Virtuous Lady on January 9, 2011 at 17:09

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Kingdom Greetings Intercessors,

 

I wanted to share with you the Intercessors Prayer Pillow set made by yours truly, Virtuous Lady. I have been in need of a new Prayer pillow for quite some time and on yesterday with the assistance of my Mom, Mother Barbara Martin, I made my own Prayer Pillow and a blanket to match. I selected Army or Warfare Design because I am a Warrior in the Army of the Lord, and a warm fleece fabric. I made an oversized pillow because at times I'm on my knees for a while and I wanted to be comfortable. I also decided to make a matching blanket so that when I lay prostrate before my Heavenly Father I can do so on a nice soft comfortable blanket.

 

Let's continue to be on our post in Prayer for there is Power in Prayer and Prayer is my Passion!

 

Yours in Kingdom Building,

Pastor Lisa Martin aka Virtuous Lady

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Hello and Welcome to My Page!

Posted by STAR PRATT on November 17, 2010 at 11:36

Hello and Welcome to My Page!

I just joined this wonderful site and I'm already liking it alot. How are you enjoying it here? Can you tell me whats new and exciting here since you've been around? I ended up here because I am one who love to PRAY which of course I have much to PRAY for.

Well I hope we can connect to PRAY soon as I BELIEVE that when we PRAY the answer is on it's way. Have a wonderful day and thank you for stoppin by. Leave me a quick note if you like and let's link up.

Many Blessings,

Star!

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Praying As a United Community for our Children, Teachers, Parents and Schools

Posted by Linda Fegins on September 7, 2010 at 18:39

Praying As a United Community for Our Children, Teachers, Parents and Schools by Linda D. Fegins

Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children" (Lam. 2:19).

It’s back to school time. There have been back to school rallies. Many ministries have been calling for prayer for the children, teachers, administrators and school staff as they return back to school. The day of September 1, 2010 Messiah Baptist Church Intercessory Prayer Team under the guidance of Kimberly Bracey ( Team Leader Linda Fegins) as well as various ministries such as the Global Prayer Intercessors founded by Minetta Hare, and the Lydia Circle Prayer Team ( Director Linda Fegins) held prayer meetings by conference call, three way telephone calls and at church praying for protection, guidance and wisdom for our school children , youth and college students , parents and staff. There is no doubt that “Moms In Touch International” (MITI) founded by Fern Nichols, a group of mothers around the country who simply desire to affect communities and schools through the power of prayer have been going before the throne of God. A diversified group of mothers of MITI serve as prayer warriors who battle in the spiritual realm for the lives of children and teenagers as they go off to school for at least one hour every week. They are women united with one purpose: a passion to pray for their children.

Through prayer, our lives, our children’s lives, and our world can be changed. Public schools, such as the Detroit Public School system, and other inner-city schools around the nation with all the violence, disorganization, poor administration, and politics on the school boards can be transformed by prayer. Then change will occur by our obedience if God calls us to action. He will show us how to use the power that believers have within through the Holy Spirit to transform our schools. Through united consistent prayer, God will give us the power, wisdom, knowledge, and creativity to solve the many school problems that plague our city schools and school board. Through prayer the right leaders will arise and the community should be able to come together to take productive and strategic action.

Believe that intercessors can change your school district with the weapon of prayer. Believe that positive results will occur such as peace and safety, better test scores, higher graduation rates, and more school funds to meet the needs of our children. Pray that student-led prayer groups will spring forth. Yes, the crisis in our schools is discouraging and is wide spread. But remember that where sin increases, grace increases all the more (see Ro. 5:20).

I know that many intercessors already have prayer assignments from the Lord. But I would challenge the intercessors, parents and teachers to ask Him if He might also want you to "adopt" a public school for your prayer agenda.

Prayer Points for Our Children, Teachers, Parents and Administrators

Finally for what should we pray? We want to pray specifically and effectively on one accord. I have a few suggestions; some are what the Lord has given me and others I have gathered from other prayer warriors and other articles on prayer.

