Spiritual Warfare

September 22, 2009 By 2 Comments

Greetings to Everyone!prayer 16

I have been mentioning in Inspirational messages for quite some time now that the Lord has instructed me to begin a series on spiritual warfare. Well, this is just the beginning.

Spiritual warfare is something that every Believer needs to have training in, because our enemy WILL bring it to you. ( John 16:33)

Yet it is a subject that so many people don’t touch. I think I know the reason why… Whenever the Lord has instructed people to research the subject, grow in knowledge about it and hear from the Holy Spirit about it, the enemy will ALWAYS launch an all out war against that Believer.

I know this because that is what has happened to me. That is what I have been busy with the last few months. When the Holy Spirit started instructing me to start writing about this subject, literally my whole world went absolutely haywire!

People often get so busy in this war that they can’t find the time to continue the study, learning, writing and teaching about it. Well, the devil and his crowd picked on the wrong King’s Kid this time! My Jesus said that He has conquered the enemy and that those who believe in Him are more than conquerors through Him.

John 16:33 AMP “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

He has also said “Behold, I (Christ) have given you authority and power… and physical and mental strength and ability over all the power that the enemy possesses, and nothing shall in any way harm you.”
(Luke 10:19)

I have taken Him at His Word. If you are serious about taking Him at His Word, you can have the victory as well.  Remember, this is a constant battle that will end when He returns. Until then, we can grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and learn of Him; making the shelter of His presence our dwelling place.

If you are serious about being victorious, there are some things you can do starting right now.

  • Get alone with God on a regular basis to spend time with Him– to pray, worship and to hear from Him.
  • Always, always stay in the Word of God. Each and every day, pray to put on the whole armor of God according to Ephesians 6:10-18 (if you will look closely, there doesn’t seem to be one part of this armor or the instructions that is geared for retreat and defeat – only offence and advance).
  • Plead the Blood of Jesus over you, your mate and your loved ones.

Also, there are several books that will help explain some things– the book by Joyce Meyer “The Battlefield of the Mind” and the one by Derek Prince “Lucifer Exposed” will help. There are other books as well but these two are in my personal library of helpful tools.

Be very careful about what you read. The enemy has so infiltrated our camp that we have to make sure that everything we take into our minds is backed up by the Word of God.

I am including a prayer about spiritual warfare written by Mr. Victor Matthews. I printed it off and have been praying it constantly since someone sent it to me back in 2007. It has helped me gain and maintain victorious living.

Also, I would like for you to pray with me right now:
“Our most Gracious Lord, Thank you that you have loved us enough to conquer the enemy and that you have given us enough of Your power and authority to do so here on earth. I pray that every one that is reading this right now come to know you as their personal Lord and Savior.

I also pray that everyone that is reading this will take You at Your Word and trust You to lead them in this spiritual warfare in our daily lives.. Lord, I know you will keep on helping me. I also know the enemy will continue to give his all to keep me from being obedient to You and writing what you want me to write about. But, You are the strong man that has shown the enemy who is in charge!! (Lk. 11:21-22)

I put my trust in You. Lord, I continue to ask the prayer of Psalm 143: 8-10 “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

This we pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

In His Service,
Robbie Goodwin

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare are Out of this World!

Weapons of Spiritual Warfare are Out of this World!

WARFARE PRAYER

by Victor Matthews
(This is a most powerful prayer.  I would encourage you to print it out and pray through it often.)

Heavenly Father, I bow in worship and praise before you.  I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as my protection.  I surrender myself completely and unreservedly in every area of my life to You.  I take a stand against all the workings of Satan that would hinder me in my prayer life.  I address myself only to the True and Living God and refuse any involvement of Satan in my prayer.

Satan, I command you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to leave my presence with all your demons  I bring the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ between us.

Heavenly Father, I worship You and give You praise.  I recognize that You are worthy to receive all glory and honor and praise.  I renew my allegiance to You and pray that the blessed Holy Spirit would enable me in this time of prayer.  I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that You have loved me from past eternity and that You sent the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to die as my substitute.

