Pray Network Forum

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

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

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

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

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

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

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 260 | Wed 14 May 2014

KOREA: HOPES FOR PEACE FADE

by Elizabeth Kendal

Koreans desperately need peace, as distinct from a frozen conflict that regularly threatens to blow hot. North Korea boasts nuclear weapons and South Korea boasts support of the US military. If peace could be achieved and the two sides stop threatening each other then perhaps the situation could normalise and efforts to improve the lives of North Koreans would make headway. The alternatives to forging peace are the totally unacceptable status quo with its paranoia and related gross human rights abuses, or conflict with the prospect of the peninsula running red with blood.

As noted in RLPB 248 (19 February) and RLPB 251 (12 March), the North Korean regime's main concern is managing the state monopoly on information in the face of severe challenges posed by new communication technologies, while endeavouring to raise living standards so as to ward off revolt. Whenever the regime feels threatened it intensifies repression and magnifies propaganda. According to a 12 May report in DailyNK (from Seoul), because a wave of executions has failed to stem the inflow and sharing of banned materials, security forces are now conducting surprise night-time raids on homes in Pyongyang. Citizens accused of viewing, possessing or copying banned content - particularly South Korean DVDs and magazines - are exiled virtually immediately upon arrest. In the past two months, at least 100 Pyongyang citizens reportedly have been internally exiled, 'disappeared' to remote mountainous areas after night raids. According to the source, 'people are panic-stricken'. Though these exiles might be alive, they have lost not merely their homes, but all that is available only in the capital, such as food rations, water and electricity. The border with China has been tightened significantly to ensure that no South Korean content or recording equipment of any kind enters the state. Restrictions on the entry of journalists and on tourists talking to locals are being rigidly enforced. Needless to say, the Church is gravely imperilled.

All the while, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continues to consolidate his power. As was noted in RLPB 248, by the end of 2013, four members of Kim Jong-il's 'Gang of Seven' - an inner circle of elites tasked with guiding and mentoring the young Kim Jong-un - had been purged while another had been demoted. One of those purged was Kim Jong-un's uncle, Jang Song-taek who was executed on 13 December 2013. Stepping up to fill Jang's role as principal mentor and deputy was Choe Ryong-hae (64),the man Kim Jong-il had reportedly personally chosen to mentor his son, and the man believed to be responsible for Jang's execution. In early May, Kim Jong-un demoted Choe, replacing him with his own long-time minder and protector, Hwang Pyong-so (64). Having shaken off the last of his father's minions, Kim can now rule unchallenged. As one analyst comments, anyone waiting for a collapse of the regime is going to have to wait a lot longer.

On the other hand, tensions are soaring on the peninsula with North Korea firing rockets into the sea and flying surveillance drones over the South. Pyongyang denies it was spying, calling the accusation a 'conspiracy' devised by South Korean president Park Geun-hye, whom it called a 'disgraceful political prostitute'. Kim has referred recently also to US President Obama (who visited Seoul in April and is proposing further sanctions) as a 'wicked black monkey', a 'cross-breed' and Park's 'pimp'. To protest what it calls 'US and South Korean hostility', Pyongyang has threatened to conduct another nuclear test. On Monday 12 May South Korean Ministry of Defence spokesman Kim Min-seo struck back saying, 'North Korea isn't a real country is it? ... It exists solely to prop up a single person,' adding that it would be best if it 'vanished as soon as possible'. On Tuesday 13 May the North's powerful National Defence Commission described President Park and South Korean military officials as 'the root of evil' and vowed to wipe them out entirely with merciless force. Hopes of peace are fading fast.


PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT -

* the Almighty God will intervene in North Korea to transform the situation radically for the benefit of the Church and for the sake of North Korea's repressed and suffering millions. (See Jonah 4:10,11)

'When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.' (Matthew 9:36 ESV)

* God will give wisdom to fools and patience to hot heads, repentance to persecutors and grace to victims, so that the Church might be spared further calamity and delivered from her adversity to be the light and salt (Matthew 5:13-16) North Korea so desperately needs.

* the Holy Spirit will revisit Pyongyang in mercy and grace, to open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf and set the captives free. (See Psalm 146, Luke 4:14-21 and Isaiah 35:3-7)

[The Great Korean Revival of 1907, which transformed the Korean peninsula, began in Pyongyang, which subsequently came to be known as 'The Jerusalem of the East'.]

