Pray Network Forum

If we are to obey the scriptural injunction to pray continually, we need to develop habits of prayer. I do not mean that our prayers should be merely habitual. They also need to be passionate and intentional. But we need to develop the habit of praying wherever we are. I just walked from a relative’s home where I am visiting to her public library. I had walked a quarter of the way before the Holy Spirit got my attention to remind me to pray for the houses I was passing. I would like to have begun in the first few steps of my walk. 

I do not know all the ways of developing this habit, but I know that the discipline of doing this when I had not been thinking about it will help me do it naturally. My prayer helped me begin watching for specific prayer needs. Watching is a crucial part of the habit of prayer. 

There have been times in my past that I have developed the habit of walking around in a spiritual daze. I want to be used to watching for hurts and needs that God will show me. I need to be alert to see what God is already doing in the situations He has placed me in so I can pray and work in His will. I want to form the same habits when I am in the bank or grocery store. I want to be in prayer as I am stuck in traffic, riding a bus or wherever I find myself on any given day.

This week I want to make an unusual request to all who are reading this blog. I want you to pray with me for my next few blog entries. I have a great burden to call believers across America and around the world into extraordinary prayer. During the Great Awakening Jonathan Edwards wrote a little booklet that you can still find on the web. It has a long title for such a small book. And the title itself expresses what I long for in my next few weeks’ blog posts.

"A Humble Attempt to Promote the Agreement and Union of God’s People Throughout the World in Extraordinary Prayer For a Revival Of Religion And The Advancement Of God’s Kingdom On Earth, According To Scriptural Promises And Prophecies Of The Last Time."

I am asking you to pray with me not only for Spiritual Awakening, but for God to use these next few blogs far beyond my ability to write to far more people than I would ordinarily reach.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com

http://daveswatch.com/

“ And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 NASB

The ninth chapter of Mark begins with the remarkable account of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John atop a high mountain where Elijah and Moses appeared and Jesus along with them was majestically transfigured into a heavenly appearance. Meanwhile, the other disciples remained at the bottom waiting for Jesus and the other disciples to return. While they were waiting, a desperately hurting father brought to them his son who was possessed by a spirit that was trying to destroy him. 
When Jesus returned instead of finding His disciples ministering to a hurting father or praying for a demonically possessed boy He found them arguing with some Sadducees. The topic of their argument was so important that the Bible doesn’t even bother to tell us what it was. This shows us how easily we can be distracted from real ministry. When Jesus asked what was going on the father of the boy stepped up and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” When Jesus heard this He said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?” Jesus didn’t speak these words to the father, rather, to the disciples who were distracted from prevailing in prayer and ministry. When we truly believe, we will prevail despite the immediate outcome. 
The father then brought his son to Jesus and said, “If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Jesus responded, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Jesus said all things are possible, we just need to believe. The key ingredient to prayer is faith. Faith is believing God can despite how humanly impossible the situation is. The Bible then says, “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” The father demonstrated genuine faith. He was saying to Jesus, “I believe you can help my son, and I believe you can help me in my shortcomings of faith.” Jesus then cast the demon out.
Later the disciples, who had cast demons out in Jesus name before, asked why this one wouldn’t come out. Jesus said, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.” Jesus isn’t talking about quickie generic prayers. He is talking about specific, focused, prevailing prayer. Again, if we truly believe the promises of God, and that He can, we will prevail in prayer. We are now setting our heart to prevail in prayer for revival and a great awakening. That’s what our petition will be. Recently I have heard a multitude of Christians say things like, “We just have to get use to the way things are,” or, “We will have to learn to accept society for the way it is.” NO WE DO NOT! God forgive this unbelieving generation. Do they not believe? Is God not almighty and all-powerful? Didn’t Jesus say “All things are possible to him who believes?” Last time I checked all means all all the time. 
We are prevailing in prayer for revival and a great awakening so we pray in faith that He can. When doubt arises ask God to help you in your unbelief. He’s not only able, He is more than able. Let us join together and believe in God for the restoration of our churches, and for the salvation and transformation of our nation. He can!

It takes more than a great church to reach a city, it takes a great movement of churches. This video featuring an interview with Tom McLeod reminds us all that the Church's core mission is to offer people creative ways to bless your neighbors.

From the very beginning, God’s way of reaching and restoring the world has always been through what I would call a blessing strategy…how do we in a very practical way that’s theologically grounded explain to people how they could bless people in places they are incarnating?

