God is miraculous. Throughout the Bible he performs wonder after wonder and we read it in awe of him. Most of the time I feel like we limit him to what he did "back then." Why not now? He can heal now just as well as he could in the Bible. He is almighty and powerful and is the Healer. He is the same God today as he was yesterday and the same God he will be tomorrow. So let's call on his name for healing. Let's ask the God with the mighty power we sing about in church to do something. Ask him to heal you. Pray for others to be healed. I don't know what it is that you need healing from, it may be physical or brokenness in your heart but your Father wants to heal you. He want's his children to call on him for the healing only he can bring. So ask, be persistent in prayer, take a step of faith in asking him to do a miracle. Don't set limits on the King. Prayer is so so powerful and it works:) I've seen God miraculously heal a girl of her narcolepsy and another girl of her food allergy. God is good and works in mysterious ways and not always in ways we expect and understand. But we can expect greatness of him, in fact we must expect that. He is the creator and he is powerful so call on his power, ask him to heal.
The vision in my left eye is TERRIBLE. In fact I might as well be blind in my left eye. I can't read anything with it. There is nothing glasses or doctors can do about it, it just is how it is. But I know and believe that if it is his will God can do something. So that is what I am praying for. I am asking for a miraculous healing in my left eye. Father restore my sight in Jesus' name. Restore what has been damaged, Healer, heal me. Do a miracle in my eye so that I can tell more of your greatness and how you can do the impossible. Your will be done.
no place i'd rather be
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Elijah Project Restarted
Today I was sitting here drinking my coffee and reading my Bible and I started to think about the Elijah Project and why I stopped blogging my prayers everyday. I stopped because I started to feel as if I was doing homework, the Elijah Project was becoming something I had to do instead of something I really wanted to do. That's not what I want, that's not the attitude I want to have in prayer. But then I realized something...it is not about me. My prayers are not about me and how I'm feeling, my prayers aren't for me. Prayer for the nations is needed whether I really feel like praying or not. I realized that God uses my prayers and works through my prayers how he wants even if my reason for praying is wrong. He is bigger than me and my flesh. His works are greater than how I feel. Lord renew my passion for prayer, put a fire and love in my soul for the nations, give me your eyes and your heart for the people of this world. Thank you that you still use what I have to give even through my sinful flesh. You are good and powerful, use me Father.
Country: Cambodia
Cambodia is a country that holds a place in my heart. After going there on outreach last January I was able to see and experience God's love and heart for the people of Cambodia. Before spending two months in Thailand and Cambodia, I would always say "I'm never going to go to Asia" but obviously God had other plans. He showed me a people who are passionate about their creator and a people who have truly grasped what it means to serve. He humbled me through being there and taught me how to love a group of people who do life so differently than I do. Cambodia is special and I have so much hope for this country, I believe it can be transformed in my lifetime. The youth of Cambodia have such an influence there and I believe it can be changed into a country that fears the Lord.
Cambodia is one of the world's poorest countries. Years of war and genocide followed by venal and corrupt governments have hindered development and kept most of the population poor. In 1975 Cambodia endured one of the most savage slaughters in the 20th Century. Almost all former military personnel, civil servants, doctors, educated people, and wealthy people and their families were brutally killed, and the nation was turned into a vast labour camp. Internationally-initiated democracy arrived in 1993.
What to pray for:
All of the following was taken from the book Operation World by Jason Mandryk
1) The scars of the terrible genocide of 1975-79 remain evident. Nearly two million were killed, over 60,000 lost life or limb to land-mines and most of the population over the age 30 need deep healing from the trauma of their losses and suffering.
-Pray for justice to be seen
-Healing for deep psychological wounds
-A government that seeks the good of all and is worthy of the trust of the people. Violence, manipulation, graft, and selfishness hitherto have been the rule.
2) Spiritual darkness persists in Cambodia and must be lifted by prayer.
