Pray Network Forum

INTERNATIONAL PRAYER CONNECTIONS

May 2012

“Globalizing Prayer, Transforming our World”

IN THIS EDITION

1. WPA – “The New Wave Is Coming!”
2. Call to Prayer for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA), May 14-18, 2012
3. My Journey and Reflection on Transformational Prayer
4. Praying for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games
5. Burma – Some Encouraging Developments!
6. 9/11 and Raising up the Tabernacle of David
7. Praying for Malaysia and the Malay…A People Loved of God!
8. Pray for Jerusalem
9. Join Jerusalem Day of Prayer for All Nations June 7th, 2012, Commemorating One United Jerusalem
10. MIA 2012 – South Africa – A Missions Mobilization Conference in Need of Our Prayers
11. Global Day of Prayer Broadcast
12. Sudan in Trouble
13. Conflict Intensifies Along the Sudan/South Sudan Border
14. Mali Christians Flee as Jihadists Seize Control
15. Edenfest in Australia
16. The Lure of the Innocent
17. Mexico
18. Syrian Disaster Grows as Syrians Executed for Talking to UN
19. The Haqqani Network: Pakistan’s Most Dangerous Terrorist Organization
20. Charles Colson – A Guardian of the Faith Now with the Lord
21. IPC Events Calendar
22. The IPC Website
23. About International Prayer Connect (IPC)
24. Donating to IPC through PayPal
25. Contacting the IPC Office

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“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may 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 them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty - he is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:7-10).

What a privilege it is for you and I to pray that the King of glory would come into the gates of our cities and nations. The King of glory is mighty in battle. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord of hosts, the Commander of heaven’s armies. He is eternal, holy, and mighty. Psalm 24 is a battle cry for the Kingdom to come to earth. It also looks forward to Christ’s future entry into the New Jerusalem to reign forever! 

You and I are in a war of tremendous proportions. Wherever we are living, we are to battle for the land and must pray for the King of glory to come in and rule in our nation. When we do this, we are cultivating a Kingdom prayer life. The question we must ask ourselves is:

“Are we using our authority in prayer?”

The astounding reality is that God actually shares His authority with us (Luke 12:32). It is our responsibility to pray for our president, king, prime minister, and leaders to yield to God, working for His righteousness to come forth. He is the Judge and Ruler of the universe, and we are here to enforce His Kingdom on earth through our prayers. It is not only a privilege to help bring in His Kingdom, but it is our responsibility to use our authority in prayer. Let’s learn to be intercessors like Moses.

Prayer Warriors for God’s Kingdom 

“As Moses stretched forth his rod on God's behalf over Egypt, so the church by its prayers stretches forth Christ's authority over the nations and their rulers.” Derek Prince

In this great warfare between the powers of light and the powers of darkness, how do we prepare for battle? To be a prayer warrior for God’s Kingdom, what qualities do we need to pray for? We are at war against the forces of evil, and we must not take this lightly. Just as we must exercise to keep physically fit, there are spiritual qualities we must also exercise in order to be fit for war in intercession. There are personal qualities we must develop in our lives. Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords! We must prepare for battle through:

• Intimacy - We must have an intimate relationship with the Lord. We must be one with Christ, listening for His directions and assignments, strong in worship and the Word.
   
• Our Position in Christ - We must know who we are in Christ and that He is the King who is mighty in battle. We must wage war in Christ’s authority through prayer. 
   
• Faith - We must believe in the power of prayer and that God will use faith-filled prayer to break the power of evil over the land. He is greater than the enemy and has defeated Satan at the cross. 
   
• Character - We must realize that godly character will cause the enemy to flee. God is looking for integrity, the fruit of the Spirit, and a dedicated life. Growing in holiness and humility is opposite of the enemy’s pride. Humility enables us to receive the grace of God.
   
• Discipline - We must say “no” to the things that weaken our spiritual lives such as too much TV, food, or laziness. Soldiers must live a disciplined life even when they don’t feel like it. In order to pray for the government in our land, we must exercise self-government first.
   
• Truth - We must be truthful without any hypocrisy or falsehood in us. We are here to speak truth, study truth, declare the truth, and hold onto it tightly during times of warfare (Zechariah 8:16-17).

As believers we must understand our rights and responsibilities as citizens of heaven. We must know our position in Christ at God’s right hand. We are made alive, raised up, and enthroned in the heavenly kingdom. It has already been accomplished (Ephesians 2:4-6). Psalm 24 was probably used in corporate worship many times. The people outside the gates would call out to the temple gates to open and let the King of glory in. From inside, they would say,

“Who is this King of glory?” 
 

Outside in unison they would say, “The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” 

They would proclaim God’s great power and strength. Then the gates would swing wide open. Should we not do the same regarding our need for God’s presence in our cities?

When my husband and I travel to other countries, we spend time waiting in airports. We recently were in Spain. On the trip we spent all day waiting in the airport in Kansas City because our flight was cancelled because of tornadoes in Texas. Waiting is not easy. Often in other countries I have heard this call over the airport loud speaker, “Will (person’s name) proceed urgently to his gate!”  They are paging for someone because his plane is about to take off, and he is not present. Many of us don’t realize that our nations are in urgent need of prayer. We are taking our time, but God is asking us to proceed urgently to heaven’s gate, to the throne room of prayer. We must beware of complacency. This is the time to seize the moment in prayer and intercession for our countries. 

