Pray Network Forum

In some places there is a fairly great division in the church over Calvinism. Many are staunch Calvinists and many others are fierce anti-Calvinists.

I feel that this and similar issues should not be approached from the point of view of an overall theology. Although to be honest, I think it is suspect to take any theological system whole cloth. Rather, we should seek to come to understanding of scriptures that lead to certain positions.

Possibly the thornyest issue is the question of limited atonement. How do you reconcile John 3:16 and John 6:44?

John 3:16 tells us God loves the entire world, and gives life to all who believe in Him.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

But in John 6:44 Jesus said,
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”

Can you honestly say God loves people He is not calling to salvation? I think you can, but you cannot say this is simple.

Some years ago there was a fire on the hill that stretches above the houses on our street. They managed to get the fire out without losing any houses, but it was close. After the fire, the Fire Chief held a town meeting to answer people's questions about how they had addressed the fire. One of the homeowners was angry. He demanded to know why the fire fighters had not sprayed water on his house but they had his neighbor's.

The Fire Chief said, “We didn't see any point in hosing down houses that have cedar roofs or Juniper trees because we couldn't have saved them anyway if the fire hit them.” I am pretty sure that was simple reality rather than some biased intention on the part of the fire department. And we have to assume that God knows who would respond if they were called. There may also be other reasons why He does not call some that we don't and probably couldn't understand. We have to trust that to Him.

I am convinced that praying for people may remove some of the barriers to a person's being drawn to Christ. Of course, some will argue that God's choosing took place before the foundation of the world. There is some legitimacy to this. Ephesians 1:4 says, “He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world.”

But I believe it is wrong to press God and eternity into the sequence of time. Before the

foundation of the world God had already heard my prayer for a person whose heart is hard. And because God loves that person, I am convinced my prayers for people who need Jesus are obedient to Him.

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

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http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

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One of God’s greatest gifts is memory.  When we remember, we sometimes sit in a recliner and reflect.  Other times we do something in response to memory. Today, people will place flowers at grave sites, and memorials of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  Others will attend ceremonies in cemeteries and at national monuments.  Still others, will pause in the midst of worship services to remember and pray.  We act out our remembrance and our appreciation, for those who served in the past, and those who serve today.  For me that includes a father and two uncles who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, a brother who served in the U.S. Army National Guard, and a son who served in the U.S. Marine Corp, and continues to serve with the U.S. Homeland Security.  On this Veterans Day, may we pray for those who still serve, perhaps praying 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”  May we also join with those who serve in praying for peace.   General Douglas MacArthur said, “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”

Have you struggled in your role as a grandparent? If you are you are not alone. There are 80 million grandparents in the United States. Many are struggling to navigate the culture, which their grandchildren think is normal.

My friend, Catherine Jacobs recently published her book, Pass the Legacy, 7 Keys for Grandparents making a difference. She pours out her passion for the Lord and the role for grandparents given in God’s Word.

Many of us grandparents are having a difficult time understanding the culture in which our grandchildren are growing up today. Their world is much different than the one we grew up in or in which we raised our grandchildren. However, God has given us a call to reach the hearts and minds of our dear grandchildren and future generations to love and follow Jesus. The enemy wants to distract and steal our grandchildren and their parents from walking with the Lord.

Catherine Jacobs gives us seven key principles that will equip us to significantly impact your grandchildren and their parents with a spiritual legacy.  Pass the Legacy is an insightful and enjoyable book to read, it is relevant, practical and encouraging filled with ideas that are helpful and thoughtful. It will encourage your heart, expand your vision, and give you practical ways to point the hearts of your grandchildren to Jesus. I know you will enjoy Catherine’s journey as she shares her journey with you.

You may purchase this book, Pass the Legacy on www.passthelegacy.com or you can go to Amazon or Barnes Noble.

 Catherine Jacobs lives in Charleston, SC enjoys her adult children and loves grandparenting her five grandchildren. She is a speaker, writer and founder and executive director of Pass the Legacyministry.

Written by Lillian Penner

Celebrating a new era as I have made some shifts in ministry!

Recently two opportunities opened up for me to join in yet another amazing work of God. One is a ten-year project focused in the MENA areas of the globe. The other is with a partner Bible Translation group who is working to bring God’s Whole Word to the Whole World.  If you're interested in hearing about what God has brought, I would love to share!  

