Prayer

   After 2 weeks of the building where we meet for Church, being too cold, we finally got to come together again as a church yesterday (Sunday, 17, Jan. 2010). Frank spoke this week and taught on prayer. He read passages from a book by Derek Prince called "Secrets of a Prayer Warrior". Excellent teaching. Thank You Frank for sharing with us what God has laid on your heart.
     This really weighed on my mind last night and about 3:30 this morning I woke up and felt strongly that God was calling me to get up and pray. Not only for my family but also for our Government and those in authority.   
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 a knowledge of the truth. 1Ti.2: 1-4
    I prayed for my family members that have not come to a relationship with Jesus yet also. I was thinking about something that happened several years ago.
    My husband had a friend at work who would constantly tell him that he believed in Jesus but would say and do things that were contrary to scripture. My husband who watched how I worked with the kids as we homeschooled and how we acted around our home, finally told me about his friend. ( I should say here that at the time my husband wasn't saved. He still doesn't go to church with us but, I see evidence of a changed heart and know that God is working in his life.)  I told him that even Satan believes in Jesus, but I don't believe that he will be in Heaven. There is a difference in just believing and having that relationship, that love of Jesus that makes your heart swell with joy. Someone once told me that the difference between a belief and a relationship is a few inches. The difference from your brain to your heart. Doesn't seem like much, but it is a world of difference.
   We are the Bride of Jesus. What a beautiful thought.
    I remember when I got married, how excited I was walking down towards my husband to be. Thoughts running wild in my head, of getting to know him more, sharing a life together, and that I would finally be able to write Mrs. L--- on official papers. We went from just believing in each other to a real relationship. Actually putting our belief in each other to walking it out in everyday life.
   Well, now I am a Christian. I have been for almost 20 years.  I am Mrs. CHRISTian. I have become a part of Christ, I have taken his name and I am His Bride! What a love that is! To know that He loves me enough that He died for me before I was even born. That He knew me, and already knew the mistakes that I was going to make. It didn't matter, because He loved me so much that He went to the cross anyway. His Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness overwhelm me sometimes.
     There is a song that comes to mind by Michael Card called the "Chorus of Faith". In the last verse there are two lines that stand out to me, 
He loves us with passion, without regret, He cannot love more and will not love less. How awesome! 
     Thank You God for loving us so much that even though you know us and know our shortcomings, You still love us. Thank You for your grace and mercy. I pray for all those that I love, that don't have a relationship with you yet, that each one will be drawn to Your heart and a real relationship with You. For those that belong to You now I pray that You would strengthen them. Protect their hearts from all anxiousness and evil. For those that You have allowed or placed in authority over us I pray that they would come to the knowledge that You are the perfect and holy one and that they would model our Government after Your Kingdom. That we would live peaceful and quiet lives.For those that are hurting spiritually, emotionally or physically, Father I pray for healing.  In the name of our Saviour Jesus, I pray. Amen
Blessings, S