When will you have prayed enough? If you ask God once for some thing or on behalf of someone is that enough? Can God respond to one single prayer? Of course He can, but does He desire more? It reminds me of the child sitting in front of the TV at Christmas time watching every toy advertisement and saying, “I want that for Christmas.” Does a good parent make notes, and purchase everything the child wants? Hopefully not. The wise parent waits to see if the child really wants a particular toy, if they ask again, and perhaps repeatedly. Sometimes God waits past our impulsive, initial prayer request to see how much we really wanted what we are asking. If perchance, God responds positively to you first request, rejoice. If not, continue to pray. How long you ask? In the second verse of his hymn, “Jesus Shall Reign” Isaac Watts writes, “To Him shall endless prayer be made.” Really? “Endless?” The Psalmist wrote, “From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). So keep on praying. God is not deaf, nor is He a disinterested parent. God is listening. A response is forthcoming.

I just listened to a message by John Ortberg entitled "Who Is This Man?".  It's about the three-day story from Good Friday to Easter.  Ortberg characterized Saturday as the "day of silence" - of the three; it's the day that no one studies and no one knows much about.

This made me think a bit about the analogy to prayer, especially the prayer that arises from pain or crisis.  In practice, these prayers are rarely answered instantaneously. There's always a wait of some kind - a "day between" the prayer and the answer.  Sometimes it's a short "day" - sometimes the "day" lasts for years, or even a lifetime. Sometimes, in fact, we don't see the answer this side of heaven.

It strikes me that, if our prayer lives were compared to the three-day Easter story, we spend much more of our time in Saturdays than we do in Fridays or Sundays. Whether we wait for the answer to a prayer about healing or for the answer to a prayer about the gospel going to the nations - we wait. We have no choice but to wait, because the answer is not in our control.

But we do have a choice how we wait. Do we wait in despair and hopelessness, as the early disciples did? We skip over Saturday so quickly when we read the Easter story, but think for a minute about what they must have been going through. We can hardly fault them for losing hope - they hadn't read the end of the story like we have. Sure, they had Jesus' predictions about rising from the dead, but the actual event was so far beyond their experience that they didn't understand the predictions.

Or do we wait in eager anticipation, not knowing exactly how God will answer, only knowing that he will? Do we allow the evidence of history - the evidence of God's faithfulness - to bolster our own faith so that our waiting, far from being torture, is more like the anticipation that comes before Christmas?

If I'm honest, most of my waiting is somewhere between these two extremes. Not total despair, because I can quietly trust that God will answer - but also not the eager anticipation of someone who just KNOWS that that answer will be "immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine". God has some work to do on me yet, to make the most of my Saturdays. How about you?

 Would you like suggestions of how to pray for your elementary aged grandchildren? This week I will give you some suggestions to help you pray intentionally for your elementary-aged grandchildren.

Suggestions to Pray for ELEMENTARY - AGE CHILDREN,

Pray they will:

 Discover their God-given gifts and talents.

1. Develop a sense of satisfaction and enjoy using their skills.
2. Be motivated, disciplined and challenged in their learning experiences.
3. Treat others with respect.
4. Stand firm for what is right and refuse the wrong with a positive attitude.
5. Choose friendships wisely.
6. Obey their parents.
7. Understand their need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
8. Develop a strong and healthy self-esteem and self-confidence.

10. Have a safe, healthy classroom environment.

11. Be protected from the deception of the enemy

12. Develop a hunger for God’s Word.

Taken from the prayer card ”Suggestions to Pray for School Children.”

By Lillian Penner

©2009

A lady asked to speak with me this past Sunday. She shared something that did not surprise me at all. “I need you to pray with me,” she said. “I have been under spiritual attack, and I don’t know what to do.” I sympathize with her. In fact, I have recently been under great spiritual attack. And others have shared similar concerns with me in the past few months. I wonder if the enemy is intensifying his onslaught. Revelation 12:12 tells us that at some point our enemy will be filled with fury because he knows his time is short. Is this such a day?

It is interesting that we are shocked by this experience. The scripture warns us that this is going to happen. 1 Peter 4:12 reads,

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,

as though something strange were happening to you.”

I think it is obvious that we need to pray when we come under spiritual attack. Ephesians 6:11-18, a classic scripture passage on spiritual warfare, concludes with the admonition,

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Let me point out from this passage several reasons prayer is so important. Prayer in the Spirit of God is crucial in connecting with the promises of God. In prayer we remind ourselves of His faithfulness, His mighty power and His nearness to us.

We benefit spiritually from fellowship with God. I love Philippians 4:5 that tells us to let our gentleness be evident to all because the Lord is near. It is important to know that a major purpose of the world, the flesh and the devil in spiritual attack is to make you anxious, to take away your peace and hope, to disrupt this major witness of the difference that can be seen in us because of the Spirit of God working in our lives. This whole passage rings with the music of prayer. Verses 6 and 7 read,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is by prayer that we put on our spiritual armor. It is by prayer that we guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In prayer we are reminded of God’s purposes that the enemy will interrupt in any way he can. Finally prayer binds our hearts to other believers who need our prayer as they face the same kinds of attack.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://daveswatch.com/

The Akdam are the poorest of the poor. With an economy that is not doing well, it is the poor who suffer the most. Pray that the needs of these people will be met, not just their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs. Some among them, have heard the Good News of Christ's love for them. Pray that they will remember what they have heard or read the Scriptures given to them. Pray that God will work in a mighty way and that many Akdam will come to Faith.

Rejoice that the Spirit is at work drawing locals to faith in Jesus Christ. There are reports of more and more people turning to Him in an area with a long history of very few local believers. Pray for softened hearts of extended family members and those in authority. Pray for the freedom and opportunities to share boldly and lovingly.

