National
Pastors'
Prayer
Network
S T R A T E G I C P R A Y E R
IDEAS & INITIATIVES
02/02/2005
...Finding New Ways To Connect In Prayer
IN THIS UPDATE ...and for our
prayers:
PASTOR PHIL'S
PRAYER LETTER
A NEW STRATEGIC PRAYER INITIATIVE
A SIX MONTH COMMITMENT TO STRATEGIC PRAYER FOR THE NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT
INTERNET PRAISE AND PRAYER
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - “GREAT
LINK”
YOUTH UNITING TO
PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
NATIONAL TELE-PRAYER
MEETING FOR REVIVAL
PRAYING GOD’S HEART
STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
JUSTICE HOUSE OF PRAYER
BEWARE OF MARGINALIZING PRAYER!
PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR;
HE THINKS HE’S PERFECT!
PASTOR PHIL'S PRAYER LETTER
This quote of Martin Luther, sent by our friend
Doug Wright, is a powerful reminder:
To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than being alive
without breathing.
A reminder to those of us who teach prayer, mobilize prayer, facilitate prayer,
write on prayer ... That we cannot tell others to breathe without breathing
ourselves!
When you take a deep breath, remember the 850+ Pastors’ Prayer Groups dotting
the Untied States and many other nations. Pray for renewed passion in their
prayer and vision for their work together of serving the lost. May the NPPN
serve them and in the future many hundreds of other PPGs we have yet to
discover.
Pastor Phil
P. S. Your support makes it possible for us to
bless those on the front lines, like this missionary in Africa:
Also want to give thanks to God for receiving the book "Desperate for His
Presence: God's Design to Transform Your Life and Your City" from NPPN. I'm
not a big, big book reader, but when I heard about the book my spirit reacted.
Somehow Pastor Phil, his wife, and the team at National Pastors' Prayer
Network (www.nppn.org)
found out and surprised us with the book. Have begun to read it and it is a
powerful bombshell ! The author, Rhonda Hughey, is right on target and God
is already witnessing to the truths expressed in even the early pages!!! She
does not "save her punches" but has come right out blasting away. Not only do I
heavily recommend it, but would also recommend reading it slowly (my
specialty!). This is some "power" one needs to absorb. This is a book not
written in earthly wisdom or flashy speech, but rather by someone on their knees
or by someone in whom God has done a mighty work and who cannot contain it. She
explodes unto the pages with one powerful statement after another. I feel so
strongly that God is calling America to revival and people are answering the
call. It is glorious. May many more people begin to also enter that 'call'
and begin to cry out for revival.
A NEW STRATEGIC PRAYER INITIATIVE
A SIX MONTH COMMITMENT TO STRATEGIC PRAYER FOR THE NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT
My prayer is for our sons and daughters to come
home as quickly as possible. The Iraq War may be an unwinnable, urban-guerilla
war for us. We cannot leave with honor unless Iraq has a stable, effective
government of its own. Here’s what we can do and what churches can do to speed
up the process:
Praise God for the success of the Iraqi
elections!
Chuck Pierce writes,
We must pray for the Lord’s choice for leadership for this nation to
be accomplished. Pray against assassination and kidnapping of key leaders. Ask
the Lord for the women to rise up with a new boldness. We believe women will
have a great influence in the direction of this nation as well as the unraveling
of the control of Islam. {1/3 of those elected will be women--by law!}
As a church, consider doing what no non-Iraqi
church may have ever done:
Adopt a member of the new national
government to pray for by name and let that leader know of your ongoing
prayers and support for the next six months.
Such prayer support and love for Muslim leaders will have a dramatic
spiritual and emotional effect on Iraqi leaders and on Muslims worldwide.
Think of the power in prayer that would be released over Iraq if that Iraqi
official were lifted up in prayer during each Sunday Service for the next six
months. What a Christ-like way to obey (1Ti 2:1-4): First of all, then,
I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and
thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in
authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all
godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth.
Pray for the survival of those elected and
their families. They will be prime targets for the insurgents.
They must live long enough to take charge of their nation so we can leave.