'The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein ... Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.' (from Psalm 24)


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE

HOPES FOR PEACE FADE IN KOREA

Koreans - especially North Koreans - desperately need peace, as distinct from a frozen conflict that breeds paranoia-inspired gross human rights abuses and routinely threatens war. In the North, whenever the regime of Kim Jong-un feels threatened, it intensifies repression and magnifies propaganda. Recently, North Korean security forces have been conducting surprise night raids on homes in Pyongyang, arresting and then exiling anyone suspected of viewing, sharing or copying banned materials, particularly South Korean films and magazines. At least 100 people have been 'disappeared' in the last two months, triggering widespread panic. Meanwhile, tensions between North Korea and the US-South Korea alliance are also soaring; the belligerent, threatening rhetoric coming out of both states is frightening. Pray for the Church in North Korea. Pray for Korea's peace and transformation.


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

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

This RLPB was written by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate. Elizabeth is Adjunct Research Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at the Melbourne School of Theology. She is Director of Advocacy for Christian Faith & Freedom based in Canberra, Australia.

RLPBs are issued as a ministry of the Evangelical Alliance in Australia.

Elizabeth Kendal is the author of 'Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today'

(Deror Books, Dec. 2012) http://turnbackthebattle.com/thebook.html

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

to join-rlpb@hub.xc.org

Illinois State Senator Sam McCann (R-Springfield)  declares his full allegiance to the Savior - Jesus Christ

The 63rd Annual National Day of Prayer State of Illinois Capitol City event was one power-packed time of worship and intercession! It was one seamless 90 minute where the Power and the Presence of Holy God was so heavy that all present and the thousands more who listened to the edited one hour version on radio - over the air and online(www.wluj.org)commented that this one was the best Prayer event and service they have been to. What made it so special, among other things, were the bold testimony of the few real born-again Christians in Illinois Politics Senator Sam McCann of Central Illinois and prayer leader after prayer leader who stayed on message and listened to God before speaking.

Scott Beauchamp Springfield House of Prayer

The following were the invited prayer leaders: Scott Beauchamp (Director of the Springfield House of Prayer, which is doing amazing missions work in Israel, Brazil and other places); Pastors Paul Rose (Calvary Temple); Johnnie Standard (Springfield Bible); Kevin Carothers (Rochester First Baptist); Bob Armstrong (Living Water and Brian Williams (SpiritRiders and Broken Chains Church). The main emphasis on Repentance; Obedience; Humility and Salvation remains as our community event here grows in outreach and influence. We all know that God does NOT hear the prayer of an unrighteous man, so for several years now I have either given a message on how to be saved or another minister has. This year, the main wrap up speaker/pastor was Brian Williams of Broken Chains Church and he put the entire exercise of worship and intercession in perspective by showing perfectly why sometimes our prayers do not seem to be effective and how we sometimes just use 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a flag, without understanding just what it demands.

Read more by clicking here: http://bernielutchman.blogspot.com/2014/05/national-day-of-prayer-2014-seamlessly.html

James agrees:  Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. - James 5:12

As Christians, we mean well when we promise others that we'll pray for them.  But so often, as we busy ourselves with tasks, goals, service, objectives, missions, and more, we can quickly lose sight of promises made to others.  Distractions happen to everyone.  Our promises can be put on a back burner, but sometimes they're left there and are lost.  We can do much better!

This seldom happens, but again, ask God for wisdom in how to pray in that moment.  It's okay to take a few moments to pray silently before you begin speaking in prayer.  In that time, God may quiet your heart, give you His insight in how He'd have you pray as well as honor the person/people requesting prayer, etc.  Again, begin praying aloud by praising God for who He is.  Center the focus on God.  He matters most.  The matter, as well as the people you're praying for/with, are His.  Pray biblically.

We continue exalting you in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving.  In Jesus' name...

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

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

I responded:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We demonstrate our faith by the way we live. Conduct communicates more clearly than creed.

“Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength,

more from practice than from speculations.”

- Joseph Addison

Light from heaven beams down, profiling your life as a vital witness to eternal realities.

The outline of transforming faith boldly stands out against passive conformity.

Etched against a circumstantial backdrop, people watch as you worship.

Devotional contour preaches a clearer message than your words.

Totally reliant on your Creator, you are never disappointed.

Lean on the Everlasting Arms, and sing His praises.  

Radically disciplined, you are educated in timeless wisdom.

Listen to echoes from eternity, and find lasting truth.

Humbly appreciative, you’re never too busy to give thanks.

Learn to be content whatever happens, and be rich.

Unquestioningly obedient, you carry out Christ’s orders.

Live by His Word, and He will be real to you.

Hopefully devoted, you walk in Jesus’ steps every day.

Love Him sincerely, and be blessed eternally.

“Jacob bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.”