Pray for safety and calmness for workers, when people are fearing terror attacks.  Pray that we don't get trapped by fear but we will be wise and do the work we came for, to share this hope in Jesus with those who live in these lands.

Recently "Ahmed" returned Josh MacDowell's More Than a Carpenter to his believing professor.  As they discussed the book, Ahmed's accompanying friend, "Mohammed", asked, "May I read it, too?"  Pray that the compelling Spirit of God will win the hearts of these young men.

The news is grim for this country, with pictures of fighter planes doing damage, suicide bombs leaving their deadly mess and angry men shouting revenge. Pray for the people as they deal with very hard times, fear and uncertainty for their future. Ask that God will speak to them in visions and dreams, showing that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Pray that many will come to Him in these days when their lives are shaken. 

Day 40

The Amazing Grace of God

            In the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation, Jesus had a message for seven churches that He wanted the Apostle John to write down. The first of these churches was the church of Ephesus. As we take another look at Revelation 2:1-7 and see the message that Jesus delivered to the church of Ephesus, I can’t help but to notice that there are great similarities between the church of Ephesus and many modern day churches in America today.

            Jesus started off by praising the church that in the midst of all the trials and tribulation they faced, they continued to serve God in their perseverance. Although persecution today in the American church is nothing compared to the persecution the first century church went through, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to be a Christian in American society. Yet, at the same time the faithful few continue to persevere. Secondly, Jesus praised them for the fact that they did not tolerate evil men. Immorality and wickedness have become a normal way of life in our modern American society. It is easy to conform to the wickedness of man’s ways as many churches have. However, most churches today still continue to raise the banner of morality and holiness. Lastly, Jesus praised them for their firm stance on the Word of God by putting to the test those who claimed to be apostles and were not. Liberalism has certainly wrapped its ugly paws around many of our churches, denominations, bible colleges, and seminaries by denying the accuracy and reliability of God’s Word. Yet, when I look at the average Christian that is faithful to the Lord and stands firm in their walk, they believe the Word of God to be nothing short of accurate truth just as God has intended us to have.  

            Although Jesus had these three words of praise for the church of Ephesus, He also had something against them. Jesus said to this church in Revelation 2:4, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Although they persevered through trials, stood against immorality, and stood firm on the Word of God by testing those who had contrary teachings, they were a church that was simply going through the motions. They lost their zeal, their passion, and their drive because they had left their first love. They were no longer motivated to persevere, stand for morality, or stand firm on God’s Word because of their love for Christ. Tradition had now set in so that they were simply doing things the way they have always done. 

            Unfortunately, so many of our churches slipped into this slump and are operating out of a sense of duty and obligation rather than a fiery passion of love for the Lord. Jesus told them what His desire was for them in Revelation 2:5, He said, “therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” They needed to repent and turn to their first love. Their first love is none other than Jesus Himself. He also told them to do the deeds they did at first. Looking at this church on the outside, one would think this is a wonderful church doing wonderful deeds. However, their deeds were not centered around their love for the Lord; therefore, they have no power in them. Jesus desired for them to repent, returning to the deeds that were centered out of their love for Him.

            Jesus also told the church if they did not repent that He would remove the golden lampstand from their midst. Jesus tells us in Revelation 1:20 that the lampstand is the representation of the church itself. I believe other scripture such as Revelation 4:5 points to the lampstand as being a symbol of the Holy Spirit that anoints the church to fulfill the seven-fold calling that God has placed upon the church that we see outlined in Isaiah 61:1, 2. In other words, what Jesus was saying to the church is that if they do not repent, He then will remove the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit from their midst.

            Once a church has left its first love and the Holy Spirit is removed, all that remains is the powerless operation of the flesh. Because of this, we have seen a surge in new church plants popping up throughout America. As a church planter, I am all for new church starts. However, when we see the heart of Jesus towards the church of Ephesus, we see His heart wants to apply grace through their repentance. He wants to heal the existing church through their repentance. Jesus’ heart is that all of His churches are filled with the anointing power of His Spirit. However, if we are not operating as a result of our love of the Lord, then He will not permit His Spirit to move; and we are forced to operate in the flesh. Choosing to operate in the flesh is as foolish as choosing to wage a war with a mighty army using nothing more than water pistols.

            How then do we repent and return to the love of the Lord? “And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways.” God said when we do this, He not only will hear from heaven giving us the power to serve Him, He will also forgive our sins. When we recognize our sinfulness and turn to the Lord, He applies grace to our lives. The grace of God is the unmerited favor of God. As we come to the realization of God’s grace in our lives, I believe we won’t have any other desire but to love Him and serve Him from a heart of pure love.

Day 40 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will live out the principles of II Chronicles 7:14
• Pray that the people of God’s faith will move them to works.
• Pray each section of II Chronicles 7:14 over yourself and your church.
• Ask God to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 39

God’s Power is Unlimited

            The simple fact is our finite minds are not capable of understanding the fullness of God’s power. God’s power is unlimited in every way. Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, “with people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Man cannot comprehend the fact that God is unlimited in His every way because we are limited in every way. I Corinthians 1:25 says, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” Naturally, we know that God has no foolishness, nor is He weak in any way. What the Apostle Paul is telling us is although we think we are wise, our wisdom is foolishness compared to God. Although we think we are strong, our strength is nothing compared to God’s. He is unlimited in His every way.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” The power that works in us is the power of the Holy Spirit that we receive upon entering into a relationship with Jesus by faith and faith alone. Although we are limited in our every way, we can choose to move ourselves out of the way.  We start by recognizing we are not our own, we are God’s children, bought with the blood of Christ and called to serve Him. When we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, we make ourselves available to the unlimited power of God that can achieve “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” Again, we cannot even comprehend the unlimited power of Almighty God!

