Pray For Monroe

The Lord's Compassion

2010-12-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

Psalm 145:8-9 (The Message)
God is all mercy and grace - not quick to anger, is rich in love.
God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace.

Psalm 145:8-9 (NLT)
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone.He showers compassion on all his creation.

I wanted to encourage you today to place your hope in the unchanging love and will of God. It is STILL His heart to bring health, healing and wholeness to every area of your life. That has NEVER changed. Enjoy this article written by F.F. Bosworth (1877-1958). - Todd

"In the study of the Lord's compassion, we have a complete revelation of the Lord's willingness to heal. During His earthly ministry He was everywhere moved with compassion, and healed all "them that had need of healing." It is "this same Jesus" who, after saying, "It is expedient for you that I go away," is now seated at the right hand of God, "that He might be a merciful [compassionate] and faithful High Priest" for us. To have compassion is to love tenderly, to pity, to show mercy, to be full of eager yearning.

The [scripture above] begins with, "The Lord is merciful and compassionate." These sentiments concerning the nature of God are expressed over and over throughout the Scriptures. God's greatest attribute is love - this is connected to His Fatherhood. The most conspicuous statements in the Scriptures about our heavenly Father are the declarations concerning His love, His mercy, His compassion. There is no note that can be sounded concerning God's character that will so inspire faith as this one. In our revivals, I have seen faith rise "mountain high" when the truth of God's present love and compassion began to dawn on the minds and hearts of the people. It is not what God can do, but what we know He yearns to do, that inspires faith.

By showing His compassion everywhere in the healing of the sick, Jesus unveiled the compassionate heart of God to the people. The multitude came to Him for help. How insidiously Satan has worked to hide this glorious fact from the people. He has broadcasted the unscriptural, illogical, and worn-out statement that the age of miracles is past, until he has almost succeeded in eclipsing the compassion of God from the eyes of the world. Modern theology magnifies the power of God more than it magnifies His compassion; His power more than it does the great fact that "the exceeding greatness of His power [is] to usward." But the Bible reverses this and magnifies His willingness to use His power more than it does the power itself. In no place does the Bible say that "God is power," but it does say that "God is love." It is not faith in God's power that secures His blessings, but faith in His love and in His will.

Benevolence is the great attribute of God. He is infinitely good. He exists forever in a state of entire consecration to pour forth blessings upon His creatures whenever they make it possible. Everyone can do this..." - F.F. Bosworth

The Royal Road to Heaven

2010-12-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Matthew 13:45,46 - The Pearl of Great Value
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."

As the new year approaches its a time when I usually become even more introspective than other times throughout the year. Like many people I set goals and prioritize the year ahead. Prayer is so important in my life that it appears on my 2011 daily schedule. I've learned to make it an unmovable part of my day. It's that important.

As you read the words of Teresa of Avila below, my encouragement to you this year is to make a fresh commitment to prayer. There are many reasons we can find not to pray such as; busyness, lack of discipline, inexperience, and fears of all kinds. Set yourself up this year by pushing all those things aside and make time to pray. Its a spiritual daily disipline that yields more fruit in our lives than can even be calculated.

Praying all God's best to you and yours this coming year. - Todd
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"Do not be frightened by the many things you need to consider in order to begin this divine journey which is the royal road to heaven. A great treasure is gained by traveling this road; no wonder we have to pay what seems to us a high price. The time will come when you will understand how trifling everything is next to so precious a reward.

Now to those who want to journey on this road and continue until they reach the end, which is to drink from the water of life, I say that how they are to begin is very important - in fact, all important. They must have a great and very resolute determination to persevere until reaching the end come what may, happen what may, whatever work is involved, whatever criticism arises, whether they die on the road, or even if they don't have courage for the trials that are met, or if the whole world collapses. You will hear some persons frequently making objections: "there are dangers"; "so-and-so went astray by such means"; "another who prayed a great deal fell away"...