(Genesis 47:31 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

                                                         Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 33 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

HALLOW THE NAME OF THE LORD
Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, we, the people of the State of Florida, declare that you are the only true God, the only wise God, and the one great God. You are Lord of all, King of all, and exalted above all. Your throne is forever and ever, and the reign of Your kingdom has no end.

You alone are the God of the State of Florida.

AWAKEN THE STATE
Lord, we acknowledge that we, the people of Florida, have been sleeping, slumbering, lethargic, and dull to Your presence. We have neglected and often abandoned You in our worship, communion, prayer, the reading of Your Word, and obedient service to You. We also humbly acknowledge that it is high time for the State of Florida to awake out of sleep. (Romans 13:11) Like the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, we believe that when we are fully awake, we shall see Your glory. (Luke 9:32) And the knowledge of Your glory shall fully cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. So we come before you to dedicate this statewide prayer altar of the Lord, we commit to pursuing personal, family, corporate and social awakening and transformation. We commit to sound the alarm for the people of the State of Florida and America to awaken. We declare that we will not be satisfied until we awake in Your likeness (Psalm 17:15)

DRAW THE PRESENCE OF GOD
King of Glory, we realize that we, the people of the State of Florida, have been hasty to depart from and have lived independent of your presence. As we now come back to our senses, we acknowledge that apart from You we can do nothing and without You there is no hope of a transformative revival in the land. Because You promised that the upright shall dwell in Your presence. (Psalm 140:13), we determine to humble ourselves under your mighty hand. Your presence is our only hope, our only confidence, the one thing we seek after. Therefore, as we consecrate this statewide prayer altar, we declare that we, as living sacrifices, will continually seek to draw Your abiding presence into our state and nation.

FORERUNNER STATE
Almighty God we believe that before the foundation of the earth You determined to give the State of Florida a future and a hope. You decided beforehand the good works in which we, the people of the land, should walk. You alone destined Florida to be a forerunner state- a state that is a voice crying in the wilderness of this nation; prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. A voice declaring that “every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low. The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:4-6)

Like John the Baptist, we, the people of the Florida prayer altar, will say to America, “behold the Land of God who takes away your sins and the sins of the world.” For truly Jesus is the Son of God. (John 1:29, 34) As a forerunner, we declare that we will trumpet and exemplify the call to repentance from Godly sorrow born out of the goodness of God. We will declare that the State of Florida prayer altar is set apart for Your purposes alone.

CORPORATE UNITY
Lord we acknowledge that this statewide prayer altar will be known by loving unity in Your Name. Although in times past we lived in division and strife, we now submit to and agree with You that it is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. This is the place where you command the blessing of life forevermore.

We, therefore, will beseech on another to walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We acknowledge that there is one body, and one Spirit, just as we were called in one hope of our calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. (Ephesians 4:1-5) With such unity, we believe that You will be in the midst of us.

PETITION
Now we, the people of the State of Florida, hereby ask you Lord to hear our prayer and supplication that we make to you this day, May 10, 2014.

“Arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints rejoice in goodness. O Lord God, do not turn away from the face of Your anointed. Remember the mercies of Your servant David”(2 Chronicles 6:41-42).

We humbly and earnestly petition you to accept this declaration of the State of Florida prayer altar. May our sacrifice be acceptable in Your sight O Lord.

DECLARATION
We declare in the State of Florida and America that You are good, for Your mercy endures forever.

We declare that You are far above all principalities and powers, and every knee, whether in heaven, on earth, or beneath the earth, will bow before You and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)

We do hereby now say to the State of Florida, Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, your everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:7-10).

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

A Day of Prayer for our grandchildren.

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

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

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

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

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

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

for their grandchildren.

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

For additional information, contact Lillian Penner

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

By Lillian Penner

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

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

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

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

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

Shortly after this declaration Jesus said,

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

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

In John 7:18 Jesus said,

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

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

                                                                                  by David Young

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

Twice, in Luke 22:39-46, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray that they would not fall into temptation. 

³⁹ Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground^.

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Turning our focus on God, zeroing in on Him, His Word, and the ministry of His Holy Spirit, helps fill our focus and attention with the One who is greater than all; the One who sent His only Son as a perfect, unblemished, sacrifice for all mankind- that fully and permanently defeated sin, death, and the devil- after being tempted in every way as we are.


Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵ and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  - Hebrews 2:14-18

Bob Hostetler offers 31 ways to pray for your teen (or a teenager you know or see around you).  His first prayer point is vital to pray; and the Scriptures that each prayer point is focused or centered upon are worth looking up, reading, and praying through individually beyond simply praying or parroting what he's written!