In the real life airport situation, missing a plane can cause a lot of time and discomfort. But for us to miss this window of opportunity to pray for our leaders and our nations can cause us years of agony and pain. There isn’t much time left. We must proceed urgently to the gates of heaven and take our authoritative role in prayer for our cities. We read in Luke 18:7-8, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” 

God is the supreme ruler over all human affairs, and we can exercise a decisive influence upon the course of our governments through prayer and godly action. God’s kingdom is supreme over all other kingdoms and over all other forces that work on earth (Philippines 3:20, Psalm 103:19, Ephesians 1:20-23). Let’s extend the rod of Christ’s authority and advance His kingdom. Let’s bring heaven to earth through our prayers. Even though we are in a tremendous battle against the forces of darkness, the truth that Christ is the supreme ruler over all rulers and governor over all governments is reason for us to rejoice! 

“Lord, I pray that you would teach me how to be a prayer warrior for Your Kingdom. Help me to cultivate a Kingdom prayer life. Teach me to pray Your Word over my city, my nation, and my family. Develop intimacy, faith, discipline, truth, and character in my life. I long to walk in the fruit of Your Spirit. I long to speak truth, study truth, and declare truth daily in my life. Teach me to pray regularly for my nation, president, and city. Teach me to pray Kingdom prayers for my city and nation. I thank You that You are the supreme ruler over all and Your Kingdom is supreme over all kingdoms. I praise You because You are the King of glory. ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being’ (Revelation 4:11). In Jesus’ name, amen."

Have your friends sign up here for Intercessors Arise!

“He rules now in the midst of his enemies and rules by the rod of His strength (Psalm 110:2). The rod is the mark of the ruler’s authority. The rod of Christ’s authority, exercised in His name, is sent forth through our prayers. In every direction that the rod is extended, the forces of evil are compelled to yield, and Christ in turn is exalted and His kingdom advanced." Derek Prince

Debbie Przybylski

Intercessors Arise 

International House of Prayer KC Staff

deb@intercessorsarise.org

http://www.intercessorsarise.org

The National Day of Prayer actually began for me the night before and then was an all day affair the next day. I left the house at 4:00 am and returned at nearly midnight:

NDOP-Bethesda in Ellerslie (7:00 pm, in Ellerslie GA on May 2nd)
-Had a great time tonight.
-All of the youth were brought into the sanctuary where I was able to talk about spiritual warfare and the reality that victory in spiritual warfare isn't something we "strive to attain." Victory was accomplished by Christ 2000 years ago. Spiritual warfare is something we do from a point of victory, that we ALREADY have.
-We then went to A Solemn Assembly where so many were touched by the Holy Spirit. It was very special, especially when some of the youth came up and said, "You have to come back and give us more on spiritual warfare!

Time for a good night's rest and then on to tomorrow.

NDOP-The Day Begins (4:00 am, in Atlanta)
Heading to Columbus for my first stop.

• 6:00 am, Live Radio, Ranger Joe's God and Country Show
• 7:00 am, Antioch Volunteer Fire Department, Forston GA
• 12:00 noon, County Courthouse, Blakely GA
• 7:00 pm, Association-Wide Solemn Assembly

Gonna be a great day in the Lord!

NDOP-Ranger Joes God and Country Show (6:00 am, in Columbus GA)
-Great time with these guys.
-Discussed Isaiah 22:9-13 where the people saw what needed to be done in their city, but did not regard the Lord. And then, after they did what they saw needed to be done, they threw a party (Vs. 13)! But God was saying, "No! I want you to be broken! (Vs 12)"
-This is what will happen in November, I believe, whichever party wins, a celebration will be thrown when God is saying, "Do the opposite!"

Off to The Antioch Volunteer Fire Dept.  

NDOP-Antioch Volunteer Fire Department (7:00 am, in Fortson GA)
-2nd stop, great little turnout got this town's First Annual National Day of Prayer. This year it was organized by Kenny Grubbs and Gary Hartman (both are pastors in this area). Next year Jimmy Culpepper, another local pastor will participate in the planning.
-It was great to see familiar faces and meet some new friends. I spoke from 2Chronicles...not 7:14, but 16:9 where we're told that the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart are completely His. And I challenged them with, "What does it mean to have a heart completely His?" According to this passage it means, "to rely" on Him. We then went to Isaiah 22:9ff and I challenged us to not focus on the political solutions (2 Chronicles 16:7) and doing what you can see needs to be done (Isaiah 22:9-11a). But instead, humble yourselves! Do NOT celebrate (Vs 13) if your political party wins. That isn't what God is calling us to do. He is calling us to brokenness (Vs 12).
-Finally I went thru 5 areas of cleansing that we need to do every day they are from Greg Frizzell's book, Praying God's Heart in Times Like These (pg 36), namely, yielding wrong thoughts/attitudes, sinful words, wrong relationships, things we need to stop doing and the ignoring of full surrender to God.
-It was a great time.

They asked me to speak at next years already.  

Side-Note:
-One guy came up afterwards and asked about that "perfect-timing" when a guy like him, a "Fixer" should get in and fix things, relying on God of course. I advised him, "Only when he has perfect peace. God is not a God of confusion," I said. So I advised him to NOT focus on fixing anything, but rather, focus on relying upon God, meaning, giving it completely to Him, to do what He wants, when He wants, in His timing.
-"What will happen," I said, "Is that you will be focused on relying upon God, letting Him prompt you and without even realizing you are doing so, you will be participating in 'the-fix' because God has brought you into the mix, rather than you figuring it out and doing it because  your actions are determined by your "fix-it" motives and your timetable."