Hence, don't pay attention to the fears that raise or to the picture of the dangers they paint for you. Because whether we like it or not, we must all journey toward this fount, even though in different ways. Well, believe me; and don't let anyone deceive you by showing you a road other than that of prayer.

Should anyone tell you that prayer is dangerous consider him the real danger and run from him. Don't forget this counsel, for perhaps you will need it. There will be danger in not having humility and the other virtues. But that the way of prayer be a way of danger - God would never will that. It seems the devil invented these fears.

And see how blind the world is, for they fail to consider the many thousand who have fallen into heresies and great evils because they didn't practice prayer but engaged in distractions. Those who take this reasoning as a refuge in order to free themselves should be on their guard, for they are running away from good in order to free themselves from evil. Never have I seen such wicked contrivance; it really seems to come from the devil.

Therefore, [Brothers and] Sisters, give up these fears; never pay attention in like matters to opinion of the crowd. Behold, these are not the times to believe everyone; believe only those who you see are walking in conformity with Christ's life.

Leave aside, as I said, your fears - where there is no reason to fear. If someone should raise these fears to you, humbly explain the path to him. Tell him you have a rule that commands you to pray unceasingly - for that's what it command us, - and that you have to keep it." - Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

Pray for Monroe site traffic

2010-12-17T11:47:00.000-08:00

We wanted to share with you some of the recent traffic analytics to the Pray for Monroe site. It's amazing the international attention we are getting. Let's continue to believe God together that the POWER of unified prayer in the name and authority of Jesus Christ will transform communities. - Todd
http://www.PrayForMonroe.com

Enjoying His Presence

2010-12-17T10:21:00.000-08:00

" ⁹ As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. ¹⁰ When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. ¹¹ Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting." Exodus 33:9-11 (NLT)

This time of year is always a season of readjustment for me. Focusing in on what is important in my life and the life of my family. There is no greater need in any of our lives than to make more room to enjoy His presence. The presence of our Father in heaven changes everything else we choose to focus on. He alone can bring about those changes we all deeply desire to make. My encouragement to you today is to make room for His Presence. Enjoy the words of Charles Spurgeon,(1834-1892), may they encourage and inspire you. - Todd

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"Beloved, if God looks at us, how much more ought we to look at Him! When we look at Him, what do we see? Oh, such a sight that I am not surprised that Moses said, "Please, show me Your glory" (Exod. 33:18). What a vision it is! Is it not a vision of heaven itself to see God? Is it not the prerogative of the pure in heart that they will see God (Matt. 5:8)?

Yet I cannot figure something out. Some of us have had the right to see God for years, and we have occasionally seen Him face to face, "as a man speaks to his friend" (Ex. 33:11). By faith we have seen God. But, beloved, what I cannot figure out is why we see Him so little. Do you ever find yourself living all day without God? Not completely, perhaps, for you would not want to go to work without a little prayer in the morning. But do you not sometimes get through that morning's prayer without seeing God at all? I mean, is it not just the form of kneeling down and saying good words and getting up again? And all through the day have you not lived away from God?

I fear it is possible to live not only days, but months at this dying rate, and it is horrible living. I would infinitely prefer to rot in a moldy dungeon and have the Lord's presence than to live in the noblest palace without God. After all, what makes life life is the enjoyment of the presence of God.

Suppose that this year we were filled with the desire to have our eyes always upon God from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, to be always conscious that He is seeing us, to be always aware of His presence. More than that, suppose that this year we were always longing to be obedient to His commands, always wanting to win souls for His dear Son, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. What a happy thing this would be!

Friends, we believe in a great God who "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Why not expect great things from Him? If I think of a blessing and dare to ask for it, surely then He is able to give it. Let us not stand back because of unbelief; let us ask that as God's eyes are upon us, our eyes may be upon Him. What a blessed meeting of eyes when the Lord looks us full in the face, and we look at Him.

Oh, that we may be in harmony with the Lord our God... may God look down from heaven, and we look up to heaven, and both of us be happy in the sight of each other, rejoicing in mutual affection! This is what communion means." - Charles Spurgeon

Thanksgiving! Week nine in our prayer summit.