Children and Youth

Pray:

  • Daily for the safety of our children and that God will deliver them from evil and thwart every scheme of the enemy.
  • Pray that our children will be open to learning new knowledge and that God would give them the wisdom to know how to understand and use that knowledge. We need to pray that our children have the ability to discriminate between good knowledge and bad knowledge. Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it. (Proverbs 22:6)
  • Pray that our children will be serious minded and work hard to acquire both secular and spiritual knowledge. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
  • Pray for the hearts of the students to be receptive to the gospel of peace and that God will call many to Himself. (Acts 2:38-40)
  • Pray for our sons and daughters to make wise choices and to develop solid friendships with those who are following God. (Psalms 144;12-15)
  • Pray for relief of those children who are homeless and need shelter, food and health care. Pray that Christ will restore their home for the future. (Psalms 107:41)
  • Ask God to cause your children to be examples for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (I Timothy 4:12)
  • Pray for those students that experience rejection and bullying from other students and teachers. Ask God to provide them with people that love and respect them unconditionally. (John 13:34; Romans 15:7)
  • Pray for those students that are struggling academically. Ask God to encourage them and strengthen their minds. Pray that God will give their teachers and parent’s wisdom to know how to best help them learn.
  • Pray they will not feel like failures, but will learn discipline. (I Thessalonians 5:14)

Teachers

Pray:

  • Pray for our school teachers to have the wisdom needed to effectively impart knowledge to their students. A wise teacher makes learning a joy… (Proverbs 15:2a)
  • Pray for our school teachers that God will give them the grace to deal with day-to-day frustrations and problems.
  • Pray that our school teachers would exhibit the life of Christ before our children. That they would be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.
  • Pray to the one in charge of the harvesting, and ask him to recruit more effective teachers with integrity for our schools. ( See Matthew 9:38)
  • Ask God to rise up Godly educators who are dedicated to their field and can capture the hearts and minds of our nation’s youth on each level of education. (Colossians 1:9-10)
  • Pray our educators will pray unceasingly for guidance and wisdom to become the examples to their students. (I Peter 2:21) Pray they will know how to pray for their students.
  • Pray that teachers will impart godly wisdom to form godly character in their students. (Luke 6:40)

Parents

Pray:

  • Pray for parents that they will love and support their children’s education at school, at home, and at church.
  • Pray for family stability and that God’s principles for the family will be honored and promoted in our schools. (Genesis 28:14)
  • Pray “Lord, without your help we are helpless, so as parents, be our guide as to how we can best communicate and encourage our teachers and how we can train our children.”

Administrators

Pray:

  • Pray for the standard of excellence to be restored in our educational institutes and that our educators will pass on that spirit of excellence, requiring excellence, rather than sloth and ignorance. (Ecclesiastes 2:13-14)
  • Pray for the needed tools and proper facilities to teach our children.(Philippians 4:19)
  • Pray for the election of godly leaders on our school boards and in the administration of our schools. (I Timothy 2:1)
  • Pray for the support staff in the schools to treat the children with dignity and respect.

Pray Fervently,
Linda D. Fegins
Prayer Director,Lydia Circle of Christian Professional and Business Women
Writer in the Anthology -"Tali Cumi: Daughters Arise"
Writer in the Anthology -"It's Worth the Struggle- Inspiration for Contemporary Writers"
Christian Dramatist, "Sojourner Truth", "Eve" etc.
Sunday School and Christian Education Teacher
Linda's Report Blog http://instanter.wordpress.com/
The Prayer Leader http://ladyofprayer.com

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United Prayer Gathering "Down by the Riverside"

Posted by Linda Fegins on August 21, 2010 at 21:37

"Again I say unto you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" ( Matt. 18:19 NKJV)

I love praying corporately with a group of women on Tuesday and Friday morning or with my intercessory prayer team at church. When we are on one accord,in harmony on the prayer focus, even if the tune varies, its heavenly, powerful and freeing.

Corporate prayer is important to our Father because he wants believers to come together to pray. He wants to bring the church together to pray. He gives us His promise of faithfulness and much more to those who are willing to press their way to come together to pray on one accord in "agreement". Praying women and men in agreement energizes our praying.

The scripture lets us know that a special power is promised through corporate prayer. God can do things through agreeing prayers of the church , just like we see in the book of Acts when the church came together, that He may not do( He is sovereign ) through individual efforts. Author Sue Curran wrote in "The Power of Agreement in Corporate Prayer" as follows:

The prayer ministry of the church accomplishes much. The prayer gathering does more than enlarge the channel through which God will bless and give victory to His people; it actually moves us into an entirely different realm of power .

...

We move in a realm in which results are calculated exponentially. We move from the realm of addition to multiplication.... Corporate praying is the key to exponential power in prayer. See Sue Curran "The Praying Church: Principles and Power of Corporate Praying".