Good discussion with this brother.

NDOP-Early County Courthouse (12:00 noon in Blakely GA)
-Great time with these folks. There were about 60 people on the courthouse steps.
-We sang What a Friend We Have In Jesus and Sweet Hour of Prayer and then I spoke from Isaiah 22:9ff about searching our OWN HEART before we pray for the nation.
-Each pray-er after that was the exact same theme, brokenness before the Lord:

• Bro. T. J. Bennett, Pastor at Colomokee Baptist
• Bro. Jay Reppert, Pastor at Westview UMC
• Bro. Matthew Schluckebier, Pastor at Blakely Church of God
• Opening prayer was from Bro. Eddie Robinson, Pastor at True Love Church
• Closing music was God Bless America
• Musicians and song leaders were:
• Euwell Jarrett & Ron Drew with Cliff Starr on the guitar.

Again, brilliant time, with numerous folks coming up afterwards thanking me for the message of focusing on personal spiritual cleansing, praying the Church House more than the White House.  

NDOP-Pulaski-Bleckley Association Solemn Assembly (7:00 pm, in Hawkinsville GA)
-Wow! The day is over...
-I think I could speak for another couple of hours though...
-Had a great time with these folks tonight.
-Sweet, and sincere about dealing with sin. It was a wonderful way to end the night.

Now I have a couple of hours to reflect till I get home...and I did enjoy the Solemn Assemblies.  

NDOP Reflection:

• A good day for A Solemn Assembly
• A gratifying day as people were hungry
• A fulfilling day, being able to speak a similar message all day, to different people
• A surprising day of folks seeking His face, not just His hand
• An exciting day...there is a remnant...I saw it today

From January to April we prayed Psalm 119 on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

To see ALL of the Psalm 119 prayers, click here.

Each stanza has a Key Word, Emphasis and Application which succeeding prayers are built around. We are currently praying the key word for each stanza.

Psalm 119:97-104

Key Word                Insight

Today’s Prayer

Father, forgive us as a nation and as Your church for calling so many things good, that are evil, and so many things evil, that are good (Isaiah 5:20). Lord, we often forget that insight is not to be based on our wisdom, but on Your commands which will then cause me to see error clearly (Psalm 119:98-99). Thank You Lord that Your words are sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103), that Your words give us understanding, which causes us to hate every false way (Psalm 119:104).

Beginning with the month of May, we are praying The Book of James on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

James 1:12-15
May 4, 2012

Lord, James tells us that a man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that You have promised to those who love You. When we are undergoing a trial we should never say, "I am being tempted by God." For while You allow things into our lives, You are not tempted by evil, and do not tempt anyone with evil.  We are tempted Lord, when we let ourselves be drawn away and enticed by our own evil desires. Forgive us Father, as a nation and as Your church, because these desires often come when we do not handle difficulties through Your truth, Your revealed word. Instead, we handle them through our own desires.  Then after our desires are conceived and focused on, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death, as we are reminded of, not just here, but in Romans 8:6 also. In Your Son’s name we pray, grateful that You love us in spite of us, amen.

I am sometimes dumbfounded at the number of Christians who feel the need to post it on facebook whenever they give a gift or pray a prayer or serve someone in need. Don’t do that. The deepest secrets of your heart should be the secret acts of kindness, mercy, forgiveness, service and intercession that occur in the inner chamber. These are things you do for others that are intended to be known only by God, in order that all praise and honor may go to Him. This is the highest service you can offer. Your most powerful prayer is also the most secretive. Even the smallest groups bring out the public, role-playing side of you, and tend to deflect the focus of your prayers away from reaching the heart of God, toward making sure the group approves.

So much of what we do “for the church” is done because we want to gain recognition from others. Few of us know how to stand alone spiritually. We depend on the recognition of others for our motivation and our reward. We love standing in front of an audience, getting “likes” for our every thought, building a platform and getting lots of fans.

My wife, Makki, and I have resided for a number of years in a poor and depressed community where God called us to do a particular work of ministry. One of the first and most enduring impressions we got from our neighbors is that many of them have a tendency to live their lives as theatre. If there is a fight, it's going to be held in the main ring, as the participants burst out of their homes and go at it against each other on the front porch or out on the street. It’s something of a shared community experience, and is greatly enjoyed by most. Get your bets down and pass the popcorn.

Many people see the church as their theatre, just as a lot of our neighbors see their front porch, but crumble if ever they are called to stand alone “out there.” These folks attend church in order to impress the pastor, or people from their own social circle, or others from the social circle they would like to break into. They want to be recognized, get their strokes, make their performances, get their applause, climb their ladder, or whatever else they get out of it. In my experience the thing we used to call special music has mostly been eliminated from our worship. I’m glad for it. It is tiresome and distracting watching people perform with the obvious attitude, “Just wait’ll they hear this.” Many who pray in public pray with that same attitude, or with a false humility so contrived as to be, well, obvious. Whose prayer is going to break heaven loose today? Get your bets down and pass the popcorn.

Thankfully, there is no stage in the inner chamber (see Matthew 6:6). There is no mask for you to put on, no theatrical makeup. There is no playacting, no pretending. There are no facades, no stage sets in the inner chamber. You have no choice but to be solitary with God, absolutely real, in this place where you are fully known. Once you get over the initially troubling aspects of being so vulnerable, you will come to love it. Once you begin to see your secret prayers answered openly, though only you and God are the wiser, your inner chamber life will catapult into an amazing new dimension. You’ll never want to step onto the stage again.