Today's
Virginian Pilot newspaper in Norfolk, VA ( January 23, 2005, p. A1) says
essentially this same thing: the fate of this Iraqi government is irrevocably
tied to the withdrawal date for our forces in Iraq.
Pray for your adopted Iraqi official to
have the wisdom of Solomon to rebuild and stabilize his or her nation
effectively. Many lives--American, Coalition and Iraqi-- could
be saved when this
happens.
Ask God to give your adopted official
the courage to persevere despite the many threats and attacks that will come
upon them and their families as government leaders. The
insurgents will have no greater target than these new leaders.
As churches and as individuals, decide now to pray
for the establishment of a wise, courageous and safe government for Iraq. The
lives of our sons and daughters there depend on it. We cannot leave soon if the
country continues to be in shambles as it is today.
You can see a list of their current national leaders at:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6804.htm This will updated shortly after
the elections, Lord willing. You can get a mail or email address to notify your
adopted official that you are praying for him by emailing
usconsulbaghdad@state.gov
Lastly, pray for the safety of our troops as they
facilitate the elections. Chaplain Lyle Shackelford, is Battalion
Chaplain with the HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion in Iraq sent out a prayer
request to
America. His battalion will distribute the voting machines to very dangerous
polling locations across Iraq. See Chaplain Shackelford’s entire prayer request.
We must love those who have hated us and for those who still hate us.
We must fight evil with good. It is our only
heart-option as Christians—and the wisest, most godly Church response to an
anti-
Christian religion.
PS: You may also want to pray that the Iraqi leader and
his family have a dream or vision of Jesus. Strange as it may seem,
it is well documented by several Christian ministries that in many Islamic
nations today, about 50% to 80% of Moslems becoming Christians have had a recent
dream or vision of Jesus leading to their salvation. I just heard a Christian
leader returning from Iran say that it is
hard to find an Iranian Christian who has not had such an experience prior to
conversion! Prayer has played a major role in this! A future
edition of Partners--our free online newsletter, will have a major story
on the new CBN film being made called More than Dreams
on this subject. See this site for a current example of Muslims seeing Jesus in
their dreams.
Finally, I believe that the Lord is saying that the prayers of His Church in
America and worldwide for these new Iraqi leaders will:
Prepare the way of the Lord into Baghdad and
into Iraq. ( Mark 1:1-3) God is preparing a great harvest in the
Muslim world worldwide!
God willing, there will be a website soon to
help coordinate the prayer coverage for each official and to collect the names
of churches, ministries and individuals who adopt each official for prayer. Our
State Department can help us deliver those list names to the Iraqi officials in
the near future.
INTERNET PRAISE AND PRAYER
>From: Jeff Tyler - Night Watch Ministries
<jeff@thenightwatch.com>
>At:
http://www.TheNightWatch.com
Night Watch Ministries is a worldwide intense praise and worship and live
prayer ministry on Radio and the Internet. We exist to build, model, and
maintain praise and worship and intercessory prayer ministries for local,
regional, national, and international broadcasts through various media outlets.
Our mission is to unite the worldwide Body of Christ for healing and empowerment
in relation to the original mandates and blueprints found in scripture.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - “GREAT
LINK”
>From: CGDunne@aol.com
This is a great link with good information for use during National Day of
Prayer...Hope you are gearing up for your event(s)!
Bless you each one!
Claudia Dunne
IL State Coordinator
http://www.wtv-zone.com/Mary/forsakenroots.html
YOUTH UNITING TO PRAY
FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO
Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
>At:
<http://www.assistnews.net/> -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
SHOCKWAVE - YOUTHS UNITING TO PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS
Worldwide Event Scheduled March 4-5
SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- Connecting thousands of concerned young people around the
world with members of the Persecuted Church - through the mighty power of
intercessory prayer.
That's what will take place on March 4 and 5, 2005 when Underground, the youth
outreach of Open Doors with Brother Andrew - celebrating 50 years of ministry to
the Persecuted Church, sponsors Shockwave. It is a global 48-hour youth prayer
event that will take place in Shockwave chat rooms as well as at prayer meetings
throughout the world, including the United States.