I am thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ came as my representative and that through Him You have completely forgiven me; You have adopted me into your family; You have assumed all responsibility for me; You have given me eternal life; You have given me the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ so I am now justified.  I am thankful that in Him, you have made me complete, and that You have offered Yourself to me to be my daily help and strength.

Heavenly Father, open my eyes that I might see how great You are and how complete Your provision is for this day.  I am thankful that the victory the Lord Jesus Christ won for me on the Cross and in His resurrection has been given to me and that I am seated with the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenlies.  I take my place with Him in the heavenlies and recognize by faith that all wicked spirits and Satan himself are under my feet.  I declare, therefore, that Satan and his wicked spirits are subject to me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the Armor You have provided.  I put on the Girdle of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sandals of Peace and the Helmet of Salvation.  I lift up the Shield of Faith against all the fiery darts of the enemy; and I take in my hand the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.  I choose to use Your Word against all the forces of evil in my life.  I put on this Armor and live and pray in complete dependence upon You, blessed Holy Spirit.

I am grateful, Heavenly Father, that the Lord Jesus Christ spoiled all principalities and powers and made a show of them openly and triumphed over them in Himself.  I claim all that victory for my life today.  I reject all the insinuations, and accusations, and the temptations of Satan.  I affirm that the Word of God is true and I choose to live today in the light of God’s Word.

I choose, Heavenly Father, to live in obedience to You and in fellowship with Yourself.  Open my eyes and show me the areas of my life that do not please You.  Work in me to cleanse me from all ground that would give Satan a foothold against me.  I do in every way stand into all that it means to be Your adopted child and I welcome all the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

By faith and in dependence upon You, I put off the fleshly works of the old man and stand into all the victory of the crucifixion where the Lord Jesus Christ provided cleansing from the old nature.  I put on the new man and stand into all the victory of the resurrection and the provision He has made for me to live above sin.

Therefore, today I put off all forms of selfishness and put on the new nature with its love.  I put off all forms of fear and put on the new nature with its courage.  I put off all forms of weakness and put on the new nature with its strength.  I put off all forms of lust and put on the new nature with its righteousness, purity, and honesty.  I am trusting You to show me how to make this practical in my daily life.

In every way I stand into the victory of the ascension and glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby all the principalities and powers were made subject to Him.  I claim my place in Christ as victorious with Him over all the enemies of my soul.  Blessed Holy Spirit, I pray that You would fill me.  Come into my life, break down every idol and cast out every foe.

I am thankful, Heavenly Father, for the expression of Your will for my daily life as You have shown me in Your Word.
I, therefore, claim all the will of God for today.  I am thankful that You have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  I am thankful that You have begotten me unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

I am thankful that You have made a provision so that today I can live filled with the Spirit of God with love and joy and peace, with long-suffering, gentleness and goodness, with meekness, faithfulness and self-control in my life.  I recognize that this is Your will for me and I therefore reject and resist all the endeavors of Satan and his wicked spirits to rob me of the will of god.  I refuse in this day to believe my feelings and I hold up the Shield of Faith against all the accusations and distortion and insinuations that Satan would put into my mind.  I claim the fullness of the will of God for my life today.

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I completely surrender myself to You, Heavenly Father, as a living sacrifice.  I choose not to be conformed to this world.  I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I pray that You would show me Your will and enable me to walk in all the fullness of Your will today.

I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, to the casting down of imagination and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge God, and to bring every thought into obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, in my own life today I tear down the strongholds of Satan and smash the plans of Satan that have been formed against me.  I tear down the strongholds of Satan against my mind, and I surrender my mind to You, blessed Holy Spirit.

I affirm, Heavenly Father, that You have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.  I break and smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my emotions today and I give my emotions to you.  I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my will today, I give my will to You and choose to make the right decisions of faith.

I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my body today, I give my body to You recognizing that I am your temple.  I rejoice in Your mercy and goodness.

