Day 22

What a glorious day to celebrate Christmas Eve. We have snow gently falling and resting on the branches of trees while other areas are piling up beautifully on the arms of the evergreens. Squirrels are flitting up and down the trees, hopping over the little snow drifts left behind by wind but the picturesque morning of snow is so vastly different from today's topic.

I have wondered several times why this blog has had nothing to do with Christmas. I sensed from early on that God was counting on us receiving from church, and reading stories of Jesus, that we would receive the beautiful story of Christmas from other sources. This period of prayer seemed to me to build on what God has already been doing and what He will continue to do. Last February, as we prepared to plan for our curriculum for the '10-'11 year the one area that I believe God impressed on my heart was prayer. I can't tell you how it all transpired but as I look back I smile at what all He orchestrated for us to bring Lord, Teach Me to Pray by Pat Entz. Then to have us blog for 30 days on intercessory prayer during Christmas seemed like an odd time to begin, but we have been obedient with many different authors sharing their stories. A few weeks ago the pastor mentioned that the next series being taught will be on....can you guess??? You are correct if you guessed the next series will be on prayer. Wow, God is up to something. Thanks for joining us on this journey as we seek to know Him better, as we long to pray in the power of the Spirit, and see Him move on behalf of those we pray for.

Day 22
The Ministry of Intercessory Pray by Andrew Murray

What to Pray: For All Who Are Suffering

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3. We live in a world of suffering. Jesus sacrificed everything to identify himself with it-with them. Let us seek to do our part in identifying with those who suffer, empathizing with them in their grief and pain-the persecuted believers around the world, the famine-stricken millions in Africa, the poverty and wretchedness of the developing countries, and so much more; what suffering among those who know God as well as those who do not know Him. Then in smaller circles, in many homes and hearts in our own country, in our own neighborhoods, prayer is needed. There are children who suffer abuse, parents who struggle to provide for their families. Many need our help and comfort. Let us seek them out and pray for a heart that weeps with them. It will stir us to pray, to work, to hope, to love more than we do. And in ways and at times we least expect, God will hear our prayers. He is at work even before we ask.

How to Pray: Praying Always, Not Fainting

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1). Do you believe prayer is the solution for this sinful world? If you do, you will also see the need for unceasing prayer! The greatness of the task would overwhelm us and cause us to despair were it not for God's promise of the Holy Spirit's assistance. What can our ten minutes of intercession avail? Even ten minutes is better than no prayer, but after ten minutes we will begin to sense the burden of the Spirit and we will find that more time is needed before we even scratch the surface of the need. God is calling and preparing us every day to give our life to prayer. Give yourself to God for the sake of others and you will not regret that you did. God's work is our work. Let us go to Him with expectant hearts, full of faith and boldness. The Enemy of our souls will not have his way if we pray always, led by the Holy Spirit. It is possible to pray always and not to faint! Don't give up!

Your Own Prayer Requests:

Pray and ask the Spirit to speak truth to your heart and reveal how you can pray for those suffering. Murray has specific topics for us, but maybe God has someone in mind for you to pray for. Do you know someone who is suffering? Pray and do not faint. Don't give up!