Category Archives: Fasting

Thursday’s Prayers for America (6/25/2015)

Dolly 77

The biggest struggle that most of us Christians face each day is our fear of men. We most certainly don’t want other people to ridicule us for our Christian beliefs and then suffer any consequences for holding onto these beliefs.

We desire both the praises of men and the praises of God, but there’s a problem with this type of thinking.

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

The Hebrew word mowqesh is translated into the English word snare. The Hebrew word picture for mowqesh suggests a noose lying on the ground waiting for an animal to step into it and be caught.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, help us American believers to reckon ourselves dead to the sin of the fear of man and alive to the righteousness of of God in Christ so that we do not allow this foul sin to reign in our mortal bodies and to obey its lusts. (Based on Romans 6:11-12)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Filed under Christianity, Church, Fasting, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (6/23/2015)

Don Bosco Slum in Manila markpedder.wordpress.co

Don Bosco Slum in Manila
markpedder.wordpress.co

In 1892, at the age of twenty-seven, John Hyde departed by ship for India to preach in the Punjab region. After being at sea for a few days, Hyde remembered a letter from a family friend. He opened it and read: “I shall not cease praying for you, dear John, until you are filled with the Holy Spirit.”

The letter angered Hyde because he felt he had everything he needed. He crumpled it up and tossed it on the deck. A few minutes later, he humbled himself and asked the Lord to fill him with the Holy Spirit, no matter what it might cost him.

At that moment, John Hyde became Praying John Hyde.

His fruitlessness and discouragment drove Praying John Hyde to spend days and nights fasting and praying for India and its people. At the end of seven years, he had one solid convert. His missionary friends considered him crazy, a fanatic, and unsuccessful, but Hyde paid no attention to them. He continued to pray and fast.

Praying John Hyde is now recognized as an Apostle of Prayer because he saw thousands of converts and revival break out in the second half of his twenty-year ministry as a missionary to India.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I ask that every discouraged minister and preacher in Asia be filled with Your Holy Spirit so that they will not grow weary in doing good for You. (Based on Acts 9:17 and  Galatians 6:9)

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for prisoners in Asia, according to Hebrews 13:3.

Why Asia?

1. 4.4 billion people live in Asia.

2.. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

3. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

4. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

5. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

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Filed under 10/40 Window, Asia, Christianity, Church, Fasting, India, Kingdom of God, Manilla Slums, Prayer, spiritual warfare

Thursday’s Prayers for America (6/18/2015)

Dolly 77

Most people believe that John the Baptist’s ministry lasted for twelve to eighteen months. During that time, John preached a message of repentance, but he also said:

“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise…” (Luke 3:8-11)

John preached his message to a nation that was already experiencing God’s judgment on it. Yet, he also told them how to avoid an even worse judgment from God:

1. Repent – ask forgiveness for your sins and change your ways.

2. Do works of repentance – give to the poor and needy.

James said almost the same thing in his letter to Christians thirty years later:

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:3)

Most American believers are concerned that God will soon judge America. Almost all prayers are focused on stopping this from happening.

But it’s my belief that we’re praying in error because I think America is already under the curse of God’s judgment. Check it out by going to Deuteronomy 28 and studying the verses. Abortion, illegal immigration, financial debt, drought, fierce enemy attacks, our sons and daughters being taken captive by the kingdom of darkness, and so forth are symptoms of God’s judgment on our nation right now.

So, if I’m correct, what’s happening in America will get worse and worse unless we do something to halt our slide down this slippery slope now.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, help us American believers to repent and then do works of repentance by giving to the poor and needy.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Filed under America, Christianity, Church, Fasting, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (6/16/2015)

Don Bosco Slum in Manilla  markpedder.wordpress.com

Don Bosco Slum in Manilla
markpedder.wordpress.com

Each Tuesday, I pray and fast for the nations of Asia, where 4.4 billion people live. 

Why Asia?

1. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

2. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

3. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

4. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

According to the Bible, the Body of Christ is supposed to reach out to the needs of the saints throughout the world, is supposed to share our surpluses with those who have needs so that there may be fairness for all, is supposed to sow bountifully so that we reap bountifully, and is supposed to be a cheerful giver.

Then because we do this, God will make sure that we have all we need and plenty left over to help others.

Hello!

This is the biblical formula on how to prosper. So, we can throw all of the other prosperity books, tapes, and videos away, right?

Today, I prayed:

Lord, open our eyes and ears to the poor and helpless in the slums of BASECO and Don Bosco in Manilla to the slums of Mumbai and all over Asia. Give us dreams and visions that will compel us to move from our lukewarm attitudes toward Asia to either being hot or cold. (Based somewhat on Revelation 3:15-16)

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.

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Filed under 10/40 Window, Christianity, Church, Fasting, Kingdom of God, Manilla Slums, Poverty, Prayer, spiritual warfare

Thursday’s Prayers for America (6/11/2015)

two cats 8

 

Today, I fasted and prayed for Gospel For Asia. This Texas-based ministry and its founder, K. P. Yohannan, have blessed millions of us Americans since its beginnings almost forty years ago.

But what is a ministry? It’s people helping other people.

There are approximately 70 – 80 people who are full-time staff members, who along with interns and students attending GFA Discipleship training schools, handle the bulk of the work at GFA’s office in Wills Point, Texas. These people are unpaid and have raised their own support so that they can help serve the thousands of native missionaries and female ministry missionaries, 74,000 Bridge of Hope children, 614 Bridge of Hope Centers, and thousands of other things that GFA sponsors.