The answer is found in Luke 10:1-9. In this passage Jesus instructs His disciples to go into cities and do four things:

Bless
Speaking peace to the people they meet: “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house’.

Fellowship
Listening to find out where the pain and brokenness: “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Minister
Talking to God about someone else's problem: “Heal those in it who are sick.“

Declare
Letting it be known that the kingdom of God is near: “Say to them, the kingdom of God has come near to you.”

We see in these four steps a movement toward incarnation in which we not only "march for Jesus" but we "move in" for Jesus and immerse ourselves in our communities, not just our "churches."

BLESSING opens the door to unbiased fellowship. Begin with prayer. We want you to ask, ‘God how do you want me to bless the people in the places you’ve sent me to?’ You cannot change what I do not embrace.

FELLOWSHIP. Don’t talk, but listen to people, their struggles, their pains, in the places God sent you. You can’t just check this off. It’s not quick.You cannot fix what you don't know is broken. You have to have a meal with people or a cup of coffee. It builds relationships and establishes a level of trust, allowing our neighbors to share with us their felt needs.

MINISTER. If you listen with people and you eat with people they will tell you how to love them and you’ll know how to drive them. Pray for their felt needs so that you connect their need with God's resources.

DECLARE. When we intercede for our neighbors, the kingdom of God comes near them in a tangible way. Say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:9) and then confirm that the power and presence of God is "in the neighborhood" as you share the story of how Jesus changed your life.

Simply put, this blessing strategy, is talking to God about our neighbors before we talk to our neighbors about God. It is our hope that the pattern and possibility of Luke 10 can be expanded throughout Jacksonville. That is why we have set the goal to have each of the over 15,000 streets in this, America's geographically largest city, adopted and being actively and regularly prayer walked by the end of the decade.

Genesis 12:2-3 says, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

http://vimeo.com/118424181

Even on this dreary Groundhog Day, with multiple bad news headlines, hope hears the melody of the future and faith dances for joy. Read “Mizzle and Music” on my blog at http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

BE IMMERSED IN THE WORD & WONDER OF THE LORD AS WE PRAY OUR WAY THROUGH THE REST OF 2015!

DAYS 1-31 DAYS OF PRAYER CAN BE FOUND HERE.

DAY THIRTY ONE:

VERSE:

"'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine"....Exodus 19:5

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we long to abide in Your Presence all the days of our lives and in eternity. Therefore, Lord we commit our way from the hour of our redemption and rejuvenation to now, the rest of this year and always, to obey You, listen to You, walk in Your Ways and Keep Your Covenant.

 

Thou hast shown us the way of all Truth. I thank Thee, Oh Lord.

Thou hast given me the Road Map and the spiritual fuel to go the distance. I am so grateful, my God.

Thou hast given me the Faith and Endurance to persevere until the end. I am all in for ever, oh God.

Thou hast shared Thy bountiful Goodness and all the Earth which You create and watch over. I am so humbled, my God.

Thou hast taken me out of the pit, sit my feet upon a rock, put a NEW song in my mouth - a hymn of Praise to our God. I will proclaim Thy Name throughout the Earth, for as long as life shall last.

 

I rest under the Shadow of Thy Wings.

I bow down in the Sanctity of the Throne Room.

I surrender to the Will of Christ.

I commit my ways and will to the Obedience You asked me to choose.

I am Yours. I abide in Thee and long to dwell in Thy Holy Presence on a soon coming day, choosing as King David wrote for my life verse "One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple".

 

On this I stand, oh God, and not just me but all who love Your appearing! Even so, come Lord Jesus! In Your Name I pray. Amen. 

What Happens in a G@P group?

What is a G@P group? A G@P group is a Grandparents @ Prayer intercessory prayer group of grandparents joining to pray for their grandchildren. 

Don’t you love the picture of grandmothers coming together to pray for their grandchildren in Oregon?

It’s a place where grandparents gather to pray for their grandchildren, sharing their struggles, getting ideas and encourage each other to grandparent with a purpose.

Just as Esther stood in the gap for her people when their lives were threatened we can stand in the gap for our grandchildren as their lives are threatened spiritually.

Perhaps at no other time in our history is a call to prayer more urgently required than it is today. Together grandparents can link arms in prayer for the sake of the next generation.