Please cut me some slack on this. I know what grace is, but here’s a fact: Your public personna is how everyone else grades you. You earn these grades based on how well you do when you’re on stage. God gives His “grade” based upon who you are in private. Your coursework for His grade is done in the secret place, the inner chamber.

We cannot pray in order to receive recognition from anyone but God. It isn’t allowed. No matter what you think you might be doing, if you’re praying for recognition, or praying what I call a "performance prayer," it isn’t really prayer after all. It isn’t necessary for anyone to know about your secret labor for the Master except for the Master Himself, because it is a labor of intimate love and special communion. It is labor that He respects you for doing and joyfully receives from you, once you have learned to stand alone with Him in the inner chamber.

Passive Prayer?
A reader posted an interesting question on my blog last week. “When you pray ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done,’ is whatever happens then God’s will, and our part is to submit to His apparent will?” she wanted to know. “Or is it more like, ‘Here I am, send me?’ Is that a passive prayer of acceptance, or an active prayer of ‘Sign me up!’?”

My reader’s question is a bit tough to address because of course I believe in submitting to God’s will and accepting His plans for me. But I also need to say that although I firmly believe in God’s sovereignty, I firmly do not believe that everything that happens is God’s will. Evil is never God’s will. He is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). He does not will child abuse, oppression, deception, rape, murder, or any kind of injustice. It is entirely contrary to His character. Can He redeem it? Of course! But does He will it? Never.

So if we are praying about a situation that involves any kind of evil, but the evil persists, in order to see God’s kingdom come and His will be done, we must continue to pray until either the situation changes or He tells us to stop or change the way we are praying.

Similarly, if our prayer is about something dear to us—the welfare of a child, a close friend’s health, a prodigal family member, a painful relationship—we can be sure that our concern is also dear to God. He invites us to cast our cares on Him because He cares about us (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). So if we pray and the troubling circumstance doesn’t change, we should continue praying—unless He tells us to stop or change the way we are praying.

The Value of Persistence

God places high value on persevering prayer. Jesus teaches this in Luke 11 when He tells the disciples to “keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (v. 9, NLT). He says it again when He tells His disciples the parable of the persistent widow “to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1, NIV). We see it in the example of Elijah who prayed for rain seven times—even though the first six prayers didn’t bring about so much as even a tiny cloud (1 Kings 18). We see it in Job who for chapter after chapter keeps making his case with God until finally He shows up. We see it in Abraham who haggles with God over Sodom and Gomorrah until he is assured that his nephew will be saved (Genesis 18). We see it in David, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zechariah who all cry out, “How long, Lord?” And in Daniel who fasts and prays for three weeks, not knowing until the angel showed up, why God had seemed to delay (Daniel 10). It seems that persevering prayer is the scriptural norm.

So what’s the bit about “Until He tells us to stop or change the way we are praying?” As most of my readers know, I believe that prayer is a two-way conversation. If it’s just monologue, we’re missing out on a lot—including the Holy Spirit’s help in knowing how to pray. God meant for prayer to be one of the primary ways we develop our relationship with Him. So He intends for us to tell Him what’s on our hearts and minds—but also intends for us to listen to what’s on His.

“Stop Praying for Physical Healing”

Several years into my husband’s battle with multiple sclerosis, I sensed the Lord inviting me to pray for his healing—until he was healed or He told me to stop. But my prayer was more than simply repeating, “please heal David.” Each time I went to God it seemed like something new was unfolding with how He wanted to take care of us, what He wanted to show us, and how He was working in our lives, even though we weren’t seeing physical improvements. My relationship with God grew and deepened more during those two or three years than it had during the sum of my Christian life up to that point.

But one day when I talked to God about my husband, I sensed Him saying clearly that I was to stop praying for David’s physical healing and focus instead on praying for his spiritual, emotional, and relational healing. I cried buckets when I heard Him say that—but it made sense to me based on the months of conversations we’d shared. So I stopped praying for physical healing, and prayed for my husband to become whole in other ways. Some of the things God did in answer to those prayers astounded me.

If I had just prayed two or three times and then passively accepted that my husband was going to die, I would have missed out on the incredible care Abba wanted to give my family and me during those hard years . It made sense for me to keep that request before God even though ultimately it wasn’t answered the way I’d hoped.

So I suppose if I have to give an answer, I’d say that I don’t really believe in passive prayer, per se. Should we accept His answers after He makes them clear? Absolutely! Should we submit our wills to what He reveals? Of course! God does sometimes choose to let me in on what He’s doing, so I’d rather keep the conversation going than assume prematurely that whatever happens (or doesn’t) is His plan.

Thanks so much for the great question! If others of you have a thought to share or a question about prayer you’ve been pondering, I’d love to hear from you.

2012 National Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Every good gift and perfect gift comes from You. You are a Faithful God and Your Mercy Endures Forever.

You have Promised to Bless the Nation that Trusts in You. Our currency proclaims "In God We Trust", but in our culture we are far from You.

In the words of the Prophet Daniel, "We have sinned and commited iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and your judgments."

We come before You once more, Seeking Your Forgiveness and Mercy. You, O God, are our only Hope ... Hear our Prayer and, for Your Honor's sake, Shine your Face upon this Nation.

