Archive for April, 2014

Pray with One United Voice for Our Nation on National Day of Prayer

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Thursday May 1, 2014, is National Day of Prayer -The National Day of prayer focus is Government, Church, Military, Family, Education, Media, and Business . The Theme for 2014 is One Voice, United in Prayer. Romans 15:6 is the national Scripture for this year: “So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. . God is in control of this nation. Let us not take for granted this day of prayer, designated by Congress, signed into law by the President of the United States, recognized by all 50 Governors and observed by millions of people. However, we should by praising and praying to the Lord for this nation every day.

The apostle Paul urged that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-3). It is time for us to P. R. A. Y. as a nation corporately and individually. In this turburbent time of open racism, rumours of wars and agression, and troubled communites and cites we need to go before the Lord to seek through prayer, “peaceful and quiet lives” – for ourselves, our families, our neighbors and friends and our nation.

How can we P. R. A. Y. Praise the Lord with all your heart. Praise is a powerrful weapon to breakdown walls ,open closed doors and to win battles. Stacey S. Padrick, Discipleship Journal, Issue 108, 1998.
R. is to repent. This nation and each of us as individuals must repent of our sins and humble ourselves before the Lord.Repent – Confess your sins and shortcomings. Repent personally and on behalf of our nation. The Lord is quick to forgive when we come to Him. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 NIV
Ask – Ask God to reveal truth, turn our hearts back toward Him, and bring healing. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7
Yield– Yield to the Lord and recognize that He has heard our prayers and will answer according to His will. He is waiting to provide guidance and direction. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

The NDP emphasizes prayer for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family (I Timothy 2:1-6). Pray for each of the areas. For guidance in how to pray for these areas see the prayer points below.

Let us continue to pray for our nation in prayer gatherings and in our homes. God throughout His Word tells us to pray that He may heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Continue to pray for our nation as the “prayers of righteous persons are powerful and effective”. James 5:16. The sovereign Lord listens to our cries, waits to intervene on our behalf and to deliver and transform the ills of our nation. (See e.g. Zephaniah 3:17). I believe that prayer is required and imperative for believers individually, and corporately as a nation, to pray continually throughout the year, not just on the National Day of Prayer. There is a need for faithful, preserving intercession for our leaders, government, families, education system, the legal system, churches, the armed forces and the media. Our prayers will impact generations to come if we continue to seek the Lord’s guidance and protection and be obedient to His Word.
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Let’s Pray on one accord the following points adopted by the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

Prayer Action: Prayer Points for each Prayer Focus
Prayer Focus

Government :

• May God’s hand of wisdom and guidance remain upon each segment of our society, and through His Spirit, may believers be inspired to “pray continually” (I Thessalonians 5:17).
• Pray for righteousness to prevail in this nation. Righteousness exalts a nation Proverbs 14:34
• Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.
• Pray that leaders , men and women, will be granted divine wisdom, guidance and strength to fulfill their important roles ,1 Timothy 2:1-2: :
• Pray for Federal Leaders
• President: Barack Obama- Guidance, grace protection, wisdom and family
Vice President: Joe Biden
Secretary of State: John Kerry
Pray for other leaders in the administration
Pray for State and Local Leaders

Military-Armed Forces : Psalm 5:11; Psalm 59:1

• Pray for discernment and protection from the of the United States’ enemies that are among us, even as others plot against us from afar.
• Pray for divine protection and guidance for our armed forces. Ask God to intercede for military chaplains and loved ones at home.
• Pray for the courageous troops, and their families, who are actively serving our country each day ¬ not only at bases around the world, but also here within our borders. Our soldiers daily place themselves in harm’s way in order to defend the way of life we hold dear as well. ..
• Pray for those who have lost a loved one in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price. Ask that God’s comfort would be upon them in a special way.

Media

• Pray for truth and morality to be presented. Ephesians 4:29
• Pray for the entertainment industry and their deliverance from vices such as materialism, promiscuity, substance abuse, and violence.
• Pray for wholesome and truthful offerings and acceptable alternatives for families to replace the media’s often biased and immoral offerings.
• Intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate.

Business

• Pray for business women and men of integrity, fairness and courage will arise.
• Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace.
Education
• Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.
• Pray for our nation’s public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students.
• Pray for our local school boards.

