In This Issue• INTRODUCTION
• Prayer Vigil: WEEK THREE
• When God Does Not Answer our Prayers
• Prayer Points for WEEK THREE
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
Sunday, October 10, 2010 - Election Day Prayer Vigil: Praying Through 2 Chronicles 7:14
WEEK THREE
[This five-part series for an Election Day Prayer Vigil has been developed by Mary Fox Murphy, Founder and President, Christian Women's Outreach, in Stillwater, OK.
In lieu of offerings, Mary is simply asking that we share this prayer strategy with others in our own network of friends. Thank you, Mary!]
A NOTE FROM CHPP:
We have been truly blessed by the TREMENDOUS RESPONSE we have seen to Mary's call for prayers, following the guidelines of 2 Chronicles 7:14.
We join all of you in searching our hearts before our Lord, in advance of the congressional elections on Nov. 2, for it is written that judgment must surely begin in the house of the Lord. (I Peter 4:17)
As we seek His face, we ask Him, indeed, to forgive our sin, and to heal our land. Amen.
INTRODUCTION
Praying Through 2 Chronicles 7:14
By Mary Fox Murphy
In searching the depths of my heart and soul and seeking the Lord, I believe there may be a reason we are not victorious in our pursuit for spiritual change in this nation. I think we all stand right now LOOKING FOR TRUE HOPE AND CHANGE FOR THIS NATION. I sincerely ask you to pray about joining with me in this PRAYER VIGIL.
Blessings, Mary
PRAYER VIGIL:
SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 24, 2010
There are numerous prayer initiatives right now. Prayer leaders across the nation are asking you to PRAY FOR THE USA. One of those will be right for you. I am also proposing one to begin Sept. 26 and ending on Sunday, Oct. 24.
If you join with us for the next five weeks, I will send out PRAYER POINTS for each week. This will not be like most of those that are being suggested.
I contend that the Body of Christ must be well (in right standing with the Father) for God to HEAL OUR LAND. Each week the PRAYER POINTS will follow II Chronicles 7:14.
It is my strong belief that God wants His Body in ONE ACCORD AND WELL.
If we do this as a BODY, He will do one of two things.
1. He will either HEAL OUR LAND.
2. Or He will bring His Cleansing to America.
But, if you are His, He will protect you through whatever is in our future.
There is no guarantee that God will heal our land. The sins of this nation may be too raw, too deep, too insidious and too overt for Him to stay His Hand of Judgment. He has ways and means of cleansing a nation's sins. Throughout Biblical history we see when, where, and how God cleanses cultures, nations, and people groups. We are no exception. This may be our last opportunity to make a change in this nation.
If you do not join this prayer initiative, then please join in one of the others to PRAY FOR THE USA.
MAY GOD'S GRACE AND MERCY BE WITH YOU THROUGH THESE VERY PERILOUS SPIRITUAL TIMES AND MAY HE BLESS YOU GREATLY . . .
AND STRENGTHEN YOU TO STAND.
Mary Fox Murphy
The International Prayer Network
prayer@cwoi.org
PLEASE NOTE:
MARY HAS WRITTEN A SEVEN-PAGE DOCUMENT -- TITLED "CHRISTIAN AMERICA, WE HAVE A PROBLEM" -- which is the foundation for this prayer vigil. If you wish to receive this document, send Mary an email at: prayer@cwoi.org
Prayer Vigil: WEEK THREE
Sunday, Oct. 10 - Saturday, Oct. 17, 2010
Praying Through 2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chr 7:14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK:
" and PRAY. . . . "
"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1)
Prayer is an enigma to so many Christians. They talk about it, know they should do it, call others to do their prayer work for them, promise to pray for others who are soliciting their prayers, and some even offer conciliatory prayers at times-but there are far too few who actually get into real PRAYER. The kind of prayer that CHANGES THINGS! So many Christians simply do not understand THE POWER OF PRAYER and the way to access the Throne of Grace. To pray requires desire, decision, determination and true discipline.
Prayer is not an option for a Christian-it is a NECESSITY!
When God Does Not Answer our Prayers
Christian, Look Within . . .