Give our Leaders the desire to Seek your Wisdom and the Courage to Follow your Guidance ... and Watch over the Men and Women of our Armed Forces as they Sacrifice for the cause of Freedom.

We give you thanks for all you have done for us, and we Earnestly Pray that You will Help us become once again, a Nation whose God is the Lord.

In the name of your Son, and our Savior, We Pray this Prayer. Amen

Excerpt from the Intercessors for America www.ifapray.org

Denver 2012 ~ a gathering for Artists & Academics; Disciplers & Diaspora; Worship & Workplace, Missional & Collaborative  ...  and prayer leaders!!

Please use our brochure as a prayer guide!

I have a secret to confess. It's been over 30 years, and I have to come out of the closet – or at least out from behind the couch. I was 6 years old, and one night after my mom herded me off to bed, I crept back down the stairs, and hid behind the couch in our family room. Just out of her line of site, like a moth to a flame I was pulled into one of 1966's most innovative TV programs. I watched with wide eyes as Gene Roddenberry's “Wagon train to the stars” told the story of the Enterprise and its five year mission to go where no man has gone before. Yes – I have to come clean – I am a closet Trekkie.

This is no surprise to my wife or kids. When the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager spinoffs hit the airwaves, I remember pulling my kids onto my lap, and along with a bowl of popcorn, we watched Captain Picard continue the mission that my childhood heroes Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock began. The names had changed but the story was the same. Men, women and aliens banded together to face the unknown, out-gun old enemies and out-smart new ones. For those who are wondering . . . yes . . . we even attended a Star Trek convention or two.

One of my favorite episodes in that original series featured displaced society adrift in a hollow, round spaceship. War had left their planet uninhabitable, so their society's leaders built a 'world' inside a space-going ball. The catch was that the citizens believed that they were on a planet. an artificial 'sun' rose and set, and the entire world was designed to replicate home. After three generations drifting through space, their outside-in spaceship was the only world they'd ever known.

The episode's conflict because the spaceship was off course, and drifted toward an inhabited planet where it would crash and create galactic destruction. As the story raced toward it's climax, Kirk and his cohorts faced the challenge of convincing the inhabitants that they were on a space ship, not a planet. The Federation heroes had to help the helpless, and convince the society that what they believed was wrong, and what they experienced on a daily basis isn't real. There was a larger world outside of themselves. They had to change their reference point, and accept a new reality based on truth which resided outside of their experience, or face certain doom.

A minor character from this show intrigues me yet today. An old man, an outcast that most of the characters considered crazy was written into a brief scene. As Kirk, Spock and the boys tried to convince the society of their need to shed their wrong beliefs, this old man crept out of the shadows and spoke forbidden words.

“I believe you. I know we're not on a real planet. . . For the world is hollow, and I have touched the sky.”

A prayer ministry is built from the same conviction. This world is hollow, and we can touch the sky. We can touch Heaven with our prayers and connect with a new Reality which resides outside ourselves. When we do, we discover God's perspective. When I am affected by His point of view, my world can . . . and must change, and I can no longer stay the same.

The world is hollow, and we can touch the Sky. We don't have to settle for the world as it is, and Jesus calls us to go out into the world and work to bring about change. We are to make disciples, feed and clothe the poor, heal the sick, and see God change lives one at a time. It starts with prayer, because God's power must first work in my life, before I will grow to a place where He can work through me.

If your small group would like to learn more about prayer, and making deep, life changing prayer a part of the culture, contact Tim Burns and the Outlet Prayer Ministry at Kentwood Community Church, Grand Rapids, MI (http://www.kentwoodcommunitychurch.com/opmblog) We can help you with resources and ideas on how to encourage your congregation or small group to set an intentional time to pray together for your church, neighborhood, church, and state. As a group you will grow closer together, and individually God will work in your heart and life as He draws you closer to Himself.

For the world is hollow - join me - let's touch the Sky.

Beginning with the month of May, we are praying The Book of James on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

James 1:2-8

Father, forgive us as a nation and as Your church for not looking at our trials with great joy, as James tells us here. Lord, we have lost the fact that the testing of our faith produces endurance.  And then this same endurance, when it completes it's work, produces a maturity which causes us to be complete, lacking nothing. And yet Lord, we know that there are times when we lack wisdom. Thank You Father that when we lack wisdom, we can ask You, and You give it to us generously and without criticizing us. Father, show us how to ask, asking all things in faith, without doubting, because we know that the doubter should not expect to receive anything from You. Oh Father, we humbly pray this in Your Son's name, amen.

From January to April we prayed Psalm 119 on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

To see ALL of the Psalm 119 prayers, click here.

Each stanza has a Key Word, Emphasis and Application which succeeding prayers are built around. We are currently praying the key word for each stanza.

Psalm 119:89-96

Key Word                Forever

Today’s Prayer

Forever, O’ Lord...what a great thought, what a challenging thought, for we see “forever” from our finite perspective. Our words are merely our own words, but Your words Lord are settled and stand forever in heaven (Psalm 119:89). Forgive us as a nation and as Your church Lord, for thinking that we need to change Your word to make it “relevant” for today. We forget that truth never changes, that Your Son is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Cause us to see Your words are as true today as the day they were penned and that everything serves Your plans and are Your servants (Psalm 119:91).

