Saturday, May 19, 2012

Children in Thailand

Key Scripture: Amos 5:24 (NIV)

24But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream.

General Prayer Focus: Children in Thailand

Specific Prayer Focus: Protection from exploitation

Tidbit of Information: “Pray for the protection of innocent children in Thailand who are at risk of being sold into prostitution and the drug industry. Pray for the church in Thailand to be a strong force of justice on behalf of all the children who are affected by poverty and exploitation.” (Compassion International Prayer of the Day Email for May 1, 2010)

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are leading Your church to be an expression of Your justice in the earth!  Today I pray for Your church in Thailand as they seek to bring justice on behalf of the impoverished children and that You would equip them to protect these precious ones from being exploited and oppressed.  Father, I ask that You would cause Your justice to roll on like a river, that these innocent children would be kept safe from the evil one who would seek to steal their innocence.  I pray that You would set Your angels around these ones and hold them safe in Your hands, that they would not fall into the hands of the wicked, but that they would be rescued by Your church and brought into Your Kingdom of love.  I pray that You would empower Your church to bring aid to these children and their families, that they would not have to live in fear, and that they could rise out of the pit of poverty.  I pray that You would provide for their every need so that these children would not fall victim to the prostitution and drug industry.  I pray that You would lead parents to the Compassion projects and programs so that their children can receive an education, food, and the love of God, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen!

Links: Compassion Canada

Crisis Pregnancy Centers

April 22, 2010 by  
Filed under LIFE/Abortion, Under-30

Key Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

 13 For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.
 15 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

General Prayer Focus: LIFE/Abortion

Specific Prayer Focus: Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Tidbit of Information: Crisis Pregnancy Centers exist to provide pro life counseling to pregnant women, as well as provide emotional, physical, spiritual and financial assistance to mothers.  They teach clients about fetal development, give them information on abortion (procedures and risks), adoption, nutrition, pre and post natal care and parenting skills.  They offer infant loss and post abortion counseling, a 24-hour crisis phone line, school and youth presentations on healthy sexuality, community programs, maternity and baby clothing and supplies and more!  These services are offered free of charge and are funded solely by donations.

Prayer:  Father, what a wonder and mystery how You form us in our mothers’ wombs and knit us together by Your own hands! I thank You for the beauty of creation and that You are intimately involved in the forming of every single new human life. Today, I pray for Crisis Pregnancy Centers as they seek to communicate to pregnant women how precious their unborn baby’s life is as well as their own great worth and value to You. I pray that You would strengthen and empower the staff and volunteers at these centers and equip them with everything they need to show unconditional love to every women who enters their doors and to provide them with the emotional, physical and spiritual care they need. I pray that You would use these amazing organizations to minister to pregnant women, as well as women who have lost a baby to miscarriage or abortion. Father, would You reveal to each woman who goes to these centers Your amazing love for them and that You formed them in their mother’s womb and are now forming a beautiful life in their own womb. I ask that You would show these women that You are there for them in the midst of their struggle and pain, as they face uncertain futures with many questions and fears. I pray that You would provide the necessary resources to these centers so that they can give these women everything they need to choose life for their babies, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Sources/Links: Crisis Pregnancy Centre of Winnipeg handout

Justice for the Orphan

Key Scripture: Psalm 10:14, 17-18 (NIV)

 14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
       you consider it to take it in hand.
       The victim commits himself to you;
       you are the helper of the fatherless…
 17 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
       you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
       in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

General Prayer Focus: Under-30 Generation

Specific Prayer Focus: Justice for the Orphan

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You are the helper of the fatherless and that You hear the desire of the afflicted.  The very God of the universe, the Maker of the heavens, the LORD Almighty, the great God, King and Judge of the earth – You care about the plight of the orphan and are moved with compassion on their behalf.  You are not so high that You will not stoop down to the lowest and the weakest and the least of these little children to encourage them and pour Your love upon them.  Lord, You listen to their cry and You defend the cause of the fatherless, so I ask that You would hear their desire for love and that You would set the lonely in families.  Father, would You reveal Yourself to them as their heavenly Father, but if possible, also give them the gift of an earthly father and mother who will love and embrace and care for them.  I pray that You would bring justice on their behalf and protect and defend them from the wicked who would seek to exploit, oppress, afflict, and take advantage of them.  Jesus, would You rescue these dear children and avenge them, that the wicked of the earth may terrify no more!  Do not leave them as orphans, but adopt them into Your family and give to them the Spirit of adoption, that they could call You, “Abba, Father”.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sacred Parenting

April 20, 2010 by  
Filed under Cultural Spheres, Family, Parenting, Under-30

Key Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-7

5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 

General Prayer Focus: Family

Specific Prayer Focus: Sacred Parenting

Tidbit of Information: “…having kids isn’t about us – it’s about him.  We are called to bear and raise children for the glory of God.” (Sacred Parenting, Gary Thomas, pg. 16)