When every one is praying in "symphony" and is playing the same piece- a concert, in agreement, according to the will of God , He moves to answer, deliever and heal.

Let us come together this weekend in unified prayer "Down by the Riverside" in the city of Detroit and in all the cities of this country.

If you cannot attend this prayer gathering, join us where you are and let us know . Send your prayer focus or requests to ldfaygo@aol.com or post them in the comment

LYDIA CIRCLE OF CHRISTIAN BUSINESS WOMEN

Prayer Team Ministry

cordially invites you and your family to the 13th Annual

"DOWN BY THE RIVER SIDE" PRAYER GATHERING AT HART PLAZA

Saturday, August 28, 2010 7 AM-8:30 AM (Morning Prayer)

“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the river side, where prayer was continually made; ….” Acts 16:13

At HART PLAZA-Woodward & Jefferson Ave. Detroit (near the fountain)

Calling all the Intercessors, Prayer teams, women and men of the city, and your families to join us there. My praying sisters and brothers press by the Holy Spirit to gather there to pray for:

  • City of Detroit, Families, Youth, Public Schools, the Economy, jobs and businesses, Salvation and Repentance,
  • Bring a friend, family member, neighbor and children
  • PRAYER CHANGES THINGS. A UNITED PRAYER CRY CAN SHAKE THE PRISON WALLS AND RELEASE THE CAPTIVE from sin, bondage, etc. and release God’s will on earth and the blessings of God

contact LDFaygo@aol.com L. Fegins, The Prayer Leader

Founder/Visionary: Missionary Minetta Hare

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potpourri of Scriptures

Posted by Ruth J Leamy on September 22, 2010 at 15:30
Let them praise the name of God—
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
He's built a monument—His very own people!
Praise from all who love God!
Israel's children, intimate friends of God.
Hallelujah!
(Psalm 148:13-14 Message)

Wait for the Lord;
be courageous and let your heart be strong.
Wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom should I be afraid?
(Psalm 27:1)

I have asked one thing from the Lord;
it is what I desire:
to dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
gazing on the beauty of the Lord
and seeking [Him] in His temple. (Psalm 27:4)

Lord, I am tired today and I have a headache, yet I have quite a few things I need to do.
You are my intimate Friend, and I ask You for courage and strength.
Be my Light, my guide, my joy.
Show me Your beauty as I seek You
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A prayerwalking guide for Sept 11

Posted by Steve Hawthorne on September 3, 2010 at 12:38

Pray! Network friends, I want you to see this e-mail I recently sent:


9651002093?profile=original

Dear friends,
I want you to know about a resource we’ve just produced. It’s a prayerwalking guide designed to be used on September 11. It’s easy and free to download and print. Make all the copies you’d like to invite others to join you. Go to http://www.waymakers.org to download the pdf file.
September 11 falls on a Saturday this year, which is usually the easiest day to bring together a few friends to prayerwalk a portion of your community. Someone had the cool idea of prayerwalking between 9:00 am and 11:00 am on 9-11.
Thousands of people will be doing this, including some in every state of the union. Please think about organizing a prayerwalk near your workplace or around your neighborhood on the morning of September 11.

I wrote this prayer guide with the encouragement of our friends who are organizing the Cry Out America! initiative. Go to http://www.awakeningamerica.us to find out what Cry Out America! is all about. Many will be organizing gatherings at government centers and courthouses at noon on that day. The last prayer on this prayer guide is designed to be read in unison at those gatherings.
Recent events have made this September 11 to be an even more important time for Christians to pray in hope for God’s life and love to be revealed in our land. We need to pray in ways that go beyond our partisan opinions. We can easily cheapen our public praying as political posturing unless wedeepen our praying by grounding our hope in God’s Word.

Yours in hope,
Steve Hawthorne
Director, WayMakers

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IT SEEMS TO ME . . .

Posted by Reimagine Curator on May 30, 2010 at 19:05

It seems to me ... our fears for the National Day of Prayer may cause us to appeal to the wrong court!

Along with most of you, I am a huge supporter of the National Day of Prayer. I am privileged to serve on America's National Prayer committee, the members of which are collectively stewards of this vital spiritual enterprise. As director of the National Pastors' Prayer Network, I have annually promoted the event and encouraged pastors' prayer groups across the country to meet on that day and pray fervently for the future of our nation. I have enjoyed the Chicago NDP prayer breakfast in my home city and attended several national rallies on the first Thursday of May in our nation's capitol.

