Posts tagged with "prayer"
Sunday, 8. November 2009, 06:16:38
church, ministry, men, prayer
Our church has just completed, as a part of its 13th birthday celebrations, a weekend of prayer. The idea is that for a 36 hour period from 9 pm Friday to 9 am Sunday we have the church open and we ask people to sign up for an hour or more to come to the church and pray.
I was really blessed when it turned out that we were able to cover every hour of that period in prayer. With a few people away, I knew that it might be a challenge, but we got there.
I was really blown away when I discovered that nearly two thirds of the prayer coverage was by men. I often hear pastors say that it's hard to get men's ministry going in a church. Well my answer to that is get the men to do the ministry. Give them a challenge, an important- even heroic - role and they will rise to it. Get them to commit to coming to church at 3 am just to pray alone and you will have a men's ministry happening right there!
Part of the challenge of this weekend was to bind the spirit of lawlessness that is being manifest in our community in dozens of ways at the moment. I believe that we did that by taking on a challenging discipline and being victorious in it.
We've often said, as have dozens of visitors, that there is an anointing of peace on our building. I experienced that powerfully this morning as I was praying. At one stage as I was praying with Troy, we suddenly both became silent and sat down and we felt this wonderful blanket of peace descend. The presence of God deeply restored our spirits as we sat there and received from Him.
It's been a great weekend. There have been many prophecies, drawings and a song written over this time.
God is good!
Thursday, 5. November 2009, 08:22:29
salvation, worship, christian, prayer
“We glorify God by working out our own salvation. God has twisted together his glory and our good. What an encouragement is this to the service of God, to think, while I am hearing and praying, I am glorifying God; while I am furthering my own glory in heaven, I am increasing God’s glory.
Would it not be an encouragement to a subject, to hear his prince say to him, You will honour and please me very much, if you will go to yonder mine of gold, and dig as much gold for yourself as you can carry away? So, for God to say, Go to the ordinances, get as much grace as you can, dig out as much salvation as you can; and the more happiness you have, the more I shall count myself glorified.”
—Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1997), 13-14
Friday, 10. July 2009, 08:48:38
prayer, christian, salvation, faith
“Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odour, stumbling toward the palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out a message for the great king: ‘I want to see the king.’
Your words are barely intelligible, but you whisper one final word, ‘Jesus, I come in the name of Jesus.’ At the name of Jesus, as if by magic, the palace comes alive. The guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in his arms.
The name of Jesus gives my prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn’t just the Saviour of my soul. He’s also the Saviour of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as the prayers of Jesus. ‘Asking in Jesus’ name’ isn’t another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. Is it one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect.”
—Paul Miller, A Praying Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress 2009), 135
Thursday, 21. May 2009, 06:20:49
life, prayer
This afternoon I started praying then had a series of interruptions that kept me away from the prayer for a couple of hours. Now I understand why I find it so hard to actually pray in an organised or systematic way!
So here is the prayer I wrote down, when I could finally return to the “throne room”.
Lord, it's just crazy a the moment. I review my prayer list, but don't get time to pray. I start praying only to have a dozen interruptions.
So here I am an hour after I first sat down to pray.
Father, I want to do your will. I want to see your purposes unfold for me and the church and this community.
I thank you for the phone call earlier that seemed to offer a way forward for the Christian bookshop,
Thank you for the men who have come to quote on the carpet laying job which will open up a more flexible way to use the church building.
Thank you for the conversation that Margaret had earlier with a woman expecting a new baby. She is a former youth grouper who acknowledges now that she was “feral”. Lord let the truths of your gospel warm the depths of her heart today.
I see the events of today as signs that you are drawing together the threads of our past and present to weave into the future.
Lord I confess that our church as a community of faith is a little too complacent and comfortable. We have lost the sharpness of our zeal for you and our passion for the lost in our town. Stir our hearts Lord.
I ask for a greater unity amongst the churches in our town. I have a sense Lord that at the moment we are like a bunch of hard rocks which occasionally bump against each other but do not let them influence us. We are far from being the one Body you have called us to be. I can't see how we can even get to where we need to be, but Father with you all things are possible.
