| We intercede on a weekly basis for
everyone we are in contact with, as well as utilize the ministry of
intercessory repentance, by praying for the repentance and salvation of
those in need. Daily intercessory prayer is offered for critical prayer
requests and those on our daily prayer list.
We also provide a one page written devotional “ACTS” prayer model, to assist anyone to nurture a daily prayer life to God. We also have available, a biblical study on the principle of intercessory repentance ministry. |
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Acts Prayer ModelDaily ACTS, Devotional Prayer ModelAdoration Heavenly Father,
good morning!
I praise You for the privilege to come to You in prayer today. I love
You and I adore You. I cherish You Lord and I desire to know You more.
I desire to draw closer to You this day. Thank you Holy Spirit for
guiding me and comforting me today.
Consecration/Confession Father, I thank
You for this
day, and I devote (consecrate) it to You. First though, I want to be
totally reconciled to You, so I take this moment to ask that You would
search my heart; see if there be any wicked way in me. I confess any
known sin right now (confess any sin that the Spirit brings to mind). I
ask for forgiveness for any unknown sins. Show me Lord, if I am wrong
hi any way. Create in me a clean heart within me. I thank You Jesus,
for being my Savior, that by Your shed blood I am forgiven and cleansed
from all unrighteousness.
Security/SupplicationI take this time right now to devote myself to You this day. I put off my fleshly desires and my sinful old nature and put on the Lord Jesus. I believe that I am raised with Christ. By faith I put on Jesus now. I submit myself to You. I am Your servant and I put all of my bodily members in subjection to Your control. I give You my mind, that my thoughts would be Your thoughts. Transform my mind and renew it by Your Spirit and Word. Thanksgiving
I thank You for Your love to me, that You loved me first, that You
created me and chose me in Your Son, that I may be Your child. I thank
You for the privilege to have an intimate relationship with You. Not
religion, but a real relationship, and that I can call You Abba Father
(Daddy!). I thank You for salvation in Your Son Jesus and for His
righteousness imputed in me. May my gratefulness be expressed in my
obedience to You this day, giving myself as a living sacrifice to You.I take authority
over satan, by
the authority given to me in Christ. I rebuke any influence or plans
satan would have against me this day, and I know that any weapon formed
against me will not prosper. May I have confidence to do Your will this
day, without fear. May I be strong and of good courage to overtake the
enemy this day.
As I put on the Lord Jesus, I put on the whole armor of God, that I may stand against satan's attacks and the attacks of my flesh. I know I will be protected from all evil and that I will conquer all evil. I stand with my waist girded with the truth of Your Word. I stand against all lies, and I trust only Your truth. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, Your righteousness Jesus, and I endeavor to live righteous. I secure my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. I stand firm in the foundation of Jesus. I take up the shield of faith to quench any of satan's fiery darts. I accept only God's Words and His truth. I put on the helmet of salvation, knowing that my salvation is secure and assured because of Jesus' death and resurrection. May this helmet keep me protected from the enemy and keep me aware of this awesome salvation. May my mind be pure, with thoughts that are only pleasing to You, Lord. I also thank You for the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word—my Bible. I thank you for being able to study it, and may I be desirous to read it and meditate on it throughout the day. Finally, I know the seventh piece of armor is hi prayer. Praying now and always with prayer and supplication. I pray for me, as well as for others. I pray that You will guide me this day. May I be sensitive to Your leading, Your still small voice, and You speaking to me through others. May I be obedient to authority and may I help those You place hi my path and love everyone. Help me to love the unlovable—to love my enemies and those I feel dislike toward. I pray that You will bless me this day, that You will enlarge my territory, that Your hand will be upon me, and that You will keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain to You, myself or others. Now I pray in intercession. I pray for all of my family/friends, everyone that You have placed into my life and ministry. I thank You for them and pray that You bless them. I could pray for hours about my wants, concerns and desires, but I know that there are others who are less fortunate. I know that in praying for other's concerns, You will lighten my frets about my own concerns. Plus I know that You have called me to intercede, so I do that today (pray for any friends or prayer requests). I pray for the un-saved, that You will draw them to You today. I pray for those who will speak to them today, whether a believer, an evangelist or a missionary. I pray for all missions and those persecuted for You. |
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Prayer MessageSubstance
