Quote memorized Scripture aloud

The end of the year is quickly approaching, as is the end of my Scripture memorization goal. I decided to memorize the book of Jude (see http://thebookoflifeblog.blogspot.com/2015/10/i-am-memorizing-book-of-bible.html), and I will have accomplished this by Christmas.

I have had to be diligent. I have studied the book so that I could maximize the value of memorizing the words. I have incorporated it into my prayers, as I recognize its relevance the world around me and my own life.

And I have practiced saying it aloud, which is crucial.

It did not take me long into my memorization of this longer passage before I realized how critical quoting it aloud was. You see, there is a difference between reciting Scripture in your head and saying it aloud. There are extra connections that need to happen in the brain to be able to get those words out of your mind and through your vocal cords to the benefit of those around you.

While I could fly through the verses during my morning jogs, I stumbled and stuttered a bit as I sought to relay the powerful verses to others in conversation.

Fortunately, I have other people in my life who value Scripture (as well as memorizing it), so I began asking people if I could quote it to them. "May I practice?" I'd ask. Or sometimes people who knew I was memorizing it asked if I would recite it to them.

This all helped me.

Specifically, saying it to others accomplished several things:

1) My mouth became used to the words flowing off my tongue.

2) I was held accountable to my timeline in memorizing.

3) I was able to share the powerful message to those around me.

Just this morning, a dear friend asked me how my memorization project was going and wanted me to quote as much of Jude as I could. As I attempted to share the first 22 verses with power, I saw her face glow, a nod here and there, and support communicated through her smile. When I was done, it was clear she had received the message. "Powerful," she said. "Amen," I responded. We agreed it was relevant to our culture today.

So I encourage you to practice saying memorized Scripture aloud, whether you're memorizing one verse or a book of the Bible. This is your opportunity to minister to others, as well as ingrain these holy words of God into your mind and mouth.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).

Prayer for French survivors’ long-term healing

Lord, this morning the terrorist attacks that rocked Paris and the world are still at the forefront of our minds. We are praying for the people of France. We are praying for justice. We are praying for those who lost loved ones. We are part of the solidarity reflected all across social media. Yet we know, Lord, that the solidarity and resolve will soon fade, while, for many, the psychological and physical injuries will not. So this morning we take a moment to consider the future. We pray for the long-term healing that will seem elusive to many who witnessed and experienced the carnage of November 14, 2015. We pray even now for medical professionals of all related specialties (mental health, physical therapy, orthopedics, etc.,) to feel called to work with these survivors. We pray for the survivors to find the inner strength and hope to persevere on their journeys toward healing. And we pray for at least one Christ-follower in each survivor’s life to regularly come alongside him or her to point to HOPE, even when suffering seems overwhelming. Reveal yourself through this journey. Glorify yourself through healing. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, Amen. 

For those of you who follow the book of life blog regularly and appreciate my prayer posts, I'd like to direct you to http://www.prayingtochangetheworld.com/. I created this blog specifically for these types of prayer posts. In the future, that is where I will post them. Please consider subscribing by email. 

I am memorizing a book of the Bible

 While visiting Bethlehem Baptist Church with my family this summer, we were surprised by a very unique sermon: Andy Naselli quoting the entire book of 1 Corinthians.*

That was it: just quoting the entire book of 1 Corinthians. After all, it takes about an hour. And it’s God-breathed Scripture, so what else need he add?

Naselli quoted it well. It was more of an emphatic dramalogue than a dry recitation. We were drawn into the power of the message. It was long, but it was awe-inspiring.

As we left the church and headed to our vehicle, I said to my kids, “I think I’m going to memorize a book of the Bible.” They perked up, intrigued.

“Jude,” I said.

“Mom!” they responded, making faces at me.

(For those of you who don’t know, the entire book of Jude is 25 verses.)

I was teasing my kids, but the idea stuck with me. After all, I firmly believe in memorizing Scripture. In fact, the spiritual discipline has been a consistent part of my life since I was 18.

Historically, I have had better success with memorizing shorter passages than long ones (though I have memorized chapters before), but I also believe in keeping things fresh by trying new challenges.

