Tag Archives: Fasting

April 7, 2016 · 11:00 am

Thursday’s Prayers for America (4/7/2016)

Spiritual gifts anyone?

Maybe your first thought is, “Yuck! Who wants this Pentecostal/Charismatic phoney baloney spiritual gifts-type of stuff. Not me!”

Relax. Take a deep breath. Now, continue reading.

Let’s say that you and your wife take your daughter to the mall. She is three years old and dressed up in a cute Bambi t-shirt and jeans outfit. Everyone looks at her and smiles. She’s a doll and you adore her, and would do anything for her.

But because you were in a hurry when you left home, you did not use the restroom, and you need to go – now. You tell your wife.  She rolls her eyes and says, “Oh honey, use the one in Macy’s Department Store. We’ll wait here for you by the kids play area.”

You rush to the restroom, do your duty, wash your hands and leave. As you walk back from the store, you see a flash and hear an explosion from an Islamic terrorist’s bomb. It knocks you down. Glass particles and debris cover your body.

Brushing yourself off, you run to where you wife and daughter were waiting. When you get there, you see bodies all over the floor. Somehow, you find your wife and daughter. They’re dead with blood all over them.

Now, what are you going to do?

Are you going to call the police? Or the doctor? Or your pastor? Or the funeral home? Or are you just going to fall down and cry?

You see, at this disastrous moment, you need the gift of faith, the gift of healing, and the gift of miracles to try and raise your loved ones from the dead (1 Corinthians 12: 9-10). And I guarantee that you would do anything to have these gifts at that time, wouldn’t you?

So, what’s stopping you from seeking the spiritual gifts right now? Pride. Bad teaching. Laziness. What?

(Excerpt from Islamic Christians versus Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules, which can be read in its entirety here.)

My prayer today:

Lord, I ask for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts so that American believers pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that we prophesy. (Based on 1 Corinthians 14:1)

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

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

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April 5, 2016 · 12:51 pm

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (4/5/2016)

Afghan children near Kabul. www.theguardian.com

Afghan children playing near Kabul.
http://www.theguardian.com

Afghanistan: 33.3 million people (99.8% Islam and .1% Christianity) Persecution Level: Extreme

The Taliban has regained strength since its overthrow in 2001, increasing its control particularly in the south and east. The country’s economy relies heavily on the drug trade as well as foreign aid.

Life for Christians:
Afghan believers must hide their faith and cannot worship openly. Many have left the country, becoming refugees, in order to practice their faith. Believers gather in homes or other small group venues. Proselytizing is strictly forbidden by the Quran and Sharia law. Kidnapping, torture and beatings are routinely employed to force Christians to renounce their faith. (The Voice of the Martyrs)

Afghanistan remains one of the most corrupt countries in the world. It has a life expectancy of 44 and only 12% of women are literate. None of those problems will be solved in just a few years. “This is a developing country, starting from a very low base, with shooting attached,” said one western official. (The Guardian)

My prayer today:

Lord, raise up laborers for Afghanistan who are willing to go and proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and who are also anointed to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. (Based on Matthew 10:7-8)

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. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 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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March 31, 2016 · 8:21 am

Thursday’s Prayers for America (3/31/2016)

The 2016 Presidential race has brought one ugly behavior to the surface in us Americans: anger.

William DeFoore, an anger-management writer, described anger as a pressure cooker: we can only apply pressure against our anger for a certain amount of time until it explodes. (Wikipedia)

Sadly, I believe DeFoore is correct and that America has a pressure cooker atmosphere right now, just waiting to explode.