Heavenly Father, I pray that now and through this day You would strengthen and enlighten me.  Show me the way Satan is hindering and tempting and lying and distorting the truth in my life.  Enable me to be the kind of person that would please You.  Enable me to be aggressive in prayer and faith.  Enable me to be aggressive mentally, to think about and practice Your Word, and to give You Your rightful place in my life.

Again, I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that You, blessed Holy Spirit, would bring all the work  of the crucifixion, all the work of the resurrection, all the work of the glorification, and all the work of Pentecost into my life today.  I surrender myself to You.  I refuse to be discouraged.

You are the God of all hope.  You have proven Your power by resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead, and I claim in every way this victory over all the satanic forces in my life.

I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving. Amen.

Used with the permission of Victor Matthews

Filed Under: How to Pray, Robbie's Inspiration Tagged With:

Swine Flu, Narcs, and The Economic Crisis in Mexico

July 24, 2009 By 3 Comments

Swine Flu in Mexico

Thanks to everyone who has been commenting on the Swine Flu Epidemic in Chiapas, Mexico

At first I thought the Mexican Government was just magnifying the situation on purpose.

I didn’t know of anyone who had gotten it. Then 3 of my personal friends got the virus. Thankfully they received medical treatments and were cured rather quickly.

Narcs, Zetas and Drug Cartels in Mexico

We’ve had a lot of visitors cancel their reservations with us because of the sickness and also because of the Narcs.

I didn’t think there was a bad problem with the Narc’s  in South Mexico. There is a group of armed Drug Trafficsers called the Zetas who basically do the killings and military efforts for the Drug Traffic groups.  They have been mostly active at the US border and in some of the central Mexican areas.

The other day, we got news of some heavy military style action as this group made their presence know in a prestigious neighborhood in  Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. They set off bombs and killed some prominent politicians.

The Economic Crisis in Mexico

Tourism is really down this year also.

There is a major financial crisis here in Mexico also. It has been magnified by the circumstances in the United States and World wide crisis.When the U.S goes into a recession Mexico always follows in its footsteps.  Many say that Mexico is much worse off than the U.S.A.

Oh me.. Oh my.. Maybe we should just all find a rock and hide under it….

The Good News!

There is good news. If you look hard enough, you can always find something positive when there are so many negative circumstance. Many times problems is the wrong word to use. While we sympasize with those who are suffering we do not become discouraged. Quite the opposite…

Problems become opportunities.
Despite the swine flu, Narcs, and financial crisis God is still God and he is on the throne. There are a lot of opportunities to reach thee hurting people here in Mexico,

We are seeing lifes changed in a very positive way here in Mexico. Sometimes when sickness or hard times comes it softens the the hearts of the people and they turn to God as their refuge. I believe that is what is happening. We count it a privilege to be here in times like these.

Thank you for helping us to be here through your prayerss. Pray for a revival here as people turn their hearts towards God. 90% of your financial donations go directly to the ministry here in Mexico (We are faithful tithers). Thanks for your continued support.

God is Good. All the time.

Greg

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Swine Flu Information

May 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I wrote the last post on the swine flu from a small town in Chipas Mexico.

A lot of you have contacted us and mentioned that you are praying for us. We appreciate you and your prayer support.

The government has announced that it will be providing supplies for health and precaution here in Mexico. However, so far we have not seen the existence of any products in the stores. Everyone is sold out.

The saying here in Mexico is “Manana” which means tomorrow. Tomorrow  can also mean a few days or even weeks.

Many people are scared to even leave their homes. We have a busy schedule and are not letting the power of the influenca effect us. Instead we have faith in the influence of the Power of the Jesus in our lives. OK, thats a little extreme but it s a neat play on words.  We are balanced and believe in Doctors and Medicine in addtion to the power of God and faith.

We are taking precautions such as vitamin C and Garlic and lots of water. There are some more recommendations and I received a comment on my other blog from a dear friend who published some very relevant articles at www.e-swastya.com.  (swastya means health). Sudeep was born in Indian but lives in Canada. I think you will find the article interesting since it includes some great home remedies.

http://www.e-swastya.com/2009/05/treating-swine-flu-with-help-of.html

We appreciate your prayers.