God gave the solid promise that when we align ourselves with requirements of II Chronicles 7:14 that He would “hear from heaven”.  This means we have unhindered access by prayer to the throne of God. I John 5:14, 15 says, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” Wow! What a promise from God’s own Word! If we ask anything according to His will, we can have confidence that He hears us and that we will have the request that was submitted unto Him.

“How then do we know that what we are asking is God’s will and not our own?” you may ask. Again, we know we are asking God’s will when we are totally immersed in the center of God, filled with His Spirit, and seeking His ways and not our own. It is at this time when we are centered in Him and filled with His Spirit that our prayers are not our own will but His will. Centering ourselves in Christ removes our will, our heart, and our desires and replaces it with God’s will, God’s heart, and God’s desires. From here, we have confidence that He hears, us and we will have the request we have made unto Him.

            As a child I grew up on U.S. Air Force missile bases. On those basses were heavily guarded nuclear warheads attached to missiles that were ready to launch at any moment upon the order of the President of the United States. In order to get even remotely close to these missiles would require high security clearances. Everyone knows of the great devastation that nuclear warheads are capable of. You wouldn’t want just anyone to have access to these highly dangerous missiles. Only through the order of the President can these missiles be launched. He and he alone has the authority. However, due to its devastating capabilities and the fact that it would most certainly impact innocent civilian life, the President would never give that order until he has been fully advised by his staff, all of his intelligence agencies, and the military. Only then would he determine that launching a nuclear missile is the right call and the last resort.

            When we have direct access to heaven, we have access to a far more devastating force to the kingdom of Satan than any nuclear weapon could ever be. We have access to such a powerful force that strikes not only a far more devastation blow to the devil’s dominion than a nuclear bomb but also a perfectly precise blow where the innocent will not be harmed. As a matter of fact, when Satan’s kingdom is brought down, not only will the innocent be safe and secure, they will be blessed. II Corinthians 10:3-6 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” Unlike the weapons of the flesh, the divinely powerful weapons of God are unlimited in their power and capabilities. When we choose to push self to the side and operate in God’s power, we will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ; and we will reclaim this land!

Day 39 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will live out the principles of II Chronicles 7:14
• Pray that the people of God’s faith will move them to works.
• Pray each section of II Chronicles 7:14 over yourself and your church.
• Ask God to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

Day 38

I Show You My Faith by My Works

            Again God has clearly stated in II Chronicles 7:14 that when we align ourselves with His ways, He will then hear from us, forgive us of all of our sins, and heal this land. Clearly, this land is in a devastating spiritual drought, is being destroyed by the devourer, and is full of pestilence. We have already discussed in detail our need to fully rely on God-never trusting in ourselves but placing our trust in Him-for Him to move mightily through us. So why then does God require certain things of us before He will work through us?

            Ephesians 2:8, 9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Clearly, works do not save us. Going to church, being baptized, serving, giving, sacrificing or any other work or deed will not save us. Due to our sin, we are totally depraved and separated from God. We are saved only by the work that Jesus did on the cross and given eternal life by the power of His resurrection. We receive that gift of salvation by placing our faith in the work of Jesus and not our own. Titus 3:5 also tells us, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” God’s Word is clear; we are saved by Jesus works and not our own.

            Unfortunately, some people then get the unbiblical idea that we are not saved by works; therefore, God does not require works from me. That is, however, a lie that Satan has sold to the church for the purpose of keeping us silent and impotent so the church would not operate in the power and the authority God has given to it. We need to understand that God has clearly called all of His children to work for Him. We don’t work for our salvation; we willing work for the Lord because of our salvation. James 2:18 says, “But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

            If we choose not to align ourselves with God’s plan that He has clearly outlined for us in II Chronicles 7:14, we are then choosing to not be used of God. God will not work with an unwilling vessel. Throughout God’s Word, He gives us the choice of living for Him and, therefore, be used of Him. In Joshua 24, Joshua gave the children of Israel a choice of going back to the gods of Egypt and serving them or continuing to follow the one true God. He said in Joshua 24:15, “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” To go back and serve the gods of the Amorites or the Egyptians would be going back to enslavement and cursing; to continue to follow the one true God and serve Him would mean freedom and blessings. When we choose to align ourselves in accordance to His will and His plans for our lives, we are choosing the abundant blessings of God upon our lives. 

            God has given us His plan in II Chronicles 7:14 for the purpose of getting us out of the way so God can use us for His purpose and for His glory, filling us with His power. When aligning ourselves with the truths and promises of II Chronicles 7:14, our will, our wisdom, and our might is then fully surrendered to God’s will, God’s wisdom, and God’s might. Then and only then will we place ourselves in a position of allowing God to work through us. God refuses to work through unwilling vessels. However, when we recognize we are His and not our own and that we are called to serve Him, when we choose to humble ourselves before Him and pray, and when we choose to seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, we have chosen to be willing vessels of God to be used as instruments of righteousness so His power and authority can be enacted upon the earth. While in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus gave us the greatest example of this truth in the most difficult trial in His life when He prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42).

Day 38 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God’s faith will move them to works.
• Pray that the people of God will live out the principles of II Chronicles 7:14
• Pray each section of II Chronicles 7:14 over yourself and your church.
• Ask God to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

A Grandmother’s Testimony

By Lillian Penner

When I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God,

Till I declare your power to the next generation.

Psalm 71:18

This week I would like to share the story one of my friends shared with me how her grandparents influenced her life, even though her parents did not influence her spiritually. She said, “I grew up in a non-Christian home. My father’s father was a minister and his mother was a devoted Christian. My mother’s parents were also church-going people. However, my pare

nts rebelled against God and the church, even though they both grew up in Christian homes.