Shockwave will start in New Zealand and work its way across the time zones,
literally covering the world in prayer for the estimated 200 million members of
the Persecuted Church. This will be the fourth annual Shockwave. Last year
Christian young people from 15 nations participated in Shockwave.
"I think that Shockwave has the potential to be one of the single most important
events in history in mobilizing people to pray for the Persecuted Church," says
Dr. Carl Moeller, President of Open Doors USA. "Combining the connectivity of
the internet with the power of worldwide focused prayer, potentially millions of
God's people will unite on March 4 and 5 in one massive effort to ask Him to
strengthen His Body."
Jeff Shreve, Underground coordinator for Open Doors USA, says that "Shockwave is
a global phenomenon. There's opportunity for masses of young people from many
different places, races and backgrounds to come together with one mind and a
sound vision - a global one - to pray and see God act in their world and build
up His church."
Last year, for example, Shockwave participants prayed for Christian prisoners
like Indonesian pastor Rinaldy Daminik. He was released a year earlier than his
original release date last November. Daminik credited prayers from around the
world as leading to his early release while also helping him stand strong in
prison.
"Thanks for Shockwave and all the help you provided in putting it together,"
wrote a youth pastor from Pennsylvania. "This was a terrific way to introduce
our young people to the Persecuted Church. We are looking forward to this year's
event."
Shockwave can be held individually or as a group. The Shockwave message board
and chat area can be accessed by going to the Open Doors USA Underground site at
<http://www.undergroundusa.org/> or going
<http://www.odshockwave.org/> . Specific prayer requests from suffering
believers will be posted on the Underground web site.
To receive a Shockwave leaders' resource pack or to register your youth group
and order a Shockwave CD kit, access the Underground web site. Also, youth can
go to the web site and receive a free Jars of Clay Narrow Road CD when they
register as Citizens of the Underground.
Shreve concludes: "Our goal is not only to pray, but also raise awareness about
our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. Many people don't realize that
persecution is taking place. Shockwave will inform and urge youth to take
action."
An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and
even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing
discrimination and alienation. Open Doors, celebrating 50 years of service to
the Persecuted Church in 2005, serves and strengthens the Persecuted Church in
the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature
distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community
development and prayer and presence ministry. To partner with Open Doors, call
toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (524-2535) or go to our USA web site at www.odusa.org
<http://www.odusa.org/>
. To request a complimentary six-month subscription to our monthly newsletter,
Frontline Faith, call 888-5-BIBLE-5 or register on-line.
If you would like to schedule an interview on this press release, please contact
Jerry Dykstra, OPEN DOORS USA
616-915-4117
E-mail: JerryD@odusa.org
You may republish this story with proper attribution.
NATIONAL TELE-PRAYER MEETING
FOR REVIVAL
>From: "Life Action Ministries" <revivallink@lifeaction.org>
Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. EST, Life Action
<http://www.lifeaction.org/> and Revive Our Hearts
<http://www.reviveourhearts.com/> is sponsoring a one-hour Saturday
morning prayer meeting entitled "Seeking Him Together"
<http://www.seekinghim.com/community/prayer_conference.php> . It will be
conducted for each of the twelve subsequent Saturday mornings at the same time.
The format includes a national ministry leader who will facilitate and
another leader who will briefly instruct us concerning that week's theme.
These leaders along with others on our staff, as well as selected
intercessors, will be praying with a special focus on a particular topic of
need among God's people. We will focus on the nation, the church, the family,
and individual hearts. If you have a desire to seek the Lord with others
who are burdened for revival, please join this 12-week National Tele-Prayer
Meeting by simply calling 866-406-5413 (listener
pass code: 876 265 #). The prayer meeting will be
simulcast live via the Internet at our newest website: www.SeekingHim.com.