Three ways to connect:

Director, UPG Prayer Initiatives

POPE Initiatives

Email: linda@popeinitiatives.org

Aggregate. Collaborate. Integrate. For Greater Kingdom Impact.

Find out more: http://POPEInitiatives.org 

Prayer Strategist

4.2.20 Foundation

Email: linda.bemis@4220foundation.com

The Whole Word for the Whole World - 4.2.20 Foundation is committed to advancing access and engagement with the whole Word of God for every language, culture, and people. Find out more: https://4220foundation.com 

Prayer Senior Associate

International Orality Network

Email: IONPrayer@gmail.com

Influencing the body of Christ to make disciples of all oral communicators - 80% of the world (5.7 billion) are oral communicators of which 1/2 are children! Find out more: Orality.net 

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood-to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26

#Today's #Daily #BiPartisan #Election #Praying

View on Web -
www.markmirza.com/bipartisan-voters-guide-2018

.PDF #Download - http://markmirza.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018VoterGuide.pdf

As we head to the polls today to vote in the mid-term elections, here are a few final thoughts for prayer:

Thank God for the process

• Thank God for the blessing of free elections and the democratic process.  Thank him for giving us the right and the means to vote and determine our leadership.

Pray for the elections

• Ask God to protect each voting place from all harm; to protect our elections from outside influences of all kinds; to give strength and stamina to the precinct workers, many of whom will have very long days.
• Pray that God will clear away any barriers that would stand in the way of those who have the right to vote exercising that right, and that He would lead believers especially to be faithful in carrying out our responsibilities of citizenship.
• Ask God to keep the elections fair and honest, to protect the elections from all fraud, and to prevent those who do not have the right to vote from casting ballots

Pray for the voters

• Ask God to grant wisdom to all those who are voting today - to give them insight to see past rhetoric and know how the candidates would lead.
• Pray that God will make character and integrity important to the voters.
• Pray especially for believers who are voting, that God will show them the candidates who would honor him in office

Pray for the results

• Ask God to raise up men and women at all levels - federal, state, and local - who will lead with integrity, wisdom, and courage.
• Pray that God will appoint leaders who know Him and who will lead this country in a direction that honors him.
• Ask God to create a Congress (Senate and House) of representatives who will be able to work together for the good of the country
• Pray for accurate tabulation of the results and for acceptance of those results.

Pray for the church

• Thank God for all those who have been praying for this election cycle.
• Ask God to continue this movement of prayer even after the election, and to expand it in such a way as to transform churches into houses of prayer all across the country.

God's peace is a powerful thing in the life of a Believer. It can affect the lives of everyone around you. When He first sent the 12 disciples out to preach the gospel Jesus taught this amazing truth. In Matthew 10:13 we read,

“And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.”

So, let me ask you, How do you allow your peace to rest on another person or home? This is important for us to understand, especially in these days when our world is so divided and disturbed. Let me point out three ways in which we allow our peace to rest on other people.

But before I can do this we need to understand two things. First, we need to know that God's peace only flows out of a vital relationship with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. His peace balances and stabilizes everything in our lives. And we also need to understand what makes others worthy of our peace. The next verse explains.

“And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”

We can know people are worthy of God's peace when we realize that they are receptive to what we have to say about Jesus. This may be a matter of timing. Had Ananias, who went to Paul after he saw Jesus on the Damascus road, gone one day earlier, he would not have found him receptive. This usually requires some conversation. You may need to tell someone something about the gospel to understand how responsive they might be. And you will need some spiritual discernment which comes through prayer.

Communion

When you realize someone is at least open to hear the things of God, you can open yourself up to communion with them. One of the most effective tools of evangelism is our own vulnerability with others. And after people receive Christ our peace with Him is shared with them. You may be familiar with Philippians 4:7 where Paul spoke of peace that comes from prayer.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Note that this peace is plural. It does not simply guard your heart. It stands guard over “our hearts and minds.”

Assurance

Next we share God's peace as we teach the foundations of His truth. We can share God's love and grace by assuring people of the implications of the gospel. We can say things to them like, “God will hold you tightly in His hands.” or “Nothing will ever separate you from God's love.”

Prayer

Finally, the peace that transcends understanding is supernatural. We touch hearts with God's peace when we pray with them and for them. People often become receptive when we pray for them. People who are not yet Believers are often moved when someone prays for them in their hearing. And of course, we help new Believers grow in the assurance of God’s peace when we pray together.

