Mary and God’s Will

Kathy White
Divisional Field Director

We long to find God’s will for our lives! In I Thess. 5:18, Paul instructs us in how to find it!  “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NIV).

Mary comes to mind at Christmas as we see the will of God intersecting with history through the birth of Jesus—in the life of a young girl.

Just think about Mary and her experience—conversations with an angel, a cosmic pregnancy, being the controversial focal point of her small community, a new marriage, and then having a baby who was the most extraordinary Child ever born—the fully human, fully divine Savior of the world. I think the key to Mary and her ability to navigate this amazing journey in God’s will is found in Luke 2:19: which tells us that after the shepherds left “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

The original Greek word for ponder in this verse is symbollo: meaning to dispute with, to confer with, meet with, to ponder.

Mary didn’t just react to all that was happening, she took time to ponder the amazing events unfolding before her eyes. To process them with God, conferring with Him, thinking about His plans and trustworthiness. She was then able to respond with amazing confidence in God’s will for her life. Her wonderful response is found in Luke 1:46-55.

Take time to read this wonderful song and as you praise God with Mary, think of your circumstances in light of who He is. Thanking God puts all of life’s circumstances into perspective; under His sovereignty, His power, and His plans. Mary praised God for what He was doing through her and it enabled her to raise the Son of God and endure all the pain and joys that would follow.

During this Christmas season, and beyond, let’s not just react in a flurry to life and all its demands, but may we find God’s will as we ponder and  respond to God as Mary did—with thanksgiving!

Military Hour of Prayer

During 2012 God has used Stonecroft’s military ministry in amazing ways. Please join us in a prayer of thanksgiving.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” —Psalm 100:1-2, 4, NIV

Father in Heaven, these words from Psalm 100 are so appropriate as we consider all that has happened this past year in the Military Ministry arm of Stonecroft. We give you thanks and praise for many wonderful military events, such as the Military Appreciation event on September 11 in Bartlesville, OK—attended by 500 people—and the “Monumental Hour of Prayer” held at Mt. Rushmore on July 8, where more than 360 came to hear Tom Greco share his story, and  fourteen decisions were made for Christ.

We overflow with gratitude as we think about the many successful Stonecroft Military Heart Events this year:

• Dobbins Air Force Base, Cape Cod NH, June 12, and Cape May, NJ.
• McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS, September 20. We praise you for the wonderful attendance and the many who signed up for Stonecroft Bible Studies.
• MacDill AFB, Tampa Bay, FL, September 21. Thank You for this first women’s Military Heart Event with many receiving Christ and signing up for Stonecroft Bible studies.
• Camp Pendleton, CA, October 6. We praise and thank You for the large group that came to this third annual event and welcomed their new lead Chaplain. We rejoice in knowing that many women signed up for Pray & Play and mentoring.
• Mt. Home AFB, ID. We praise You for this event, also a third annual event, our first Family Heart Event. We thank you for this great time of joy as men, women, and their children celebrated together—an event made sweeter because many of the military personnel had just returned from deployment.
• Vandenberg AFB, CA, October 24. We thank You for the great turnout, especially for the many who prayed to receive Christ and signed up for Bible studies. We also thank you for the successful one-day Bible study held the next morning. We praise you that this Bible Study event will be a model for others.
• Virginia Beach, VA, October 27. Thank you for this awesome third annual event which was so well attended—in spite of hurricane Sandy. You are Sovereign! Our God reigns!

And now, Abba Father, we look toward the open doors and opportunities before us. We remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12, NIV).

Again, heeding the words of Paul, help us to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. Help us forgive as You have forgiven us. And over all these virtues may we put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col. 3:13-14)

Father, our hearts’ desire is to glorify You and honor Your Name. We pray that the seeds sown during these military events will bear fruit for Your glory.

We pray for those who received special military Bibles from Biblica. Please help them to read and understand Your living Word. We ask that those who signed up for Pray & Play and Stonecroft Bible Studies will grow in Your Word and in fellowship with one another.