<http://www.SeekingHim.com> If you are unable to participate during this
time, the meeting will be archived at that site as well. Thank you for
being an agent of revival in our generation. Seeking Him Together, Byron
Paulus Executive Director, Life Action Ministries
PRAYING GOD’S HEART
>From: Global AIDS Prayer Partnership <info@praytoendaids.com>
>At:
http://www.PraytoEndAIDS.com
Praying to End AIDS
Mobilizing the Church to respond to the AIDS Pandemic
"...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
The Global AIDS Prayer Partnership was founded upon this familar scripture
and as a direct response to the global AIDS pandemic. Did you know that...
Every day another 6,000 children are orphaned by AIDS, joining the already
14 million plus who have already lost one or both parents.
Every day another 8,000 people die of AIDS, joining the already 28 million
plus who have already succumbed.
Every day another 14,000 people become infected by HIV, joining the nearly
40 million who are already infected.
As a "coalition of the concerned," GAPP seeks to serve as a prophetic voice to
the Church calling us, His people, to turn away from our "wicked" ways, and
respond to this great global challenge through united prayer and action. Our
mission and vision are as follows: Our mission is to respond to the global
HIV/AIDS crisis by mobilizing Christians worldwide to pray daily for God to heal
the nations of the world and provide holistic ministry opportunities, as a
meaningful action point, which will bring Victory in the War on AIDS. Summed up
our mission is: Mobilizing a united Christian response through global
prayer and action to end AIDS Our vision is victory in this global conflict
which will be seen in drastically reduced infection rates worldwide, healthy
communities which are now ravaged by the pandemic, renewed hope for those who
have been left-behind, and a united Church response to the plight of the
millions orphans of AIDS. We earnestly pray in accordance with 2 Chronicles 7:14
for the literal "healing of the land."
Summed up our vision is: The end of global AIDS and the healing of the
nations!
Moreover, GAPP is being built upon the same philosophy as the Lighthouse
Movement of Prayer - Care - Share.
Learn more about GAPP at
http://www.PraytoEndAIDS.com
We have created a 31 Day GAPP Prayer Guide that you can download free and use to
join with others in united prayer. It is our prayerful hope that each day this
guide will be used by many to connect spiritually across the globe and lift the
prayer point for that day before God. Please feel free to download the GAPP
Prayer Guide and circulate it throughout your network, church or prayer group.
Download GAPP Prayer Guide
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=68di8zaab.0.i8ffd9aab.8u9j9a44.219&p=http%3A%2F%2Fgappartnership.org%2Fgapp%2Fhow_to_pray_guide.asp>
One More Reason to Pray
"Because the AIDS pandemic is so enormous and so complex, it is easy to
become discouraged, paralyzed, and keep delaying action. But these times require
action! And the bottom line is this: Are we going to love people the way Jesus
does?" - Rick Warren
>From the Email Inbox
"We are getting an amazing response of those who want to know more,
pray more and do more in response to AIDS. We are also praying for you as you
mobilize prayer globally. Our global networks are taking this very seriously as
a prayer movement." Emily
The Global AIDS Prayer Partnership is an grassroots coalition of Christian
ministries, leaders, and praying faithful who are comforting AIDS and coming
together to mobilize prayer and action to end AIDS. Included in this coalition
is the Lausanne Committee on World Evangelization, International Prayer Council,
National Prayer Committee (USA), National Pastors Prayer Network (USA), Mission
America Coalition, World Vision, Campus Crusade for Christ, Operation
Mobilization, Global Action, Viva Network and many others. We invite you to join
us in united prayer to end AIDS and be listed among the GAPP "coalition of the
concerned." Simply send an email describing your ministry and mission
info@praytoendaids.com
<mailto:info@praytoendaids.com>
STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS
Pastors
Strengthening & Shielding the Pastor’s Prayer Life
http://www.PrayingPastor.com
Prayer Leaders
Three New Membership Plans: Full $40), Partial ($30). Church ($100)
http://www.PrayerLeader.com
Archived
Prayer Strategy Updates:
http://www.nppn.org/Prayers.htm
NPPN Inner~Views:
http://www.nppn.org/innerviews.htm
Report & Reply / Ideas & Insights – Send them to:
phil@nppn.org
Register Your Pastors' Prayer Groups:
http://www.nppn.org/ppg/
Subscribe to the NPPN (To Unsubscribe - See Bottom
of This Message)
http://www.nppn.org/subscribe.htm
Follow Pastor Phil’s Ministry
Track Activity ...
