September 1, 2012 - Prayer for Schools / Not One Be Lost

Prayer focus for September 1, 2012-September 7, 2012
Prayer for the Schools and more...

There are several Scriptures the Lord gave me as we pray for the schools and this upcoming school year.  The children are our future and the Lord wants to get a hold of this generation.  We can't neglect our children and young people!  They have an important part to play in what God is going to do.  The schools, churches, families and all that affect our young people needs a fresh breath of the Holy Spirit-a tangible touch from Him!



Psalms 2:8: Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations as Your inheritance...
Humility-
We usually use this verse to say that we should ask God for the nations, but actually He is talking to the Christ.  The King, His Son, whom, He is saying He will give the world to if He just asks.  This psalm speaks of rulers who want to break the restraints of the Lord off of them.  God laughs at this because He has placed His King in place.  This psalm tells us to be wise, serve the Lord and kiss the Son. 
As we pray for our leaders, we can pray for a heart change--humility and repentance before the Lord and tell the Lord Jesus Christ--the King of kings--that we surrender to Him and His authority, desiring for Him to take His place, asking for the nations.

2 Chronicles 20:17-22:
A Time of Worship & Prayer-
The Lord told them to stand still and see the salvation (deliverance) of the Lord concerning their upcoming battle.  They put praisers, singers and worshippers, before the army and went out to battle.  The Lord set ambushments against their enemies and they were defeated.  We need to worship Him, kiss Him, serve Him.  Worship comes first. What God wants to do in Waterford needs to be preceded with worship and prayer.  God is raising up worshippers and intercessors now!

2 Kings 4:1-7:
A period of grace to ask for what we want, lay a strong foundation through prayer and worship-
The widow woman had 2 sons whom the creditors were going to take away as slaves if she didn't pay her debts.  Elisha told her to go borrow vessels from her neighbors and go inside her home and shut the door with her sons.  He told her not to borrow a few vessels, (in other words--get a lot!)  He said to take the last pot of oil she had left and pour from it into the empty vessels.  She did so and all the vessels were filled.  When they had no more empty vessels the oil stopped flowing.  She sold the oil and paid her debt. The amount of her blessing was determined by the amount of vessels she borrowed.  We are in a time period right now where we are to be collecting empty vessels, (kind of like, sometimes you need to pray about what to pray about).  We are in a period now where God is saying-what do you want? How much of Me do you want?  How much do you want Me to do?  We are laying a foundation now and it needs to be strong enough to handle the move of God that's coming or we'll all be swept away!

Acts 15:16-17:
Worship & pray to bring the presence of God, harvest of souls!
The tabernacle of David speaks of praise worship, singing, musicians, psalms, even 24 hour prayer and worship, ministering to the Lord.  David's heart was always to have God's presence.  God is rebuilding the tabernacle of David so the "rest of the men" or the "residue of men" might seek the Lord.  When we worship Him after the pattern of the tabernacle of David it will bring in a harvest of souls.  It will reach the unbelievers and turn hearts towards Him!

Joel 2:28:
Our children are not excluded, and those who are children today are our future-
Joel prophesied that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.  That our sons and daughters would prophesy, our old men would dream dreams, our young men would see visions, that upon the menservants and maidservants He would pour out His Spirit and show signs in the heavens and earth before the return of Jesus Christ.  Our kids are not excluded from this pouring out of His Spirit.  We need to prepare for this.  We need to be ready to teach them, to answer their questions, to instruct them in the ways of the Lord.

Spiritual tenure-
I believe there is a ten year period of time that began in 2011 where God's people have an opportunity to build a foundation and build a great dwelling place for our King of kings.  These ten years will give us tenure--a type of spiritual authority through which God will be able to have His way through us.  It's up to us how many vessels we will borrow.  How empty will we get to allow room for His Spirit?  Let's bring the tabernacle of David back.  Let's worship Him 24/7.  let it be our goal that not one be lost.

As we pray for the schools, our children and families, let's pray for protection, an atmosphere of love and encouragement in every classroom, that each child has a healthy learning environment, discovers and develops in their God-given gifts, that their homes are filled with peace, protection, provision and the revelation of Jesus and His presence.  Pray that addictions are broken everywhere across the township, that the yokes of the enemy are removed. Pray for a revelation of the love of God that ignites thankfulness and worship in their heart, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to be on them as well, that they have encounters with God, and that they become passionate followers of the Lord Jesus Christ!

August 25, 2012 - 1 Kings 9:3

Prayer focus for the week of 8/25/12-8/31/12

Prayer warriors rise up!  1 Kings 9:3 says:
"And the Lord said to him; "I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually." (New King James)

The Lord was talking to Solomon after he had finished building the temple.

I believe we can ask the Lord how to pray for Waterford.  Sometimes you can't even pray properly for something until you pray about how to pray for it!  We can seek the Lord about how to pray for Waterford and He will show us.  Also I believe He will give us the desires of our heart.  And when our heart is like His, we can pray and receive what we ask for because He hears the prayer of the righteous.  Jesus has made us righteous and the more time we spend with Him the more like Him we will become. 

As we press in, seek Him and pray for this Township, we will hear Him say, "I have heard your prayers, I have consecrated this township to put My name there forever and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually!"