My prayer today:

Lord, help us American believers to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice, and instead, help us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us. (Based on Ephesians 4:31-32)

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

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

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March 29, 2016 · 7:32 am

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (3/29/20160

Iran: 77.5 million people (98.7% Islam and .8% Christianity) Persecution Level: Extreme

Islamic clerics assumed power under the ayatollah in 1979. The nation became an Islamic republic under Shia Islam. Today, the country is divided between moderates and hardliners.
Iran remains one of the most difficult nations in the world in which to be a Christian. Since President Hassan Rouhani took office in August 2013, the number of individuals in prison because of their beliefs has increased, and Christians are especially targeted. Over the past year, Iranian authorities have raided church services, threatened church members and arrested and imprisoned worshipers and church leaders, particularly Christian converts from Islam. Currently, there are approximately 90 Christians either in prison or awaiting trial. (The Voice of the Martyrs)

My prayer today — basically taken from the above two minute video:

Lord, I pray to You, the Lord of the Harvest, to raise up thousands of laborers for Your harvest fields in Iran. (Based on Luke 10:2 and Luke 1:37)

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. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 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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March 24, 2016 · 9:54 am

Thursday’s Prayers for America (3/24/2016)

 

 

My heart and prayers go out to the suffering people in Brussels right now. May the Lord comfort them and may something good come out of this horrific calamity.

But at the same time, how many warnings do we American believers need before we take the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 seriously and follow its directions:

  1. Humble ourselves before God…which usually means to fast.
  2. Pray
  3. Seek God
  4. Turn from our wicked ways…which means to repent.

Then, God will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

My prayer today:

Lord, help us American believers to quit deceiving ourselves so that we become doers of Your word and not just hearers of it. (Based on James 1:22)

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

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

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March 22, 2016 · 7:25 am

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (3/22/2016)

Iraq: 35.8 million people (95.9% Muslim and 1.6% Christian)…Persecution Level: Extreme

Iraq is a complicated mixture of severe persecution and increased freedom for believers and evangelism. Islamic extremists have targeted Christian leaders, churches and businesses. Though Islam is the official religion, the constitution guarantees “full religious rights of all individuals.” Other laws, however, restrict the freedom to change religions. To register, a church must have 500 members and the approval of the Council of Iraqi Churches. Between 2003 and 2014, about half the Christian population fled the country. With the advance of IS into Iraq in 2014, many of the remaining Christians have been displaced or have fled. When the Islamic State (IS) invaded Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, in June 2014, they issued an ultimatum to the estimated 35,000 Christians there, telling them to convert, pay a high tax, leave or be killed. Nearly all fled. (Voice of the Martyrs)

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray to You, the Lord of the Harvest, to raise up thousands of laborers for Your harvest fields in Iraq because nothing is impossible for You. (Based on Luke 10:2 and Luke 1:37)

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. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 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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March 17, 2016 · 12:26 pm

Thursday’s Prayers for America (3/17/2016)

“But to truly understand spiritual warfare, you need to remember: Satan was an archangel who understands the government of God. When he rebelled, he became the father of lies and there’s no truth in him. Everything Satan attempts to do is a lying counterfeit of what God does and how God governs.”

The angel glanced at me, making sure I was on the same page with him.

“Satan’s army wears protective armor just like Christians do, but the demonic armor is the exact opposite of God’s armor. Their loins are girded with lies; their breastplates are unrighteousness; their feet are shod with chaos; they have shields of fear; they wear helmets of eternal doom; and their swords are the lying words of Satan. But there is one important similarity common to both God’s army and Satan’s forces. Can you guess what it is?”

I shook my head.

“Unity,” he said. “Both armies’ success depends on unity. God’s army is unified through faith in God and love of God and the brethren. Satan’s forces are unified in their hatred of God and His followers – and – their fear of God, Satan, each other, and bold believers.

(Excerpt from Jonah by Larry Nevenhoven, ©2012, Amazon eBook)

My prayer today:

Lord, help American believers to bear with one another in love and to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Based on Ephesians 4:2-3)

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

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

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March 15, 2016 · 9:32 am

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (3/15/2016)

The above video (7 minutes and 20 seconds) relates the testimony of Fatima of Suadi Arabia. She was a mid-20’s, disillusioned, Muslim girl who was told by her friends that the Bible often referenced Muhammad. So, she spent hours searching the Bible looking for verses about the Muslim prophet, but found none. But what she did find was the love of Jesus Christ and became a Christian.