However, my grandparents took their responsibility very serious and my spiritual influence was a high priority for them. I 

remember hearing my father’s father pray for me when I was a young child visiting in their home. Although, my father’s parents died while I was a child I respected them very much. 

My mother’s parents often told me, “We are praying for you”

. As a young child, my neighbors invited me to go to church with them and as a result, I did ask Jesus into my heart. My grandparents were thankful to know their prayers were answered before they passed away, even though my pare

nts did not teach me about Jesus or take me to church. It means so much to me that both sets of my grandparents let me know they prayed for me.

I strongly believe the prayers of my grandparents led me and my future generations to invite Jesus Christ into my lives, 

marry a Christian, and be actively involved in my church. My parents never did go to church. I only remember them going to church with me one time and that was many years after I was married. However, because of my praying grandparents, my children 

and my grandchildren have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and carrying on the faith.”

Even though my friend’s parents did not influence her spiritually, the intentional prayers of her grandparents passed their heritage of faith to the future generations.

Question:  Are you faithful and deliberate in praying for your grandchildren’s faith in Jesus Christ?

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to be faithful prayer warrior for my grandchildren and their parents. Guard their hearts from t

he deception of the enemy who is trying to steal them away. May they love you and walk with you all the days of their lives.   In Jesus name.                      

©2015 Lillian Penner

Job 42...Praying for his friends. Job repented...God forgave and then God addressed Job's friends to reconcile with God and with Job. When they did God would wait on Job to pray for his friends. Job did, then God restored all to Job 2X. Reconciliation has actions attached that show we have received forgiveness.
It was clearly a challenge for Job to pray FOR his friends. Answer the challenge and pray for those who have disappointed you, abused you, become enemies of you and perhaps even of our God.

Friends pray for one another and friends never allow relationships to remain broken. Allow God to change our hearts.  PRAY!

Day 37

The End Result

“Then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.”

When We Do Our Part, God Will Do His Part

            Just as God had told Solomon that night “I have heard your prayer” (II Chronicles 7:12), we understand that these same principles, along with this same promise, still stand to this very day. When we come into agreement with God and apply II Chronicles 7:14 to our lives God will hear our prayers. When we know who we are, His children, and accept the call He has placed upon our lives, when we humble ourselves before Him and pray and seek His face, and when we choose to turn from our wicked ways and live according to His standards, God says, “then, will I hear from heaven forgive their sins, and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14).

            We must understand that God isn’t in the business of saying, “Let’s make a deal” No, God says “This is the deal.” We have to choose to accept our part. When we choose to accept our part, we know with full confidence and faith that God will fulfill His part. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” In other words, if God has said He is going to do something, you can rest assured He will. His promises do not change and His Word He will forever keep.

            We see in the Old Testament the promise of the coming Messiah. God told us how He would be born (Isa. 7:14), what family He would come from (Isa. 37:31), what town He would be born in (Micah 5:2), what town He would grow up in (Isa. 9:1, 2), what He would do (Isa. 61:1, 2), and if that’s not amazing enough, even when He would come (Daniel 9:24-27). We find that Jesus perfectly fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy of His first coming. God has kept every single one of His promises.

Just as we see the fulfillment of the prophecies of Christ’s first coming, there are many prophecies of His second coming as well. What we need to understand is that when God has given a promise, even if it is a promise of the future, it is done. Not just that it will be done one day in the future-IT IS DONE. We need to stand on the promises of God in full faith and conviction that when we do our part, God will do His part.

II Chronicles 7:1 says, “Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house.” When King Solomon accepted the call God placed upon him, when he humbled himself and prayed, and when he sought God’s face and turned from His wicked ways along with the rest of the nation of Israel, the fire of God (God’s very presence), came down and consumed the House of the Lord.

God’s Shekinah Glory had consumed the house of the Lord to the point that the priest could not even come in to minister. All they could do was step back in awe and wonder and worship. This is when true revival takes place. Not some false fire that we try to conjure up within ourselves but the fire of God falling and ministering so mightily that no man, woman, or even the smallest child would ever doubt or wonder if this is God or man. They would know as well as they know their own names that this is the power and the presence of God.

II Chronicles 7:3 says, “All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.” When the people of the land saw the presence of God fall down, they were compelled to worship Him. My constant prayer is that God would move so mightily upon the land that no man, church, denomination, or movement would receive any glory-that everyone would see that it’s by God’s hand. He alone would receive full glory. He has promised us He would do His part so the question is: Are we going to do our part?  

Day 37 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that the people of God will live out the principles of II Chronicles 7:14
• Pray each section of II Chronicles 7:14 over yourself and your church.
• Ask God to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

I am the communications person for a group of church missions leaders that meets every other month for lunch.  We have about 20 each time and 232 people are on the email distribution list.  I lead a prayer meeting for church missions leaders one hour every other month, in between our lunch meeting, sending the prayer sheet ahead of time. Few people were coming, so I changed the day of the week, but still few or no one came. So I changed it to a prayer phone call. I still only have one or no one join me. This is discouraging, especially because these are church leaders. If they do not see the value of praying with other church leaders, how can they lead their churches in prayer?  I may change the day of the week again.  I think this is so important and I do not give up easily, but if that doesn't work I may give up. Any ideas? 

