Some things weigh us down

"Things to Leave Behind" by Gayla Baughman.

Not too long ago I was getting ready to go somewhere. I picked up my purse and realized it was way too heavy to carry around! I started taking out the things I did not need. The task became too daunting, so I finally poured all the contents out on the bed and sorted through what I needed and what I did not need.

When I picked up my purse to head for the airport, it was much lighter and easier to carry. As I embarked upon my journey, I was so thankful I left some heavy items behind. I could tell the trip was going to be much more enjoyable due to my wise decision.

There are some things we carry around in our spirits that weigh us down. Things that are heavy on our hearts, and sludge to our progress. We hold on to things that ultimately become the culprit of snatching away valuable opportunities and experiences. They get in the way of our success.

It may be time to take inventory of some things we are carrying around in our spirits. What are the things that will slow us down on our spiritual journey? Now is a good time to pour our hearts out and sort through the things that are edifying and useful on our spiritual journey from those things that slow us down.

Wounds that sting and scars that ache left unattended fester and breed bitterness. Lay aside the grudge you hold tenaciously to. Separate the things that edify your spirit from the things that pull your heart down. Many of these things are not worth carrying around. Little sins that slow your walk to a crawl aren’t worth intercepting your spiritual goals. Your step will be lighter. Your day will be brighter as you lay aside useless things. You will be so thankful you left the heavy items behind as you sprint to the finish line and God says, “Well done my child!”

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT).

Information from: Pure Ministry Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com 

Filled with the Knowledge

"Filled with the Knowledge of His Will."

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:9-12).

Pray that We Might be Filled with the Knowledge of God's Will. 

It is God’s will for us to pray for God’s people that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will for all areas of our lives and in His kingdom; praying that we be filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding. The Lord, as our teacher, desires to teach us all things. He loves it when His people want to have His mind, goals, and truth. Pray for our leaders on all levels that they may know and walk in the knowledge of God's will in all the areas in which they have authority. Pray that the children of God no longer walk in darkness but have clarity of wisdom and spiritual understanding. Pray that the children of God will no longer follow their own will, but will earnestly seek after the perfect will of God for their lives instead. 

Pray We Walk Worthy of the Lord unto All.

It is God's will that we are pleasing to Him, fruitful, and continually increasing our knowledge of Him. He desires for us to know Him so that we may please Him and become fruitful in our lives toward Him. Pray that we may walk worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray We are Strengthened with Might According to His Power. 

God wants us to walk in His glorious power, displaying the wonderous works He did on Calvary and in His resurrection. He wants to display His power in our lives as we are dead to sin and walk as new creatures in Christ. Jesus’ quickening power wants to reveal itself through the children of God. While this world is seeking for strength in many areas, God wants to show His strength through us. We must not fear weakness, for it is in our weakness that God's strength is revealed. Pray that the children of God’s light will shine so that they will draw all men out of the darkness and into the light of His strength, glory, and goodness, displaying to all what God can do in a life surrendered to Him. 

Give Thanks and Praise.

As a conduit for Christ all knowledge, strength, fruitfulness, and increase can flow from the 

heavenly places into and through our lives. He knows all, He has done all, and He can do all. We don't need to produce something miraculous. We just need to allow Him to flow through us. Prayer sets us in the proper alignment to do just that, giving praise and thanks that we are partakers of the glorious inheritance and illuminating light!

Deborah Smith
District Prayer Coordinator
South Texas District
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com) 

Without Ceasing

"Pray Without Ceasing" from Pastor Phillip Hofstetter

What does "Pray Without Ceasing" really mean? Here is something to think about: Have you ever gotten into prayer, but you had to stop because of an appointment or an interruption? What should you do when you pray again later? There isn’t a need for you start over, you start where you left off. 

Every prayer connects to the last prayer, whether you are at the altar at church or the altar at home. No matter where you are praying, when you start your prayer again, you can continue where you left off in your last prayer. We should look at our relationship with God as a continual, lifelong prayer. It is a daily prayer, as each day connects to the last day, each week to the last week, each month to the last month, and each year to the last year. It is all connected. 

That is why it is so important to journal your prayers so when God answers, you can remember the prayer and write in the way God answered. How many prayers constituted the memorial prayer of Cornelius in Acts 10:1-8? It was an ongoing, continual, daily prayer, each prayer connecting to the last. That is how we pray without ceasing.

Don't be discouraged when you cannot continue to pray at a particular time. just continue where you left off. Jesus will never forget what you spoke to Him before in prayer. He waits for you to continue your conversation with Him.

Pastor Phillip Hofstetter
District Prayer Coordinator
Florida District
(Info from Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)
 

Great Awakening

"Prayer for a Great Awakening" 

“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).

In this prophetic context, the messenger of God speaks to Daniel about a time of great spiritual conflict. The people of God have been captured. Ungodly leaders have stolen the sacred and polluted the sanctuary. Pagan worship and pagan agendas rule the day. The covenant of God is being perverted. Seduction is common. Flatteries and hypocrisies are the climate of political conquest ... BUT… in the midst of all this chaos, the messenger assures Daniel of this promise: "They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits."

In our days of economic and political flatteries and seductive rhetoric, the Body of Christ should not only be strong enough to stand, but should also do exploits. The Kingdom of God should advance. Those who stay strong through their relationship with God should go forward. The promises of deliverance, provision, peace, and joy are still true for the righteous. Truth is truth, regardless of the upheaval in our world.

Paul tells us in the book of Ephesians: "Be strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might" (Ephesians 6:10)! Being strong is not an option. God doesn't need us to echo the nightly news or even talk-radio. He expects us to have the audacity in this hour to do exploits; not to merely "hang in there," but to go forward, to advance, to believe, to declare, to receive marching orders, and yes, to do exploits. 