There are many G@P prayer groups in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. At a church I visited recently there was a group of grandmothers and a group of grandfathers uniting in prayer for their grandchildren in Florida. Yesterday I received a phone call where I learned that a group of eight grandmothers pray together each week in a conference call.

Read the stories from two grandparents who have found the G@P prayer groups benefical.

1.  Praying with a group of grandmothers is a wonderful experience... we all have one mindset . . . the salvation, protection, and covering for our grandchildren.

2.  Our GAP group that meets once a month is a wonderful support. It has been so nice to get to know other "praying" grandparents and to hear and share our stories and to know we are not alone. What a gift to pray with and for other grandparents and to know they are lifting my grandchildren up in prayer and to be able to share in other's victories and answers to prayer.

Will you make a decision to invite other grandparents to pray with you for your grandchildren?

To learn more about the Grandparents @ Prayer intercessory prayer groups, please go to www.christiangrandparenting.net or email me at  lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children and grandchildren are walking in the truth.” III John 4

By Lillian Penner, Nat’l Prayer Coordinator for Christian Grandparenting Network

In the garden before the cross Jesus told His disciples to pray lest they fall into temptation. Temptation is more dangerous than many of us imagine. James 1:14 says temptation drags us away by our lusts. In John 14:30 Jesus said the prince of this world had no hold on him.

No doubt no fear,

No guilt or sin that he controlled,

No secret desire held dear.

The enemy had no hold

To drag Him to his fold.

We must pray to avoid the enemy's grip on our hearts.

Part of this is simply to ask God to deliver us from temptation. But the focus of what Jesus is telling us in the garden is the transformation of heart and mind that comes from extended prayer. Jesus asked "Could you not watch for an hour? Watch and pray lest you fall into temptation."

Ephesians 6 paints a forceful picture of our spiritual armor. The first defense against temptation is truth. In prayer God fastens the belt of truth tightly around our thinking."

Next is the breastplate of righteousness. The accuser of the brethren will accuse you before God in your hearing. You need to pray in the righteousness of Jesus to be protected from his onslaughts.

Nothing will prepare you to ward off the enemy like the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The enemy trembles at the name of Jesus. But time and time again we are not spiritually prepared to share the gospel. In extended prayer we lace up our spiritual boots.

Praying Scripture builds faith as a shield to extinguish Satan's fiery darts.

A relationship of prayer covers us with God's salvation like a helmet from beginning to glory.

And by prayer we wield the sword of the Spirit, the word of God.

Paul concluded his discussion of spiritual armor with the admonition for us to pray at all times with all prayer and supplication. Pray, pray, pray, so you will be able to avoid temptation.

http://watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

http://daveswatch.com/

DAYS 1-28 FOUND HERE

VERSES:

" Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren"....Deuteronomy 4:9

PRAYER

Oh most merciful and loving God in Heaven, we worship You in spirit and in truth and in gratitude for Who You are and What You have done. We have seen Your Hands, the Work of Your Hands, the Wonder of Your Love and the Grace from Your Heart, as the winter of our discontent, the wickedness of our hearts and the wandering lost nature of our souls were rescued from sin, death and hell. You did that, oh Lord. We are living proof, I am living proof, of the unseen Hand of God, Whose Arm is never too short, to reach into the depths of depravity and despair and pull us out by the root to replant us in the Garden of Grace.

 

We know, in every fiber of our very being, what You have done in protecting us from danger, keeping us from falling and from the wolves and sure death out there as the angels You sent, kept us from "dashing our foot up against a stone". Father, I remember those days. I remember the fields of dirt, thirst and hopelessness You took me out of....just like You took the little shepherd boy away from the flocks who slew great giants and became king David of Israel. As Your Faithful servant, meek yet strong, Moses urged all believers for all times, I purpose to "take heed" and wear Your salvation of my soul on my sleeve that others may gain. I take particular, punctilious, painstaking, rigorous, care in, as Your Apostle Paul says "working out" that salvation....not to be "saved again" but to build on what You have given me, in Grace through Faith, to a daily maturing in that Faith....in the spirit of boldness, power, love and a sound mind!

