Frontline Dispatch – Pray for the Nation

Dateline: USA – This is more than just a second week of praises at what the Lord is doing through prayer.  When you read the article from Religion News Wilmington about a few people in the body of Christ in New Orleans who disregard denominational boundaries to break through demoniacal boundaries, may you be encouraged to step out and step up to the challenge in some way where you live.

Consider this.  Brothers and sisters in Christ coming together, not limiting themselves to a program offered by a church home.  Just stepping out and praying, where they are and when they are there.  Not waiting for someone else to plan something with schedules and rules.  Simply joining together with one another to take back their communities from the control of the enemy of life itself.  Believing by faith they will see it being changed by Jesus Christ, the One Who died so that each one could have life and life more abundantly!

Psalm 133  How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  ² It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.  ³ It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.  NIV

Oh, Father, I ask that each one who reads this, and many others who respond to the wooing of Your Spirit, will simply step up and step out in prayer in their community, in the way You lead them.  Lord, I also ask for divine connections within communities between brothers and sisters in Your body, for there truly is amazing blessing upon Your children coming together in the unity of Your Spirit.  I bind the spirit of religion that seeks to come in and turn a God-thing into simply a good work, by adding all the rules and regulations, and removing the power found in following You freely.    

Thank You, Lord, for these precious brethren in New Orleans.  I ask You to protect them and to help them grow by Your Spirit, both spiritually and numerically.  Thank You for not giving up on New Orleans.  Thank You for not giving up on the people You so love, all over the world!  In Jesus’ name, I pray these things by faith; thereby adding to it the amen – so shall it be!  All glory to You!

Dateline: Guatemala – Anyone besides me ready for an uplifting story?  Prayer is still requested for the ongoing mission in this post.  But it is a great encouragement just to read about what God is doing because some of His people “simply” reached out in His love to people who were in need – most of all, in need of Jesus Christ.

As you read the article about Paradise Bound Ministries on the Mission Network News website, you’ll see why the word “simply” is in quotes in the above statement.  That “simply” means everything involved with building homes and having medical clinics.  From their willingness to help provide these physical needs has come an openness in the recipients to receiving Jesus Christ.  Now, in addition to the “simple” manual labor, the ministry works to disciple and train nationals to be leaders in their own country.

It took time for the church to be birthed in that area, and for steady growth to occur.  After all, the ground had to be worked first.  That’s what makes this story exciting and encouraging.   This ministry has been working in Guatemala steadily for 15 years now.  I can only assume (with a high degree of certainty) that prayer has been a major part of the Paradise Bound Ministries journey, and it will be what keeps them going in years to come, whether in Guatemala or in other nations.

Be encouraged about the ministries you pray for regularly, whether they be large or small.  They need your continued prayer support, because it opens doors for ministry and provision, as well as closing doors on the enemy’s intended harm.  In addition, consider giving financially and with your time, to a familiar ministry or Paradise Bound.  Sometimes, you know, the Lord wants us to put feet to our prayers.

Till next week, thanks for praying!

Dateline: North Korea – The new leader of North Korea appears to be following in his father’s footsteps so far, and that doesn’t bode well for any of the citizens there.  Now that the official mourning period for Kim Jong-Il is over, the authorities are beginning to punish those whose sadness did not appear genuine, as well as those who didn’t attend the mourning services.  Actually, punish isn’t a strong enough word.  Actually, they are being sent to labor-training camps for 6 months for these crimes, according to a Christian Post article.

North Korea has the ignoble distinction of being first on Open Doors’ recently published 2012 World Watch List, which was based on activities before the change of leadership.  It was certainly hoped that Kim Jong-Un would relax the totalitarian hold of his father over the people, but it doesn’t appear to be the case at the outset.  That’s where our prayer comes in.

Not only do we continue to pray for the Lord to work in the hearts of Kim Jong-Un and those working most closely with him, but we intercede for the people of that nation.  The pin-prick to bring tears (Frontline Dispatch December 26, 2011) wasn’t enough to satisfy the powers-that-be.  What else won’t be enough, or will be too much – will be cause for imprisonment?  Without Jesus Christ, there is no hope.  Please pray for the completely hopeless ones.  Even our brothers and sisters there, the ones who have hope in Him, need our prayers for endurance and strength, provision and protection, for peace and joy – in the midst of such unimaginable oppression.

Please don’t quit.  Don’t let the news dishearten you.  God is still the God of the impossible, and He hasn’t given up on the people there.  After all, He gave Jesus Christ for them.

May you be strengthened by Holy Spirit as you pray for strength for others.  Amen.

Dateline: Nigeria – According to the news brief in my local paper (4^th article), the terrorist group of Muslims who entered a Christian gathering in Northern Nigeria on Friday shouted “God is great” as they fired their guns on people praying in Jesus’ name.  Really?  Can a supposed god who is happy because you murder people who don’t believe like you be considered great?  Certainly not.  But our brothers and sisters in places of strong radical Muslim influence live with this deception threatening their very lives.  Sometimes, the government can’t, or won’t, do anything to protect them.