Darkness can't put out light. David admonished the righteous to remember that "even in darkness, light dawns." Our charge in this hour is not to give in to echoing the rant of panic, but to give voice to the truth of God's Word. Our charge is to know Him, be strong, and to do His exploits!

It's set up time for the greatest awakening our world has ever known!

PRAYER FOCUS:

    Greater unity resulting in a greater kingdom harvest.
    Greater anointing in our pulpits with greater empowerment to our people in the pews for faith to do exploits.
    Let us pray for our bi-vocational pastors, that God will supply their needs both spiritual and monetary and that revival with be birthed in their churches.
    God, give spiritual awakening for our youth and children.
    God, in this dark and dismal hour let Your light so shine through the Church so that men will see with clear delineation the path that You have set before us.

Pastor Steve Blaylock
First Pentecostal Church of Columbus
Mississippi District Prayer Coordinator
(Info from Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

I am sure not to be the only one

"Better Than a Blanket" by Harmony Pace.
    
Though I am sure not to be the only one, I have a confession to make. With a little confidence (seeing that I had experienced motherhood for more than two years already), upon the news that we would once again be adding to our family, I set out to do something I had not done before. The most beautiful, soft, blue yarn was chosen. Care was taken to purchase the proper sized hook for the yarn size that was chosen. Things were set in order. Between caring for a toddler and a home, I excitedly began crocheting a blanket for our coming son.

The result . . . not what I had imagined. Though soft and of beautiful color, it was more of a lopsided rectangle the size of my lap than any crocheted blanket worthy of covering a newborn. An attempt was made with all the right elements, but the execution was less than perfect. In truth, I gave up.

 
Many moms might say that prayers for our children have also, at times, been comparable to the experience detailed above. Maybe, frustrated in our botched attempts to “really pray” for our children, we have been tempted to stop at just “a good effort.” Let me encourage you to keep on praying.

 
Prayer can sometimes look like hours of praying over the different aspects of our children’s lives. At other times, there may be a still small voice that nudges you to pray the blood of Jesus to cover and keep them in a single moment. Sometimes, our attempt at praying feels a little lopsided and insufficient to cover even our own laps . . . but pray on! You have all the key elements.

 
The covering of prayer isn’t in the beautiful sufficiency of the flowery prayer that I pray. The sufficiency of the One I pray to is what covers my children completely. The beautiful thing about prayer is that when it is prayed in faith in Jesus’ name, it doesn’t matter if it’s less than “perfect.” No physical blanket that I might crochet could cover my son for a lifetime. The covering I create for him through prayer, however, will long outlive me. Prayer never dies. Through prayer, it is my desire to build a place of refuge, an access point, for both of my children to access the shelter of HIS wings and HIS truth— a covering better than any blanket!

 
Pray long, pray short, pray less than perfect, but just don’t give up praying. It will cover them!
 

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:4).

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

Covering our Children

"Covering Our Children in Prayer" by Dianne Dupree.

As a mother, I am a “fixer.” I imagine you are also. We watch over our babies, caring for them from before birth until they grow up and move away. We kiss boo-boos, both real and imaginary. We chase away monsters, all imaginary. We counsel; we coach; we cheer. And when words aren’t enough, we cuddle. 

 
We fix things. We make things better. But as much as we want to make everything alright for our children, it is impossible. We may sometimes feel like Superwoman, doing it all, but we have no real power on our own. With a friend like Jesus, we don’t have to worry.

 
More times than I can count, as a child growing up in the church, we sang the old song, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. The words say, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” I don’t have all the answers or all the solutions to the problems my children face. But my friend, Jesus, does. I cannot heal, save, deliver, or work miracles. I cannot mend a broken heart. I cannot protect them from danger. But my friend, Jesus, can do all this and more.

 
My own children are now grown and have children of their own. They are all mine. The children in my Sunday school, the youth that sit on our pews, they are “mine” as well. It is imperative that I carry my children to God in prayer. He sees when I cannot see. He knows and understands the thoughts and intents of the heart. He has all wisdom and knows what is best for now and the future; therefore, I am confident He will take care of my children.

 
I pray the Word over my children. I pray for protection. I pray for good health. I pray they will be wise concerning good and simple concerning evil. I pray their conscience will be tender concerning the things of God. I pray that they will learn, live, and love the truth. I pray they are filled with the Holy Ghost. I pray they will be worshipers, that they will love the ways of God, love the man of God, and love the house of God. I pray their steps will be ordered by the Lord. I pray against evil. I pray they will be rooted, established, and built up in the faith. I pray they will learn to pray, that they will delight themselves in the Lord. I pray they develop the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. I pray against deceit. I pray they have a forgiving and a teachable spirit. I pray against fear.

 
And then I can rest assured friend Jesus has got it covered.


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

You are the Salt of the Earth

" The Salt of the Earth. " 

You are the salt of the earth when you pray.

Salinity (saltiness) is a physical characteristic that impacts where marine organisms live and thrive. Salinity is determined by the amount of salt that is dissolved in ocean water. The salinity of the oceans varies based on rainfall, evaporation, river runoff, and ice formation. When salinity lowers or increases it affects marine life. Most marine creatures keep the salinity inside their bodies equal to the salinity of the water surrounding them.

This is how prayer works. One person who carries the heart of God for souls, for intercession, and for the increase of Jesus Christ in their community is impacting the spiritual “marine life” of their church. Prayer produces spiritual salt and transforms the environment.. We are the salt of the earth. If we lose our savor we are good for nothing. Salt is a preservative for kingdom values and kingdom purpose.