I thank you Lord that all of these things are in your hands. Let your will be done in me and in your church.
Thursday, 9. April 2009, 11:39:53
prayer
Jesus is our companion in prayer
“Jesus is our master in prayer; he is also our companion in prayer. He says to us, ‘I’ll pray for you …’ — and does it. His promise to pray for us is not lost or overlooked in a vast heavenly clutter of petitions and intercessions, confessions and thanksgivings, ascending in a cloud of incense to his altar. It defeats our imagination to understand how this takes place, but we have it on good authority that it does.
Jesus prays. He is praying for us right now. He was praying for us yesterday. He will be praying for us tonight as we sleep and tomorrow morning as we wake up. Jesus praying for us is a current event.
You don’t think you know how to pray? Yes, there is much to learn; meanwhile Jesus is praying for you. You don’t feel like praying? Relax, feelings come and go; meanwhile Jesus is praying for you. You don’t have time to pray? Jesus doesn’t mind waiting; meanwhile he has plenty of time to pray for you.”
—Eugene Peterson, Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008), 163-64
Article
Thursday, 19. February 2009, 22:37:06
Australia, prayer
The Prime Minister has declared this coming Sunday to be a National Day of Mourning for victims of the bushfires.
We won't be devoting our whole service to this, but we will be praying for the survivors and those helping to comfort, rebuild and give hope to devastated communities.
I encourage everyone to uphold these people in your prayer times also.
Sunday, 15. February 2009, 22:03:35
prayer
Tuesday, 30. December 2008, 08:40:24
bible, prayer
John Piper gives 10 great reasons to pray through Scripture:
10 Reasons to Pray the Scriptures
Here are some of the reasons you should pray and meditate over biblical truth.
1. Biblical truth saves.
Take heed to yourself and to your doctrine; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)
2. Biblical truth frees from Satan.
You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
3. Biblical truth imparts grace and peace.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)
4. Biblical truth sanctifies.
Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. (John 17:17)
5. Biblical truth serves love.
It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment. (Philippians 1:9)
6. Biblical truth protects from error.
Attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God...so that we may no longer be...carried to and fro by every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:13-14)
7. Biblical truth is the hope of heaven.
Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
8. Biblical truth will be resisted by some.
The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings. (2 Timothy 4:3)
9. Biblical truth, rightly handled, is approved by God.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
10. Biblical truth: Continue to grow in it!
Grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
Article
Wednesday, 12. November 2008, 05:43:44
faith, islam, prayer
From the ABC:
1 hour of fighting worth 70 years in prayer: Terrorism trial documents
A Supreme Court jury has been shown extremist material that allegedly motivated five Sydney men to prepare for a terrorist attack in Australia.
Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment SC has begun the second day of his opening address in the trial of five men on terrorism-related offences.
Mr Maidment has taken the jury through dozens of pages of literature found in the homes of the accused. The material encourages Muslims to take part in violent Jihad to make Islam the dominant religion.
The jury was read one passage that stated that one hour of fighting for Allah was worth more than 70 years of prayer.
The Crown alleges the men were driven by their religious beliefs to obtain explosive chemicals and firearms in preparation for a terrorist attack.
Yesterday, Mr Maidment told the jury the accused were motivated by the perception that Australia's involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were acts of aggression against the wider Muslim community.
Article
Sunday, 23. March 2008, 05:13:56
encouragement, salvation, church, christian
...
This morning in my prayer time before church I was praying for some of our "Prodigals"- people who have left the church in order to pursue other things that seemed more attractive to them.
This morning one of them turned up in church for the first time in months- admitting that he had tried to do it himself and had messed it up, and now he needs to get right with God.
This afternoon I came over to the church to start thinking about tonight's message and another of our old friends turned up. Same story, same result. "I tried to do it myself without God, and I can't do it."
Praise God for such answers to prayer!
Friday, 15. February 2008, 22:42:35
church, prayer
Our church is in the middle of our second "Season of Prayer" weekend.