and Evidence of Faith There have been many who have experienced a lot of substance and evidence of God and His work in their lives. I like reading or hearing about such experiences, as it builds my own faith. Hebrews chapter 11 is called the Hall of Faith, and we can read of the many ways in which saints of old experienced and exercised their faith. We also see in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, faith is essential in our relationship with God. It is essential in TRUE Christianity. In fact, that same verse tells us that if we come to God, we must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I believe this concept is what determines the difference between a “religious system” and faith. God is not interested in our religious acts; He wants us to believe Him and to diligently seek HIM. I believe that is why we have the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11—to show us how to have and apply faith in God. EVIDENCE of Faith Besides finding inspiration and confidence in reading about the faith of those in the Bible, I have also been blessed by the ways in which others in more modern times have walked by faith. One such man, George Muller of Bristol, England, is most remembered for his faith in God alone to provide for the orphanage he founded. In a quick summary within the review of the life work of George Muller’s biography, we read the following: To carry out conviction into action is sometimes a costly sacrifice; but whatever Mr. Muller’s fidelity to conviction cost in one way, he has stupendous results of his life-work to contemplate, even while he lived…here was one poor man who, dependent on the help of God only in answer to prayer, could look back over threescore years and see how he had built five large orphan houses and taken into his family over ten thousand orphans. He had given aid to day-schools and Sunday-schools, where nearly one hundred and fifty thousand children had been taught. He had circulated nearly two million Bibles and parts thereof and over three million books and tracts. His preaching covered over seventy years with over ten thousand sermons. His missionary tours covered over two hundred thousand miles and spread through seventeen years. This testimony alone could be all the evidence we need to believe that God really is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. But the ways in which God provided and in many instances, at the very last minute, give even more confidence in such faith. Here are just a few of such testimonies. When it came time to decide to build new orphan houses, there were many objections. Continuance in prayer, however, brought a sense of quiet and restful conviction that all objections were overbalanced by other and favorable considerations. For example: Should God provide large amounts of money for this purpose, it would still further illustrate the power of prayer, offered in faith, to command help from on high. Mr. Muller and his helpers sought day by day to be guided of God, and, as faith fed on this daily bread of contact with Him, the assurance grew strong that help would come. Mr. Muller was as sure of this as though the building already stood before his eyes, though for five weeks not one penny had been sent in for this purpose. As it turned out, God provided, usually at the very time of need (daily manna!), for not just one, but for five new large orphan houses and the large parcel of land as well. His biography continues…For a man, personally penniless, to attempt to erect such a house, on such a scale, without appeal to man and in sole dependence on God was no small venture of faith. On one occasion, during a bitter cold season, the broiler for heating was in need of replacement. “Again, Mr. Muller turned to the living God, and, trusting in Him, decided to have the repairs begun. The Lord was boldly appealed to: “Lord, these are Thy orphans: be pleased to change this north wind to a south wind, and give the workmen a mind to work that the job may be speedily done”. “On that day a south wind blew, and the weather was so mild that no fire was needful! Not only so, but the workmen upon being told to work late in the evening and come early in the morning replied, “We would rather sir, work all night”.” And so, within 30 hours the broiler was replaced and the fire burning again. On another occasion, one that George Muller is probably most remembered for, happened at a time when all funds were depleted and all milk was gone, with none to give the children for that day. George Muller calmly gathered the children and staff together and prayed for God to provide the milk. As soon as the prayer was finished there was a knock at the door. A milkman said that his wagon, full of fresh milk, broke down in front of the house and the milk would sour before repairs would be made, so could the home be of need of the milk free of charge? Although there were tests of faith like that, God bountifully provided for this man’s mission. In Ephesians 3:20, we read that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine, and God did just that! For example, it was sufficient enough that God allowed George Muller to care for over 10,000 orphans, but God exceeded that in at least two ways. First, in education: Reports from the school inspector year after year upon examining pupils in reading, writing, arithmetic, Scripture, geography, history, etc. were reported to have an average mark of 91.1%! Some years were even as high as 94% and 96%! But more important was the moral and spiritual welfare of the orphans. The one main aim of George Muller and his staff was to save these children—to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As mentioned in his biography, “the hindrances were many and formidable! Many of the little ones had no proper bringing up until they entered the orphan houses; and not a few had been trained indeed, but only in satan’s school of drink and lust. And yet, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, Mr. Muller records with devout thankfulness, that The Lord had constrained them, on the whole, to behave exceedingly well, so much so as to attract the attention of observers. Better still, large numbers have, throughout the whole history of this