-Children at risk:The genocide created a very young nation where 60% of the population are 24 years old or younger. Many of this generation are sadly exploited by others. Pray for deliverance and salvation for these:
-Child laborers: Poverty forces 1.5 million children under the age of 15 to work to survive and supplement their family's meager income.
-Sex trade victims: They number up to 100,000, a recent study estimated 20% of tourists to Cambodia made use of the sex trade, often with the young or underage. This factor along with others gives the nation one of the highest rates of HIV in Asia.
-Homeless and Orphaned children
3) The Cambodian Church
-Continued freedom of religion
-Freedom and religion from past sin. Many of the former Khmer Rouge have become believers; receiving God's forgiveness for past crimes is essential
-Future growth and vision. Currently and estimated 11,000 villages are without a church.
What I am praying for today:
Father thank you for opening my eyes and showing me how you see your children and how much you love each person in Cambodia. Lord restore this country, rebuild what has been lost. Use the children of Cambodia to change this nation for your kingdom. Lord I pray for a country that will call on your name and your power in times of trouble. I pray for the young people to rise up and take a stand for you Father. I pray against fear in the name of Jesus, release your strength on your people. I pray for boldness and for revival. Transform this nation in this generation Lord. Claim this nation as yours. God I pray for the trafficked of Cambodia, free them Father. Free your children, comfort them in the darkest places, be their light. I pray for your presence with each child slave that is undeniable, be their rock, be their fortress that they can run to. Use your sons and daughters to spread your word. Lord I pray for this nation to change radically, let Cambodia be an example to the rest of Asia of what a nation living for you and on fire for you looks like. I pray against the bondage that lust has brought on this country in Jesus' name. Break the spirit of lust now Lord in the holy and powerful name of Jesus Christ. Father I pray for a steady decrease in the amount of sex trafficking that is going on, free the slaves of Cambodia Lord, bring justice to the trafficked.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Elijah Project: Day 12
All of the following information comes from Operation World by Jason Mandryke and is in no way my own work.
Country: Christmas, Keeling, and Norfolk Islands
Three small Islands off the coast of Australia. In fact, Australia actually gives them the aid to keep them going. Population averages around 1000 on Christmas Island, 700 on Keeling, and 2000 on Norfolk.
While tourism certainly boosts the economy, the islands depend on the mining of phosphate, the farming of coconuts, and self sufficient agriculture.
What to pray for:
1) The isolation of the islands make Christian ministry very difficult. Pray for God to move throughout the churches for a heart to reach out to the people of the islands themselves. Also pray against natural disaster as isolation hinders immediate help from Australia.
Country: Austria
Austria is known for beauty, culture, art and music. With the Alps along their southern border and the Danube River running through the north, there’s much to see. They run on a balance of tourism, agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors. There is freedom of religion throughout, with a constitutional relationship between the catholic church and the state.
What to pray for:
1) The presence of the living God
· Although Austria has one of the highest percentages of those who believe in God, the church and number of evangelical believers is steadily declining. High rates of suicide, abortion, and alcoholism display a need for biblical foundation.
2) Catholic and Lutheran church numbers are falling drastically. There is slight growth in the evangelical/ charismatic churches, but the numbers still remain very low.
· Within these growing churches, there is a great need for pastors. There is little training taking place and as congregations multiply, there is no shepherd for the sheep.
· Austria potentially has more believers serving outside of their country than within. Pray for Austrians as well as outsiders that are willing to come train and teach in an area of such great need.
3) There are many immigrants and refugees piling back into Austria after WWII. Pray that Austrian believers will greet these strangers with compassion and love.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Elijah Project: Day 11
All of the following information comes from Operation World by Jason Mandryke and is in no way my own work.
Country: Australia
Australia is my home away from home. I hope and pray that the Lord will direct me back there soon. Growing up I always had a huge desire to go there and visit. Once I finally made it there last year to do my DTS (Discipleship Training School) with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) I fell in love with it. I have a heart for Australia and the people there and I'm so excited to know more of how to pray for this nation.