Prayer: Father, today I pray for parents, that as they seek to love You with all their heart, soul and strength, that You would give them the grace and strength to teach their children to do the same.  I pray that You would write Your Word upon the hearts of parents today and show them how they can impress Your Word upon the hearts of their children.  God, would You show us that parenting is not about us, but it’s about You and about raising our kids for Your glory.  I ask that You would give us wisdom in how to parent, as well as creativity and discernment in how to teach and instruct our children in Your ways.  Father, I pray that You would help parents to be a godly example their children, that our lives and actions would match what we are saying with our words.  Would You empower us to realize the sacred and holy calling that parenthood truly is and give us the grace to be made holy and more like You, Father, in our journey of parenting.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sources/Links: Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas
Impress Your Kids

Sexual Purity in Young Women

April 8, 2010 by  
Filed under LIFE/Abortion, Under-30

Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

General Prayer Focus: Under-30 Generation/LIFE

Specific Prayer Focus: Sexual Purity in Young Women

Tidbit of Information: According to a Chuck Colson daily broadcast discussed on the Bound4Life blog, ”The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts hosted a panel in New York, part of the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. According to the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, the Girl Scouts allowed Planned Parenthood ‘to distribute brochures containing sexually explicit material to the young girls’…As the guide blithely puts it, ‘There is no right or wrong way to have sex. Just have fun, explore and be yourself!’  It also tells girls that ‘some people have sex when they have been drinking alcohol or using drugs. This is your choice.’  Clearly, nothing is off limits—even for children below the age of consent.” 

The Bound4Life blog went on to say that ”Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women of America said, ‘that Planned Parenthood, the nation’s number one abortion provider, works with girls’ organizations in order to profit from encouraging kids to be sexually active.’ It’s obvious—the more sexually active, the more abortions.” (Source)

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You love and care for every young woman and that Your ways and Your plans are higher and better than the ways of man.  Father, in a world where young people are encouraged to satisfy every craving and desire, I pray that You would call this generation to a higher standard that values purity and holiness above self-gratification. Father, I pray that You would reveal to young women their immense value and worth to You, that they would be confident and secure in Your love and wouldn’t need to seek out the affections of men in order to feel loved.  I pray that young women would see that they are daughters of the Most High God and that there is great honor and dignity in preserving their sexual purity for the holy union of marriage.  I pray that they would be strengthened with power by Your Holy Spirit to pursue righteousness, faith and love out of a pure heart and to turn away from impure desires that would lead them away from You.  I also pray for the young women who have already chosen to be sexually active and I ask that You would cause their hearts to long for purity and to choose to change the way they’re living.  I pray that You would restore all that may have been lost or stolen from them and redeem their purity once again.  Lastly, for those young women who have found themselves with an unplanned pregnancy, I pray that You would speak to their hearts by Your Holy Spirit and lead them to choose life for their unborn baby, recognizing its incredible worth and value to You, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen! 

Sources/Links: Bound4Life Blog

Healing for Women Who’ve Had an Abortion

March 25, 2010 by  
Filed under Family, Healing, LIFE/Abortion, Under-30

Key Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

General Prayer Focus: LIFE/Abortion

Specific Prayer Focus: Healing for women who’ve had an abortion in Canada

Tidbit of Information: “As many as 80-90% of women testify that they struggle with depression and anxiety after having an abortion and MOST women say the quality of their lives is NOT enhanced but reduced after their abortion. Every study that we have seen indicates that most women deeply regret their abortion and wish they would have known 1) the stage that their baby was at when they were terminated and 2) what the potential emotional and psychological outcomes for their lives would be.” (Source)

Prayer: Father, today I bring to You in prayer the women in Canada who have had an abortion and I ask that You would pour out the grace of Jesus upon them.  Father, where they feel weak and broken, would Your grace bring healing to their hearts and their bodies.  Father, I ask that You would lavish Your great love upon them, that they might know Your mercy and forgiveness and be set free from depression and self-hatred.  I ask that in their pain that they would turn to You and seek Your face and be washed clean and completely restored by the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for them.  Would You fill them with Your Holy Spirit and would they enter into fellowship with Him, receiving a revelation of Your heart towards them as they walk with the Holy Spirit in communion and friendship.  I ask that You would minister to the void that they may be feeling after losing their baby and bring complete healing to their emotions, bodies, and any psychological effects of having an abortion.  Would You set them free from shame and condemnation and replace it with Your love and a love for the lives of the unborn, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Sources/Links: Bound4Life Canada

Pro-Abortion Motion Defeated!

Praise Report: Just 3 days ago, I posted the prayer request to pray about the Canadian Liberal Pro-Abortion Motion.  Today, we thank God for His intervention while this motion was being voted on for Canada’s G8 summit agenda.  According to 4myCanada.ca‘s email newsletter, the motion was defeated 144 to 138, partially in thanks to everyone’s prayers, fasting and emails they sent to the members of parliament. Praise God!