Fatima then became a blogger to share her love of Jesus with her countrymen. On one blog, she told how much Jesus loved the Saudia people. One person commented: “You worship a crucified, cursed Lord. We are not honored by Saudia Arabian Christians. If I had you in my hands right now, I would slaughter you twice.”

Fatima replied to the angry commenter: “May the Lord Jesus guide you and enlighten your heart…I am to death a Christian.”

Fatima’s testimony forced me to ask myself: “Am I willing to risk everything for Jesus?”

Saudi Arabia: 30.77 million people (92.4% Muslim and 5.4% Christian)

Saudi Arabia is one of the most oppressive nations in the world for Christians. Religious freedom is nonexistent, and leaving Islam is punishable by death. (Voice of the Martyrs)

My prayer today:

Lord, nothing is impossible for You. So, I ask You, the Lord of the Harvest, to raise up thousands of laborers for the harvest in Saudi Arabia to take Fatima’s place. (Based on Luke 1:37 and Luke 10:2)

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. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 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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March 10, 2016 · 4:54 pm

Thursday’s Prayers for America (3/10/2016)

As a Christian car salesman at a General Motors/Toyota dealership in Iowa, many of my Christian friends stopped to see me when they were ready to buy a new car. Now, can you guess how many of them purchased new cars from me? None. Zero. Zilch.

The usual scenario would go something like this:

The husband and wife would stop by the dealership. I would show them the cars, they would choose one. I then would give them every possible discount and rebate the dealership would allow me to offer them on a new car. When I asked them if they were ready to sign the order, they invariably said, “We need to pray about this.”

The next day I would see them driving a competitor’s new car.

I would call them up and ask why they bought from my competitor instead of me. The usual answer: “Your competitor beat your deal by $50.”

This happened so often that I sought the Lord in prayer. “Lord, why are You telling my Christian friends to buy from a pagan salesman, rather than from me? Don’t I always pay tithes and offerings on my commissions? What does the pagan salesmen give You?”

In a clear voice, I felt the Lord said to my heart, “They never asked Me and I never told them to buy from your competitor.”

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray that American believers – as they have opportunity – do good to everyone, but especially to those who are of the family of God so that at just the right time they will reap a harvest of blessings. (Based on Galatians 6:9-10)

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

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

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March 8, 2016 · 2:56 pm

Tuesday’s Prayers for Prisoners (3/8/20160

Just the other day, the Lord impressed on my heart that I had not faithfully prayed and fasted for all of the Asian nations. He then showed me the Middle East nations, which I had overlooked. So, for the next few weeks, I will fast and pray for these Asian nations.

SYRIA: 22.85 million people (90% Muslim and 6.3% Christian)

The civil war that erupted in March 2011 has killed more than 191,000 people, displaced more than a million people within its borders and has sent more than 2.9 million fleeing across the country’s borders, according to U.N. reports. One in every eight Syrians has fled the country, a million more than in 2013. The majority of these have fled into neighboring Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. (Voice of the Martyrs)

In the above 4-minute video a Christian leader says: “We have something more important than anything else that makes us stay in the country, that something is the life-giving message from the Lord. We are ambassadors of the Lord…if heaven withdrew its ambassadors from our country, it is a disaster. Our privilege is not that we are able to leave Syria, but our privilege is that we are able to stay in this country for such a time as this.”

“Whatever you do in life, it begins with concern,” said Brother Andrew of Open Doors. “These are people who are a part of the Body of Christ. If you want something easy in life, I advise you not to get involved with the Syrian Church. There is a price to be paid. ‘Unless you deny yourself and follow Me,’ He said, ‘you cannot be My disciples.’ Nothing ever starts suddenly. Always one thing leading up to another, as long as you keep saying, ‘Yes to God.'”

My prayer today:

Lord, I pray that You strengthen the Christians who remain in Syria so that they hold fast to what they have received. May they all be overcomers who are clothed in white garments so that You confess their names before the Father and His angels. (Based on Revelation 3: 2-5)

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. 600 million people live in abject poverty in the slums of Asia.

6. 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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