2010-06-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Its been an amazing nine weeks!
We are on our final week of Pray for Monroe prayer summit. We've witnessed so many things in our own personal lives as well as those who we've been praying with. This weeks theme in on THANKSGIVING". We are spending our time together giving thanks to our God - for He is, what's He's doing and what He is about to do.

Here is a list of some scriptures to help guide you into a deeper heart of thankfulness.

Give thanks for who God is:
Psalm 136:2-3 - Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:8-9 - Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles.

Give thanks to God and what He has done:
Psalm 136:4-9 - Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who placed the earth on the water. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights -- His faithful love endures forever. The sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.

Give Thanks to God regarding His love, goodness and faithfulness:
Psalm 118:1 - Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 138:2 - I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.
Jeremiah 33:11 - The sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, `Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!' For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.

Give thanks to God for our daily provision, answer to prayer, and for others:
Romans 14:6 - Those who have a special day for worshiping the Lord are trying to honor him. Those who eat all kinds of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who won't eat everything also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 1:11 - He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people's prayers for our safety have been answered.
Philippians 1:3 - Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.
Colossians 1:3 - We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Give thanks to God for everything, who God is, and for God being near:
Ephesians 5:20 - And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 4:9 - Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever.
Revelation 11:17 - And they said, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.

The Habitation of God

2010-05-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1Cor 15: 55-58

I am deeply challenged by the thought of the Lord taking residence in my life and in the life of my community. My prayer today is that He does. Beyond a visitation, beyond a brief vacation - my prayer is for His HABITATION.

--- Todd

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By - John G. Lake

God has been seeking a habitation a long time. God found a habitation in Jesus Christ, and He became the dwelling place of God. Christ's purpose for the world was that men, like Himself, should become the dwelling place of God. It was not purposed that Jesus Christ was to be a particular or special dwelling place of God. It was rather purposed that mankind should be just as much a holy and desirable dwelling place of God as Jesus Himself was. The purpose of the gospel of God was that through Jesus Christ His Son many sons would be begotten of God, should be begotten of Christ.

Christ's undertaking was to save mankind from their sins and transform them into sons of God like Himself. That is the purpose and work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 15 we read of the consummation of His purpose-that is, the finality, the conclusion of that purpose, when Jesus Himself having subjected all things unto Himself, is Himself also subjected unto the Father, that God may be all in all. There will not be a dissenting voice nor a rebellious heart. The will of God has been received and as a result of the will of God having been received there is no longer a necessity for a Savior, and Jesus Christ in His capacity of Savior of the world has been completed. His mission is completed.

We are so liable to feel in this great struggle we see about us, and the struggle we recognize in our nature, that there cannot possibly be a time of ultimate and final victory of the Lord Jesus Christ in the souls of men.

I want to encourage you, beloved. The Word of God portrays a time and conception of the purpose of Jesus Christ when the world, being redeemed unto Christ, no longer needs the redeeming merit of the Savior. So Jesus, having subjected all things unto Himself, is Himself also subjected unto the Father, that God may be all in all.

God is not all in all, and never will be all in all, until the will of God rules in the heart of every man, in the soul of every man, until the redemption of Jesus Christ in its great and ultimate purpose becomes a reality, a finality.

Help For The Weak

2010-05-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset." Exodus 17:12

I'm greatly encouraged by the Word of God, it is steady and unchanging. I love reading the words of A.B. Simpson; a Canadian preacher, theologian, author, and founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). God provides help for the weak. I hope you are blessed and encouraged in the reality that the Lord desires to give you strength in your weak times, that He longs to answer your prayer, and He is urging you not to give up right before the answer comes. ---Todd
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"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
Romans 8:26

These passages, among many others, represent the gracious help which God is pleased to provide for our infirmity in prayer. The hands of Moses grew faint upon the mount, and so our hands often hang down, and our knees grow feeble, but God has still His Aaron and Hur to "strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees."

