Wake Up and Smell the Smoke -- The Pursuit

    ¹ David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag       and burned it, ² and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them    off as they went on their way. 

    ³ When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 1    Samuel 30:1-3 

A few weeks ago my pastor read these scriptures to us during a leader's meeting as he was explaining The Pursuit. He said, "Wake up and smell the smoke." 

I guess I've been trying to imagine that scene since then. The smell of smoke. Houses in ashes. Then the fear that your family has been killed. Slight relief in knowing that they are alive. Now anger, fear, and heartache at the realization that they are being held captive by your enemy.

If we know anyone who is not born again, they are like David's family. They are captive. Scripture says this about those who don't believe:

³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.   ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NIV

The unbelieving are dying. Let us wake up and smell the smoke. 

Pray: Father, thank You that You are God. You are like no one else. You love the people that You created. You don't want anyone to be apart from You, but sin separates us from You. Help me to wake up and smell the smoke and realize that there are captive people around me. They are perishing while I go about my life as if all is well. It's not well when people are being held captive by sin, blinded by the god of this world, and most importantly living separated from the One who loves them and created them for a better life. Father help me not to ignore the smoke – the signs pointing to those who are dying --  captive people are around me. I want to be part of the rescue party. And I want to do it in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Pursuit

Imagine leaving work early. You are told that they don't need you for this project, so you head home. As you approach your neighborhood you smell smoke. When you arrive at your house, you see that it has been burned down. Your family was there when you left this morning. You trudge through the ashes. You're relieved that the evidence proves that your family was not in the house. But you learn that your family has been taken captive.

That was pretty much the scene for David in 1 Samuel 30:1-3. He returned to his home with his army when they found that an enemy had stolen their families. These warriors cried until they could cry no more. So David began to seek God with the help of a priest. He asked of the Lord if he should pursue the group that stole his family and if he does, will he catch them. The Lord responded with a double yes: "Pursue them," He said, "and you will recover everything they've stolen."

Everything was actually everyone -- the men's wives and children. Probably some servants as well.

This is our theme for the next 30 days. Our pastor began a series of teachings today called The Pursuit. It's about regaining those that the enemy has stolen from us. On Easter Sunday, April 8, we will end the series by baptizing all those we have recovered. (By recovered I mean rescued from darkness, born again, saved.)

Almost Mary

Today is a good day to reflect on my name. A few years ago (more than a few) my family chose a name for me when I was born. My brother Michael Dennis wanted to name me after himself – Michelle Denise. Somehow that didn't happen. So since I was born in December (on today's date) the name Mary seemed like a good name with Christmas coming up and all. I was always glad they didn't choose Mary -- to me it doesn't fit my personality. I guess Marie is close enough.

When I think about it now, it would have been an honor to be named Mary. An angel visited the original Mary and told her that she not just favored but HIGHLY favored and blessed. He also told her of God's awesome purpose for her life – something that no one had ever done before and never will do again – give birth to the Son of Righteousness.

Look at this conversation between Mary and the angel.

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35 NKJV

Where's My Theme Music?

I still pray, of course, even though I haven't written about it. Hope to get back to blogging consistently again, soon. Meanwhile . . .

The 90's sitcom Hanging With Mr. Cooper opened with Cooper asking, "What's up? Where's my theme music?" For the last several months I've decided that the song Thank You sung by Mary Mary is my theme song. I even sang it to my dad for his birthday in September . . . and I don't even sing. :-)

I have much to be thankful for. God has blessed me and mine so much. Within the last few weeks alone, He protected me in a car accident and brought my mom through surgery. All of that was in the same week – very unusual for our family. But I praise God for keeping us! Woo hoo!

My theme song:

Prayer Revolution: Not Without Your Presence

Let's not go anywhere or do anything without God's presence.

13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”   
15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”  17 So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:13-17 NKJV

Recently my pastor mentioned this scripture with a practical application. Moses prayed and told God that he didn't not want to go where God was sending them if the recognizable presence of God was not with them. So my pastor challenged the students. He said what is you don't get out of the car at school until you pray for God's presence to go with you? And to the adults: What if you say at work, Lord I can't go in there if Your presence is not with me?

Prayer Revolution: Bless the LORD

If you want to revolutionize your prayer life, which will in turn, revolutionize your world . . . bless the Lord!

Sometimes I am so focused on myself that I forget that my heavenly Father is God of everything. I forget that He has everything under control. So I have to do like David did in the Psalms, sometimes I have to talk to myself.

¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul;
         And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
 ² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
         And forget not all His benefits:
 ³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
         Who heals all your diseases,
 ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
         Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
 ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
         So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5

Prayer Revolution: Forfeit Peace No More

On Friday, my friend sent me an email that said she woke herself up crying, singing this song . . . and she sent this link.

I think that waking up with that song on her lips was God speaking directly to her. She said this happened years ago when there was illness in the family. I asked why she was sharing it with me on this day. It just popped into her head. :-) I think God was using her to remind me. Look at the words of this song:

The Prayers -- Cool Song

I recently found that I really like this song. It's based on James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 KJV

And you can dance to it! Enjoy! 

Prayer Revolution -- A Cool Way to Pray

On Thursday, as I was driving, I was praying for someone. I prayed, "Lord, deliver him from anything that he wouldn't want anyone to know."

That must have been a Spirit-led prayer. I don't know of anything wrong in the life of the person for whom I was praying. I've never prayed like that before. But I thought, "How cool is that?" I thought about how I would love for someone to pray that for me. 

Probably most people have something in their lives that they don't want anyone to know. I sure do. I would hate for anyone to know how much I have been eating lately.  Like that's my only flaw. But we won't discuss that right now.

But what if we prayed for each others' flaws/sins? We don't have to know everything about a person. God knows. Honestly, I wouldn't want to know everything about most people. We just have to remember that none of us is perfect.

That evening I went to pray with my partners. One of them, Frank, shared this word that Holy Spirit had given him:

Prayer Revolution—Knowing to Whom We Pray

Tuesdays can be my cranky days. Maybe it's because I get up earlier on Tuesday than any other day. The problem is that the reason I get up early is to go to church to pray. No, going to church to pray is not a problem. Being cranky when I get to work and people know that I've gone to pray . . . that's a problem. Maybe no one notices. Yeah right!

Maybe I'm cranky because I'm tired. Maybe it's because we have meetings first thing on Tuesday mornings at work. It doesn't matter. It's not acceptable. Since I have this tendency, I was a bit concerned this morning. Okay, I was fretting over it. I thought I might ask my prayer partners to pray with me about it.

Live Web Stream Saturday August 6

Today we have a chance to join prayer warriors and intercessors across the United States. A huge prayer meeting called: The Response: A Call To Prayer For A Nation In Crisis will begin at 9 AM on streaming video. The Response is a time of fasting and praying with other believers. Please join in on Saturday when you have the chance. You can download a prayer guide, watch, and pray with the believers who will be meeting at Reliant Stadium in Houston.  

From The Response web site:

Today will be a day of fasting and prayer, a gathering unto God as the body of Christ to worship, repent, and pray for America. May Jesus’ name be lifted above every other name today in Reliant Stadium.

The goal today is to worship the Lord in spirit and truth, to come together as a diverse body with sincerity, wholeheartedness and freedom. We encourage you to actively engage in worship in your own heart and by singing out loud. Join with the prayers from the platform by verbally agreeing or taking their words and praying them in your own way. Rather than watching as a spectator, join as a participant.

You are standing before God on behalf of America; He wants to hear your voice.

Pray with me:

 

Father, I pray that as believers gather in Houston and across this country by live streaming, we will cry out to You together in unity. Bless the efforts of those in Texas who are organizing this event. May their be unity among the body of Christ. After the event, help us to remember to continue to cry out to You as a body of believers. Thank You, Father for the prayer revolution that is going to bring change in our society. I give You  praise. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Revolution: Say Thanks

Have you ever given a gift to someone and they respond with, "Is that all?" or "I wanted a blue one." or "Oh, I already have one of these." In such cases, my response is something like, "What I think you're saying is 'thank you.'"

How often do we neglect to thank God, but complain instead? A thankful heart changes your perspective. Saying thanks is a kind of prayer.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men 1 Timothy 2:1 NKJV

When Paul wrote this, he listed supplication (a type of prayer), prayers, intercessions (a type of prayer) and thanksgiving.

Let's begin our prayer revolution with all kinds of prayer, including thanksgiving. Let's say thanks for what God has already done.

