Tag: prayer

Prevailing In Prayer

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I am still reading Bill Johnson’s book Defining Moments, which I shared with you last week. This week I read chapter nine, Led by the Spirit: Evan Roberts and the Welsh Revival. “Evan Roberts spent ten years fiercely praying for revival. …It posessed him in every sense of the word.” (page 182)

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How long and how persistently are you praying for something? I have been praying for salvation for my household since I found out as a new believer that I could do that. Pastor Johnson compares it to looking at an acorn and picturing the full-grown oak tree, rejoicing just as much over the seed as you will at the fulfillment of the promise. “Anyone who is given the “acorn” and does not treat it with the respect and honor that it deserves will never see it grow to become an “oak tree.” (page 183)

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We are at our son’s home for the second time in a month and I have seen glimpses of seeds I’ve planted in this household beginning to sprout and grow. By the grace of God, I am watering what I can and gaining vision for a harvest of souls. I wonder how many seeds of God’s revival and glory come down to earth have been killed due to lack of vision and persistence. How many small beginnings have you despised?

Pastor Bill also points out the process it takes to prepare us to be able to carry the weight of glory we’re asking for. God, in his wisdom, does not want to load us down when we are not ready, and persistent prayer and increased faith are needed or we will break under the load of glory. Evan Roberts prayed for ten years, was in the midst of the Welsh revival for about a year, then became ill and hid away for most of the rest of his life. Pastor Johnson cautions us to take care of our bodies and souls as well as our spirit. The enemy loves to cause you to miss sleep, not hydrate, abuse our bodies by not eating healthy food and not getting exercise. This can be as simple as drinking more water, getting a walk in each day, taking time for a healthy meal, and not filling your life with things that distract. Evan Roberts did not take care of his health, missed many meals and much sleep. He became paranoid and had somewhat of a nervous breakdown.

If we are to love others as we love ourselves; the second commandment Jesus emphasized, we must take care of these “earth suits” God gave to house our spirits here on earth. Many have thought it spiritual to abuse their bodies through neglect and overwork.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

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I hope this post is causing you to think about unanswered prayers. Will you take time today to bring them before the Lord once again? He is not slow, but comes at just the right time; waiting for the harvest to develop and increasing your relationship with God and people. I pray you find the Lord’s great Shalom. Walk in His peace and joy, my dear readers and I shall join you again next week.

What Will You Say?

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Hebrews 13:3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

The January 2021 issue of The Voice of the Martyrs magazine begins with this question on the front cover: What Will You Say? It also poses other questions. How will you respond to your accusers? What will you do when you’re called before judges? Mosque confrontation? These are all situations our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world are facing, which we may also face sooner than we think. Maybe you already have!

A few months ago, I ordered Petr Jasek’s book Imprisoned With Isis Faith in the face of evil from VOM. This prayer bracelet came with the book. The bracelet sends you to http://www.icommittopray.com Along with VOM’s prayer calendar, which you can find at https://secure.persecution.com/newsletter_feature.aspx, it helps me remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ as the Apostle Paul wrote so much about.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

One of the stories in this issue: Iran: Summoned by Security officials. This brother’s boldness surprised the official interviewing, and he wanted to understand who was leading so many muslims to Christ.

“Shahrokh gave the official and inspired response. ‘You cannot stop the work of God,’ he said. ‘If a person has a dream of Jesus or [if] God directly reveals Himself in a vision and draws them to Himself, or if he has seen a miracle of Christ and follows after Him, then no one is at fault here. You cannot block the divine methods God uses to meet human beings. You can close Christian social activities and house groups or put Christian workers in prison, but you cannot stop people seeing dreams or visions. You cannot put Jesus Christ in prison. You cannot stop the work of the Holy Spirit. He is at work, and in different ways He reveals the truth to people. Can you change the hearts and inner lives of people where the Lord dwells?'”

Voice of the Martyrs January 2021 page 7

Philippians 1:13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Think about this: Paul was a special prisoner. The palace guards changed every few hours, watching Paul closely. He had many opportunities to share the Gospel with them, and many came to believe because his attitude of joy and love that flowed out of him were amazing! Our contemporaries find the same thing happens when they get put in prison for their faith. People question their Godly attitude, share Bibles, Bible studies spring up… The Voice of the Martyrs is valuable for hearing testimonies of faith under pressure. It’s an excellent resource for praying for our brothers & sisters in chains as if we’re chained with them. May we be as faithful, with boldness and no fear, in the challenges we face!

Hebrews 13:3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Is God In Control?

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Many things are coming into my life this week. I’m collating them to help make sense. Join me as I ponder!

Kris Vallotton says, “God is in charge, but not in control.”

https://www.krisvallotton.com/developing-a-prophetic-movement-that-reforms-the-world-part-2
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Kevin Zadai says, “Each one of us has a book written about us, and there are people in hell right now who have this beautiful book in Heaven written about them. Those in hell chose not to live out their book for whatever reason, but we do not have to be like the ones who faded back.“

The Only Person in the Universe You Can Trust

Robert Henderson was speaking about President Trump with his wife accompanying him. She said God told her, “President Trump was not My first choice. The reason I had to use President Trump is because the one I would have used was aborted in the womb years ago. I needed one that would stand.”

Robert Henderson’s Four Dreams about President Trump; YouTube

Whether you love, hate or otherwise think of President Donald J. Trump, you need to pray for him and his family. They are under mighty attack that won’t let up. The enemy wants the spirit of One World Government to take over this land, taking Believer’s rights, freedoms and voice away; destroying Biblical values.

President Trump has broken that spirit that was coming on our country like a freight train. God has given us a brief window of grace. Even if he is not a Christian, we need to use our authority in heaven to pray and make way for God’s will to be done through President Trump. Pray for ‘My President Donald J. Trump’. Henderson says God told him we need a Donald; a world ruler in the Whitehouse and not a John-the beloved. I urge you to trust God and let Him deal with any faults you see. I’m reminded; he who has no sin may throw the first stone. I sure wouldn’t want the President’s job and all that’s being thrown at him; would you?

The LORD took an enormous risk giving us free will, but that is why Jesus is the Lamb of God slain before the foundations of the world. God had His son, but wanted a family to share their love with. For our God; Father, Son, and Spirit, it was worth the risk. Let us take the grace that is extended to us, lay down our own agendas, likes, dislikes, feelings; and determine to do the Will of the Father and make use of those books in heaven that are ours to appropriate. While you’re at it, ask Him to open President Donald J. Trump’s book for him. We need to use the authority we have in prayer through Jesus’ sacrifice and fight for God’s will to be done here on earth as it is written in heaven.

Isaiah 6:3 tells us the whole earth is full of His glory; I think that means there is glory in all creation, even humans. What would happen if we looked at other people and spoke out the glory of God we see and not their past or actions of the present? One of my sons easily falls into troubles. He is not an inferior person; he makes bad choices, but that does not mean God hasn’t planted a destiny in him and does not love him.

Father, forgive us for not trusting You. We have not because we ask not, then don’t even get what we ask because we have selfish motives to waste it on ourself. Thank You for giving us our President Donald J. Trump to give us a reprieve so more of the precious souls here on earth may come into Your kingdom. Remind us always that Your will is that not one of these would be lost, so infuse us with Your heart of love for all people. Holy Spirit, we do not know what to pray, so pray through us and bring to mind how God sees the one in front of us. Thank You, Lord, for the mercy and grace we can obtain at Your throne. We humbly bow before You, laying down our will to pick up what You have for each of us to fulfill our destiny in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.