Anything-Everything

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

(1 Thes. 5:16-18 NIV)

Sometimes the most "cheerful" words in the Bible are the hardest to live out.  In these two passages Paul is reminding us that God is in control and that he wants us to come to him in prayer no matter what.  No problem, right?

But, really?  Don't be anxious about anything?  There's so much in our crazy world that can lead to anxiety.  But God says to use prayer and thanksgiving - in EVERY situation - to ask for God's help. "Every situation" means "every situation."   In every situation we come to our faithful God asking in faith, sharing our thanks for what God has done, is doing, and will do, and trusting that he responds - in EVERY situation.  Even when we can't see the response yet. 

Then Paul tells us to "rejoice always." Really?!?  "Always??"  That's, like, all the time and in all circumstances.  Sometimes there doesn't seem to be much to rejoice about.  Life on this earth - especially if lived without God - can seem overwhelming, terrible, and hopeless.  But when we live life in relationship with God we can always find at least one thing to be thankful about.  Did you wake up breathing today?  Did the sun come up (even if behind the clouds)?  Do you have electricity?  Often when we find one thing with which to give thanks, we then realize how many other things are also worth thanks.  

I do not believe that our rotten circumstances are necessarily God's will for us. If Jesus wants to give us the abundant life (John 10:10) then "abundance" includes love, joy, peace, hope, grace, and so much more.  Rotten circumstances are, ultimately, the result of the enemy of our souls, stealing, killing, destroying lives, relationships, resources, etc.  While I believe God allows this to happen (for what reasons I don't usually know or understand), I do not believe that this is what God intended for us.  

Can God use rotten circumstances to refine and improve our character and our understanding of who God is?  Absolutely.  But just because God can work all things together for good for those who love him, doesn't mean he wants us to have trials, death, and destruction.  God's purpose for us - God's will for our lives - is to know his love, joy, hope, grace, mercy, and peace. 

No matter the circumstances I believe that God wants to give us his Peace.  That "shalom" is beyond everything we could understand without God.  And it guards our hearts and our minds - our spirits, our words, our deeds, our thoughts, our hopes - because of Christ Jesus.  God's Peace gives us Hope in the midst of rotten circumstances.

Is not being anxious but rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances easier said than done?  Yes. But it's still do-able.  And, like anything we practice, the more we do it the easier it becomes.  

For anything, in everything, bring it to God. 

Father God,

Thank you that in all things - not "for" all things - but "in" all things - we can rejoice in you, your faithfulness, your provision, your grace, and so much more.  Thank you that by the Blood of Christ you have made a way for us to draw near to you.  Thank you that we can bring all our hurts, struggles, anxieties, and confusion to you and that you will hear us when we pray.  Holy Spirit, help us to saturate each day in prayer, offering our faith-filled requests to you with overflowing gratitude.  Help us to tell you each detail of our lives, knowing that your perfect plan for us is a life lived within the grace of Jesus Christ, so that your joy is our continual feast .  Help us to remember that you can work all things together for our good - for an abundant life - and that your wonderful peace that transcends our understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord. Help us in everything and for anything to bring it to you. In Jesus's name we pray, Amen. 

"Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:6-7 TPT)


"Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thes. 5:16-18 TPT)

"A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!" (John 10:10 TPT)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 NIV)

Day 14 Intense Treatment - Holy Spirit's power within us to fight against the enemy of our souls

Spirit of the Living God,

Thank you for connecting your people with each other and for being the Power within our lives.  Thank you for the many saints and witnesses in the faith who have gone before us and taught us how to live the abundant life you call us to.  Thank you for the spiritual leaders of today - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers - who help equip your people to serve in your Kingdom and to build up the Body in knowledge and unity.  Help each of us to be strong in the Lord and in your mighty power.  We know most of the struggles in this life are not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.   And we know that the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world, but weapons that have divine power.  They demolish strongholds, arguments, and every pretensions that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.  Thank you for the full armor of God that we put on in order to take our stand against the devil's schemes, so that when the day comes we will be able to stand our ground.   Thank you for the belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, the shoes of Peace, the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God.  Thank you that we can pray in the Spirit on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers and requests.  Thank you that you can take every one of our thoughts captive by your Spirit.  Help us to stay alert and keep on praying for all the Lord's people.  Help us to fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.  And help us to stay connected to you, Holy Spirit, and to Spirit-focused believers around us, so that we can stay strong and fearless. In Christ's name we pray, Amen. 