Some of the most thrilling prayer meetings I have ever attended were pastors' prayer meetings. Men who have given their lives to serving God came together to share and encourage one another and pray for God to work mightily in His own church and in a city. I have seen pastors pour their hearts out in honesty and great spiritual burden. I have been in groups where one pastor or another sat in a chair in the center of the group while the other men laid hands on him and prayed for him. I am not sure such pastors' prayer meetings will not be used of God to bring revival that would sweep an entire nation as pastors returned to their pulpits with their lives set ablaze by the Spirit of God. I have also noticed that pastors who hurt the most and need prayer and encouragement most are often not part of pastors' prayer meetings. How often have pastors' noticed that a man who was hurting and in spiritual danger was not part of a group. That should not surprise us. If you were the devil, would you not try to isolate a spiritual leader you were preparing to attack? It is like a pack of wolves isolating an elk before they try to bring it down. So, the enemy uses pride or shame or some petty disagreement to separate pastors from the brothers who would or at least should give him the greatest help. But as much as we need one another, it does not seem to be enough for a pastor to know he needs his brothers to faithfully participate in pastors' fellowships. I am convinced that the most important attitude a pastor can have to keep him part a of pastors' fellowship is concern for other pastors. If a pastor goes to a pastors' fellowship being burdened for other men, he will be less likely to be too busy to attend. If a pastor goes to the prayer meetings with a burden to pray for the others pastors, he will see it as a powerful ministry. He may even see it as a ministry that could bring about revival that would start in a brother's church. He could see this ministry that would mightily glorify God on the earth.

Day 36

The Domino Effect

            Coming to the point of turning from our wicked ways is truly an act of God. I was talking to a lady at church this past Sunday who is struggling with forgiving someone that has done something awful to her. Although God’s requirement is to forgive, she could not possibly come to the point of forgiveness on her own. God must initiate that within her. However, she needs to set herself up to allow God to initiate that within her. When we take another look at II Chronicles 7:14, we discover that each part fits together kind of like a puzzle with the end result of turning from our wicked ways.

            We first discover we have a problem. As God said in II Chronicles 7:13, “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people.” When we realize we are in a spiritual drought and that the devourer has come and the pestilence soon follows, we realize that we are truly in trouble. We have fought and fought, but we then come to the understanding that there is nothing we can do. We are utterly helpless.

            This then brings us to the realization that we need to turn to God for the solution. God is the solution; yet, He has given us (His people called by His name) charge in representing Him upon the earth. He has called us to carry out His statutes that His name shall be glorified among the nations and praised with the highest of exultation. God has called every man and woman that is a child of His to serve Him for the purpose of bringing the gospel into the entire world and reclaiming the land for the Lord.

            When we then come to realize the call that God has placed upon our lives and that we are no longer living life for selfish pursuits but living for the purpose of giving God glory it should then initiate humility into our lives where we humbly submit ourselves to His authority understanding that we are not self-sufficient in any way. We need the power of God working in our lives to fulfill the call He has placed upon our lives. Apart from the power of God, we know that we will fail miserably; and this world will have no hope of redemption.

            When we do come to the realization that we are not self sufficient it will then humble us to the point of calling upon the one who is more than sufficient, God. We then discover the power of prayer through faith and total dependency upon God; and it will stir our hearts to seek, to ask, and to knock. We know that the door will be open because we are not asking or seeking our own will or our own desires or our own goals but the will, desires, and goals of God.

            When we then know the call God has placed upon our lives and we accept it, it brings us to humility and prayer. This then will lead us to the place where we are seeking His face, and seeking to know Him, to serve Him, and to worship Him. Once our hearts are compelled to start truly seeking Him, we are at the point of no return. There will be no stopping us. Our hearts will be so filled with love and admiration for God that we will long for the hour of prayer. Upon understanding His might, glory, and splendor, we will understand what an honor it is to know and serve Him; and in the most natural of ways, we will humble ourselves before His majesty praying and seeking His face.

            The final ingredient of II Chronicles 7:14 will then be the most natural part of them all: turning from our wicked ways. We will be so in love with the Lord that He will be our focus; He will be our desire; and He will fill our hearts, our souls, and our minds with the measure of fullness with His love. When we are full of God, we have no room for anything else. If we are full of God, we truly are full. Just as the unrepentant soul is by nature a child of wrath (according to Ephesians 2:3), the nature of the child full of God will be purity. Colossians 3:8-10 says, “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”

            Rest assured the closer we try to get to the Lord, the closer the devil will try to get to us. The devil isn’t concerned with the man on the barstool. Why? Because he’s already where the devil wants him. However, the devil knows the closer we try to get to God, the more dangerous we are to his kingdom. He doesn’t want us on fire for God and will throw every form of temptation He can our way. However, James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Let God have the victory in your life, and let’s get busy reclaiming this land for the Lord. Allow the domino effect of II Chronicles 7:14 to work in your life by knowing you are a child of God called by His name. This will produce humility in your life causing you to then pray which will motivate you to seek His face, and, when you find Him, just as Isaiah did, you will turn from your wicked ways. 

Day 36 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that all of God’s Children would recognize and respond to God’s holiness.
• Pray that God would convict us of all that He deems wicked, and that we would repent.
• Pray that the church would repent of its wicked and stagnant heart in its refusal to live in obedience to God’s purpose and call.
• Ask God to forgive and restore the church to an upright position.
• Ask God to remove anyone or anything that would refuse to submit to His holy standards.
• Pray that our standard would be nothing short of holiness.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation. 

For both Muslims and Christians there is a great desire for the afterlife. This world and all that it offers is still empty of what our hearts desire. We desire heaven. Because of the work of Jesus on the cross, Christians believe all their sins are placed on Him, and it is because of Jesus they will enter heaven. Christians have confidence in the finished work of Jesus. For Muslims, they do not have Jesus' righteousness, all they have is the wish that Allah will allow them into paradise, there is absolutely no assurance. If they follow the Quran and the Sharia Law perfectly there is no assurance. Pray that all that Jesus has done will be understood in the Arabian Peninsula. Pray that the name of Jesus would grow in honor.  Pray that local people of the AP would so long for heaven that they would seek the only way there - Jesus Christ. May the power of the following Scripture move you forward in your prayers.