Father, we pray for our National Military Ministry leaders:

•    Pauletta Staley, Director
•    Robin Harnist, Speaker/Trainer Consultant
•    Kathy Torrence, Liaison Consultant
•    Teasia Levin, Liaison Consultant
•    Anne Rice, Prayer Consultant

In the Name of Jesus, we unite in prayer against the work of the enemy, and we put on humility. We see humility not as a dark, wet cloak, but as a beautiful adorning silk scarf. Join our hearts together as one body so that Your light, Your love, and Your glory will overcome all darkness and confusion.

We pray for the other ministries that serve alongside Stonecroft:

•    Child Evangelism Fellowship, which reaches out to children during military events
•    Biblica, which provides special military Bibles for us to give free-of-charge
•    National Day of Prayer, which ministers with us on and around military bases

Thank You for providing special opportunities to share the ministry in ever widening circles. We ask Your blessing and direction for upcoming events in 2013.

“Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.” –Psalm 33:12a

In Jesus’ name, Amen.


As you join us in prayer with and for Stonecroft’s military family and friends, maybe you are led to join us in serving individuals and families in the military. If so, please contact Pauletta Staley, national director of Military Ministry, at pstaley@stonecroft.org.

If you have family and friends serving in the military, please add your prayers for them in the comment section below. [Please use first names only, unless the individual or family has specifically requested that their names be posted here, and avoid mentioning their location unless you know their mission is unclassified.] You can also share other prayers you have for the military and military ministry.

Political Action and Prayer Action

By Nancy Sprowls
Stonecroft assistant to the Sr. Vice President of Field Ministry

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

Divisiveness, half-truths, and partisanship have been the words of note leading to last week’s elections. I wonder what Jesus thinks of this. He experienced all of those things as He ministered on Earth and suffered the stings of such words. Now that the bickering and rhetoric has paused until the next election cycle, maybe it’s time to reflect for a moment on Christian priorities in the political arena.

Scripture clearly shows that our first political action is to pray for our kings, presidents, and leaders—we are to make requests for them, intercede for them, and offer prayers of thanksgiving. Then, we are to pray that their decisions would be such that we would be able to live quiet and peaceful lives.

Somehow, offering those prayers is good and pleasing to God. Somehow, it appears that when we pray for those things it is a testimony to others who don’t yet know Christ, or those not growing in Christ—it causes them to see and hear truth and gain knowledge in the truth.

My Mom exemplified a Christian heart of political prayer. She always had a photo of the President of the United States hanging in her home. She prayed for him, no matter what political persuasion he professed. I never asked her, but my hunch is that she prayed for their families, their decisions, gave thanks for them, and asked that the decisions each President made would allow her family to live peaceful and quiet lives.
And you know what? It was a testimony to all who entered her home. Her grandchildren, to this day, remember the pictures of the Presidents and know that Grandma prayed.

Applying this Scripture, as my Mom did, brings its nugget of truth to life; sinking deep into the soul of all who entered her home.

When our political action first becomes prayer action, God will be glorified and others will gain knowledge of the truth.

Justice

By Trina Pockett
Stonecroft Divisional Field Director

“Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”—Amos 5:24

God loves justice. All throughout Scripture, we see God’s response to people who are being oppressed. He saves. He delivers. He heals.

God called Moses to action to lead the Israelites to freedom. He positioned Esther to speak up and a nation was preserved. He gave David strength and courage to defeat a giant. God sent His Son to rescue people.
Today, we read headlines about human trafficking, extreme poverty, suicide, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, depression, and child abandonment. These are injustices that break the heart of God.

God is calling out to His people. How will we respond?

Our first response should be prayer. We must acknowledge that these injustices are too big for us to carry alone. Only God’s power can rescue, heal, and transform this world. We get to engage in the process by first, turning our hearts to God, and pleading on behalf of other people. From there, He will direct us into action.

Let’s make this our prayer!

God, we pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit, healing for the oppressed, comfort for the brokenhearted, deliverance for those in bondage, courage for us to take action, and for a mighty flood of justice in our land. We give You all glory and honor. In your Son’s precious name, Amen.

Striding in the Sunshine or Soaking in His Grace?

 By Laura Muckerman
Stonecroft Staff Writer


These days, I find myself praying more frequently than ever for the Stonecroft staff and our families, and I hope you will, too. So many of us are affected by serious illness in our families.

