Pray Network Forum

                                                                           from the desk of . . .
                                                                          Rande Wayne Smith
                                                                         D.Min., Th.M., M.Div.

          20 October 2013

                                                                                                                                  Teach Us To Pray - 2

                                                                           WE PRAY TOGETHER

                                                                                                                 based on The Acts 4:23-31 

    I was 29 years old when God called me into the ministry, and He guided me to G.C.T.S., which is about 30 miles north of Boston.  The Seminary itself sits way up on a hill.  In fact, planes flying into Logan Airport use the lighted cross on top of the academic building as a location marker at night before making their descent. 

    Anyway, I lived down in the married student housing, which was a little more than ½ mile from the academic buildings.  So for the 1st couple of months I would drive up the steep hill.  But then, because of the cost of gas, and the fact that we only had 1 car, I decided I would start walking to my classes. 

    Well, the 1st time I did I was totally out of breath.  And I thought to myself, “This is ridiculous.  I’m 29 years old, and I can’t even walk up a hill!”  So I began taking time each day, between classes, to go to the gym to build up my endurance.  I would run around the outside of the gym floor.  (This was Boston in the winter, lots of snow, so I couldn’t run outside.)

    Well, one day another student came down and began running with me.  Now this guy was a good runner.  And I really enjoyed the camaraderie.  But more than that, he held me accountable.  He urged me on.  And when the weather got nice, we began running outdoors.  We’d run for miles and miles and then finish by running up the hill that a few months earlier I struggled to even walk up! 

    Well, running became part of my daily routine.  And in the years since, I began to compete in road races, and have had some success, winning some trophies.  I know how to train.  Running is part of my life.  But I got to this place because, years ago, a runner, and I’ve long since forgotten his name, came and ran with me when I was just beginning.  We ran together during those initial days and weeks.  He provided support and encouragement.     

    This is the 2nd week of a 5 part series on prayer.  We’re looking at essential lessons that Jesus is teaching us about conversation with God.  And this morning we’re going to learn about praying together; the camaraderie, support, and encouragement of one another.

    Our Scripture passage is found in the 4th chapter of The Acts.  Peter and John are making their way through the streets of Jerusalem.  This is just a short time after Jesus has ascended back to Heaven, and the 2 disciples are headed to the Temple for their afternoon prayers.  Jews would go to the Temple 3 times each day for prayer … in the morning, at 3:00, and at dusk.  So as Peter and John are entering through the Temple gate a lame man holds up his hand begging for money.  And Peter says to him, “I have no money at all, but I give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk!” (The Acts 3:6)  And the man is instantly healed!  He leaps to his feet and begins jumping around and praising God!

    Well, everybody is excited … everybody that is except the priests and the Sadducees.  Because they had just put to death, weeks earlier, this Jesus, in whose name the lame man had been healed.  So they send some guards to haul in Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, who give them a very stern warning that they’re never again “to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.”  (The Acts 4:18)

    And that’s where we pick up the story.  Peter and John have just been released.  So, Good News to you who have gathered here at Community Church, written by Luke, and recorded for us in The Acts, within your hearing now comes the Word of the Lord …

    “As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said.  When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: ‘Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!  By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said, ‘Why were the Gentiles furious; why did people make their useless plots?  The kings of the earth prepared themselves, and the rulers met together against the Lord and his Messiah.’  For indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together in this city with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Jesus, your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah.  They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen.  And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.  Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.’  When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.” (The Acts 4:23-31)

    May the Lord grant that we may engage in contemplating the mysteries of His Heavenly wisdom                     with really increasing devotion, to His glory and to our edification.  Amen

    This morning I’m going to make 3 observations about praying together from our Scripture passage.

    #1 … praying together is a high priority for followers of Jesus.  “As soon as Peter and John were set free, they returned to their group and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said.  When the believers heard it, (say it with me), they all joined together in prayer to God.”

    There are a couple of things I want you to especially notice in those sentences.  Peter and John “returned to their group.”  Now as an old journalism major I always ask, “who, what, where, when, why, and how” when I read passages of Scripture.  So, “where” did they return to? 

    The only place that Scripture mentions that the disciples have ever been since Jesus’ death and resurrection is the Upper Room.  And what big event happened in the Upper Room? … (The Last Supper)  Bible scholars tell us that the Upper Room was in a home owned by the mother of John Mark.  Now John Mark wasn’t one of the original 12 disciples, but he was an early follower of Jesus, and a close friend of Peter.  And later, based on the information he received from Peter, he wrote a biography of Jesus which we have in our N.T. called, the Gospel of Mark. 

    Mark’s Mom owned the house where Jesus’ Last Supper took place, and where the believers continued to meet after Jesus ascended to Heaven.  And when they did gather together, one of their primary purposes was to pray as a group.  In fact, circle the word “together” in the 2nd sentence.  “They all joined together in prayer.” “Together” is one of Luke’s favorite words.  And he uses it often as he tells the story of the early Church to show that togetherness should be a mark of followers of Jesus.  We need to be experiencing togetherness here.

    But notice that it’s not just togetherness for the sake of togetherness … it’s togetherness for the sake of prayer.  “They all joined together in prayer to God.” 

    So praying together was a big deal to those early followers of Jesus.  And it wasn’t because they couldn’t pray by themselves in their own homes.  It was because prayer is something that God wants His people to do together, as well as individually.

    In fact, let’s take a quick tour of The Acts, the story of the 1st century Church, and see how much these followers of Jesus valued praying together.

 
    Chapter 1 … takes place about 6 weeks after Jesus’ resurrection, and shortly before He ascends to Heaven.  These are His parting instructions to His closest followers.  “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised.  John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (The Acts 1:4-5)  Jesus is standing on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, and He tells them, “Don’t leave town until I send you The Holy Spirit.”  So again, my journalism question is, “what are they supposed to do while they’re waiting?”  Luke doesn’t tell us what Jesus said in this regard, but we can assume that He had some specific instructions because of what His followers did. 

    “Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about ½ a mile away from the city.  They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying.” (The Acts 1:12-13)  The believers have gathered together in a familiar place … the Upper Room.  "They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.” (The Acts 1:14)  (Actually by this time the group has grown to about 120.) 

    And what are they doing as they wait for the promised Holy Spirit?  They’re praying together.  And Scripture tells us that they prayed together “frequently.”  This wasn’t a sporadic activity of the early Church.  This was something that they did often.  Praying together was a priority for these followers of Jesus. 

    Moving on to the 2nd chapter.  “When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place.” (The Acts 2:1) (They’re back at their favorite location, the Upper Room.)  And Luke has already told us that when they’re together they pray.  “Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” (The Acts 2:2-4)

    Let me paint the picture a little more fully.  This is the birth of the Church!  This is a huge, huge event.  It’s the outpouring of The Holy Spirit, the gift that Jesus promised.  And this takes place while these 120 believers are in Jerusalem for a religious celebration.  There were thousands and thousands of people from all the surrounding countries, speaking a wide variety of languages.  And so The Holy Spirit comes on this group of believers and they’re suddenly able to communicate in the languages of everyone there the story about Jesus.  And 3,000 people came to faith that day! (The Acts 2:41)  And what launched this?  A prayer meeting! 

    So now we have all these new believers?  How do we mature them?  “They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.” (The Acts 2:42)

    Here are 4 activities that were an essential part to these new believers’ spiritual growth.  And notice that they’re all corporate activities.  Gathering together to hear God’s Word taught, hanging out with each other, participating in the Lord’s Supper, and prayer.  In fact, it says, “and the prayers.”  There were set times when the believers got together for prayer; they committed themselves to praying with each other.  That’s why they grew up so quickly in their faith, and made such a difference in their world. (Romans 1:8)  They were taught, right from the start, the importance of praying together.

    Let’s jump ahead to The Acts 12.  Peter is in prison, for the 3rd time for preaching the Good News.  But this time it’s really serious.  His close friend, James, has been put to death by King Herod. (The Acts 12:2)  And Herod has let it be known that Peter’s next. 

    So what’s the Church doing?  “Peter was kept in jail, but the people of the church were praying earnestly to God for him.” (The Acts 12:5)  The Church was earnestly praying. 

    I’m not going to read the whole passage, but this is a great story, and you all should look at it yourselves sometime during the week … The Acts 12.  It’s actually pretty amusing.  And as a result of their praying God sends an angel who breaks Peter out of jail.  His chains fall off, and the iron gate opens and Peter is set free.  So “Peter went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.” (The Acts 12:11-12)  Praying again in the Upper Room.