Give thanks with me:

Awesome God, Thank You for teaching me how to pray. Thank You for a prayer revolution that will change society. Thank You that the revolution is going to bring change in my life first. I want to thank You because You have done so many great things in my life. Thank You for life. Thank You Jesus dying on the cross for the sins that I've committed. Thank You that Jesus overcame death so I could live a victorious life. Thank You that Jesus is preparing a place for me in Your house.  Thank You for creating me with a purpose in mind. Thank You that I have hope in my life. Thank You for peace. Thank You for a family and friends who love me. Thank You for good health. Thank You for meeting my every need. Thank You for being my Shepherd so that I lack nothing. Thank You that I can pray to You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer Revolution: Ask

The first step to begin a prayer revolution is simply: pray. I know that sounds obvious, but hear me out; maybe you haven't been praying like you think you have. This phrase is like a test to me to evaluate whether I have prayed about a matter. The King James Version says, "Ye have not because ye ask not." James 4:2b

I just think that sounds cool. But a more modern version says,

You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2b NIV

When I read that, I have to evaluate: have a really asked God for this thing or to intervene in this matter or have I just thought about it? Remember, I learning how to not just think about prayer but to move beyond that and actually pray. But sometimes, if you're like me, you may ask yourself that question and find that answer is: no, I have not prayed. I did not ask God.

That seems so simple doesn't it? You don't have something because you just didn't ask for it. God wants us to ask. He wants us to pray. He wants us to talk with Him about our desires. He wants to answer.

Have you asked God to help you in whatever area you may be struggling? Have you asked Him to intervene in a situation that is causing worry or fear in the life of someone you know? Did you invite God to your workplace to bring peace, safety, and prosperity? (Ouch) Have you asked Him for direction for the next season of your life? Did you already pray about the physical healing you need in your life or for someone else?

Maybe you do not have God's help, divine intervention, peace, prosperity, direction or healing, etc because you have not asked.

Our prayer revolution begins by praying about everything.

Pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your word. Thank You for showing me that one reason that I may not have seen some prayers answered is because I may not have actually asked or prayed. Maybe I only thought about it. Maybe I only assumed that You would take care of the situation. I know that You are able, but You want me to ask. So I ask that You reveal to me, in every situation, how I should pray. Teach me how to pray about everything because I want to trust You with everything. Let the revolution begin in Jesus name. Amen.

Prayer Revolution

Sick and tired of the church talkin' religion
And yet, they talk about each other, makin' decisions
No more racism, two-facism, no pollution, the solution?
A Revolution

-Kirk Franklin, Revolution

For the last few days' the phrase "prayer revolution" has been on my heart. When I think of prayer revolution, I think of things/situations/culture being changed as a result of prayer. As they said repeatedly in the movie Angels in the Outfield, "It could happen." But to sound more spiritual I'll say: I believe God!

I ache with longing to see God's kingdom come in my lifetime. I know that we can be a part of that happening. So in the month of August, we will continue to study prayer. Much more than study it, we will pray. I believe God that we will pray as we never have and see the results as we've never seen before.

On dictionary.com, one definition for revolution is a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure. Oh yeah, it could happen.

One of our mentors for prayer this month will be the Prophet Elijah. I love what the scripture says about him:

 ¹⁷ Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18 NIV

Guess what? When it doesn't rain for 3 ½ years, some part of culture is going to change. Because Elijah talked to God, the rain ceased. Elijah wasn't Jesus. He was a regular person like us. He prayed; no rain. He prayed; rain. God honored this regular man's earnest prayer.

We don't want to change the weather, but we want a radical and pervasive change in society. Our society is ill. Hurting people are waiting for us to pray for them and show them the Truth. They are crying out to know someone who can put them in touch with God to bring a change, a revolution in their lives. Even the church, the body of Christ is in need of refreshing, rejuvenation, and revival – awakening.

Join a prayer revolution with me. Pray with me about specific matters to see change.

Pray with me:

Father, I believe it could happen. I believe that by the prayers of my friends and myself, we can cause a revolution – we can cause a radical and pervasive change if we join together in prayer and if we pray earnestly.  We pray: wake up prayer warriors! Wake up intercessors! Wake up revolutionaries! I believe God! I believe, Father that if we would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked, self-centered ways, You will hear from Heaven. You will forgive our sins. You will heal our sin-sick land. Help me to pray as I've never prayed before. Help me to pray Your will accurately. Teach me how to seek You with humility in fasting and prayer. Show me, Father, how to cry out to You. Thank You for revolutionizing my prayer life. Let the revolution begin in me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

WWHIYP Continually

It's the end of another month of praying together. Thank God for persistence and growth. Of course we can't stop now. :-) I'm not sure where we're going with this, but we will keep going. I think we will have to have a new scripture book on prayer. There are so many promises about prayer that we have not talked about, yet.