Praying for Your Teen is a link with additional Scripture-based prayer points to help focus on praying for teens.  A statement in the article, "There is a myth that teenagers cannot practice self-control, that the teenage and young adult years are the time for "sewing wild oats", and Scriptures refuting that idea, are also valuable.

As you'll see as you read and pray through many of the Scriptures and prayer points offered in these links, you may also find that you pray some of these points for yourself and your personal walk with Jesus Christ.  That's perfectly okay!

God often does His greatest work of answered prayer in the heart of the person praying- although He often reveals ways He's answered our prayers for others in their lives/circumstances as well.  Our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ is our most valuable possession- and it's one of, if not THE most valuable possession to God as well.  Let's continue seeking and pressing into Him through today, tonight, and the day(s) to come.  Whether we focus our prayers on children, teens, ourselves, or others, we won't be disappointed as we turn to God as our Rock, Center, Stronghold, and more!

In His grip,

Rob Griepentrog

Many people talk about having good luck. Christians give credit to the good Lord.

“The superior man is quiet and calm, waiting for the appointments of Heaven,

while the mean man walks in dangerous paths, looking for lucky occurrences.”

- Tzesze (5^th century B.C.)

God is Sovereign—governing the universe, ruling and overruling all of life.

In His hands, even malicious intentions are tools to forge ultimate good.

Whatever gets to us—whether pleasant or painful—goes by God first.

He works in every episode in our lives to produce a drama of grace.

He uses every brush stroke to paint the masterpiece of our life.

In His master plan, we’ll be shaped into the image of Christ.  

Our Heavenly Father plans moves on life’s chessboard.

The evil one can never checkmate the King of kings.

Behind the scenes, the Almighty directs the play.

Invisible to the audience, He is real to faith.

Jesus is the Savior of whatever is next.

Every sunrise, He is still in charge.

Not good luck—the good Lord.

Not accident—the Almighty.

Not fate—our Father.

Not chance—Christ.

“Yes, it was God who sent me here, not you!

And he has made me a counselor to Pharaoh—manager of his entire household and ruler over all Egypt.”

Genesis 45:8 NLT

Johnny Almond

               Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 31 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 259 | Wed 07 May 2014

CAR: MAY GOD EMPOWER THE PEACEMAKERS

by Elizabeth Kendal

CAR: MAY GOD EMPOWER THE PEACEMAKERS

In early 2013 the Central African Republic (CAR) government desperately appealed for help as bands of local and international Islamic jihadis backed by Sudan and Iran advanced on the capital, Bangui. But President Bozize had recently signed oil concessions with China, leading the US and former colonial power France to think that regime change in Bangui might serve their interests. They therefore refused assistance and let CAR - which is French-speaking and 70 percent Christian - fall to Arabic-speaking local and international Islamic rebels. Only when CAR was in total chaos did France send in peacekeepers. Contrary to reports, the conflict was religious from the very beginning. Likewise, the Seleka Muslim forces did not kill and burn 'indiscriminately'; rather, they targeted Christians and spared Muslims. Compounding the tragedy, many Muslims betrayed their Christian neighbours and welcomed Seleka, anticipating that it would usher in an Islamic order wherein Muslims would be privileged simply by virtue of being Muslim. Some Muslims even joined in the looting of their Christian neighbours. Consequently, all trust has been shattered. With nobody coming to their aid, the traditional village self-defence units known as 'anti-balaka' went on the offensive to liberate CAR from the scourge of Seleka and exact revenge. Whilst Church leaders, with support from some local Muslim clerics, have been leading the call for reconciliation, leaderless rogue anti-balaka and ex-Seleka militias are out of control, making it impossible to break the cycle of violence.

As was noted in RLPB 258 (30 April) Seleka rebels are still killing and plundering throughout the centre and north-west of CAR. Around 100 people were killed in the past week in dozens of villages across north-west CAR close to the border with Chad. The fighting commenced on 1 May, allegedly after armed men, some reportedly in uniform, plundered Seleka's food reserves. According to the head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Amy Martin, several armed groups are operating in the border area, including Seleka fighters who have formed alliances with armed Fulani herdsmen. Though it is not clear who is committing the violence, the deputy prefect in Markounda, Lucian Mbaigoto, said the killers were speaking Arabic and Fulani. Everaldo de Souza, a priest in Dekoa, told Reuters that ex-Seleka rebels had killed at least seven people in three nearby villages, though he expected the death toll to be much higher. In Mala, terrified citizens sought shelter in the Catholic church until it too was targeted. Yetina Isaac, a resident of Markounda, described how rebels entered homes, killed the occupants and set fire to the houses, burning the frail and the dead. She also reported having seen children 'thrown alive into the fire'.