Ask God to increase His power in you, through prayer, and He will impact the spiritual salinity in others around you by the spirit of prayer.

Pray:

    God enlarge my heart by Your grace, through prayer, to manifest Your passion for people. Help me decrease so You may increase and so I can influence others relationally with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
    Increase the fire of Your Word through me to influence and impact the destinies of the people I serve and come in contact with.
    Increase Your transforming love in me to break generational patterns in family church relationships and a lost and dying world.
    Increase my capacity to carry Calvary’s love to the hurting and the wounded so I won’t be offended with the cross you called me to bear for others.



Indeed, you are the salt of the earth through prayer!

Pastor Don Rogers                                                                                                                                           
The Pentecostals of Wisconsin                                                                                                        
WNOP North Central Regional Prayer Coordinator
(Info from Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com) 

To some the Bible is just a Book

" I Can Speak HIS Word " by Tara Dillon
    

To some, the Bible is just a book with a lot of words that some say they don’t understand. But to a desperate child of God, it is life and hope.

I am a mother to four very wonderful people. I have two beautiful girls who are married to wonderful ministers of the gospel and two handsome young men still at home. My husband and I have been very fortunate in the child-rearing area of teenagers and young adult stages of life. This year, however, the devil attacked our family in a new deceptive way that we never could have imagined.

In this crisis, I became desperate for God’s direction and leading in our family and home. We prayed more, fasted more, sought counsel, and began to re-evaluate some things in our lives.

We both work, myself part-time and my husband full-time, on top of Hyphen ministry, Bible quiz coaching, church leadership team, and jail ministry. If you asked us what we enjoyed, we would tell you all of it. However, did we love it more than family? Nothing matters more than our family and home.

We realized that while we were working for the Kingdom, but we were not ministering where it was the most important: our family. We began evaluating every area of our lives. As a result, we kept the same ministries, but we tweaked how they affected our daily lives. During this time, God quickened me to pray the Word over my children and home. This concept was not foreign to me. After all, I have years in Bible quiz ministry. I encourage young people to pray the Word, and I have prayed the Word many times.

I prayed constantly throughout the day and part of the night. Although things changed, it was still a battle. I woke up and anointed my boys’ clothes, prayed over their pillows, prayed over the house, and rebuked any hindering spirits in my home. But I needed something stronger.

When I felt the nudge of God to pray the Word, HIS Word, my thoughts first went to Proverbs for instruction. I placed my child’s name in the scripture. For example, in Proverbs 1:8 you can pray, “Let (child’s name) hear the instruction of their father and not forsake the law of their mother.” In Proverbs 4:13 you can pray, “Lord, help my children to ‘Take hold of instruction; let her not go; for she is their life.’” Make scripture personal when you pray over your kids!

In closing, after praying the Word over my children and my home every night, things began to fall into place. Sister Joy Haney’s, PRAY the Word, became my best strength. God began leading and guiding us step by step. He was moving before, but my words are not HIS Words!! For example, I had prayed Hebrews 4:12 many times before, but this time I prayed that verse with tears pouring down my face. During this time, I realized that HIS Words are exactly what I need.

 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

This scripture incorporates it all, for the Word is what I need spiritually, physically, and mentally all the time. When I don’t know what to pray, HIS Word is the answer.

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

Many still do not recognize Jesus

"Recognizing Jesus" by Mary Loudermilk

“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him . . . .” (Luke 24:31a). 

I’ve heard people say how exciting it would be to have lived at the time of Jesus—to see Him, follow Him, hear Him teach. What an incredible experience! Yet I wonder, would I have recognized Him? Would I have believed? Been indifferent? Scoffed? I hope I would have recognized and accepted Him as Messiah, but many did not.

“What about the prophecies?” we may ask. Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies. Didn’t they see? Didn’t they understand? We are looking back, putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and seeing the whole picture. They, with their preconceived ideas of how those prophecies would be fulfilled, did not recognize what was taking place in their midst.

No doubt other infant boys were born in Bethlehem around that time. Unusual circumstances? Yes, but those were unusual times. Oh, there were stories about shepherds seeing angels and strangers arriving from the East who talked about a bright star, but things were so chaotic with the crowds and the taxation. Who knows? Then one day the family was just gone. No one knew where. People soon forgot the couple and their baby.

Nor was Jesus the only iterant rabbi (teacher) who walked the dusty roads of Israel, teaching any who followed Him. Others had claimed to be Messiah, and no doubt others would come later. As the folks of Nazareth said, “Isn’t that Jospeh’s son?” (Luke 4:22). And in their minds they may have added, “And wasn’t there a question about His mom and a rushed wedding?”

Consider the times when even Jesus’ own disciples did not recognize him.

    He walked on the water toward them, and they were afraid (Matthew 14:25-27).
    Mary Magdalene saw Him at the tomb and thought He was the gardener (John 20:14-16).
    Two disciples walked with Him on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, some seven miles, and did not realize it was Jesus (Luke 24:13-35).

We live in a world where many still do not recognize Jesus. They do not look with eyes of faith, much like those in Nazareth who thought He was “just Joseph’s boy.” But it’s not just the non-Christian who does not recognize Jesus. We too may be guilty of overlooking Him in our life’s situations.

Perhaps one reason we do not see Jesus in our circumstances is because we have fixed ideas of how He will work. This mindset—putting Him in a box—limits our vision of Him and His power in our lives.

Jesus is waiting for us to see Him for who He is. He wants to move outside the boundaries we have set that limit Him. We must open our eyes. God is at work.