Meanwhile, we must continue to pray.

pray without ceasing,

                1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

  

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP

  

pray continually;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

Never stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT

When I first sent out the Faith to Pray booklets, one of my friends sent an email and joked: I don't understand what Thessalonians is saying.

Yes, it's hard to miss that point. And if you didn't get it the first time, there are three other ways to say it.

What would happen if you prayed continually? Not nonstop praying as in: you don't do anything else but pray, but making prayer your lifestyle. Not only that, but not giving up on praying until you see the results – praying perseveringly. We have discussed praying in this manner, previously. We are going to put this type of praying into practice even more.

Persistent Prayer

Persistence Brings Results

WWHIYP For One Thing

WWHIYP By A.S.K.

So into August we will continue to pray until we see the results. And after we see results, we will continue to pray for other matters in the lives of our families, friends, churches, and nation. Through God by prayer, we have the opportunity to be agents of change. Let's make the most of that opportunity.

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b NASB

Pray with me (continually)

Awesome God, my Father, bless Your name for giving me the honor to affect change among my family and friends, my neighborhood, my town, my church, my workplace, my world. It is an honor that You have given me the privilege to pray by the precious name of Jesus, the name that is above every name. Teach me how to pray continually, perseveringly, without ceasing, never stopping until the work is done – until the answer comes. I know that You still have awesome things to do on earth and that You will use people who are willing, obedient, and tenacious. I want to be one that You can count on to pray that Your kingdom comes and Your will is done on earth as it is in Heaven. I commit to a lifestyle of prayer. I commit to be unceasing in prayer. You will hear my voice every day in praise, thanksgiving, petition, and intercession. Thank You for being God who hears. Amen.

WWHIYP For the President . . . Revisited

Even if you don't agree, pray. God's Word does not give us a choice in the matter. We are not asked to pray for our leaders; we are told to pray for our leaders. Our opinions don't matter here. You don't have to agree with your leaders to pray for them. Pray that God's will is done in their lives. Praying for our leaders, namely the president, is bigger than we are.

Let's talk about a man who has authority over hundreds of millions of people and influences the entire world. Now tell me, dear Christian, is it better to criticize him or pray for him?

Have no doubt that God can use President Obama for His glory. Look at how God used leaders of nations, even those who did not know Him.

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: Genesis 41:25 NKJV

But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Daniel 2:28a NKJV

In these two cases, God gave the leaders of Egypt and Babylon a dream about the future. Neither of them was considered a man of God, but God honored their positions as leaders.

Many years later, Isaiah prophesied about a king whom God would use even though this king would not acknowledge God.

         ¹ “Thus says the LORD to His anointed,
      To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—
      To subdue nations before him
      And loose the armor of kings,
      To open before him the double doors,
      So that the gates will not be shut:
       ² ‘ I will go before you
      And make the crooked places straight;
      I will break in pieces the gates of bronze
      And cut the bars of iron.
       ³ I will give you the treasures of darkness
      And hidden riches of secret places,
      That you may know that I, the LORD,
      Who call you by your name,
      Am the God of Israel.
       ⁴ For Jacob My servant’s sake,
      And Israel My elect,
      I have even called you by your name;
      I have named you, though you have not known Me.
       ⁵ I am the LORD, and there is no other;
      There is no God besides Me.
      I will gird you, though you have not known Me,                         Isaiah 45:1-5 NKJV  

God called this king "anointed." God called the king by name, Cyrus, even though he wouldn't be born for another hundred years or so.  God told this unbelieving king, I have held your hand to win battles. I've called you for the sake of My people.

God can use whomever He pleases. Maybe He has a plan such as this for President Obama. To the people who did not believe that God could use an ungodly king He says,

 ⁹ “Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker,
   to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
   ‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
   ‘He has no hands’?
¹⁰ Woe to him who says to his father,
   ‘What have you begotten?’
or to his mother,
   ‘What have you brought to birth?’

 ¹¹ “This is what the LORD says—
   the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:
Concerning things to come,
   do you question me about my children,
   or give me orders about the work of my hands?
¹² It is I who made the earth
   and created mankind upon it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
   I marshaled their starry hosts.
¹³ I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness:
   I will make all his ways straight.
He will rebuild my city
   and set my exiles free,
but not for a price or reward,
   says the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 45:9-13 NIV

I believe the same God can use democrats, republicans, independents, tea party. What difference does that label make to Almighty God? Dare we question whom God uses? Instead, let's trust Him and pray: Your kingdom come; Your will be done in the President's life. That way we are sure that we are agreeing with God. But wait, there's more: if you act right now and pray for the president, you won't want to criticize. We are to bless people and not curse them. So if we are truly praying for President Obama from the heart and according to God's will, we'll be blessers instead of a complainers/criticizers.  What would happen if you prayed for the president? We put our trust in God that He can do His will in the president's life.

