Our Prodigals

Our Prodigals Are Coming Home!
By Larissa Havens
    
In a well-known story in Luke 15, the prodigal son took his inheritance and spent it on temporary pleasures. When he realized all his money was gone, he found a job feeding pigs. The pleasures and friends were gone. He was SO hungry, the pig’s food began to look good. Then the Bible reveals a key moment in Luke 15:17: “But when he came to himself . . .” All these events led him to this awakening moment. This is the kind of moment we ask God to give every prodigal.

We read about a severe famine in the book of Ruth. When these hardships tested their faith, a Jewish family decided to move from the promise land to Moab. The husband died leaving his wife, Naomi, and their two sons in Moab. The sons married Moabite women and also died. Naomi was distraught. THEN, Naomi had an awakening moment and decided it was time to return to the promise land. Ruth 1:6 says, “. . . for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread.”

In both stories, there was an awakening moment when they realized life away from God was not as good as life with Him, and they knew where they needed to go. God had not left them; they left God. The father hoped his son would come home. He did not pressure him to return but continued watching for him. When the father saw his son walking home, he ran to meet him with open arms of love and forgiveness. This is our example of how to respond when we see prodigals coming home.

Naomi told her daughters-in-law about her plans to return home and told them to stay in Moab, because she didn’t have anything left to give them. Orpah left, but Ruth said, “Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16-17). Ruth began serving God, remarried, and became the great grandmother of King David. Later Jesus came through her lineage. This testimony came from Naomi’s decision to return home.

Our prodigals ARE coming home! We speak life and hope over them. Their ears are listening like Naomi; and when they hear the sound of rejoicing, they will return home. They will awaken like the prodigal son and find only Jesus can fill the emptiness. May God give you hope for the prodigals in your life. May He give you love and forgiveness for them when they return, and wisdom in how to help them. They are coming home!

Info from: Ladies Prayer International Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesprayerinternational-aol.com@shared1.ccsend.com 

My say on Back to School

Every year all over the world kids/children go Back-to-School in just about every civilize country. And keeping that in mind, its no wonder one of the most special moments in Pentecostal Apostolic Churches I know over the years, is the Back to School Prayer for the Kids/Children, Parents, Guardians, Teachers, and so on. I still believe that is really special and awesome. Even if you are not a Religious Person but you are someone who believes in God or Jesus, you will love the Back to School Special Prayer for those mentioned above, etc.

Every year at every level of School Life there will be some very strange or unexpected events happening that will adversely affect kids/children, teens, and young adults. Good health, safety, guidance, and protection for them all is still truly important. 

The School Term is not long. But the School Year is. And I know in January they normally do not have that Special Back to School Prayer, etc., in Schools, Churches or elsewhere. So August/September is the normally accepted time. That does not mean that parents, relatives, guardians or friends do no pray every day or all year long for the Kids/Children, etc. It just means extra attention and prayers is given now at this time of year.

No one will normally wish or hope for any evil towards someone else Kids/Children. Because the same you wish for someone else may happen to yours as well or instead. Its just better to be kind or humane. We were all Kids/Children once upon  time. And so we know what others are now facing, to a certain extent, in their life as kids, teens, or young adults. So we help each other and one another - in Jesus Name.   

READ:
John 15:12 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Romans 15:1 - We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Our Father who art in Heaven

"Back to School with the Lord’s Prayer."

Our Father who art in Heaven ... 
Remember God is your child’s father too, so worry less. 
Hallowed be Thy name ... 

This is a statement that recognizes God’s powerful presence in every place. God is at school, too. Teach your children this so they will feel safer, and so they will remember Him throughout their day. 

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven ... 

Pray that God’s kingdom rule comes more fully into your child’s world and to yours. Pray for the people your child knows who are outside the kingdom.

Give us this day our daily bread ... 

Asking God for our daily food reminds us of our dependence on Him for everything — we obtain nothing by ourselves. God is providing daily for you and for your child. Teach your little one this so that they learn to trust Him. 

And Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us ... 

Just like the chalkboard at school can be wiped clean, so God is willing to wipe our sins away. No doubt someone will hurt your child’s feelings. Someone will sin against him or her. What will you teach your child about dealing with this offense? 

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ... 

This is poetic way of submitting our will to God; we want to go His way, but we know we have an enemy who wants to keep us from that way. God is our Hero and can deliver us. Children are well acquainted with the language of heroes and enemies, so speak to them in these terms about God. 

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever ... 

What news could be better for parents sending their children out away from the nest of home? God is reigning over every place, even your school! 

Amen!
WNOP
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com) 

School and Prayer

"Back-to-School Prayer"

August is here and that means school is starting up again. It doesn’t matter if your student is a first-time, returning, elementary, high school, or college student; online or in class; public or Christian or home school; in town or far away; your child or grandchild, nephew or niece, neighbor, or friend, your student needs your prayers.
 

Your church can conduct a back-to-school, special time of prayer one Sunday where all students, regardless of age, gather at the front to let families and the church gather around to pray for them.

Provide prayer cloths that leadership has anointed and prayed over, then let families take home one for each student in the family. A family will pray over each one before placing a prayer cloth in each student’s backpack. Conduct a prayer walk at each school represented by students in the church with the approval of school leadership. Provide copies of this prayer guide to families so they can pray over their students at home before they leave for school. 
 

Focused Prayer:
     Pray for protection to and from school for each student.
    Pray for protection at school, that it would be a safe place without bullying or terror attacks.
    Pray for good health to prevail in every family throughout the school year.
    Pray for teachers to show kindness, grace, and understanding, as well as wisdom in dealing with situations in the classroom.
    Pray that God will provide for every financial need.
    Pray for parents to offer strong guidance and support, offering encouragement as well as expecting fair accountability.
    Pray that your student would understand and do well in the learning process.
    Pray for peace in your student, that each would not be afraid of situations or people present.
    Pray for confidence for your student, that each would try new things and bravely tackle all assignments given.
    Pray for your student to make wise choices in their friendships, speech, manners, and reactions.
    Pray that your student would do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
    Pray that your student would stand with boldness and integrity on the Word of God, especially when presented with beliefs and teachings contrary to truth.
    Pray that God will strengthen your student as each builds their relationship with Him.
    Pray that your student will introduce someone to Christ and help that friend grow in Christ.
    Pray for the Holy Ghost to always lead, protect, and anoint your student.

J. Owens
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

Obey your Parents

Mother's Day 2024 and obey your parents. The Bible says...
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
(From: Ephesians 6:1-3 KJV)

Which of these do you like best?
(A) Obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.  
(B) The first commandment with promise.
(C) Thou mayest live long on the earth.

PLEASE NOTE: Vote by submitting your Comment and selecting A, B or C in your Comment.