(Information from: Pure Ministry - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com) 

Do I wait and watch for the Lord

Waiting by Caitlin Walker

“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)

We often associate night with trials, and darkness with struggle and rough seasons of life. I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not enjoy harsh seasons. Rather I see them as something I need to suffer through and claw my way out of, barely surviving.
    

The above scripture in the New Living Translation says, “I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.” A sentry is a soldier who stands guard all night to watch for enemy attacks, fires, unauthorized people, etc. They are members of the first line of defense, and their main goal is to signal to the people they are protecting that danger isn’t too far off.

Imagine a soldier standing at the ready with drowsy eyelids, forcing himself to stay awake. The people’s very survival depends on this man watching the horizon all night. I would be terrible at night shifts, so I can only imagine how hard the job would be and the tremendous pressure. I can hear the sigh of relief when the first ray of sunshine peeks over the horizon.

I have to ask myself: do I wait and watch for the Lord as these men did? Am I anticipating His arrival, anxiously awaiting to see miracles, signs, and wonders? Do I see deliverance off in the distance, or am I consumed with frustration because I can’t seem to see Him working?

Lift your eyes today! Just as the sentries watch for the sunrise, wait and watch for the Lord. He will show up, He will work it out, and He is coming back for His people! Keep hoping, believing, and praying. He is always on time.

(Information from: Pure Ministry - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com) 

The Blind

"The Country of the Blind"

"And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (II Kings 6:17).

I heard a story mentioned by Rev. Ken Gurley during a daily devotion session that caught my attention.

H.G. Wells wrote a short story called “The Country of the Blind.” It has such a parallel to our battle in helping our world to see Christ!

A mountain climber gets hurt during climbing and stumbles into a village that has been separated from the rest of civilization.

As he began stumbling down to the village late in the day, he called out to the people he could see in the village. They turned toward the sound of his voice, but did not really see him.

As he came closer, he noticed no windows in the homes, ropes along the walking paths, and discovered that they were all blind.

They helped minister to his wounds and were kind, but when he tried to tell them about what he saw on his climb, they didn’t believe him, because they never could see.

Decades ago, a disease had begun to strike the children with blindness, and as time went on, all who could still see, died off. With them the stories of vision died also.

So, as he told of what he saw, they didn’t believe him. As time went on, he healed up and began to work with the community. They thought he was crazy when describing what he would see. They would do work at night as the heat of the day was uncomfortable.

He fell in love with the leader’s daughter, and wanted to marry her, but they thought his craziness of seeing things was too much. They finally had the doctor of the community check him out. When examining him, he felt the darting and movement of his eyes and determined that this was the cause of his craziness. So, he would be allowed to marry the daughter, if he would let them remove his eyes and be like them. He agreed.

However, at sunrise on the day of the operation, while all the villagers are asleep, He saw the morning, like a golden armored angel coming down the steps, it seemed to him, that before this splendor he and his blind world in this valley, and his love were no more than a pit of sin.

He then understood the following: My world is sight! He then climbed out of the village, and left the Country of the Blind.

Our world wants to remove our eyes, what we have seen in Christ, what He has told us in prayer, what we have seen in His glory!

Your world is seeing the truth of God’s power, promises, and truth. The world has forgotten the sights of Christ, His promises, and love. Because they have walked in the world so long, they may have forgotten how to see Christ. Don’t let them remove your eyes that see, but pray that God restores their sight. Spiritually, pray for The Country of the Blind.

Rev. Patrick Alvarez
WNOP NW Regional Prayer Coordinator 
Washington District Prayer Coordinator 
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

The Glory of God

" Seeing the GLORY of God! "

As the coming of the Lord approaches, now is the time to move from the natural to the supernatural. God led His people by a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). He is still leading us today by His Spirit (John 16:13). Prayer is a vital key in our endeavor to see the glory of God manifested today.

The supreme purpose of prayer from God’s vantage point is to accomplish His perfect will in His kingdom, in our lives, and in the lives of others. Some key components in helping us see the glory of God are:
 
Put God First and Practice Self-Discipline in Prayer

We must wake up and realize that the time is short; we must watch and pray. We should endeavor to fulfill God’s great purpose on earth in our lives.

Practice a Consecrated Lifestyle and Living a Crucified Life in Christ

We must “put on Christ” and commit totally to Him. The more we crucify the flesh by prayer and fasting, the more we will see the supernatural. When we love God and one another and allow the fruit of the Spirit to operate, we will see God’s glory manifested.

Pray the Will of God in All Situations

Many people are so busy telling God how they want Him to answer that they never allow Him to reveal how He wants them to pray. Find out what God’s will is, pray it with faith, and it will be done.

Position Yourself to Always Obey the Voice of God

Get in one mind and one accord with the Spirit of God. Obey His Word. Worship Him. Get into alignment with God. Get into fellowship with other believers to reap the harvest. Choose to be a vital link of prayer that unites rather than being part of a chain of prayerlessness that binds. Nothing is impossible as we unite in prayer, believing in one God, one church, and one mission.

Permit the Spirit of God to Flow and His Glory to Be Manifested in Your Life

Allow God’s Spirit to prevail in prayer. Do not be limited by programs or protocols, but allow His Spirit to move. God responds to the prayers of His people.

In the Book of Acts prayer preceded great demonstrations of God’s glory. We must go back to the foundation of prayer to see a great end-time harvest.

Because their prayers in the past were not answered to their satisfaction, some may ask, “What is the use of praying?” The Bible says that Elijah “prayed again” (James 5:18). If he had not prayed again he would not have seen the downpour of rain. So is it with us—we must be persistent in prayer. Paul said, “Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17). Determine that what is of utmost important in your life is “seeing the glory of God!”

