ATTENTION: SCROLL DOWN to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.) They ALL deserve your intercession.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
“'THY WILL BE DONE' - HOW TO PRAY FOR THE CHURCH AND OUR NATION'" - John Stonestreet and David Carlson, Breakpoint.org, 08/14/20; https://www.breakpoint.org/thy-will-be-done/
Each Wednesday morning until the day after the November election, the Colson Center is hosting a virtual prayer gathering for the Church and for our nation. Not only are we praying together weekly, but I’ve asked a select group of leaders to help direct our prayers for the coming week. This past Wednesday morning, Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life, offered a few critical reminders for Christians in this time of, as he called it, “virus and violence.”
First in times of tension and transition, like ours, the Church has always found unique opportunities to point people to Jesus. In the second and third centuries, even as plagues swept the Roman Empire, Christians ran toward the sick and suffering as pagans ran away. Through Christian love and hospitality, the faith grew. Not only did many people ultimately embrace Christ, but the world was ultimately blessed with hospitals, the name ultimately given to those places that showed this kind of Christian hospitality.
Though in our day, entire health care systems exist to deal with pandemics, illnesses, injuries, and diseases, only the Church is uniquely called and empowered to address what Pastor Rick called the dis–ease that people have, including the fears, tensions, emotional, spiritual, and certain physical needs.
In a terrific, practical example of this, Pastor Rick described that when many food banks and pantries shut down across Southern California during the pandemic, Saddleback Church stepped up and established pop up food distribution centers. Since the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve reached a quarter of a million families with 2.5 million pounds of food. Even better, through this effort, over 9,000 people have professed faith in Christ for the first time, and over 1,000 new members of the Body of Christ have been baptized… in, he assured us, a COVID-safe manner.
The next opportunity for the church to, as Chuck Colson often said, “be the church,” is to parents and children as the school year starts. “The Church that figures out how to care for kids and parents,” Pastor Rick argued, “will have the ear of America.” I think he’s right, and even more, I needed to be reminded that despite all the chaos of this culture moment, the work of the Church cannot be stopped. The Church has out-survived movements and philosophies and nations and leaders and empires. It’s going to survive November also.
After all, as Pastor Rick prayed, our Hope is not found in who we put in the White House, but in Who we put on the cross. As far as election results, the safest and most sure prayer is the one Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy Will Be Done.” Because we know it will, even if we don’t necessarily like it. As much as I hope for certain results in November and will work toward them on a national level and a local level, this week especially I will pray that God would strengthen, protect, and use His Church during this time, and that we, as His people, would place trust, not in horses or chariots or polls or strategies, but in Christ.
Next Wednesday, we will gather again, virtually. Os Guinness will guide our time and shape our prayers, reminding us of other things we must not forget as we appeal to the God of heaven and earth for forgiveness, for healing, and for mercy. Due to limitation on our audience capacity, we are asking folks to register each week to join us live via Zoom. We will, however, send a link to the recording of each prayer time and a prayer guide for the week, to anyone who registers. You can also join us on the Colson Center Facebook page or the BreakPoint Facebook page. In fact, come to BreakPoint.org and click on this commentary to get the recording of last week’s session with Pastor Rick Warren, as well as the prayer guide.
I will close with the prayer I prayed at the end of session Wednesday:
“ALMIGHTY God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son’s Name; We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[itaics and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES:
"Recording and Prayer Guide" - Breakpoint | 2020; https://preview.hs-sites.com/_hcms/preview/content/33554845504?portalId=5137717_preview=true cacheBust=0;preview_key=JWEpvlBF;from_buffer=false
"Register for the Upcoming Prayer Webinar" - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-prayer-webinar-registration-116069656467
"Grocery Distributions "- Saddleback Church | 2020; Https://saddleback.com/connect/ministry/food-pantry
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes againstISIS ! Pray that coalition forces will be able to fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS .
PRAYER ALERT:
URGENT
*That the Corona Virus outbreak may finally be contained and it's victims effectively treated. [P.S. - YOUR BLOOD can help someone specifically recovering from the cornavirus. Please consider donating blood as I have!] today's Happy Thots (: First time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let's NOT mess this up! // You know the world is upside down when you go to the bank and someone wearing a mask and gloves isn't tackled by security. // I never thought the comment, "I wouldn't touch you with a 6-foot pole" would become a national policy, but here we are!
*That the ongoing riots in America's cities will not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*That the ongoing riots in America's cities will not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*Pray for U.S. Pastor David Lin in China (see "Something Serious Is Happening In That Dark Place" - Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, April 09, 2019; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20190409/something-serious)
*Pray for Leah Sharibu is a courageous Nigerian Christian teen girl held captive by Boko Haram. The Islamic militia is threatening to kill or enslave her because she won't renounce Jesus Christ. Pray that the UN will intervene in her release. [2/13/19 – This day marked ONE YEAR since her kidnapping.
6/9 - Thank you for your prayers for my co-worker, Brandon. He surprised me by showing up for 2 long work shifts this past weekend. He looked great though he said he's still on the mend (8 months after his horrific motorcycle accident.
6/9 - Thank you for your prayers for my co-worker, Brandon. He surprised me by showing up for 2 long work shifts this past weekend. He looked great though he said he's still on the mend (8 months after his horrific motorcycle accident.
ATTENTION!
PERSONAL UPDATE: 7/15 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?=tEyFevaOoAs4
8/16 - PRAY for the President and others in leadership (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
Jacob Velazquez Audition on America's Got Talent 6-30-20;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?=tEyFevaOoAs4
Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek YOU with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. May he act with wisdom and strength against those whose actions would bring harm to this nation and the world now and for generations to come. I pray that you would strengthen his marriage and deepen the love he and his wife Melania share. Pray that you give them wisdom to speak into the life of their son Barron. Please protect him and his family and others in our leadership from physical harm that any might seek to do against them. May all that our President does bring honor and glory to YOU and cause him to draw in closer relationship with you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen. P.S. - I highly recommend your reading "The Faith of Donald J. Trump." The copy I read is in my public library. It really helps us understand our 45th President better.
The above is a picture of the First Family on Mother's Day.
Can you believe how Barron has grown? Wow!
Can you believe how Barron has grown? Wow!
*For President Trump to have discernment as he works on the challenges facing the country.
*For encouragement and comfort for the president and entire Trump family as they grieve the passing of his brother Robert Trump; for God to make His closeness and presence known to everyone in the family in the midst of this loss.
*For wisdom for President Trump as he continues to lead the country in the face of the loss of his brother and best friend.
*For the Lord to be with those in law enforcement, protecting them and giving them strength as they serve.
*For healing and recovery for those who are ill and for an end to the COVID-19 outbreak.
*For God to be at work through the president as he focuses on issues of national importance.
*For guidance for President Trump as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.
*For God’s will to be accomplished and for His name to be glorified and honored.
*For encouragement and comfort for the president and entire Trump family as they grieve the passing of his brother Robert Trump; for God to make His closeness and presence known to everyone in the family in the midst of this loss.
*For wisdom for President Trump as he continues to lead the country in the face of the loss of his brother and best friend.
*For the Lord to be with those in law enforcement, protecting them and giving them strength as they serve.
*For healing and recovery for those who are ill and for an end to the COVID-19 outbreak.
*For wisdom for the Coronavirus Task Force as they work to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
*For wisdom for the president and administration officials as they continue to lead in the midst of the pandemic and the ongoing economic impact that comes as a result.*For God to be at work through the president as he focuses on issues of national importance.
*For guidance for President Trump as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.
*For God’s will to be accomplished and for His name to be glorified and honored.
DECLARATION FOR LIFE: Please be sure to sign this at: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life
(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017;
http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017;
-------------------------------------
“'THY WILL BE DONE' - HOW TO PRAY FOR THE CHURCH AND OUR NATION'" - John Stonestreet and David Carlson, Breakpoint.org, 08/14/20; https://www.breakpoint.org/thy-will-be-done/
First in times of tension and transition, like ours, the Church has always found unique opportunities to point people to Jesus. In the second and third centuries, even as plagues swept the Roman Empire, Christians ran toward the sick and suffering as pagans ran away. Through Christian love and hospitality, the faith grew. Not only did many people ultimately embrace Christ, but the world was ultimately blessed with hospitals, the name ultimately given to those places that showed this kind of Christian hospitality.