Filed Under: How to Pray, New Tagged With: ,

Swine Flu Epidemic in Chiapas, Mexico

April 29, 2009 By 7 Comments

Just in case you’ve been following the news and are wondering about us.-

There is a big scare with the swine flu. All the schools are closed here where we live.. People are wearing face masks and all the stores are out of vitamin C.

We want to let you know that we are ok.

We have been traveling to many different churches this week with a musician from Chile.
Today we are in Juarez Chiapas starting a new Church using a concert to draw new people to the new work.

We are canceling the rest of the tour after today because the Mexican government has prohibited public meetings because of the epidemic..

Tomorrow we will go back to our house . Thursday we will be with the Tzeltal Indians with a another New Church plant.

Thanks for your prayers.

Filed Under: How to Pray, New, Our Ministry, Unanimous Ministies Tagged With: , , ,

Rick Warren Prayer Controversy

February 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Rick Warren has been bashed, mostly by Christians, for his controversial decision to pray at President Oboma’s Inauguration.

View Rick Warren’s Inaugural Prayer here:

Why is Rick Warren’s Decision to pray controversial?

Some are saying that you shouldn’t go into the enemy’s (the liberals) camp- “Isn’t there a Christian chorus about that saying that I took back what the enemy has stolen?

Others say that you can’t mix religion and politics- I’m tired of religion and politics also, but isn’t it time that we modeled Christ in the political arena?

Still others would complain that Rick Warren is endorsing a new President who ran on a liberal platform approving abortion and gay marriages- Is praying for our leaders an endorsement?

Let me ask you  a question.  If you were given the opportunity to pray at the inauguration of a President would you accept the invitation?

If it were me, I’d even accept the opportunity to pray for the mayor of a small town of 500 people no matter if he shared my moral views or not.

Aren’t we suppose to pray for our leaders?

It doesn’t matter if we agree with everything they stand for.

Rick Warren got a head start on all of us. He was the first person to publicly pray for our new President.

You may be reading this and thinking to yourself that I support Obama. I didn’t vote for him. Bur he is our new President. He’s already in office.

Perhaps we should be praying like never before.

Cheers to Rick Warren for modeling a great prayer for us all.

By the way, Just in case you missed Pastor Rick’s inaugural prayer - you can watch the video here:

http://www.rickwarrennews.com/video_player12.htm

or by clicking play on the video below:

I am also including the transcript below since I believe that we should model after Godly Christians such as Rick Warren who was given the honor of praying at the Presidential inauguration.

God Bless You and God Bless America!

Greg

Transcript of Rick Warren’s Inaugural Prayer

Let us pray.

Almighty God, our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of you alone. It all comes from you. It all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory.

History is your story. The Scripture tells us, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One.” And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made.

Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time. We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new President, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the cabinet, and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, O God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race, or religion, or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us. When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of goodwill today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you. We now commit our new president and his wife, Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray:

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Download the transcript

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Under Heavy Affliction in Tzanembolom

December 4, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Congregration in Tzanembolom

The Poorest of the Poor.
Recently we ministered in an Indian village of 400 people called Tzanembolom.
This is one of the poorest villages I have ever visited. Despite the cool weather many of the Indians were without proper shoes or clothing to protect them from the weather.
It was especially heartbreaking to see the children without shoes.  This Christmas we will be giving a toy and personal necessities to these very poor Indian children. You can be a part by sending in your special donations. Don’t miss this opportunity to give a real Christmas experience to some really needy children.
Now, more than ever, These Children need Hope and Love!

 

 

From Tzanembolom- Nov 16, 2008

Martyred in Tzanembolom

This is the same village in which Diego Rodriguez Pastors a church of over 200 people which is half the population.
On Oct 15, 1997 the Zapatistas entered Tzanembolom and began to cut up Indian residents with their machetes.  Pastor Diego was strung up to a post and prepared to be killed. However, while his friends were being massacred he managed to escape with his life. As Pastor Diego told me the story he couldn’t help but to weep. Many of his family members and close friends were martyred this day
Sadly, this is only one of the many Christian Indian tribes that suffered the loss of lives and have been persecution because of their faith in Christ.