Our first great helper is the Lord Jesus Christ, our Advocate with the Father. It was He that Aaron represented as he stayed the hands of Moses that day. He is our true Aaron, our Great High Priest, whose chief ministry for us these eighteen centuries has been intercession and prayer. He is the mighty angel before the throne whom John beheld in the vision of the Apocalypse, mingling his incense with the prayers of all the saints as He offered them at the golden altar before the throne, and then poured out the coals of fire upon the earth immediately afterward, as symbolical of the mighty answers that He had so effectually claimed.

He it is who takes our imperfect petitions from our hands, cleanses them from their defects, corrects their faults, and then claims their answer from His Father on His own account and through His all-atoning merits and righteousness. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Brother, are you fainting in your prayers? Look up, Your blessed Advocate has already claimed your answer, and you would grieve and disappoint Him if you were to give up the conflict in the very moment when victory is on its way to meet you. Are you conscious of the imperfection of your faith and the languor of your devotions? Lift up the hands that hang down. It is not your prayer the Father answers, but your Savior's prayer. He has gone in for you into the inner chamber, and already holds up your name upon the palms of His hands and the messenger, which is to bring you your blessing, is now on his way, and the Spirit is only waiting your trust to whisper in your ear the echo of the answer from the throne, "it is done." --- A.B. Simpson

Corporate Prayer

2010-04-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

"Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock." Ezek 36:37

We are encouraged to pray all through scripture. Sometimes we are encouraged to pray in secret and other times to pray corporately and in open. We see in Acts 2:46 a fantastic example of the first century church meeting together daily and openly in the temple or in an open public place.

As the National Day of Prayer approaches I want to remind you to set aside the time to pray in your community for our nation. To find a local gathering near you visit their site at http://nationaldayofprayer.org

Read these words of Charles Spurgeon on the heart of God for Corporate Prayer. -- Todd

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It is my duty and my privilege to acknowledge the power of united prayer. It has pleased God to make prayer the abounding and rejoicing river through which most of our choice mercies flow to us. It is written on each of the mercies of the covenant, "I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them" Ezek 36:37.There are mercies that come unsought, for God has been found by those who did not seek Him. But there are other favors that are bestowed only on those who ask and therefore receive, who seek and therefore find, who knock and therefore gain an entrance.

Why God is pleased to command us to pray at all is not difficult to discover. In prayer, the creature acknowledges his creator with reverence, and confesses Him to be the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer that it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so we acquire energy for the great race of life by the sacred labor of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets, so that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer clothes God's warriors and sends them forth to combat with their muscles firm. An earnest pleader comes out of his prayer closet rejoicing like a strong man ready to run his race. Prayer clothes the believer with the attributes of Deity, girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the serenity of the immortal God. Thank You, Lord.

Just as many mercies are conveyed from heaven in the ship of prayer, so there are many choice, special favors that can only be brought to us by the fleets of unified prayer. God will give to his lonely Elijahs and Daniels many good things, but if "two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask" Matt18:19,there is no limit to God's bountiful answers. Peter might never have been freed from prison if the whole church had not prayed unceasingly for him. Pentecost might never have come if all the disciples had not been "with one accord in one place" Acts 2:1, waiting for the descent of the tongues of fire.

See, then, dear friends, what union and communion there are among the people of God, since there are certain mercies that are only bestowed when the saints unitedly pray. How we ought to feel this bond of union and pray for one another! How as often as the church meets together for prayer and supplication, we should all make it our bound duty to be there! -- Charles Spurgeon

Raising Children Who Pray

2010-04-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

"And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1Samuel 3:10

We are approaching week four of Pray for Monroe - the focus for the week of April 28th will be children. My heart aches with the prayer to see the next generations fall in love with the God I know. The God of the Bible whose compassion fails not, whose power is unmatched and whose love is everlasting. Jesus Christ is yearning to connect with our community in a new way through the believers here. Prayer is our part preparing our hearts and the hearts of our community. Be encouraged with the words of E.M Bounds - always powerful and fresh each time I read them. - Todd

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Samuel was born in direct answer to prayer. He came into life under prayer surroundings, and his first months in the world were spent in direct contact with a woman who knew how to pray. It was a prayer accompanied by the solemn vow that if he was given to her, he would be "lent to the Lord" 1Sam 1:28.

