Adventures in Prayer

Tag: lent prayer study

  • Deliver us from evil.

    Spiritual Warfare

    Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.   Ephesians 6:10-12 

    Deliver usfrom EVIL

    Satan occurs 27 times in the Old Testament and 36 times in the New Testament, sometimes translated as “adversary”.  Jesus interacted with Satan and evil in preparation for His ministry, He spent more than a month in the desert battling Satan. That’s serious. God spent much less time creating the earth!  During His years of ministry, Christ healed the sick, sometimes casting out demons.  Demons spoke. During the Lord’s Supper, Jesus warned Peter that he’d be tried by Satan and Peter, in turn, warned the early Christians that they should, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.Resist him, standing firm in the faith,”  1 Peter 5:8-9.

      a) Acknowledge that evil exists.

    Belief that Satan exists is essential for the Christ follower.   Satan is not just a Saturday Night Live comedy sketch.  Here are some Old Testament references which describe Satan’s origin and some of his works:

    Isaiah 14:12-15

    Job 1:6-12

    Ezekiel 28:12-19

    Zechariah 3  

    “There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.”    C.S. Lewis.

      b) Face the fight, rather than avoiding the battle.  Sometimes it’s easier to, like Dory, “Just keep swimming!”, ignoring the fight.   In the long run, with Christ’s help, you will spend less effort facing Satan, than you spend in fear and frustration.

      c) Do not be afraid.  The battle is won, not by you, but in heaven.  Allow Christ’s death bring it’s full result on earth. (Romans 8:31-39) We are delivered this way everyday without our even knowing it!

    There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

      d) Distinguish between the spirits. Distinguishing between spirits is in the list of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:10) .  In  2 Kings 6:11-20  Elisha prays that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see angels that were there to fight for Israel.  God is not into guessing games.  If we ask for clarification, He will give it to us.

      d) Recognize evil. Evil often masquerades as normal.  Normal for others may not be normal for us.  It’s important to know God’s best for you.

    DELIVER us from evil.

    Acknowledges that we need help. 

      a)  We depend upon God for dependence on God.  God is on our side and wants us to depend upon Him.  When we rely on Him for the ability to trust Him, He is faithful.  Hebrews 12:2 explains that God is the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of our faith.  Remember, the Spirit prays for us when we are weak or don’t know how to pray. (Romans 8:26-27)  Philippians 2: 13 reads, “For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

      b)  We are delivered through the test, with Him on our side, strengthening our faith that God is on our side and increasing our ability to, with the grace of God, endure evil (1 Peter 3:3-9).  Admitting that our need of God is often the first step toward freedom.

     c)  Bind Satan.  As Christ’s ambassadors we’ve been given this ability. (Matthew 18:18)  At first, it may feel very strange.  Say something like, “In Jesus’ name, I bind you. Because of the cross of Jesus, you must leave.”

     d)  “Spiritual warfare tends not to be meek and mild, but forceful, assertive, and authoritative. It is sometimes accompanied by fasting and generally requires perseverance and careful spiritual discernment.”  Pete Greig

    Again, no fear here.  God is with you and will never forsake you.

     e)  Stand your ground.  The victory is already won.  In the moment it seems like all is lost.  Not so.  Christ died.  It’s done.  Stand your ground.

    Deliver US from evil.

    Acknowledges that need to be delivered

      a)  Pray for a deeper understanding of the authority we have in Christ:  The power that overcame death on the cross is ours. (Ephesians 1:17-23)  The authority over evil is Christ’s.  It is important to note that as we humble ourselves, ask for help in the battle, Christ fights for us. (James 4:6-10)  As we recognize Christ’s strength, we also understand our own weakness.  (Acts 19: 11- 19).

      b)  What are the promises in the Bible?  The armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) includes one offensive weapon, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”   When you are aware of something that needs spiritual warfare, go to the bible to find promises that back you up.  Jesus combatted Satan in the wilderness using scripture.

    References:

    Greig, How to pray: for normal people, pages 187-212

    Jensen Salisbury, Karen, Three Things you Need to Know about Authority over Satan. https://karenjensen.org/media-menu/blog/1602-3-things-you-need-to-know-about-taking-authority-over-satan

  • Give us This Day, our Daily Bread.

    Petitionary Prayer for the World

    Let all the earth fear the Lord;
        let all the people of the world revere him.

    For he spoke, and it came to be;
        he commanded, and it stood firm.

    The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
        he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

    But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
        the purposes of His heart through all generations.

    Psalm 33:8-11

    Last week we prayed that we would allow God to make his kingdom in ourselves.  This week we pray that God’s kingdom come, and be done in the world as it is in heaven.