By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

7 You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” 11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. 17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.  (2 Corinthians 10 NIV)

 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV)

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.  (Ephesians 6:10-20 NIV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)

 Idea from:  https://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word_pf.html?ID=25704 

Day 2 - Intense Treatment - Abundant Life lived under the leading of the Shepherd-King

Shepherd King of My Soul,

You are my Shepherd-King in whom I have total security and lack nothing.  I lay down in green pastures.  I'm led beside quiet waters.  My soul is refreshed by my Shepherd.  I am guided along the right paths of security and prosperity in God, bringing Honor to the Shepherd's Name.  Even when I walk through circumstances of greatest darkness and peril, I fear no evil for the Shepherd is with me.  His authority and support guide, rescue, protect, comfort, and reassure me.  I am received at the Shepherd's Table as an under-king, an honored friend.  Even as my enemies are around me, I am anointed with my Shepherd's oil and my cup of blessing overflows.  The Shepherd's goodness and unfailing love pursue me all the days of my life.  I will dwell as a welcome guest in the house of the Lord forever.  The Lord my God commands me to follow his decrees and laws.  I am to carefully observe them with all my heart and all my soul.  I declare that the Lord is my God and I walk in obedience to him.  I will keep his decrees, commands, and laws.  I will listen to him.  I am God's treasured possession and I will keep all his commands.  As I listen to and follow the leading of Holy Spirit, I will love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind.  I will love my neighbor as myself. He has declared that he will set his people in praise, fame and honor high above the nations he has made.  I will be set in praise, fame, and honor, holy to the Lord my God as promised.  I will not worry about my life, what I eat and drink.  I will not worry about my body, what I will wear.  My life is more than food and my body is more than clothes.  The thief - the enemy of our souls - comes only to steal AND kill AND destroy.  Jesus came that I could have a full and abundant life.  Therefore, I ask God for the restoration of my soul - the breathing of my entire inner nature and personality.  I will be set on a new place with a seal called "special" upon my heart.  God's love is as strong as death, his jealousy as fierce as the grave. Because of the leading of my Shepherd-King, I will have life abundantly.  In Christ's name I pray and declare: AMEN. 

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3     he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows.

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

    forever.  (Psalm 23 NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25 NIV)

16 The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.  (Deuteronomy 26:16-19 NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  (John 10:10 NIV)

Set me as a seal upon your heart,

    as a seal upon your arm,

for love is strong as death,

    jealousy is fierce as the grave.

Its flashes are flashes of fire,

    the very flame of the Lord.  (Song of Solomon 8:6 ESV)

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)

Idea from:  https://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word_pf.html?ID=25704 

Some notes from:   NIV Study Bible (c) Zondervan, 2011

March 1, 2021 Prayer - For people considering running for elected office

Ruling God,

With our mouths we extol you, Lord, and praise you in the great throng of worshipers.  You stand with those in need and save us according to your unfailing love.  Your world is a beautiful dance of order, beauty, consistency, and creativity.  Thank you that you have included government in your plans for order and you have set into place civic authorities to help keep that order.  Today we pray that, as people are prayerfully considering running for political offices in the upcoming months and years, you would cause righteous, godly, Spirit-filled men and women to step out in courage and serve the people around them. We pray for a spirit of humility in those who are considering running for offices; may they not be motivated by ego or lust for power, but may they hear from you and walk in your Good Way - your paths of Peace.  Your Word says we should not give to dogs what is sacred or throw our pearls to swine, so we pray you would thwart the efforts of anyone who should not seek office. We pray that you give your candidates campaign leaders, consultants, and others who are gifted in strategy and fundraising, but especially have hearts to serve you and the people of this state. May those considering running for office be completely trustworthy, with no corruption or negligence. We know that you work through "jars of clay" leaders who are fallible, but we pray that the life of Jesus would be manifest in their thoughts, words, and deeds. We believe that you came to give us your abundant life, so we pray for that Life to be poured out in those who seek political office - in their families, friendships, businesses, and service to others. We choose momentum instead of inertia, righteousness instead of ungodliness, and hope instead of mourning. May godly men and women rise up to seize this moment, face the enemies of this nation, and move forward in hope in You and the victory you give us in Christ Jesus, in whom we pray, Amen.

Help me, Lord my God;

    save me according to your unfailing love.

Let them know that it is your hand,

    that you, Lord, have done it.

While they curse, may you bless;

    may those who attack me be put to shame,

    but may your servant rejoice.