True to that vow, this praying mother put him directly in touch with the minister of the sanctuary and under the influence of the house of prayer. It was no wonder he developed into a man of prayer. We could not have expected otherwise with such a beginning in life and with such early environments. Such surroundings always make impressions upon children and tend to mold character and determine destiny.

Samuel was in a favorable place to hear God when He spoke to him, and he was in an atmosphere that nurtured his heeding the diving call that came to him. It was the most natural thing in the world when, at the third call from heaven, he recognized God's voice. His childish heart responded promptly, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1Sam 3:10. There was a quick response from his boyish spirit, of submission, willingness, and prayer.

Would you have your child called early into divine service and separated from the world to God? Would you have him situated so that he could be called in childhood by the Spirit of God? Put him under prayer influences. Place him near and directly under the influence of a man or woman of God and in close touch with the house of prayer. God will honor your actions.

Samuel knew God in boyhood. As a consequence, he knew God in manhood. He recognized God in childhood, obeyed Him and prayed to Him. The result was that he recognized God in manhood, obeyed Him, and prayed to Him. If more children were born of praying parents, brought up in direct contact with the house of prayer, and reared in prayer environments, more children would hear the voice of God's Spirit speaking to them. They would respond more quickly to those diviine calls to a religious life.

Do we want to have praying men in our churches? We must have praying mothers to give them birth, praying homes to influence their lives, and praying surroundings to impress their minds and to lay the foundations for praying lives. Praying Samuels come from praying Hannahs. Praying priests come from the house of prayer. Praying leaders come form praying homes.

Samuel was not only a praying priest, a praying leader, and a praying teacher, but he was also a praying father. The great need of these modern times is for Christian homes to have praying mothers and fathers. This is where the breakdown in religion occurs, where the religious life of a community first begins to decay, and where we must go first to raise praying men and women in God's church. The revival must start in the home. - E.M. Bounds

The Higher Calling of Prayer

2010-03-19T22:08:00.001-07:00

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." 2Corinthians 9:8

Prayer can be a joy, an inspiration, a daily deep desire. Andrew Murray paints a beautiful picture of what a deeper prayer life can lead to. - Todd

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"Imagine the difference between a man whose profits are just enough to maintain his family and keep up his business, and another whose income enables him to extend the business and to help others. There can be an earnest Christian life in which there is prayer enough to keep us from backsliding, just maintaining the position we have, without much growth in spirituality or in becoming more and more like Christ. This prayer attitude is more defensive - seeking to ward off temptation - than it is aggressive - reaching our after higher attainment.

If we are to grow in strength, with some large experience of God's power to sanctify ourselves and to bring down real blessing on others, there must be more definite and persevering prayer. The Scriptures, which teach us about 'cry[ing] day and night'(Luke 18:7), 'continuing steadfastly in prayer'(Romans 12:12), 'praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints' (Ephesians 6:18), and being heard because of insistent importunity (Luke 11:8), must become our experience, in some large degree, if we are really to be intercessors.

The law of God is unchangeable; as on earth, so in our traffic with heaven, we only get as we give. Unless we are willing to pay the price and sacrifice time, attention, and what appears to be legitimate or necessary for the sake of the heavenly gifts, we need not look for a large experience of the power of the heavenly world in our work.