The NDP has been catalytic toward greater expressions of the unity of the Body of Christ in cities and communities in every state of the union. Though not yet more popular than Valentine's Day, the National Day of Prayer has accomplished much in calling America to recognize oits Creator. Similar to the nation of Israel's feasts and solemn assemblies, an annual day of prayer reminds us how desperately we need repentance and must humbly petition our eternal Judge to heal our land and restore justice. Long live a national day of prayer.

Suddenly, more than in years past, opposition is rising. Voices have always spoken critically, especially since Congress officially recognized a day for prayer. But this year, for the first time in memory, our judicial system has joined the antagonists. Many, even some Christian leaders, fear the end of a national day of prayer. And I, for one, certainly hope that does not take place.

But what if it does?

Christians have responded quickly to this threat. Some appeal to constitutional rights or legal precedence. Others seem incredulous that our society wants to vote prayer out, so to speak. A few sound genuinely fearful, as if the Church of Jesus Christ will tumble without government permission and protection. Of course we have the right, even the responsibility, to champion for our rights like every other citizen . . . but I wonder if our bottom-line concern is motivated more by the potential loss of the comfort and ease we've experienced as Christians living in America. As the NDP faces new threats, is our defense based upon American tradition or political connections in high places? Will we appeal more in courts of law or in the court of heaven (Ephesians 2:6)? If what we know as the National Day of Prayer disappears, what, really, has changed? Yes, our comfort (no small issue) and maybe one day our safety but hopefully not our commission and calling and commitment.

What if the growing anti-NDP movement in our country is in reality an answer to decades of praying for revival? Maybe the Lord knows that our desire for an awakening is sincere but that our capacity to refocus our lives and reformat our congregations is in need of a serious challenge. Not a political or legal challenge but one that causes us to individually and corporately become radical Christians. And maybe the Lord knows that can only be accomplished by those things that cause us discomfort; a jolt that shatters our Christianized status quo.

Believe me, I am not inviting discomfort or cultural disapproval nor am I courageous enough to welcome a purifying persecution. The threat to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion are life and death issues (at least they were at one time in our nation's early history). Like you, I have read chilling reports of persecution in other nations and watched news clips of the hardships and even killings endured by fellow believers in other lands. No thank you. I am enormously grateful to live in the land of the free.

But this is also the home of the brave. And if Congress or the courts one day delete a National Day of Prayer from the calendar, our calling to pray has not been altered one iota. Our permission to gather is rooted, not in a legislative decree but, like millions of brother and sisters in Christ throughout history and across the globe, is in our Lord's commands. Maybe the real test is not legislative nor judicial (and certainly not political); the real test may be spiritual. How committed are we, and to what extreme will we risk our comfort or safety, to make certain Christ-followers in every town and village, community and city gather to pray for our nation? Is it possible that the court of heaven would actually hear from more desperate American Christians if NDP was rescinded? Could the God of heaven be asking us to move from one day of national prayer to 365?

It seems to me, our fears for the National Day of Prayer may cause us to fight the wrong fight and appeal to the wrong court; God forbid!

Pastor Phil Miglioratti
Originally posted by the Church Prayer Leaders Network
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Voices Together for Tuesday, 24 August 2010 Psalm 19:1-6

Posted by John Nunnikhoven on August 24, 2010 at 2:00
Voices Together for Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Psalm 19:1-6
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Another day is breaking, a cold, crisp winter day, and I can watch the interplay of light and color as Your creation is revealed again. A demonstration of I John 1:5 that You are light and in You is no darkness at all. I see trees and shrubs waiting to be reborn, I see snow covering the land and hiding the imperfections from sight foreshadowing Your redemption and salvation. I see form and function speaking of Your wisdom in the design of the Creation. All declares Your glory and shouts praise to the work of Your hand.

Voices Together is taken from my daily meditations and is shared in the hope that others will be encouraged to use the Psalms as a basis for their own prayers, It is available in other formats including a daily e-mail, as a weekly bulletin insert for churches and for use in prison ministry, and published as an annual devotional.


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Voices Together for Monday, 23 August 2010 Psalm 18:46-50

Posted by John Nunnikhoven on August 23, 2010 at 2:00
Psalm 18:46-50
The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation-- (47) the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, (48) who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence. (49) For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name. (50) Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever.