I have to confess that when I pray for God’s help, either for myself or for someone I love, I want deliverance from trouble, not spiritual growth through trouble. I want the medical test results to be good. I want the difficulty to end. I want the pain to go away—now!

But often God’s answer—and He always answers—seems to be either “no” or “wait.”

Scripture has much to say about why God allows trials, but if He were to give us a simple, elementary-school-reading-level explanation, it might be something like this:

“In the sunshine, My children stride down the road of life.

“In evening shadows, My children raise a quick prayer, then cautiously step forward.

“But in torrential rain, My children pause beside the road and cry out to Me for help. And, though they may not know it, people who love them are calling out to Me on their behalf, too.

“As I hear these cries, I rush to gather My children in My arms. When they fix their eyes on Me, their fear gives way to trust, and their weakness becomes a showcase for My strength. If the storm lingers, their rain-soaked faces resemble the Savior’s a little more each day.”


Let’s pray for health and happiness, hoping the answer is “yes.” Let’s remember, though, that if God answers “no” or “wait,” it’s because He not only does amazing things for people, but in people and through people who learn to wait on Him.

 
How have you seen God answer “yes” to your prayers? Have you seen God working through difficulties or health struggles? How do you pray for those in crisis? Please share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” (below) to respond.

Influential Women

by Tami Walker

Divisional Field Director

Stonecroft Ministries 

We are called to pray and to ask for prayer. Together we can become the change agents God has called us to be. This begins by being a listening ear for those who need prayer and humbly sharing our needs by asking for prayer, too.

I’ve heard it said that today, leadership is influence and influence is leadership. We as women have the opportunity to shape our sphere of influence. It starts with our families, our parents, siblings, and our kids. Then it extends to neighbors, friends, co-workers. 

If I asked each of you, “Who is your best friend, who is your neighbor, and who do you work with?” I imagine the answer to those three questions would be different for each one of us. That means we live in different spheres. This has a profound impact on for the Kingdom of God. 

He has set us in this time in history to bring the Kingdom of God here and now. How does this begin? It begins by praying. Praying for our influence to be felt and for those we know and lead; that they too might become influencers for God and His purposes.

Zechariah 4:6

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

We are called to be influencers, but we can’t do it alone. We need each other. More than anything, we must understand it’s not in our own strength but in His strength that we accomplish what He has sent us to do. Ready to pray for influential women? Do you need prayer as an influential woman? Let us hear from you in the comment section below.

Interceding on Behalf of Another

From Ready to Pray,
by Gail E. Dudley

There is truly an urgency to pray for individuals, marriages, families, churches, pastors, government, communities, the lost, and our cities. We find in the Bible this passage of Scripture, “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: 'Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city (Acts 18:9-10).'"

We are called by God to intercede. Intercession is praying and standing in the gap on behalf of another. Believe it or not, everyone has been called to pray on behalf of another. However, God has called others specifically to the ministry of intercession. Intercession is not about your personal conversation with God about yourself, your needs, and your desires.

Intercession means standing in the gap, covering, warring, and sometimes weeping on behalf of someone else in prayer. Sometimes it is when the Lord puts the face of a person in front of you or maybe the Lord drops someone’s name in your spirit. There’s nothing you can do but pray. Intercession is having a connection with God, talking with Him, petitioning Him, crying out to Him, through prayer on behalf of another in need.

All across the world there are individuals whom God has chosen to stand in the gap for someone else or for a particular situation. Maybe God has placed your name on the heart of someone else to pray. Maybe God has placed someone’s name on your heart to pray.

How can we pray for one another for such a time as this? Join us in conversation and write your comment in the comment box.

Prayer and Stewardship

Deborah Horne
Vice President of Development

There could not be a better marriage of two words than Prayer and Stewardship. By the very act of praying, be it adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving we recognize one God as the supreme owner of everything. Then, through the grace of God and the miracle of walking in a personal relationship with the Creator, God in turn asks us to be stewards, to take very good care of every resource entrusted to us. 

As we follow the journey of Christ through the Gospels, it is clear people mattered more than riches. Possessions had their proper place and spiritual gifts were recognized and used. Jesus taught stewardship.