[It is a] fact that prayer does not have the place it should have in our ministerial and Christian life. The shortcoming is one of which all are willing to confess, and the difficulties in the way of deliverance are such as to make a return to a true and full prayer life almost impossible. Blessed be God: 'The things which are impossible with men are possible with God' (Luke 18:27). 'And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.' (2Corinthians 9:8)

Do let us believe that God's call to much prayer need not be a burden and cause of continual self condemnation. He means it to be a joy. He can make it an inspiration, giving us strength for all our work and bringing down His power to work through us in our fellowmen. Do not be afraid to fully admit to the sin that shames us and then to face it in the name of our Mighty Redeemer. The light that shows us our sin and condemns us for it will show us the way out of it into the life of liberty that is well pleasing to God. If we allow this one matter, unfaithfulness in prayer, to convict us of the lack of our Christian lives, God will use the discovery to bring us not only the power to pray that we long for, but also the joy of a new and healthy life, of which prayer is the spontaneous expression." - Andrew Murray

Wrestling in Prayer

2010-03-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

Sometimes there is a deep need for resting in the Lord. Sometimes we need to FIGHT! My prayer tonight is that these words from R.A. Torrey challenge you like they do me to find the balance and to wrestle in prayer until the answer comes. - Todd

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"If we are to pray with power, we must pray with intense earnestness, throwing our whole souls into the prayer. This thought comes out again and again in the Bible. We find it in Romans 15:30: 'Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.' The word translated 'join in' means 'to contend, strive, wrestle, or fight'.

We hear a great deal these days about the 'rest of faith'. By this, one usually means that we should take things very calmly in our Christian lives; and when we pray we should simply come into God's presence as little children, quietly and trustfully ask Him for the thing desired, consider it ours, and go away calmly and reckon the thing ours. Now there is truth in that, a great truth; but it is only one side of the truth. The other side of the truth is that there is not only the 'rest of faith' but also the 'fight of faith' and my Bible has more to say about the fight of faith than it does about the rest of faith.

The thought of wrestling or fighting in prayer is not the thought that we have to wrestle with God to make God willing to grant our prayers. No, our wrestling is '...against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.' Ephesians 6:12, against the Devil and all his mighty forces, and there is no place where the Devil so resists us as when we pray. Sometimes when we pray, it seems as if all the forces of hell sweep in between us and God. What should we do? Give up? NO! A thousand times,no! Fight the thing through on your knees, wrestle in your prayer to God, and win.

It is prayer in which we actually wrestle in the power of the Holy Spirit that wins out with God. The word that is the root of the word 'join in'(Rom. 15:30)is from our word agony. In Luke 22:44, this is the very word that is translated 'agony'; '...and being in agony he prayed more earnestly: '...and being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Oh, that we might have more agonizing prayer!

Turn to Colossians 4:12 and you will find the same thought again, put in other words: 'always laboring fervently for you in prayers.' The word translated 'labor' is a very strong word; it means intense toil, or painful labor. Do you know what it means to toil in prayer, to labor with painful toil in prayer? Oh, how easily most of us take our praying, how little heart we put into it, how little it takes out of us, and how little it counts with God!" - R.A. Torrey

Praying for Pastors

2010-03-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

"Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:30

This is a strong truth that beats in Angela and my hearts daily. We urge you using the words of the Apostle Paul above and the words below from George Whitefield, a preacher from the Great Awakening,posture yourself to pray for your Pastor and the Pastors of your city. IT'S THAT IMPORTANT! -Todd

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"You ought, in a more especial manner, to pray for those, whom "The Holy Ghost hath made OVERSEERS over you." This is what St. Paul begs, again and again, of the churches to whom he writes: Says he in the text, "Brethren, pray for us" and in another place, to express his earnestness in this request, and the great importance of their prayers for him, he bids the church "strive,(or, as the original word signifies, be in an agony)together with him in their prayers." And surely, if the great St. Paul, that chosen vessel, that favorite of heaven, needed the most importunate prayers of his Christian converts; much more do the ordinary ministers of the gospel stand in need of the intercession of their respective flocks.

And I cannot but in a more especial manner insist upon this branch of your duty, because it is a matter of such importance: for, no doubt, much good is frequently withheld from many, by reason of their neglecting to pray for their ministers, and which they would have received, had they prayed for them as they ought. Not to mention, that people often complain of the want of diligent and faithful pastors. But how do they deserve good pastors, who will not earnestly pray to God for such? If we will pray to the Lord of the harvest, can it be expected he will send forth laborers into his harvest?