The LORD lives,
and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation

Sing it, O my soul, sing it! He has delivered me from my enemies, He has raised me above those sought my harm, He has given me power and wisdom beyond measure to resist the wiles of the Evil One, He is the LORD, God Almighty.

The LORD lives,
and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation

Voices Together is taken from my daily meditations and is shared in the hope that others will be encouraged to use the Psalms as a basis for their own prayers, It is available in other formats including a daily e-mail, as a weekly bulletin insert for churches and for use in prison ministry, and published as an annual devotional.

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Turn Around

Posted by Carol Madison on August 18, 2010 at 18:07
I was running just a little late for church when I saw Nancy from the Caribou coffee shop walking along Main Street. I suspected she was walking to work, although she was several blocks from her destination. I've had a few spiritual conversations with Nancy, but she's not too impressed with "the Church." Thinks we're a bunch of hypocrites.

Suddenly I had a thought flash through my mind. "Turn around and invite Nancy to church."

I drove past a couple of traffic lights, hoping the thought was not actually from the Lord. But it didn't leave me, even as I reasoned with God that I would be really late for church if I turned around.

"Invite Nancy to church."

Great. Just great. This is not comfortable.

I turned around and pulled up next to Nancy. Naturally, she was startled as she looked over at me.

"Um, Nancy, I feel like I'm supposed to invite you to church."

Naturally, she was startled by my invitation. She declined, as she was on her way to work her shift. But she accepted my offer to give her a ride the rest of the way.

"Nancy, um, last time we talked, you were exploring some unusual spiritual things such as astrology. Where are you at with spiritual stuff?" I asked.

"Interesting you should ask," Nancy replied. "Just last night I decided I was supposed to read the Bible, so I searched around the house to find one."

As I explored a bit more with her, she remembered that she read the verse in Philippians about being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

"Well, Nancy, just so you know, I really believe that. I live my life according to that truth."

I pulled up in front of Caribou, our conversation ending way too quickly. I asked Nancy if there was any way I could pray for her. "Pray that I will make it to church tonight," she replied as she got out of the car.

"OK, I'm right on that, Nancy!"

Yes, I was late for church. But I'm pretty sure I heard God about turning around. He loves to do that.
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The Next Spiritual Awakening

Posted by Carol Madison on August 18, 2010 at 18:00

If you don’t believe we are in need of a spiritual awakening in our nation, you are not obsessed the news networks like I am! Seriously, you cannot live in this nation without some awareness that a movement of God is desperately needed.

Historically, this nation has experienced some powerful spiritual awakenings that have dramatically changed the spiritual climate of society. However, we are perhaps 150 years overdue for another nationwide, saturating awakening.

But there are hopeful signs! Before every great spiritual awakening, there were some common indicators that we’re beginning to see emerge once again. Billy Wilson of Awakening America Alliance shared some encouraging observations with me in an interview.

One of the first signs is an increase in the use of revival and spiritual awakening language. In the past few years, great movements of prayer have been rising up, including alliances of Christian ministries devoted to prayer for revival. Eighteen years ago I wrote my first article on revival. I wasn’t quite sure what it was, but I was aware that there had to be something more to faith in Christ than what I was seeing displayed in the Church. Now the call for revival is becoming commonplace in prayer circles.

Another sign is an increase in the fervency of prayer among the “remnant.” These are the pastors and intercessors who have prayed faithfully and sought God for a greater move of His power in our midst. More and more prayer warriors are joining the ranks of those praying fervently for revival. This is one of the most encouraging and hopeful signs, as almost all revivals have started with less than 12 people praying. God loves to work through a remnant!

As we close in on a desperately needed move of God in our nation, there are two more indicators that will increase just prior to revival breaking out:

  • There will be an increase in united, extraordinary prayer. This prayer is passionate, fervent, and repentant in nature—and this is increasing exponentially!
  • There will be a restoration of integrity to the pulpit. You will begin to hear greater boldness in messages based on the truth of the gospel, and it will include the message of repentance. Not only will the messengers of the gospel proclaim the integrity of the gospel more clearly, they will also experience their own repentance and transformation. This is something we should all long for our own lives.

Keep your eyes on the horizon. Revival fires are not far away. Keep praying; keep repenting. As we humble ourselves in brokenness, God will draw closer and closer to us. Come, Lord Jesus!

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