Church

• Pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming God’s Word. Ephesians 4:11-16
• Pray for the Lord to provide pastors and spiritual leaders with strength and avenues of accountability so that they may maintain steadfastness in their vital callings.

Family.

• Pray for the family to be preserved as the Lord intended. ( See generally Ephesians 5:21-33-6:1-4)
• Pray that families will follow godly principles.
The prayer points have been adopted from the National Day of Prayer Task Force

Linda Fegins , The Prayer Leader ( April 2014)

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Day 40 of Prayer Journey – Worship and Celebrate our Lord and King

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Thank you for joining the 40 Day Prayer Journey “Growing by the Power Within to Please God: Repenting for a Renewed Relationship With God”. Philippians 2:13.

Today is the last day of the prayer journey. However continue seeking the Lord everyday and pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5:17. I hope you have been blessed and have sincerely begin to grow in prayer and your relationship with the Lord. As you walked this forty (40) day prayer journey and adventure of repenting and praying toward the desires and promises of God to enable us to grow by the power within to please God, share your experiences. Let each of us grow in grace, in service and deed, in love for God and each other and into a lifestyle of individual and corporate prayer.

DAY 40 – April 13 – “Growing to Please God by Worshiping God Together Forever”

Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 16:7-36; Psalm 96

Repent: Of failure to humble oneself before the Lord, acknowledging His total Lordship; of not gathering with other believers to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth; of not giving our all to the Lord as an act of worship.

Pray:

• Pray for the church to have a Christ-centered worship experience in spirit and truth that will please the Father.
• Pray for sincere and honest exaltation of the name of the Lord, born of the Holy Spirit and the Word.
• Pray for humility and unity among believers that will give rise to worshiping the Lord in the beauty of His holiness throughout the church.
• Pray that the people of God will see themselves how God sees them.
• Pray that you will be able to share an encouraging word today with someone.
• Pray for people to be saved this day.
• Pray for believers to be filled with expectant love for Christ and that He would manifest Himself in such a way that rocks the church and the nations.
• Pray that you and members of the church will worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
• Praise God – that He reigns now and forever. Amen!
• REJOICE!!!——–This is the last day of the 40 Day Prayer Journey. Rejoice that God, the Exalted One, gives us the privilege of celebrating and honoring His rightful place as the Almighty Lord and King of Kings. Praise God that His name is above every name and that at His name every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Hallelujah! Jesus is alive and is our soon coming King.

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Linda Fegins, The Prayer Leader

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Day 32-39 of 40 Day Prayer Journey: Growing to Please God

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Thank you for joining the 40 Day Prayer Journey “Growing by the Power Within to Please God: Repenting for a Renewed Relationship With God”. Philippians 2:13.

We are nearing the end of this prayer journey;eight more days to go .I hope you have been blessed and have sincerely begin to grow in prayer and your relationship with the Lord. As you walked this forty (40) day prayer journey and adventure of repenting and praying toward the desires and promises of God to enable us to grow by the power within to please God, share your experiences. Let each of us grow in grace, in service and deed, in love for God and each other and into a lifestyle of individual and corporate prayer.

This is a daily prayer journey. Today’s prayer focus is a continuation of the 40 Day Prayer Journey which began on March 5 Ash Wednesday. See prior post for prior days.

The daily prayer points in this guide begin with stated scriptures applicable to the focus of the day. You are invited to seek God’s face to enable you to grow in the actions and thoughts that please God. You want to confess, repent and turn from actions and thoughts that grieve the Lord.

During the Forty Day Prayer Journey daily read the suggested scriptures. Meditate on the Word asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal in your heart how He wants you to respond personally and on behalf of your church or city. This is an opportunity for personal repentance.

Ask the Lord to search your heart for thoughts and actions that are sinful. (Psalm 139:23-24) Allow the Lord to examine your life thoroughly.

During the 40 Day journey each of us are opening ourselves to be joyful by what pleases God and grieved by our actions, walk and talk that displease Him.
Pray the specific daily prayer points as well as other prayer points that the Holy Spirit brings to your heart. It is suggested that you write in a journal your reflections and what the Lord is saying to you.