Australia is a Parliamentary Democracy and is home to a wide range of ethnics groups that have full freedom of religion. The ecological standing at the country is extremely unstable with many droughts and bush fires wiping out much of the country.
What to pray for:
1) Praise God for the many political leaders that base decisions on the morals that come through their faith in Christ.
2) Traditionally Christian, Australia is now characterized by their diversity and secularism of values. New Age ideals have created a very “pick and choose” trend of religion throughout the country where religion itself has become very individualized.
· Due to a growth in immigration and a very multicultural environment, there are many aspects of other religions being accepted and mixed in with Christianity.
3) Australia’s ecology is one of the most fragile in the world. There are many efforts to preserve what they can, but the country is finding itself slowly dwindling. Pray for good stewardship for the people and favor for the land.
4) The church. Only 10% of professing Christians actually attend church.
· Pray for a mentality of truth in love in dealing with the secular issues such as human origin, sexuality, and an existence of God.
· Unity among churches. There is great conflict over issues such as homosexuality, women being ordained, as well as other issues, all leading to more and more division.
· A heart for world missions throughout every denomination as well as local missions teams to specific ethnics groups in neighboring communities. ( Muslims, Chinese, Jews, and Vietnamese are all growing cultures.)
5) Aborigines- there is great unrest among the native Aboriginals about land rights as the original Australian people. Prime ministers have been working towards better feelings towards one another. Hateful acts of white Australians are often offset by many missionaries that come deliberately to show love. Pray for understanding among both people groups as well as an acceptance of love between both.
· Many Aboriginals are Christian, and church leaders are working to blend Christian values with Aboriginal culture as a means of worship and outreach. Translations are being compiled for the many indigenous languages spoken.
6) Pray for a heart and means of training for student ministry throughout Australia. Along with that, pray for the Christian youth to have a heart not only for their community, but for world missions as well.
What I am praying for Australia today:
Father I pray for the heart of a servant in each member of the Australian church. Inspire your people, show them how to have a passionate faith and how to follow you radically. Whether it be in the monotony of a "normal life" or overseas on a mission trip, I pray for a sold out radical faith. Unify the church. I pray against competition and fighting over things that don't truly matter in your kingdom. Unify your people in their love and desire to follow and obey you. Make it all about you, show the believers in Australia that it is completely and totally about you. Lord I pray for a desire in each heart to reflect this truth with their lives.
Thank you for the opportunity Australian people have for missions. They are so so close to so many nations who need you desperately. I pray for a heart for the nations, for the unreached, the unloved. Give people boldness and faith to get up and go. To take advantage of how close they are geographically to so many needy nations. Provide Father, don't let money or lack of money get in the way of people going. I pray for the gift of faith among the church in Australia, show them that you do and will provide. Teach them to pray in expectation and to move forward in faith. Father breathe your everlasting life into places in this country that are dead or dying. I pray for so much fruit to come from Australia this year. Thank you for what you are doing there and for the youth that are on fire for you there. Let this nation be a light unto the world.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Elijah Project: Day 10
Country: Aruba
Aruba is a small island off the coast of Venezuela and is now a self governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Almost their entire economy runs on tourism ( so maybe we should go visit!) and they practice full freedom of religion.
What to pray for:
1) While there is a large amount of churches and evangelical believers, the ethnic split is uneven. Aruba has many immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, but there are few Asian churches. Pray for an impact to be made on the Asian population and for churches to arise.
2) Unity among believers
· There’s been a fad growing of a televangelist- type preaching style of alien theology that honors the whole prosperity message of the church. Pray that this doesn’t pin one church against another, but that the church as whole would pull together to fight against the high numbers of teen drug abuse and illegitimate births.
What I'm praying for:
Genuine faith, a faith that is all about Jesus and what he has done for us. I pray against a faith that becomes about something other than that.