I thought and prayed about the idea for several weeks and then decided to go for it. I would memorize the book of Jude. Who knows, I wondered, perhaps it would inspire me to try a longer book eventually.

I am taking it slowly and steadily: two verses per week. I am on verse 10. Because my memory is not as sharp as it once was (I’m thankful I memorized lots of Scripture when I was younger, because those verses are a firm part of me now), I have to meditate on it regularly in order to make it stick. But that, my friend, is the greatest benefit of this exercise.

Though I have read Jude many times through the years, I cannot recall having studied it intently. By committing it to memory, I am learning it quite well. In fact, the first two verses alone thrilled me:

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:  May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Perhaps it’s only a greeting, but look at what that first verse tells us about ourselves: we are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ! These truths merit deep reflection and inspire joy.

Verse 2 provides a beautiful blessing I have shared frequently since memorizing it. What a blessing indeed to pass on our desire that mercy, peace and love be multiplied to someone we care about.

As Jude progresses, it addresses false teachings and illustrates a contrast between the error of heresy and the truth of Jesus Christ. This is very relevant to our culture today and has provided me much food for thought and motivation for prayer.

So I may be memorizing the fifth-shortest book of the Bible (http://overviewbible.com/the-5-shortest-books-of-the-bible-in-order/), but the truths of this oft-overlooked book are becoming part of me in a way I would have missed if I continued my pattern of briefly reading it and moving on to Revelation.

So, what do you think? What will you memorize next?

*https://www.hopeingod.org/sermon/1-corinthians

Prayer against Sex Trafficking

Lord, please open our eyes. Help us learn the signs of sex trafficking, so we can intervene when people in our lives are endangered. May we educate our children to be careful in all of their relationships—including potential ones. May our young people be attuned to the Holy Spirit when He says, “Stay away.” May they find their identities in You so they are not easily led astray toward finding their identity in something else. Give all of us a strong desire to be holy so we do not allow pornography or anything sexually perverse to take hold of our minds and hearts. May we long for intimacy with You so fiercely that we avoid impurity on every level. May we never become consumers of products that harm others. We pray for better laws, relentless investigation and effective law enforcement. Please overwhelm predators with deep conviction, helping them understand that they are not satisfying their own temporal desires, but destroying the innocent. Please show us our part to play in the battle against trafficking, whether it’s prayer, giving, advocating, healing, educating, prosecuting or all of the above. In Jesus’ powerful name, we pray, amen. 

A prayer on 9/11

Lord, today is a somber day for Americans. We remember the deaths of almost 3000 people—those who passed violently 14 years ago on this day. We remember seeing the best and worst of humanity contrasted sharply, side by side. We recall the fear and helplessness, the anger, and the repentance. And many of us still evoke the grief. Lord, may today not be only a day for sorrow, but a day for hope. May we humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways. May we reach out to those who suffer the long-lasting effects of the physical and emotional trauma from that day. May we reach out to our neighbors in love and service, inspired by those who risked everything 14 years ago this day. And may America desire to lead this world in goodness and grace, humility and strength. May we do what it takes personally and corporately to bless the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.  

Melissa's friends lead the way

These lovely young ladies will meet again in heaven. Melissa Collins is on the far right. 

The murder of local teen Melissa Collins has deeply affected her entire community (http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/breaking/man-charged-with-murder-of-missing-stepdaughter/article_e97cb1d8-ffab-11e4-8884-2bb6a437c918.html). Her death at the hands of her own stepfather--someone in a role intended to protect her--is a prime example of evil in the world. For those who know her, the pain is almost overwhelming.

Melissa was in the 4.12 Leadership Training Program at Joy El (http://joyelgeneration.org/), where my family serves. She was a five-year student, set to graduate from the program on Thursday, May 21—the very day her murder came to light.

The 100 students in the 4.12 program spend lots of time together—weekends, weeks, whole summers. Some are more involved than others—Melissa among them. These students become best of friends. So Melissa’s initial “disappearance,” followed by the shocking news of her death, was a huge blow to her camp friends.

