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Never Stop Praying

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

"Never stop praying". 
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

I was talking with my mother today. 

She reminded me of a woman from her church. A godly woman who has known me all of my life. Someone who God called to pray for Thom and me. What I didn't know is how long she has been faithful to that call.

My mother told me two years ago that this woman had been praying for us, but I assumed she began when Thom and I were separated.

Today, I learned exactly how long God has placed us on her heart. How long she has been praying for us.

Twenty-three years.

This sweet woman has been praying for my husband and me since our engagement. She continued through our five years of separation. And still prays for us to this day.

Think about it. 

God placed me and my husband on this woman's heart YEARS before the issues which would drive us to separation. YEARS before I turned to witchcraft and the occult. YEARS before we would understand what it meant to be in a covenant marriage. YEARS before I would hear that EVP which would bring me back to Christ. 

God placed us on her heart and she has prayed.

Faithfully.

Every. Day. Since.

I am humbled by this woman's obedience to God's leading.

Needless to say, I am newly aware of how important it is to pray when God puts someone on my heart. 

And to never stop.

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Are You Praying It Through?

February 20, 2012 By 1 Comment

In January, my husband and I were in our local Christian bookstore.

It was his birthday, so were looking for something he might want to add to his music or book collection. As I was browsing, he came up, holding a book in front of him. 

"Hey, haven't you talked about Honi the Circle Maker? It looks like Mark Batterson has written a book mentioning him".

Taking the book from my husband's hand I began thumbing through the pages. I was excited to see that someone is talking about this ancient Jewish miracle worker in a new context.

Bold prayer.

You see, when I hear scholars or theologians speak of Honi, they cite him as a "messiah" figure, comparing him to Jesus.  However, in his latest book Mark Batterson gives us a more accurate picture of Honi. He tells the story of the man who had such faith in God he prayed (in the manner of Elijah) for rain during a time of extended drought. How as an old man, Honi drew a circle on the ground, standing within and refusing to leave it until God answered his prayer. 

It was an audacious prayer.

Using the story of Honi (the Circle Maker) as a jumping off point, Mark Batterson challenges his readers to follow this example as well. Believe that God is BIG. Believe God wants us to ask Him for the impossible. Pray through (even if it takes years for an answer) by circling those promises in scripture and standing on them.

Through inspiring stories, (as well as Mark Batterson's own experiences of praying boldly) The Circle Maker inspires Christians to seek God's will first and then pray—believing Him for the answer. 

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Who Are You Praying For This Halloween?

October 26, 2011 By 2 Comments

The children who will be going out in search of treats.

(Father, I pray that you would put your hand of protection on these little ones who are going door to door, attending parties, or wandering other venues in search of treats. Help drivers and other adults be mindful of these small people.)

Parents of those children for patience as they deal with their sugared up offspring.

(Lord, I ask you to provide an extra measure of grace to parents as they direct their child or children through the night. Protect the adults as they walk, drive, or otherwise accompany their children on dark roads.)

Law enforcement officers who have to deal with unruly party goers or people who take advantage of the expected mayhem Halloween can inspire.

(Please protect police, fire/rescue, and other individuals who may be called out throughout the night to respond to emergencies.)

Churches providing alternative or outreach activities for their community.

(Thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ who are giving of their time, energy, and resources to engage their neighbors, be a blessing, and provide the light of biblical truth. I pray that seeds would be planted and the harvest plentiful.)

Ghost hunters who are holding or participating in special investigations.

Mediums, psychics, spirit channelers.

Dabblers in the occult who are playing with Ouija Boards, pendulums, tarot cards, etc.

People who are serious practitioners of witchcraft.

People who are involved in any form of Satanism.

(Lord, I pray for all those who are involved in some form of the occult–that the truth behind what they are seeking,invoking, or investigating may be revealed to them. Have mercy. Protect them. Show them your grace as revealed in scripture. Draw them to Yourself and salvation through acceptance of Jesus as Lord and repentance of sin.)

Lord, please continue to equip your church– that we would shake off the shackles of fear when confronted with issues or people involving the supernatural or paranormal. I ask that you help us take up the full armor, engage in spiritual warfare, and claim our authority in Christ which You have provided.

And I pray we will step out of our sanctuaries into our communities with the gospel, peace, love, hope, friendship, and Your ever present grace.

 

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

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Kick It Old-School

October 4, 2011 By 2 Comments

The popularity of such shows as Ghost Hunters or Paranormal State have encouraged many Christian to believe that paranormal investigation(ghost hunting) is something we should participate in.

In the past, I have written several posts as to why this is not a biblical response to claims of paranormal/supernatural activity (aka spiritual harassment). Here are two reasons I think Christians should have nothing to do with ghost hunting, paranormal investigation, or mimic these techniques when dealing with the spiritual realm:

1) God condemns communication with the dead or seeking out people who do so: 

When they say to you, "Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter," should not a people consult their God?{Should they} {consult} the dead on behalf of the living? Isaiah 8:19 (NAS)

2) Spiritual deception:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

As Christians there is only one response to alleged paranormal/supernatural activity.

Spiritual warfare– Prayer. Fasting. Scripture.

Standing on the authority of Jesus Christ, given to us as HIS disciples. We don't need to try to get video or photographic "evidence" of spiritual activity. We don't need to "verify" claims by attempting to capture EVP's through use of recording devices. We don't need to identify (what as Christians we should already know) is the cause of any "haunting" (demonic activity).

Instead, we stand firm in our faith. We command the spirit to leave in Jesus name.

If the harassment does not end then we persevere. We trust God's sovereignty. We ask fellow Christians to stand with us. We break down spiritual strongholds. We realize these spiritual battles are already won on our behalf.

For the Christian, there is no other course of action.

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