May my accusers be clothed with disgrace

    and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;

    in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy,

   to save their lives from those who would condemn them." (Psalm 109:26-31 NIV)

"Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God." (Romans 13:1 NLV)

"Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen...God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses [civil authorities] to do it. " (Romans 13:1, 4 MSG)

"At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent."  (Daniel 6:4 NIV)

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6 NIV)

"Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 NKJV)

February 26, 2021 Prayer - Praying for Deliverance, Healing, and Restoration for this State

God of Restoration, 

Thank you that your steadfast love never ceases and your mercies are new every morning.  You are our portion and we hope in you.  Thank you that even when our circumstances look as dark as night, you do not abandon us.  Even when the Israelites committed idolatry and great blasphemies, in your great mercies you did not forsake them.  You led them, gave your good spirit to instruct them, and gave them the physical food and water they needed.  Today we pray and intercede for the people of this state.  While we know great idolatry and blasphemy has been committed in parts of this state, we also know that you do not forsake your People here.  We pray your Good Spirit, your Living Water, your Bread of Life, and your great Hope would be poured out in this state.  She is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down, but you are the God of Hope, Healing, and Restoration.  We pray you would root out and break the power of evil in this state's government, even as you protect the righteous who work in government.  Cause business owners to turn to you and cry out to you for solutions - may they see supernatural things happen in their midst! Pour out wisdom and discernment on every administrator, educator, parent, and others working with the children in this state.  By your Spirit, cause families to be drawn together to each other and to you.  Provide jobs and other resources so people can care for their families well.  May those who have been cooped up physically, emotionally, and spiritually, be released from that bondage into the freedom of abundant life in you.  Give those in law enforcement wisdom and authority over the situations they encounter. Protect and preserve people in homelessness.  Protect and deliver those in bondage to suicide or  addictions.  We pray you would break spirits of despair and fear that were dumped on this state; we bind these spirits in the name of Jesus and, instead, release spirits of Hope, Healing, Restoration, and Victory.  Holy Spirit, cause revival and reformation, renewal and refreshment to well up in each local Body of your Church so that Christians stand firm in faith, serve those around them, organize for greater fruitfulness, and show your Love and Power in all counties in this state.  We ask all of this in the strong name of Christ.  Amen!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
    his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
    “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NRSV)

"Even when they had cast an image of a calf for themselves and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness; the pillar of cloud that led them in the way did not leave them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night that gave them light on the way by which they should go. You gave your good spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and gave them water for their thirst." (Nehamiah 9:18-20 NRSV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"For the power of the wicked will be broken,
    but the Lord upholds the righteous." (Psalm 37:17 NIV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 MSG)

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. " (Galatians 5:1 NRSV)

February 25, 2021 Prayer - Break unrighteousness & despair in this state

Miracle-Working God,

You are great and glorious, mighty in miracles!  You have done marvelous, incredible things for your people, and we surrender and bow before you in worship.  You are a great God whose Love we can never lose, no matter what troubles, pressures, persecutions and problems come to us.  Thank you that when your people who are called by your name humble themselves and pray, you heal our land.  While there are many unbelievers in this state, we stand in faith that we have more than enough godly intercessors to turn this state toward you.  Today, we, your people, cry out in humility for mercy, justice, hope, and healing for this state.  It is one heap of a hot mess.  The spiritual oppression that came a year ago with Covid-19 has resulted in a general spirit of despair among her people and a great deal of spiritual malfeasance in her leadership.   Today we pray you break the root of evil in every level of her governments, media, business, health services, or education that would seek power and control over the citizens.  We pray you would shine Light into places of darkness and corruption in these systems.  We forbid the spirit of lust for power and, instead, release spirits of Freedom, Truth, Justice, and Peace upon this state.   We forbid all spirits seeking to impose despair on these citizens; you will NOT have this state!  We release overwhelming power of Holy Spirit to bring an overwhelming sense of HOPE that will confuse the enemy of our souls and point people toward you.  Meet their physical, financial, and relational needs, and may your Church in this state be loving, caring, hope-filled, and bold with the Good News of the Abundant Life of Christ.  You have set us free from fear and death so we refuse the yoke of this spirit of despair on the people of this state.  We pray and declare that your HOPE, Justice, Grace, and Order will win, and godlessness and despair will lose, in the name of Jesus. AMEN!

"For he’s the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power!