    A final passage in The Acts 13 … “In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (called the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (who had been brought up with Governor Herod), and Saul (Paul).  While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.’  “They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.” (The Acts 13:1-3)

    This is the launching of the worldwide missionary movement.  This explains why Christianity didn’t remain a little localized religion, and why those of us who believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior had the opportunity to hear about Him in the 1st place.  It was because early on, this group of believers felt motivated to do something bold and take the Good News far and wide.  They sent out a couple of missionaries, Paul and Barnabas.

    And why did they do that?  They were gathered for a prayer meeting.  And while they’re praying God’s Spirit prompts them to do this wild and crazy thing. 

    Now I hope as I’ve taken you on this tour of The Acts that you’ve come away with a sense that God wants the Church to make praying together a high priority.  So the question is … how’s the Church doing?  How is Community Church doing?  And even though most of us will acknowledge that prayer is important … yet we won’t take the time to come to a service devoted to prayer. 

    In fact, it’s hard to gather people together these days for anything … much less prayer.  There’s this tendency in our culture to see a relationship with God as a highly personal thing.  As a result, we don’t believe that it’s totally necessary to be in Church.  So if our weekend becomes busy, and we can’t make it to Church … hey, it’s no big deal.  We can listen to a Bible teaching on Moody radio.  We can worship by listening to Christian music.  Who needs the Church?

    Evidentially we all do.  Togetherness was a theme in the early Church.  And not only that, but we’re actually commanded to be here.  “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing.  Instead, let us encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)  Scripture teaches, “Don’t miss the opportunity to come together as a Church.  When we get with a group of believers, who are worshipping together, singing together, praying together … it encourages our spiritual life like nothing else.” 

    Another reason it’s hard to get people to pray together is that we tend to view prayer as a private deal. 

    9 out of 10 people in our country say that they pray on a semi-regular basis … and that they’ve seen answers to their prayers.  That actually surprises me.  Lots of people are praying, and they’ve even seen God respond.  Another survey says that 62% of the people who say they pray never pray with others.  So they’re praying, but the husband never prays with his wife.  The Mom and Dad are never praying with their kids.  Maybe they say grace at mealtimes… but that’s it.  62% of the people who say they pray never pray with anyone else.  Never. 

    Now I recognize that praying out loud in a group can be a threatening thing.  But I want you to trust me that if you’ll ask God for the courage to do this, it’ll transform your life.  And it will transform our Church.

    I know that we always begin and end our meetings here at the Church in prayer.  But I wonder at times if that’s enough.  What would happen if we spent some real quality time in prayer as a Council, as Deacons, as Trustees, as a Christian Education Committee, as a Music Committee, as Ignite, as a Vocal Choir, as a Bell Choir, as a Ladies Bible Study, as Faith Lift Women’s Group, as a Men’s Study & Support?  In fact, those groups can just be a great place to learn how to pray together.  So commit yourself to praying with others. 

    The 2nd thing we discover coming out of The Acts 4 … praying together goes hand-in-hand with worship. “When the believers heard (Peter and John’s report), they all joined together in prayer to God.  (And this is their prayer.)  ‘Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!’” (The Acts 4:23-24)

    What an interesting way to begin a prayer … with praise and adoration and worship.  There are a lot of prayers recorded in Scripture that start this way.

    King Hezekiah is being besieged in the city of Jerusalem. The Assyrians are banging at the door with their battering rams.  So Hezekiah prays, and listen to how he begins.  “O LORD, the God of Israel, seated on your throne above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world.  You created the earth and the sky.” (2 Kings 19:15)

    If I had been in Hezekiah’s sandals, and the Assyrians were attacking me, my prayer would be a quick, “God, help!”  But not Hezekiah, he begins with adoration and praise. 

    The early believers here in The Acts also begin their prayer with worship.  “God, you’re the God of creation.  God, you’re the God of revelation.  God, you’re the God of history.  You made.  You spoke.  You decided.  And things happened just as you planned.  Praise you!”  And at that point they pray a prayer that’s based on the 2nd Psalm.  “By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David” … and then they quote him.
 
    Praying together and worship go hand-in-hand with each other.  And when God’s people worship the Lord, they always do 2 things: they pray, and they reflect on the Scriptures.  Prayer is our talking to God; the Scriptures is God talking to us.  And the 2 always go together.  And the early Church was doing just that.         
    One final thing that I observe in The Acts 4 about praying together … it unleashes God’s power in the Church.  Listen to the closing verses of their prayer.  (This almost gives me goose bumps.)

    “‘And now, Lord … allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.  Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.’  When they finished praying, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim God’s message with boldness.” (The Acts 4:29-31)

    Let me remind you from our quick survey of The Acts of what happened when the Church gathered and prayed. 
Minutes after Jesus left the planet, the disciples immediately went to a location where they could gather, and they began to pray.  And 10 days later the Spirit of God is poured out and 3,000 people come to faith … all because these believers got together and prayed. 

    I didn’t read this, but Luke tells us that the group of 3,000 will grow to 5,000. (The Acts 4:4)  So we have the Church growing from 120 to 3,000 to 5,000 because the power of God had been unleashed through prayer. 
    And it doesn’t end there.  One of the 1st things these new believers are taught to do is get together with other followers of Jesus and pray.  And that makes them mature believers in the faith. 

    And it doesn’t end there either.  Persecution heats up, but in the midst of it these believers get together and pray … and they face it down. (2 Thessalonians 3:2)  And they’re given more boldness.  But it doesn’t end there.

    In the midst of their prayers God tells them to set aside some missionaries.  “Carry this to the ends of the earth.” (The Acts 1:8)

    What would happen if we gathered together and took this seriously, and prayed earnestly for our missionaries: Brian and Karen Cordes (Camp Good News), and David and Patricia Carwell (Mission Aviation Fellowship), and Tim and Beth Wood (Africa Inland Mission), and Phil and Carol Miglioratti (Prayer, Inc.), Elaine Scherrer (Wycliffe Bible Translators), and Pacific Garden Mission, and California School Project? 

    What would happen if we gathered together as a Church and prayed earnestly? 

    I’d love to see God’s power unleashed in our midst.  Wouldn’t you?  Well, praying together is what sets The Holy Spirit loose.

                                                                                                                                         MARANA THA

As I was thinking about Halloween coming up at the end of this month, I started thinking of jack-o-lanterns, costumes, masks, etc. Children always have a good time deciding who they are going to be and what they will wear as they go trick or treating and of course eating their treats.

 It reminded me of how some times we as grandparents tend to hide, conceal or disguise how we really feel about ourselves or who God designed us to be. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God created us to be genuine, authentic, sincere, and truthful, pleasing Him with doing good works for Him. Wearing a mask to cover up who God designed us to be will not bring us fulfillment.

 Let’s ask ourselves:

• Do I really believe God is who He says He is?
• Do I really believe I am who God says I am?
• Do my grandchildren see that Jesus Christ is the focal point of my life?
• On the other hand, do they think I am wearing a spiritual mask?

 During this Halloween season, let us encourage our grandchildren to be real and honest and not wear masks in their relationship with Jesus Christ, their families and at school.

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful”

(Proverbs 14:25 NIV).

Note: Would you share your thoughts about this blog in the comments section?

By Lillian Penner

We live in a day and age where many people exercise for health, appearance, and happiness.  Many who do so wear heart rate devices to monitor the speed of their heart rate as they run or work out.  If the rate is too high or low, they change pace to bring it into a safe or more comfortable range to prevent injury or worse.

But how do we check our spiritual heart rates?  Has someone developed a device that will do such a thing? 

If such a device exists, would we be scared to own something that shows us the rate our spiritual heart beats for God?  What if it showed a heart beating faster for something or someone other than God?  What would we do?

God has given us at least three such devices- and the good news (or bad news; if you fear having such accountability) is that we already have them.  There's no purchase to make!

Our first spiritual heart rate monitor is the Holy Spirit.  We who've already received Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior know the Holy Spirit dwells within us (Romans 8:5-17). He resides within to help us worship God throughout each day.  He points out sin areas in our hearts that must be addressed before He will work more fully and completely within and through us (Galatians 5:16-25).  He also helps align our hearts with His heart, God the Father's, and Jesus' heart- so that we can know what to do, and how to pray, moment-by-moment throughout each day.

Our second spiritual heart rate monitor is the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  God has given us His Word to help quicken our spiritual heart rates toward Him, His creation, and others (all pointing our hearts back to worshiping God for who He is).  Without reading and applying God's Word into our lives each day, we quickly can become spiritual couch potatoes; unhealthy and out of shape to serve God or others.  Spiritual couch potatoes absorb God's glory and poorly reflect it back to Him.  They struggle or fail as fruitful witnesses to others who need to come into a personal relationship with God.  They can exhibit slow, or sometimes even hard-to-notice, heart rates toward God or others.

