Monday, November 30, 2009

Build A Global Prayer Perspective

Pray

Hundreds of people groups have no contact with the message of Jesus Christ. Your church can pray for Christ's witness to be shared among one of these people groups.

Both PrayerPlus and Prayerthreads provide a way for your church to take the first step in reaching a people group that has little or no access to the Gospel.

For more information about a either of these partnerships call (888) 462-7729 or e-mail the Global Prayer Strategy Office.

Other ways your can lead your church to pray

"Lift Up Your Voice" churchwide call to prayer
Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Evangelization
Week of Prayer for International Missions

Spotlight

Are YOU following the prayer director's blog? See what's on his mind!

* Type keywords in "Search This Blog box" above
* 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

Friday, November 27, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ Frank Page family covets prayer in loss of daughter

Frank Page family covets prayer in loss of daughter

Frank Page

Frank Page, who serves as vice president of evangelization for the North American Mission Board and served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2006-2008 has asked for prayer for himself and his family in the death of his daughter, Melissa.

Page and his wife, Dayle, announced their daughter’s death in a brief statement in which they said they had “encountered one of the most tragic events parents have to face — the loss of a child. The details of this event are still too fresh to recount at this time.” The Pages covet your prayers in this most difficult time of their lives, the statement said.

Melissa was 32 years old and a member of Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina, where her father was most recently pastor. She was married to Thomas Strange III, whom she met through the church. Funeral arrangements were pending.

IBSA @ Prayer ~ WMU + Missionaries + Birthdays

Praying around the world, one birthday at a time
By Wanda Lee, Executive Director, National WMU

During a recent Women on Mission celebration event, I sat at a table with a missionary who was home for a brief stateside assignment. We enjoyed listening to her share about her life and work in Mexico. Following dinner, the prayer calendar was presented with an emphasis on the importance of praying for our missionaries every day. Immediately the missionary raised her hand and reminded everyone that her birthday was listed on the last day of the month. She asked us to especially remember her as she cared for ailing parents.

As the evening progressed and we talked further about the importance of praying for missionaries, she shared an incident that happened to a fellow missionary. That missionary had experienced a robbery that could have had disastrous results. Instead of being extremely distraught, however, the missionary remained unusually calm. When asked about it later, she explained the incident happened on her birthday. She knew people across the United States were praying for her because her name was on the prayer calendar.

I have heard other stories from missionaries like this one. Missionaries consistently say the power of prayer is the most important thing we can offer them.

They often report delaying decisions or undertaking difficult assignments until their birthday. They know they will receive extra prayer that day. While they rely on you and me for many things to enable them to stay on the field, they count on us most to be faithful in our praying.But they also count on us to be good stewards with our giving. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provides more than half the overseas budget of IMB (International Mission Board). It covers missionaries' salaries, benefits and the resources needed for their work.

As we enter this season of praying and giving, as we plan the International Mission Study for all ages in our churches and as we promote and gather the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, let's remember the reason for our efforts. It is not about fundraising or special events in our churches. It is about celebrating what God is doing through the lives of committed missionaries all around the globe as they tell the story of God's amazing grace. It is about celebrating the birth of our Savior. It is about responding to the needs of those who do not know Him, through faithful giving and praying.

I love the prayer calendar because it is a tool for teaching disciplined praying. For me, it is a daily reminder of my responsibility to lift up those who go - and to give as God leads me to - so they can stay.

Wanda Lee is executive director-treasurer for national Woman's Missionary Union.

* Type keywords in "Search This Blog box" above * 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

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Prayer + CARE ===> Share

NEW YORK (BP)--It's a cold, rainy Saturday in New York City, and Vaughn McLamb ladles up steaming cups of chicken soup for the homeless, addicts, immigrants and urban poor gathered at Tompkins Square Park on the Lower East Side.

Whether Puerto Rican, Chinese, Eastern European or other ethnic background, they've come for FLIP -- a free lunch in the park, a ministry provided by East Seventh Baptist Church and Graffiti Community Ministries. Graffiti Church, as it's commonly known, has been serving the Lower East Side since 1974. At the helm is North American Mission Board missionary and pastor Taylor Field.

Every weekend, Field and a group from Graffiti Church set up in the park to feed the hungry===>Click headline to access full article . . .