What I'm praying for:
Genuine faith, a faith that is all about Jesus and what he has done for us. I pray against a faith that becomes about something other than that.
Elijah Project: Day 9
Country: Armenia
An Island of Christianity in a sea of Islam.
Due to the location of Armenia (a land locked country bordering Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan) it has rarely known independence or peace. Consistently used as a buffer between Turkish, USSR, and Persian empires, it has known endless years of war. They are in a generally stable state politically at present, although some might argue a level of corruption.
Armenians practice freedom of religion and it is actually considered the first Christian nation, with strong ties between the government and the Armenian apostolic church.
What to pray for:
1) Good relations with neighboring countries
· The killing of 1.5 million Armenians by Turkey in the early 1900’s is considered what many are called an unrecognized genocide. There is much unrest with Turkey although some progress has been made in recent years. Pray for a heart of forgiveness for the Armenians and for peace and established trade with their border countries.
· There is great unrest between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the control of Nagorno-Karabakh, with now claims it’s own independence. Refugees from both sides remain unsheltered, with all involved not willing to back down. Pray that both sides may be able to find peace and move forward.
2) The Church
· pray that they may continue to grow in Spirit and not simply tradition, but that Christianity may flourish and be a light to the nation.
· Pray for unity within the church denominations as well as for godly leaders founded on the word of God.
· Relief work within the church
What I am praying today:
Father protect this country from unnecessary violence. Lord bring strong followers of you out of Armenia. Use the people of the church to reach the countries around them. I pray for a bold and vibrant faith. Lord I pray that Armenia would radiate your love through Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan.
Elijah Project: Day 8
Ok so I have been slacking on the blogging a bit but here is day 8!
Country: Argentina
Mainly an agricultural society, there has been a recent downward turn, creating a huge gap between rich and poor, wiping out the middle class.
In the 1970’s, Argentina went through political unrest resulting in a mistreatment of the people’s rights. True democracy was obtain in 1983, create a much more stable government. There is full freedom of religion with the Roman Catholic church being the most prominent.
What to pray for:
1) Although there is economic and political growth, the gap between rich and poor flourishes. Nearly 500,000 live in the slums surrounding Buenos Aires alone.
2) Through the recent unrest in the country, a spiritual has increasingly grown. This hunger, praise Jesus is being fulfilled. However, pray for that the Spirit will continue to draw many to the King and for sincerity of faith.
· There continues to be an intense spiritual struggle for souls. The influence of the occult, Mormonism, and a growing Muslim population threaten the work of believers. Pray for a spirit of intercession within the church to fight on the front lines of the battle.
3) Pray for Christian leader who train, disciple, and create more leaders with a biblical foundation.
4)Pray for the indigenous groups of Argentina. Pray that the scripture is heard and received, as well as for translations of the Bible to continue to be worked on in the many indigenous languages.
5) Missionaries to come out of Argentina
What the Lord laid on my heart for Argentina:
There is a battle going on in Argentina. The spiritual battle going on there is so real. Lord rise up warriors, give people a passion for prayer. Show up when people pray, Father show your power. Thank you that you have already won this battle, you are victorious!
A few weeks ago I was at a house of prayer and the man speaking was talking about his experience in the occult. On multiple occasions the leaders of this cult told him that there was a lot of prayer around him. He told them it was his parents, they were bringing his name to churches for prayer as well as battling for him themselves. The leaders of the cult told him that this prayer was stopping him from having a good life, so they asked if he wanted them to remove the prayer from him. He agreed and they began to battle against the prayer.
Sometimes I think that people in the occult or people involved in witchcraft believe in prayer more than Christians do. They know it is real and they are fighting against it. So lets fight back. Prayer is real and powerful and so necessary. We have to pray, we have to be a part of this battle.
Father I pray against the powers of the occult in Argentina. Rise up a prayer movement, bring bold leaders into the church. Show up in times of intercession Lord, work through the prayers of your people. Show them how to pray and what to pray. Holy Spirit show up!
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