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DAY 32 – April 5 – “Growing to Please God by Demonstrating God’s Grace”

Scriptures: John 1:14-18; Acts 4:32-33, 11:19-24; 1Peter 4:7-11

Pray:

• Pray that you would grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.
• Pray to have faith to live graciously toward those in our communities who do not yet know Christ.
• Pray for fresh grace to live according to God’s commands and His call upon your life.
• Thank the Lord for His grace and for the gifts He has bestowed upon you.
• Pray that you and members of the church demonstrate graciousness in your attitude, speech and actions.
• Pray that our city will be transformed as we cry in humble and faith-filled intercession.
• Pray that families will be free from the destructive power of unforgiveness.
• Pray for every member of the body to understand their place and purpose in the body and to work together in proper relationship with each other under the leadership of the Pastor.

DAY 33 – April 6- “Growing to Please God by Listening to and Obeying His Voice”

Scriptures: Psalm 81: 8-16; John 10:22-30

Pray:

• Seek the Lord for you to come to a place of being quiet before the Lord, expecting to hear what He has to speak to you.
• Pray for the grace to walk in humble obedience to His voice.
• Pray for ears to hear from the Lord through the pastor, teacher or through whatever way He has chosen to speak to and through His children.
• Pray for your relationship with a family member. Pray that the Lord will bring healing, reconciliation and restoration where it is needed.
• Pray for any relationship you may have with people who do not know the Lord. Pray for words to say that will turn their hearts to Jesus. Specifically, pray for ______ who has turned his/her heart from God.
• Pray for new hearts for ministry in all of the leaders. See Ezekiel 18:31

DAY 34 – April 7- “Growing to Please God by Worshiping God with Your Whole Heart”

Scriptures: Psalm 95; John 4:21-26

Pray:

• Pray that you and your city and church members will gain a passion for worship with their whole heart.
• Pray that the church to have a Christ –centered experience of worship in spirit and truth that will please the Father.
• Pray for humility and unity among the believers that will give rise to worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness throughout the church.
• Pray for a release of fresh passion for worship in you and in members of the church.
• Pray for a fresh revelation of God’s love that cleanses up from unrighteousness and fills us with joy, peace and love.
• Pray for a fresh love and desire for fellowship with other believers.
• Pray for a revival in the City of Detroit and that it will become known as a city of prayer.
• Pray for the Single people. Pray that Christ will fill single’s heart with His love; that they may taste the satisfaction which I is found only in God; that friendships will bring ample fullness of relationship; for sexual purity and simplicity of lifestyle; for marvelous marriages for those who desire them.

DAY 35 – April 8 – “Growing to Please God by Increasing Our Personal
and Corporate Prayer Life”

Jesus, Man of Prayer

Scriptures: Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12

Reflect: If someone wrote a theme of your life would prayer be a key theme in it? Consider the area of your prayer life that most needs improving.

Pray:

• Praise Jesus for modeling a strong pattern of prayer for us.
• Confess any shortcoming in your prayer life of which you are aware.
• Thank the Holy Spirit for His ability and willingness to purify our prayers and to help us when we don’t know how to pray very well (Romans 8:26).
• Ask Christ for the grace to pray as Jesus prayed.
• Pray that the church will grow in love, grace and mercy to impact the community and the world.
• Pray that individual and corporation intercession and prayer will increase in you and among the members of your church.
• Thank God that He has established that His church will be called a house of prayer for all nations. Pray that your church will be the kind of house of prayer that pleases Christ.
• Pray for the Intercessory Prayer Ministry. Call them by name. Pray that they will effectively and boldly mobilize, lead, train and encourage others in individual and corporate prayer.

