Praying for lost loved-ones

Following on from Captain Andrew Clarke's 'Salvationism Out Loud' blog just thought I'd continue with a few tips for praying for our loved-ones who are lost.... and I suspect that most of us will have someone in that category. The list below came from teaching I received at Roots (UK) 2006 from a session by Major Jo Norton (Wandsworth).... and like Captain Andrew says about praying using scripture - this is dynamite prayer!!

USE SCRIPTURE:

1. 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”
2. Isaiah 59:1 – “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”

CRY OUT TO GOD WITH THESE SCRIPTURES:

1. Psalm 4:3 - “Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.”
2. Micah 7:7 - “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me.”
3. Joel 2:32 - “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved;”

HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU?

1. Psalm 85: 6-7 – “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.”
2. Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants”

PRAY IN FAITH:

1. John 15:7 – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
2. John 16:23-24 – “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
3. Acts 16:31 – “They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
4. James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

STRATEGY

1. 2 Cor 4:3-4 – ask God to hover over and ask Holy Spirit to lift the veil from them – “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
2. Weapons: Spiritual – always in the name of Jesus, plead the blood of Jesus, pray constantly, pray scripture over your loved one
3. Ask God for them to receive a direct revelation of His love and of their sin that they would understand the gospel.
4. Pray over everything about them

SUMMARY

1. Pray their heart is prepared and softened and that they receive good seed.
2. Pray that God will prevent satan from snatching away the seed
3. Pray that the veil is lifted from them and that the Holy Spirit hovers over them
4. Pray that the root of pride is broken
5. Pray that they will come to true repentance: (a) Receive forgiveness but also (b) make Jesus Lord of their life.

Switch on the light!

Its so very easy to 'curse the darkness' rather than just switching on a light.... I should know. To receive the peace of God and the guarding of our hearts and minds we need to focus on things that bring in the light.... rather than despairing over the darkness.

Philippians 4: 6-8
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent of praiseworthy – think about such things”

'Shine Jesus shine, fill this land with the Father's Glory........'
'I'll be a light let me go to the darkness, I'll be a light let me show the way.....'

Thank you Jesus, Light of the World!

"Be Still........and know that I am God" and other stuff!

I am struggling with much frustration currently. One of the main reasons is that, so far, I've been prevented from getting out to do any collecting for our Annual Appeal.... physically I've just been unable (recently received a diagnosis of acute Osteoarthritis in my upper spine, the sternoclavicular(!) joint on the right side and my lower spine). Glad to know that at least the pain and lack of sleep actually do have a reason behind it all... not just muscle ache, PC use, or other stuff. BUT, I've always been able to get out and collect.... ever since I became a Soldier 25 yrs ago. Now I will admit, I don't actually look forward to doing it - but once I am out there I do enjoy it (to a certain extent!) and I feel I am doing something 'useful' for God.

For a long time now I've been frustrated with the sense that I am not doing enough for God..... and I've felt (and feel) so guilty about it. I've cried out to Him to show me what it is I should be doing................. and graciously He has told me, time and time again to wait on Him.... to be still and to know He is God. I am very very slowly learning this lesson - and learning not to fall asleep when I do have an opportunity to be still!

As I've mentioned before previously, there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done that has to be done - and then there's always something else that needs to be done on top of everything else!!!!!! Of course I realise that this is not peculiar to me.... and God is good.... He is so very Faithful..... He is teaching me and I am trying to cultivate a 'teachable spirit'.

The last couple of years at the corps have been tough, not just for me, but they have - I am praying that God will restore all that the evil one has taken away from us (and tried to take away from us) as a fellowship and as individuals. As has been quoted recently (from retired General John Gowans) "They started taking care of the corps instead of taking care of the lost and the Lord took their candlestick from its place. The glory has departed." I thank God for His faithfullness to us as a fellowship, even as we have been more focused on each other and on our problems rather than on Him and the lost in our communities........ and I continue to pray for His forgiveness for us all and that His will be done, for His Kingdom's sake - I know He is faithful and He will do it! Praise Him!

Journeying.... Destination....MAD!

As you know, this blog is called Journeying.... its supposed to be about my journey with God. I've been thinking about the journey - and my destination..... and about MAD - Making a Difference. How important is the journey in comparison with the focus on the destination? What about where God is leading me now.... not just Heavenward?

I've had these thoughts going through my mind for quite a while and they came sharply into focus on Sunday evening when Alan preached about the call of Abram (Genesis 12) We looked at the few verses before, in Chapter 11 (v 27-32) at the account of Terah..... about the fact that he settled in Haran.... he never got to where God was leading him (Canaan) and the account in the Bible says it all. I don't want someone to say of me when I get promoted to Glory "Ann lived in Pill most of her life, worked in Bristol University for a large part of it, went to the Salvation Army and died aged **"

I've been struggling with a lot of 'shifting sand' as some will know. A lot of my perceived security blankets have been stripped away bit by bit. Its been unsettling, still is to an extent...... but, I am learning to wait on God..... and He is so gracious with me - I have so much to learn. One of the things is just how do I 'fit' in the fellowship.... maybe its a 'Pill' thing, probably its a 'me' thing! I am confident that God has not finished with me yet and I believe that He is working out His purposes and will work out His purposes for His Kingdom's sake - I believe that one day we will be able to say, and mean it fully: "Pill Corps passion is to Pilot out Communities into the Safe Harbour of Jesus Christ"...... and we will be a safe environment in which to do this.