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Update on Former IBSA Staffer, Allen Mashburn

Allen has been undergoing therapy but passed out yesterday due to the strain. Now the Dr. want him to remain in the hospital for another 10 days to build up strength before he comes home. The family is disappointed but understand the necessity of this decision. He has lost so much muscle strength over the past 90 days that he will have to work hard to get his strength back. He will come home for four hours Thanksgiving day.

Also his father died in the early hours this morning. Allen and the family's grief is very difficult especially because they cannot be there for his funeral. His father will be buried at a military cemetery in Tennessee probably on Friday.
Jeannie's mom is about the same. Everyone is weary but holding onto hope. Your faithful prayers are supporting them up during these sad and difficult days.

Many blessings and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely, Pastor Michael Wilder

Monday, November 23, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ Add Johnny Hunt to Your Church Prayer List

WOODSTOCK, Ga. (BP)--Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt has announced that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo initial treatment in January.

Hunt, 57, pastor of the Atlanta-area First Baptist Church of Woodstock, reported the diagnosis in a statement to Southern Baptists released through Baptist Press Nov. 23.

Hunt was elected SBC president during the convention's June 2008 annual meeting in Indianapolis and re-elected at this year's meeting in Louisville, Ky., when he was instrumental in the formation of a 23-member Great Commission Resurgence Task Force.

In October, Hunt and his wife Janet visited four countries in the Middle East and North Africa, accompanied by several other First Baptist staff members and pastors and missions leaders from churches in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina.

Hunt is the third SBC leader this year to disclose a prostate cancer diagnosis, following O.S. Hawkins in August and Jack Graham in June. Hawkins is president of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Graham, a former SBC president, is pastor of the Dallas-area Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano.

Hunt's full statement to Southern Baptists follows:

"I wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I appreciate your prayers for me as I have attempted to lead you over the past year and a half. I have been having my issues in recent days with my PSA as doctors have monitored carefully my prostate. With that being said, I received word this past Thursday, Nov. 19th, of the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Let me say that I am very encouraged in my heart to believe that they were able to locate this cancer early and Janet and I are now praying for wisdom from Heaven to know exactly what procedure to choose to deal with this cancer, probably around the second week in January. We would appreciate your prayers on this journey.

"As a Pastor, one thing that comes to mind is that there are far more trials and illnesses in God's family than we are aware of. My heart goes out to all who are challenged with cancer, or whatever the illness may be. My Mother suffered with cancer and went home to be with the Lord 25 years ago next February. My Mom taught me in her challenges that the Lord had moved her from 'Why me?' to 'Why not me?' I must confess that she really did pass that along to me; therefore, my attitude today is not 'Why me?' but 'Why not me?' If anyone has been blessed by God, it is this Pastor. The Lord has been so good to me. I believe that the Lord oftentimes allows things to come into our lives, and this, in particular, has been a great reminder of my mortality, and also of a genuine faith that has brought me through everything that I have ever faced; so, the Lord has been speaking encouraging words into my heart. I have the privilege to be the Pastor of such a precious, precious fellowship. First Baptist Church Woodstock has embraced Janet and me, along with our children and grandchildren, in such an encouraging way.

"I just wanted to make this known to you, as our Convention family, that I love you, it is a joy leading you, and I look forward to serving the Lord together in the days to come. We will try to keep you abreast of my surgery because we so desire to have your prayers and intercessions on our behalf. Know that each of you are loved."

Compiled by Baptist Press editor Art Toalston.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Praying Daily for the Lost and the Least

	Evangelism Connection	view as web page NOVEMBER 2009
	Evangelism news from the Mission America Coalition

The whole Church taking the whole gospel to the whole nation - and to the world.

43% of Southern Baptist pastors strongly agree evangelism is often overshadowed by other priorities.
96% of Southern Baptist pastors strongly agree every Christian has a responsibility to share the gospel with non-Christians.
82% of Southern Baptist pastors invite people to come forward to make spiritual decisions.
81% of Southern Baptist pastors feel responsible to lead their churches by example in the area of evangelism.
86% of Southern Baptist pastors pray daily for people they know who are not professing Christians.
39% of Southern Baptist pastors say personal evangelism does not come easily for them.
99% of Southern Baptist pastors have invited at least one unchurched person to attend a church service or program in the past 6 months.

News and Trends information compiled and edited by Gary Foster, President of Gary D Foster Consulting, a firm that assists Christian ministries and product companies in solving management, marketing, donor/customer service and product development problems. Contact Gary at: 419.238.4082, GFosterCns@rmi.net or go to www.GaryDFoster.com.

