SUPPLICATION

A HUNGER FOR GOD & HIS TRANSFORMING POWER

Screen Shot 2016-01-11 at 4.19.26 PM[Because we are Christians and live in the world we will always need prayer for our walk and for witnessing to others about CHRIST.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for others or even ourselves.  Fill the name in the blanks.]

“Jesus says to Simon Peter…do you have a love for me called out of your heart by my preciousness to you, a devotional love that impels you to sacrifice yourself for me? Do you consider me more precious and thus love me more than these [fish]?…” (ref#37, p266, [John 21:15]).

 FATHER.ç “What Christ died for is not that we might help him, but that we might see and savor him as infinitely valuable” John Piper (ref#92, p83).

FATHER, I pray for ____, that (he/she) rest in CHRIST’s love. Remind (him/her) that the moment (he/she) was regenerated (he/she) automatically became “a holy temple fit for habitation of the Holy Spirit”  Roy and Revel Hession (ref#101, p13). Hasten ____ to dwell on this truth as much as (his/her) new birth. “God has given a new life plus the indwelling of the very Person of the Holy Spirit” Roy and Revel Hession (ref#101, p14). It is through the SPIRIT that ____ will find CHRIST waiting for a relationship with (him/her). I pray ____ develop a hunger for fellowship and for CHRIST’s transforming power so that (he/she) may experience a vigorous and joyful life (ref#78, p25,26).

SUPPLICATION

THE PRICE JESUS PAID

[We all have friends and family that do not want anything to do with Christianity so it is up to us to pray for their salvation.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for them.  Fill their name in the blanks.]

Screen Shot 2015-12-31 at 12.33.46 PM“God is not unfaithful to forget the price which His Son has paid. He will not suffer His substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be;…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 4th AM).

CHRIST, Himself prays for the now ungodly who will someday believe. “Their names are on His breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 4th AM).

FATHER, ____ is in rebellion against You. (He/She) does not stay in Your path and is not acquainted with Your ways (Job 24:13). (He/She) is not mindful of the wonders that You perform—not realizing that You are ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and therefore, will not forsake (him/her) (Neh 9:17).

____ is deceived by the arrogance of (his/her) own heart (Jer 49:16). Thus is defiant and rebellious, revolting and departing from You (Jer 5:23), spurning Your counsel (Ps 107:11).

But You, FATHER, will break that stubborn heart and lay low that lofty spirit. Make conscious (his/her) wound so it brings (him/her) into contact with You, the Healer (ref#61, Oct 26th). I pray (he/she) be “broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent” (Ps 51:17 AMP).

“Who would refuse to drink the wormwood and the gall, if along this path only he could reach the sunlit spot where the smiles of a sin-pardoning God fill the heart with joy and gladness” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Oct 26th)?

SUPPLICATION

RECALLING PROMISES

[Below is a general prayer for Christians in tribulation.  We all can think of a sister or brother experiencing  so much affliction they may not be able to pray for themselves.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for them.  Fill in their name in the blanks.]

Screen Shot 2015-12-30 at 12.41.08 PMFATHER, because of Your Word ____ knows of Your promises. And, because of Your SPIRIT, (he/she) will have (his/her) belief strengthened as (he/she) experiences this frowning providence.

I thank You for Your Bible. Your words have supernatural influence, motivating and guiding ____. They correct thoughts and are able to change unbelief to belief (2 Tim 3:16). Lead (him/her) to Your Scriptures that will strengthen (his/her) belief.

You GOD, in Your steadfast love will meet (him/her) (Ps 59:10). You are faithful and will never let ____ be tempted beyond (his/her) ability to endure but, with the trial, You’ll provide a way so that (he/she) can endure it (1 Cor 10:13). You will make sure (he/she) can triumph over every enemy (Ps 59:10).

LORD, turn the darkness before (him/her) into light, making the rough places into level ground. Give (him/her) the understanding that You guide (him/her) and will never forsake (him/her) (Isa 42:16)—that You have plans for (him/her), plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give (him/her) a future and a hope (Jer 29:11).

Cause (him/her), FATHER, to tremble at Your Word, not tremble in fear at this calamity. Before You LORD, may (he/she) humble (himself/herself); O LORD, see (his/her) broken and wounded spirit. When (he/she) is ground to pieces, melted down to nothing before You, then look please, at (him/her) and regard (his/her) lowly state (Isa 66:2). Come to (his/her) rescue.

Give ____ rest now in Your perfect peace. You alone, O LORD, will make (him/her) to dwell in safety. Tonight, may (he/she) lie down and sleep knowing You will care for (him/her) (Ps 4:8).

 

SUPPLICATION

Because we are Christians and live in the world we will always need prayer for our walk and for witnessing to others about CHRIST.  Here’s an opportunity to pray for others or even ourselves.  Fill their name or your name in the blanks.