Muslims in the north are calling for partition and for a separate state. Apart fron Sudan and Iran and possibly some other Islamic states, there is no support for that as most recognise that such an entity would simply become a base for international Islamic mercenaries operating mostly at the behest of Sudan and Iran. While Seleka violence is receiving little media coverage, news of 'Christian ethnic cleansing of Muslims' is rife, not just in non-Muslim media, but in Muslim media. For example, Iranian media are warning Muslims that a 'Christian' genocide of Muslims is under way, with echoes of Rwanda. This creates a seriously dangerous climate for Christians. Foreign militants should be expelled, rebels must be disarmed and leaderless rogue anti-balaka need to be reined in or the situation could become much worse. CAR desperately needs peace.


PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL -

* fill CAR's Church leaders and evangelists with a fresh out-pouring of his Holy Spirit so they will speak with boldness and authority and lead the nation to Jesus Christ for transformative grace to make peace and reconciliation possible.

* pour out his Holy Spirit in generous abundance on the citizens of CAR, opening the eyes of the blind, unstopping the ears of the deaf, healing the traumatised and freeing those held captive to pain and rage. (Luke 4:16-21)

* work powerfully so that this nation, which has been invaded and ravaged by enemies, betrayed and abandoned by friends and torn asunder from within, will seek grace and healing from him who is both willing and able to save.

'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' (Matthew 19:26 ESV)

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. (Psalm 65:5-8a ESV)


* UPDATE & COMMENT ON THE BORNO, NIGERIA, ABDUCTIONS
- updating RLPBs 257 & 258

In the early hours of Monday 5 May, Boko Haram struck again, abducting eight girls aged 12 to 15 from Warabe village on the outskirts of the Christian enclave of Gwoza town, Borno, near the Sambisa forest and the border with Cameroon. While the Borno abductions have captured international headlines, it is important to realise that the phenomenon is neither new nor unique. In Raqqa, Syria, young girls including Christians are also being seized and forcibly married to Salafi jihadis (see RLPB 250, 4 March). [Salafis imitate Muhammad who took women as war booty and slaves and gave his followers permission to have sex with any woman their right hand possessed (Qur'an, Sura 23:5,6).] As noted in RLPB 258 (30 April), thousands of Christian Pakistani and Coptic (Egyptian) girls are trafficked across religious lines every year, being abducted, converted and married to Muslim men with complicity from local police, courts and government officials all working to hasten the decline of Christianity through the removal of its child-bearers. Even if these Pakistani and Egyptian girls manage to escape they cannot get their religious identity restored because the Islamic state will not permit apostasy (leaving Islam). According to Sharia Law, a Muslim woman may only marry a Muslim man, leaving the forcibly converted girl with no other option than to flee and risk her chances as a refugee. This is what contemporary persecution looks like - violent and life-destroying. Please pray for the persecuted!


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE

MAY GOD EMPOWER THE PEACEMAKERS FOR CAR

Central African Republic (CAR) is trapped in violence. Whilst rogue anti-Muslim militias known as 'anti-balaka' are driving Muslims out of Bangui, ex-Seleka Islamic rebels continue to terrorise the centre and north-west. On 26 April ex-Seleka militants massacred 16 people (including three staff) at a medical clinic in north-west CAR. In the past week some 100 people have been killed across dozens of villages in the north-west close to the border with Chad. The killers, who were said to speak Arabic and Fulani, committed appalling abuses, killing civilians, burning homes and reportedly throwing live children into the fires. Iranian media are falsely reporting genocide of Muslims, saying that Christians are killing Muslims with impunity. Unless there is peace, the situation will deteriorate significantly. Please pray for CAR and its Church.

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

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

This RLPB was written by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate. Elizabeth is Adjunct Research Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at the Melbourne School of Theology. She is Director of Advocacy for Christian Faith & Freedom based in Canberra, Australia.

RLPBs are issued as a ministry of the Evangelical Alliance in Australia.

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

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

to join-rlpb@hub.xc.org

So, as we pray, and prepare to pray for God to revive and awaken our nation, where do we begin?

Guest blog by Cathy Jacobs

 There is a message pounding in my heart today I feel compelled to share with fellow Baby Boomers:  if there is breath in you, then God has a plan for you!  Our culture tells us that we are past our “prime time” in life if we are over the ages of 55 or 60.  But that has never been God’s intention.  He has a plan for you today as He did when you were 20, 30 or 40 years of age. Each person’s destiny is unique.  But at the top of God’s purpose for each of us is the eternally important job to pass a legacy of faith in Christ to our children and grand children.  But many Baby Boomers feel ill-equipped and under-prepared for such a task.  