Healthy time and prayer in God's Word (and with the empowering of the Holy Spirit) quickens the heart for the Father, increases awe in who He is, and motivates the Christian to both watch for God working around them daily, and witness as He provides opportunities to do so.

Our third spiritual heart rate monitor comes in the form of other Spirit-filled, Word-grounded, Christians (Hebrews 10:24-25).  These Christians exhibit healthy beating hearts and lives as they pray, serve, and train (disciple) others around them.  They aren't actors, but are living fully in the joy, power, love, grace, and truth of God and His Word.  These Christians are eager to help others freshly taste and see that He is good- in every day and every way; making disciples of Jesus out of others around themselves.  Proverbs 27:17 also sums it up well.  "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." 

Heart Check Time

Have you checked your spiritual heart rate monitors recently/today?  Are you willing to believe what they say?

What are your spiritual heart monitors saying?  Is your heart beating quickly in God's presence (worshiping, praising, and thanking Him for who He is and for specific things you see Him doing in and around you)?

Is your heart rate slow; maybe barely beating?  Does it seem like a lot of time has passed since you've dwelt in His presence; worshiping, watching, or quietly listening for His voice as you worship Him in your heart?

God desires that our hearts beat quickly and only for Him.  He is a jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:23-24).  Our hearts quicken as we seek Him, worship, and allow our hearts to be filled with awe and wonder of who He is (by His Word, Spirit, and the witness of other Christ-centered people).

Take some time right now to ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and assess your heart rate (Psalm 139:23-24).  If it's not where He'd (or you'd) like it to be, don't beat yourself up or become frustrated.  Instead, confess whatever needs to be confessed to God.  Realign your heart with His as He instructs, and allow Him to fill you with His joy, presence, fullness, and more that will quicken your heart rate for Him and reflect his glory outward to others as well.  As you do, others will begin to see more and more of Jesus within you!

Continue checking your spiritual heart rate throughout each day.  It's a vital way to live a healthy and Christ-honoring life moment-by-moment!

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 232 | Wed 16 Oct 2013

* Supporting International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
* IDOP 2013: Sunday 3 November
* See http://criticalprayerrequests.blogspot.com

KAZAKHSTAN; plus CENTRAL ASIA'S COMPLEX REALITY

by Elizabeth Kendal

Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev (aged 67 in October), a convert from Islam and pastor of Grace Church (Presbyterian) in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, was arrested in May 2013 after the mother of a church member accused him of making her adult daughter mentally ill. Charged with 'intentional inflicting of serious harm to health' - essentially for praying for the sick - Pastor Kashkumbayev was detained and sent for psychiatric assessment (see RLPB 223, 14 Aug 2013). Despite an international outcry, Pastor Kashkumbayev's detention in the Almaty City Psychological-Psychiatric Assessment Centre was twice extended. Other prisoners of conscience recently treated this way include the atheist blogger and anti-corruption campaigner Aleksandr Kharlamov (63), charged with 'inciting religious hatred' for criticising religion, and Zinaida Mukhortova (56), a lawyer deemed delusional after she filed complaints against a regional governor.

Forum 18, closely monitoring the case, reports that Pastor Kashkumbayev was transferred back to Almaty's Investigation Prison in September. Then after being released to house arrest on 8 October, he was immediately re-arrested on charges of 'extremism'. If deemed guilty, the pastor will face seven years in prison. 'Expert analysis' of the activities of Grace Church has labelled books found at the church 'extremist' and in breach of the law against inciting religious hatred and social discord. The authorities regard evangelical witness to be just as much a threat to peace and social cohesion as jihadist or revolutionary Islam because it creates problems they would rather not have. For the authorities, it is easier to deal with the problem of unwanted minority Protestants than with the problem of majority religious intolerance.

If the troublesome, witnessing Christian is a foreigner, the usual action is deportation. Vyacheslav (Victor) Lim (37) was deported in August 2013 on the grounds he had attracted eight administrative offences in eight years: traffic infringements, late payment of tax, failing to report travel, insufficient fire safety and the like. All fines were paid immediately, even those Lim disputed. Lim was accused of conducting 'illegal missionary activity' because he had been leading a local congregation of the Grace Protestant Church (Baptist) in Borovoe, north of Astana. He had been a legal resident for eight years with a residence permit valid to 2020; his wife and two children who left Kazakhstan with him were all Kazakh citizens. Kazakh human rights activist, Yevgeny Zhovtis, considers Lim was deported for his religious activities. He described it as a 'typical religious case' and a 'misuse of justice'. Russian Orthodox priest Fr Sofrony (Pyotr Yevtikheyev) was deported from Almaty Region around the same time for reasons of 'national security'. A Russian citizen, Fr Sofrony had been a legal resident since 1991. He was the priest at St Sergy's Church in the village of Tuymebayev. He also ran an orphanage there that cared for around 110 children and an aged care facility that was home to some 120 elderly people.

THE COMPLEX REALITY OF CENTRAL ASIA

Central Asia has real and serious problems. Soviet-imposed borders continue to be a major cause of ethnic tensions and peace is tenuous. Islamic jihadist and revolutionary groups agitating for an Islamic state pose a real and serious threat. Poor governance marked by widespread corruption, human rights abuses and indifference to suffering has turned many Muslims against the government and towards groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir which present Islam as the solution. Whilst the laws against 'extremism' and 'inciting religious hatred' were designed to target the Islamic threat, they are routinely abused to intimidate disgruntled Muslims and persecute witnessing Protestants. That the West is seen to be siding with jihadists further complicates the states' relationship with Protestants. Protestants in Uzbekistan have long suffered harassment, repression, arrests and the confiscation of property. Also as noted by Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL, 4 October), the government in Kyrgyzstan has recently proposed tightening the administrative punishment (i.e. no trial necessary) for 'illegal missionary activity' and 'religious propaganda'. The proposed law would ban collecting tithes, the propagation of religion in educational facilities and religious conversions.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL -

* intervene on behalf of Pastor Kashkumbayev and end the persecution of him and Grace Church; may the Lord have mercy on this family and this fellowship of believers; may justice be done.

* intervene for Pastor Lim and provide him and his family with everything they need, particularly a secure place of refuge and a divine appointment where they can witness to the Lord's goodness.

* intervene in Kyrgyzstan to stop the highly repressive, punitive and retrograde amendments to the religion law; may the Holy Spirit infiltrate any debate about religious liberty and use it to open eyes, minds and hearts.

* raise up righteous, wise leaders in Central Asia who will address the real and serious issues of ethnic tension, Islamic jihadist and revolutionary movements, corruption, poverty and hardship while upholding religious liberty and confronting religious intolerance. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

* empower great and effectual Christian ministry and witness in Central Asia; may the Holy Spirit bring transforming revival to Central Asia. 'Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!' (Psalm 126:5 ESV)


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE

KAZAKHSTAN AND CENTRAL ASIA'S COMPLEX REALITY

Pastor Kashkumbayev (66) of Grace Church in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, was arrested in May 2013 for allegedly harming health, ostensibly by praying for the sick. He spent months detained in a psychiatric facility before being returned to prison in mid-September. On 8 October Kashkumbayev was released to house arrest only to be re-arrested immediately on charges of 'extremism'. If deemed guilty he faces seven years in prison alongside Islamic 'extremists'. Islamic jihadist and revolutionary movements are a real and serious threat in Central Asia. Anti-terror and anti-incitement laws intended to target the Islamic threat are being abused to intimidate the desperate masses and persecute 'troublesome', witnessing Protestants. Kyrgyzstan is proposing a law to ban missionary activity, religious educational facilities and religious conversion. Please pray for the Church in Central Asia.


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 for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team.

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

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

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

to join-rlpb@hub.xc.org

   from the desk of  ...

Rande Wayne Smith

13 Ocotber 2013

                                                                                                                                        Teach Us To Pray - 1
                                                                                            I PRAY ALONE

                                                                                                  based on John 15:1-8 

Suppose I could offer you today “how to” lessons from a famous person.  Let me call out some names and you tell me what you’d like that person to teach you. 

•    Serena Williams (tennis) … I’d like her to help me with my serve,
•    Rachel Ray (food) … I’d like to teach me recipes,
•    Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough (dancing) …
             (Last year’s winners on “Dancing With The Stars”) … I’d like them to teach me some moves,
•    Jesus Christ … well, it could be any number of things.

    Isn’t it interesting that with those other celebrities only one thing comes to mind immediately, but when we think of Jesus …
“would you teach me to walk on water?”
“would you teach me how to love my enemies?”
“would you teach me how to cast out demons?”
“would you teach me how to heal the sick?”
I would love to learn leadership at the feet of Jesus.