Click on the image below to view all the photos

Tzanembolom- Nov 16, 2008

Where Tzanembolom is Located:
View Larger Map

Filed Under: Assisting the Poor, Educating the Next Generation, Equipping Servant Leaders, How to Pray, New, Tzotzil indians, Unanimous Ministies Tagged With: , ,

Marriage Prayer

September 2, 2008 By Leave a Comment

On September 03, 2008, my husband Terry and I will celebrate 32 years of marriage together. I would like to share with all of you a prayer that I wrote for him on July 7, 2006. Marriage is something that many people do not take seriously in  [Read more...]

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Free Book Offer Ended June 27, 2008

June 14, 2008 By Leave a Comment

“For A Limited Time, Get A FREE eBook showing you step-by-step
how to build internet riches Biblically…simply for Confirming Your
Subscription because we’re moving to a new newsletter provider” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Educating the Next Generation, Homeschooling, How to Pray, New, P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Planting Churches, Success His Way, Unanimous Ministies Tagged With: ,

How to Pray for Missionaries

December 14, 2007 By Leave a Comment

Their prayer letter

Missionaries all write regular prayer letters, so why not ask to receive them? They will keep you up to date with their work and personal needs. Remember, spiritual work can bring tears as well as joy; disappointment as well as hope. Working as a missionary can be lonely, so pray imaginatively for them in their work.

Their country

Pray for the leaders in your friends’ country. Pray for freedom to preach the gospel. For political stability. Find out as much as you can about the country, its history, and what’s happening now. Read the papers. Watch TV. Use background information from Operation World, or from the agency your friends are working with. Organisations such as OMF produce regular prayer letters and fact sheets on the countries they work in and have a web site and magazine.

Their personal needs

Pray that your friends will feel at home in a new country, culture and climate.
Pray for their children, particularly if they are at school in a different country.
Pray for happy family times together, and for the children to love and serve the Lord.
Pray that they won’t resent being separated from their parents, and that the parents won’t fret about their children.
Pray for elderly or frail parents back home and for those who support them. Ask that God would look after them during your friends’ absence.
If the missionary is single, feelings of loneliness and isolation may creep in. Pray for good, sustaining friendships, for holiday arrangements and time to relax and unwind.
Pray for your friends when it’s time to adjust back to life in their own country. Pray that as they visit churches and supporters they would build strong links and renew relationships.
Pray for good relationships with national Christian leaders and with fellow workers, some of whom may come from different cultures and countries.
Grasping the language takes time. Pray as your friends learn a new language, understand its nuances and attempt to communicate. Pray against set backs and discouragement.
Pray for their language helpers; people with the courage to correct and advise, and who will encourage your friends in their work.

The national church

Pray for the pastors and church members in your friends’ country. Pray for spiritual growth, and for their ability to teach, preach, disciple and witness. Pray for vision and for love, and for any resources or literature that’s needed.
Pray for the Christians to be ‘salt and light’ in their neighborhoods, society or government, and for good relations with those of other faiths.

Praying with others

Most Christian organizations have prayer groups throughout the country. Write or phone, to see if the organization your friends went out with has a group near you, or check the web.
It helps to pray with Christians who are older in the faith or more knowledgeable. By joining a group you will encourage others, further God’s kingdom and meet those with similar interests to your own.


Pray as Paul prayed

The apostle Paul was a pioneer missionary and a pray-er. He was beaten, imprisoned and shipwrecked, but never lost sight of the goal. He asked his friends to pray:

For boldness
‘Pray… that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel… Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should’ (Ephesians 6:19, 20)

For opportunity and clarity
‘Pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ… Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should’ (Colossians 4:3, 4)

For protection
‘Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one’ (2 Thessalonians 3:2, 3)

For the spread of God’s word
‘Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you’ (2 Thessalonians 3:1)


How to Pray Each Day

If you want to pray for your friends every day, why not use these topics? Choose from these items and use whatever background you have from prayer letters or other sources.