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 157 | Wed 02 May 2012

AFRICA: CHRISTIANS TARGETED FROM EAST TO WEST

by Elizabeth Kendal

Security is deteriorating rapidly for Christians along Africa's notorious ethnic-religious fault-line: roughly between the 5 to 10 degrees north parallels. Genocidal Islamic jihad has displaced Christians in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Mali and Ivory Coast. Multitudes of predominantly Christian, ethnically southern Ivorian refugees feel forgotten. Displaced during the French-backed Islamic coup of April 2011, they remain desperate and vulnerable, unable to return home because their homes and farms have been occupied by pro-Ouattara supporters who are being protected by armed 'dozos' from the north. Appointed by Ouattara's Republican Forces (former 'rebels') to crack down on crime, 'dozos' are a 'brotherhood of initiated traditional hunters renowned for their mystical powers'.

Further to this, terrorist groups such as al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya, the Government of Sudan, Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria and eastern Mali and Ansar Dine in Northern Mali are targeting Christians continually. These groups are seeking at the very least the subjugation of Christians and in some places their total eradication. The jihadists receive support from Islamist governments and from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) which gets most of its funds from trafficking drugs, weapons and human beings.

TERROR IN KENYA

After Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia to fight al-Shabaab in October 2011 the Somalia-based jihadists threatened Kenya with 'a long, protracted war'. On Saturday evening 31 March militants believed to be from al-Shabaab hurled explosives into a prayer meeting in the coastal town of Mtwapa, just 16km from Mombasa. A woman and a nine-year-old boy were killed while around 30 others were wounded. On Sunday 29 April some 50 believers were worshipping in God's House of Miracles International Church in Nairobi when a militant simply walked in and hurled a bomb at the altar. 'I heard a blast and then around me everyone was covered in blood,' said Steven Mulinge, the church pianist. One person was killed while 15 others were treated in hospital for shrapnel wounds. Four victims with critical injuries have been transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital.

TERROR IN NIGERIA

On Sunday 29 April believers worshipping at Bayero University in the northern city of Kano were targeted by militants from Boko Haram. The jihadists attacked the open-air service outside the faculty of medicine, throwing explosive devices amongst the worshippers then chasing and shooting believers as they fled. They also attacked a worship service being held in the sporting complex, again throwing explosive devices amongst the believers who were then chased and gunned down as they fled. Twenty-one people were killed and more than 20 were treated in hospital for gunshot wounds. In an almost simultaneous attack, six Boko Haram gunmen burst into a Church of Christ in Nigeria chapel the northeast city of Maiduguri, spraying bullets throughout the sanctuary. Whilst the worshippers escaped with wounds but no fatalities, the pastor and three others who were preparing to serve communion were found dead in the sanctuary.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL -

* cut the lines of support that keep these jihadists armed and paid; may he sever relationships, smash networks, destroy trade and smuggling routes and remove key players so that the jihadists will be starved of resources. May the 'horns' [strength] of the wicked be cut off, and the 'horns' [strength] of the righteous be lifted up. (Psalm 75:10)

' . . . in the name of the LORD I cut them off!' (Psalm 118:10 ESV.)

* intervene for the sake of his imperilled people to infuse wisdom, courage and commitment into fearful, reluctant, equivocating and short-sighted African governments. 'The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.' (Proverbs 21:1 ESV)

* be a shield and provider for his displaced and frightened people; may he heal their wounds, shelter and protect them, provide their every need and increase their faith. (Psalm 18)


To see this RLPB with hyperlinks go to http://rlprayerbulletin.blogspot.com.au


SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE:

CHRISTIANS TARGETED FROM EAST TO WEST IN AFRICA

Islamic jihad has displaced Christians in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Mali and Ivory Coast. Terrorist groups such as al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya, the Government of Sudan, Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria and eastern Mali and Ansar Dine in Northern Mali are targeting Christians continually. On Sunday 29 April some 25 Christians were killed and dozens wounded when jihadists launched terror attacks against church worship services in Nairobi, Kenya, and in Kano and Maiduguri, Northern Nigeria. The two groups involved - al-Shabaab and Boko Haram - both receive support from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), as does Ansar Dine, the group that has driven Christians from northern Mali. AQIM gets most of its funds from trafficking drugs, weapons and human beings. Please pray for these Churches.

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

For more information, updates and helpful links see Elizabeth Kendal's blog 'Religious Liberty Monitoring'

http://elizabethkendal.blogspot.com

Previous RLPBs may be viewed at http://rlprayerbulletin.blogspot.com/

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.

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

This year's National Day of Prayer has me preaching, teaching and praying in 5 locations. Please pray for me. Also, please check out the site here at Pray! Network for my updates by mobile...when I have a connection!

May 2 and 3, 2012 -- National Day of Prayer Events
Mark will be participating in a number of events on those days:
May 2, 6:00 pm -- Bethesda Baptist Church, Ellerslie GA
May 3, 6:00 am -- Ranger Joe's God and Country Show
            On Air Live in Columbus GA
May 3, 7:00 am -- Antioch Volunteer Fire Department in Fortson, Ga.
May 3, Noon -- Early County Courthouse, Blakely GA
May 3, 7:00 pm -- Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association 
            National Day of Prayer Celebration -- A Solemn Assembly
            Location: Broad Street Baptist Church, Hawkinsville GA

Starting today, May 1st, we are praying The Book of James on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

From James 1:1

Lord, as we begin praying thru the book of James we are so grateful for this humble servant who considered himself a slave of God, Your slave. But not just Your slave, a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ also, Your Son, and his own half brother. Lord forgive us as a nation and as Your church for not humbling ourselves and living like we are Your Son's slaves. Lord, we trust that just as the 12 tribes in the dispersion experienced James' greetings and his humbleness, we pray that You will cause us to learn that same humbleness, especially as we make our way thru this book. In Your Son's name we pray, looking forward to praying thru this book, amen.