Thursday was one of the most surreal days of my life. We on the Joy El staff were reeling from the news ourselves—grieving—while also trying to “manage” the crisis on an organizational level. We were fielding constant calls, texts, Facebook messages; orchestrating and implementing a plan to get out the word as sensitively, honorably and effectively as we could. We were checking on students in schools, via phone calls, via their mentors. We were figuring out what to do with the scheduled graduation celebration that night, when Melissa was to be among those sharing her testimony and being honored for her five years of hard work and ministry. We were personally calling all those who had stated they would be in attendance.

In the midst of the constant activity, there were pauses for prayer and tears—and sometimes they weren’t pauses. For many, the prayer and tears were just flowing along with the activity.

We turned the graduation celebration into a time of grieving. Anyone connected to Melissa (primarily through Joy El) was welcome to meet at our worship center to grieve, pray, cry, laugh, and remember. It turned into a beautiful evening.

One of the many highlights of the evening came during a group prayer time. There was certainly prayer for justice on Thursday. But there was more than that. These wonderful teenagers began praying for their friend’s killer. They prayed that Ernie Chase would repent, that he would find God, and that he would receive forgiveness. The evening was a bittersweet time of fellowship and prayer for those who loved Melissa.

Then Friday was another hard day (there are many yet to come). When the chilling details of Melissa’s death came to light (http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/court-documents-hagerstown-teen-beaten-strangled-to-death-by-stepfather/article_e066d724-008f-11e5-b37b-8bd941cf5ec9.html), those who loved her had more to process.

I had mixed feelings about sharing those details with my children, who all knew Melissa (my older daughter more than the other two). Of course I wondered whether it was too much. Yet, thanks (and no thanks) to social media, I knew they would find out eventually, so I waited for the natural time with each of them.

For Abigail, my older daughter, that time came last night as she drove up to camp, with me in the passenger seat beside her.

“Tell me,” she said. “I’m going to hear it anyway.”

So I told her.

And after she had heard that Melissa’s stepfather had strangled Melissa, dragging her down to the basement, where he wrapped a cord around her neck… After Abigail heard that he had gone more than once to make sure she was dead, and that he had moved and hidden her body from the police… This is what she said:

“Cheryl told us a way to get letters to him.” (Cheryl is another of Melissa’s friends.)

“To whom? Melissa’s stepdad?” I asked.

“Yes, we can write him letters and get them to him to let him know we’re praying for him, and that he can find forgiveness in God. Is that OK?”

I paused. I reflected. I processed.

I remembered how I had reacted when I first read the gruesome details of Melissa’s death. I had been like the psalmist, who shared his heart, his anger, his emotions freely with God. I had railed in my grief, “Lord, I am praying for Ernie Chase! I am praying for him because it is the right thing to do! But I am disgusted beyond words by him!”

Melissa’s friends were making plans to write this man letters of encouragement.

I answered Abigail: “Yes, I think that would be wonderful. I think that would be very powerful.” I added, “Just don’t sign your last name.”

So, let us pray for Melissa’s loved ones, especially her families and boyfriend. Let us pray for justice. And let us pray for Ernie Chase.

Finally, let us thank God for the wonderful teenagers in our lives, who sometimes lead the way.   

Melissa would be so proud. 


"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" - Matthew 5:44

This post was initially published at www.echo-pilot.com. 

National Day of Prayer - prayer for families

Lord, we humbly approach you, acknowledging who you are. You are the source of every good thing. You are the source of all our hope, our peace, our joy, our purpose. Lord, we confess that we fall short. I confess that I fall short. Despite our best intentions, we fall shorts as spouses; we fall short as parents. So we are certainly qualified to cry out for mercy. And we do cry out for mercy! Lord, it can be overwhelming to consider the challenges facing our families in America today. But we should not focus on the challenges. After all, you tell us that we cannot add a single hour to our span of life through anxiety. And that each day has enough trouble of its own. Instead, we should focus on following you with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength, as well as loving our neighbors as ourselves. Yet, Lord, we want to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. We want to heed the urgency of the prayer need. I think of Lamentations, where it says: Arise, cry aloud in the night watches. Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the life of your little ones. Lord, we do that today. We lift up our hands for the lives of our children of all ages. We lift up our hands to you to save and strengthen our marriages. May we wives support and encourage our husbands, empowering them to lead us the way you want them to lead. May our husbands love us sacrificially—both their wives and children—with the love of Jesus, instilling in us trust and devotion. May our children learn to trust their parents so they can honor them and walk in the ways that will help them thrive spiritually and in their daily lives. And may all of us here set an example for others. We wholly depend on you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayer in response to the Baltimore riots

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/27/gangs-vow-to-target-police-as-baltiomore-protests-spread/.
See Habakkuk chapter 1 for more guidance as you pray.