    But interestingly, in the 4 Gospel accounts, there’s only 1 occasion when Jesus’ closest followers asked Him to teach them to do something.  Only 1.  Let’s read it aloud together. … “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) 

    What’s the 1 and only thing that Jesus’ disciples ever asked Him to teach them to do? … (pray)

    Evidentially, on this particular occasion, when Jesus finished praying, there had been something so compelling, so powerful about the way He prayed that His disciples, who had been closely watching Him, said, “Hey, will you teach us how to do that?”

    In fact, if we look at the verb tense, the disciples really didn’t ask … they demanded.  This was said forcefully.  There was a sense of urgency to it. 
                                    “Lord, you have to teach us to do this right now.”

    This is the 1st week of a 4 week series … “Teach Us To Pray.”  We’re going to look at 4 essential lessons on prayer … and our teacher is going to be Jesus. 

    Now today’s lesson is on personal prayer … we’re going to learn how to make prayer a regular habit in our daily lives.  Prayer shouldn’t be a hit or miss thing.  Prayer shouldn’t be just the one-liners that we throw up to God whenever we find ourselves in trouble.  We need to be disciplined when it comes to prayer.  And don’t be turned off by the word “discipline”.  I know that “discipline” sometimes carries a negative connotation.  It’s making yourself do something that you really don’t want to do. 

    Praying?  It’s like making your bed, or shoveling snow.  But let me remind you that the word “discipline” comes from the same root as the word “disciple.”  And so if you want to be a disciple of Christ, if you consider yourself to be a committed follower of Jesus, then there’s got to be some measure of discipline in your life. 

    But, having said that, I’m not sure that the issue is really with discipline; I think our biggest problem is motivation. 

    What motivates you to pray?

    I know that some people pray out of a sense of duty … “I’m a follower of Jesus, and followers of Jesus are supposed to pray.”  If we pray for that reason … we’re going to hate it.  If we pray out of a sense of guilt; if we pray out of a sense of fear … we’re never going to develop a life of disciplined prayer.  We can’t pray for the wrong motivations. 

    So what are the right motivations?  Well, let’s see what Jesus has to say.  Now as I read this passage I want you to pay attention for repeating words or ideas.  I know I’ve told you this before, but whenever God says something more than once in the same passage we know that’s what He wants to direct our attention to.  So as I read this, listen for repetition.  These are words of Jesus, as recorded by John, to you who have gathered here at Community Church.  Within your hearing now, comes the Word of the Lord …

    “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit.  You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you.  Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you.  A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine.  In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

    “I am the vine, and you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.  Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it.  My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.” 

    
          May the Lord grant that we may engage in contemplating the mysteries of His Heavenly wisdom with really increasing devotion, to His glory and to our edification.  Amen

    As I read our Scripture what were some repeating words?  (fruit, branches, vine, remain)

    Jesus says, “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you … and you will become a fruitful person.”

    I like how some of the other translations record this thought … “make a home with me”, “stay joined to me,” “be united with me.”  Jesus is talking about an intimate relationship between Him and us. 

    Now prayer, which is going to pop up a little later in the passage, is one of the key ways that this intimate relationship is enhanced.  If we’re praying on a regular basis, not just quickie prayers, but setting aside time in our daily schedule in which to pray … we’re going to grow closer and closer and closer and closer with Jesus.  And if we don’t do this, our relationship with Jesus is going to dry up.  So our 1st key to praying alone is … the relationship motivation.

    I understand that this sounds pretty basic, but I also recognize that many of us, me included, often approach prayer with a transactional rather than a relational view.  We’re in it for the transaction. 
    We give God something He wants, namely prayer, and in return we get from God something that we want, the answer to that prayer. 

    We view God as a cosmic vending machine.  When faced with a problem, we put in our coins, (we pray), we pull the lever, and watch to see if our candy bar comes out.  And that candy bar can be, depending on what we’re praying for: money, healing, the return of a wayward child, a job …. 

    Jesus says … wrong view of prayer.  It’s not about a transaction, it’s about a relationship.  “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you.”  That’s what we’re to be aiming at. 

    This whole metaphor, branches in a grapevine, suggests a connection, intimacy.

    By the way, Jesus didn’t make this metaphor up.  This was a popular O.T. image.  The grapevine or the vineyard is ancient Israel, God’s people. 

“Israel is the vineyard of the LORD Almighty;
the people of Judah are the vines he planted.
He expected them to yield a crop of justice,
but found bloodshed instead.
He expected righteousness,
but the cries of deep oppression met his ears.”
                                                                                       (Isaiah 5:7)

    God’s people wandered away.  They didn’t produce fruit, they produced garbage.

    Jesus wants to change all that.  Jesus wants to create a people who stay intimately connected with God, who draw their spiritual nourishment from Him, whose lives produce rich fruit.  Jesus is all about relationships. 

    The reason we’re to carve out a chunk of time every day to engage in prayer isn’t to get more from God, but to get more of God.  Do you see the difference?  The reason we pray isn’t to get more from God, but to get more of God.  It’s not for the sake of the transaction … it’s for the sake of the relationship. 

    And so if prayer seems somewhat boring to you … maybe you’re not in it for the relationship. 

    Just imagine how horribly insulting this must be to Jesus.

    Picture a couple at marriage counseling.  They have some problems.  They need some help.  And after the 1st session the counselor tells them, “You need better communication.  Communication is the key to a good marriage.  So here’s your homework assignment.  Before we get together next week, I want you, every day for 20-30 minutes, to sit down and talk.  I don’t care what you talk about.  You’re just to sit down and talk with each other.”
    And the husband looks bewildered at the counselor, “are you kidding me?  20-30 minutes a day!  Can’t we shove it all into one day, a Friday night date, and not have to do it during the week?  It’s not like we’re not talking to each other.  I tell her what I want for breakfast.  I ask her to pick up stuff at the store.  I remind her about a program she wanted to watch on TV.”

    Wouldn’t you like to just smack that husband across the head? 

    But isn’t this how we often approach prayer?  “I pray.  I talk to God.  I tell Him what I want.” 

    I’m not suggesting that prayer has nothing to do about making requests.  Scripture encourages us to make our requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)  But I want to underscore the fact that Jesus says that prayer is primarily about a relationship … remaining in Him and having Him remain in us.

    The 2nd key to praying alone is … the desperation motivation.  “I am the vine, and you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.  Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned.”

    “You can do nothing without me.” 
    In the original Greek text it’s stated even more strongly.  Jesus uses a double negative, something we don’t do in English.  Jesus literally says, “Apart from me, you cannot do nothing.”

    And you know … I’m not sure if we really believe that.  At least we don’t pray as if we believe what Jesus says.  We pray on the basis of the fact that we believe there are some things we can do without His help.  And so we don’t pray about those things.  But there are other things which seem a bit beyond us, and so we go to Him with those in prayer.

    We create these imaginary lists and there’s a line somewhere in the middle; and everything above the line are things we can do on our own, and everything below the line is a little more difficult, and so we pray about those things.

    We get a cold … what do we do?  We go to the drugstore and get a decongestant.  But if the Dr. tells us that we have heart disease … woo, we better pray about that.  There’s a line there.

    If it’s above the line … we can handle it ourselves.  If it falls below the line … oh, oh, we better pray. 

    Jesus says, “You can do nothing without me.”  “You can do nothing without me.”  “You can do (say it) nothing without me.” 

    We have to stop treating prayer as a last resort. How often have you heard someone say, “Well, there’s nothing else we can do, so I suppose we should just pray”?  What kind of a perspective is that?

    It assumes that we’ll do everything we can, and then when we’ve run out of options, then we’ll pray.  We far overrate our own capacity to take on any challenge.  We have to wake up to our desperation that without Jesus … we can do nothing. 

    Jesus Himself, in His humanity, models this dependence upon the Heavenly Father for us.  Jesus was constantly telling His disciples, “I don’t do anything on my own.” (John 5:19)  And this is the 2nd Person of the Trinity speaking.  But in His humanity Jesus says, “Everything I say, everything I do, has to come from the Father.”  (And that’s why we see Jesus constantly retreating to places of prayer.) (Matthew 14:23) 

    We read the 4 Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and He’s always praying.  Isn’t that interesting?  The Son of God … He’s always praying. 

    In fact, the Gospel of Luke is referred to as the “Gospel Of Prayer,” because every time we turn the page, we find Jesus praying about something. 