"We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus." Romans 3:22-26

This article is excerpted from the Campus Renewal Magazine at

http://www.campusrenewal.org/revival-at-william-mary/

The College of William & Mary was chartered in 1693 and has rich history embedded within its well-worn brick pathways and aged brick buildings. It is said that students who go to William & Mary enter in with aspirations of changing the world and leave with the ability to do so. Within the nation, the university is known as an academically rigorous “Public Ivy League” and a very liberal school. By most people’s standards, revival and Williamsburg, Virginia are two of the last things that would ever go together.

And yet, God is moving.

The Beginnings of a Movement

“It’s quite difficult to describe how exactly this got started on our campus, simply because it’s difficult to describe what exactly this is,” says Jena Gray, a junior at William & Mary. “The best I can do is say that this is a very clear move of the Lord and that joy and freedom are racing each other throughout our campus, laughing the entire way.”

Though she has been a Christian for many years, Gray says she only truly began following Jesus during the second semester of her freshman year. Since then, she says the Lord has directed her heart towards her campus and she has been praying for revival, freedom, and joy for about a year and a half. Sophomore year, she says, felt dry and barren and much like a season of “pruning”. But this semester, things started to change.

“The state of Christianity on our historic campus has been viscous to the onlooker, seemingly stagnant but upon close scrutiny, there was movement – slow and steady,” Gray says. “Yet like all viscous liquids when heat is applied, energy increases, and similarly, the fire of the Holy Spirit has been fueling a movement and the flow of Jesus-lovers has been pouring out into all areas of the campus this semester.”

Worship, Prayer and Everything In Between

According to Gray, many opportunities for united worship and prayer have been springing up on the William & Mary campus. On Wednesdays at 9pm, students gather together in one of the campus buildings for “Worship Wednesday” – a gathering where Christian students can meet, worship and pray together. Birthed out of a prayer night held in March 2014, “Worship Wednesday” launched last Fall and has since become a weekly event that many students look forward to.

A partnership has also formed between W&M students and students from Christopher Newport University, a neighboring campus about 25 minutes away. “One Sunday night I called up one of my friends at Christopher Newport University,” says Gray. “I asked John if he or anyone from CNU could lead worship the following night at 8pm and Monday evening, 9 CNU brothers and sisters showed up. It was a beautiful time of worship with 9 CNU students and 10 W&M students in my friend Catherine’s living room.”

Gray believes God is working to cement the relationships between CNU and W&M students. “I was overwhelmed by how much God wanted this to happen and by how much of a bond [Christian] brothers and sisters have – that these friends and Jesus-lovers from CNU would pile into two cars on a Monday night to worship with us,” she says.

Missional Living

Gray and her friends have also been looking for ways to be missional and provide alternate settings where Christians can express their faith, while creating a safe place for non-Christians to attend, ask questions and hopefully encounter God.

“Catherine and I began ‘Creative Space’ at the Hearth (the name of Catherine’s house),” Gray explains. “The heart behind having people over to The Hearth is to have an open gathering for those interested in all art forms: poetry, baking, knitting, painting, instruments, and the like; to create a platform through which authentic conversations can be sparked, eventually leading to relationships founded on the commonality of art in order for the Gospel to be shared.”

“Basically, we want to reach the hipsters on our campus,” Gray says with a smile.

Once again, CNU students teamed up with her, and brought art supplies and canvases to The Hearth. But it hasn’t been without challenges. Gray says she found herself disappointed when not as many students showed up as she would have liked. It was on a trip to a local campus coffee house that her perspective started to shift. “As I walked inside the small house entrenched in darkness and despair, I knew this is where the people I most wanted to reach were. I felt the Lord say to me, ‘Jena, how do you expect people to come to you if you don’t go to them?’”

Being The Church

That opportunity soon presented itself on a frigid February Monday night when their regular prayer gathering coincided with a roommate’s party at The Hearth in celebration of classes being canceled the next day.

“Charlotte knew we were having worship from 8pm-10pm but it was fine with her that we were going to worship while her friends were over,” Gray recounts. “As Christian after Christian poured in, the non-believing hipsters poured drink after drink, staying pretty much in the kitchen or on the porch smoking all sorts of things. As our friend Jeremy began worship, everyone was slightly uncomfortable. No one had ever been in a situation quite like that before,” Gray says in bemusement. “All in all we had 26 Christians there worshipping and there were about 15 of Charlotte’s friends in a small house on a snowy night.”

What could have remained an awkward situation soon turned into spontaneous collaboration as one of the non-Christian guys picked up a violin he happened to have brought and joined in the worship. Over the next two hours, intrigued by the worship music, some of the non-Christians drew near to the living room, allowing for spiritual conversations to ensue.

At the end of the night, as the group transitioned to an a Capella rendition of “Nothing But The Blood”, the entire house fell silent. “Absolutely no one was talking but everyone was listening to us singing ‘Oh precious is the Lamb’ at the top of our lungs,” Gray says. “It truly felt as if the strongholds on our campus were being shaken loose from the sheer volume of our voices. Upon the final verse, I closed us in prayer and I distinctly remember not a single sound as everyone, all 40 people were listening to me talk to God about the life, joy, and freedom that is found in Him and how I was praying for our campus to discover those things in Jesus Christ.”

A Campus Awakening

In the last year, Gray has joyfully watched as the Christian community on her campus has grown from her and 2 friends fervently praying for revival to a thriving group of 18 students continuously interceding for the campus. Lives are being transformed, and they have even seen things stirring among athletes as 2 senior football players and a junior female lacrosse player have surrendered their lives to Christ. In total, there are over 300 Christians spread across 14 campus ministries, of which 20 student leaders meet regularly to pray and worship together outside of their regular ministry meetings. According to Gray, the number of students who label themselves as Christians far exceeds 300, but currently, 300 are active members of a church and/or ministry on campus. And Gray is confident that this is only the beginning.