Violence has intensified against Christians in Nigeria, particularly the northern part of the nation, and many have been martyred for Christ.  Thinking on this for a moment, it means many families suddenly face the brutal murder of their friends and loved ones, sometimes before their eyes.  In the midst of their grief, they walk in fear for their own lives – simply because they are disciples of Jesus Christ, the God Who really is great!

This type of persecution is certainly not limited to Nigeria, nor to radical Muslim factions.  Yet, the preponderance of this type of activity has landed Nigeria, ranked 23^rd last year, in the 13^th position on Open Doors 2012 World Watch List – the worst 50 countries for persecution of Christians.

But this is not about numbers.  It is about continuing to pray for our brothers and sisters – this week specifically of northern Nigeria – who are persecuted beyond our imaginings.  Read the information at Open Doors USA for more information about what they face day in and day out.  Then let Holy Spirit lead you in praying for the body of Christ in such a way that they are strengthened, encouraged, protected, emboldened, and enabled to live in the power of His love and forgiveness, even to those who do not yet believe in Christ.

God truly is great, and greatly to be praised – the One Who so loved the people of the world that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ!  All glory to Him!  All His blessings and benefits to our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, even in the midst of their struggles!

I’m not one to make resolutions.  Nor am I big on spending time at the end of a calendar year to take stock of the previous year and set goals for the coming one.  If you do either or both, go for it!  For years I set goals, but ended up feeling guilty for what I’d not accomplished, or a bit out of sorts with the Lord for not doing what I thought He would do.  It became obvious to me that I was trying to limit God to a human calendar year, and it wasn’t working.  But, what does this have to do with prayer?

Frontline Dispatch is posted weekly to help us pray globally, primarily for brothers and sisters in Christ.  Have you found yourself in a bit of a rut where this or any prayer is concerned, though?  You know you’re supposed to pray, so you go through the motions.  It probably wasn’t always like this, having begun as a special time with the Holy Spirit in the past.  Maybe until just now you hadn’t even noticed it had become this way.  That’s why I offer a different post this week – to help us realize how far from relationship our prayer life might have become, and by God’s grace to receive the zoë life of Christ in it once again.

Prayer is so many things, but it begins simply by communing with God, the One Who created us and saved us by the blood of His Son, Jesus.  In this communion, we don’t always ask for things, don’t always declare things, don’t always intercede for others, don’t always talk non-stop.  Sometimes, and most importantly, we listen to our Father’s voice and heart.  Here, we really come to know Him not just for what He does, but for His very nature – Who He is.  It’s from this place of His heart that we come to know not only what He wants us to pray for, but specifically how to pray in each situation.

Though getting to know our Lord is a continual process, He doesn’t make us wait until we spend a certain amount of time before He shares His heart.  He meets us where we are and works from there, leading us by His Holy Spirit.  If we no longer have the enthusiasm in it we once had, we’re most likely doing it in our own strength, though we continue using His name and His Word.  It’s become dry and lifeless because the life is in Christ alone.  But He’s not offended, for Jesus already forgave you!

No matter the date or time, now is the perfect time to repent (change your mind), even about your prayer life.  Your Father is eagerly waiting and longing to have you communing with Him in fellowship once again.  He’s ready for your return, and looks forward to working together with you again in affecting the world for His kingdom.

So, this week there is no prayer assignment to tackle.  This week is my turn to pray for you:

Abba, Daddy, help my precious brothers and sisters find that sweet place of fellowship and communion with You again – where they abide in that secret place and find Your rest not only in their prayer lives, but in every other part of their lives, as well.  When You have recharged them by Your Spirit, Lord, move them back into active duty again, in the position that You have created just for them, the one that’s a perfect fit, even if they are growing into it.  May each one experience Your love and grace in new ways, bringing glory and honor to You.  In Jesus’ amazing name I pray these things.  Amen (So shall it be)!

Dateline: North Korea – With the recent death of Kim Jong-Il, more is at stake than simply the natural change of leadership.  As we have seen so many times this year alone, upheaval within nations where a powerful leader is suddenly gone opens the door for a major spiritual change – in either direction.  This is our opportunity, as people of prayer, to make a positive difference for the kingdom of our God and of His Christ!

An article on the 24-7 Prayer website lists ten important reasons to pray for the new North Korean leader now.  Among them are: oppressive rule of their own people by previous leaders, nuclear technology which could threaten the entire world, famine having killed more than 3 million NK people since 1994 as the government refused outside aid, and up to 100,000 Christians in prison camps of deplorable conditions.  Besides reading the article and praying accordingly, please pass it along to other believers, that they might join us in prayer.

In addition, a second article about this issue is included giving a different perspective, that of Christians who already defected from North Korea.  Not only do we sense some of the struggles they have endured physically, but spiritually, as they struggled with Christ’s heart and their flesh.  In addition, we receive more insight on how far-reaching a repressive regime goes in ruling its people – even requiring public displays of mourning.  Reading this story from Open Doors USA can help our prayers be more specific for the people of North Korea in general, and for our brothers and sisters, specifically.