 

It is only by staying, abiding and walking close to You, Abba Father, that I can be, that we can be, of any use to the Kingdom of Your Great Son, King Jesus the Lord of Heaven's Armies and the real Commander in Chief of the world! It is only by constant prayer, intercession, and letting the Word of God, the Bible richly dwelling in us day after day, month after month, year after year,  that Your servants can be effective in leaving a legacy of Lordship not just to our children from their birth to their maturity, but from their teenage years until they themselves become parents and then, if we are blessed with clarity of mind and good old age, we too can share what God, through Christ has done for us.  Lord, give us this day, not just our daily bread, but the daily power, strength, boldness, discernment and wisdom to execute every statute You laid out in this Scripture from this verse above, so that we will be able to do just as You commanded,  to not just leave but LIVE a legacy of love, and the Knowledge of the Goodness and Wonderful Works of our Lord, to those whom we will one day temporarily leave behind. We ask this in the Precious Name above all names - Jesus, our Lord, amen.

Holy Bible, Book Divine

Precious Treasure, Thou art mine!!!

Amen

“Every mile is two in winter.” (George Herbert, 1651)

“Winter changes into stone the water of heaven and the heart of man.” (Victor Hugo, 1862)

“Winter Storm Juno” (aka “Blizzard ‘15”) with its hurricane-force winds is dumping heavy snow, creating whiteout conditions, and causing coastal flooding across much of New England. More than 50 million people are hunkered down seeking warmth and shelter. Power outages are widespread. Thousands of flights have been canceled. Travel bans have been issued. Bleak weather service blizzard warnings forecast life-threatening conditions and extremely dangerous travel. Icy roads and bone-chilling temperatures are keeping people inside their homes.     

The New York City  Department of Homeless Services has changed its weather emergency procedure, allowing the homeless to stay at any city shelter regardless of which one they’re assigned to. In an effort to find homeless New Yorkers along the subway system, they have doubled the number of “outreach vans” on the streets. Rescue workers are reaching out to provide shelter for those who might otherwise starve or freeze to death.

Extreme winter weather reminds us of the sad reality that emotionally it can be a cold, cruel world. And when storms of the soul threaten our spiritual well-being, it is good to know the heart-warming God.

While Martin Luther was in the Wartburg Castle, protected by a Saxon king against Emperor and Pope, he read Psalm 46 and  was inspired to compose “A Mighty Fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper he amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.”  Thankfully, God is “a very present” (not absent!) “help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 KJV). Whatever storms life brings our way, God is our Storm Shelter.

In the storm of human cruelty, our Shepherd prepares a feast for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). In the storm of unprecedented catastrophe, the Almighty is the Help of the helpless (Psalm 46:1).  In the storm of perplexity, our Father cheers our heart (Psalm 94:19). In the storm of trouble, our Lord puts a spring in our step (Psalm 138:7). In the storm of midnight loneliness, our Savior gives us a song (Acts 16:25). In the storm of fear, our Master reassures us of safety (Acts 27:22-25). In the storm of worry, our Friend cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). In the storm of discouragement, our God holds us together (Isaiah 41:10). In the storm of overwhelming danger, our Creator promises we will survive (Isaiah 43:2).

All who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ have a Storm Shelter in time and eternity. “When the storms of life are raging, stand by me” (Charles Albert Tindley). Better than a child clinging to a security blanket, believers have divine reassurance of spiritual safety forever. “Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.” (Mosie Lister)

In heaven, no storms will ever beat on the glittering sand while the years of eternity roll. Until then, in this cold, cruel world, thank heaven for our heart-warming God.

“Whenever perplexing cares crowd my inmost self, Thy consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm 49:19 MLB)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

CLICK HERE FOR DAYS 1-23

DAY TWENTY FOUR:

VERSES:

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."....2 Timothy 1:7

PRAYER:(Against Anxiety, Day 6)

Father God we are so grateful that You have removed all obstacles that stand in the way of our reconciling with You, to remove the guilt and stand from the Fall of Adam, in the Garden. We are so grateful that through the Precious Shed Blood of the Ancient of Days, the ONLY perfect and acceptable Sacrifice for sin, that we are able to even stand in Your Holy Presence and not be cast aside into outer darkness, where doth lieth weeping and gnashing of teeth. All You ask in return for this Mighty Grace and Favor is our obedience to You, oh Most High, and surrender to All Your have in store for us. And Lord what You have and plan for those who love You, is so much better if the rest of us would just stop, listen and learn!

Who is like You, and who can out-give, out-love, out-grace You, oh Sovereign One? No one! You take away our fear and anxious moments by the strong whisper of Your Voice, as You direct us back to Your Written Word where You said "fear not" so many times, it is the most powerful exhortation in the Scripture! In our troubles and weakness, we overlook these things and subjugate our faith into second place, choosing to be like the lost of humanity and operate in the paradigm of fear. While, oh God, this may a natural human reaction, You did not call us or expect Your elect to do this sort of thing, but to trust and believe.