Flo Shaw
Director
World Network of Prayer
Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com 

We live in a world that wants everything

"Waiting on the Lord" by Anne Johnston.
    

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

We live in a world that wants everything to happen immediately. We do not want to wait. The advertisements shout “Buy Now, Pay Later.” So many people are deep in credit card debt because they listened to this appeal. We no longer make meals from scratch but rely on frozen prepared foods that will heat quickly in the microwave.

How many times have you made a phone call asking for information or help and been put on hold? We all hate that message: “Your call is important to us, please stay on the line and someone will be with you shortly.” We usually hang up in frustration because we do not have time to wait.

In the Bible we have examples of people praying, asking God for an answer, and having to wait before they received what they needed. Abraham and Sarah waited for years for Isaac. Isaac and Rebekah were married for years before Jacob and Esau were born. Joseph served faithfully as he waited for God to fulfill his dreams.

As we pray for children who have wandered away from the Lord, we would like for them to return to the fold “today.” Often, we suggest ways to the Lord that He could reach them. When waiting seems hard, remember that the Lord has a perfect plan for us and them. He knows the future. We must never cease praying for their salvation, but we must leave the “where, how, and when” to Him.

I found this interesting quote about Isaiah 40:3l.

“At first sight, we should have expected that it would advance from walking to running, and so to flying. But that order is reversed. It is more difficult to walk than to mount! Every cyclist will tell you that the hardest task is to keep your cycle at a walking pace.”

God’s ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best. It is not His will that any should perish. He loves that wayward son or daughter far more than you and I do. If you have earnestly sought the Lord and received a promise from Him, stand firm upon it and trust Him to work out the details. We do not know what tomorrow holds, but He does. Just keep walking and waiting.

Philippians 1:6 tells us, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

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

They that wait upon the Lord

"Wait on the Lord" by Kay Burgess.
    

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

In Spanish the word for “expect” and “wait” is the same—esperar. It means to wait with expectation and is synonymous with trust (confiar) and believe (creer).

We commonly say in English that a woman who is pregnant with a child is “expecting.” While we know that the miraculous work of creation taking place within her womb is somewhat out of her human control, a wise woman knows that she must be busy and responsible while waiting. She should be eating properly so that her child will be nourished. She should be preparing a nursery, clothing, and the many different items and changes necessary for the arrival of a new baby. What she should not be doing is just sitting around waiting nine months for her child to arrive without making the necessary preparations. 

We “wait” on the Lord, but with active expectation. We “wait” trustingly for Him to do His sovereign work in our children, but we must be busy while waiting! We must be about the business of nurturing, teaching, guiding, building, and “raising up” our children so that they are properly prepared and positioned for God´s plan in their lives. More than ever today, we cannot be found sitting around waiting helplessly for an outcome that is sure to disappoint if we have not invested the time and effort necessary for their salvation.

I see many women in the Bible who kept busy while waiting and therefore saw the miraculous results in their children. Jocabed gave birth secretly, kept him hidden, built an ark, and made a plan for young Moses all while knowing that her time with him was short. Yet her time with him was so effective that later he refused his royal heritage and chose rather to be known as a child of God.

Hannah prayed, got her answer from God, and returned to home to prepare for childbirth. She also took advantage of the short time she had with her son before returning him to the House of God – so much so that Samuel grew up to become the last judge and greatest prophet in Israel.

Even Mary, so young, was wise enough to actively seek out an older cousin who could understand her situation and give her godly counsel.

We mustn’t be guilty of trying to help God out with His sovereign part – think Sarah and Hagar – which will yield us disastrous results just as it did for Sarah. If God has promised, it will come to pass in His time and in His plan – without our human intervention in the process. But it does require our faithful and consistent walk with God and our conviction that He will do what He has promised.

So keep praying, believing, and working while you are waiting. Prepare the way for the promise that God has given you. Keep the home fires burning for the prodigal that will be returning. God is not slack concerning His promises, and it is His desire that our children be saved.

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

Intercessory Prayer

"The Power of Intercessory Prayer" by Angela Overton.

 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)

Several years ago in Bible College, I developed an undeniable burden for a family member who had fallen away from God. I entered into a season of fasting and prayer for this individual, believing that God was going to do something miraculous in their life. One afternoon, I entered the prayer room, and a spirit of intercession came over me.

I prayed for almost five hours; it was physically exhausting, and I felt like an iron ball was in my stomach, weighing me down, causing me to remain tethered to the floor. In those few hours, it was as though I felt all of the shame, heartache, fear, regret, and pain of my loved one. My burden was great. In my desperation, I cried out to the Lord, “Take this burden from me, it’s too heavy for me to bear anymore.”

At that moment the Lord spoke to my spirit so beautifully said, “What you have felt for your family member, I have felt for the whole world.”

I proceeded to weep and thank God for His great love for humanity.



We serve a God who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15), meaning everything you have gone through, our Savior has carried it personally on the cross.

There is a power of intercessory prayer because when we pray in our understanding, we pray our prayer; we pray our own will. However, intercessory prayer lends oneself completely to God. Essentially, you say, “God, pray your prayers through me, I desire to be a vessel.”

I’m thankful to share with you that the person I prayed for that day years ago is now back in church and actively serving in ministry. God hears every prayer you pray and He loves your family and friends even more than you do. Continue to seek His face and yield your spirit to God’s.

(Information from: Pure Ministry Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com)

Faith is my favorite seed

"Dormant Seed" by Jennifer Brooks.