Today was a time of worship and dance before the Lord.  Worship and dance are such powerful forms of intercession and prayer.  During this time I could see Waterford as a well of life for the Lord.  A wellspring of living waters, a place for others to come draw from for a spiritual refreshing!  Let Waterford be a well!

Next Saturday is School Prayer.  I may fast this week, maybe Friday for this purpose. 

August 18, 2012-Prayer Walk

Today's walk was in the northeast quadrant of the township.  I had some children with me and we took notice of several things along the way and how God was speaking to us through those things. 

First were the beautiful wildflowers that were along this path.  We prayed that the beauty and uniqueness of each individual would flourish and that together all of the different types of people would create a beautiful bouquet in God's garden.  As a butterfly flew by we prayed for all types, (cultures), of people to come to the Lord and be born again.

We saw the trash along the path and in the ditches and talked about and prayed for a clean heart and that the Lord would go deep into the hearts of people to clean out what needs to be removed.  We also discussed how the Lord wants us to take care of ourselves, to live in health, (as one of us started sneezing from the wildflowers), and to take care of our planet and not throw trash all around. 

Some people were having garage sales and this again prompted a discussion about rather than throwing things away we can recycle and possibly make money.  Prayed for the provision of the people of the township.  God give people ideas for money-making and let them have enough vision to know what to keep and what to throw away so homes are free from clutter and become peaceful places to live!

As we saw animals-in the river, geese, birds, we saw the uniqueness of each one and how God has given each one different ways to protect themselves.  We prayed for protection for the township.

We prayed for each church that we walked by--Community Bible, Community of Christ and Faith Community.  (Apparantly community was a theme also!)  Prayed for the love of God to be revealed to all the people.  Community of Christ had a sign that said, "Be fishers of men.  You catch 'em and He'll clean them."  We talked about telling others about Jesus and allowing the Lord to work in them and not to be judgmental.

We saw someone at the cemetery grieving over a grave and prayed for his comfort. 

We saw several things that tried to distract us and get us off track from our prayer purpose.  We talked about the distractions that come to lead us away from prayer.

We talked about the love of God and how when its in us, we will love not only people, but the animals and our environment and will have a loving and kind attitude towards all that is around us.  Prayed that people would understand how much God loves them.

Prayed for God's goodness and love to be revealed to the people.  Without it people cannot repent or love and worship Him in return.

Before the walk began we read a portion from Rick Joyner's book-Visions of the Harvest.  He talks about seeing unity in the body of Christ over cities and spontaneous meetings and miracles that will affect entire cities!

August 11, 2012 - Awake & Aware

Prayer focus for August 11-17, 2012

God wake up your people in Waterford!  Let us be aware of what is going on around us spiritually.  Let's not think that life goes on "as usual."  Let us expect You to show Yourself strong all around us.  You already are here, all around us.  Open our eyes that we may see You and all that You are doing in our midst!  Let us acknowledge You and consult with You in all our ways.  In every path, every direction of our lives.

Jesus said to let the children come to Him for of such are the kingdom of heaven.  The kingdom of heaven is made up of those who with childlike-simple, trusting-faith, seek Him out and come to Him.  Be aware of those around you who are seeking Him out, maybe without even knowing it, but are looking for life and truth.  Stay alert and aware when going about your daily activities.  Walk in the light and be the light yourself.  The move of God is not always in the noisy, hyped-up activities, but often in the quiet, simple places.

I pray for the entire family of God, throughout Waterford and beyond, that they are awake and aware of all God is doing and saying.  Aware of how He wants to demonstrate His love and goodness to all people.  And that they are the salt and light He has enabled us to be!

August 5, 2012 - For Freedom He has made us Free

Prayer focus for August 5-10, 2012

Galatians 5:1 tells us to stand fast in the freedom for which Christ has made us free and not to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Paul is talking to the people about not returning to a system of religious works to try and gain right-standing with the Father but to hold on to the freedom He has given us.

I pray God's people don't slip into the deception of thinking that simple outward "acceptable" behavior means a person has had a change of heart and is right with God.  It's not about outward behavior, but what's in the heart.  Many are driven by guilt and regret instead of allowing the love, forgiveness and mercy of God to cleanse them from dead religious works.  We can never be good or perfect enough in our behavior to deserve a place of right-standing with God.  It's only by trusting in Jesus Christ and the fact that He paid the price for our sin will we ever be able to be cleansed from a consciousness of guilt.  Guilt and regret will drive you and interfere with the Spirit of God being able to lead you.

Oftentimes it's religious leaders who, often unknowingly, oppress the people by portraying a distorted view of the Father.  They are not preaching the good news that Jesus Christ has provided for our forgiveness.  God is not holding our sin against us.  (2 Corinthians 5:19). This is good news!  Most likely those who try and oppress people religiously are often driven by their own frustration and disgust at their own imperfection.  They are afraid to trust God and let go, allowing people to be free in Christ.

I pray for freedom for all of God's people in Waterford and the surrounding area.  That we all let go of our own efforts to become righteous.  That we don't oppress others by expecting certain behavior from them.  But that we come to understand in a greater way the love of God, His forgiveness and mercy, and allow that to cleanse us from our distorted view of the Father.