“God is pouring out His Spirit over Williamsburg, and William & Mary will never be the same,” Gray says. “Laughter will replace stress; life will replace suicide; and joy will replace depression. Most of all, Jesus will reign over our campus now and forevermore. Revival is here.” Most recently, Gray has signed up with Campus Renewal, pledging to personally pray daily, pray weekly with others, fast monthly and host an annual gathering on her campus.

“I chose to ‘join the movement’ because God is doing a big work here and any resources that He can provide us through Campus Renewal are vital and will be put to use,” she says emphatically. “Our campus is being transformed by the Lord through prayer and worship so we are joining the movement alongside other believers and other campuses and declaring that the movement of the Holy Spirit is welcome here at the College of William & Mary.”

Written by Kimberly Chung

Kimberly Chung is the founder of the National Media Department at Campus Renewal and served as National Media Director for 8 years. She now serves as the Student Leadership Development Director, helping to develop and mentor student leaders who she hopes will impact the next generation for Christ. She is also the editor-in-chief of the Campus Renewal Magazine and enjoys writing and reporting on stories of what God is doing on college campuses around the nation.

Phil Miglioratti likely would not want me to put his name and that of E.M. Bounds in the same sentence, but, there, I did it. Both are “prayer warriors” as the term is often used: Miglioratti as host of PrayNetwork.org today and Bounds as the author of published works on prayer, the most notable one that was gathered into one volume of 600 pages, E.M. Bounds on Prayer. I read all 600 pages and the author and the book still fascinates me; what Bounds focused on was the why of prayer, not the how. He died in 1913 at the age of 78.

Miglioratti toils onward with his website which is a clearinghouse on all things prayer, reaching what he calls “many different segments/styles/strata of prayer-driven people, prayer authors, congregational prayer leaders, pastors, little old ladies who pray the hell out of their neighborhoods, and former magazine editors,” meaning me who needs prayer the most.

Some of the site, he says, is “simple faith, much is serious thinking, some strategic-tactical-resources. Certainly all is biblical, Christ-centered, Spirit-guided, to the glory of God our Father.”

His background in prayer ministry, he says, started with a praying grandmother before he was born, and in opportunities to lead prayer before he knew what he was doing, being young and idealistic. He facilitated prayer at Willow Creek Community Church’s New Community on Wednesday nights in the late 70s that “gave me valuable experience in leading the church by following the Spirit.”

Phil pastored a church for 19 years—“the last half was a head-long plunge into building a prayer culture.” Opportunities to serve on the National Prayer Committee and coordinate the National Pastors’ Prayer Network came after that. He responded to several of my questions:

How can Christians participate with you on the site?

“They can look over the site to see what a learning community looks like; take the couple minutes to become a member (that requires a quick profile); join a group that you have an affinity with, and post a simple blog commentary or upload an article you have written.”

Any examples of people reached or helped or saved?

“As administrator I often see ‘thank yous’ going back and forth from persons who have been blessed by the prayer support they have received to a personal need or family crisis. Some of our groups result in persons exclaiming how much they have learned. And I know of several persons who have taken time to contribute articles or blog postings and have indicated how it has benefitted them by seeing others helped.”

How do you explain your ministry to others?

“I believe the Lord wants our praying transformed. How? As he renews our mind about prayer—prayer starts with God, not our needs; prayer is a lifestyle, not a list (Ro 12:2)—so much of our prayers are telling things God already knows, then instructing him on what to do about it. We need to pray by asking the Spirit to give and guide us in our prayers, so that we discern the mind of Christ (the will and the word of God), so that when the Father responds to our praise or petition, God is glorified.”

The quotable E.M. Bounds has said: “Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men.” So many of us are poor pray-ers, but Phil Miglioratti is helping men and women be better at it. He has 4,900 members; the site is accessible/viewable to the public, but members can reply/comment/post. He speaks on invitation and helps churches strengthen their prayer ministries.

PrayNetwork.org is a learning community: You can join free to read what others are saying, review resources from a wide spectrum of perspectives, research through the hundreds of blog and discussion postings, but also be a contributing member of the community by posting commentary, writing brief reviews, identifying resources that have aided your ministry. “So,” he says, “join a group, jump into a discussion, and upload video clips that prompt or train us to pray.”

Ronald Keener / Ronald E. Keener was editor of the national business and leadership magazine, "Church Executive," for eight years, and writes from Chambersburg, Pa.

“If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living.” (Seneca, Roman statesman; 4 B.C. – A.D. 65)

A review of current events does little to increase our optimism about the chances of world peace. It feels like “everything nailed down is coming loose” (the angel Gabriel in the musical Green Pastures).

Over the last year, fighting associated with Boko Haram in Nigeria has led to the deaths of over 6,000 civilians.

A week ago, suicide bombers linked to the Taliban attacked two churches in Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural capital, leaving 14 worshipers dead and at least 70 injured. Four thousand angry Christians gathered in protest, chased suspects and lynched two of them. Pakistan is embroiled in a conflict between majority Sunni and minority Shiite Muslims, both groups having violent militant wings. Now with some Christians joining this volatile mix, Pakistan could be headed for an all-out religious war.

Last week gunmen stormed a Tunisian museum, taking hostages and killing at least 21 people.

Friday, a terrorist bombing of two mosques in the capital of Yemen killed 137 and wounded 357 others. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. Over the weekend, American and British forces left strife-torn Yemen, intensifying fears that the failed state will be a breeding ground for terror groups plaguing the Middle East and the West.