WAITING FOR HIM

Screen Shot 2015-11-09 at 1.12.44 PM…FATHER, just over ____’s head are unseen creatures fighting for souls—(his/her) soul and (his/her) friend’s souls. Ground (him/her) in the true facts about Who controls everything.

Because You, FATHER, put all things under CHRIST’s feet and He is the supreme LORD over all things (Eph 1:22), I pray ____ will wait for Him in prayer. CHRIST rules above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords (Eph 1:21). He also has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next (Eph 1:21).

Because every power and authority in the universe is subject to CHRIST (Col 2:10), I pray ____ will wait for Him in prayer. For CHRIST disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them (Col 2:15).

CHRIST destroys the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and gives ____ power to overcome by His blood (Rev 12:11), therefore, I pray ____ will wait for Him in prayer.

SUPPLICATION

We all have friends and family that sit in our churches but only act like they are Christians. It is up to us to pray for their salvation. Here’s an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.

THE BOASTINGS OF THE FALLEN NATURE

Screen Shot 2015-11-07 at 12.33.30 PM…FATHER, ____ has heard of You by attending church; (he/she) has read (his/her) Bible, maybe even committed verses to memory, nonetheless Your Word does not produce fruit in (him/her) (Mark 4:19). Even Your truth residing in (his/her) mind is unable to affect (him/her).

It seems ____ is in the business, FATHER, of becoming holy and more holy in (his/her) own strength. Seems (he/she) is working with such intenseness that (he/she) passes over the good news about CHRIST. I think that (his/her) work is so gratifying that (he/she) imagines (he/she) is doing well and getting better and better. But…

“There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth” (Prov 30:12 ESV). “This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong’” (Prov 30:20 ESV).

“The majority of people have their morality well within their own grasp, they do not sense the need of the Gospel” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 17th).

FATHER, it seems ____ is pursuing You because (he/she) admires righteousness therefore (he/she) is trying hard to act righteously (ref#33, p110). (He/She) may not know that (his/her) natural flesh can perform good as well as produce sin (ref#33, p110). (He/She) may be confusing (his/her) natural fleshly work with Your HOLY SPIRIT’s work. And, the case is that (he/she) is then unable to be a Christian because it is impossible to receive anything unless it is given to (him/her) from heaven (James 1:17).

It is quite natural to fall into the pattern of searching the Scriptures for commands to keep (John 5:39). By keeping only the commands of (his/her) choosing (he/she) does not need a Savior; (he/she) is saving (himself/herself). FATHER, lead ____ to the understanding that whatever “does not issue from waiting upon God, from depending upon the HOLY SPIRIT, is unquestionably of the flesh” Watchman Nee (ref #33, p 114).

It seems that ____ is set in (his/her) own ways of righteousness, but I know, FATHER, that You can and will work in due season to call Your sons and daughters according to Your purpose (ref#13, Vol 1, p31 [Mark 2:14]). Please, FATHER, I want You to call ____.

SUPPLICATION

REASONS FOR AFFLICTION – SO GOD MAY GLORIFY HMSELF BY DELIVERANCE

Screen Shot 2015-11-06 at 4.29.54 PM…“O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE, Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me” (ref#76, p111).

FATHER, as ____ loses hope and is paralyzed with fear, guide (him/her) to a place where (he/she) can remember the past where You greatly worked for (him/her). Overwhelm (him/her), grant (him/her) enough quietness within to recall what You have done that (he/she) might find strength to go on (Ps 143:4-6).

Remind (him/her) that You will either deliver (him/her) speedily or definitely support (him/her) in this trouble as long as You are pleased to keep (him/her) in it (ref#34, March 4th AM).

“Be submissive, meek, and quiet under God’s chastening and afflicting hand, and receive all His dispensations as only tending to prepare you more perfectly for ‘the inheritance of the saints in light’ (Col 1:12)” (ref#61, Oct 9th).

FATHER, You allowed Your Son to suffer so now He knows how _____ feels. JESUS, come and help ____ (Heb 2:18).

“Against me earth and hell combine,

But on my side is power divine;

Jesus is all, and He is mine”  Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Oct 9th AM)!

FATHER, when You come to deliver ____, the circumstances which seem to go against (his/her) deliverance will only set forth more of Your glory. The more awful You make (his/her) circumstances, and then turn and get (him/her) out of them, the more reverence from others and (him/her) You will receive. I cannot wish less misery for (him/her) than what You gave Your Son.

Keep (him/her), O GOD, send Your angel to strengthen (him/her) (Luke 22:43). Provide for (him/her) as You provided for Your Son. By faith I know it will be enough.

“Thy calmness bends serene above,

My restlessness to still;

Around me flows thy quickening life,

To nerve my faltering will:

Thy presence fills my solitude;

Thy providence turns all to good” S. Longfellow (1819-1892) (ref#59, p550).

SUPPLICATION

SO AFFLICTED PRAYING IMPOSSIBLE

Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 3.20.13 PM“The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses…the limitation on sickness is wisely adapted to our strength, to the intended purpose of the sickness, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction does not come haphazardly” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, August 17th, PM).