Colossians 4:2 AMP  Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

Dateline: China – After a lengthy and undeserved prison stay, simply because of following Jesus Christ, would you come away with an attitude of gratitude – so it is evident in the words you speak once you are freed?  That is exactly what Pastor Zhang Rongliang did following his early release in August of 2011.  Besides Jesus, the object of his thanks were those who had prayed for him during his imprisonment.  What a reflection of Christ!

As you read the article from Open Doors USA, notice some of the many ways Holy Spirit had people praying for Pastor Zhang.  Besides those who knew him personally – his family and friends in China – the people of Open Doors not only kept in touch with him, but continued to remind many around the world of his situation needing prayer, via newsletters, internet, etc.  The few moments of some and the many hours of others in prayer for Pastor Zhang made a difference in his attitude, his ability to endure, his willingness to let the light of Christ shine through him even in the prison.  That is his testimony.

How many more, if given the same opportunity, would be able to give similar testimony of the Lord working through the prayers and encouraging notes of people all around the world – people who will probably never know them?  That’s why we bring news from around the world of brothers and sisters in Christ.  Whether we ever hear stories like these, we can be assured by faith that our prayers are effective, because we are in Christ.

Besides his overflow of thankfulness, Pastor Zhang also had prayer requests for major health concerns and for his family.  Be sure to read the article so you can pray specifically for him once again.  The Lord didn’t leave him while he was in prison, and He won’t leave him now.  Keep praying.  It makes a difference!

Dateline: Papua – Famine is always the result of drought – where the dust flies, and remaining trees and plants are coated and withering.  Right?  Actually, famine is an extreme scarcity of food – period.  That’s what the people of Papua are experiencing now, yet it’s a result of too much rain.  Sometimes rain has flooded their gardens, while other times their gardens slide off the side of the mountain.  The end result is no food.  Read more in the Mission Network News article.

Papua is a small nation, but its people are precious to our heavenly Father.  Though their plight hasn’t made it to the main media outlets, it has not escaped the people of Mission Aviation Fellowship.  They are fulfilling the difficult task of flying food into various areas of the nation.  Even that has proven to be more difficult than it has to be, due to a strike forcing them to fly out of their way for fuel.

Not only do we ask you to pray for the people of Papua who are facing starvation, but for our brothers and sisters with MAF as they reach out in the name of Jesus to feed the hungry.  Thank you for praying from the heart of our Father.

Dateline: Libya – Things are still in a very unsettled state in Libya, despite the successful overthrow, capture, and execution of Muammar Kaddafi.  He was such a dictator that leaders were not taught how to run a government.  That, in itself, calls for intercession in the spirit realm.

More than this, we have brothers and sisters in Christ still living in this nation – still being persecuted.  As reported to people ministering there, “Even in the throes of civil war, Christians have been keenly aware of prayers from around the world.”  Isn’t this amazing and wonderful at the same time?  We can be so far from the scene that we really have no grasp of how difficult it is to live day-in and day-out.  Yet our prayers for hope, protection, health, peace, grace, etc., are felt by these people we only know by the Spirit of God.

With this revelation as added fuel, let’s continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Libya, and for their nation.  As one Libyan pastor stated, “Please pray for freedom in this country.  Pray for wisdom for the new leaders.  Thank you for all your prayers – may we see the glory of God in Libya.”  Let’s also declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over Libya!

Dateline: World – Most of you probably already understand what I only saw today in considering the actions of the representatives at the United Nations.  The efforts and decisions today are like those of the people in Genesis 11:1-8.  The tower the men of that day sought to build was to bring honor to themselves.  They set out to “reach the heavens” with it, but was there a spiritual basis for it?  Could it be the very same tactic the devil, clothed in serpent’s clothes, used with Adam and Eve – that they could be like God?

Making even a brief study of the actions of the majority of today’s members of the United Nations, if we look with spiritual eyes, we find similar purposes at work.  While there is unity, it is unity of the spirit of the world, or the anti-Christ.  It is not the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.¹  What did the Lord say about the people in Genesis?

Genesis 11:6  NIV  The Lord  said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

The same language today is the language of the heart – in this case, it’s the language of the world, seeking the one-world government, ruled by the anti-Christ.  But . . . just as in the days of Genesis, our God is not powerless!

Genesis 11:7-8  NIV  ⁷ “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”  ⁸ So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

Today, our all-powerful God uses the prayers of His people to confuse the language (the plans?) so they will not understand each other.  As long as we are on this earth, it is not a given that there will be a one-world government as planned by man.  We have the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ alive in us to lead our prayer, to direct us to declare and decree specific verses and passages in His Word, and to be part of the forcefully advancing kingdom of heaven right here on earth!²

So, let’s pray in all His boldness, calling it forth in the spirit realm first, and then watching in the natural, as the world’s language is confused and the plans of the enemy are thwarted, while the plans of God are fulfilled!