This week, Afghanistan President Ghani will meet with President Obama to discuss the pace of withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. He is expected to state that without the continuing substantial presence of American troops on the ground, security will at best be precarious. 

An offensive is underway to drive the Islamic State out of the Iraqi city of Tikrit, spearheaded by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. Ironically, some think this force that is on the State Department’s global terrorism list and led by an Iranian general who has directed attacks on U.S. troops will in some way advance the goal of reconstructing a multiethnic Iraq. Could this be another case of misplaced confidence and false hope?

ISIS controls one-third of Syria. More than 20,000 foreign nationals from 90 countries have joined ISIS over the past three years. Holding oil fields, taxing businesses, and claiming cash in banks within captured territory, ISIS is the wealthiest terrorist organization in history. No one knows, of course, where the next extremist attack on a Western target may happen. Foreign-affairs columnist Ian Bremmer (Time, March 30, 2015) theorizes it would take a mass-casualty terrorist strike to build the public support required for a military effort that would destroy these threats.

The Pentagon has announced that sympathizers of the Islamic State group have posted online a “kill list” of 100 pilots, airmen, sailors and commanders involved in the U.S.-led airstrikes against the group in Iraq and Syria. Photographs of service members are included, and also their rank and home addresses. The shock of 9-11 has begun to fade; but if we are starting to think living in the continental U.S. makes us invulnerable, we need to think again.

Believers need to do more—we need to revisit our creed, calm our souls with Christ’s promises, and pray for courage to stay committed to His great cause until He returns and settles international disputes. The world has many swords that need hammering into plowshares, many spears that would make good pruning hooks. Nations are still fighting nations, with many still training for war. There’s got to be a better way—there surely will come a brighter day.

“Here on earth the nations will be in turmoil. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth. When all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” - Jesus (Luke 21:25, 26, 28 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog & book info http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

Day 35

Seeking His Face Produces Holiness

            In the eyes of the world, the Prophet Isaiah was a holy man. He was a righteous prophet of God who others strived to be like. In the fifth chapter of the book of Isaiah, the prophet pronounced six woes upon the people of the land proclaiming the judgment of God upon them, as well as the punishment that would come as a result of the wickedness of their hearts. Isaiah was correct and justified in every woe he pronounced. However, in the next chapter we find Isaiah in the very presence of God where he then pronounced a woe upon himself as he says in Isaiah 6:5, “Then I said, Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” 

            What was the difference between the fifth and sixth chapters? In the sixth chapter Isaiah was standing in the very presence of God. In Isaiah 6:1-4 he describes how he saw “the Lord lofty and exulted sitting upon His throne.” He saw the angels before Him worshiping Him and heard them proclaim, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” When Isaiah stood in God’s presence and saw Him in all His majesty and glory and when he recognized the absolute Holiness of God, he also recognized that any righteousness he thought he had pales in comparison to God’s.

            Upon the recognition of his sinfulness in the presence of God’s holiness, he proclaimed in verse five, “woe is me, for I am ruined.” He knew that sin could not come into the presence of God and would, therefore, be destroyed. He knew in his heart that he would be ruined, undone, destroyed. However, upon his confession of sin, God chose to give him grace and cleanse him from his sin instead of condemn him. When Isaiah recognized the grace that God had given to him, he chose to worship and serve Him all the days of his life. 

            Many years later Isaiah proclaimed the word of the Lord in Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.” We see that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts; and His ways are not our ways, when we are okay with sin. We have no problem with the little white lies or the stirring up of strife so long as we get our way. We have no problems walking in the conformity of the world, although we are ignorantly walking against God rather than with Him. For this reason, we so desperately need to seek God! We need His presence in our lives to show us His ways so we can repent of our own, to know His thoughts so we can rebuke the lies and deception we thought were truth.

            When we seek God and find Him as His word promises us we will, we discover how sinful we truly are in light of how holy He truly is. This should then provoke repentance of sin within our lives, drawing us all the more in love and on fire for a holy God. God has promised us in I John 1:9 that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When He forgives us of our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, we then can have true fellowship with God.

            However, we need to truly seek God in our lives. Apart from Him we have no desire to repent from sins. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” God gives us the “will” to live “for His good pleasure”. Apart from the presence of God in our lives, we won’t have any will to repent of our sins and serve Him. Jesus also said in John 16:8 that He sends the Helper, which is the Holy Spirit. “When He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” Praise God we do not have to fight the battles of the flesh on our own. He has given to us a Helper.

However we need to submit ourselves to the standards of God and seek the Helper to guide us down that path. A great scripture that I often pray is Psalm 139:23, 24 which says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” I seek God asking Him to search me and try me because I may be unaware of sinful attitudes and actions within my life. Everyone else in my life may know of my sins, but I could be totally in the dark. However, when I seek God and ask Him to search me and try me and to show me everything in my life that does not line up with Him, He will. This then will produce a heart and a mind of repentance to where I will fully know the grace and mercy of God through a life of fellowship with God. He is a holy God that not only requires holiness within my life but will also produce it, if I seek Him and allow Him. 

Day 35 Prayer Guide

• Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
• Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
• Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
• Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
• Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
• Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
• Pray that all of God’s Children would recognize and respond to God’s holiness.
• Pray that God would convict us of all that He deems wicked, and that we would repent.
• Pray that the church would repent of its wicked and stagnant heart in its refusal to live in obedience to God’s purpose and call.
• Ask God to forgive and restore the church to an upright position.
• Ask God to remove anyone or anything that would refuse to submit to His holy standards.
• Pray that our standard would be nothing short of holiness.
• Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
• Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
• Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
• Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
• Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
• Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
• Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
• Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
• Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
• Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
• Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.