I am really blessed by the way people are taking hold of this, and spending significant periods of time praying.
It's got to be good!
I'd better go off now and get some praying done myself!
Wednesday, 6. February 2008, 04:35:08
church, prayer
I was a little disappointed by the lack of takers for the Pastors' prayer meeting this afternoon.
We had one apology from a pastor with a migraine. Apart from the lay leader of the Baptist Church who also has a heart to see christians coming together, it was just Margaret and me.
It was a good time as we talked about important issues and prayed together.
As for the others, I guess we just keep chipping away and praying.
Wednesday, 30. January 2008, 04:52:05
church, ministry, prayer
We had an encouraging re-launch of our pastors' prayer meeting this afternoon.
For about 15 years, we have been praying every week for our town. At times we've had nearly all of the resident pastors attending and contributing each week.
Last year it abruptly stopped for no good reason, and I felt that with a new Anglican minister and youth worker in town it was time to start again.
There were 7 of us, representing 6 congregations. Two of the people were lay people representing their currently pastor-less fellowships. The Anglican youth pastor apologised for today, but wants to be involved.
We had a good, cordial time together. I think there is a real potential for establishing love, respect and unity amongst the pastors in town.
I am quietly encouraged \o/
Saturday, 1. December 2007, 05:04:52
islam, prayer
From John Piper:
To help you stay encouraged to pray for huge Christ-exalting movements of God, here's what we read this morning. Each day, as part of our family devotions, Noël and Talitha and I read the daily reading from the Global Prayer Digest. Today we read this:
"David, what do you think about this quote from Ahmad Al Qataani which was posted on the Al Jazeera web site regarding Africa? It says, 'In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Ever year, six million Muslims convert to Christianity.'" Paul, a Christian worker among Muslims, was asking a fellow worker about the report. David replied, "It is true that there are more Muslims coming to Christ now than any other time in history, but these statements have not been verified." Even if exaggerated, such reports may not be contradicted, because "Sometimes clerics and imams try to put fear into Muslims with exaggerated statistics to stir up Muslims against Christians. Reports like this one from the Egyptian Bible Society are encouraging. They have distributed over 600,000 copies of the JESUS Film last year and Egyptians are more eager to have Arabic Bibles than ever before."
There have been incredible testimonies from Muslim converts from many Islamic countries, despite intense persecution, arrests, assassinations, and widespread church bombings. They come from all walks of life. Some Muslims are reached when they hear the words that Jesus spoke, such as, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matt. 11:29, KJV).
Would you join me in praying sweeping, global prayers that God would glorify Jesus by opening the eyes of millions of Muslims to see and savor the truth and beauty of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for the justification and jubilation millions of “other sheep” that are not yet in the fold?
Monday, 5. November 2007, 06:53:59
prayer, church
It's really awesome when you do something in obedience to what you believe the Lord is telling you to do and then it works!
Yesterday, we celebrated our church's 11th birthday, and I had this idea that God would have us dedicate the weekend to prayer. So we had what I called a "Season of Prayer" which stretched from 9 pm Friday to 9 am Sunday after which we had the birthday celebrations. The church building was left open during that time and people were able to nominate when they would come to pray.
Apart from a few suggested prayer points I just asked people to pray about whatever they wanted and in whatever manner God led them to.
On Friday morning it still looked like I would be doing the lion's share of the praying. But then we had a few more people sign up on the internet and then people who had volunteered to do one hour said they would do two and some who said they would do two hours offered to come back for another two.
As I talked to people during the change over times it appeared that God was speaking to each person uniquely. One person got a "hammering" in his words about things he needed to change his opinions and attitudes on. Tania Baxter saw pictures which she committed to paper as she was praying. Trish Earle got detailed pictures for a children's ministry day. David Baxter found himself writing and reading lots- he was amazed that God could speak to him through a book! We had prophetic words and all kinds of great things happening.
Some people got very tired because they gave up significant periods of sleep.
But I think everyone thought it was worth it!
We will probably do this again early next year and later in the year. Maybe we eventually will come to a place of doing this every month- I don't know. We will see how God leads us and not try to preempt whatever direction He wants to go.