From January to April we are praying Psalm 119 on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

To see ALL of the Psalm 119 prayers, click here.

Each stanza has a Key Word, Emphasis and Application which succeeding prayers are built around. We are currently praying the key word for each stanza.

Psalm 119:81-88

Key Word                Longing

Today’s Prayer

Lord, as I think of the “longing” in this stanza (verses 81-88), I am reminded that my attitude is often one of having to endure, waiting on You (Psalm 119:81a). Forgive me Lord, and forgive us, as a nation and as Your  church for failing to hope in You while we wait on You (Psalm 119:81b). Show us Lord, that we can come to You in the morning, with our requests, lay them before Your feet, wait in expectation (Psalm 5:3), and find comfort (Psalm 119:82).

"Since hardening of the attitudes typically sets in long before hardening of the arteries,

I must pursue those calisthenics of spiritual consecration that make me vibrant within."

"The Old Man in the Mirror"

Yesterday, I turned 54.  It is truly hard to believe I am one year away from that golden age where AARP torments me with their recruitment tactics and restaurants give me the old-wrinkled-guy special. 

Yesterday...

How did this happen? Just yesterday I was playing baseball with my buddies in the neighborhood park, enjoying dodge ball on the playground, running the mile relay in junior high, and catching touchdowns in high school.  Just moments ago I was traveling on a singing team for my college, inspiring my peers as their Student Body President, and cramming for a theology exam in seminary.

Was it really almost 30 years ago that Rosemary and I exchanged vows? Can all our children really be in their 20s? Where did all those years escape when I was the young pastor, performing weddings for the children of those “mature” parents? 

Alas, reality prevails.  I have become that decrepit dude who has reached the age of balding, bifocals, bulging, and bunions.  I thought only geriatric white-hairs in wheelchairs were grandfathers.  Yet, I am one... twice.

The Old Man in the Mirror

If mirrors did not exist, I would be 35.  It was Satchel Paige who asked, “How old would you be if you did not know how old you were?”  My answer is still 35.  

Paige also said, “Age is a case of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”  I am working on that part.  Just last week I was talking to a guy who looked pretty old.  As we conversed, I noticed how worn his face was.  His eyes had bags underneath.  He looked like he had logged a good number of miles on his body.  I felt a little sorry for him until he made some comment about his age, which happened to be five years less than mine.  At my next opportunity, I looked at my face in the mirror.  Let’s just say, it’s been on my mind ever since.

Grace to Choose

So, now I have a choice.  I can become a grumpy old “prayer man” or I can trust God for the grace to make the rest of my life the best of my life.  Thank God for the grace to choose door number two.

Of course, there are many other choices that accompany that one.  I must choose to regulate my diet and reduce my portions.  I can get serious again for the 100th time about exercise.  I can even scrub the moon-crater-like pores on my nose and put some kind of magic lotion on my face to wage my losing war on these obstinate wrinkles. 

Most importantly, I must make some spiritual choices.  Paul, who really knew how to finish the race, said, “Exercise yourself toward godliness.  For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).  Since hardening of the attitudes typically sets in long before hardening of the arteries, I must pursue those calisthenics of spiritual consecration that make me vibrant within.

A Vision of Vibrancy

I love the biblical vision of the best kind of aging where it says, “Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (Psalm 92:13-15).  While I cannot control the creep of crow’s feet and the appearance of age spots, I can cultivate the character of a fully-alive inner man that is fresh, flourishing, and fruitful until my final breath.  

The Eternal Exercise Plan

First, I can exercise my feet, standing firm, “planted in the house of the Lord.”  I find it sad when people mature physically but shrink into spiritual pygmies because they stop choosing to plant their lives in the place of passionate worship.  I want to keep “pressing on” in my pursuit of God in my everyday practice of His presence.  Someday, I want to be that old dude who the young people laugh at (but secretly admire) because he is unrestrained and cuts loose in worship, even if he looks like a "doofus."  I don’t want to stay home and watch “senior citizens' church” as long as I can stand among the godly with my heart soaring in His presence in the courts of our God.

Second, I can exercise my tongue, “declaring that the Lord is upright.”  When this kind of praise frames the substance of my speech there is little room left to whine about the parts that don’t work and complain about my pain.  

Third, I can exercise my heart,trusting fully that “He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Of course, energy wanes, days get lonely, and the scoreboard of significance becomes blurred – but the Lord is still my security and there is no unrighteousness in Him.  I will trust and obey these great truths – and be happy in Jesus. 

Finally, I can exercise my eyes, focusing on the reality of eternal significance, not just the earthly vapor of this physical life.  Paul says it this way: “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).  As a child I sang, “Be careful, little eyes, what you see.”  As I approach the finish line I must sing, “Be careful, little eyes, HOW you see.”

A Birthday Resolution

Thank God that, in Christ and by His grace, every birthday can find me standing firm in worship, speaking loudly in praise, and trusting boldly in the One who is my rock and righteousness.  And every day, I can see the world through the eyeglasses of eternity, even when I look at that old man in the mirror.

Copyright © 2012 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.

For more of Daniel's blogs visit us at: strategicrenewal.com - and - 64fellowship.com 

From January to April we are praying Psalm 119 on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

To see ALL of the Psalm 119 prayers, click here.