Is there an area in my heart, my home, where I store up riches because I fear the unknown? What about an area where I store up words because I am afraid to speak? 1 Corinthians 4:1 states we are not only servants of Christ, but stewards of the mysteries of God. This is the Christian life.

Oh, to find ourselves prostrate before God—in prayer seeking His instructions on living a life that is empty of all self-focus and to be a woman of stewardship—someone to whom people matter and whose resources grow in value because she shares them with others.

Prayer and Stewardship. How should you pray? Please join the conversation by sharing in the comment section below.

Transformational Prayers

By Toni Sandberg
Divisional Field Director
Southern Division

We, the body of Christ, are to pray and live so that our lives direct those around us to Jesus Himself. As we pray, our lives are being transformed from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. This becomes a radical change because it affects everything we say and do.

As I looked specifically in Ephesians 1:15-23, I'm astounded at the depth and beauty of Paul’s prayers for the church of Ephesus and then for all others who read his prayers later. In verses 17-18, Paul is expressing his heart for Asia Minor, that God would reveal Himself to them more clearly, that their hearts would be opened to glorious visions, and that they would understand the inheritance they've been given and the sheer power of the God and Gospel they have come to believe. This is a perfect example of praying a radical, transformational prayer.

As important as it is to pray these kinds of prayers for others, it is imperative that we pray this way for ourselves as well.

And, as we apply Paul’s prayer and incorporate it as our own, I challenge us to think of ten Christian family members/friends to pray this prayer for daily. Ask God for His power and Spirit to explode and pour out for the purpose of living a transformational life, growing our witness and influence for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let's expect great and mighty things as we seek to turn from self-centeredness and live radically God-centered lives. The results will be as written in verse 23, "the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way."

"The greatest thing anyone can do for God and for man is to pray." - S.D. Gordon

Blog to Share God's Words

By Lisa Heidrich
MidSouth Divisional Field Director

Why not begin a blog to keep account of the prayers you submit before the Lord?

Lists, journals, prayer-chains, and paper and pencil all have their place in logging our supplications before God, but how about adding a new venue? Give a Prayer Blog a shot. You don't have to start one on your own, but can experiment with blogging on an established site. For example, the Call To Me prayer blog is a great place to start. Just record your prayers, and God’s answers, in the comment section below.

A blog is a diary kept on the internet, with frequent updates, intended for public viewing.  That is the official definition. If you ask me, a blog is an opportunity to share our conversations with God, His Word, our witness, and His response to our petitions.

 Sound scary?  I think of Ezra and his prayer; “My God I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you because my sins are too many, higher than my head...” Yes, prayer is an intimate time with the Lord, but some of our prayers are worthy for display to share with others. They will connect people to Jesus Christ and the power in praying. 

When I think of an ancient writer who might be an everyday blogger, the apostle Paul comes to mind.  He was not afraid to share his prayers with the public. As you read his writings, look for his public proclamations. The Old Testament is full of accounts in which God was beseeched in public, and praised in public for His answers and His goodness.

Today, our public square is the internet.

Remember His ear is open to our prayers. The more interceding the better. Give it a good try. You never know whose life your prayers might touch across this universe!

Please use the comment section below and share your thoughts on prayer using the blog or share a prayer that may touch someone’s life.

Blockage to Prayer -- Unforgiveness

By Gail Dudley
Vice President of Diversity and Call To Me national leader

Is there unforgiveness in your heart? This could be what’s hindering your prayers. Yes, God hears your cry, but we must first go and forgive the person who may have offended us. Sometimes the person we must forgive is the person we see in the in the mirror.

When we choose not to forgive we hold on to our fleshy views and feelings. Selfishly, we want time to be angry; therefore we hold the person hostage who we believe has caused distress in our life. We find ourselves in a posture of praying with the thought which reflects, I’ll pray as long as I can pray for the Lord to teach them a lesson! Sad to say, but this is how I have thought, felt, and prayed at times.

When we are preoccupied, unforgiveness can cloud our communication with Jesus. When you experience unforgiveness it may be a good time to read Psalm 139:23: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts.”