IBSA @ Prayer ~ Update on Former IBSA Staffer) {Pray today!)

Post Surgery - -

Allen's surgery went better than expected. When I visited him & his family today there was such a sense of relief & even joy & laughter. He will stay several days for intensive therapy. He was supposed to return to the Heartland facility BUT FOR SOME REASON HE CHANGED HIS MIND. ALLEN IS GOING HOME EARLY NEXT WEEK!!! I cannot thank you enough for all your prayers. God bless you.

Imagine the thanksgiving at the Mashberns' home this year. He is in room 618 Provena hospital Urbana (for only a couple more days). In Christ's name. Pastor Mike Wilder

November 20th - -
Thank you and bless you today. He is still waiting to be taken into surgery. We had a good prayer time and read scriptures. I annointed him and prayed over him with his family. A good time with the Lord and him. Be sure to thank everyone who has been praying. Pastor Mike

November 19th - - -

Allen will have his surgery to amputate his leg today at 11:30 am, They will remove his foot and leg about 3 inches below his knee. Exhaustion and discouragement are their unwanted companions. Their abiding hope remains in the Lord. Your prayers continue to sustain them. Please join me today at 11:00 am in prayer for them. Ask the compassionate Lord Jesus to cradle Allen and Jeannie in His arms. May Christ be glorified and the Mashberns glow with the glory from on high.

your brother, Mike Wilder

Allen Mashburn's surgery to amputate his leg will be this Thursday November 19 at 11:30 am. He will check into Provena Hospital, Urbana at 9am. I believe both Allen and Jeannie have accepted this as necessary. The foot continually became worse and no healing. The danger of infection was too big a risk so amputation was the only option. He will remain in the hospital after surgery for a few days. He will then return to Heartland Health care center. Healing normally takes about 5 weeks and then he will be fitted for his new foot. The surgery will remove his lower leg and foot about 3 inches below the knee.

Pray for peace that passes understanding. Pray for comfort from the Lord. Pray for no complications.

Thank you again. Pastor Mike Wilder

Monday, November 16, 2009

Great Prayers in the Bible -- 19-Page Complimentary Download

Great Prayers in the Bible, 19-Page Complimentary Download

Pastor, I've just published a set of six brief prayer studies which deal with some of the great prayers in the Bible. These two to three-page studies deal with the prayers of Paul, Nehemiah, Elijah, Jesus, and others. They are written by Rick Ezell and would work well for a Wednesday evening, Sunday evening, or other time when you lead a less formal Bible study time.

1. Praying for People Facing Hard Times - Part 1, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

2. Praying for People Facing Hard Times - Part 2, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

3. Praying for Leaders in High Places, Nehemiah 1:4-11

4. Praying that We Will Do More for God, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

5. Praying for God to be Famous, 1 Kings 18:36-39

6. How to Pray for Your Children, Matthew 20:20-28

Download all six prayer studies now (19-page PDF)

Teach them to pray,

Craig Webb, Editor
View back issues of Pastors Today or view sermons and preaching articles in Proclaim Online.

Access other brief studies in prayer - complimentary downloads

Pastor, I want to make sure you have access to these other prayer studies by Rick Ezell which I have published in the past couple of years.

Praying Like Jesus, 10 Brief Studies in Prayer (Prayers of Jesus)
Prayer that Changed History: 7 Brief Studies of Prayer (Acts)
The Power of Praying in God's Name, 12 Brief Studies of Prayer (Names of God)
Being the Answer to Jesus' Prayer, 16 Brief Studies in Prayer (John 17)

And, if you are looking for a great small group prayer study, be sure to check out Pray in Faith by T.W. Hunt and Claude King. It is an excellent study to help your church family learn principles of prayer and learn how to pray in small groups. Download a 17-page sample of Pray in Faith here.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Just Back from the 2009 IBSA Annual Meeting . . .

. . . was thinking how blessed it was to:

be led by a moderator who threaded prayer throughout the sessions in such a pastoral and authentic way

see messengers to the Annual Meeting taking a prayer-break in the Prayer Room

hear applause for an Annual Sermon calling us to make whatever changes necessary to become churches for everyone

watch our Executive Director's smiles as each church planter gave testimony to the new ways Jesus is building His Church

experience a hunger-for-God with fellow pastors and leaders at the Pastors Conference

THANKS! to those who took the time to pray!