Canadian Liberal Pro-Abortion Motion

Key Scripture: Amos 5:24 (NIV)

24 But let justice roll on like a river,
       righteousness like a never-failing stream!
 

General Prayer Focus: LIFE

Specific Prayer Focus: Canadian Liberal Pro-Abortion Motion

Tidbit of Information: Faytene Kryskow, with 4myCanada.ca and Bound4Life.ca, is calling a 3 day period of fasting and prayer from March 21-23, 2010 in response to the Canadian Liberal party’s expected motion to include the topic of abortion in Canada’s agenda at the G8 summit.  This motion is expected to be brought forward for a vote on Tuesday, March 23rd, at 5:30pm.  While Prime Minister Stephan Harper’s plan has been to bring up the issue of global infant and maternal mortality at the G8, the Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has been pushing to include providing access to abortion in this platform, claiming botched abortions as an issue that threatens women.  For more information about this motion and how you can both pray and take action, read the recent email newsletter here.

Prayer: Father, today we intercede and stand in the gap on behalf of unborn babies across the world and we pray that Your justice would roll on like a river, Your righteousness like a never-failing stream.  Father, we repent for the great bloodshed that has already occurred in Canada with our complete lack of regulations or laws against abortion.  Jesus, we bleed Your blood over our sins and the sins of our nation and we ask for both Your mercy and Your justice.  Would You spare our nation from Your judgment by sending Your Spirit for a great revival that would cause justice to flow abundantly on behalf of the unborn babies.  Father, we pray that You would cause the political leaders in our country to take a stand for righteousness and truth and justice and that You would cause a great uprising of men and women who are willing to be a strong and relentless voice for life!  Let Canada be known as a nation that seeks to promote life not only in our land, but in the nations of the earth.  We ask that You would fulfill the prophetic promises You have spoken over Canada, that she would be like the tree whose leaves bring healing to the nations.  We ask that Canada would not promote abortion as a solution to the problems of women and children across the earth, but that Canada would promote justice and life-giving aid.  Would You turn the hearts of the leaders of our land toward You and Your ways.  God end abortion and send revival to Canada, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Sources/Links: 4MyCanada.ca
Bound4Life.ca

American Health Care Bill

Key Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

General Prayer Focus: LIFE/Abortion

Specific Prayer Focus: American Health Care Bill

Tidbit of Information: According to LifeNews.com, the proposed health care bill could “pay for perhaps hundreds of thousands of abortions” and the House is considering “passing the pro-abortion Senate health care bill and possibly using a procedural trick to do so that would pass the bill without taking a vote on it”.  (March 14, 2010 Email Newsletter)

Prayer: Father, I thank You that it is Your desire for all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  Today, I pray for all those in authority who have the power to influence whether or not the proposed health care bill gets passed and I ask that You would give them supernatural revelation of Your truth.  I ask that they would see the value of the life of an unborn baby and be compelled to protect that life, even if it causes repercussions for their reputations or careers.  For the senators who are pro-life, I pray that You would fill them with strength in their inner man to not give way to the pressures coming against them to change their vote.  Empower them to not compromise their beliefs and what they know to be truth – that life begins at conception and we must protect it!  

I ask that You would hear the many prayers going up to You from all those who love and defend the rights of the unborn and that You would intervene in this situation in answer to their cries.  Would You also hear the cries of the many babies who have been aborted and bring justice on their behalf, changing the political tide from pro-abortion to pro-life!  I pray that no procedural trickery would advance the cause of abortion and that You would oppose the schemes of the enemy.  Even as You are already changing the hearts of the people in the nation of America on the issue of life, would You cause it to make it’s way into the laws of this land as well.  I pray for salvations in the government and for revival to sweep across this nation, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sources/Links:  LifeNews.com

Secure Homes

Key Scripture: Isaiah 32:17-18 (NIV)

 17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
       the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. 
 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
       in secure homes,
       in undisturbed places of rest.

General Prayer Focus: Family

Specific Prayer Focus: Secure homes

Prayer: Father, today I lift up to You in prayer the many families across the earth who are not currently experiencing peace or security in their homes.  For the families that are broken or where there is abuse or fear, I pray that You would come with Your love and transform these parents and children and bring healing.  Father, I ask that You would draw the hearts of moms and dads and children to You and cause them to desire righteousness so that they may experience the fruit of peace, quietness and confidence in their homes.  I pray that You would come with the power of Your Holy Spirit to heal broken hearts and broken relationships so that they may feel secure and safe when they are at home.  I pray that You would restore families to the way You designed them to be – whole and healthy – and that You would be at the center of families once again.  Where there is strife and discord, would You bring peace and rest.  Where there is pain, would You bring healing.  Where there is separation and divorce, would You bring reconciliation.  Where there is fear, would You bring peace and trust.  Father, let the families of the earth be undisturbed places of rest that are filled with the presence of Your Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

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