http://www.nppn.org/Schedule.htm
Pray Strategically ...
http://www.nppn.org/PrayerInc/Home%20Page%20PrayerInc.htm
Support Financially ...
http://www.nppn.org/Support%20Page.htm
JUSTICE HOUSE OF PRAYER
>From: "Van Mason" <newwine4u@getrealmin.org>
>From: The Cause USA
<mailto:cdmervin@thecauseusa.com>
Introducing the Justice House of Prayer Internship
Our Vision is to train up warriors to come into agreement with
God's heart for a people and a nation; those who burn for revival, who cry out
for Justice, the activists who are committed to reformation of society, the
radicals who spark world-wide transformation, and the Nazirites whose hearts are
given over to the Lord in bridal love and have made a covenant by sacrifice.
Who: 120 Nazirites
Ages: 18-29 One year of ministry experience
recommended
What: 6 months of equipping and serving in JHOP
3 Simultaneous Tracks: Intimacy, Justice,
Governmental Intercession
When: January 19 - June 17, 2005
Where: JHOP, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $400/month ($2,400 total) Covers food and
accommodations.
For more info and/or application go contact randy@acause.org for the JHOP
internship OR call 202-454-5216
WHAT:
It is time for a House of Prayer that will contend for the government of our
land. We are summoning YOU- the Nazirites (Numbers 6) - to come to Washington
D.C. for day and night worship and intercession from January 16th to June 17th
2005.
This will be no easy walk in the park. It will be intense. Each intern will be
required to be fully engaged in the JHOP 6 days a week with 1 day off. Come
expecting to press into the Lords heart in intercession amidst spiritual,
relational, and physical stretching. Many of you will go on extended fasts. Ask
the Lord now if he would have you commit your days or your nights. The night
watches will be just as critical as the battles in the day.
THREE TRACKS:
Three simultaneous tracks will mobilize JHOP interns to activism in changing the
culture around them and bringing reformation to this nation. Lou Engle, along
with both national and emerging local leaders will help to train and mentor you.
We desire to place you in a revival network that will result in long-term
relationships with other schools and cities.
ONE THING- Intimacy
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house
of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to
seek him in his temple.” Psalms 27:4
There will be a strong emphasis on intimacy with the Lord and extended worship
as a place from which to move into governmental prayer and intercession. We
strongly believe that the first thing (1 Timothy 2:1-2) flows from the one thing
(Psalms 27:4). There will be worship sets and teaching for devotion and
spiritual refreshing. Knowing that prayers which avail much come out of a place
of intimacy with the Lords heart, we greatly encourage you to spend much
personal time seeking his face. Intimacy brings union with the Fathers heart and
out of that place we will then be able to pray into His will for our nation.
THE THING- Justice
“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your
harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing
stream.” Amos 5:23-24
In light of Gods heart for justice we realize that all of our worship and songs
from this house of prayer are meaningless if we do not see to it that justice
flows. We will be helping to train you up, not only as a servant leader who
will become living, breathing intercession, but as one who actively pursues acts
of justice. Every intern will be sent out into the DC area to help feed the
poor, love the children, and assist other ministries already reaching out
locally. Expect to move in the compassion of God in seeing the captives set
free, the hungry fed, and the sick healed.
FIRST THING- Governmental Intercession
“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and
thanksgiving being made for everyone- for kings, and all those in authority that
we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is
good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and come to the
knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Through intimacy and intercession, we will follow the Lord into the battle for
the courts of our nation. By walking out the dreams and visions the Father gives
we will believe God for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, for a great youth
awakening, for prayer to be brought back into schools, for the ending of the
Iraq war, for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit in the homosexual communities
of America and for justice to the poor and needy.
WHERE:
The outcome of spiritual battle will, first and foremost, be decided in the
heavenlies through fasting and prayer. Like Moses who held up his hands in
prayer while Joshua fought in the valley below, we must win a decisive battle in
the spirit , maintaining 'air superiority' over America or face defeat in the
ground war. What better place to hold our hands up in prayer than in Washington
DC, the very place where laws are issued?