Want freedom? Desire to have healthy conversation with God? Release the unforgiveness. Forgive. It is not worth it and it will cause great pain to you in the long run—as well as a broken relationship with Jesus. Jesus came to bring life and an abundant life—live a life free in Jesus.

Would you like to share with our readers? Please share your experience of unforgiveness and forgiveness in your prayer journey. Share the steps you took to deal with the unforgiveness that may have blocked your prayers in the comment section below.

Prayer is a Relationship

By Mary Boling
Prayer Co-Coordinator
Indianapolis, IN

As a little girl I realized that Jesus was someone I wanted to know. I was not sure how to make that happen. I found that by reading His Word and praying to Him I began to know Him. I was amazed that God wants us to spend time with Him, talk with Him, and cry out to Him. I learned that when Moses, David, Isaiah, Mary, Ruth, Jesus, and so many more prayed, they found peace, direction, and forgiveness. I prayed to Jesus and knew I had just made a Friend for life, a Brother who would protect me, and a Savior who saved me.

Today, I have held on to that relationship with Jesus and have grown closer to Him. I know that interceding on behalf of others is something that Jesus does and wants us to do. When we think about our human relationships, we react mostly with our emotions. But Jesus reacts to our relationship with only love. He loves spending time, speaking to, and guiding us. May we joyfully know we have a Savior, Brother, and Protector who is always with us, waiting for us to pray to Him, spend time with Him, and rest in Him.

The Lord’s Prayer

By Doris Thompson

Senior Vice President of Field Ministry

The Lord’s Prayer unites us, though our churches and even theologies can sometimes separate us. Catholic or Protestant, conservative or liberal, for a brief moment in worship, praying the Lord’s Prayer together unites us.

One theologian stated, “The Lord’s Prayer really is the creed that most connects the world's Christians.”

However, we all at one time or another utter the Lord’s Prayer without thinking. We've memorized it, yet we don’t fully understand the depths of its content. We prayed it publicly together, although how often do we pray behind closed doors alone?

Regimen can reduce the Lord’s Prayer and we miss out what Jesus taught when His disciples asked Him, “Teach us to Pray.”

Today, I would like us to re-think anew the Lord’s Prayer. Reflect upon its beauty and ask yourself why church leaders such Martin Luther and St. Augustine observed that there was nothing more wonderful in the entire Bible than the Lord’s Prayer.

Consider its influence for our lives and think through its poetic frame as both Divinity and Humanity are interwoven. 

First, let’s look at its context found in Matthew’s account of the Beatitudes. The disciples are experiencing Jesus' description of the Kingdom of God which compels their desire for further instruction on prayer. Their observation, “No one had ever prayed like Jesus.”

The disciples knew His prayers were different, intimate and personal, humble, and the outcome produced supernatural results.

These men had likely prayed all of their lives. Their Jewish heritage required them to be discipled in the practice of prayer. Some historians say the average Jew, during the time of Jesus, prayed between three and four hours a day. 

Their request to Jesus was not about scheduling prayer or even the quantity or quality of prayer. They craved to experience the intimate communion Jesus had with the Father that they witnessed first hand.

So what is it about the Lord’s Prayer that compelled His disciples to write it down, cause it to be modeled for generations, and, in its unique simplicity, tie us together and bind us united with Him? 

Charles Spurgeon described it like this:

“Jesus designed it in such a way that it would pass safely through the ages without being tampered with. He arranged it with consummate skill, so that it could not be twisted or distorted. Nor, adapted to any man made system, that in fact it would carry the whole Christ Message.” 

There are five petitions included in the Lord’s Prayer.

First: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

The first word Father, in the Lords Prayer is “Abba” which is the Aramaic name used by Jewish child for his or her father. Literally, “Abba” means “Daddy”.

No one before Jesus dared to think or teach that we could approach God in such an intimate way. That’s one of the reasons the disciples were stunned by the way Jesus prayed.

Rabbis spoke of God as the Father of the people. But Jesus was teaching them to address God as their own personal Father. In Jesus’ day, “Father” included the concepts of Love, Care, Responsibility, Discipline, the Hopes and Dreams of one’s children, Respect and Blessing.

