IBSA Prayer Ministries: February 2008

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Prayer as Evangelism

Praying for the unbeliever
By Keith Manuel

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP)--Prayer is a powerful evangelistic tool. It not only changes others, but it changes you. Prayer shapes the attitudes that motivate you.

Jesus told us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. Why do you think He told us to do this? Could it be our hearts are in need of change?

When we pray for people, it changes our thoughts and actions toward them. If we allow God to direct our prayers, we see even our enemies from God's perspective. We become open to sharing the Gospel with anyone because we know God's overarching desire is for the world to be saved.

Donna Taylor prayed for her husband, Ancil, for years before he came to faith in Christ. In her mind, even though she prayed for him, she couldn't picture him actually in church. It just was not a part of who he was.

Ancil wasn't opposed to his family attending church. In fact, when their three children would come home from worship, he would ask about what they learned that day.

As a newer member of Calvary Baptist in New Orleans, Donna joined a women's Bible study group for fellowship and personal growth. In sharing prayer requests, the women found out five of them had husbands who were not believers.

The women began an intentional time of prayer for their husbands and for themselves. The wives prayed that they would be the kind of wives that honor Christ and cause their husbands to desire a relationship with Jesus.

For two years, Donna prayed with her friends before Ancil finally surrendered his life to Christ. In fact, all five of the husbands who the women prayed for were saved.

Just as Donna prayed for her husband, you can pray for your friend or family member who is not a believer. To remember how to pray for someone who is not a believer, you can use the acrostic HEARTS. Pray for:

-- Hearts to be receptive. The Bible says God shines on people's hearts to give light to the knowledge of God's glory (2 Corinthians 4:6).

-- Ears to be open. Paul told his Jewish brothers that the saving work of God was sent to the Gentiles -– they also will listen (Acts 28:28). We need to pray that our friends and family will listen to the Gospel.

-- Attitudes to be changed. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Your unbelieving friend or family member's attitude toward sin and the Savior must change to receive God's salvation. Pray for it.

-- Repentance to occur. God calls people to repentance so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19). Jesus told people to repent and believe in the Good News (Mark 1:15). This step is the surrendering of one's life to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

-- Transformation to begin. Transformation comes by the renewing of the mind so that someone can discern the will of God (Romans 12:2). Your prayer should be for your friend to experience God's transforming power so that he or she can become a committed follower of Christ.

-- Servants to be obedient. God's plan is for His followers to be witnesses all over the world (Acts 1:8). When praying for your friend or family member, pray for Christians to be obedient to Jesus' call. Pray that Christians will share the Gospel and live an authentic Christian life before an unbelieving world.

Prayer is a powerful tool. Who knows, it may be that God is trying to change you in the process.

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*Coaching? Teaching? Preaching? on prayer ... Contact Phil@nppn.org

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

New IMB Prayer Resource for Kids

We launched our new children’s prayer resource today. We would deeply appreciate it if you would forward this message on through your various networks. Thanks!!! Ed Cox, IMB

“Let the little children come to Me, and don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

A JAPANESE BOY HEARS ABOUT JESUS
A Japanese boy named KK went on a school bus trip. He sat beside a boy who was having troubles at school. KK shared his testimony about how Jesus answers his prayers and how much Christ loves him…

Go to http://kompray.imb.org to read more of this story and to find prayer requests from Missionary Kids around the world!

Dear Intercessor!
KOMpray: Kids on Mission Pray is a new prayer resource and is a work in progress. We welcome your comments and suggestions. We want to offer prayer requests about children—children around the world who are just learning about Jesus and Missionary Kids who share His love along with their parents. The goal is to encourage children of all ages to pray and trust God to answer! To provide input, please email KOMpray@imb.org.

THIS IS ONLY A SAMPLE. TO SUBSCRIBE TO KOMPRAY CLICK ON http://www.imb.org/main/pray/kompray/getnwsltr.asp.
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God is at work all around the world through . . . Your Praying . Your Giving . Your Missionaries . You - On Mission "A Southern Baptist Convention entity supported by the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®."

© Copyright 2008 International Mission Board. All rights reserved.

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* Visit http://www.IBSA.org/prayer.php for more articles and resources

* To receive monthly updates on new postings, email phil@nppn.org
*Coaching? Teaching? Preaching? on prayer ... Contact Phil@nppn.org

Monday, February 11, 2008

Praying @ Your Desk

NOTE> Below is a prayer guide used by the staff of the Illinois Baptist State Association as they spent a morning together in prayer...

Please pray in faith that tomorrow will be the beginning of a whole new journey of closer connectivity with God for us at IBSA, and perhaps even for those we serve. I’m now praying that tomorrow we’ll all be able to genuinely “stop” the busyness of life for a few hours, and to relax and focus on the Lord and restoring better “connection” with Him, and then just be open to whatever His Spirit might awaken in our hearts and lives.

Thanks, Nate Adams, Executive Director

Praying at Your Desk

As you come to your desk this morning, not just to work but to pray…

…Spend a few moments inviting God to meet you in a special way at this place where you spend so much time. Imagine how He sees you as you go through your routines here each day, and how He sees the eternal significance of your work. Ask Him to guide your thoughts as you pray about your work.

• Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him -- for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work -- this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

…Thank the Lord for giving you meaningful work that helps provide for your and your family, and that joins Him in His redemptive mission to the world. Thank Him for the satisfaction you find in your work, and in your work relationships. List the specific things you are most grateful for about your job, and thank Him for each one.

• Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

• Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men... Colossians 3:23

...Talk to the Lord about the main tasks that make up your job. What kind of help do you need? What things is it hard to see happening unless the Lord intervenes or gives new strength or ability? What goals do you have in your work that you would ask the Lord to help you achieve for His glory? Tell Him how you think those things would honor Him and fulfill His Kingdom purposes. Where has He promised in His word that those kinds of things are important to Him? How might you claim the promises of God in praying for your work? (continued on back…)

• It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe. Proverbs 29:25

• When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

• If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

…Who are the people at work that need your intercession this morning? Who is going through special challenges? Who is hardest for you to work with, and why? Ask the Lord how He could be more honored in your work relationships, and how he might desire to specifically use you, or change you…

• For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. Proverbs 24:16

• Come to me, all of you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

…What are the largest challenges you are facing in your work? What is wearing you out physically, emotionally, spiritually? Ask God for strength to persevere…

• In everything you do put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Proverbs 3:6 (LB)

• Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

…How much does your prayer life intersect your work life? Talk to God about that question. Do you earnestly pray about your work? Do your work strategically to fulfill your part of your prayers? What would it look like, what would it be like, what would it feel like, for prayer to be the first and most important part of your work?

…Ask the Lord to speak to you throughout the morning about how He would like to have a more interactive role in your job through prayer…

Praying at Your Desk

If you were to pray more intentionally and consistently for your work, and as part of your work…

When would you do it?

How would you do it – in other words, what would be your consistent process for weaving prayer into your daily, weekly, monthly work?

What would be the top five or ten topics on your work prayer list?

…Ask the Lord to speak to your heart and to make it clear to you personally what, if anything, you are to do to make prayer more a priority part of your work life. What is he saying to you, not about the “routine” or “method” of prayer, but about staying spiritually connected to Him as you work?

If your ministry were to have a stronger “culture” of prayer, one that would encourage you personally, what would that look like? What ideas, thoughts or inspiration have you heard today that you would most like to see happen in the days ahead? Write down those that you’d like to encourage Nate or others to consider…

…Ask the Lord to use this focused time of praying and all its aspects and outcomes to draw you and your colleagues in ministry closer to Him. Ask Him to fill us with His Spirit and to inhabit and empower our work for the sake of His Kingdom, both here in Illinois and around the world. Conclude with a time of praise and adoration. Enjoy today’s extra time with your Father.

Prayer 101: New Book by SBC Prayer Leader

With some basic training in intercessory prayer, you can learn to pray the way God intended—with eternal impact. If you would you like to hear God’s voice and know that He hears yours, begin to understand biblical principles outlined in Prayer 101. Learn to apply this knowledge to your personal and church prayer life through the variety of prayer opportunities available to intercessors today.

For church leaders who recognize that members are often intimidated by the commitment to intercessory prayer, Prayer 101 is an invaluable training resource. Aspiring intercessors can be equipped to serve in a variety of prayer opportunities throughout the church===>Click headline for more information . . .

Elaine Helms is manager of prayer and spiritual awakening at the North American Mission Board where she chairs the interentity prayer leaders team and facilitates an annual meeting of SBC state convention prayer leaders. She represents Southern Baptists on the National Prayer Committee and the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network. She previously served for 12 years as a prayer ministry coordinator on the staff of a large church in Atlanta, where she trained members, spoke at other churches, and learned firsthand what intercessors want and need to know in order to become effective in prayer. She now travels frequently across the US and Canada speaking and teaching on prayer.

Friday, February 08, 2008

Live with Urgency ~ Impact North America

2008 North American Missions Emphasis

North America is a vast and populous place; a place where the majority of individuals have no relationship with Christ. But Southern Baptists can make a difference. Imagine your unbelieving family member or friend embracing the truths of Christ. Imagine the face of a homeless person at the moment he recognizes the hope and acceptance found only in Jesus Christ. Imagine the global impact of an international student studying in America, returning home to share his new found faith with family and friends. Imagine what God can do with $61 million directed to more than 5,200 missionaries serving in the United States, Canada, and their territories. Imagine a spiritual awakening when Southern Baptists commit to praying for missions, learning about missions, and giving sacrificially to missions.

Scripture tells us that night is coming when no man can work. Will you fervently pray for the effectiveness of our missionaries? Will you seek out opportunities to share Christ with others? Will you commit to giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering?

Will you seize your divine moment and live with urgency and help turn imagination into reality?

===>Click headline for resources * Prayer articles coming soon!

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Praying with Urgency

Special Notice!

Ron Barker of the South Carolina Baptist Convention will lead a prayer focused break-out at the Church Strengthening SuperConference, March 10-11, 2008.

He will explain how to connect evangelism and prayer in a practical and simple way,

===Click headline for more information . . .

IBSA Prayer Ministries