    Jesus’ ministry is inaugurated at His Baptism, and as He comes out of the water, He’s praying. (Luke 3:21)
    Jesus heals a leper, and He prays. (Luke 5:16)  He’s praying as He chooses the 12 Apostles. (Luke 6:12)  And when the other Gospels say Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi, Luke adds the phrase, “Jesus was praying alone there.” (Luke 9:18)  He was praying at the transfiguration. (Luke 9:18)  And before Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, He’s found praying. (Luke 11:1)  He prays in Gethsemane, (Luke 22:41) and He prays on the cross. (Luke 23:34,46)

    Jesus was always praying because He realized how dependent He was on His Heavenly Father. 

    So if Jesus Christ, the Son of God, found it necessary to get alone, to be dependent upon Him, in prayer, how much more do you and I need to carve out time in our daily schedule to meet with God in prayer? 

    The fact is, some of us are not just desperate enough. 

    I remember Ron and me talking about prayer last summer, and what motivates us to pray.  And after thinking about it for a while my answer was … desperation. 

    Are we desperate enough to make prayer a part of our daily schedule?  Let’s get real practical here.  When and where in your day can you carve out time to pray?  I’m not talking about quickie prayers.  I’m talking about a chunk of time every day.  If you’ve never done this before, start with a block of 10 minutes.  Where can you fit 10 minutes into your day to pray?  Because you want a relationship with Christ that grows, and you know that you can do nothing without Him.

    So start with the “when.”  Maybe it’s the 1st part of the day.  You get up early, read the Scriptures, and pray before anything else interrupts your day.  So to do that this week you’ll have to set your alarm 10 minutes earlier to squeeze that in.

    Or maybe you have some alone time in the middle of the day, that’s the best time for you.  Maybe you like to do this at bedtime.  When is the best time for you?

    And then where will you do it?  Is it in your comfortable chair where you read your Bible?  Will it be somewhere outside?  Is it in your car when you’re driving?  Where’s the best place for you to pray?

    If you don’t determine right now, when and where you’ll carve out time to pray … you probably won’t do it.  Are you desperate enough to really pray?

    Here’s a 3rd key to praying alone … the fruitfulness motivation.  “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it.  My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.”

    God wants us to bear much fruit.  What does that mean?  If we trace the word “fruit” in the Scriptures, with respect to what our lives are to produce, we discover several ideas. 

    Sometimes Scripture uses the word “fruit” to speak of the character God wants to produce in us.  Paul calls it the fruit of the Spirit … “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

    Sometimes when Scripture uses the word “fruit,” it’s speaking of good works that are done in Jesus’ name.  “You will live the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way.  You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)

    When we use our spiritual gifts in ministry, the ones that God has given to us … that’s called fruitfulness. 

    Another way that Scripture uses “fruit” is to speak of the people we introduce to Christ.  They’re our “fruit.”

    And a 4th way is how we find it here in John 15.  Fruitfulness means answers to prayer.  Jesus says, “Pray about everything and God will give you what you ask for.”  And in the next sentence He calls this the fruit that brings glory to God.  In fact, I would dare say that the fruit of prayer kind of encompasses the other meanings as well.
    We’re praying about Godly character … “God make me a gentler person.”  And when He does, the fruit is not just the gentleness; it’s also the answer to our prayer.  If we’re praying for a lost friend … “God, bring Jason to faith” … and Jason comes to faith, Jason is not only our fruit, but our fruit is also the answer to the prayer for Jason’s salvation. 

    And according to Jesus, God wants us to be fruitful people.  In fact there’s a fruitfulness progression in this passage.  (By the way, this is why it’s good to bring your Bible to Church so that you can make notes in it.  The Deacons want me to encourage you to begin doing this.)

    Verse 2, Jesus says that God, the gardener, breaks off every branch in us that bears no fruit.  Circle “does not bear fruit;” that’s where it begins, fruitlessness.

    Verse 4, “You cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  Circle “fruit.”  We’re making a progression.  We’ve gone from no fruit to fruit. 

    Verse 8, “My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing (say it) much fruit.”  We’ve gone from no fruit to fruit to much fruit.  Circle “much fruit.”  But we’re not finished. 

    Verse 16, “You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures.” (John 15:16)  In other words, fruit that is of eternal value.  Circle “fruit that endures.”
    God wants us to be fruitful.  God wants us to go from no fruit to fruit to much fruit to eternal fruit, and the way that that happens is through prayer.  God delights in answering our prayers, because He delights in our becoming fruitful people. 

    What if I asked you today … tell me about some answers to prayer in your life recently?  Would you be able to reel off 5 or 6? 

    Because if you can’t … then maybe it’s time that you get serious with prayer so that you can “bear much fruit” for God’s glory. 

    In fact Jesus says that this is how we show that we’re His disciples … by bearing fruit, (answers to prayer).  An unfruitful follower of Jesus is an oxymoron.  It’s a contradiction in terms.  No such thing.

    Jesus says that if we’re not bearing fruit it’s because we’re not completely connected to the vine.  We think we are, but we don’t really have the relationship with Him that we think we do … because if we did we’d be bearing fruit.  “Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned.” (John 15:6)

    Fruitfulness is a big deal to Jesus.  He wants our life to be fruitful. 
    He wants us to be praying about stuff and seeing answers. 

    Look again at this promise, it’s amazing.  “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it.”  Wow!

    Okay, wait a second, does that mean that I can ask God for the Bears to win the Super Bowl this year, and He’ll be obligated to do it?  Don’t forget the 1st part … “If you remain in me and my words remain in you.”

    If we’re hanging out with Jesus, and we’re spending time with Him, His words are in us, and we’re reading the Book, we’re studying the Book, we’re applying it to our life … then what kinds of things do you think we’re going to pray for? 

    We’re not going to pray for a black Jaguar.  If we’re hanging out with Jesus and His Word, we’re going to ask for things that please God, that honor God.  And God’s going to say, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask that.  I’d just love to give it to you.”

    Does this mean that God never says “no”?  At times He says “no” to even “good” requests for reasons known only to Him. 

    Now I recognize that there are always those who are confused by this.
      The moment I start talking about prayer there will be those who say, “I’ve just given up on that.  There’s this thing I’ve been praying about and God’s never responded … and so I just don’t pray anymore.”

    My response is always, “Really?  God didn’t give you one thing?  Because as I read Jesus’ words in John 15, I’m told that there are many things that God wants to say ‘yes’ to … if we’ll just ask Him.”

    “You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it.” (James 4:2)  Period.  End of sentence.

    We don’t pray.  This fruitfulness motivation ought to drive every one of us to carve out time daily to meet with God and lay it all out before Him because He’s just so eager to give us positive responses.

    I try to imagine standing in Heaven, and Jesus says, “Rande, come with me, I want to show you something.”  And He takes me over to this huge warehouse complex, which takes up acres and acres.  We walk inside, and there’s an area called “the Rande Smith Section.”

    There’s row after row, shelf upon shelf, of packages.  Little packages, big packages, all different shapes and sizes, and they all have my name and address on them.  And I glance at Jesus, “what’s all this?”  And He looks right at me, “This is what I wanted so badly to give you … but you didn’t ask.  You didn’t pray for it.”
    So what does God want to give us? … He wants to give us life - “life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)      He wants to give us peace. (John 14:27)  He’s just waiting for us to pray.  Just pray. 

    Carve out time.  Stop living by the quickie 1 liner method.  That’s wonderful throughout the course of the day if it’s built upon a prayer life that’s a chunk of time. 

    So when and where will you meet with God for prayer?  Where will you carve out that 10 minutes of time?

    Don’t do it out of a sense of duty.  “Well, the Pastor’s preaching a series on prayer so I ought to do this.”  Don’t do it out of guilt.  Don’t do it out of fear.  Do it because you want a deeper relationship with Christ.  And you remain in Him and He remains in you, when you hang out with Him in prayer, that’s how you grow in this relationship. 

    Do it because you’re keenly aware of your dependence upon Him, and you can do nothing without Him.  Not even the smallest thing is effective when done without Him. 

    And do it, finally, because you’re convinced that God has so much more in store for you, and He’s waiting to give all of it to you if you’d only pray. 

MARANA THA

A sleepless Saturday night was complicated by what one minister-friend calls, “Intestinal uncertainty.”  For me at least, it is a rather frequent Saturday night experience when I am preaching on Sunday morning. Even though I’ve spent Sunday mornings doing just that for more than fifty years, the butterflies keep coming and some nights they turn into buzzards. One can either resent this scenario or accept it as a way to keep from becoming self-sufficient on Sunday morning.  This kind of night makes preachers extremely God dependent.  Preaching on little sleep is a learned activity.  This is Pastor Appreciation Month.  May I suggest that one of the ways you could show appreciation for your pastor is to pray for Saturday night rest? Maybe before you go to sleep on Saturday night you could pray for your pastor and if you awaken in the night, ask the Lord to “enlighten” the “darkness” (Ps. 18:28) of your pastor’s possible sleeplessness. Most pastors could use more sentries of the night, especially on Saturdays.