Pray. Click. Celebrate!

Help your members connect personally with missionaries

US/C2Missionary Jamie Daughtry (right) was honored at a luncheon last spring by her "Missionary Encouragers" at Friendship Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Ga. Read More >

I started t install, but it needed admin or did something else unexpected, so I left it. you might want to cancel and start over.

let me save this first, though. or copy at least. One catalyst for transforming ordinary churchgoers into mobilized on-mission Christians is a personal connection with a missionary. The closer people get to hands-on missions, the more they become active in prayer, personal involvement, and financial support.

It’s a key concept we’ll likely revisit often in this newsletter, but for now here are just a few ideas:

Be a Missionary Encourager. Your church can adopt a missionary family, providing prayer support, notes of encouragement, care packages, partnership opportunities, speaking invitations and just about any other type of connection you can imagine.
- Churches form connections as 'Missionary Encouragers'
- An alternative approach, developed by a Florida congregation
Write. You can look up missionaries and chaplains from any state at www.namb.net/missionaries and find contact information. Individuals can look up missionaries with their birthday – an instant point of connection.
Pray. Our main Missionary Prayer Requests page offers a daily request from a missionary, and other resources are available here. After you’ve prayed, let the missionaries know you’re in their corner.
Go. Visit The Bridge to find missionaries who need volunteer mission teams for specific projects, and watch the lasting relationships that form as a result.
Attend a Missionary Commissioning Celebration. This is a little tough unless the service is in your area, but when one is nearby this is a great way to hear testimonies and meet missionaries soon after they’ve begun their ministry.

Friday, November 06, 2009

IBSA @ Prayer ~ ALERT for Former IBSA Staff Member

THURSDAY UPDATE ...

Allen went to the surgeons in Chicago for a final consultation. They determined that his foot could not be saved. The prior surgeries did not work. He returned back to the Heartland Health Center in Urbana last night. The amputation surgery will be performed at Provena Hospital in Urbana. He has an appointment with the surgeon on this Friday. Uncertain if the surgery will be done then. I'll let you know. He will remain in the hospital for about 5 days of recovery. Then he can come home (first time in 80+ days). After 5 weeks of healing he will be fitted for his "new foot." Allen and Jeannie have come to accept this decision as necessary to save his life not merely his foot.

Also continue to remember Allen's father in Tennessee is near death. And Jeannie's mother in Illinois live in a Nursing home near them. She too can not live much longer.

Your prayers have been their sustaining grace through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor Mike Wilder

Allen's prayer army, Thank you again for your faithful response to Allen and Jeannie Mashbern's great needs. They have repeatedly been lifted up because you have cried out to the Lord in their behalf. We are convinced the Lord has helped them all during this difficult time because of the fervent prayers and the gracious

response of our Loving Savior.

Allen was put back in the Hospital late last week with very high fevor (106) due to three different forms of infection including staph infection. The fever has come back down but the foot is not healing. Most Dr's and surgeons have recommended amputation a few inches below the knee. His main surgeon is holding out for one more possible treatment. Much depends on insurance. It involves moving from Provena to Carle hospital. Only Carle in Urbana has the equipment needed (similar to the machines used for polio patients).

Allen has had serious bouts with these infection twice now. Dr's told them if he gets in one more time it could be fatal. Much is riding on the next couple of days. So please pray for wisdom and God's perfect plan for Allen. They need you to beseech the Lord. They love you for all you have done. May our Lord bless your many needs too.

Pastor Mike Wilder

P.S. Allen's Father in Tennessee has only two weeks to live. He is dying of Lukemia. Allen grieves because he cannot be with his dad. Nor will he be able to attend his funeral. Since Allen broke his foot, he has spent 67 days and counting in hospitals and care facilities.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

SBC @ Prayer ~ A Prayer List of 70 Leads to Transformation

Missionary Focus: Dave Storey

View, Download or Share

Dave Storey was grieved at the spiritual darkness in his hometown of Doaktown, New Brunswick. A pastor and a vocational evangelist, he first left the town of about 1,000 people in 1983. But in 2006 he returned – this time as a missionary church planter.

Storey started with a prayer list: 70 individuals who desperately needed Christ. Then he began to see transformation. In a town once unchurched, almost 20 percent are now at the church every Sunday. They've even started a church in a neighboring town; it just seemed natural, as new believers wanted to keep sharing their faith.