WHY:
This new year will not only be a time of abandoned worship, prayer and intimacy
with the Lord, but we are intent upon mentoring a new generation of emerging
prayer leaders
Our hope is to train many of the new 'officers' for the coming revival, those
who will start houses of prayer on their campuses and in their cities. They will
be the activists committed to reformation of society, the transformation of
politics, business and the media. These are the radicals who are catalysts of a
new student volunteer missions movement, Nazirites whose hearts are given
over to the Lord in bridal love and who have made a covenant by sacrifice.
This is not the year to be asleep. Come to Washington DC!
HOUSING:
JHOP Internships are $400 per month starting January 19, 2005. ($2,400 for the
entire internship) This will be a six month session which covers housing, food,
and group transportation to and from JHOP, Silent Seige, and other group events.
Spending money is recommended for things like Starbucks and eating out.
Housing will be outside of the city in community living areas. Personal space
is limited to a small closet-type area near your bed.
REGISTRATION:
If you are under 18, you must have completed a Parental Permission Form and a
Medical Release Form. No one under 18 will be allowed to participate without
these signed forms - no exceptions. Children under 18 must also be escorted by a
parent, guardian, or be part of a youth group under the supervision of a
responsible adult. Ask for forms at the office.
Please pack lightly because we are expecting small personal space. Due to
extremely limited parking area at the farm there will be a $50.00 monthly charge
if you decide to bring your car. (Note about DC parking: JHOP is located in a
business district on Capital Hill. There is no private parking available and
very limited street parking in the surroundings area.) There are no pets
allowed. No weapons, drugs, tobacco or alcohol will be permitted on the
grounds.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Parents can call 202-454-5216 to speak to an assistant or leave a voicemail
message.
Please send application to:
The Cause USA
209 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
For more info contact randy@acause.org
BEWARE OF MARGINALIZING PRAYER!
>By Steve Loopstra
Executive Director Prayer Transformation Ministries
>At: www.prayertransformation.com
There is an interesting phenomenon that I have been observing lately. It is
nothing new. However, I have not really heard anyone speak about it in these
terms. What I have been observing has caused me to want to cry out to
Christians, churches and ministries: "Beware of marginalizing prayer!"
Think of the church that started twenty-five or thirty years ago in the garage
of some concerned couple who invited a few others to join them in prayer, to
ask God to help them reach their unsaved neighbors. A few vacation Bible
studies and Good News Clubs later, they are a thriving church with a growing
facility, and growing budget. The only problem is, that prayer meeting that
started it all, is now relegated to whoever isn't busy with something else on
Wednesday nights. Beware of marginalizing prayer!
Take even the prayer ministry, that promotes prayer, engages people in great
prayer rallys, and begins to find that the demands of ministry, and the limited
number of hours have cut down what used to be extended times of prayer asking
for direction and supply from the Lord. Beware of marginalizing prayer!
Look at your own life. Up early to get to work, coming home later than you
would like most days. Some "good" church related activity that keeps you busy
almost every night of the week. That beside running the kids to all their
extra-curricular activities. Lately, if you really thought about it, prayer is
more of a hope to than those good times in intimate dialogue you used to have
back longer than you care to remember. Beware of marginalizing prayer!
The list, of course could go on. We say with our theology and our lips that
prayer is a top priority. Maybe even the top priority. We know God wants us to
pray, but so many factors seem to always be pushing prayer into the corner.
Marginalize is defined at: "To relegate or confine to a lower or outer limit or
edge, as of social standing (www.dictionary.com) to place in a position of
marginal importance, influence, or power. To treat someone or something as if
they were not important."
How are the ways we marginalize prayer without even realizing it? One sure
indicator is when we are so busy that we "don't have time to pray." It is very
easy for us to "buy into" the cultural mindset that says that if things are
going to get done, it's really up to me. So we find ourselves filling our time
with "good" things, good activities, and even things that titillate our sense
of usefulness, and some prayer into a place "of marginal importanceor power."
