SUPPLICATION

NON CHRISTIAN – Pursuers

[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 his/her name in the blanks.]

JESUS’ DEALING WITH FLESH

Screen Shot 2016-03-26 at 2.10.18 PM…FATHER, “…everything a man naturally inherits from his parents belongs to the flesh” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p71). Therefore we are naturally hostile to You, for we do not submit to Your laws, indeed, we cannot (Rom 8:3,7). That which is born of the flesh is flesh (John 3:6).

“God…does not try to alter man’s flesh; He instead gives man a new life in order to help put it to death. The flesh must die. This is salvation” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p73).   “…By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom 8:3-4 ESV).

But, man “does not understand God’s Word and so he tries continually to refine and reform his flesh” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p73). Because I see no consistent spiritual fruit in ____, I pray, FATHER, that You provide (him/her) with a deeper understanding of You. I observe ____ is not willing to make (himself/herself) uncomfortable doing good works which makes me believe (his/her) actions are the actions of (his/her) selfish, not-regenerated-yet, flesh.

FATHER, this flesh is so predominate that even Your regenerated easily revert back to utilizing their sinful flesh to deal with daily situations (Gal 3:3). So I pray also for my fellow Christians as well, that they continue depending on Your SPIRIT as they did at first.

“Though He cannot alter our flesh God gives us His life. Man’s flesh remains as corrupt in those who are born anew as in those who are not. The flesh in a saint is the same as that in a sinner. In regeneration the flesh is not transformed. New birth exerts no good influence on the flesh. It remains as is. God does not impart His life to us to educate and train the flesh. Rather, it is given to overcome the flesh” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p76).

FATHER, unsettle ____ until (he/she) longs to walk by Your SPIRIT so (he/she) will not gratify the desires of (his/her) flesh (Gal 5:16). May (he/she) “experience less failure battling with sin and more success battling with self” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p79).

SUPPLICATION

TESTS FOR SANCTIFICATION

NON CHRISTIAN Pursuers

[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.]

Screen Shot 2016-02-26 at 12.41.08 PM…FATHER, I fear, as the serpent deceived Eve, that ____’s mind is being corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere devotion to CHRIST (2 Cor 11:3).

But, first, FATHER, I need Your grace to cover my questioning—my judging. Continually remind me that I do not review the tests for sanctification to pass sentence on ____, but to learn how to help (him/her) turn from (his/her) shipwrecking ways.

You not only call me to pray, but also to confront, admonish, encourage and help ____ as well as be patient (1 Thes 5:14). If any of these testing questions below I perceive ____ failing at, make me ready to help (him/her) in the way You direct.

  1. Do I see Your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in (him/her) (1 Thes 1:3)?
  1. Does (he/she) attest to continuing in (his/her) belief in CHRIST (John 3:16)?
  2. Do I observe (him/her) being led by the HOLY SPIRIT (Rom 8:14)?
  3. Do I see traits of the fruit of the SPIRIT exhibited in (his/her) life (Gal 5:22-23)?
  4. Does (he/she) still listen to Christians and read and delight in Your Word (1 John 4:6)?
  1. Do I see evidence of (him/her) abiding in CHRIST for (his/her) day-by-day situations (John 15:4)?
  1. Does (he/she) regularly fellowship with CHRIST in prayer and worship (John 15:7)?
  1. Do I see results of (him/her) obeying CHRIST (1 John 3:24)?
  1. Does (he/she) show love to others (1 John 2:9-10)?
  2. Does (he/she) continue in fellowship with other Christians (1 John 2:19)?

(Points 1 – 10, ref#63, p803-805)

SUPPLICATION

THE SPIRIT’S FREEDOM AND POWER

Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 2.13.19 PM

[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.]

FATHER, I think of Your nation Israel, at the time Ezra came to Jerusalem and found that the people had intermarried with the peoples of nearby lands (Ezra 9:2). In a manner of months they sent back home these foreign wives and their children (Ezra 10:3). LORD, this story certainly proves how powerful Your SPIRIT is as He enabled them to send away their family!

SPIRIT, the FATHER gives You to us powerfully. Comfort from the words and promises of CHRIST can sometimes break in through all opposition into the saddest and darkest condition imaginable just as was the case recorded in Ezra (ref#35, p375).

The FATHER also gives You to us freely. BOUNDLESS SPIRIT, You have freedom in Your operation meaning You can come as the Comforter unexpectedly (ref#35, p376).

SPIRIT-GIVING FATHER, I stand on the fact that You are able in an instant to do all I ask because of Your SPIRIT’s freedom and the strength of His power. I pray for ____.  O SPIRIT, come and surprise (him/her)—impress upon (him/her) that all (his/her) comforts lie treasured up in the promises of CHRIST—that CHRIST provides hope in the darkest situations.

SPIRIT, surprise ____ by enabling (him/her) to come to CHRIST through Your freedom and power. AMEN.