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DAY 36 – April 9 – “Growing to Please God by Increasing Our Personal
and Corporate Prayer Life”

Paul Prayed Constantly

Scriptures: Colossians 1:3, 9; Romans 1:9-10; 10:1

Pray:

• Pray for an increase in your desire to consistently pray for others.
• Confess to the Lord if you don’t like to pray for others or don’t pray for others or think it is boring. Is it because you don’t love them as you should? Confess that also.
• Pray for an increase in your ability to see the good in others, for a deep sense of care for the well being of others and for confidence that your prayers will make a difference in their lives.
• Thank the Holy Spirit for His ability and willingness to purify our prayers and to help us when we don’t know how to pray very well (Romans 8:26).
• Thank God for others in your family, congregation, or circle of friends. Tell God the specific things about them for which you are thankful.
• Pray for your Pastor .
• Pray that grace to minister and serve together in love, honor, and humility will exist throughout the church.
• Pray for Governor Snyder, Mayor Duggan and the City Council

DAY 37 – April 10 – “Growing to Please God by Increasing Our Personal
and Corporate Prayer Life”

Elijah: An Ordinary Man Who Prayed Powerfully

Scriptures: James 5:17-18; Read the full story of Elijah’s prayer victory in 1 Kings 17-18

Pray:

• Praise God for the power that makes powerful praying possible.
• Thank God that he hears and answers the prayers of ordinary persons and makes it possible for us to pray powerfully.
• Ask God to reveal to you what he wants you to pray about and to help you pray earnestly and persistently.
• Pray that God will cause his church to grow strong in prayer and be effective in ministry.
• Pray that men, women, boys, and girls will be happy to be enlightened and empowered of the things of God.
• Tell God that you are available to pray earnestly and persistently about anything that He lays on your heart and that you will listen for His direction. Now listen for God’s directions.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring victory over all unrighteousness.
• Pray for the Arts and Entertainment Industry-that God will inspire artist and those in the entertainment industry with creativity and wisdom that reflect God’s beauty and truth; pray for salvation of those in the industry; and that those who come to follow Christ will follow Christ with courage and take a stand for Jesus.

DAY 38 – April 11 “Growing to Please God by Increasing Our Personal
and Corporate Prayer Life”

David: Finding Renewal Through Confession

Scriptures: Psalm 51:7-10 (For background to this confession, read 2 Samuel 11-12)

Pray:

• Praise God for His mercy. Mercy means that God does not treat us as we deserve.
• Thank God for conviction or “good guilt” that drives us into the arms of His forgiving love when we confess.
• Confess any wrong you are aware of that remains unconfessed. Repent.
• Ask for a clean heart, a renewed life and a steadfast spirit.
• Pray that God will give his church sensitivity to sin and a readiness to confess when and if that is needed.
• Thank God for His unspeakable gift. JESUS 2 Corinthians 9:15
• Pray for God’s people to stand still and hear His voice.
• Pray for those who have lost a love one and the loved one didn’t know Christ.

DAY 39 – April 12 – “Growing to Please God by Increasing Our Personal
and Corporate Prayer Life”

Jehoshaphat : Victory Through Prayer

Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 20: 6, 12 (Read the story of this victory in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

Reflect: Jesus came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. Are you happy with your life in Christ? Is it a more abundant life? Are you obeying the word of God for what you can get or because you just love the LORD? John 10:10

Pray:

• Praise God for the power and might that are in his hand, and that no one can withstand Him.
• Thank God for his readiness to hear prayer and to deliver those who trust in Him.
• Confess if there is little praise in your prayer. Confess that you have neglected the praise that is important to Him.
• Ask God for a praising heart.
• Pray that the family, which God founded, facing major enemies rallied by the evil one, may be delivered and broken relationships healed. Pray that God will confuse the enemy and cause them to self-destruct or repent.
• Pray that you are growing in your spiritual walk to please God, and that you will continue to pursue your walk, and not go backward, but always forward.
• Pray that you will have favor and good understanding with God first and then with men and women. Proverb 3:4
• Pray for outbreaks of praise to God from the people in our city as they see new displays of Christ’s power.

Linda Fegins 2014-“The Prayer Leader” has served as Prayer Coordinator for over 13 years( later Director over the Prayer Ministry) for the Lydia Circle Christian Business and Professional Women. She serves as an intercessor and teacher/trainer with Global Intercessors Prayer Force. As part of the Lydia Circle she has lead over 8 prayer boot camps, all night prayer services, and has lead prayer services and workshops in the Bahamas and in South Africa. She served on the prayer team of a medical missions trip to Jamaica under the leadership of Rev. Jackie McCullough. She serves as the Prayer Leader of the Intercessory Prayer Team of her church. Linda serves as an intercessor and volunteer for Girlfriends Pray, a global prayer ministry. Contact her at ldfaygo@aol.com

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