Pray4Guam
Prayers of agreement are even more effective, so here is a place to share insights and revelation to increase our impact.Archive for healing
The Lord God of Elijah
God will send the Prophet Elijah to minister restoration specifically to the Fatherless Generation. Growing up as part of the Fatherless Generation, we have a challenge learning to trust and rely on God fully. We have learned to survive and live our life mostly on our own. We cope. We have tried to move on from out disappointments and heart-sick experiences. It hurts when are hopes are deferred. We do what we need to to?
As Elijah engaged on a new level of direction at the end of his prophetic ministry, his focus shifted from only confronting that which was a violation of principle to reproducing himself by raising up spiritual sons and daughters. His ministry in establishing the School of the Prophets launched the double portion anointing in lives such as Elisha. He raised up new leaders for the throne of Kingdoms as well. His ministry was far more impartational than confrontational as he ministered to the fatherless generation.
Look at his interaction with Elisha when he first called him to share his ministry mantle and anointing. Elisha tries to share an emotional appeal that he had some family commitments and responsibilities to take care of. He was waiting for his father’s blessing which still was probably a long way off. Elijah’s comment: “WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU?”
The opportunity to mentored and drawn into a relationship that transforms one’s destiny is built around the shift to be fathered in the faith. Much can happen in our lives as we shift from a solitary lifestyle into a nurturing family-based ministry dynamic. Yes, God places the solitary into families. (Ps. 68:6) Through this level of nurture in the crucible of relational service we are transformed.
Consider some key terms: ASSISTANT/ATTENDANT
I Kings 19:25 “Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his Attendant.” Being fathered in the faith and mentored into our destiny requires submission and teachableness. For independent people and survivors who have learned to cope in life in solitude we have to deny an essential part of our divine construction. IT IS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE. We are all created for relationship and God is nurturing us through relationships. Of course the Gen 1 Context is specifically focused on Gods heart to build the union of a marriage covenant. What is so exciting to me is what happens when we come into a dynamic union of marriage in our life and ministry. Marriage is designed to be a true gift leading to the perfect “HAPPILY EVER AFTER” life story.
Reading 1Pet 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs.with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Eph 5 too is taking a broader focus and application on the practical side of covenant unity and agreement.Even in our disappointing relationships, he comes along side to hold us together, especially to complete us in the areas of our weakness and personal deficiencies. The Lord Himself promises to stand in the gaps that are found in our lives.
Call2Fall
We are planning to be part of the prayer initiative, Call2Fall on Sunday July 5th. Allison and I will be in England that day and hope to find a ministry in the Rochford area that is actively participating in their own prayer initiatives.
I am challenged by the words, BRING FORTH FRUIT that match your declared REPENTANCE.
Words can be powerful and are important but the Lord is also leading us to take action in all the areas we pray and proclaim are right and true. So, as we repent of our secret sin, are we really building practical boundaries to live differently? We can more easily say “Lord, Forgive Me, for what I am about to do…” and then jump in with both feet because we really know what we are doing is wrong.
But then again, what really is sin? Is it only a violation of a direct commandment of God? Is it also a violation of the nature and image of God that He has created in us? Isn’t sin also simply not staying close to the source of all Life? Every time we step outside of faith that draws life from God alone and go get our need met in some independent way is really sin. Sin is more about separation from God than being guilty of some written law or unwritten code.
So, lets respond to the call2fall and really cry out to God for mercy, forgiveness and restoration. Lord we turn our hearts to You and ask you to cleanse us, change us, and begin to make us whole. Work in us both to choose You and do Your Will.
Chants for the Glory of God
Renouncing traditions and pulling down family shrines like Gideon did are important prerequisites for God’s victory to come in situations. God is Holy and obedience to His Word is essential. Throughout the islands, chants are powerful tools to call upon the spirits of ancestors to reaffirm devotion, dedication and honor. Many skilled in magic arts have used chants to call fish, sharks or even to seek protection and intervention from the spirit world. It is a way to recount stories of creation, legends and history.
There is a fresh prophetic anointing that is being released in the atmosphere of Christian worship. Declarations, specific scriptures spoken under the anointing, all have tremendous impact in accomplishing God’s purpose. I am not speaking of the ritualistic type of Gregorian Chant. Rather the unique and fresh revelatory chant that would come out of Holy Spirit inspiration for a specific purpose.
In order to realign our hearts and lives according to God’s order, we have seen many in ministry discount and reject practices like chants as cultural remnants of an era long ago. Often, missionaries and Western Christians have minimized some of the practices of traditional cultures without giving full clarity to the source of origin or power of that practice.
I believe it is time to ask God for new chants for our island. A chant that affirms our obedience and devotion to the Lord alone. A chant that renounces all other gods who have been called upon for help in times before. A chant that is redemptive and anointed with the Power of God that sets captives free and heals the land. What are some of the themes that we could explore in our times of prayer today? What would honor God and release His specific anointing for this hour?
Lord let your grace bring fresh inspiration that is needed to release your anointing to transform our community. We pray that we will enter into to your presence and hear the sounds of heaven in a way that will impact our people and set captives free.