We’ve never seen anything like him!
Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble.
No wonder they all surrender and bow before you!
4 All the earth will bow down to worship;
all the earth will sing your glories forever!
Pause in his presence
5 Everyone will say, “Come and see the incredible things God has done;
it will take your breath away!
He multiplies miracles for his people!"  (Psalm 66:3-5 TPT)

"Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love...." Romans 8:35 TPT)

"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"Break the wicked right arms, break all the evil left arms. Search and destroy every sign of crime. God’s grace and order wins; godlessness loses." (Psalm 10:15-16 MSG)

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 MSG)

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. " (Galatians 5:1 NRSV)

February 15, 2021 Prayer - Communicating Good News, Thwarting Evil in Communication, Awakening

Word of God,

We join with the psalmist in proclaiming that, from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, your name is to be praised.  We praise you for the gift of abundant life you offer us when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.  We thank you for your wisdom and guidance you pour out on those who seek you.  Today we pray for wisdom, knowledge, and guidance to overwhelm those who seek to communicate the Good News of your Gospel and spread the Light of your Way, Truth, and Life.  Give breakthroughs very quickly to those who seek to communicate your Truth and Righteousness in the tech area, that they may build platforms and craft messages that can be used by you to bring the Lost, Broken, and the Prodigals to faith.  Give these builders creativity, wisdom, financing, and technological breakthroughs so quickly that other platforms that stifle free speech, the free exchange of ideas, and, most importantly, your Gospel message, will be quickly inferior.  We want to honor you with our voices and communication - to tell of your righteous deeds and saving acts, to proclaim and declare your power and love to new generations of Believers.  So, in the name of Jesus, we pray you would bind every evil spirit that seeks to keep your Gospel message from going forth.  We know the arrogant cannot stand in your presence, you hate all who do wrong, and you destroy those who tell lies, are bloodthirsty, and deceitful.  Where their vindictive and controlling natures have been emboldened to try to throttle or even attack the message of your Truth, break the power of the wicked, we pray in Jesus's name.  We pray that their communication - whether in half-truths, twisted words, or outright lies - would be scrambled, ineffective, and totally unable to confuse people that you want to reach.  Instead, we pray for Holy Spirit to be released in power and glory upon your Church for Reformation and upon this nation for Awakening.  We call out to you for revival so that, when hundreds of millions of citizens have powerful encounters with Holy Spirit and He takes up residence within them, their beliefs and passions will change to reflect your Will and your Ways.  May this revival weaken the hold of anti-Christ ideas of secularism, humanism, socialism, and communism and turn this nation back to the original intentions you had for her.   So we pray you would give your communicators the tools they need to be about the spreading of the Good News in and for this day and time.  You are our God forever and ever; you will be our guide even to the end. In the powerful name of Christ we pray, Amen!

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." (Psalm 113:3 NIV)

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 NKJV)

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV)

"He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding." (Daniel 2:21 NKJV)

"My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

    your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:15-18 NIV)

 

"Even when I am old and gray,

    do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:15-18 NIV)

"The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;

    you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful

    you, Lord, detest.

But I, by your great love,

    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down

    toward your holy temple." (Psalm 5:5-7 NIV)

"For the power of the wicked will be broken,
    but the Lord upholds the righteous." (Psalm 37:17 NIV)

"For this God is our God for ever and ever;
    he will be our guide even to the end." (Psalm 48:14 NIV)

January 24, 2021 Prayer - Discernment of the lies of the wicked

Stronghold and Rock of our Refuge,

We thank you that you created this world as good and that you have defined right and wrong.  We thank you that by the shed blood of Christ and the empowerment of Holy Spirit we can live - truly live - this abundant life in relationship with you.  We thank you that, even when the enemy of our souls seems to be prowling around to ensnare us in half-truths or outright lies, your Spirit guides us into all Truth when we ask.  We know that the wicked, those who permit and encourage injustice, may claim to be aligned with you, but that your Word says you will turn their evil sins back on them if they don't repent.  We thank you that whatever weapons the enemy may form against us will not succeed and every tongue that rises against us in judgement will be condemned because you provide vindication.   We thank you that where your Spirit is, there is freedom, peace, unity, equality, and clarity; and where your Spirit is at work, all the glory goes to Jesus.  Give us cool heads and alert spiritual eyes and ears, and help us to keep a firm grip on faith.  Help us to be strong in your mighty power so we can take our stand against the devil's lies and schemes, the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Help us to stand firm in your Truth, your Righteousness, your Peace, your Faith, your Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.   Even in the midst of the confusion and suffering of this world, impart your blessing and favor upon us and complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.  Protect and guide us, we pray in Jesus's name, Amen.

“No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;

And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord." (Isa. 54:17 AMP)

"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]." (John 10:10 AMP)

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22 NIV)

"Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Tim. 2:25-26 NIV)

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. "  (Eph. 6:10-18 NIV)

"Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does."  (1 Peter 5:8-11 MSG)

"Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—

leaders whose decrees permit injustice?

They gang up against the righteous

and condemn the innocent to death.

But the Lord is my fortress;

my God is the mighty rock where I hide.

God will turn the sins of evil people back on them.

He will destroy them for their sins.

The Lord our God will destroy them." (Psalm 94:20-24 NLT)

"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to be]." (1 Peter 5:10 AMP)