As I wrote in my post yesterday, I do not agree with how leadership is handling the money at Gospel For Asia, but my heart is broken for the staff people and students who need to be encouraged right now.

Today I prayed:

Lord, You said Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. So, Lord, encourage each worker at Gospel For Asia by reminding them that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in their weakness. (Based on Matthew 11:30 and 2 Corinthians 12:9.

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (6/9/2015)

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Each Tuesday, I pray and fast for the nations of Asia, where 4.4 billion people live. 

Why Asia?

1. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

2. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

3. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

4. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

Today, it dawned in me that if 6% of the population in Asia are Christians, that means there are approximately 250 to 300 million believers in Asia. Now, 250 to 300 million Christians sounds like a lot until you realize there are 4.1 billion people in Asia who do not know Jesus. 4.1 billion people!

Leonard Ravenhill once stated: “The biggest sins we Christians will face at the Judgment Seat of Christ are not the sins we committed, but our sins of omission (or not doing the things we should have done while we lived on earth).”

Can we ignore 4.1 billion people who do not know Jesus and expect to be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ? I know I can’t.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, give me Your love for the people of Asia, for the least to the greatest, for Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and whatever, and give me no rest until You have worked Your plans through me for Asia.

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.

 

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Filed under 10/40 Window, Asia, Christianity, Church, Fasting, India, Kingdom of God, Prayer, spiritual warfare

Thursday’s Prayers for America on Friday (6/5/2015)

Dolly 77

 

America’s biggest problem is not President Obama or Vice President Biden or Senate Majority Leader McConnell or Minority Senate Leader Reid or Speaker of the House Boehner or House Minority Leader Pelosi or Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts or the Democrat Party or the Republican Party or the media or talk radio or the internet or ISIS or Global Warming and Climate Change or racial problems or the economy or whatever.

America’s biggest problem is God.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

Today, I prayed:

Lord, open America’s eyes to Your ways that will bring us true peace. Do not let them be hidden from us. Help us to understand that this is the hour of visitation by the Judge. (Based on Luke 19:42-44)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (6/2/2015)

display-thumbnail-gospel-for_asia-RT09-03703

 

 

Each Tuesday, I pray and fast for the nations of Asia, where 4.4 billion people live. 

Why Asia?

1. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

2. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

3. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

4. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

Who am I kidding? Who are you kidding?

There are 4.4 billion people in Asia and 98% of them do not know Jesus. What can we possibly hope to accomplish by praying and fasting for so many people, right?

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3-5)

So, our prayers may not be dramatically changing every person’s life in Asia today, but our prayers are being added to the prayers of the saints in the golden censer. And one day soon, fire from the altar will be added to the censer and the contents will be thrown upon Asia. Then, Asia will have its eyes opened to the glory of Jesus and lives will be changed by the millions and millions.

Our prayers count!

Today, I prayed:

Lord, show all the people of Asia Your glory. (Based on Exodus 33:18)

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.

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Thursday’s Prayers for America (5/28/2015)

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A few days ago, I was praying for America and saw a sea of deception covering our whole nation. It covered our leaders and every believer.

I wondered why we were so deceived, but it didn’t click with me at the time.

Today I prayed:

Lord, open the eyes of American believers to see our sins so that we are no longer deceived and not living in the truth. Help us Lord to understand that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all of our unrighteousness. (Based on 1 John 1:8-9)

What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you?

Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.

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Filed under Christianity, Church, Fasting, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, Prayer, Prophecy, spiritual warfare

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (5/26/2015)

display-thumbnail-gospel-for_asia-RT09-03703

 

Each Tuesday, I pray and fast for the nations of Asia, where 4.4 billion people live. 

Why Asia?

1. 85.4% of world’s unevangelized people live in Asia. (Unevangelized means they may have heard the gospel but have no understanding on how to respond.)

2. The world’s three largest non-Christian religions – Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhists – are based in Asia.

3. Of the 37 countries of the world that are less than 10% Christian, 32 are in Asia. Of the 14 countries, that are less than 2% Christian, 12 are in Asia.

4. 85-90% of unreached people live in Asia. (Unreached means that they have never heard the name of Jesus.) (Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation)

Charlie Peace was a criminal. Laws of God or man curbed him not. Finally the law caught up with him, and he was condemned to death. On the fatal morning in Armley Jail, Leeds, England, he was taken on the death-walk. Before him went the prison chaplain, routinely and sleepily reading some Bible verses. The criminal touched the preacher and asked what he was reading. “The Consolations of Religion,” was the replay.

Charlie Peace was shocked at the way he professionally read about hell. Could a man be so unmoved under the very shadow of the scaffold as to lead a fellow-human there and yet, dry-eyed, read of a pit that has no bottom into which this fellow must fall? Could this preacher believe the words that there is an eternal fire that never consumes its victims, and yet slide over the phrase with a tremor? Is a man human at all who can say with no tears, “You will be eternally dying and yet never know the relief that death brings?”

All this was too much for Charlie Peace. So he preached. Listen to his on-the-eve-of-hell sermon:

“Sir,” addressing the preacher, “if I believed what you and the church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it, if need be, on hands and knees and think it worthwhile living, just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that!” (Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill)

Today, I prayed for the unreached people of Asia:

Forgive me, Lord, for my apathy toward the hundreds of millions of people in Asia who have never heard Your name. Make me willing to crawl on my hands and knees across broken glass –if need be – to reach as many of them as possible for You.

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.

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