"We try to teach everyone right from the get-go that it is their responsibility to share the gospel, and a privilege," Storey says.

This video sends a powerful message of what can happen when an unchurched community discovers Jesus. It speaks to the importance of Southern Baptist missionaries willing to go to such places, and of believers willing to share the gift of Christ.

The story of Miramichi Valley Church also is featured in the Oct. 31 episode of On Mission Xtra, along with Storey's own guitar rendition of of 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Prayer Countdown ~ A Guide for the Congregation

Prayer Countdown

Preparing The Congregation for a Prayer Emphasis

by Rob Gallion
Ridgway FBC

Day 1 Psalm 145

Let your heart soak in the goodness of our God and King—and give Him praise

Day 2 Phil 2:5-11

Pray that your life will honor the One who is the “Name above all names”

Day 3 Matt 6:33

Pray for the hunger to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness

Day 4 Heb 10:1-10

May your prayer be to say with Jesus: “I have come to do Your will, O God.”

Day 5 Ex 16:1-36

Ask in great faith for the Lord to supply all our needs, that His glory may be shown

Day 6 Matt 18:21-35

Pray for the grace to forgive others with the same mercy God has given you

Day 7 2 Tim 2:19-22

Pray that God will keep turning you away from sin, leading you to holiness

Day Nov 8 2 Sam 22

May those who have been delivered by the Lord sing His praise with joy

Day 9 Deut 32

Pray that all men would take these words of life to heart, and know the Lord

Day 10 Rom 10:14-17

Ask the King to send messengers of the Good News to those who need to hear

Day 11 John 17

Pray with Jesus for the unity of the Body of Christ as a witness to the world

Day 12 Luke 9:10-17

Give thanks today for God’s provision as you marvel that nothing is impossible

Day 13 Col 3:12-14

Ask the Lord to clothe His church in the image and love of Christ Jesus

Day 14 Ps 139:23-24

Allow God to search your heart thoroughly and direct you in His ways

Day 15 Rev 4

May our worship rise continually to the Lord who is worthy of glory

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Eph. 3:14-21

Monday, November 02, 2009

Interview: Compelled by Love to Pray & Care & Share

Compelled by Love
To Pray and Care and Share

http://www.gbrea.org/clientimages/39977/2009meeting/phillipnation.jpg

Phil Miglioratti, IBSA Prayer Consultant, interviewed Philip Nation, co-author of Compelled By Love

Phil ~ While reading Compelled by Love, I discovered that you and Ed Stetzer are more than co-authors, you had been co-pastors. Do you two write and work well together because you are more similar or dissimilar?

Philip ~ Hey Phil. Let me first say thanks for this opportunity to interact with you and share my thoughts with your readers.

Ed and I have come to a mutual appreciation of one another but we are very dissimilar. He grew up in a nominally Catholic home in NYC. I grew up in an actively Christian home in Birmingham, Alabama. But we found teamwork in the ministry and writing came easy for us because of the balance and synergy which occurred.

Phil ~ Early in the book you write:

"Our prayer is that God will use Compelled by Love to help transform your thinking and actions ... We hope you will feel His compelling call to carry the gospel into your missions fields of family, neighborhoods, and communities."

It seems we are shifting our emphasis from only teaching mission theology to missional thinking. We remain committed to the biblical teachings on missions but we are also recognizing the critical need to transform our thinking . . .

Philip ~ It is not just a matter of our thinking - although it can often use some adjusting. The shift from Missiology being an academic matter to a church matter calls for a significant change in our perspective of the community in which we live. The danger we must guard against is that we move Missiology from the seminary to the ministerial ranks and feel it is enough. My call is for pastors to further equip those they lead with a missional perspective. In other words, ensure that believers look through the lens of eternity and mission in all of their relationships.

Phil ~ Your statement also reflects another shift of emphasis from an almost exclusive focus on witnessing to individuals to also recognizing the need to develop evangelistic strategies that reach both neighbors and neighborhoods.

Philip ~ When we look at the Scriptures, we see a call to care for the cities in which we live. It is a both/and rather than an either/or. We must witness to the individuals and be concerned for the subdivisions, communities, school zones, towns, suburbs, and cities in which we live.

Phil ~ Has the 21st century church in America ignored, forgotten, misunderstood or simply disobeyed the verse you use as the theme of the book: "For Christ's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14)?