Though in our day, entire health care systems exist to deal with pandemics, illnesses, injuries, and diseases, only the Church is uniquely called and empowered to address what Pastor Rick called the dis–ease that people have, including the fears, tensions, emotional, spiritual, and certain physical needs.
In a terrific, practical example of this, Pastor Rick described that when many food banks and pantries shut down across Southern California during the pandemic, Saddleback Church stepped up and established pop up food distribution centers. Since the beginning of the pandemic, they’ve reached a quarter of a million families with 2.5 million pounds of food. Even better, through this effort, over 9,000 people have professed faith in Christ for the first time, and over 1,000 new members of the Body of Christ have been baptized… in, he assured us, a COVID-safe manner.
The next opportunity for the church to, as Chuck Colson often said, “be the church,” is to parents and children as the school year starts. “The Church that figures out how to care for kids and parents,” Pastor Rick argued, “will have the ear of America.” I think he’s right, and even more, I needed to be reminded that despite all the chaos of this culture moment, the work of the Church cannot be stopped. The Church has out-survived movements and philosophies and nations and leaders and empires. It’s going to survive November also.
After all, as Pastor Rick prayed, our Hope is not found in who we put in the White House, but in Who we put on the cross. As far as election results, the safest and most sure prayer is the one Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy Will Be Done.” Because we know it will, even if we don’t necessarily like it. As much as I hope for certain results in November and will work toward them on a national level and a local level, this week especially I will pray that God would strengthen, protect, and use His Church during this time, and that we, as His people, would place trust, not in horses or chariots or polls or strategies, but in Christ.
Next Wednesday, we will gather again, virtually. Os Guinness will guide our time and shape our prayers, reminding us of other things we must not forget as we appeal to the God of heaven and earth for forgiveness, for healing, and for mercy. Due to limitation on our audience capacity, we are asking folks to register each week to join us live via Zoom. We will, however, send a link to the recording of each prayer time and a prayer guide for the week, to anyone who registers. You can also join us on the Colson Center Facebook page or the BreakPoint Facebook page. In fact, come to BreakPoint.org and click on this commentary to get the recording of last week’s session with Pastor Rick Warren, as well as the prayer guide.
I will close with the prayer I prayed at the end of session Wednesday:
“ALMIGHTY God, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son’s Name; We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ears to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to thy will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[itaics and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES:
"Recording and Prayer Guide" - Breakpoint | 2020; https://preview.hs-sites.com/_hcms/preview/content/33554845504?portalId=5137717_preview=true cacheBust=0;preview_key=JWEpvlBF;from_buffer=false
"Register for the Upcoming Prayer Webinar" - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-prayer-webinar-registration-116069656467
"Grocery Distributions "- Saddleback Church | 2020; Https://saddleback.com/connect/ministry/food-pantry
-------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
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“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America
James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”
This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV).
Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent
PRAY FOR AMERICA : THANK GOD for His many blessings on America AMERICA America "but instead "God be merciful towards America
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against
*For believers in Syria
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Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
Eunji: A brave NORTH KOREAn - North Korean women who have escaped to China are growing in their maturity and faith in Christ, thanks to the grace of God and the prayers and gifts of supporters like you. Eunji* is one such refugee who came to know Christ in a women’s ministry supported by Open Doors and attended a Bible study regularly, eventually becoming a co-leader. Last August, Eunji was arrested by Chinese officials and was at risk to be sent back to North Korea and imprisoned. Many around the world prayed for her release. We recently heard from Eunji that her deportation process has been delayed—she has been released from detention and reunited with her husband and son! She says, “Thank you for your prayer support and love in Christ!”
August 16 - Pray the leaders of the women’s ministry would stay healthy and have wisdom as they teach.
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4:16
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER
The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”
He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:
I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia
I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok
I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea
And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao .
But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.
RESPONSE
How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?
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