Pray with me:

Father, You are so amazing. You can use anyone. Your Word declares that The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Thank You, Sovereign Lord. Clearly, You reign. Clearly, You are in control. I have seen in Your Word that You can give dreams of a nation's future to national leaders. I have seen in Your Word how You can anoint a leader, who does not acknowledge You, to bless Your people. You are the potter; You can make and do whatever You want with what You have created. I dare not judge. But I bless President Obama. I pray that You open his eyes to recognize that You can use him. I pray that he will put his confidence in his creator and not in his own ability. Bless him and his family with peace. Protect them from harm. He campaigned on a platform of hope. Bless him to know that You are our only hope. Bless him to know truth and wisdom. I pray that President Obama will be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. I pray that he will walk worthy of You, Lord, fully pleasing You and being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. (Colossians 1:9-11) May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in President Obama's life. I ask that You would stir up the body of Christ to pray for the president and other leaders. Help us to realize that our prayers can change the course of our future. Praise You, Father. You are the One who hears and responds. Thank You that I can come to You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Prayer for the United States

Pray with me:

Father, we the people of the United States need your help. Our land needs healing. You promised us that if Your people would humble themselves and pray and seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, You would hear Heaven; forgive our sins; and heal our land. Thank You that You always do Your part. Please help us do ours. Father, help the church, Your people, to shake off lethargy and slumber so we can humble ourselves with prayer and fasting. Help us to put aside the things of this world and seek Your beautiful face instead. Help us to turn from our ways, all of our ways that displease You and everything that keeps us from spending time with You. Deliver us from ourselves, Father.

We cry out for the United States. Bless President Obama today. Give him strength and wisdom. Open his eyes to see that he needs You. Bless our congress to seek Your face first and foremost so they will know that You alone are God, You only are the answer to what we need in this country. Bless them to humble themselves so they can serve the people. Help them to remember their purpose. Bless them to be unified to do Your will and what's best for the people. Bless them to be humble servants who put others before their own cause. We voted for them to represent us. Please help them to receive wisdom concerning our economy, health care, jobs, etc.

Father we cry out for our nation. That the church would rise up and seek Your face. You are our only hope. You know the plans that You have for us. You have plans of prosperity and not harm. You have plans for a future and a hope. Bless the United States, Father, in Jesus' name. Amen.

WWHIYP for the President

If you badmouth the president, you're wrong. God's word shows and tells us to respect authority.

David was called to be king while he was still a shepherd. The current king was a little crazy. He was being oppressed by an evil spirit. David would play anointed music for King Saul and that spirit would leave. 1 Samuel 16:14-23 David killed a giant that had been harassing King Saul's army. Saul became jealous and tried to kill David as he played that music to alleviate Saul of the evil spirit. He tried to kill David! He later chased David with his army to kill him. Once Saul went into a cave where David was hiding. Saul was unaware of David's presence. Saul was so close to David that he could have easily killed the man who was trying to kill him. But instead he said he would not harm God's anointed one. 1 Samuel 24:1-15 Anointed? The one who is trying to kill you?

David knew that authority comes from God. Even in the New Testament it says:

¹ Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. ⁵ Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. ⁷ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Romans 13:1-7 NKJV

WWHIYP in Secret and to the Point

I don't know, but for many of us I don't think part of one of these scriptures will apply like they did back in Jesus' day, but let's look at them just in case.

⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV

When Jesus said this, He was talking to a culture that included people who liked to be seen doing their religious works. So they might pray out in public. Probably none of us do this. Jesus also spoke to those who liked to pray long, not necessarily meaningful, prayers. We might be accused of this one, at times. 

Jesus wants us to pray privately. Don't misunderstand though, there are times when you pray with others but it's all about the motivation and the attitude of our hearts. Are we praying to impress people or are we trying to talk to Father God? We have to realize that it doesn't matter what people think. It's God's opinion that is most important. So we can meet Him in private.  And then we don't have to tell people how much time we spent with Him, which would be a modern day equivalent to praying in public like the hypocrites. "Wow, I spent three hours on my face before God yesterday." Or, "I got up at three this morning to seek God and did not go back to sleep." What would be your motivation behind sharing that information with someone? Because you want them to think you are super spiritual or because you're excited about your time with God? Not that we'll really care after meeting Him in private, but people will know that we've been praying. How will they know? Because He promised that the Father would reward us in in the open – people will easily see that God is blessing our lives.