Today, in the west, our fatherhood concept is but a shell of the powerful concept that Jesus communicated through this simple word. “Our Father, Abba, Daddy”

We can talk to Our Father with great intimacy, love and devotion, Jesus not only prayed this way, He taught His disciples to pray this way, too.

Second: Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Ushering in God’s Kingdom is part of His perfect will in our individual lives. The Lord’s Prayer informs us that it’s the Father’s desire to bring heaven’s glory to His created order.

I've recently read, “We should not look like we're going to heaven, instead we should look like we are coming from heaven.”

We long to see His kingdom. We want the chaos we live in to cease and to be replaced by Godly order. We want God’s intervention, yet, when we look at scripture, God desires a partnership.

Scripture reminds us that we belong to God’s kingdom. We find it’s here, yet its full reign is still to come. Our Father desires us to be participators—for us to live and work with Him to establish it.

A synergistic work between God and man takes place in prayer. It is interactive, reciprocal, and collaborative.

This places us on the cutting edge of kingdom living. Wherever we go, every person we see has kingdom implications. If our desire is to see His kingdom come we will be aware of the kingdom before us, ushered in through our love and obedience and through the power of His prayer.

As we pray for His kingdom, we are submitting our lives.  We exclaim “Give us what we need to do our part, to make this present day kingdom come.”

Third: Give us this day our daily bread

From the Gospel of John, we are reminded that Jesus himself is the Bread of Life; “He who comes to Me will not hunger and He who believes in Me will never thirst.”

That simple word “bread” carries with it the shared meals with Jesus during His life, before His death and after His resurrection.

It contains the multiplication meal, the Emmaus meal, the Lakeside meal, and the Eucharist meal. The bread of Christ has both spiritual and physical significance. Throughout the gospels, we see this Divine engagement of Christ as He took, blessed, broke, and gave to the masses.

It is the daily bread of justice, yet we must not forget it is also the daily challenge of the injustice of the hungry. Could it be that God’s Kingdom Come involves a fair distribution of God’s nourishment for all Gods people?

This prayer represents the literal hope for enough bread today, which has been ancient dream of the Earth’s “have not's.” Jesus, in this prayer, teaches us that we are dependent upon Him for our daily bread.

Fourth: Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

Sin is a sense of separateness from God and is the major tragedy of the Human experience.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we see a sequence of Divine forgiveness and then human forgiveness.

This is the invariable rule by which God dispenses pardon.

Forgiveness is another synergistic work of the Trinity in our lives. It enables us to not only be forgiven, but to be forgivers.

When we come before Him unwilling to forgive, harboring dark and revengeful thoughts, how can we expect God to show us mercy, when we are unwilling to show it to others?

An overbearing spirit should not be used to oppress a debtor, especially if it greatly distresses a wife, child, widow or orphan.

For all the things which we need to find forgiveness, might our greatest sin be our lack of human forgiveness?

Jesus, as He was crucified prayed “Father forgive them for they know NOT what they do.” Jesus demonstrated not to seek retribution or revenge, but offered a better way.

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us, so that we may be sons of “Our Father in Heaven.”

Fifth: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  

In the previous petition, “Forgive us our Debts” the request is made that our past sins would be forgiven. Now, a plea is made that we would not be “led into temptation” thus avoiding evil.

God is not the prime-mover behind all temptations nor does He lead us into a life that is free of it. Rather, He teaches us to depend on Him for necessary strength.

New and powerful temptations await us on our path, ever ready to throw us down if we are not prepared. Temptations come to serve for self-glory and self-gratification instead of for loving God.

It is interesting that the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer end in this way. Knowing God can deliver us from the Evil One and bring redemption is a powerful reminder of the Gospel that changes lives.

God’s power to bring His goodness to a desperate world gives us tremendous Hope.

You and I can be “Hope Bearers” to those who experience the dark, oppressed existence that seems impossible to overcome.

As we conclude the Lord’s Prayer, we are reminded again who sits on the throne. The Kingdom is His, the Power is His, and the Glory is His forever.

Charles Spurgeon said, “The entire Christ message is carried in this prayer.”

You see Jesus knew the Disciples needed this prayer, the church needed it, and the truth is—we all need it. May we live it out.