Every year it’s inevitable that my garden will produce a plant that was sown in a previous year. The bountiful surprise always leaves me with a smile on my face. The precious seed needed time for whatever reason to blossom. However, the growth would have never taken place had a seed not been sown.
    

I can’t recall how many times I’ve rehearsed over and over in my mind the seeds of prayer that others have placed in my heart. Seeds that lay dormant for countless years with no indication of growth, no matter how much they were watered. But God!

It can be frustrating to select a new vegetable to add to your seasonal crops, only to discover that the germination failed. Planting seeds in others can leave us kicking and screaming inside as we wait for the growing season. It’s a very beautiful breathtaking moment when a loved one gives their heart and soul to Jesus. But what do you do when you’ve prayed, you’ve planted seeds for a very long time, you’ve done all you could do, and you never witnessed the moment?

The answer is you keep doing you. People are watching you. Trust me, there is someone you are shining a light for and you’re making a difference for that person. My dear grandmother who raised me in a UPCI Apostolic Church since I was age five, went to her grave never knowing if the seeds she planted would ever take root. Thank the Lord they took root!

Faith is my favorite seed that sprouted. The intense feeling of strong faith is what kept me adamantly focused on the Lord during the hardest battles a person can face. The sudden death of our 18-year-old son as a result of a homicide left me bruised and broken. However, the Lord picked me up and rebuilt all the pieces. I often get asked, “How can you speak so calmly about your son after everything that happened?” My answer without hesitation, “We are a family that has strong faith.”

Strong faith simply implies that you believe in the one that can move those mountains. It’s rarely a casual assumption that the Lord can remove obstacles from your life that will leave you feeling complete, but instead it must be an absolute knowing. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t still have those moments where memories of my baby boy will flash in mind, causing an emotional uproar in my heart. It was a devasting thing to go through. Strong faith doesn’t mean you never break down into a sobbing mess. On the contrary, sobs usually lead to stronger faith.

To plant seeds or ideas into a person is going to require a process of germination, so to speak. The process will require nurturing, commitment, prayer, and the right season to flourish.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

I don’t know about you, but I have absolutely no intention of giving up on others. Now let me clarify some situations will call for a small dose of wisdom. If you proceed to witness to a person with a persistence too strong, you could run that person further away from truth. On the other hand, if you're not persistent enough at various times, that could also lead to failed attempts. The best approach is God’s timing.

“A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:23)

Sometimes you plant seeds by saying nothing at all. The way you carry yourself, the way you put God first no matter what, and the way you live, all speak of your life and how you believe. Even when trials manifest in your situations, and they leave you hurt, crying, and devastated, others are watching how you respond to such pain. Handing over the hurt to the Lord while going through the motions of your mundane everyday tasks, speaks volumes of your character and your faith.

(Information from: Pure Ministry Newsletter - UPCI Ladies Ministries - ladiesconnections-upci.org@shared1.ccsend.com)

Faith Renewal

"Renewal Of Faith"

“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:7-8)? 

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).   

Our ability to receive the promises of God are directly connected to our faith in Him. The confidence we have put in our bank accounts, retirement, medical plans, and insurance can undermine the faith we have had to put in God. These things are not wrong in and of themselves, but our security cannot be tied to what we have on this earth. We are facing perilous and uncertain times, it is vital that our faith be a testimony to the world in this desperate hour. 

 
PRAY:  
    For a hunger for God’s Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). 
    For a purification through heartfelt repentance. “… purifying their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). 
    For separation from this world and sanctification for God’s purpose. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Act 26:18).   
    For righteousness to be revealed to the world. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).   
    For faith to produce the fruits of the spirit in our lives. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).    
    For the Church to stand in the power of God. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Corinthians 2:5). 
    That our faith would not fail. “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:32):   
  

Annette Parmley  
Arkansas District
 

Have faith in the good times and in the bad

"Faith Over Fear"

Fear is something that, if left unchecked, can rule our lives. God’s plan for our lives is not that we would be slaves to fear but overcome it through faith in Jesus Christ. My favorite verse in the Bible is II Timothy 1:7 which proclaims, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Whenever I am going through a time where I can begin to feel fear creeping into my mind, I remember this verse and take comfort knowing that our Lord and Savior holds us in His hands. He has a plan for our lives and will be with us every step of the way. 

King David is a great example of how trusting in the Lord, instead of taking things into our own hands, or being afraid brings about the best outcome for our lives. David could have reciprocated Saul’s hatred or desired to cause him harm, but he remained faithful to the Lord and trusted that what He had told him would come to pass. Remaining faithful in the face of trials, disappointments, sickness, and anything else that comes against us can be difficult. However, in these times where our faith is tested, we can remember the story of David, as well as the stories of many others from the Bible, and know that our future is in the hands of the Lord.

Have faith in the good times and in the bad. The Lord loves and cares about us and is with us every moment of every day. We are never alone. Take comfort today knowing that God sees where you are and that He is with you. Choose to have faith in God and say no to the voices of fear and doubt that come into your mind. Have faith over fear.

Sarah Smith
WNOP Administrative Associate II
(Info from: Prayer Cnnect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)
 

Improve communication in your Marriage

Life Coach Lakelie Lopez explains how understanding your own personality can improve communication in your marriage.
"The Key to Better Communication"

Have you ever wondered why you click with some people almost instantly, while, with others, every conversation feels like a struggle? The answer often lies in our personalities. Personality encompasses the unique blend of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that make us, us. It is a collection of characteristics and behaviors that make each person and their response to the world around them unique. Our personality also shapes how we communicate and relate to others.