“How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.” So prayed the prophet Habakkuk thousands of years ago, and similarly do many people pray tonight in Baltimore. LORD, our hearts grieve. We long for peace; we long for justice. We long for brothers and sisters to support each other, rather than harbor suspicion. Purge our hearts of sin and hate, LORD. Purge our communities of injustice and retribution. Protect our police officers. Protect our children. Fill hearts that overflow with violence instead with supernatural peace. Do a work in our day, LORD, to eradicate racism. Begin with us. In the name of the Prince of Peace we pray, Amen.

Good Friday prayer

Jesus, today the skies are gray in our hearts as we consider the sacrifice you made. If we take even a moment to ponder your horrific death at our hands, we must acknowledge the wickedness of our hearts and flesh. Yet you submitted to our demands. You received the punishment intended for us. You experienced your first-ever separation from your Heavenly Father. And you died. We thank you with all our hearts. We thank you by offering our lives to your service in response. And we say on this "Good" Friday that you are the One who is good. You are the One who let your goodness overflow into our lives, paying for our sins, changing our hearts. Thank you for the cross. Amen.

Do you want to be great?

Dave Overholt speaking at the Allegheny conference. Photo by Donnie Rosie. 

Last week I learned of a very helpful exercise in determining how to invest my energy and efforts.

I was attending one day of the Christian Camp and Conference Association's Allegheny sectional (http://mmrm.org/manualcontent/CCCA-Fireside-2015.pdf) and thus got to hear the speaker during one main session.

Dr. Dave Overholt (as you will see on the brochure found at the above link) “is the founding and lead pastor of Church on the Rock (Hamilton, Ontario) which grew out of a cooperative of youth groups. For fun Dave heads up the Youth Family department at Tyndale Seminary, has written several Canadian bestsellers and speaks on the road to thousands each year.”

I had heard from other Joy El staff members (that's where I serve in ministry: www.joyelgeneration.org) that the speaker was good this year, but I got to confirm this Tuesday night.

Dave encouraged and exhorted us. He made us laugh uproariously and pause reflectively. He was scripturally sound and relevant to our audience.

Here is the point he made that will most stick with me:

Dave was once advised to list his activities and demands on his time, and then ask himself, "Do I want to be great at this?"

For example, you might ask,

I like to golf, but do I want to be a GREAT golfer?

I work at a pizza parlor, but do I long to make GREAT pizza?

I'm an accountant, but do I want to be a GREAT one?

I have three children, but do I truly want to be a GREAT mother?

When you find your heart resounding with a genuine “YES!” that is where you invest your energy.

When your response is closer to a shrug, then cross that activity off your list. You may now invest that valuable energy into the other things on your list that ask greatness of you.

As Dave challenged us in this, it resonated with what God has been doing in me. I did an exercise in creating a personal mission statement last year that really helped me better discern where I should be investing my resources (including emotionally). When something fits within my present purpose in life (which is determined by my unique gifting, circumstances and passions), I can more readily agree to opportunities presented to me. When it doesn't, I can decline with more freedom than in past.

Dave seemed to refine this even further for me.

While I have determined based on consistent feedback that I am gifted to teach, when I ask myself, "Do I want to be a GREAT teacher?" I can easily decide that, no, I don't. I will continue to use this gift when presented with opportunities that are clearly from God and relevant to how I'm already serving (such as teaching the Barnabas mentors in the program I coordinate, as well as homeschooling my children), but when asked to speak beyond that, I can be free to graciously decline. Because I know in my heart of hearts that, though I trust God and choose to teach through His power and Spirit, these opportunities are the ones that cause me more stress--only to be relieved when the event is over. Whereas writing is something I look forward to and can brainstorm about at leisure and with pleasure day or night.