Prayer Changes Things

By Pamela M. Tolson
Lead Prayer Consultant
Southern Division

“You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” —Matthew 21:22

What would I do without prayer? I do not know what I would do without prayer. I learned at an early age that prayer is what sustains one throughout their Christian walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

I grew up in a powerful house of prayer. My mother prayed four times a day: 6:00 a.m., noon, 6:00 p.m., and midnight. No matter what we were doing when my mom would start praying, we had to stop and pray with her. She taught me that if I wanted a closer walk with the Lord, I had to talk to Him and listen to Him. I asked her what she meant about talking to Him. She said, “Exactly what I mean, talk to the Lord as if He was sitting right in front of you. Have a personal relationship with Him. No matter where you go or what you do, if you cannot take the Lord with you then you do not belong there. He is your friend and He needs to communicate with His friend.”

From that very moment, I started talking to Him aloud and in my private time. The more I talked with the Lord, the more I relied on Him.

I do not know what I would do without prayer in my life. I have heard the words in Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” I have gone through many trials and tribulations with prayer and trusting in the Lord, and I have come through them all.

I have been serving with Stonecroft for seven years and this has been my calling: PRAYER. For well more than a year women have gathered together in the southern region to pray on a monthly conference call. We focus on praying for those who aren't yet in a relationship with Jesus Christ. God has answered our prayer many times.

I am a witness that PRAYER changes things. Have you witnessed PRAYER changing things around your life or your communities? Please share. Just use the comment area below. We would love to hear from you.

Yes, Lord, I Hear You Loud and Clear

By Cindy Faulkner

Stonecroft Prayer Consultant

Southern Division

To a Christian, prayer is essential to stay connected to God. Christ is our example in how and when to pray.  He prayed to His Father when alone in a secluded place, He prayed when in a crowd, He prayed as He began His ministry, and when He chose His disciples.  He never missed an opportunity to pray. He prayed before going to the cross. Jesus prayed for Himself, and He prayed for you and me (He still does!). Jesus gave us the perfect example of prayer.

Do we pray, listening and expecting His answer? Sometimes, we need to simply listen for the voice of God throughout our day. He finds ways to communicate His answers to us. He speaks to us through His Word, or through the wisdom of another Christian. Sometimes He speaks to me through the words of a song.

Recently, on the way to a Call to Prayer at a church in Atlanta, I had to drive on the Interstate, in the rain, during morning traffic time. I was totally out of my comfort zone. I began praying. I had a storm raging inside of me. I began singing “I will praise you through this storm.” As I prayed and sang, my fears calmed.  Traffic was flowing at a nice speed. I felt His presence. Suddenly, three miles before my exit, I saw a wall of red brake lights before me. It was then I clearly heard His voice through the radio. Casting Crowns’ song, “Praise You in this Storm” began playing. I had to smile, He had everything under control. “Yes, Lord, I hear You loud and clear.” 

Are you listening for His answer?

I don't feel like Praying

By Gail Dudley

Vice President of Diversity

Stonecroft Ministries

Have you ever been at a point where you just didn’t feel like praying? It wasn’t that you could not pray, but more that you didn’t feel like it. If we were to tell the truth, we have all been in this place many times.

It is easy to get caught up in our personal day-to-day activities, our to-do lists, our selfish ways, and focus on our own situations and challenges, and become so distracted that we simply do not feel like praying. We have prayed and have asked God to fix our situations and still find that we are back in the same place without noticing any change or progress so we give up and throw a pity-party—woe is me. We find ourselves in the position of not wanting to pray.  We become weak and tired, therefore, we don’t feel like praying.

Ask yourself, “What if God didn’t feel like talking to me?” There’s a thought. Prayer is a little like praise. God does not make me praise Him, but there are times that I just have to. If I don’t, I just won’t feel right.

This is the same with prayer. We should pray to Jesus every day, and more often to stay in constant communion with Him. And sometimes we have to sacrifice sleep, talking on the telephone or hanging out with family and friends. Truth: You cannot afford not to pray. It may be hard sometimes to pray, but it is something we must do in order to know the ways of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer is not complicated. We think we must use fancy words, and long sentences. NO – whispering the name of Jesus is prayer. Simply saying, “Thank you” is prayer. Saying, “Father, forgive me” is prayer.  Saying, “Good morning, Jesus” is prayer.

