PREVAILING PRAYER FOR END-TIME ENCOURAGEMENT
Preparing God's People for Works of Service so That the Body of Christ May
Be Built up and Become Mature
Volume 10 Number 2 February, 2012
Seeing Ourselves and Others as The Lord Does - His Lights
The Lord spoke to me a lot about light this month. He first spoke to me about even in the darkest times His light was in me. I meditated on this and thought about the times that His light appears dimmer. Holy Spirit started showing me that the world follows after its own light and the devil even can transform himself into an angel of light. We can get distracted or confused and begin to doubt when we run after these unreliable and deceptive "lights".
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.1 John 1:5-7
We can have Jesus in our hearts and chose to not plug into Him daily. We then may not see His light even though it is there. It is vital to step out into the light of His presence; to bask in His radiance and know that He is illuminating our hearts, souls and paths. I asked for Him to shield me so I won't be lured by the "light" those in the world are attracted to. I also prayed that He would protect me from any counterfeit "light" so I would not be deceived by any evil that can appear as "light."
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Ephesians 5:8-10
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
We are to follow the true Light.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. John 1:6-10
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
For the last several years my heart cry has been to disconnect from the worldly ways and be more dedicated to Kingdom ways. This year I have been called to abide in God's Word and to be more led by His Spirit. I have been blessed to have more spiritual dreams and Holy Spirit is revealing so much to me in the scriptures. He is enlightening me. Read the prayer Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:15-23 esp. verses 17-18 - "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 1the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints"
For most of my Christian life I have promoted unity in the body of Christ. In reality I haven't seen a lot of it. Though today's church is much too divided; I have always believed and say that "God has His "lights" in every church". Now that makes me smile because I have always used the word "lights".
When I prayed that I wanted to follow the light of the Lord fully I heard from the Spirit that we are to look for the light in each other. I thought about how I was attracted by the Lord's light in others. I was then led to remember how Moses' and Jesus' countenances were changed with the light of God.
Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. Exodus 34:29
Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2
Holy Spirit showed me how in the body of Christ we too often focus on the weaknesses and not the strengths in ourselves and our brothers and sisters. I started to ask myself "what am I looking at in particular people and in circumstances?" Suddenly I saw I needed to see myself and them through God's eyes. I then realized how everything would be changed for the better if I focused more on the strengths in myself and others. I started trying this and could see that my perspective did change and that this would be a way that would bless and support others more and could be used to promote more unity in the body of Christ. What if the Baptists could see the good in the Methodists and the Pentecostals could see the strength in the Lutherans and each of us could see how God was blessing and working through all His yielded children.
2012 has been a time of stress and difficulty for so many. I started thinking about what the Bible says about these times and read in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. At the end of this passage we are told to turn away from people like this. Right away I believed in my heart that if we are not to be with people who act this way then we should act differently and even opposite from them. I wrote in my journal the words opposite to those describing the people who would live in these perilous times and how many would act in these latter days. Below are the words I found and it brought such joy to my heart and to me that this went with us being "lights" for God and His kingdom. I pray we can act like this as Holy Spirit empowers us and we are given the grace needed.
Let us pray to be * unselfish * not loving money * humble * kind (courteous) * obedient * thankful (grateful) * holy * gracious (tender) * friendly (devoted) * calm (satisfied) * truthful (praisers) * self-controlled * loving good * loyal (faithful, secure) * alert (watchful, careful) * modest (proper) * a lover of God * truly godly (truly exalting God's power and the power in being godly).
Besides devoting ourselves to being God's lights and believing our fellowship should be with those who are like-minded. We still must reach out to the hungry, hurting and lost but associating most with those who are following the Lord's true light. This will make His light in the world be even brighter.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life...Philippians 2:14-16a
With love, blessings and prayers - Linda-Sue
If you need prayer or have comments or ideas about this prayer letter please
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Spirit and Truth Ministries
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We praise the Lord for those who have given a gift of any amount to this ministry. In the last year we have been able to help more of our own financially and also given offerings to ministries that continually feed us on the various groups. We look forward to see what our Faithful Father will do in and through the Spirit and Truth Ministries' family now and until Jesus comes. God's best blessings to you and those your life touches. I pray our Lord will give each of you a year filled with answered prayers, awesome breakthroughs and you will hear His voice more clearly than ever.