I really believe this is a significant step in our journey towards a dream I have long held- setting up a permament 24/7 house of prayer as a part of our ministry. I'm not going to rush into that, but I really believe that God will lead us into this at the right time.
Blessings
Keith
Friday, 2. November 2007, 06:23:39
church, prayer
We are having a 36 hour prayer marathon at church this weekend to coincide with our church birthday. From 9 pm tonight until 9 am Sunday morning the church building will be open to anyone to come in and pray.
From reading accounts of 24/7 prayer movements it will be a powerful time of touching God and letting His presence be felt in our midst.
We haven't quite got the full 36 hours covered yet, but it's all in God's hands- it was His idea anyway, so He will look after the implementation of it 
I'm looking forward to hearing lots of great testimonies on Sunday, and in the weeks to come about how this weekend has touched lives.
Blessings
Keith
Tuesday, 31. July 2007, 07:58:29
computers, stress, prayer
I've had one of those days where it seems like I've been running all day and got nowhere!
A couple of computers that should have been ready to sell turned out to need tinkering with... the worst things are modems because if they aren't the "standard" modems (and they rarely are) then you have to go hunting on the intenet for drivers, which can be frustrating in itself. Then you have to install the driver and make sure the modem actually works.
Anyway I eventually got both the computers working but just really felt stressed. It seems like those computers in some way have defined my whole day for me.
Here's how I cope with this kind of frustration-induced stress.
- Do something that involves physical exercise... I always feel better after a long walk
- Talk to God about it
- Get some perspective... I probably won't be tortured for my beliefs this week, so I'm already ahead of many christians in the world, nobody will die if I can't get the right driver for this modem
- Praise God for his many blessings
Blessings
Keith
Thursday, 10. May 2007, 05:07:22
prayer
Unlocking the Power of Prayer
How Stormie Omartian turned pain and desperation into a passion for prayer.
Interview by Ginger E. Kolbaba
Stormie Omartian's books—including The Power of a Praying Wife, The Power of a Praying Woman, and Praying God's Will for Your Life—dominate the Christian best-seller list and are used in small groups and Sunday school classes around the world. Yet she blushes when someone calls her an expert on prayer. "A lot of people think because I've written books on prayer that I know something special," she says. "The truth is, I'm just desperate for God."
Raised by a mentally ill mother who verbally and physically abused her, Omartian, 59, spent much of her teens and twenties searching for the love and acceptance she never received at home, which led to suicide attempts, alcohol and drug abuse, and failed relationships. Nothing helped her insecurity and pain—until a friend took her to church. There she discovered the acceptance she'd longed for through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Prayer and total surrender to God healed Omartian's brokenness, helped her forgive her mother, and turned around her once troubled marriage (she and her husband, record producer Michael Omartian, have been married now for 29 years). Her faith also carried Omartian through a yearlong recovery after she nearly died recently from a burst appendix. Through it all, she has learned much about the central role of prayer in every Christian's life.
Read more at Chrstianity Today
Thursday, 1. March 2007, 06:29:54
weather, prayer, grace
Since our prayer meeting for rain last Sunday, the rain has continued to fall every evening. We have now had 70 mm (not quite 3 inches to the metrically challenged) so far this week with more rain coming.
The lake has water in it again, although it's far from full, and the creek is almost up to overflowing its banks.
If this keeps up even the farmers will be smiling 
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Tuesday, 27. February 2007, 02:06:22
prayer, drought, rain
On Sunday about 100 people from every church in Narrabri gathered for a time of prayer for the drought. We covered everything from praying for rain to praying for farmers and counsellors.
Monday evening 35 mm of rain fell in about half an hour in one of the wildest storms I've seen for a few years. The rain was welcome but it tore the shade cloth off our shade area. 
There is now water in the creek behind the church.
Often it seems like our prayers are unanswered or answered much more slowly than we would like. This was not one of those times!
We still need to keep on praying. One fall of rain doesn't end a drought.
Blessings
Keith
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