Each stanza has a Key Word, Emphasis and Application which succeeding prayers are built around. We are currently praying the key word for each stanza.

Psalm 119:73-80

Key Word                Compassion

Today’s Prayer

Lord, You are the God of great compassion, both showing me Your compassion when I am disciplined by You (Psalm 119:75) and when You surround me with Your tender mercies (Psalm 119:77). Forgive us Father, as a nation and as Your church for taking lightly, Your great Compassion. Lord, by Your compassion, one more time, blot out our sin (Psalm 51:1), for Your compassions never fail (Lamentations 3:22).

This blog post is based on an idea from the soon-to-be-released book, Secrets of the Inner Chamber: How to Experience the Phenomenal Power of Private Prayer.

When I mention the inner chamber, I am referencing Matthew 6:6, where Jesus shares the concept of the prayer closet with us.

If God’s Word is the anvil, and prayer is the hammer, then the inner chamber is the forge in which the bond of relationship with God is formed. When we talk about what it means to know Christ these days, we are quick to say, “It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship.” That idea is a fallacy. It is a shallow, easy-to-grab slogan that is mindlessly repeated everywhere.

The fact is, it is not either a relationship or a religion that defines our Christ-life, but both-and. Without the religious aspect of our faith, which includes the careful teaching of sound theology and doctrine, and our participation in public worship, whatever form it may take in our tradition, there would be no proper relationship with Christ or with His body, the Church. Conversely, without the personal relationship we enjoy with Christ, the rest of it would be nothing but law and dogma and dreadfully stifling obedience.

There is nothing whatsoever wrong with religion. We need more of it, better practiced. More and more. Of course, religion can be, and is, perverted, just as is the case with virtually anything else. Wherever the pure, genuine and true exists, there also will be the adulterated, inauthentic and false.

The biblical definition of religion has to do with the external form in which our faith expresses itself. It is devotion to God arising from a healthy and proper reverence for Him, inspiring us to engage in His worship, which results in practical piety, rightly directed.

James puts it so well when he says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:26-27). The possibility of “pure and undefiled religion before God,” then, does exist, and is a thing to be desired and sought after.

Still, we do speak of this relationship business, and I love it as well as I love Christ and the pure religious pursuit of Him. I love my Lord. I love everything about Him, and everything, including religion, that is a part of knowing and honoring Him. Love, in fact, is the basis of my relationship with Him, as I certainly hope it is the basis of yours, too. His love for us is the introduction to our relationship with Him. It is the first thing that we encounter about Him, since it is the means He uses to reach out to us, attract us, and draw us to Himself.

You learn to love God in the inner chamber. Your “personal relationship” with Jesus Christ, something that most Christians tossing the phrase around so glibly still have trouble defining, acquires all of its true substance in the inner chamber, and nowhere else. It expresses itself, religiously, outside of the chamber, but it is formed in front of the fireplace, where the hearth is blazing and crackling with the fire of God’s truth. It is fashioned under the illumination of the classic lamp of understanding, in the secret place. It is formulated as you are seated, side-by-side with Christ, your heads bent over the open Word.

Jesus clearly leads us into the understanding that all religion, all righteousness, all knowledge of God and everything about serving Him, all these things are matters of the heart. If they are not rooted in and carried out in your heart first and always, if they do not serve to educate, purify and mature your heart, they have no effect or value in your life. In other words, what you make of your relationship with Christ in the inner chamber is all you have of it to carry out into the world. This is what ignites within you the light of the world. It is how God establishes you as a city set upon a hill, that cannot be hid. This is the fountainhead, the source, of pure religion, undefiled.

In a complete and amusing irony, your worship of the Father in spirit and truth, which is the only acceptable worship, since “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24), is your “religion.” Your religion is what gives you the equipping, motivation and confidence to go out and “be” the hands of Christ, His faithful steward, conducting His business in your daily activities.

So really, “It’s not about relationship, it’s first about religion. And it’s not only about religion, it’s also about a relationship.” Get it right and you’ll live it rightly. You will only get it right in the inner chamber, because “A good man [or woman] out of the good treasure of his [or her] heart brings forth good things, and an evil man [or woman] out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35). The Lord Christ does not compromise on this.

Your religion and your relationship both are to result in an ever-expanding love for God, based upon the ever-expanding understanding of His love that you receive by knowing Him better and better. The inner chamber is all about communion, fellowship and communication with God. It is all about deepening the bonds. This happens through prayer, which is the dialogue between you and Jesus Christ. Prayer is the exchange of communication that takes place as you listen and are instructed through God’s Word, and as you speak, through prayer conversation.

From January to April we are praying Psalm 119 on the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Show .

To see ALL of the Psalm 119 prayers, click here.

Each stanza has a Key Word, Emphasis and Application which succeeding prayers are built around. We are currently praying the key word for each stanza.

Psalm 119:65-72

Key Word                Afflicted

Today’s Prayer

Lord, as this day's key word is "afflicted," I'm reminded that You sometimes discipline us with affliction. Lord, forgive us as a nation and as Your church for not rejoicing in affliction, in suffering (Colossians 1:24). Forgive us for running from affliction rather than entering into the fellowship of Your suffering (Philippians 3:10). Cause us Lord, as we share the suffering of Your Son, to keep on rejoicing so that we may see Your glory, and rejoice all the more (1 Peter 4:13).