THIS MONTH'S PRAYER NEEDS
FEBRUARY, 2012
SALVATION
* Bob * Charley * J * Jaime * James * Jay * John * Julie * Kelly * Kim * Mason * Michele * Vicky
HEALTH & HEALING
* Audrey * Barbara * Becky * Bonnie * billy * Cala Sue * CJ * Clair * Dianna * Frances * Gary * Gloria * Hilda * Jaina * Jan * Jason * Jay * Jessica * Jolly * Julie * Karen * Kathy * Kim * Laura * Linda-Sue * Linda C. * Linda * Linda-Sue * Lindy * Lizzy * Lolly * Lynn * Melanie * Michelle * Mike * Mildred * Monique * Mother Duffy * Nicole * Odean * Orma * Patty * Paul * Richard * Robert * Sarah * Scott * Shirley * Tim * Will
FINANCIAL – EMPLOYMENT
* Audrey * Barbi * Becky * Bonnie * Brian * CJ * Corey * Denton * Felicia * Gene * Hubert * Jeff * Jennifer * Julie * Karen * Kathy * Katie * Lauren * Linda C.* Linda * Lindy * Lou Anne * Pookie * Scott
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
* Amy * Chris * Ersinia * Jackie * Jeff * Jennifer * Katie * Lecresia * Levi * Lil * Linda-Sue * Mary * Michael * Monique * Paul * Roberta * Stephanie * Steven * Tiffany * Tyson
DELIVERANCE & EMOTIONAL HEALING
* Abby * Belinda * billy * Bobbi * Bonnie * Chris * Cindy * Deborah * Diane * Dianna * Faye * Gabrielle * Gwen * J * Janet * Jay * Julie * Karen * Lecresia * Linda * Linda-Sue * Lindy * Marie * Nancy * Paul * Rob * Roberta * Sam * Sara * Scott * Sean * Sharon * Stan * Stephanie * Sue * Susan * Sylvia * Tammy * Tim * Tom * Tomas
WISDOM – GUIDANCE – DISCERNMENT
* Anelle * Audrey * Becky * Bola * Bonnie * Brian * Carl * Cheryl * CJ * David * Janet * Jennifer * Jessica * Kathy * Kathy Q * Katie * Lecresia * Linda * Lindy * Lisa * Lon * Rick * Scott * Sean * Tina
OTHER NEEDS (AS THE SPIRIT LEADS)
* Amy * Audrey * Becky * Bessie * Brandi * Chrissy * CJ * Ersinia * Gail * Jessica * Jill * Kathy * Kathy Q * KaKaye * Katie * Kelly * Kim * Lil * Linda * Linda Lou * Linda-Sue * Lindy * Lolly * Pookie * Roberta * Scott * Sean * Stace * Tina
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Intercede for
* As we prepare for elections in November in the US may each person prayerfully look into the voting records and past leadership of the presidential candidates and other officials to be elected this year. Also vote wisely in the primaries in your state. Don't vote by what the candidates or media report; check their past records.
* So many people have been out of work for so long that they no longer are receiving unemployment benefits.
* Supreme Court to decide the fate of President Obamas' healthcare law. The ruling is due by July on the U.S. this healthcare system's huge proposed overhaul.
* Continue to pray w
*
*
the Senators and Congress men and women to use wisdom and represent the
people who elected them and not any special interest group that would want
to buy their vote or promote their own personal agendas.
* for the water situation that continues in Haiti and in other places of the world where
clean, healthy water is needed.
* our leaders in government and the administration here in the US. Give them
wisdom and pray for godliness and truth to be seen and experienced
remembering that God is in control. May He be exalted! Look up! Know He
rules and reigns no matter what we see, hear, think or feel.
* the financial systems in the US who have gone through a major downturn.
Continue to pray for this country's economy which is also affecting the
world economy
Pray about all we see in the news but don't follow after the media's influence. Seek God for truth and wisdom. Continue to pray for those affected by all that is trying to distracting us and steal our peace. Seek God and remember we belong to His Kingdom and Jesus is our King!
Pray for -
* Israel and the peace of Jerusalem.
* the strife, conflicts, threats around the world
* the thousands who have been displaced and those who have lost loved ones or are wounded in all the world's wars and conflicts.
Pray about
* the Senate and House - Republicans, Democrats and Independents will work
together for the good of this nation and represent those who elected them.
*
continued violence in the Middle East
* all the kidnappings, pirating, rapes and murders
* the human trafficking around the world and even in the United States that
enslaves hundreds of thousands of mostly women and children (800,000
captured for enslavement latest statistic)
* for those who lost loved ones in war, the suicide bombings and any weather
related disasters
*
Pray concerning the war against terrorism
and all domestic and foreign issues.
* Pray for wisdom and help to protect children and even adults being abused,
kidnapped, killed or in danger in the US and around the world.