Even when one does not feel like it – we should pray, “I bless Your Name, Jesus”!

Prioritizing Prayer

Toni Sandberg

Divisional Field Director

Southern Region

We have all heard this before, maybe we have even voiced it ourselves: “All we can do now is pray.”

Many times this is an expression of last resort.

We are good at recognizing and meeting the physical needs in our lives; need to tend to family, to keep appointments, to take a shower, to solve our problems, etc. But do we really recognize the need for prayer as a first, during, and last resort? We make our solutions the priority and not prayer. We place going to God in prayer as our last resort instead of our immediate reaction.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “Prayer meetings are the throbbing machinery of the church.” As the body of Christ, we should be driven to our knees. When we pray and also join together in prayer, we are fulfilling His calling to be witnesses and we realize how utterly dependent we are on His power.

The early believers in Acts 4 understood the priority and need of prayer. And, because of their faithfulness in going to God first, they experienced many signs, miracles, and opportunities to see God expand their mission. Acts 4:24 says, “When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” And Acts 4:31 is a beautiful tribute: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

We want our mission, our lives, expanded, inspired, and anointed. Know that we need to prioritize our prayer life. This means implementing prayer as a first response in our everyday lives. We need to continue to pray, pray often, pray deeply, pray dependently—as your life depends on it.

The Power of Listening to God

by Tami Walker

Stonecroft Divisional Field Director

Great Lakes

 

Most of us are bombarded each day with all kinds of noise. If you’re like me, you might have the radio or TV on as background noise. Perhaps you listen to music when you exercise; maybe you use Pandora radio when you’re on your computer.

Although we live in a culture of information and noise, it’s important to learn to stop and listen.

Some of us do this through regular quiet times that we have built into our days. Some start with a coffee making routine, then sitting in a favorite spot and reading the Bible. Some employ a journal or a prayer list to make requests known to God. Others use a devotional guide or Bible study. 

If you notice, most of these are activities, things we do. I would suggest that most of the work done in our lives is not what we do, but what God does. This starts with cultivating time with God in silence, in listening. Silence can be foreign at first. Being silent for five minutes can seem like hours.

 I confess, this is not natural for me. I am a doer. That means for me remaining silent is something I have to practice. In some traditions, routine spiritual retreats are done in silence. Others may use a spiritual director; others may just start by turning off the radio in the car.

Wherever you start, just start.

God has much to share with us if we choose to silence ourselves and listen. Let’s journey together.

There is great power in listening to God. He has so much to share with us as we journey together. Please share some ways that you quiet yourself and take time to listen to God.

Orchestrating Prayer

By Gail E. Dudley

Vice President of Diversity

Stonecroft Ministries

Prayer is not a solo activity. At the least, it’s two people—you and God. Often, it’s a small group, an entire congregation, or members of a specific ministry or organization.

Recently, I was thinking about the Call To Me movement and how we focus on specific themes each month. Sometimes we are in the same room with others praying, but often we are miles, states, and even oceans away from each other. Still, we are united through Call To Me and by our Intercessor, Jesus. As I was wondering about this, a certain image came to mind.

Think about a symphony orchestra. The most important person in an orchestra—the conductor—does not play an instrument at all. The conductor's job, at its most basic level, is to indicate the beat of the music.

The conductor holds a silent instrument, the baton, used to instruct each orchestra member. With each movement of the baton, the conductor instructs with imaginary points to indicate the beat in the bar the orchestra should be playing together.

Think about Jesus. He is the most important person during prayer. When your heartbeat begins to line up with His heartbeat, you will find yourself praying what He is praying. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done…” You are now praying what He desires you to pray. You are now focused on His thoughts and His will and His direction and find that your thoughts are no longer as important as before. Your mind is now focused on Christ Jesus.

As you become more intimate with Jesus through prayer, you will learn His voice. As the conductor, He will prepare you. Jesus will speak to you boldly, compassionately, through a whisper, and will instruct you.

What word pictures would you use to describe prayer?