 

For that reason, You emphasized again that You did NOT give us a spirit, bent, inclination, heart and the ability to focus just so we would cower in spiritual and natural fear, when You - the Lord of Heaven's Armies Who can destroy every evil thing with one Word, one Command, is for us! We know this, we know You have us covered by the Blood and by the Angels, so help us to have the triple portion of Faith necessary to operate in this way every single moment of every day of every week and forever more, until You call us home.

You called us 'sons of God' and gave us Power (John 1:12) and thus, we already are embedded with Your dynamic, fluid Kingdom authority to beat back the enemy with the same word - Prayer! We must take authority over our situation, in Jesus' Name and then that authority will be thus be our connection to the Source, so You can then execute the result You desired in any particular situation. And we do this in Love oh God, the same love, agape, unconditional and forgiving love You showed us as we wallowed in our sin before Christ rescued us. None of this is possible - operating out of AND under the Authority of Christ in love, power and boldness if we are not under control, in sound mind and full conscious, aware, obedient and knowledgeable to the Who You are and what You are accomplishing in our lives.  Father God, give us the soundness and clarity of mind, that we, Your people, keep our collective heads on in cool calmness, being vigilant and alert so that when everything starts falling down around us, we can be under the unction of the Holy Spirit, in full control to lead others to You Way - the Perfect Way. We ask this through the Mighty Undefeated Name of our Lord and Commander of the Universe - Jesus, our Soon Coming King. AMEN

To continue reading, click here: 

http://www.hisinscriptions.com/blog/how-to-navigate-obstacles

Luke 18 begins by saying Jesus spoke a parable that we might always pray and not faint. Jesus then tells us there was a wicked judge who didn’t fear God or care about men. Is there any place in society where corruption is as despicable as in the judiciary? The judge’s bench is to be our last protection against lawlessness.  And a certain widow woman came before this crooked judge who had been cheated by swindlers. She didn’t even have enough money left to hire a lawyer, but she came to court anyway. At first glance the crooked judge tore up her paperwork and threw it away. But the next day as he set on the bench his clerk handed him her papers painstakingly filled out again.

“There isn’t anything in this for me,” he shouted at his clerk and threw out her paperwork again. But the next day and the next she was there again. Week after week, month after month she sat there before him determined to find justice. Finally, the wicked judge said, “I don’t care about what is right, but I am going to grant this woman justice against her enemy just to keep her from wearing me out.

Jesus concluded, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.  And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

We face at least 4 unjust judges in our lives. Luke says the focus of this parable is discouragement that causes us to give up on our prayers. These four unjust judges seek to do just that.

Pray in spite of the judgment of Your Life Circumstances

We face situations in a fallen word that cause us to be discouraged in our prayers. Believers are not exempt from evil circumstances around us. You are a child of God on a mission from your Father in an unfair world. If you don't keep praying when life is not fair, you will miss a great part of the purpose of prayer.

Pray in spite of the judgment of Your Moods

Our own moods discourage us more than circumstances. In fighting moods that plague me nothing benefits me as much as focusing on the goodness of God. The unjust judge is not a picture of God in this parable. He is a contrast to God. Jesus points us instead to the goodness of God, the faithful love of God and the fact that God chose us to be His own. Have you ever sung the little chorus taken from 1John 3:1? “Behold what manner of love the Father hath given unto us, that we should be called the children of God.” I find praise songs to be a wonderful antidote to discouragement and depression. This one notes the awe that takes over the heart of a believer when you get a real grip on this truth. You are a child of the living God!

Pray in spite of the judgment Other People

Do you remember the story of story of blind Bartimaeus? The crowd was telling him to shut up rather than cry out to Jesus. People will often try to discourage you. I got a call from a chaplain friend this week who had received a terribly discouraging text on his phone 5 minutes before the chapel service was to begin. I told him, “That was done on purpose. I think the man who sent the text intended to discourage you. But even if he did not, our real enemy meant it so.”