Effective communication can be challenging when two uniquely different personalities are joined together. A married couple may sometimes feel they need a translator to help decipher what their mate is trying to communicate. According to an article published in The Journal of Divorce and Remarriage in 2012, 53 percent of couples cite not being able to communicate effectively as a reason for divorce.

Understanding our personality improves communication and enhances our marriage and other relationships. As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” Peter Scazzero, author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, states, “The vast majority of us go to our graves without knowing who we are. We unconsciously live someone else’s life, or at least someone else’s expectations for us.” Recognizing our unique traits and emotions can empower us, placing us firmly in control of our interactions.

Being tuned in to who we are is key to effective communication within marriage, enabling us to become the whole person God created us to be. Consider what energizes you, brings you joy, or drains you. How do you best learn and receive criticism or praise? Are you in control of your emotions, or are they controlling you? The more we understand why we are the way we are, the more we can adapt, adjust, and improve—putting us in the driver’s seat of our emotional and mental health. 

The following are practical steps to self-discovery.

Take a Personality Assessment: Taking a personality test with your spouse can be enlightening. Remember, the goal is not to find excuses for our behavior or to label each other, but to uncover opportunities for personal growth and deeper connection.

Develop Emotional Intelligence: This involves improving skills in five key areas.

    Self-Awareness: Understand your strengths and weaknesses.
    Self-Regulation: Monitor your thoughts and emotions and accept responsibility for your actions.
    Motivation: Aim for realistic goals and embrace change.
    Social Skills: Be adaptable and ready to compromise.
    Empathy: Enhance your listening skills and strive to understand others' perspectives.

Understanding ourselves better and taking the time to understand our spouse more fully can open the door to better communication and a fuller realization of our potential. With better self-understanding and emotional intelligence, enhancing communication isn't just a goal—it’s a journey. 

What steps will you take today to start this journey with your spouse?

(Information from: Family Life Ministries Newsletter - UPCI Family Ministries - family@upci.org) 

We must trust in God

"After God's Own Heart"
King David is referred to as a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14). What does it mean to be after God’s own heart? It means putting others before ourselves in all things and having a humble spirit. It means doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes, desiring no recognition. David exhibited this when he continued his shepherd work despite knowing the anointing that was on his life. He had the humbleness of spirit to remain where he was and continue operating in his calling until it was time to do more. Even after David became King, he remained humble and respectful to God and others.

 
We must trust in God as well as be humble. We ought to trust in Him just as much during the good times as in the bad. Trusting in God means obeying His commandments even when we do not agree. At the end of the day, our Savior knows what is best for us and for His Kingdom. David trusted in God despite his circumstances. David was being hunted by King Saul and never wavered in his faith, but remained faithful to God, knowing that the Lord had called him to greater things, and He would bring him out of his situation. If God has called you or told you something is going to come to pass, then it will happen.

 
Finally, love the Lord with all your heart. This means loving everyone around you because we are all the children of God. It can be hard to show a godly love for those who have hurt you, so give your hurt over to God in prayer and He will repair your heart. Loving the Lord means having a relationship with Him daily. David loved the Lord deeply and had a personal relationship with Him which can be seen throughout the book of Psalms. When David messed up, he humbly turned to the Lord in repentance. He acknowledged that he had sinned, turned from his ways, and restored his relationship with God.

 
We can be men and women after God’s own heart by being humble, trusting in the Lord, loving the Lord with all our hearts, and serving Him each day in our thoughts and actions. Decide for yourselves to follow the example set before us by David and you too could be described as being “after God’s own heart.”

 
Sarah Smith
WNOP Administrative Associate II
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

A clean heart

"Create in Me a Clean Heart"
In the Bible, King David's request for a "clean heart" is mentioned in Psalm 51. David composed this psalm after the prophet Nathan had confronted him regarding his sinful affair with Bathsheba, and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah.

David realized the gravity of his sins and was overwhelmed by guilt and shame. He deeply desired forgiveness and the restoration of his relationship with God. In Psalm 51:10, David pleaded with God, saying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

Prayer is significant in a Christ-centered life because it allows believers to establish and deepen their connection with God. It serves as a means of communication with the Father, allowing individuals to express their gratitude, seek forgiveness, ask for guidance, and build a personal relationship with Him.

Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts filled with gratitude for the lessons taught by King David about true repentance.

    Help us recognize the areas in our lives where we have strayed from your path and grant us the courage to turn back to you.
    Lord, just as King David exhibited humility in acknowledging his mistakes, we humble ourselves before you.
    Teach us to be humble in our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others; recognizing that true greatness lies in serving and honoring you.
    Gracious God, we acknowledge the transformative power of your forgiveness.
    Just as you forgave King David, cleanse us from our sins and restore us to a right relationship with you.
    Help us experience the freedom and joy that come from being forgiven by your grace.

Dr. Margaret Banks-Butler
WNOP International Harvest Prayer Evangelism Coordinator
(Info from: Prayer Connect Newsletter - World Network of Prayer - floshaw@wnop-upci.ccsend.com)

Prayer Checkup

" A Prayer Checkup " by Liane R. Grant.
Preparing to write an article about praying according to God’s will caused me to examine some of my typical prayer requests. Do they really line up with what the Bible says about God’s will? A prayer checkup can be very enlightening… and convicting! Let’s look at a few Bible verses about God’s will and see how they apply to prayer.

“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:15)

There’s a phrase I used to hear all the time growing up that doesn’t seem very common anymore. “We’ll see you next month, Lord willing” or “I am starting a new job soon, Lord willing.” We tend to make our own plans as we see fit, forgetting to invite the Lord to direct our lives. We rush ahead to the next thing on our schedule, seeing how many things we can check off on our to-do list. How would our prayer life change if we put James 4:15 into practice at the beginning of each day?

