This chapter (pp. 165-172) is full of ideas on how to pray intercessory prayers that work! If you've never kept a daily prayer list, your challenge in this series is to start one (using the template in the chapter) and praying through/over it daily for the next 5 1/2 months. Come on now! I promise results, not because I am the one answering your prayers, but because God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
On the call, I will go over the chapter--page by page--telling stories that confirm each of the examples and giving proof that prayers from 1995 are answered YEARS later! Don't miss the call--or be sure to log in later for call info if you can't make the "live" call.
Also, bring paper and pencil as I will be sharing quotes from resources not in the chapter.
Finally, all this information is to motivate and ENCOURAGE you to pray! My goal is blow away any misconceptions you might have or inspire you afresh to lay your requests before God and wait in expectation.
I might add, God doesn't, nor has He, answered all of my prayer requests in the manner I have/had hoped, but I know that He is always listening and talking to me, changing me and giving me hope for today, tomorrow and eternity!
Be encouraged,
Becky
One thing that struck me today: It seems so many of us get weary with praying. Becky's meeting tomorrow shows us not to give up, and why to keep our dreams going. May God bless every single minute of her trip and presentation.
ReplyDeleteI was also challenged by the idea that satan is the one who really wants to block our prayers. I can just hear the thoughts in my head "God doesnt care, He is tired of you praying that, He wont resolve this situation, look how long it's been without an answer." Of course, we know that isnt true.
We need to press on, and remember that opposition from the enemy of this world is a very very real possibility in why we are lacking in prayer for ourselves and others. I intend to remember this, and fight against it by remembering, applying and reading God's word and interceding for others.
PS I was interested in the Bonhoeffer book.
ReplyDeleteI found a free sample for Kindle on Amazon, that gives a lot of historical information. Intend to buy the book after reading that. There are a lot of different versions, but this one has two books included. If anyone needs details do let me know.
Intercessory prayer has made such a difference in my life. Random experiences have come from praying for others. For an example, I prayed for a woman that I read about that was hurt in a train crash here in So Ca. This woman was fighting for her life and needed her sister to come here to support her. The woman caught my eye because she was from Zambia, Africa living in the same town my daughter was working in. She went into my prayer notebook. It was strange how I would see updates on her through the newspaper that I don't always read. Not known to me, my daughter was on the other end raising money for this sister to fly to the United States. That incident was 4 years ago. Last week, a friend of mine was moving her elderly mother into a assisted living home that her mother was not happy about. I helped set up her room and then went home to pray while my friend took her Mom to the new place. We were on the believing prayer chapter so I prayed a prayer believing God to show up and give this woman a peace about moving into this new place. At the end of the day my friend called giving me a glowing report on how well her mother did and all the God moments. This lifted my spirit and gave me encouragement for my own mother. It is exciting to be apart of God's plan. When you run into people that you have prayed for you feel a sense of excitement. This gets translated as caring which might be the arms of God wrapping around that person.
ReplyDeleteOn todays call Becky talked about the boy she prayed for that has turned his life back to God. I thought of a very frightened gal I heard about last week who is in a group shelter because she overwhelmed her foster care parent. I think she is 15, frightened, out of control and very much in need of prayer. Not only am I going to add her to my list but call another friend who is close to the foster care parent to intercede for her as well. Thanks again Becky for the inspiration. Writing out your interceding prayers documents the hand of God reaching out and touching us.
This morning I was struck by Paul's words in today's segment from the Change Your Life Bible (Romans 1:1-17). He says, "I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son. . . . I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. . . . I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit . . . . For I have a great sense of obligation . . . ."
ReplyDeleteBecky spoke yesterday about seeing ourselves as taking on the responsibility of or taking an active part in praying for others. I think that is exactly what Paul meant when he said he felt a "great sense of obligation." May we all have the courage and sense of duty to pray for others on a regular basis and, as Robbie just wrote so well, writing out those prayers to "document the hand of God reaching out and touching us.