My heart is to share with you seven keys that I think can encourage, inform and equip you to share God’s love with your family.  The first three keys focus on equipping your heart to reach your child’s heart.  The last four keys focus on specific tools to enable you for this God-given opportunity to impact your loved ones.  Never has there been a more important job to do!  

Each of us will leave a legacy to our families.  The question is what kind of legacy will you leave?  By becoming informed and equipped, you can be the courageous GRAND parent God has called you to be and leave a powerful Biblical inheritance to the next generations.

This blog was written by Catherine Jacobs of Pass the Legacy. For more information on passing a legacy of faith to the next generations, go to “Seven Keys for ‘Salty’ Grand Parents” at www.passthelegacy.com

May you discover in this month that Easters not a day,
but rather its a way of life by which faith learns to play!
May you experience the joy just knowing Jesus lives!
May you not fear whats still to come but trust a God who gives.
May you determine to give thanks for all thats going right.
May you look past anothers wrong so youll sleep well at night.
May you dust for Gods fingerprints in all that springtime brings:
a flowring shrub, a fragrant rose, the tune a songbird sings.
May you decide to make a friend of someone you dont know.
May you mend frayed relationships although you cannot sew.
May you delight in getting fit by walking every day.
May you eat what is good for you and chart how much you weigh.
May you take time to talk to God and then to contemplate
the ways the Lord has answered prayer with Yes and No and Wait!
May you begin each day this month by reading from Gods Word
and listening expectantly for what the ancients heard.
May you unwrap each day as if the present is a gift.
And may Gods presence grant you peace and give your soul a lift.

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)

John chapter 12 gives powerful insight in to the prayer focus of Jesus. After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem the final week before the cross some Greeks approached Phillip asking to see Jesus. Phillip and Andrew came to tell Jesus. The Master immediately saw this as a sign of what was about to take place. He compared His coming crucifixion to a seed dying and being buried in the ground so it could bear much fruit.

In verse 27 Jesus said,

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. ^[1][1]

For what purpose? Grammatically Jesus has to be speaking of the troubling of His soul. What do you do when your soul is troubled? Well of course you pray. But should you ask to be delivered from the troubling hour. Could God have raised you up for this very reason, for this very hour, for this very troubling? Jesus replaced such prayers with a simple request.

“Father, glorify your name.”

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 258 | Wed 30 Apr 2014

by Elizabeth Kendal

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:3,4 ESV)

WELCOME to the intercessors who have joined the list this month.

APRIL 2014 UPDATE - During April we prayed concerning ...

* ELECTIONS IN INDIA AND INDONESIA (RLPB 254).

UPDATE: Voting continues in India until mid May. Meanwhile, Indonesia's Election Commission reports that it may not be ready to announce results on 9 May as scheduled. However, voting trends indicate that the next Indonesian government will be much like the previous government, i.e. restricted by coalition politics and compromises. Secular nationalist parties won 68 percent of the vote while Islamic parties won 32 percent (up from 29 percent in 2009) and parties with an overtly Islamist position are coming in last. Pray that Islamists will be marginalised as they ought to be and not empowered through quid pro quo deals.

* CHINA (RLPB 255), where officials in Zhejiang province have moved to 'rectify' the problem of too many large churches and crosses corrupting the skyline. Since early April the struggle has centred on the Sanjiang Church in Wenzhou, where some 3000 local Christians rallied together to save the church that had been threatened with demolition because leaders refused to remove the cross.

UPDATE: SANJIANG CHURCH DEMOLISHED After a long stand-off, the local Communist authority and the church negotiated a deal whereby the church agreed that two levels of a newly built, seven-storey annex could be removed. However, the government removed four floors, not two, angering church members. Nevertheless, the main church building and its prominent cross was to remain untouched. Then on Monday 28 April, armed Special Task Force officers blocked the roads leading to the church so that heavy equipment could move in and demolition of the main sanctuary begin. According to local sources, at least six leaders were arrested - five from the Sanjiang Church and one from the nearby Tengqiao Church. While local authorities are defending the demolition, local Christian leaders have expressed outrage. Chen Yilu, the head of the Government-approved Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, slammed the provincial government for its 'crude and hard-line' handling of the Sanjiang Church crisis. He said the incident would damage the Communist Party's image and risk 'social stability'. Religion expert Fenggang Yang warned of an escalating struggle between the rapidly growing Chinese Church and the ruling Communist Party which is determined to rein it in. According to reports, orders have been issued for cross removals and partial demolitions ('rectifications') at 10 or possibly more churches in the area.