Besides, what ingratitude is it, not to pray for your ministers! For shall they watch and labor in the word and doctrine for you, and your salvation, and shall not you pray for them in return? Shall not they be remembered in your prayers, who daily feed and nourish your souls? Add to all this, that praying for your ministers, will be a manifest proof of your believing, that though Paul plant, and Apollos water, yet it is God alone who giveth the increase. And you will also find it the best means you can use, to promote your own welfare; because God, in answer to your prayers, may impart a double portion of his Holy Spirit to them, whereby they will be qualified to deal out to you larger measures of knowledge in spiritual things, and be enabled more skilfully to divide the word of truth.

Would men but constantly observe this direction, and when their ministers are praying in their name to God, humbly beseech him to perform all their petitions;or, when they are speaking in God's name to them,pray that the Holy Ghost may fall on all them that hear the word; we should find a more visible good effect of their doctrine, and a greater mutual love between ministers and their people. For ministers hands would then be hold up by the people's intercessions, and the people will never dare to vilify or traduce those who are the constant subjects of their prayers." - George Whitefield.

Prayer Brings Revival

2010-03-02T16:40:00.001-08:00

"May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen." 1Thessalonians 3:11-13

Reading and studying the move of God through history is of great interest to me. I'm greatly challenged by the men and women of God who have dug in and watched God change their cities, nation, and ultimately the world. As you read these thoughts from the American Evangelist R.A. Torrey let the Lord challenge you to a deeper prayer life as we seek God to move and impact this area. - Todd

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In this passage we see Paul praying for the church. Prayer will bring blessing, definite and rich and immeasurable blessing, to the church;

praying will do more to make the church what it ought to be than anything else we can do.

Prayer will do more to root out heresy than all the heresy trials ever held. Prayer will do more to straighten out tangles and misunderstandings and unhappy complications in the life of a church than all the councils and conferences ever held. Prayer will do more to bring a deep and lasting and sweeping revival, a revival that is real and lasting and altogether of the right sort, than all the organizations ever devised by man.

Humanly speaking, the church of Jesus Christ owes its very existence today to revivals. Time and time again the church has seemed to be on the verge of utter shipwreck; but just then God has sent a great revival and saved it. And if you will study the history of revivals, you will find that every real revival in the church has been the result of prayer. There have been revivals without much preaching; there have been revivals with absolutely no organization,

but there has never been a mighty revival without mighty praying.

Don't come to me and tell me what this man or that man, or this woman or that woman, is doing that you think is wrong or that you think is right. Go to God and tell Him if you like, but it is far more important that you pray to Him.

Pray, pray, pray for Him to bless other churches or your city,and to bless the whole land; yes, and to bless every land.

This is what we need more than anything else today, in our own land and in all lands - a mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God.

But let us not merely sigh for it; let us cry for it, cry to God, cry long and cry loud if need be, and then it will surely come.

- R.A. Torrey

Without ceasing

2010-03-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

"Pray without ceasing." 1Thessalonians 5:17

To pray without ceasing - to be in His presence continually - a desire for many of our hearts. These uplifting and honest words from Madame Guyon ring true today. - Todd

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Everyone is capable of praying, but many have the mistaken idea that they are not called to prayer. Just as we are called to salvation, we are called to prayer. Scripture commands us to "pray without ceasing" (1Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is nothing more than turning our hearts toward God and receiving His love in turn.

There is only one requirement, though, that you must follow at all times. It will not interfere with outward actions. It may be practiced by princes, kings, priests, soldiers, children, and laborers. This simple requirement is that you must learn to pray form your heart and not your head.

The reason for this is that man's mind is so limited in its operation, it can only focus on one object at a time. But the prayer offered from the heart cannot be interrupted by reason.

I have found it easy to obtain the presence of God. He desires to be more present to us than we desire to seek Him. He desires to give Himself to us far more readily than we desire to receive Him. We only need to know how to seek God, and this is easier and more natural than breathing.