To read more of Dr. Dan's Monday Morning Manna go to

http://discipleallnations.org/blog.

Leading a Prayer Summit may be one of the greatest investments you can make in developing a prayer culture in your church! Join Daniel Henderson (of Strategic Renewal Ministries) and Dennis Fuqua (of International Renewal Ministries) as they discuss the topic of Prayer Summits and how they can transform the way your church prays. 

Get more information about this live webcast and join us.

As we are in the autumn season, I was reminded of my childhood, growing up on a wheat farm in Oklahoma. In the summer after the wheat harvest, my father would prepare the soil for the next year’s harvest and in the autumn, he would sow the wheat seed. Throughout the winter months, we would wait for the rains to water the seed and wait for it to come up and watch it grow. In the spring, we would see the wheat heads form and ripen to a golden color for the harvest in early June. We simply had faith that once the seed was in the ground, rains would come, nature would take its course and the golden heads of wheat would be ready to be harvested next summer.  

 Our prayers can be like seed

It reminds me of when we pray we are sowing seed, asking God in faith for what we desire. Once we have asked, things start happening behind the scenes, whether we are asleep or awake, God is at work, preparing an answer to our prayers. In God’s timing the answer will be evident and we will “reap” the results of our seed (prayer) sown.

However, we must have faith trusting God is at work even when it seems like nothing is happening while we are wait for the seed (prayers) to sprout, grow, and bring forth a harvest.

One little seed has a lot of potential, it seems so small, but under the right conditions, this one seed can grow into a plant that will yield a great harvest! Spiritual multiplication is the same. The seed (prayers) that we sow in the lives of our grandchildren will produce a harvest, even into the future generations and yield a harvest of blessing in the future.

Questions: What are you asking God in faith for your grandchildren today?

Are you able to fully trust God with the seeds of prayers that you are sowing to bring forth a harvest in the lives of your grandchildren?

“And let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV).

“Prayer is one of the easiest subjects to talk upon, but one of the hardest to practice.”

−Henrietta Mears, What the Bible Is All About, p.598.

I would appreciate your comments about how you are sowing seeds in the lives of your grandchildren. If you are on Facebook "like" the Grandparenting with a Purpose fan page, so this blog will reach many more grandparents.

By Lillian Penner

On Sunday October 6^th, Christians in over 175 nations, including those in the “underground churches” of China and seven Muslim countries, prayed for God’s peace and blessings upon Jerusalem and all of her people as part of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ). It is truly difficult to grasp the width and the breadth of this global, grassroots prayer movement until you begin to read the multitude of reports that have come in from churches – both large and small – from all corners of the earth.

Here are just a few of them…

Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea is one of the largest churches in the world. On a typical Sunday, 200,000 believers will attend one of seven services, while another two or three hundred thousand will watch the service on TV in adjoining buildings or satellite branches. On October 6^th, 500,000 attended the DPPJ service led by Dr. Young Hoon Lee, the senior pastor who succeeded Dr. Yonggi Cho. They felt especially honored that the Israeli Ambassador to South Korea, Uri Gutman, attended the service and afterwards met personally with Dr. Lee and church leaders which included the DPPJ Coordinator for South Korea, Elder Lee. Shown in the photo is their major DPPJ Ad in the largest Korean newspaper.

In contrast, there are countless numbers of smaller DPPJ gatherings that took place, from grass huts to house churches as well as regional gatherings in larger town halls.

In Pakistan, our DPPJ Coordinator reported that over 300 believers gathered to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and her people, in spite of the fact that Christians in that country are routinely persecuted for their faith.

In Goa, India, the 3 hour DPPJ service at a town hall included pastors from 15 different churches, as well as elders and members from over 20 churches. Our DPPJ Coordinator from Goa ended his report saying:

 “We in Goa, India are really excited to be a part of this global prayer movement, because this is not only going to bless Jerusalem, Israel, and the Jewish people, but it is also going to be a great blessing to our nation India, our families, and our society.”

In Europe, we had news of great DPPJ growth in the Czech Republic. This year there was approximately a 10% increase in the number of people participating. There were 10 different denominational churches participating, which is more than a 100% increase above the previous year; and there were 12 different places and towns hosting DPPJ events, which is a 50% increase above previous year. Many prayers were connected with the departure of Czech President Milos Zeman for Israel on the very day they were praying. Only few days before, he made a clear and courageous statement supporting the transfer of the Czech Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which was followed by strong negative reaction from a chief PLO negotiator. 

On yet another continent, a city-wide prayer meeting for DPPJ was held in Adelaide, South Australia, in coordination with the Australian House of Prayer for all Nations. People from many churches attended to worship and declare many Scriptures together to bless Jerusalem and her people.

 The prayer against terrorism towards Israel and her people had special meaning for those at the DPPJ gathering in Nakuru, Kenya, after the recent terror attack in the Kenyan Westgate mall, which was an Israeli establishment. Prayer participants made proclamations of peace and security over the land of Israel and over all her people in different parts of the world.

Our DPPJ Coordinator in Costa Rica reported that they had a glorious Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem event at Comunidad Cristiana Tierra in Guanacaste, while other DPPJ gatherings at other churches in the region were happening. This gathering was led by the main pastor for Tierra Deseable from Mundo de Fe and also president of the Pastors Association for Liberia (shown blowing the shofar), and by the DPPJ Coordinator of Costa Rica.

Reports continue to come in from Africa, Europe, Canada, and all over the United States. You can read them in the coming weeks on our website www.daytopray.com under "Testimonies". Be sure to send in your report today or Email your testimony to office@eagleswings.to 

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 231 | Wed 09 Oct 2013

* Supporting International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
* IDOP 2013: Sunday 3 November
* See http://criticalprayerrequests.blogspot.com

SYRIA, IRAN AND THE SHI'ITE CRESCENT

by Elizabeth Kendal

The war in Syria is complex and multi-faceted. For the region's religious minorities and all other pro-Assad Syrians it is all about surviving in a state that is secular and free. For the Muslim Brotherhood and other fundamentalist Sunnis, it is all about the restoration of Sunni power (as it was pre-World War 1). For Turkey's President Erdogan ('the Sultan'), it is about expanding Turkey's sphere of influence (as in Ottoman times). For Iran and Hezballah, it is about maintaining a strategic alliance: the Shi'ite crescent, which is essentially an arch of Iranian influence. For the USA, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, it is all about weakening grand-nemesis Iran by taking a massive piece out of the Shi'ite crescent. For the Arabs, it is also about restoring Syria to the Arab axis. For Russia, it is about a strategic alliance, Orthodox Christians and not empowering al-Qaeda and other jihadis. For al-Qaeda, it is about controlling territory and establishing bases. Furthermore, the war in Syria is also about which axis - the US-Arab-Turkey axis or the Russia-Persia axis - will control the flow of natural gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe via Syria. [US-Arab axis control would require regime change in Syria.] Indeed, the key element virtually in all of this is Arab, Sunni Syria's strategic alliance with Persian, Shi'ite Iran.

The dilemma is this: while Assad is good for Christians, other religious minorities and non-fundamentalist Muslims, Iran - indeed the whole Shi'ite crescent - is openly hostile and belligerent towards Israel and the West. In fact, the Muslim Brotherhood and Sunni Arab monarchies are just as anti-Semitic and anti-West as is the Iranian regime - they are just more duplicitous and more pragmatic. The 'election' of Rouhani indicates that Iran is now opting for strategic duplicity too.

Iran is a highly strategic nation, historically, geographically, linguistically and culturally. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 has brought nothing but suffering and shame to Iranians, especially for those who do not believe hard-line repressive Islam is compatible with their culture. Despair is evident in statistics, with the birth-rate below replacement, having plunged from 8.1 at the time of the revolution to 1.6 today. According to the UN's official statistics, around 2.2 percent of all adult Iranians are addicted to illicit drugs. This is the highest incidence of drug addiction in the world, and the real figure is doubtless much higher. Iran's suicide rate is also constantly climbing - this, in a nation once lauded for its poets, cinematographers, artists and philosophers; a nation once allied to Israel and friendly with the West. Another vital statistic that is on the rise is the number of Iranians who are leaving Islam and embracing Christianity, both inside Iran and throughout the Iranian diaspora. The Lord is definitely doing something new - a new exodus, a transformation (Isaiah 43:16-21).

