Day 4

I left for Las Vegas this past Thursday and returned Saturday night. It was a quick trip but it seemed like I was there for months, maybe longer. Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, is a world unto itself, or so I thought. While out shopping a conversation between two men got started. They were discussing the "entertainment" of a local club. I had no desire to hear their story so I got up to leave and said, "Only in Las Vegas." The one man said, "No, not really they do this in San Diego too." I guess the distaste of their entertainment conversation did not come out in my tone of voice because the way he responded to me was so friendly and matter-of-fact that if I missed out on the "fun" here in Vegas then I could find it in San Diego. I left heart-broken for the people who view the activity in LV as normal. I try very hard to spend time with people who do not know Jesus or do not go to church. I have to be very intentional about finding the time to do this because most of my time is spent working at church and attending weekly Bible studies. Then while in my home I am surrounded by Bibles, Scripture scribbled out on loose papers and Christian radio stations constantly playing. However, for more than 2 days I was without all of those things and I came home feeling empty. I lived most of my adult life without Jesus so to go 2 days and come home truly missing Him was incredible. A few weeks ago I finished previewing a study the intermediate level will begin in January, Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted. Jonah was asked to go to Ninevah to preach against the city because of their wickedness. I felt like I was in Ninevah while standing in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a wicked place with thousands of lost souls needing to grasp hold of Jesus. It seems overwhelming to me, there seems to be no hope for that city. I will pray for my family that is there and for those I met, but honestly, it is so overwhelming.

Day 4
The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer by Andrew Murray

What To Pray: For the Spirit of Holiness

God is the Holy One. His people are a holy people. He says, "I am holy: I am the Lord that makes you holy." Christ prayed, "Sanctify them. Make them holy through your truth." Paul prayed, "May God establish your hearts unblameable in holiness" and "God sanctify you wholly."

Pray for all saints-God's holy ones-throughout the church that the Spirit of holiness may guide and direct them. Especially pray for new converts. Pray for the Christians in your own neighborhood or in your congregation. Pray for any you are especially close to. Think of their special needs, weaknesses, or sins, and pray that God will make them holy.

How To Pray: Trusting in God's Omnipotence

Things that are impossible with men are possible with God. Think of the things we ask for, some of which we think have little likelihood of coming to pass or being granted us. We think of our own insignificance, our own unworthiness. Why would God answer our prayer? Prayer is not only wishing, or even asking, but believing and accepting. Be still before God and ask Him that you might know Him as the Almighty One. Leave your petitions with Him who does the impossible.

Your Own Prayer Requests:

~Do you wonder if Jesus is the real deal? Does He really care about you and your world? Do you wonder if Jesus knows your name? The answer to all 3 of those questions is yes. If you answered no to any of those questions, please pray that He would reveal to you the truth. Ask Him to help you in your unbelief.
~If you know Jesus are you praying for someone who doesn't know Him? If the people you know also know Jesus then please pray that God will bring an unbeliever into your life. It isn't biblical that we stay just with our Christian friends and neighbors.
~Pray for those who are lost. Walk (or since it is cold drive) through your neighborhood and pray for the people in the homes. Pray that God will begin to draw them to Himself and then ask Him for an opportunity to meet them and encourage them to join you at church or Bible study.

In our own strength and abilities we can do nothing to further the kingdom. However, Christ in us can impact us, we can impact the people around us and they can impact the people around them. Pretty soon hearts are being changed, families are being changed and neighborhoods are being changed. Yes, a great majority of people living in Las Vegas are lost, but no more so than any other town or city. Pray boldly before the throne of heaven for a fresh understanding of the love of Christ, first for yourself and then for others. May He have His way with us all the way from Las Vegas to Illinois and everywhere in between and beyond.