“That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” (Romans 15:32)

If anyone ever had a right to get moody and tired of travelling, it would be the Apostle Paul, but he chose to do God’s will with joy, and so can we. It’s easy to let annoyances, frustrations, and discomforts consume our prayer time. But if we truly believe that circumstances beyond our control have passed through God’s approval process, then we are in the middle of His will. Let’s pray that God will help us to respond with joy and let our faith and faithfulness be a living testimony that refreshes those around us.

. .

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“That’s just my personality.” “You know redheads have a temper.” “I’ve never been able to tolerate . . .” and so on. Hmmm . . . are these just excuses for bad habits we have developed? The scripture above emphasizes our need to change so that we can live out the will of God. His will is that we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Regardless of our personality, our childhood or experiences, we should pray daily that God will shape and change us according to His will. And His will is good, it’s acceptable, and it’s perfect!

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (I Peter 4:19)

This one is difficult. We love to talk about God’s will when it pertains to comfortable, fulfilling, and exciting things; but sometimes His will is for us to suffer. We can’t choose when and where to do God’s will; it is a total commitment. So how do we suffer “according to the will of God”? This can only happen in prayer, by throwing ourselves into His arms, in total trust that He really does know what is best for us. He is our Creator and He WILL be faithful to us. Remember that God has His eye on the end result. When all is said and done, what really matters is that our souls are saved. Let’s pray sincerely and let Him choose what suffering is needed to accomplish our salvation.

 
These are just a few scriptures that can guide us as we pray according to God’s will.
We need to remember that our Heavenly Father is in control and that He loves us more than we could ever comprehend!

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

According to His Will

" Pray, According to His Will " by Mary Catherine Beek.
 The word control means, “To determine the behavior or supervise the running of.”

When we say we have control over something, it can make us feel quite powerful. Sometimes it can be hard for us to either hand that control over or, even worse, have it taken away from us. This is how our humanity can feel. Handing control over to someone can be difficult, and there can even be resistance.

When it comes to handing over control, or our will, over to God, we may resist. We may feel that we know better than God. We can start to problem-solve, plan, and organize our lives and situations around our own strength and wisdom. 

I have experienced in my own life that when I begin to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” a burden lifts off me. I have come to the realization that God’s ways ARE higher than my ways and His thoughts ARE NOT my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). We must understand, and accept, that our will and tight control over our lives is nothing in comparison to the great things God has in store for us. 

A life verse of mine is Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Our paths, will, control—whatever we want to label it— will only lead to problems. We must trust in God with all our emotions (heart) and lean not to what makes sense to our own minds (understanding). Then, when we acknowledge God in all our ways and release that control over to Him, His promise to us is that He will direct our paths. This is how we can pray the will of God into our lives. We need to release the tight grip we have over our lives, making sure everything is just right and acceptable for everyone to see. 

When we truly live a life that is in His will, the stress, anxiety, and frustrations of life will start to fade. We will then live our lives knowing, trusting, and believing that His will is what’s best for us. 



“Therefore, take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

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

From the beginning of the Spirit-filled

Gathering the Generations to Pray.

From the beginning of the Spirit-filled New Testament church, cross-generational
involvement was clearly pronounced.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the brothers of Jesus gathered in the upper
room. According to Mark 6:3, Jesus had four brothers, James, Josses, Juda, and
Simon. He also had some sisters (at least two or more) who were numbered with the women gathered there.

Among His earthly family, Jesus was the oldest of Marys children. His crucifixion occurred when He was in His early thirties; so we can assume that His brothers and sisters probably ranged in ages, from their late teens into their thirties. From its beginning, young people have been at the center of the book of Acts church.

The first activity of young people in the New Testament church was prayer. These all continued with one accord in prayer. We thank God for our talented, educated, hardworking, enthusiastic young people. Their musical ability is a big plus for reaching this generation. Their contagious enthusiasm, confidence, and commitment serves the church well. However, with the Apostle Paul, we must place prayer in its proper place of priority. ... first of all ... prayer ... (I Timothy 2:1).

Post CONTINUES at: https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/87e49b50-e1ee-47c6-a269-019828eae6e8.pdf
Info from: World Network of Prayer Newsletter
 

There was a prophecy that went forth

The Ingathering.

There was a prophecy that went forth in Zechariah saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘In those days ten men [as representatives] from all the nations will grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23 AMP). It has been said that this prophecy is referring to the ten lost tribes that will return to Jerusalem.

We cannot be sure who they are, but we can be sure that the Word of God will come to pass.

He has promised His people, both Jews and Gentiles, that the latter house would be greater than the former house, and that the gospel would be preached to all nations through the lineage of Abraham, who was promised that through him, all nations would be blessed. God does not forget His promises. He has not broken His covenant with Israel. One day He will return as promised to Jerusalem. In that day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. “So many peoples and powerful nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to ask the Lord for His favor” (Zechariah 8:22).

There will be an ingathering of the multitudes, but in this present time our concern is the multitudes in the valley of decision. It is for these multitudes of souls that we must fast, pray, and sacrifice for. It is the will of God that every nation hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without the people of God there can be no finished work. The enemy is taking advantage of the crises going on in the world. He is working through division, witchcraft, and sorceries. There are many forms of witchcraft that are at work. Rebellion, manipulation, drugs, and even the abuse of pharmaceuticals. 

Post CONTINUES at: https://files.constantcontact.com/aebf4de5001/7e38c251-0698-4525-976b-22906bbd0e23.pdf
Info from: World Network of Prayer Newsletter