(I feel the need to insert a couple clarifications at this point: 1) Prayer should cover this entire process. When presented with teaching opportunities, I will still pray about them, but this practice can help me discern how God is directing me. 2) Our purpose can change over time, so don’t permanently lock yourself into what you believe God is or is not asking you to do. 3) God certainly may ask us to do things outside of our comfort zone and gifting, but that is not usually where He has us for the long-haul.) 

So, especially if you are feeling spread thin, take a moment now to list your responsibilities, opportunities, and interests in life. Turn them into questions that include the adjective "great," pray, and ask God to speak to you.

How should I use my time, God? In what areas do You want me to be great?

^“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him” -1 Timothy 1:12

What ISIS reveals to us

The recent images have been haunting and extremely disturbing:

A young man caged like a beast, about to face a fiery death.

A row of young men on their knees, looking up with a mix of uncertainty, fear and courage—their executioners lined up behind them.

When I learned about Muadh al-Kasasbeh's gruesome death, I was deeply troubled. What could possibly motivate human beings to so callously discount, torture and destroy another person?

Al-Kasasbeh was a son, a husband, a friend, and a man with a bright future.

Why snuff out his life in such a revolting way?

We who don't live in the Middle East might feel pain or fear when we see these images, but we may also feel a little safe being this far away. These martyrs look different from most of us, speak a different language, live close to their enemies.

But this thing I know: we may not live near ISIS, but we are no safer than Al-Kasasbeh.

We might not be as likely (yet) to be dragged from our comfortable homes and workplaces to undignified deaths.

But the evil that compels ISIS is real and has a name: Satan. Satan is the one who can so deceive men that they believe torture and rape are noble and right.

And Satan is not only the enemy of our non-Middle Eastern souls, he is the father of sin, and sin is quite readily available in each of our lives (see Genesis 4:7).

So if there is one thing ISIS has reminded me, it is this: “Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:27). Because, although sin might look "prettier" in our comfortable, complacent cultures and churches, it is from the same source that fathered ISIS and its barbaric practices. It has come to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10), and it will continue to do so unless we--through Christ alone--stop it.

So, hate sin with me, and love Jesus. Forsake fleshly desires and choose righteous ones. Pray on your knees against ISIS and the dark forces in the heavenlies (see Ephesians 6:10-18), and teach your friends and your children that the way we live matters. 

Helping a friend whose spouse is away

One of the best ways to generate ideas for serving others is through recognizing your own needs. If you have a need, it’s likely someone else has the same one.

In recent years, my husband has started traveling regularly for missions. God is using him in powerful ways on the other side of the world. The kids' and my part is to send him with our blessing, to pray, to hold down the home front, and to live honorably while he's away.

That can sometimes be hard.

First of all, let me acknowledge that single parents do this all the time. They need help too. They need an enduring, reliable support system. Some differences between our situation and theirs might be that it is their regular mode of operation, and that they try to not get themselves in over their heads, because they probably know their limits. A two-parent family usually maintains a pace that can be handled with two parents, but is much more difficult to handle when one parent is absent.

So, back to what I’ve been learning: the first time my husband went to Russia for two weeks went great. I could feel the prayers of God's people sustaining us. Friends and acquaintances regularly checked in with me. I had lots of offers for help (which I didn't even need to use). All went smoothly.

The second time my husband went to Russia, I think people forgot about us. Aside from one friend who randomly stopped by to check on us (Thank you, Adam!), I felt alone.

During times like that, I resolve to learn. I decide things like, “When I know someone else in this situation, I will help, because I know how much the encouragement is needed!” And I think of very specific ways to help.

Helping someone in crisis is one thing. I have had to bring a child to the emergency room in the middle of the night while my husband has been out of town (several times, actually). It is not difficult to call a neighbor and say, “Hey, I need to bring my child to the ER. Could you come over and stay with the others while I am gone?” Rarely will someone reject a request for assistance when there is a true emergency.

The times that are a little more difficult involve subtler things, such as loneliness, a loss of perspective, or several days of dealing with cranky, busy kids with no assistance or emotional back-up. When a well-meaning friend says, “Just let me know if you need something,” it's a little hard to say, “Will you just take care of my kids for a few hours so I can find some peace?!” Because you love your children fiercely and this is just life and you wish you weren't such a wimp that you'd need to ask such a silly thing.