Oh, dear ones, do not think of yourselves as misfits. By prayer you can live in God's presence with as little effort as you live on the very air you are now breathing.

- Madame Guyon

Intercession For Others

2010-03-02T00:13:00.000-08:00

"One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master's Word will simply take off and race through the country to a ground-swell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we'll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I'm finding that not all "believers" are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He'll stick by you and protect you from evil." 2Thessalonians 3:1-3

I wanted to share with you a couple thoughts on intercession by George Whitefield. I find them challenging and sobering as I push in to know the heart of God in prayer. I pray they bless you as well. - Todd

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If we inquire, why there is so little love to be found amongst Christians, why the very characteristic, by which every one should know that we are disciples of the holy Jesus, is almost banished out of the Christian world, we shall find it, in a great measure, owing to a neglect or superficial performance of that excellent part of prayer, INTERCESSION, or imploring the divine grace and mercy in behalf of others.

Our blessed Savior, as "He hath set us an example, that we should follow His steps" in every thing else, so hath He more especially in this: for in that divine, that perfect and inimitable prayer which He put up just before His passion, we find but few petitions for His own, though many for His disciples welfare: and in that perfect form which He has been pleased to prescribe us, we are taught to say, not MY, but "OUR Father," thereby to put us in mind, that, whenever we approach the throne of grace, we ought to pray not for ourselves alone, but for all our brethren in Christ. Intercession then is certainly a duty incumbent upon all Christians.

-George Whitefield

Prevailing With God

2010-03-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

"I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting..." 1Timothy 2:8

As we prepare for our time together seeking the face of the Lord for the Snohomish county area I'm moved by the teachings in the Word of God on prayer. There is a passion building in me to see His hand move and become more evident in our community. I'm believing God for a marked difference in the behavior of the people in this valley - and to see people really believe Him at His word. We can have what we ask for in prayer, when we believing pray in His name and in His will.

There have been some great spiritual giants that have come along before us here in the valley. Preparing the way and building a foundation that is evident in the Spirit. There is an open door here for God's people to come together and believe and see great things.

I'd like to share a couple thoughts I've edited and adapted from Charles Finney about the conditions he saw in the preparation for answered prayer. I believe they are Biblical and very timely. Enjoy and be challenged as we seek God together.

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"Prevailing prayer is that which gets an answer. Saying prayers is not offering prevailing prayer. The effectiveness of prayer does not depend so much on quantity as on quality. In reading my Bible, I noticed many revealed conditions of having our prayers answered.... some of these conditions are;

* Faith - in God as the One who answers prayer. This involves expectation of receiving and of Him hearing.
* Asking according to the Will of God.
* A pure heart - in our motivation and desires (Psalm 66:18)
* The inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:26,27)
* Fervency - (James 5:16)
* Perseverance - or persistence.
* Travail of soul - (Gal. 4:19) This implies a travailing like in the birthing process for the souls of mankind.
* Consistent use of of means - (resources such as money, energy, time)Means should be used if they are within our reach and are known by us.
* Specific - In all the cases recorded in the Bible in which prayer was answered, it is noteworthy that the petitioner prayed for a definite object.
* "Watchful in your prayers" & "praying in the Holy Spirit" - (1Peter 4:7 & Jude 20)

Who has witnessed real revivals of religion and has not been struck with the change that comes over the whole spirit and manner of the prayers of really revived Christians?

- Charles Finney

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Let's take the time to prepare our hearts for this mighty work of God in Monroe and Snohomish County. Let's step up and take our place. I'm looking forward to praying with you in the coming months. - Todd

It's time to pray!

2010-02-06T14:53:00.000-08:00

We would like to welcome you to The Pray for Monroe prayer summit in the Monroe Washington, greater Seattle area. We will be meeting once a week for nine weeks beginning in April 2010. We believe its time for all of us to gather and pray for God's hand to move in powerful ways in Monroe and the surrounding communities. Jesus Christ is the answer - let's join together and believe for great things.

Check back soon for details