* BORNO, NIGERIA (RLPB 257), where Boko Haram had abducted more than 200 teenage girls from a secondary school in the Christian enclave of Chibok.

UPDATE: GIRLS MARRIED TO FOREIGN JIHADIS The mass abduction of schoolgirls has rocked the nation and triggered widespread outrage. According to reports, most of the abducted schoolgirls have already been married to third parties abroad - mostly other Boko Haram militants in Cameroon and Chad. Dowry payments of 2,000 Nigerian Naira (US$12.50) per 'bride' were paid to the abductors. The Chibok community is traumatised and frustrated by government inaction. Locals who witnessed girls being taken towards Cameroon tried in vain to alert the local senator before going directly to the local army barracks where they were told to put their concerns in writing. Of course this gave the militants time to escape across the border. Women from across Nigeria will stage a 'One Million Women' march in Abuja on Wednesday 30 April, under the banner 'Free Our Girls'. The women are also calling for prayer and fasting that God might 'touch the hearts of the insurgents to release the girls'. At this point, the use of force is simply too dangerous. Muslims and Christians are coming together for the children of Nigeria.

* SYRIA (RLPB 257), where the Battle for Aleppo has entered a new phase as jihadists intensify efforts in the north-west, seizing Kessab and surging into Aleppo. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is pushing back.

ALEPPO UPDATE: LIFE TENUOUS FOR ALEPPO'S CHRISTIANS On Sunday 27 April Aleppo was shaken by several massive explosions. Jihadist forces seeking to advance into government-held areas had tunnelled into the heart of the Old City and detonated explosives underneath the Chamber of Industry, where government forces have their headquarters. Dozens were killed and wounded. After the bombing, heavy clashes ensued between jihadists and the SAA. Jihadists have increased their shelling of government-held areas too, causing many casualties. Pray for Christians trapped in Aleppo.


APRIL 2014 ROUND-UP - also this month ...

* CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR): INSECURITY CONTINUES

On Saturday 26 April Muslim rebels attacked a medical clinic run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Nanga Boguilla in north-west CAR, killing at least 16 people, including three MSF staff. While some rebels looted the clinic, others stormed the open area where MSF staff and community members had gathered for a meeting and opened fire with automatic weapons. Seleka leader Mohamed Moussa Dhaffane denied that the killers were Seleka, asserting that Muslim rebels from Cameroon were operating in the area. The central region of Bossangoa is still wracked with insecurity. 'There is a situation of total chaos in my diocese,' says Mgr Nestor De sire Nongo-Aziagbia, Bishop of Bossangoa. He also was seized by Seleka rebels on Easter eve, a day after one of his priests was killed on Good Friday. 'The rebels continue to kill and plunder,' he says. 'Last weekend in a village on the border with Chad, four people were killed, among them two catechists.' Mgr Nongo-Aziagbia says jihadists have infiltrated Bangui (the capital). 'It is public knowledge,' he says, 'that the Central Mosque of the city has become a powder keg, because the extremists have transformed it into their arsenal.' Instead of fulfilling their mandate - disarming fighters and protecting the vulnerable - French and African peace-keepers are escorting Muslims to the north, where CAR authorities fear they will eventually establish a Seleka-run state within the state.


* IRAN: EASTER RAID AND ARRESTS

According to Mohabat News, human rights news sources in Iran have reported that on 18 April plain-clothed security officers raided the private apartment of Nazi and Maryam Asadi, breaking up a Good Friday worship service taking place there. The Asadi's, Ehsan Sadeghi, Vahid Safi and Amin Mazloomi were all arrested and taken into custody. The security personnel also searched the home and smashed the satellite dishes on the roof of the apartment block.


* NIGERIA: CHURCH TORCHED IN ADAMAWA

Late on Monday 28 April Boko Haram militants attacked Gubla village in Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State, killing four residents. More than ten homes were torched, as was an EYN (Brethren) Church, including the pastor's official quarters. Many more villagers would have been killed had they not fled so quickly into the bush.


* PAKISTAN: SOME 700 CHRISTIAN GIRLS STOLEN/TRAFFICKED ANNUALLY

The Movement for Solidarity and Peace (MSP) in Pakistan has released a report entitled 'Forced Marriages & Forced Conversions in the Christian Community of Pakistan' (published April 2014). According to this report around 1000 minority girls - some 300 Hindus and 700 Christians - are forced to marry Muslim men in Pakistan every year. Furthermore, the MSP acknowledged that this is just the tip of the iceberg, as most cases either go unreported or fail to progress.