So, here is what I suggest if you have a friend whose spouse is away for a prolonged ministry or business trip.

Just help. Don't wait to be asked. Don't put the ball in her court. Consider it your ministry to just bless that family somehow. Here are some practical ideas (not in order of importance):

1.      When can I take you out to breakfast or lunch? I'll arrange a babysitter. You just pick a time.

2.      Which night may I run your kids around for you? I know they're involved in a lot of activities. I'd love to share the taxi responsibility with you for an evening.

3.      I've heard [insert family-friendly movie title here] is really good. I think your kids would enjoy it. May I take them to it? Perhaps you could catch up on some things around the house or have a little break while I enjoy the movie with them.

4.      I've got an online pizza order ready for you. Just tell me what I should enter for a delivery time. (You can do this even if your friend lives far away!)

5.      [Said from the front door:] I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to see how you're doing. [This may or may not involve holding a loaf of fresh bread, some fruit, or a gallon of soup. However, you don’t have to bring anything. This is what our friend Adam did – just appeared with empty hands – and it blessed the kids and me deeply, as well as my husband.]

6.      I thought I'd call to see how you're doing. When my husband is away, sometimes I just need someone to talk to. I know you can take your concerns to the Lord, but if there is anything you need to just release or talk about, I won't judge. I'll just listen and pray.

7.      Do you want to come over to watch Downton Abbey together? The kids can play together while we drink tea and watch. I'd love to hear what you think of Cousin Isobel’s decision to marry again. [Pick your friend's show, of course!]

Most important, of course: pray. Pray for the spouse who is doing the direct ministry, and pray for the family left behind. Pray for them whenever you think of them. And let them know you are doing so.

Let me finish by stating emphatically: God is enough. He equips those He calls. It’s a privilege to be in a spot of utter dependence on Him to give us our daily encouragement (which is actually our situation every day, whether we are aware of it or not). But He has also created us to be a body—His body. So when we can share the load and function as a body, it is a beautiful thing.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. –Galatians 6:9,10

Continuing to pray for world-change

http://www.operationworld.org/

This journey of praying to change the world (see http://thebookoflifeblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/praying-to-change-world.html) has been a worthwhile one. Since December 17, 2014, I have created a daily prayer post for a need around the world that will impact those well beyond my immediate circle of influence. I have been surprised by the response. 

Friends and family members from around the country have noted how they have appreciated the posts--people I hardly ever hear from, as well as people I see weekly. 

A relative in Minnesota wrote, “It helps me to focus outside of my own little world,” which is exactly the point (or one of them, anyway)! Thank You, Jesus, and amen! 

At this point, I will no longer be posting daily prayers. Instead, I refer people to a similar email list provided here: http://www.operationworld.org/join-prayer-movement. I will be subscribing to that email list myself. 

I will post prayers occasionally for needs that arise around our world (along with my other posts). 

My biggest encouragement is for you to pray to change the world every day however suits you best. Revisit the prayers I posted, use the prayer list I mentioned above, buy a copy of Operation World, or just do what I did: pay attention to what's happening around you. When you read the news, consider and pray concerning the implications surrounding what you're reading. Ask your friends to join you. 

Praying to change the world is a lifelong journey, and I don't plan to get out of the habit. 

Thanks for reading. And, much more important: thanks for praying. 

Prayer for the ministry of Compassion International

http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm

Lord, today we praise you for the work of Compassion International. We rejoice that 122,588 mothers and children responded to the Gospel over the past year! One million four hundred thousand children sponsored, 6,500 church partners around the world… there is so much to celebrate! Father, please continue to lavish your blessing on this ministry. We pray that people will rise up around the world to sponsor the 3,345 children who are awaiting help. We pray that current sponsors will send their children the letters they so anxiously await—letters filled with encouragement, Scripture and love. We pray for the various projects to be fruitful and safe places, where the leaders are able to not only effectively minister to the sponsored children, but also to their families. And may the local projects model the love of Christ to their broader communities. Thank you, Lord, for the ministry of Compassion International and others who serve children in this way. We thank you in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for Franklin Graham’s upcoming ministry trip

http://static.samaritanspurse.org.s3.amazonaws.com/email/2015/01.2015/7090/7090_email.html