Intercessors across this nation are crying out to God to spare His Hand of judgment upon our nation and often the prayers of a corporate body are not answered because of several reasons:
1. Perhaps our approach to God is not acceptable to Him. We must learn how to approach the Throne of God according to His Word. It is with great honor, grace, and humility that we enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His Courts with Praise. To gain access to the Throne Room will require true worship of our Lord. We must come humbly with a great since of awe and an honest love for our Maker, honoring HIM for who He is-THE GREAT I AM. Praise and worship are the highest form of prayer.
2. Many use the approach of hurriedly waving their petitions in their hands and quickly asking for help in their time of need, forgetting whom they are addressing-the Creator of the Universe.
3. We may pray amiss by praying from a self-centered position instead of asking God His desires on an issue. He may not want what we want. His thoughts are higher than ours and His Ways are very different than our ways.
4. The members of the Body may not be praying according to the Word of God. We must be in a righteous state before the Lord to approach the Throne of Grace. Repentance and forgiveness open the doors to the Kingdom.
5. Believers need to learn to love Him and seek Him with their whole heart, not just a portion of it-but their WHOLE HEART.
6. As a Body, we may be praying with NO PLAN AND NO COMMON FOCUS. When this occurs, we are not in one accord. All of our enemies (both spiritual and physical) have a plan to defeat us as individuals and as a nation and faithfully follow the dictates of their leadership. Believers must learn to do the same. Agreement can move mountains. Disagreements and divisions only separate us from our Father and each other.
7. Not only must we KNOW HIM, BUT HE MUST KNOW US. So often we don't think in those terms. He did tell some who approached Him that "He never KNEW THEM." Make certain He KNOWS YOU. Works can't get your answers to prayers or to grant you salvation. It is only through Grace.
8. In this same scripture in Matt. He referred to them as "those who practice lawlessness." Lawbreakers get nowhere with the Lord.
9. Always when we pray, our prayers must be in accordance with the Word of God. We must agree with His ways and desires-regardless of what we want.
These are but a few of the major reasons why our prayers are not answered. Lord, we say to you. Teach Us To Pray!
Prayer Points for WEEK THREE
- Pray that we truly learn that prayer is a blessed communication with our Father for those who are in right standing with Him.
Psalm 50:23 Whoso offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God
- Pray that we understand and practice the importance of Praise and Worship as we approach the King of Kings in a humbleness of spirit. Pray that we learn to pray as Jesus prayed.
Psalms 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to you, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto you forever.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth
- Pray that we are always in agreement with God, the Father and led by the Holy Spirit in our prayer life.
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
- Pray that we each have a great reverence and respect for the Privilege of Prayer.
Jer. 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.
- Pray that we do not argue with God in a divisive way; however, we can reason with Him according to Isaiah. Pray that we learn the difference.
Isaiah 1:18-19 Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land:
- Pray that we learn the difference between Law and Grace, always acknowledging the Cross as the event that gives us all the privileges of a Child of God.
Rom. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
1 Cor. 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
- Pray that we learn how to face and conquer the enemy through spiritual warfare.
Let us learn that spiritual warfare is a type of prayer which defeats the enemy and pray that we conduct ourselves so that we are victorious. Pray that we learn the benefit of praying imprecatory prayers from the Psalms.
2 Cor. 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
2 Tim 2:3, 4 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
- Pray that He KNOWS YOU for who you are and what is in your heart.
Matt 7:22-14 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
- Pray that we not only talk about praying, but that we actually do it with great power and focus. Pray that the Army of God becomes a powerful Force for the Kingdom of God through our prayers.
1 Chron. 12: 21-23 And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. 22 For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.
Psalm 5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
- Pray that each of our prayers comes from the perspective of the awesome Fear of the Lord.
Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
- Pray that we learn how to pray from the one the disciples asked to teach them to pray.
Luke 6: 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
- Pray that we learn to lay down our own desires and wishes for the higher way of His Will. "Thy Will be done."
Matt 6:9,10 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Lord, Teach us to Pray!
Thank you for praying with us this week.
I know that the committed prayer of the faithful will avail much.
Mary Fox Murphy
The International Prayer Network
prayer@cwoi.org