Pray in spite of the judgment of Your Enemy

Believers need to know that we are in the midst of spiritual war. And the enemy of our God is the enemy of our souls. He will try to discourage you from doing anything God wants you to do. And he is especially terrified by your prayers. If he can keep you from praying, he will defeat you in every area of your life. But if you pray even when you are discouraged, he will not be able to keep you discouraged and God will shake the earth.

http://daveswatch.com/ 

http: //watchinginprayer.blogspot.com/

"Prayer is the master strategy that God gives for the defeat and rout of Satan." - Wesley L. Duewel

Here are some additional quotes on the subject.

Paul, in Ephesians 6, also addresses the matter; and how we are to press past the things that attempt to make us spiritually impotent and prayerless.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ 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 Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. - Ephesians 6:10-20 (emphasis added)

Proverbs 3:5-8 says,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

If we focus on ourselves, our feelings, or our desires to first prompt us to pray, we've missed the mark.

Reviewing some of what we just read:  Trust in the Lord.  Be strong in Him and His mighty power.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways submit to Him.  Do not be wise in your own eyes.  Put on the full armor of God.  And the list could continue.

When to Pray

The right time to pray is right now.  After you finish praying, continue praying.  After that time, when you feel like quitting, pray some more.  And so on... but do so in God's strength, with His mind, and Word.

1 Thessalonians 5 says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit..."

Yielding to God

We can all make attempts to try harder to pray; to pray longer; pray more frequently, etc.  But we'll fail.  Every time.  The secret to praying, praying well, praying effectively, praying continually, and growing relationally with God in prayer is to seek Him first and always while we pray!

Some simple ways to invite God to grow you in prayer include:

Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit as you begin to pray, while you pray, and whenever you remember to pray (if you catch yourself having stopped praying for a time).   

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you listen for God's voice or promptings as you pray.  That's another critical way to continue praying!

Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to people, matters, or point you back to God as you pray.

Worship God in prayer.  Select a Psalm that tells of some of God's attributes.  Read it and pray it back to God as a form of worshiping Him.  He'll grow your awe, wonder, and desire for Him!

Find a book about God's attributes.  Pause to worship God while you read and after you stop reading!

Ask God to speak to you as you read His Word.  Ask the Holy Spirit to bring His Word fresh meaning into your life and prayer life!

Thank God for specific conversations you share with Him or others.

All of these ideas, and more, can be used day and night to continue praying without ceasing!  They can be repeated while you pray- especially if you feel like you're running out of ideas or matters to be in prayer about.  But it's significant to invite God to direct your prayers by His Word and Spirit.  

Be, and become, active in God's master strategy to rout Satan today and throughout the days to come!

Text may be also found at: www.prayonsite.org/blog/waiting-right-time-pray

DAYS 1-21 CAN BE SEEN HERE

DAY TWENTY TWO:
VERSES:

PRAYER: (Against Anxiety, Day 4

Heavenly Father, Your Word is written in the Heavens and forever it is true. It rises to the ends of the earth, seals joy in the hearts of many, fear in the hearts of most and a lack of concern in the hearts of others. Your Word is sufficient for me. It drives me, it inspires me, it instructs me in the night and directs me in the day. It washes over me, it anoints my head even, with the oil of joy as its beauty overrules the ashes and soothes the souls to the point of healing.  It is a balm in Gilead and the river of cool water - nay, an oasis in the dry thirsty desert of life. It gives Life. Your true Word, oh God, gives life and love and limitless Grace to the humble while condemning the proud.

How can my soul be downcast when I drink in Your Goodness, as seen in Your Promise. How can I wallow in self-pity, anxiety, fear and nervousness when I consider Your Heavens, the Work of Your Fingers and the Majesty of Your Creation. You made man and even the Son of Man, a little lower than the angels. You gave Him up as a sacrifice to sin, like a sheep led to slaughter only to let Him be exalted above all. You raised Him up on the third day to the eternal glory in heaven and on earth. He sits on Your Right Hand of Power for all eternity, one today to rule this earth with a rod of iron, and a heart of velvet love, grace, mercy and compassion. He brings us home at the instant of death, in the twinkling of an eye and our cup runneth over with the hope of eternal life in Your Kingdom, the Kingdom of His Marvelous Light. His Name is Jesus, Adonai. El Shaddai, Your Son Yahweh refreshes me constantly - from day to day. His mercies never cease. Great is His Faithfulness, Lord unto me.