A couple of months ago I came home from school on a Friday afternoon and was surprised to see no messages on my answering machine. For years now, a dear neighbor named Ms. Mae has called me early in the afternoon to see if I'd be available to do her hair for her on Saturday. I wondered why she hadn't called, but went about my business and left the house to run some errands. When I got back around 8 p.m., very tired and hungry, I quickly made dinner and sat down to eat. Before finishing, I thought about Ms. Mae again, so I called her. She sounded strange, told me that she was at the doctor's but would be home soon, said to have a good night, and hung up. How odd, I thought, so I called her step-daughter, who has been one of my very dearest friends since I was four years old. Joanie said that she had talked with her earlier in the day, and she was a little out of sorts, but told me I had probably just caught her napping in front of the TV. Then she went on to tell me how she was a bit perturbed about Ms. Mae, for she had taken the day off work on Wednesday to drive her to her doctor's appointment; when she got to Ms. Mae's house, Mae refused to go. Joanie could not get her to change her mind. . . . [continued]
Anyway, the next morning, I spoke with Joanie and told her that I'd be out for a little while but should be home around 1:30 or 2 p.m. and would call Ms. Mae then and come up to set her hair. Joanie said that she would come over around that time, help with straightening up, and would wash Ms. Mae's hair to have her all ready.
ReplyDeleteAs it turned out, I drove onto our street just as Joanie was getting out of the car. She walked down to my house, said she would go in for a few minutes to say hello to my aging cats, and then she'd run up to Ms. Mae's house. (I had been so uneasy about Ms. Mae ever since the night before, but I had prayed for her both that evening and first thing in the morning.) Anyway, as Joanie left to walk up to Ms. Mae's house, I said I'd walk along with her; then Joanie could call me after she finished helping her wash her hair. When we walked in, we found her slumped over in the chair. Joanie and I looked at each other, and she quickly said, "The answering machine is blinking; let me check her messages." Both of us were afraid to do anything else. Since Ms. Mae is hard of hearing, we have to speak really loud to get her to hear. While Joanie checked the messages, I shouted "Ms. Mae" several times, each time getting louder. Finally, she roused and started saying weird things like, "Sorry--I was at the skating rink until midnight." Her eyes were glassy and her face flushed, but at least she was still alive. In a few minutes, we called 911, and soon she was on her way to the hospital.
For ages, we sensed that she was not really capable of living alone; her house had become more and more cluttered and dirty, and although we would offer to help, she usually refused. Her very short stay in the hospital (for pneumonia and some heart issues exacerbated by her skipping her medicines) gave Joanie a chance to scout out some assisted living places. I prayed very hard that Joanie would find a place--and that Ms. Mae would agree to go. I knew that God was answering our prayers when Ms. Mae told me, "I like being with people. This will be good for me." What a relief!
Now that Ms. Mae is in her new home, we can clearly see just how much she needed assistance! She has a physical therapist coming in three times a week to help her with her walking; another worker comes in twice a week to help her with her shower; and still another one comes to get her laundry one day a week. In addition, she is only a few rooms from the beauty salon, so she gets a professional "do" each week! More importantly, though, she has made some friends whom she looks forward to meeting for each of the daily meals, and Joanie can rest in the knowledge that her step-mom is in good hands all day, every day.
I'm sure that all of us can recall many incidents where prayer made a difference the life of another human being. I love Becky's analogy about each prayer being a brick; one may not seem very powerful, but as the bricks mount up, the power becomes obvious.
It is a beautiful morning here on the east coast. I hope it is just a lovely where all of you are. Have a wonderful day!
God bless!
Wanda
Wanda, I could read something from you every day!! I love the way you express yourself. Thanks for telling us about Ms. Mae and how you wove that into the weekly call. Robbie
DeleteThanks, Robbie. I appreciate your kind words. I always enjoy reading your posts as well; your commitment and passion are always inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great week!