Meanwhile, converts in Iran are imprisoned on charges of threatening national security. Despised as traitors, they are treated harshly. One such prisoner desperately needing prayer is Maryam Naghash Zargaran (35). On 9 March 2013, after years of intimidation and harassment, Maryam was sentenced to four years imprisonment in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Several years ago, Maryam had heart surgery and the stress of recent years has exacerbated her condition. Now in prison, she has suffered a heart attack. Maryam was transferred to hospital on 29 September and is said to be in a critical condition.

Back in Syria, the rebel and opposition forces are fracturing due to infighting. Whilst many Syrian rebels are defecting from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) to the al-Qaeda-linked al Nusra Front, many others are defecting from the FSA to the government side, horrified at the prospect of Syria being over-run by international jihadis. Stratfor Intelligence reports that on Monday 7 October the Syrian Arab Army managed to break through the rebel siege of Aleppo to secure the at-risk, rebel-encircled, Safira defence factories, Syria's largest chemical weapons facility. The main road between Aleppo and Hama is now open and under government control.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT -

* the Lord of Hosts will intervene to liberate Syria from those seeking to eliminate Christianity, impose Sharia Law and establish bases for terrorist operations and imperialistic Islamic jihad.

* God will supply all the needs of Syria's imperilled Christians and they will be sustained, comforted and encouraged; that the siege of Aleppo, which has brought so much suffering to so many Christians, will be over.

* the Lord of Hosts will intervene to liberate Iran from the cleric-led regime that persecutes the Church and suppresses the hope-restoring, life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ.

* the Holy Spirit will sustain, comfort and encourage all Iran's imperilled believers, especially Christian prisoners; may God bring peace, rest and healing to Maryam Naghash Zargaran. 'But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.' (Psalm 3:3 ESV)


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE

SYRIA, IRAN AND THE SHI'ITES

The war in Syria is complex and multi-faceted and a key element is Syria's strategic alliance with Iran, the arch-nemesis of Israel, the US and the Sunni Arabs. Iran is a highly strategic nation, historically, geographically, linguistically and culturally. The Islamic Revolution there has created widespread despair. Whilst drug addiction and childlessness are soaring, so too is the number of Iranian converts to Christianity. God is at work. Meanwhile, in Syria the rebels are fracturing, with some defecting to al-Qaeda and others to the government, horrified at the prospect of Syria being over-run by foreign jihadis. The Syrian Army has broken through the rebel siege of Aleppo and opened the main road into Hama. May God deliver Syria and Iran from evil and build his 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 for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team.

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

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

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

join-rlpb@hub.xc.org

Millions of Christians united across denominational, cultural, and political differences on Sunday, October 6th, as part of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ) to intercede for the city God calls His own, and to invoke God’s blessing, purposes, and provision upon all of Jerusalem’s people. From over 175 nations, believers gathered to pray in their worship services, in their homes, on college campuses, in regional gatherings, and on a 24-Hour Prayer Conference Call.

Broadcast by GOD TV to 900 million, Christians in over 200 nations were also able to join the special DPPJ Celebration at The Pavilion on Jaffa Road in Jerusalem. It was co-hosted by Pastor Wayne Hilsden, Senior Pastor of the King of Kings Community Jerusalem. Before the packed audience, he prayed that God would bring a peace that “was not just something agreed upon diplomatically or written on paper, but a peace beyond human understanding…a peace that only God could bring.”

Special guests and speakers participating in the event included Dr. Jürgen Bühler, Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem; Naomi Tsur, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem; Berlin-born Rev. Petra Heldt, Director of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel; and Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, founding Chief Rabbi of Efrat and Chancellor of the Ohr Torah Stone Institutions. There were also Christian leaders from the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, and elsewhere who prayed from the platform that God would bless, strengthen, protect, and prosper Jerusalem and her people.

This multinational, multi-denominational global prayer movement was started in 2002 by Evangelical Christian leaders, with Dr. Jack W. Hayford and Rev. Dr. Robert Stearns serving as co-chairmen. Rev. Stearns, Founder/Director of Eagles’ Wings, explained:

“God has a blessing both for the descendants of Isaac and those of Ishmael…When we turn our hearts from darkness to light, we embrace God's peace plan for Isaac and Ishmael. God's love is infinitely stronger than the god of hate and will cause us to triumph in our lives. ”

Orthodox Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin told the Christian audience from many nations:

"We are living in apocalyptic and fateful times and our response to them is critical. Very often we [in Israel] feel as though we stand alone, but Evangelical Christians are our best friends in the whole world. We are eternally grateful that you are standing with us.”

Christians participating in the DPPJ observances not only pray for Jerusalem, but also add practical action to their intercession. This year a check of $15,000 was given from the DPPJ offerings to support two Eagles’ Wings Feeding Centers in Israel, which feed both Arab and Jewish poor in Jerusalem and Tiberias.

Additionally, millions participated by praying in their churches, homes, and special services throughout October 6 – from cities and rural villages, from huts and mansions, from cathedrals and simple church buildings, and from college campuses to underground churches in China and seven Muslim countries.

Throughout the 24 hours of October 6, believers from around the world also prayed together through an internet “virtual prayer room” created by the 24-Hour DPPJ Prayer Conference Call through the ministry of Greater Calling. Callers representing most of the states in the U.S. were joined by believers from many nations, including Canada, Kenya, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Papua New Guinea, British Virgin Islands, and Italy. The Lord was praised, shofars were blown, and the people raised their diverse voices in one accord as they prayed for Jerusalem and her people groups.

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem – held the first Sunday every October – is the largest Jerusalem-focused prayer initiative in the world, involving tens of millions of believers, participating from over 175 nations and from “underground” churches in China and seven Muslim countries. It is endorsed by over 1,200 prominent Christian leaders worldwide, including Jack Hayford, Paul Cedar, Dick Eastman, Ron Luce, Kay Arthur, Raleigh Washington, Jane Hansen Hoyt, K.P. Yohannan, T.D. Jakes, Ravi Zacharias, Mosy Madugba, Kenneth Copeland, Samuel Rodriguez, Joyce Meyer, Lance Wallnau, Larry Stockstill, Bishop Charles Scott, Newsboys, Thomas Wang, Sunday Adelaja, and many more.

October2013.pdf

Dear friends,

October 6th to 12th, 2013 is National Mental Illness Awareness Week and October 8th is a Day of Prayer for the Mentally Ill. Please visit www.mentalhealthministries.net to learn how to pray, educate your congregation, friends and family, reduce the stigma, and form a Mental Health Ministry in your community. We need better support , especially mentally and spiritually for those battling mental illness and physical strategies like exercise and healthy eating, will also help. Form exercise groups and lets turn God's House back into the Hospital they started out in early days. We all have the responsibility to help our communiteis heal mentally, physically, socially, spiritually and financially. God bless, thanks for praying.

Be Healthy Ministries,Inc

Other resources : www.nami.org

Also, please enjoy our monthly newsletter, and share with others. See attached above as October2013.pdf !!

Dear friends in Christ,

I am a volunteer for Voice of the Martyrs and a strong advocate for our persecuted brothers and sisters globally. We have to step up prayers for them, and support where needed. Visit www.persecution.com and see where you can help, volunteer, donate and most importantly pray. Thanks.

The weekend of April 26 - 27, 2014 has been designated as the 24th Annual “Just Pray NO!” to drugs Worldwide Weekend of Prayer and Fasting. Since April 7th, 1991 “Just Pray NO!” has united millions of Christians from 150 nations and territories around the world in intercessory prayer on behalf of the addicted and their families.

To find help for addiction or compulsive behavior disorders log on to our web site: http://justprayno.org.

To learn how groups can participate in our annual prayer event, click on “Information on the Annual Worldwide Weekend of Prayer” or email: justprayno@aol.com.

When you go to our justprayno.org web site you can find help for addiction through prayer and Christian ministries.

Check out our blogs for:

• Teachings on Prayer and Fasting

• Biblical Insights into Combating Addiction

• More about the ministry of “Just Pray NO!” Ltd.

THE KEY TO DELIVERANCE:

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Exodus 9:1

When the Hebrew slaves were in bondage in Egypt they cried out to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for a deliverer. Passover recalls the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Passover is both a historical account and a prophetic picture. Moses “The Deliverer” is a type of the Messiah (Christ). The bondage of slavery in Egypt is a type of the bondage of sin in the world. Pharaoh typifies Satan. The Passover, when the firstborn male child passed from death to life by the blood of the lamb, is a picture of our passing from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Son by the shed blood of the Lamb of God.