So why should I be troubled and full of turmoil and disquiet in my soul? How can I be ruined in my spirit, walk around with my head hanging down, bumping into things and sad all the day long when my God and my Savior, cares for me? Praise, worship and honor belong to You, oh God, who has shown me the way out of a crisis, any crisis which affects the souls and lives of men and women - and that way is found in chasing after You first, praising You, worshipping You, staying super-glued and connected to Your Holy Word and obeying every statute and directive which cometh from on High, to my eternal benefit. 

You are my God. You are my help in ages past and my hope for years to come.  Be thou my guide while I live upon this earth. Lead me into paths of righteousness and near streams of cool waters and green valleys, that I may continue to rest in you, free from the horror and panic of this world, as the Joy of the Lord shines from my soul giving testimony and proof of the Living Word, who dwelleth within me. Oh Lord, my God, how excellent, wonderful, awesome and mighty is Your Name, the Name of King Jesus, Lord of Heaven's Armies and it is in His Name I pray, amen.

As the VP of Marketing and Company Chaplain for EnergyCAP, Inc., I have an exciting announcement—today we launched a new blog at www.PrayerAtWork.com with weekly emails to encourage you to connect with God at your workplace.

Nowadays, we’re more connected than ever. We don’t have to be in the same office with coworkers or be face-to-face with clients to communicate with them. Phones, video chat, email, instant message, text, webinar, and wireless internet access are everywhere. Yes, we’re more connected than ever.

But how’s your connection with God at work? Do you keep your relationship with God going at the office or do you drop him off at the door when you come in?

Let me ask this a different way. How often are you a Christian? Consider this: a 40-hour work week is about 50% of your waking hours. So if you slough off your faith at work, that’s 50% of your week. But connecting with God at work helps you remain active in your faith all the time.

The Bible says that God did not spare his own son on your behalf; he gave his only son for your sake. Did God do this so you could pursue him 50% of the time? Did God give only 50% of Jesus for you?

God gave all of his son for all of you so you could have all of God all of the time. This includes your working hours.

Your faith is too important to leave at home, which is why we launched www.PrayerAtWork.com. We will encourage you to connect with God at work intentionally and consistently. You may be saying, “But I don’t have time for that” or “But you don’t know where I work” or “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Let us help you. Sign up now for email updates:

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:1-3 NASB

            I often hear pastors and minister fuss that they can’t get their congregation to move out of the pews and into the community for the sake of the gospel. I must admit I have grumbled those same complaints more than a time or two myself. However, we often fail to realize the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and not a physical one. We are only effective in winning a spiritual battle if we fight the battle with spiritual weapons of warfare. Fasting and praying is one of the greatest spiritual tools God has given to us.

            Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. As we look out into our world it doesn’t take long to understand just how plentifully full the fields are with the lost who need to be harvested with the power of the gospel. Yet, we are often left disappointed when we see so few doing the work of the Lord. God has clearly called all Christians to share the gospel.  Unfortunately most Christians have never shared the gospel with anyone. Jesus said that we are to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would send workers into the field, in other words, Jesus is telling us to fight this battle with the spiritual weapon of prayer. 

            We see in this text of scripture the church at Antioch praying and fasting. While they were praying and fasting the bible says that “the Holy Spirit said.” It isn’t coincidental that the church was seeking God through prayer and fasting and then heard from Him. In fact this should be the norm, just as the church seeking God through prayer and fasting should be the norm.

            When the Holy Spirit spoke He told them to, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They prayed to the Lord of the harvest and God answered by sending out workers into the harvest field. God was calling Barnabas and Saul, (Paul), to go out into the world and preach the gospel to the lost.

            Before sending Barnabas and Saul into the mission field the church at Antioch prayed and fasted once again for their newly appointed missionaries. Notice that they didn’t send them out into the fields of spiritual war to fight the battle alone. Although Barnabas and Saul were sent out and the others remained, the church was spiritually in the mission field fighting the spiritual battle as partners in the trenches of spiritual war with them. The church continued to fight the fight with them by praying and fasting. Through the power of prayer and fasting we can stand alongside missionaries, pastors, and evangelists all over the world; even if they are on the opposite side of the world at the time-far it is a spiritual battle.

            When Paul went out into the mission field and preached the gospel, many were saved. He formed churches and trained leaders who would help lead the church so he could go into other cities and do the same. The new believers needed a church to help them grow in their walk with the Lord. At the same time there were still many lost people in those cities that needed to hear the gospel. These cities were now the spiritual responsibility of the new churches.