FATHER, ____ may be too deeply absorbed in sorrow, or too weakened by disease and racked with pain to muster prayers to You. Many situations make ____ unfit for concentrated spiritual thought. But, sweet JESUS intercedes in (his/her) stead (ref#61, Feb 10th).

“…when human sympathy and power are exhausted, Jesus has ‘entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God’ (Heb 9:24)” Octavius Winslow (ref#61, Feb 10th).

Pray for ____, JESUS. When ____ in (his/her) affliction cannot think of You, aid (him/her) to know You are thinking of (him/her). You live to make intercession (Heb 7:25).

SUPPLICATION

KEEPING THE SABBATH

Screen Shot 2015-10-28 at 4.21.23 PMFATHER, I pray for ____ to guard (his/her) Sabbaths. Sometimes without knowing, the world, satan, and (his/her) own flesh succeed at turning everything gray. There is no way (he/she) can comprehend the dullness until (he/she) sits before You during (his/her) Sabbath.

FATHER, make ____ realize, as You commune with (him/her), how weak (he/she) has become living the last six days in the world, them pour into (him/her) the strength (he/she) will need for the next six days.   Being in Your presence not only allows ____ to let go of the week prior but also energizes (him/her) for the next.

No one recognizes burnout until they are burned out. So alert ____ to (his/her) desperate need for more strength—strength needed to joyously obey You that can only be provided by the HOLY SPIRIT. Draw (him/her) into Your rest as (he/she) settles in to waiting in Your presence. Only in waiting before You can (he/she) compare (his/her) weak present condition with the joyous strength You are able to infuse in (him/her).

You are very serious about demanding Sabbath-keeping (Ex 31:14) for You know how harmful not keeping it is. On the Sabbath, FATHER, do not let ____ settle for just resting (his/her) body or satisfying (himself/herself) with a diversion from (his/her) work (Isa 58:13). Don’t let (him/her) even be content to learn more of You or worship You.

In Your presence is fullness of joy (Ps 16:11). Give ____ the knowing that (he/she) will have all (he/she) needs for the coming week so (he/she) may rejoice in Your provision. Draw (him/her), LORD, into keeping the Sabbath. For joy in You is (his/her) strength (Neh 8:10).

SUPPLICATION

GOD’S PURSUIT

Screen Shot 2015-10-22 at 4.54.47 PMFATHER, Your love and patience toward each of us stretches over the entire expanse of our lives. I especially can’t fathom Your constant persistent efforts to pour out Your love on ____ who presently is resisting You.

The efforts You use to call ____ to respond to You, to name a few, are:

  • The magnificence of Your creation
  • Your providences of mercy (like providing food)
  • (His/Her) natural conscience
  • The Gospel You have explained in Your Bible (ref#61, Dec. 13th)

All these gestures toward ____ in love can be, day by day, always resisted. It saddens me to think of all Your many, constant, efforts to pursue ____and all (his/her) efforts to resist. This sadness drives me to pray. Unless You work “in people’s hearts to make the proclamation of the gospel effective, there will be no genuine saving response” (ref#63, p693).

Even though You have decided before we were born who will accept Your calling, Your called ones must voluntarily make a commitment to You. You will save no one “apart from their own willing response to the gospel” (ref#63, p693).

Thus my prayer becomes two-part. I pray for Your move, FATHER, and I pray that ____ take the responsibility to accept what You call (him/her) to.

SUPPLICATION

THE SPIRIT’S COMFORT IN AFFLICTION

Screen Shot 2015-10-12 at 1.18.00 PMFATHER, as ____ goes through life the consolations of Your HOLY SPIRIT are useful and necessary to (him/her). The SPIRIT comforts (his/her) in afflictions. These afflictions are a provision that You have made for (him/her) (Heb 12:5,6) (ref#35, p405).

____’s natural spirit will struggle with afflictions. (He/She) will try to relieve (himself/herself) by any means. In a display of pride (he/she) will despise the chastising affliction or in dejectedness of spirit, (he/she) will sink under the weight of (his/her) troubles (ref#35, p406).

How easily ____ will look for second causes (causes other than You, FATHER) in (his/her) affliction. (He/She) will try to fix it (himself/herself). Keep (him/her) FATHER, from this for (he/she) will lose all the benefits and advantages of this affliction that You have bestowed upon (him/her) (ref#35, p406).

FATHER, keep (him/her) also from sinking under the trial. If You do not teach (him/her) to consider deeply Your chastisements and dealings with (him/her), (he/she) will find the season of afflictions many as (he/she) goes through life (ref#35, p406).

Only the SPIRIT can manage (his/her) soul in affliction so that You, FATHER, have the glory of it and (he/she) be benefited. Affliction gives (him/her) a chance to glory in (his/her) tribulations (Rom 5:3). Send the SPIRIT, FATHER, to ____.

“…there is no management nor improvement of any affliction, but merely and solely by the consolations of the Holy Ghost” John Owen (ref#35, p407).