Sunday – Their spiritual life

Time to read and pray. Spiritual growth. Encouragement. Fellowship with local Christians. Good links with sending churches and prayer supporters. For integrity, reliability, consistency.

Monday – Their personal life

Relationships between husband and wife. Maintaining contact with children, parents and family back home. Friendships with nationals. Health and strength. Physical and spiritual protection.


Tuesday – Communication

Progress in language study. Adaptation to culture, customs and people. Clarity, creativity and relevance in preaching and teaching. Biblical emphasis. Involvement with those hearing the message.


Wednesday – Relationships

Harmonious relationships with other Christians, team members and church leaders. Partnership with the local church.

Thursday – Evangelism

For boldness. For godly, sensitive, Spirit-led ministry. Hungry hearts and the opening of spiritually blind eyes. For the establishing of Christ’s church. For national missionary movements.


Friday – Discipling

For patience and empathy. Training young people. Encouraging new believers. Equipping those with leadership gifts.


Saturday – Their country

For those in authority. The political situation. Religious freedom. Openness to the gospel. favor with officials. Visa renewal.


Keep on keeping on

Paul urged the Ephesian church leaders to ‘keep watch over yourselves and all the flock’ (Acts 20:28). He saw the danger of ministry where the leaders neglect their own spiritual lives. It can be as hard for Christian leaders to maintain a disciplined spiritual life as for anyone. Probably harder. The devil knows where to strike. So pray.

Pray that missionaries will ‘speak as men approved by God’ (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

That their conversation will be ‘full of grace’ and ‘salt’ (Colossians 4:6).

That they’ll preach ‘in season and out of season’ (2 Timothy 4:2), laying foundations ‘as an expert builder’ (1 Corinthians 3:10).
Colossians 1:9-12; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11 teach us about Paul’s faith and about God and his plans for his Church. Why not use them in praying for your friends and the Christians in their area?

Praying for the world

We need to be concerned about our country, but we should also be concerned about our brothers and sisters throughout the world – as well as those who haven’t heard the gospel. So read the papers, listen to the news. (God may lay a particular country or ministry on your heart.)

Operation World (OM Publishing) covers every country and gives facts and figures about their religions, history and government. It makes excellent background reading, is available in Christian bookshops and is a tremendous resource. There are also children’s versions such as You Can Change the World and You Too Can Change the World.

Good political maps will show country boundaries, whilst your local bookstore or library should have something on the country you’re interested in. You can also get maps, books, tapes and videos from missions like OMF.

Encyclopedias and Atlases on CD Rom contain articles on countries’ geography, history and religions, along with maps, flags and photos. Browsing the web will give you further info on countries and missionary societies.

It’s good to have a wide interest in God’s world, but it’s hard to pray for all of it, so concentrate on one or two places, and pray about those. Imaginatively. Creatively.

‘We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith’ (2 Thessalonians 1:11)


A part to play

God has a part for you to play in mission, building his Church world-wide. No Christian worker, whether at home or overseas, can ‘go it alone’. Missionaries need the support of a team. When you decide to pray regularly for someone, you join that team. Whether you pray, provide financial support, or work to plant churches, you are playing your part in world mission. As you pray, God uses your prayers to work out his purposes. Our prayers make a difference to the Sovereign Lord. They can make a difference in the world.

Jesus asked his followers to pray for workers to go out into a needy world. We need to pray that too. But let’s not forget them once they’ve gone. Continue to pray for these missionaries.

It takes discipline and commitment to pray for people who live in a place we know little about, who work in a language we don’t speak, who may eat breakfast while we’re going to bed, and who may not be back for some years. But they don’t stop being our brothers and sisters while they’re away.

Remember them. Pray for them every day. Your prayers count.

‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’ (Matthew 9:37, 38)

Filed Under: How to Pray