A dear apostle of prayer and revival, Armin Gesswein once said, "Prayer is the
highest and holiest work, and yet it is the most neglected ministry on earth."
Marginalizing prayer happens when we think that the highest and holiest work is
whatever we can get our hands on, what we can shape, what we can plan. We
forget that prayer is the way that God has chosen to work in and through us as
His children here on this earth. The perfect example of this is, of course the
Lord Jesus. Prayer was as the center of everything He did, from preparing to
call His disciples (Luke 6:12-16) to preparing Himself for the cross. Armin
also once said, "With God, prayer is not everything, but everything is by
prayer." The Lord Jesus lived that out in His earthly ministry, and now in
glory, He is still about the business of prayer (Hebrews 7:25).
Perhaps it is time of each of us to take an honest look at our lives, our
ministries, our churches, and ask the question, "Are there actions and
attitudes that betray the fact that I have been marginalizing prayer? I can
find those in my own experience. So now, pray with me this prayer:
"Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you confessing that with my intellect, I have
given assent to the importance of prayer, but over time and with the many
demands of life and ministry, I am guilty of relegating prayer to a lower place
than where you have put it. I have treated it as if it is not important in the
area of _____________ in my life. Please forgive me, and help me to make prayer
the first thing that I turn to, not the last. To put it in the first place in
my affections, priorities, and agendas. Help me to understand afresh and anew
the wonder and the power of prayer. In Your Name, dear Jesus. Amen."
PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR; HE
THINKS HE’S PERFECT!
Suffering from the Perfect Pastor Syndrome?
The Perfect Pastor:
1. Preaches exactly 20 minutes and follows it with an invitation in which
everyone is convicted but no one is offended.
2. Works from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in every type of work from counseling to
custodial service.
3. 27 years old with 30 years of preaching experience.
4. Tall and short.
5. Thin and heavy set.
6. Handsome but not overpowering.
7. One brown eye and one blue eye.
8. Hair is parted in the middle and is straight on one side and wavy on the
other side, with a balding spot on top revealing his maturity.
9. Has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with the
older folks.
10. He smiles constantly with a straight and sober face because he has a sense
of humor that keeps him seriously at his work.
11. Invests 25 hours a week in sermon preparation, 20 hours in counseling, 10
hours in meetings, five hours in emergencies, 20 hours in visitation and
evangelism, 6 hours in weddings and funerals, 30 hours in prayer and meditation,
12 hours in letter writing, and administration, and 10 hours in creative
thinking.
12. Spends 5 evenings at home with his family, plus a day off, and always stops
for interruptions.
13. A seminary graduate, but uses only one- and two-syllable words.
14. Makes 15 calls a day.
15. Spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched.
16. Attends all retreats, goes to all youth retreats.
17. Is always available in his office.
18. His kids are perfect.
19. His mother is rich.
20. His wife plays the piano.
21. His house is large.
22. His back account is small.
23. His car is in the shop.
24. He is paid too much, too little, and he gives it all away.
25. He is talented, gifted, scholarly, practical, popular, compassionate,
understanding, patient, level headed, dependable, loving, caring, neat,
organized, cheerful, and above all, humble.
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He makes me lie down in
green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
Psalm 23: 2, 3a
National
Pastors' Prayer Network
1130 Randville Drive ID, Palatine, IL 60074
847-991-0153 * 847-358-9337(fax)
http://www.nppn.org
* email: phil@nppn.org
Register your PPG:
http://www.nppn.org/ppg/
Phil Miglioratti - Coordinator: phil@nppn.org
Carol Miglioratti - Office Manager: office@nppn.org
Sheila Straka - Intercession: sheila@nppn.org
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Adam Shields - Tech Support: updates@nppn.org
Carol Karr - Administrative Services
___Unless clearly identified as "Personal To _____" or
"Confidential" all information and comments sent to phil@nppn.org will be
considered for use in a future NPPN Update.
___Copyright 2005. However, permission is granted to freely redistribute to
those who will partner in praying for and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
with everyone in our nation and beyond.
___Opinions reflect the views of each author or respondent, not the NPPN or any
other person or organization
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