According to MSP, the forced marriages follow a distinct pattern: a Christian girl aged between 12 and 25 is abducted, 'converted' and married to the abductor or a third party. The victim's family files a report with the police, accusing the abductor. The abductor files a report with the police accusing the Christian family. The case goes to court where the girl - who normally remains in the custody of her abductors - is asked to testify whether or not she left home, converted and was married of her own free will. When the girl testifies that she acted of her own free will (making a false testimony to protect her family) the case is settled. These girls are subjected to violence, rape, forced prostitution, trafficking and sale. [The same pattern exists in Egypt where Coptic girls are routinely abducted, 'converted' and married to Muslim men.]

This is human trafficking across religious lines. Such large scale systematic abuse could not endure without the tacit consent and overt co-operation of Islamic clerics, law enforcement officers and government officials. This shameful reality leaves Christian girls in a state of permanent insecurity.


* SYRIA

(1) DAMASCUS: ANOTHER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TARGETED

On 15 April one child died and 61 people - children, parents and teachers - were injured when a rebel rocket hit an Armenian Catholic School in Damascus. This was not the first time rebels have targeted a school full of children. On 11 November 2013 rebels fired mortar rockets at the Armenian Christian Tarkmanchats High School in Damascus just as the children were leaving for the day. Their school bus was hit and four first-graders and the bus driver were killed.

(2) MAALOULA LIBERATED

On 4 Sepembert 2013 jihadists with the Free Syrian Army and al Nusra Front launched a surprise attack on SAA soldiers guarding the ancient, predominantly Christian town of Maaloula, 60km north of Damascus. Some 20 soldiers and 25 civilians were killed in the assault that forced about 3000 locals to flee. The town was then systematically looted and vandalised. On Monday 14 April the Syrian government declared the town liberated. On Easter Sunday 20 April Syrian President Bashir al-Assad visited Maaloula. Syrian media footage shows him touring the town with church leaders, inspecting ancient churches, Bibles and icons ruined by jihadists, and being mobbed by grateful locals.

(3) RAQQA: DISAPPEARANCES, EXECUTIONS AND CRUCIFIXIONS

(Updating RLPB 250, 4 March 2014.) Every day, mothers of Raqqa's growing number of 'disappeared' gather outside the ISIS headquarters (formerly the Armenian Church) weeping and begging for information. Sema Nassar, a prominent human rights activist, says ISIS is believed to be holding 'over 1000 Syrians in Raqqa province', adding that those suspected of opposing ISIS or violating Sharia Law simply vanish without a trace or are publicly executed. A group of courageous dissidents has launched a campaign called 'Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently' and is using Facebook and Twitter to share photos and raise awareness of abuses. One photo dated 26 March is of a young Christian man who had been accused (without evidence or witnesses) of killing a Muslim. The Christian was executed and left tied to a cross in a public square for three days for all to see. A set of crucifixion photos dated 29 April show four young men all crucified in a public place. Please pray for God to intervene in Syria.

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

We usually provide a summary to use in news-sheets unable to run the whole of an RLPB. As a summary is not practicable with this monthly update posting we suggest one or more of the above items be used instead.

This RLPB was written by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate. Elizabeth is Adjunct Research Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at the Melbourne School of Theology. She is Director of Advocacy for Christian Faith & Freedom based in Canberra, Australia.

RLPBs are issued as a ministry of the Evangelical Alliance in Australia.

Elizabeth Kendal is the author of 'Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today'

(Deror Books, Dec. 2012) http://turnbackthebattle.com/thebook.html

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

to join-rlpb@hub.xc.org

Our culture constantly teaches us that self-confidence guarantees success. But Scripture teaches a different lesson.

“There’s one blessing only, the source and cornerstone of beatitude—confidence in self.”

- Seneca

There are two fundamental lessons we need to keep relearning—1) there’s a God; 2) we are not Him.

Eventually, we realize limitations—enigmas we cannot decipher, messages we cannot decode.

Self-confidence inevitably crashes into failure’s brick walls and gets lost in life’s labyrinth.

Survival of the fittest disqualifies us; swagger hurries down dead-end alleys.

Haughtiness paves humiliating roads; ego proves to be insufficient.

A do-it-yourself attitude can never be a substitute for grace.

Blessings cascade in our lives from God the Source.

Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of beatitude.

The key to the confidence course of life?

Confidence in the trustworthy God.

“’It is beyond my power to do this’” Joseph replied.

‘But God will tell you what it means and will set you at ease.’”

Genesis 41:16

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 29 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

April 28, 2014

Dear friends,

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

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

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

Our Father never intended for it to become a chore.

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

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

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

Warmly,
Bob

Bob Allums
Director
A Praying Life Ministries

www.seejesus.net