Lord, soon your servant Franklin Graham is leaving for Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. Father, we ask for safe travel, for protection everywhere he goes, and for your guidance each step of the way. Please bless the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, which Graham leads. May this organization continue to share your Good News with people in these countries (and elsewhere around the world) as they meet physical needs and do relief work. Lord, we pray specifically for Graham to bring deep encouragement to the church leaders in Myanmar, where there is so much persecution, as well as human rights abuses. Lord, we pray for the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse in Cambodia and Vietnam, including their work against human trafficking. May the ministry be blessed, unhindered, effective, protected. May victims of human trafficking become victors within your Kingdom. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Prayer against ISIS using children as soldiers

photo credit: Bare Naked Islam.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/14/new-isis-video-appears-to-show-child-executioner-killing-alleged-russian-spies/

Lord, we do not know if the recently released video is real, but we do have reason to believe ISIS is using children to assist in their acts of terror. Lord, we fervently pray against this evil. Again we ask that you disrupt the wicked plans of ISIS. Please cause disunity within their ranks. Open individuals’ eyes to the truth of what they are doing. May they start to see the humanity of the men and women of all ages that they are harming. Today we specifically pray that the older ISIS members would recognize how terrible it is to raise children for these purposes. May they be alarmed by the changes they see in the character of these young ones. For the children, Lord, we ask for rescue. We ask for healing, restoration, and rehabilitation. And may the gatekeepers to these children no longer allow these precious young lives to be dedicated to evil. We plead in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for National Mentoring Month

Lord, as we celebrate National Mentoring Month (mentoring.org) we rejoice in how you have arranged your body, the Church. Thank you for setting us up to be in relationship. Thank you for exhorting the older to instruct the younger (Titus 2). Thank you for providing so many examples in Scripture that demonstrate how you use us—despite our weaknesses—in the lives of others. Thank you for empowering us to pass on what we have learned to others. Lord, we pray for mentors (formal and informal) around the world to be effective in their ministry. We pray that their love for those they invest in will have a lasting impact for your Kingdom on not only their mentees, but also on the people their mentees influence. We pray that their example will inspire people who have balked at taking time to invest in others one-on-one. Show us whom to mentor. Show us whom we should ask to mentor us. May we love each other as you want us to, that the world may see you in us (John 13:34,35). In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Hollywood

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/shia-labeouf-becoming-christian-its-real-thing-really-saved-me

Lord, as entertainment awards season is upon us, we turn our prayers toward Hollywood. Lord, each and every day, thousands of people are at work producing entertainment for the masses in that one community alone. Much is beautiful; much is destructive. Lord, please make your presence known in Hollywood. We pray for those who know you to serve you with excellence (1 Peter 4:10-11). Give them wisdom each day to make choices that honor you. Give them courage and effectiveness as they share you with those around them and through their work. We pray for new Christians like Shia LaBeouf to find others to guide and encourage them, and for the roots of their faith to go deep and remain strong. We pray for high-quality films that will point people to you in powerful ways. We pray for those who do not know you to meet you. May we not be quick to criticize what we see and hear about this place, but may we be quick to pray--because even the most camera-hungry starlet is made in your image and fiercely loved by you. In Jesus’ gracious name we pray, amen.

Praise for unity in France

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/11/are-charlie-thousands-to-march-to-honor-victims-paris-attack/

Lord, we rejoice in seeing the unity demonstrated today in France. Thank you that people joined together, that they did not bow to terror. Thank you that men and women of different nations expressed solidarity around the globe. Lord, we rejoice when we see people rise up with good and strength in response to tragedy. We pray that the memory of this solidarity will not fade as life goes on. We pray that the French will continue to live with courage and unity, despite what obstacles may arise. We pray against the work of terrorists, and ask that they recognize that terror never wins. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for peace and wisdom in western Mexico

Lord, today we pray for Michoacan. There were signs of progress and victory in this part of Mexico, but violence has erupted again. Please be not only with President Enrique Pena Nieto, but local officials, as they seek wisdom for how to manage such a chaotic and inflammatory situation. Prompt them to seek guidance from you, so they can govern with Solomonic wisdom. Lord, please disrupt the work of the drug cartel. Protect citizens and help them to not live in fear, but to develop deeply rooted faith in you. May this region indeed become a bastion of hope, rather than a hotbed for violence and dissension. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen. 