Now, as I said, we may be accused of the other part—vain repetitions. Our Father knows what we need already. We just need to get to the point when we ask Him. There are no magical phrases to repeat to make Him answer us. If you going to repeat something, repeat something meaningful . . . praises. You know how it is when someone commits an extraordinary act of kindness. You say "thank you." "No, really thank you." "Hey, have I told you thank you, lately? What you did was so wonderful. I can't believe you thought of me like that. I can't believe you did that for me. THANK YOU!" And as we say down south, "thank you so much."

That kind of repetition is not vain. It's from the heart. It's said with love.

So what would happen if you prayed in secret and to the point? Your Father Who sees you in secret and Who already knows what you need will respond.

Pray with me (in secret ;-)

Father, You already know what I need. You know better than I do, but You want me to ask. Thank You for this time of communicating with You. You're a good Dad. You love Your children more than we can comprehend. I'm glad to be Your child. You already know that I need to spend more time in prayer with You. Help me to not waste time on things that do not matter but instead to spend time with You. I know that You and I together can change the world! I love You and praise You that I can come to You in Jesus' name. Amen.

How to Pray for Your Enemies – WWHIYP for Your Enemies

This prayer challenge – praying for your enemies – may take more faith than any mode of prayer that we've discussed thus far.

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NIV

Wow, we thought it was going to take faith to pray for your enemies, but we have to love them, too? God, how much can we bear?

For whatever reason, the NKJV goes into more detail than the other versions of Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NKJV

This version spells out how we are to treat our enemies. How can we possible be nice to people who hate us and pray for those who mistreat us let alone love them? We do it by faith. We do it because God's word says to and because He won't ask us to do something impossible. We do it because we want to please Him by obeying His word. Remember that we are people who DO the word. If you call yourself a believer and live under the lordship of Jesus Christ, doing the Word is not an option—it's a lifestyle.

There's a promise that goes with obeying this Word:

⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.                            Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV

By obeying verse 44, we show that we are children of our Heavenly Father. Our actions are speaking louder than our Words. As sons and daughters we can do this. Do I have proof? I'm so glad you asked.

³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:33-34 NIV

People who crucify you are your ENEMIES. People who roll dice in front of you to take your clothes while they kill you are your ENEMIES. And yet, what did Jesus do? He prayed. He found love and compassion in His heart and prayed for His enemies. He showed that He is a Son of the Father in heaven.

Like Father, like Son. Sometime before the crucifixion, Jesus made it clear that He was like the Father.

¹⁹ Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. John 5:19-20 NKJV

By the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can pray for our enemies and love our enemies as He did because we are sons and daughters, too. He realized that His enemies were ignorant—they did not know what they were doing. Keep that in mind. Anyone who mistreats you is definitely ignorant in the ways of God.

We can start there by asking the Father to forgive our enemies. Then we can pray for them as we would want someone to pray for us. It may take practice to pray for our enemies, it may be difficult in the beginning. But as we obey the Word and become more like our Father, He is going to help us do what He told us.

What would happen if you prayed for your enemies? And how can we deal with our enemies in all practicality?

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21NIV

Pray for your enemy(ies) – we can do this!

Father, I lift up ___________ to Your throne of grace. First I forgive _______ and I ask that You forgive _________, too. He/she does not know what he/she is doing. As far as it depends on me . . . for my part . . . I want to live in peace with ________. I pray that You will bless _______ with good health, peace of mind, love, joy, and prosperity. I pray blessing upon blessing upon blessing for _________. Father, I know that You love ______ and I pray that he/she will come into the full knowledge of Your love. If I ever see that ________ has a need, bless me to fulfill that need with a pure, generous heart. If I have water when _______ is thirsty, help me to share. If I have food when ________ is hungry, help me to not hold anything back. I want to be like You. I want to be a light in this dark world, so I choose to bless______ instead of cursing him/her. I choose to speak well of _______ instead of evil. Help me to see the good side of ________. Just because I pray for ________ it does not mean that we will be best friends. _________ may forever choose to be my enemy, but as long as he/she is within my sphere of influence, I will pray blessings. Thank You for helping me to show Your love, in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.