work, given signs of a really regenerate state, and have afterwards maintained a consistent character and conduct, and in some cases have borne singular witness to the grace of God, both by their complete transformation and by their influence for good.” What an astounding testimony to faith in the power of God! A close friend (Robert C. Chapman) of George Muller summed it up this way, “When a man’s chief business is to serve and please the Lord, all his circumstances become his servants”. SUBSTANCE of Faith Now that we have examined some “evidence of things” in the life of George Muller, let us now examine some of the “substance of things”. In other words, what was the substance of George Muller’s faith? George Muller had his own internal test of faith, as we all often do. During his youth, George Muller had a season of backsliding. Here’s what his biography reads regarding that: A carnal attachment, however, for a time almost quenched this fire of God within. Inclination, alas, outweighed duty. Prayer lost its power and for the time was discontinued, with corresponding decline in joy. But God broke through and the love of God both impelled and enabled him to do that which would be a significant step and preparation for his life thereafter. To renounce a life of sinful self-indulgence. This time a decision for God had cost him marked self-denial. George Muller was fully unreservedly given up to God, and therefore walking in the light. George Muller took his faith and conversion very seriously. He laid great stress upon the need of conversion, saying, “Until a man is both truly turned to God and sure of this change in himself he is not fitted to convert others. Ministry is not a human profession, but a divine vocation.” The substance of his faith was sacrifice. He not only gave his life to serve God, but he would not take a budgeted salary either. He trusted in God to provide for himself, and God did just that. In fact, after his death, financial records revealed that George Muller gave back significantly even from the money given personally to him. Of course, this was done in secret and he was careful to not make his sacrifices bring attention to himself. Unlike many of our televangelists of today, George Muller believed frugality was a virtue! He not only refused a set salary, and even gave back much of what was given to him; he was very serious about the stewardship of what was entrusted to him. He felt himself to be the steward of God’s property, and he hesitated to spend one penny on what was not necessary to the frugal carrying on of the work of God. Such sacrifice and devotion took great faith and obviously contributed to the incredible harvest of fruit in his life and ministry. The Secret of Such Faith What was the secret of such a life of faith for George Muller? Obviously, besides the entire giving over to God in submission and self-sacrifice, two very important factors were present—Scripture and prayer. Regarding Scripture, his biography reads, Here then we have a witness to the secret of true prosperity and unmingled blessing: Devout meditation and reflection upon the Scriptures, which are at once a book of law, a river of life, and a mirror of self—fitted to convey the will of God, the life of God, and the transforming power of God. Our knowledge of Christ is dependent upon our acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, which are the reflection of His character and glory. Here is great wisdom from George Muller regarding the application of Scripture: “You will never get at the truth upon any matter of divine revelation unless you lay aside your prejudices and like a little child ask simply what is the testimony of Scripture?". Regarding prayer, George Muller said, “…that our service to our Master is more acceptable and our mission to man more profitable, when saturated with the moisture of God’s blessing—the dew of the Spirit”. His biography continues, to summarize Mr. Muller’s service we must understand his great secret. Such a life and such a work are the result of one habit more than all else,--daily and frequent communion with God. We have seen how, in every new need and crises, prayer was the one resort, the prayer of faith. He first satisfied himself that he was in the way of duty; then he fixed his mind upon the unchanging word of promise; then, in the boldness of a supplicant who comes to the throne of grace in the name of Jesus Christ and pleads the assurance of the immutable Promiser, he presented every petition. He was an unwearied intercessor. No delay discouraged him. George Muller’s substance and evidence of faith can be summed up in his great mission, as recorded in his biography. His main mission was to teach men that it was safe to trust God’s word, to rest implicitly upon whatever He hath said, and obey explicitly whatever He has bidden; that prayer offered in faith, trusting His promise and the intercession of His dear Son, is never offered in vain; and that the life lived by faith is a walk with God, just outside the very gates of heaven. My Personal Substance and Evidence As I mentioned earlier, I have had my own substance and evidence of faith. In late February of 1993, by faith, I believed God could transform the horrible chief sinner I was and allow my life to make a difference. My testimony, Chief Sinner Transformed, describes my life and the outcome to date, and how God was faithful even through many trials and tribulations. Like George Muller, my own secret was in my faith being nurtured with Scripture and prayer. In fact, as I believed and sought God, he not only rewarded my faith exceedingly abundantly beyond what I had imagined, but He gave me a gift of faith to pray for others. That began in 1999 with a weekly intercessory prayer for friends—believing what