Philip ~ I think it has simply gone unnoticed. That would be the case for most of 2 Corinthians - it is perhaps the most ignored letter from the apostle Paul. But in regards to the principle of being "compelled by love," I believe we have simply allowed love to be poorly defined in the modern age as sappy sentimentality and therefore has lost most of its biblical meaning, even in the church.

Phil ~ At first read, this statement: "Missional ministry is not about our abilities. It is about presenting God's presence to the people of our world." (page 101) sounds similar to what we have heard preached and taught for generations but comment on these subtle differences:

How does a "missional" perspective alter the way we plan and perform ministry?

Philip ~ The people of God have often used the cliché that we should "give our best to God" meaning wear our best, sing our best, and even program our best. The missional mentality recognizes that our "best" will consistently fall short of Spirit-led and empowered mission work. We need to move away from putting our best foot forward as if we having home field advantage in the U.S. is enough. Remember, we live on a mission field where only God's presence (His best, as it were) is what will transform lives.

How is "presenting God's presence" different than "presenting God's word" which might have been written a generation ago?

Philip ~ Perhaps there is a shade of difference here but certainly not two facets of God's work I want to separate. A generation ago, faithful preaching had an effect unseen today because the culture still held closer to a biblical worldview. In essence, people were closer to an understanding of concepts such as sin, salvation, and the gospel. On a mission field (like the U.S.A.), we need to both speak about and live out God's presence which indwells us.

Phil ~ Give us insight on what you mean by:

"Reconciling evangelism and disciple making"

Philip ~ A false dichotomy has been established that a church excels in either evangelism or discipleship (meaning deep Bible teaching/learning). We need to see them as two sides of the coin rather than two separate activities of the church. Healthy churches will see evangelistic believers growing deep in their faith and believers growing deep in the faith will be out evangelizing.

"Accompanying the message of the cross should be love for our neighbor"

Philip ~ Our love for neighbors should be driven by the message of the cross. If we love the gospel, then we will share it with a neighbor. If we love our neighbor, we will share the gospel.

"Contextualization is important"

Philip ~ When we send missionaries to Romania, we ask them to learn their language, dress as the locals, live in their culture, and eat their food. We ask them to contextualize their lives and ministry for the people to whom they are going. We need to do the same for the urbanites, suburbanites, white-collar, redneck, surfers, or whomever God calls us to live among.

"Kingdom citizens"

Philip ~ I love being an American. If I have to choose where to live in the world, I will choose our country every time. But, my citizenship here is temporary. Because of the teaching in 2 Corinthians 5, we must keep our perspective on being an ambassador in this world, not a resident. Residents grow comfortable with the world as it is. Kingdom citizens seek to bring the reign of our God to this place.

Phil ~ How does the love of Christ transform the way we:

Pray for those Christ died to save?

Philip ~ We will weep more for their lost state when we bow in prayer. We will set aside our grocery list of minor needs-or major needs-instead to pray on behalf of a friend's eternity.

Care for people and their problems?

Phlip ~ Christ's love in us will help us look beyond the messy nature of ministry. It will allow us to see beyond our self-imposed boundaries (race, economics, culture) to enter someone else's grief and portray Christ's character of redemption.

Share the message of salvation?

Philip ~ Love changes our evangelistic efforts from operating as a gun-slinger for church to a persuasive friend for Christ. Without love, we become self-consumed religious hacks looking for a good story to tell our church friends about how we made another pagan change their mind about God.

Phil ~ Philip, please write a prayer we can pray with you towards our own transformation that God can use to transform lives and families and communities ...

Philip ~ Father, You alone are God. We declare that there is not a rival or an equal to Your greatness and love for us.

We ask that You would lay the power of Your divine love upon our hearts. We want to see our neighborhoods, apartment complexes, businesses, and job sites as you see them. Help us to be conformed to image of Christ in both our inward character and in our outward ministry with the Gospel. God, we beg of You to allow us to see people with the passion of Christ. When we should, help us to weep over our city as Christ wept over Jerusalem. When we are able, aid us to celebrate as You do over the repentance of one lost soul and seek the salvation of all those within our reach.

We pray that the power of the Gospel will transform our lives, the people of our city, and the people of this world.

We pray for the glory of God to rule the whole earth.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Click here for more interviews

IBSA Prayer Ministries