            Paul knew what an enormous task the churches had in reaching their community and training new believers. He also knew the power of prayer and fasting. Acts 14:23 says, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

            Are we reaching our communities, cities, counties, states, and nation with the gospel? Are we praying? Are we fasting? Lost people are not simply caught up in a philosophical thought that is contrary to the gospel; they are in spiritual bondage. Before we can change their philosophical view, we need to call upon the Lord of the harvest to transform and change their spiritual condition through the power of the gospel. Once they have accepted the gospel they are spiritually teachable and ready for the church to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded. It begins with prayer and fasting, it continues with prayer and fasting, and it ends with prayer and fasting.

The following is from Prayer Connect magazine, issue 19 and is posted on their website here:  http://www.prayerconnect.net/magazine/awakening-on-campus/louisiana.  Great prayer fodder!!

On January 24, 2015, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will host a major event called “The Response-Louisiana: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis.” More than 100,000 evangelical pastors are being invited by American Renewal Project leader David Lane to gather at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA.   

In addition, Lane is encouraging the pastors to pray about running for political office. He believes that if more pastors get involved in the political process, it will change the moral direction of this country. He writes in an email, “We are asking 63,000 evangelical pastors to begin praying to discern if God is calling you to run for political office in 2016. . . . A thousand pastors running in 2016—and three to four hundred pastors winning their political races—would ignite a spiritual movement in the public arena of America not seen since America’s Founding.”

Besides Governor Jindal, other prominent attendees at The Response-Louisiana will include Oklahoma Senator-elect James Lankford, former congressman J.C. Watts, Pastor Rob McCoy (who recently ran and narrowly lost a seat in the California State Assembly), and Dr. Bruce K. Waltke, Old Testament scholar and professor emeritus of Biblical Studies, Regent College.

“As delegates get ready to assemble high up in the Swiss Alps, the world appears on the verge of a nervous breakdown.” (USA TODAY, January 19, 2015)

This week’s annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is drawing captains of industry and government from around the globe, to the alpine ski town of Davos, Switzerland—Europe’s highest town. Over 40 heads of state, 2,500 business leaders, cultural emissaries, and experts in many areas of human endeavor will participate in five days of workshops, listen to speeches, and network in an attempt to make the world a better place in which to live.

Their task of creating conditions to restore confidence and trust in the world’s future will not be easily achieved in light of intractable global problems. Economic uncertainty worries many. The Ebola crisis has claimed over 8,000 lives. Islamic extremists persistently threaten. Cybersecurity is a worrisome challenge. Greece’s upcoming elections are causing nervousness about the future of the Eurozone. China’s economic growth has slowed dramatically. Last year’s being the hottest on record has made climate change evident. Russia’s proxies in Ukraine continue to make the region volatile. The world is on edge.

Surveying the international situation, it feels like “everything nailed down is coming loose” (the angel Gabriel in the musical “Green Pastures”). What else could possibly go wrong? Where will the next act of terrorism occur? Is there an antidote to the poison of despair? How can we keep from going crazy when the world is falling apart?

As Jesus predicted future events, he said “You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. Here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 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!” (Matthew 24:6-7;  Luke 21:25-26 NLT) When the outlook is bad, we should try the up-look.   

The motto of the World Economic Forum—“Committed to improving the state of the world”—is certainly a noble endeavor. We wish them success in achieving their high goal. However, Christians are citizens of two worlds, and the one we currently live in is temporary. Our challenge as dual citizens is finding a reasonable balance between our heavenly and earthly citizenship—not becoming so heavenly-minded we’re of no earthly good, while simultaneously following the counsel of Scripture—“Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here” (Colossians 3:2 TLB).

Whatever happens in this uncertain world, those who are trusting the Lord Jesus Christ to return and solve problems the world’s experts have never been able to fix, can begin each day with a beautiful melody in their hearts—“Be still, my soul, your God does undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake; All not mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.” (Katherine von Schlegel)

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will be singing at the forum’s opening ceremony—a beautiful beginning, whatever the outcome of the week’s meetings. It would be wonderful if he would sing a song he wrote –“I pray you'll be our eyes, And watch us where we go;  And help us to be wise, In times when we don't know. Let this be our prayer, When we lose our way, Lead us to a place, Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.”

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you. Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

DAY NINETEEN:
VERSES:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you....1 Peter 5:6-7

PRAYER: (Against Anxiety, Day 1)

Today's Prayer Scripture:

But when you Pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, Pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open.

Matthew 6:6 Amplified Bible (AMP)