A prayer for parents of teens

Lord, what a privilege to raise these children you have entrusted to us. Those we once cradled in our arms now surpass us in height. Lord, they strain to become men and women. They yearn for independence, yet still linger in our presence. Please grant us the grace and wisdom only you can provide in order for us to disciple these young people well. Give us an extra measure of patience when needed, and special insights into their hearts when they would have us believe they are stronger than they are. Lord, guard them. Woo them. Help them to know peace and security. Help them submit to their authorities, knowing you are their ultimate Guide. And knit our hearts together even as we begin the process of letting go. They are yours, and we are yours. We beseech you in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Prayer for Christian camping around the world

photo by Gopal Mukhia

Lord, so many of us have experienced your power through Christian camping. You have reached innumerable lives through this type of ministry. There is something about leaving our regular routine to meet with you in a quieter, undistracted place, where the focus is on knowing you more. Lord, today we pray for Christian camping around the world, including for the ministry of Christian Camping International Worldwide (www.cciworldwide.org). We pray for their Excelsior initiative, which is planting and strengthening Christian camping associations around the world. May their initiative be successful, fruitful, and completely Christ-centered. May thousands more young people be reached with your Gospel through these ministries around the globe. Provide for the camps’ financial and material needs. Protect from harm. Direct godly people to serve both year-round and for the peak season. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Prayer about terrorist attack in Paris

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/07/terrorist-commandos-paris-gunmen-likely-highly-trained-say-experts/

Lord, we are sad to live in a time of terror. We are dismayed by what happened in Paris today. Bring comfort to the many who are hurting. Bring peace and courage to the city, rather than fear. Thank you, Lord, that the police have identified the suspects. We pray that law enforcement officers will have success as they seek to capture these professional assassins, even as night falls. Please help their efforts be coordinated, well-executed and brave. Lord, we grieve over the loss of life—both those who were specifically targeted and others who were killed as collateral damage. We do not necessarily rejoice over what these four cartoonists produced, but we do rejoice that they did not live their lives in fear. Heavenly Father, keep us from living in fear, regardless of what others threaten to do to us. May we live with our faith and trust in you. May we pursue your purposes for our lives, regardless of what dangers we may perceive. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, amen. 

Prayer for Mar Elia center for displaced Iraqi Christian families

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01/05/isis-will-go-to-hell-iraqi-christians-struggle-to-teach-kids-message/

Lord, we remember our Iraqi brothers and sisters who were displaced by ISIS. We continue to grieve with them. Today we specifically pray for Mar Elia Chaldean Catholic Church’s center for displaced Iraqi Christian families. Lord, thank you for Father Daniel Alkhory and those who work with him to meet the needs of these families, most notably the children. Please grant these servant-leaders protection and success as they educate, comfort, and provide shelter to hundreds of families. Give them wisdom as they seek to model Christlikeness and help children understand how and why to forgive their enemies. Create a sense of community and hope in this place. And bring the tremendous healing that needs to occur in the hearts and minds of these hurting ones. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Prayer for Sailor Gutzler

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/04/4-dead-in-kentucky-plane-crash-state-police-say/

Lord, we praise you that Sailor Gutzler not only survived her family’s plane crash, but that she was able to walk so far with such thin clothing and no shoes. Thank you for leading her to efficiently find help. Lord, we are thankful for these things, but grieved for what 7-year-old Sailor experienced. Though no serious physical harm came to her, we are concerned about her emotional scars. Please bring the right people around Sailor to help her process this traumatic event and the loss of her family. Replace the terrible images of her dead parents and sister with fond memories of those who loved her. Guide whoever chooses her future caregivers to make the right decisions with efficient timing. And please walk closely with Sailor through the many years it will likely take for her to recover from this event. Thank you for being good, even in the midst of tragedy. Help Sailor to develop a deep conviction of this as she grows. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.