* Also pray for the unborn especially those facing abortions. Ask that those
responsible for the lives of these babies will choose life!!!
Also pray for the babies in danger in their mothers' wombs or fighting for
their lives in incubators.
They need us to stand for them
Pray for these leaders -
* President - Barack Obama * Vice President - Joe Biden * House and Senate Leaders including * Secretary of State - Hillary Clinton * Attorney General - Eric Holder * Secretary of Agriculture - Tom Vilsack * Secretary of Commerce - Gary Locke * Secretary of Defense - Robert Gates * Deputy Secretary of Defense - William Lynn * Secretary of Education -Arne Duncan * Secretary of Energy - Steven Chu * Secretary of Health and Human Services - Kathleen Sebilius * Secretary of Homeland Security - Janet Napolitano * Secretary of Housing and Urban Development -Shaun Donovan * Secretary of the Interior - Ken Salazar *Secretary of Labor - Hilda Solis * Secretary of Transportation - Ray LaHood * Secretary of Treasury - Timothy Geithner * Secretary of Veterans Affairs - General Eric K. Shinseki
* White House Chief of Staff - William Daley * National Security Advisor - Tom Donilon * National Intelligence Director - James R. Clapper * Federal Emergency Management Agency Director - William Craig Fugate * Chairman of Federal Reserve Board - Ben Bernanke * CIA Director - Leon Panetta * Director, Faith Based/Community Initiatives - Jay Hein * Director of the Office of Management and Budget - Jacob "Jack" Lew * Environmental Protection Agency Administrator - Lisa Jackson * FBI Director - Robert Mueller III * Director of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms - Kenneth Melson * Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman - Mike Mullen * Office of National Drug Control Policy Director - Gil Kerlikowske * Secret Service Director - Mark Sullivan * Surgeon General - Regina M. Benjamin * United States Trade Representative - Ron Kirk
* John Boehner, Speaker of the House * Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader * Eric Canter, House Majority Leader * Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader * Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader * John Kyl, Senate Republican Whip * Richard Durbin, Senate Democratic Whip * Kevin McCarthy , House Republican Whip * Steny Hoyer, House Democratic Whip
Pray for US Senators and Members of the House or Representatives
Pray for Supreme Court Justices
* Chief Justice John Roberts * Samuel Alito * Stephen Breyer * Ruth Bader Ginsburg * Elena Kagan * Anthony Kennedy * Antonin Scalia * Clarence Thomas * Sonia Sotomayor
Pray for all the Branches of the Armed Forces especially for the members who
are fighting overseas or in harm's way
CHURCHES & MINISTRIES
* Acts Ministries (FL) * Aglow International * Amazing Grace (TN) * Bellview Freewill Baptist Church (GA) * Calvary Chapel of Capistrano Beach (CA) * Captive Free Ministries (TN) * Christ Church (LA) * Faith Assembly (VA) * Faith Family Church (IL) * Family Christian Center (ME) * Faith Life Church (MO) * Faith Tabernacle (CO) * First Baptist Church of DeBary (FL) * Freedom Fellowship (TN) * Good Shepherd Episcopal (VA) * Harvest Church International (VA) * Haven of Praise (VA) * Heartland (TX) * Highland Church (NY) * Horizon Church (NC) * Immanuel Church (DE) * Joy Ministries (VA) *Jubilee Mountain Church (WV) * Kenneth Copeland Ministries (TX) * Living Word Fellowship (VA) * Middle Creek Church of God (TN) * Mountain Christian Center (CO) * New Covenant Church (TX) * New Direction Ministries and Worship Center (KY) * New Hope Fellowship Church (CO) * Open Bible Holiness Evangelistic Church (IL) * Outreach of Love (TX) * Prayer and Warfare Deliverance Group (VA) * Real Life Assembly of God (SC) * Sozo New Covenant Fellowship (GA) * Spirit & Truth Ministries (TN) * St. Paul Lutheran Church of Bulverde (TX) * The River at Tampa Bay (FL) * The Well (KY) * Times Square Church (NYC) * Transformation Church (NY) * Victory Worship Center (VA) * West End Tabernacle (TN) * Word of Life Victory Center (FL)
SPIRIT &TRUTH MINISTRIES GROUPS, SPIRIT & TRUTH CHRISTIAN CENTER
& THEIR MEMBERS
* Christian Music Lovers * Christian
Remnant * End Time Encouragement * Faith-Filled Fellowship * Reflecting
Christ * Scripture Prayers * Wave Dancers * Worship in Spirit and Truth