God can do for others, and seeing many miracles and answered prayer. Even despite losing my children to adoption because of my sinfulness, I believed and trusted that God could bless and protect my children, preventing them from the same negative path that I had pursued. God has rewarded my faith for my children in an amazing way. Shortly after my conversion and beginning this prayer, 3 of my children were placed in a Christian orphanage. Interestingly, it was a place founded under the same principals as George Muller’s orphanages, and at that time it was managed that way. I believe it was a miracle that we found the place and that the children were accepted. In addition, they were placed with what had become the best houseparents for them and God used them and others to make an eternal difference in their lives! God used this place to answer my prayers for my children. My oldest son told me what it was like at that orphanage, and, at that time, it was much like the description we read earlier of George Muller’s orphanages. In fact, I was even told of times when children would pray for specific needs, like bananas or cereal, and the next day a crate would arrive. I have also heard many similar testimonies by one of the houseparents, who, by the way, has become a spiritual mom to me and for over 3 years we have been praying together on an almost weekly basis. Together, we have prayed and experienced many rewards of faith. A few days after writing to this point, my faith for my children was again rewarded beyond what I could ever ask or imagine. My youngest son, Mat, 16 1/2 at the time, who I had not seen since he was a baby, arrived at my door! He sought me for over a year, and when he found my address, his adoptive father brought him, to see me with the hope that it might help him find himself and answers he needed. You see, he did not have the fortunate experience of the Christian orphanage, nor the ability to know his siblings and did not find the security in adoption until age 10. But the reward of my faith was that God had delivered him and given him loving parents. I will now even have the opportunity to make a positive difference in his life at a very crucial time. This miracle is even continuing to unfold now to God’s glory! Concluding Application These testimonies alone reveal much substance and evidence of faith, but there is so much more I could share. Hopefully, though, I have been able to share enough to sprout a seed of faith within you. This has also led to the latest vision in our ministry called the Wall of Remembrance, which is to declare God’s mighty acts and ways that He has helped us. This will include another newsletter to compile the miracles called “Ebenezer Stones”, which are brief testimonies given to us to print and share. This will also include a “Wall of Remembrance” design on our Website, in which each person’s “Ebenezer Stone” miracle will be part of the “wall”. We hope that this will not only inspire people’s faith, but will fulfill a commandment that we are to tell of God’s mighty acts. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. Psalm 96:3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness...Psalm 145:3; 6; 7a God is real, but we are living in an age where faith is lacking and challenged. I believe we are living in the age of apostasy—even some who have had faith have somehow lost it. Therefore it is all the more important to encourage faith, especially for the sake of those who have not put their faith in God. This is also very unlike the faith messages you may see on TV. I hesitate to write out or reference the “name it and claim it” Scriptures which may cause one to test God for a specific prayer. I believe many have lost faith because of such distorted teaching. While it is true that God does answer prayer and we have many promises in Scripture, the reward does not come from demanding something from God, but from diligently seeking Him. In fact, we read in James 4:3, You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. God knows our heart and our motives. He knows whether we are just demanding things, or whether we are diligently seeking Him. He also knows whether we are testing Him (Jesus said we are not to test the Lord—Matthew 4:7), or whether we are truly trusting Him. If you have been deceived by such teaching, I encourage you to trust in God and to diligently seek Him (Hebrews 12:2), and then see how your faith will develop. We must not only ask with proper motives, but we must pray according to God’s will. Sometimes we may be diligently seeking the Lord and asking with good motives, but we may be asking for something that is not according to God’s will, or which would truly not be in the overall best interest. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s ways are not our ways. He may have a better plan, and that is where we must trust Him. I know this very well, because God didn’t always answer my prayers the way I wanted, but I trusted Him and, as I have shared, God was faithful. It is not easy to apply such faith in those moments, but it is possible. With God, all things are possible. We must continue to walk by faith, not by sight. If faith can allow the Apostle Peter to walk on water, then we can walk through the stormy waters of this life, knowing that God is with us. May God be with you and bless your faith! Dedication I dedicate this writing to Herm Weiskopf and my son, Matt. To Herm for loaning me George Muller’s biography, and for the substance of faith evidenced in his life, even hours before he passed through this life into eternity. To Matt, for bringing even more evidence of faith into my life, especially when I had no clue that God was being so faithful. Written January 2009 |
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