Persons who are addicted need to break the demonic strongholds in their lives by repenting of their sins and placing their trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. They need to be born again and receive the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Many people wonder why God does not help them when they cry out to Him to be set free from their addictions. The reason that they remain in bondage is that they want to be set free – but are unwilling to surrender their lives to Jesus. The “KEY” that will set a person free is to understand that the Almighty’s purpose in setting a person free is to “SERVE HIM.”  Jesus must not only be your Savior but your Lord!  When you cry out, “Dear Jesus, forgive me of my sins and deliver me from my addiction and I will serve you the rest of my life!”– Not only will you be set free, and have a healthier lifestyle, you will inherit eternal life, know true joy and receive God’s blessings!

Remember to find help for addiction through prayer and Christian ministries log on to our web site: http://justprayno.org.

Grandparents are in a battle for the next generation. However, the battle isn't ours, it is the Lords. The way to walk through this battle is to grip the hand of Jesus tightly and stay in close communication with him. It is only as we release our concerns for our grandchildren to Him that we are free to cling to His hand. We cannot cling to his hand unless our hands are empty. Intentionally pray for your grandchildren for physical, emotional and spiritual protection from the enemy everyday.

"Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . . For the battle is not yours but Gods." II Chronicles 20:15

Lillian Penner

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 230 | Wed 02 Oct 2013

* Supporting International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
* IDOP 2013: Sunday 3 November
* See http://criticalprayerrequests.blogspot.com

INDIA: BJP PURSUES VOTES IN UTTAR PRADESH

by Elizabeth Kendal

Though 74 percent Hindu, India is officially a secular nation. High-caste Hindus are challenging this and are determined to preserve the power and privilege guaranteed them through the systematic racism of the Hindu 'caste' system. They are striving to secure majority power at the federal level so they can change the constitution and declare India a Hindu State. Traditionally they have been fear-mongering by demonising Muslims and Christians as threats to national security. They aim to dragnet the Hindu vote by offering Hindu nationalism as the solution to the existential dangers within - separatism and terrorism - and without - cultural invasion. They persuade traditionally-animist, indigenous tribal Indians to convert to Hinduism and join the 'Hindu mainstream' to help fight the enemy. India's 172.5 million, often reactionary Muslims (the largest Muslim minority in the world), are being wooed today for their vote and Christians alone are being demonised. During its two terms (10 years) in power, the Congress Party led United Progressive Alliance government has done nothing at all to counter Hindu nationalist propaganda. Consequently, sectarianism and violent persecution has escalated on its watch.

On 13 September a Hindu nationalist mob in the south-western state of Karnataka ambushed Sannamma (50), a Christian woman. After beating her to the ground and kicking her, they dragged her to a nearby Hindu temple where they poured water over her, forcibly applied a red dot to her forehead and tried to coerce her to convert back to Hinduism. Under great duress, Sannamma (a believer for eight years) signed a document stating that she and her husband, Shidda Naik (members of The Glorious Church), would not spread the Christian message. In an attack that lasted six hours they then dragged her out of the temple and marched her around the village, slapping and abusing her continuously. Eventually her sister-in-law rescued her. Though hospitalised with internal injuries, Sannamma told Morning Star News, 'What I am suffering is nothing compared to what my Lord Jesus has suffered. I will love him forever for giving me a new life.' Appalling attacks like this are commonplace in India, occurring on a daily basis. If anyone is ever charged, it is usually the Christian.

India's next federal election will be held during April-May 2014. In mid-September the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) anointed Gujarat Chief Minister Nahendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate. To shift attention away from his image as a sectarian figure and rabid Hindu nationalist, Modi is exploiting Gujarat's massive development and marketing himself as India's most successful pro-business administrator - an economic 'saviour' who will lift all Indians out of poverty. At a BJP rally in Gujarat on 17 September some 40,000 Muslims were persuaded to join the party. At a rally in New Delhi on Sunday 29 September the charismatic Modi spoke to a crowd of more than 200,000 who responded to his lofty promises with 'frenzied' excitement. It was, writes Sanjay Singh, 'a public rally, the likes of which it had not seen in many decades.'

From 1 October to mid-November Modi will be campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, India's strategic heartland and the home of Hinduism. Nine mega-rallies are being planned. The population of this northern state is 80.6 percent Hindu, 18.5 percent Muslim and around 0.1 percent Christian. It is India's most populous state, accounting for a massive 80 parliamentary seats. Writing in The Australian (18 September) Amanda Hodge expresses the prevailing view: 'After the Congress Party-led government's disastrous second term - five years marred by corruption on a grand scale, parliamentary paralysis and sharp economic decline - the BJP should sail into power.'


PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL -

* protect, bless and sustain his precious Church in the face of militant Hindu nationalism, praying especially for Christians in Uttar Pradesh as Nahendra Modi campaigns there over the next six weeks. 'Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings' (Psalm 17:8 ESV)

* expose lies and malicious intentions, so that Indians are not seduced by offers of economic advancement to vote for a party that will perpetuate the systematic racism of caste and enslave them as second class citizens. 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.' (John 1:5 ESV)

* raise up honourable leaders who will lead India with integrity and wisdom, doing what God calls leaders to do: 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.' (Proverbs 31:8,9 NIV)


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE

IN INDIA, BJP PURSUES VOTES IN UTTAR PRADESH

Despite holding power for 10 years, the Congress Party led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has done absolutely nothing to counter the Hindu nationalist propaganda driving the violent persecution of Christians in India. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has anointed Gujarat Chief Minister Nahendra Modi to be its prime ministerial candidate in the April-May 2014 federal general elections. A high-caste hard-line Hindu supremacist, Modi is campaigning on a pro-development platform, capitalising on Gujarat's massive development and on the Congress Party government's failures. Many analysts believe the BJP is well on track to win the 2014 elections. For the next six weeks, Modi will lead rallies in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Pray that Indians will not be deceived. Please pray for Christians in UP as Hindu nationalist zeal flourishes.


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 for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team. Elizabeth Kendal is the author of 'Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah speaks to Christians today'
(Deror Books, Dec. 2012) http://turnbackthebattle.com/thebook.html

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

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

join-rlpb@hub.xc.org

175 Nations, One City, One Voice

God’s Prayer Army is made up of all denominations, all cultures, and all ages. United in prayer, this army overcomes natural borders, divisions, and challenges, to supernaturally bring forth God’s Kingdom here on earth. In addition, what is impossible for man IS possible with God and He uses the “weak” and the “foolish” to do it! (1 Corinthians 1:27)

As a result, each and every person in The Body of Christ can now be part of this strategic and historic Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem on October 6^th. Together, we will pray for His Holy City Jerusalem, for His Land Israel, and for ALL who live there – Jewish, Christian and Arab. Last year, churches in over 175 nations participated in this global prayer movement, including the “underground” churches in China and seven Muslim nations!

No matter where you are, you can plan now to join us on October 6th in any or all of the following ways!

1. Check to see if there is a DPPJ gathering in your area by:

• Contacting your local coordinator           
• Checking our webpage for DPPJ Events  

2. Plan to participate in the 24 Hour DPPJ Prayer Conference Call starting at Midnight on Oct. 6th EST through 11:59 PM Oct. 6^th. There are hourly prayer topics for Jerusalem, Israel, and ALL of her people. Each hour has a Prayer Leader and every hour has Christians calling into this “Cyberspace” Prayer Room from all over the United States and the world, to intercede for “the apple of God’s eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)

• For more information on this call, visit our Greater Calling webpage.   
• You can also review hourly prayer topics.

3. Tune into God TV for their special Broadcast of the DPPJ Jerusalem Celebration. This is only one of hundreds of thousands of DPPJ gatherings in over 175 nations, but it IS the big one in Jerusalem, “the city of the Great King - Jesus. (Psalm 48:2; Matt. 5:35)  Check GodTV  for your local broadcasting schedule.

4. Have your own DPPJ prayer gathering right in your home or local church that day with Believers you know and love. Need some help? Just go to our website www.daytopray.com

WE have as FREE DPPJ DOWNLOADS, including Prayer Points for Israel, Sermon Notes, “WHY Stand with Israel?” by Dr. Jack Hayford, and many other resources, under Ministry Resources.

• We have FREE VIDEOS that you can download and play, with a DPPJ “Prayer Focus”Video made especially for the actual day of prayer. See our Media Center.  

WE even have FREE DPPJ KIDS Resources to download that you can use with your children and teens on October 6th at DPPJ Kids, as well as FREE DOWNLOADS for College Students at DPPJ on Campus.

Do you have Spanish, Chinese, Korean believers, or Christians from other countries who would like to join you? We have FREE TRANSLATED DPPJ Resources in over 20 languages under International Resources.

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ) is now the largest Israel-focused prayer movement in history, and there is a place in it for each and every person in The Body of Christ. See you on October 6^th!