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://theanchorofthesoul.blogspot.com/

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/

http://writingprayerfully.blogspot.com/

Website

http://daveswatch.com/

YouTube

https://goo.gl/PyzU

#Today's #Daily #BiPartisan #Election #Praying

View on Web -
www.markmirza.com/bipartisan-voters-guide-2018

.PDF #Download - http://markmirza.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018VoterGuide.pdf

Pray for the candidates

As the midterm campaigns enter their final couple of days, one way we can impact the races for God's glory is to pray specifically for the candidates and those who are campaigning on their behalf.  This may be the hardest part of prayer for the elections, because it can be difficult to separate our own preferences from God's leading.  But there are some Scriptural principles that we can use to pray God's will into the election.  Here are a few; please use these as God leads. 

• Safety and health.  Pray for safe travels and for God's protection from all harm.  Pray specifically for protection from violence on the part of voters who might disagree with a candidate's positions.
• Words of truth.  Pray for honesty in campaign speeches and that God will grant wisdom to voters to see through any deceit.  Ask God to guard the words of the candidates to keep them focused on the issues that are important to voters and to the future of the country.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to restrain speech that divides and to encourage candidates to speak in ways that will help bring unity.
• Hearts of servanthood. Pray for God to place in the candidates hearts of servanthood and a commitment to lead for the benefit of the people rather than for their own benefit.  Ask God to make clear to the voters those candidates that will truly serve them.
• Integrity and righteousness. Ask God to reveal shortfalls in truthfulness or other character issues that should disqualify candidates.  Pray that he will raise up leaders who will lead with integrity and whose values line up with God's Word.
• Wisdom.  Pray for God's wisdom for the candidates as they speak and especially for those whom he puts in positions of leadership.  Many (if not most) of the candidates probably do not know God, so pray for their salvation as well.  Pray for the humility needed for repentance where that's appropriate.
• Media.  Finally, ask God to reign over the messages given out by the media.  Pray for integrity, fair coverage, and unbiased reporting.

 We need to pray for candidates at state and local levels as well as those higher-profile national candidates.  Often, it's the local officials who will have the most impact on how school boards influence our children, etc.  While their responsibilities may not be as broad as the national leaders, their decisions often have more direct impact on our lives.

Spiritual Formation Meets Prayer Ministry

#Today's #Daily #BiPartisan #Election #Praying

View on Web -
www.markmirza.com/bipartisan-voters-guide-2018

.PDF #Download - http://markmirza.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018VoterGuide.pdf

Contrary to what some may say or believe, the mid-term elections will not determine the future of the United States.  To be sure, the elected officials will have a significant impact.  But God is ultimately in control. 

 A large part of how God controls the affairs of men is through the prayers of his people.  In fact, God has repeatedly called his people to prayer for their country:

 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you be secure.

May there be peace within your walls

and security within your citadels. ”

For the sake of my family and friends,

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek your prosperity.

-- Psalm 122:6-9

In response to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple, God promised his mercy when his people humbled themselves, repented of sins, and prayed:

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -- 2 Chron 7:13-14.

When the Jews were threatened with potential extermination under King Xerxes, Queen Esther called for a 3-day fast prior to her approaching the king to plead for the lives of her people (Esther 4:15-17).

In addition, we see multiple instances of God's people praying and repenting in times of trouble - see Nehemiah 1 (Nehemiah's prayer) and 9 (corporate confession and prayer), Ezra 9-10 (Ezra's prayer and corporate confession), and Daniel's prayer of confession of the nation's sins (Daniel 9).

All of these prayers were answered.  And God will continue to answer the prayers of his people on behalf of their country.  With division and even violence at its highest level in decades in the United States, our best hope for healing is to invite the intervention of our God.

With three days remaining until the mid-term elections, which are destined to be some of the most contentious elections in memory, now is the time for God's church to plead for his will to be done.  Now is the time for his people to demonstrate unity, grace, and peace.

At the recent National Day of Prayer Leaders' Summit, one of the leaders announced that she was feeling called to an "Esther fast" (not eating or drinking for three days in order to focus on prayer for her people), starting on Sunday and running through the elections on Tuesday night.  If God so leads you, how about joining in?

#Today's #Daily #BiPartisan #Election #Praying

View on Web -
www.markmirza.com/bipartisan-voters-guide-2018

.PDF #Download - http://markmirza.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018VoterGuide.pdf