    If you are like me, most days I pray for myself, my family, and my most immediate concerns but have not consistently widened the scope of my prayers to include folks I’ve never met.  Therefore, it may be especially straightforward this week to reach Gretchen’s goals for increased expectation, capacity and perception.  At the moment, I start at near ground zero.  I don’t often pray for people outside what I consider my sphere of influence.  Should the range of my prayer influence widen?

    Last October, I was in dark, rainy Oxford, UK. I’d been wet and uncomfortable all day and had a cold.  I didn’t have enough clothing to keep warm.   It was evening. There were lots of people in the street and the rain wasn’t going to stop.  I glanced to my left and spotted a woman close by who reminded me of myself.  As our eyes met, she asked me for money.  At that moment I was overcome with emotion, mainly sadness. I felt a connection between her and I.  I looked into her eyes, she registered a look of surprise.  I realized that my eyes mirrored the sorrow I was feeling.  The lady took several steps backward, muttering, “No! No!” and disappeared into the crowd.   I walked on, shaken.  I had no idea why she’d reacted to me with fear.  I decided that I owed this woman.  I committed myself to pray for her.

    Since the early days of Christendom, people have made it their vocation to step away from everyday life to fully devote themselves to prayer.  Bells ring in communities around the world calling women and men to prayer several times daily.  Joining monastics are everyday people who connect with prayer movements such as Prayer 24-7.  As a young mother, I prayed with several women, who spent more time in prayer than I did.  We called these women our prayer warriors. 

    From  MaryKate Morse:

    We, too, are called to pray for the world.  “Today believers are priests who are the bridge-builders in their neighborhoods.  … Out of the security of our love in God, we pray for others without any thought of gain.  Blessing prayers are priestly prayers. …Priestly prayers are prayed generously and with lovingkindness for the nations of the world by all of us.  

    We’ve the grace and opportunity to participate in what God is doing.  He desires that we join Him in His work in the world.  With the habit of praying for some of the world’s needs each day, comes an increased perspective of how huge God’s love is.  We also more fully understand our place in the world and may realize more responsibility for the well being of others. 

    When praying for others:

    1. Ask God for increased perspective.  For example, be watchful for specific ways to pray while driving around town.  God will make needs known to you.  Actively listen for ways to pray while watching the world news. Ask God for discernment.  Put yourself in the shoes of whom you are praying.
    2. Ask God for increased capacity.  Pray that you will not be overwhelmed.  There is tremendous need.

    Start small.

    Put limits on news and socials that leave you defeated.

    Look for stories on progress God is making in the world.  Share the stories with others.

    Remember God is in control.

    3.  Ask for increased expectation.  

    Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20&21

    It may be helpful for you to choose one specific area to pray for.  Here is a list of possible international prayer topics:

    1. Healing
    2. The hungry
    3. Peace
    4. Unreached people groups
    5. The poor and under-served
    6. Climate change and the environment
    7. Areas of injustice
    8. Use of scientific advancement
    9. Oppression of LBTQIA+ folks and their community
    10. The government
    11. Care of refugees and immigrants
    12. The enslaved
    13. The church 
    14. Guidance through changes


    Here are some tools that may help you settle on a way to expand your prayer life:

    Operation World:  https://operationworld.org/
    An app for your phone. Operation World highlights a country for prayer each day. includes basic information.

    The World Fact-book: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ Information which sparks prayer for specific countries.

    The Joshua Project: https://www.joshuaproject.net/ Started in 1995, this group seeks to provide information on people groups with the least access to information about Jesus.

    24-7 Prayer https://www.24-7prayer.com/ A worldwide prayer movement for nonstop prayer with the aim of church revival.  Lectio 365 is it’s devotional resource.

    Source:

    Morse, MaryKate, A Guidebook to Prayer: Twenty-four ways to Walk with God, pgs. 66-73. Practical book on how to pray.  I have a copy that you may borrow.

  • Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Prayer of Relinquishment

    The dictionary definition of relinquishment is to give up, to abandon.   When I think of giving up and letting go I think of a tug of war battle.  Each team leans away from the other believing in it’s own strength, sweating it out until one team falters and can’t hang on.  One team gives up and abandons the game.  It is important that sometimes when we sit down with our Father, we too, give up.

    Palms down.

    In early March 2020, I felt that I had everything in control.  I was pleased with my life.

    COVID hit me hard.  Growing up relatively poor taught me to live with little, so I missed some of the angst.  But.  Much of what I relinquished during COVID was what had given my life meaning.  Two weeks after shutdown I was to have spent a week at outdoor school with my sixth grade class.  Normally it would be the highlight of my year.  Instead, for two years, without notice, I administered poorly written online courses and begged students to show up on their computers.

    Once we were able to leave our homes this is a list of what I did outside of our home from March 2020 – April 2021:

    Bank: 1

    Dollar Store: 3

    Plant Nursery: 3

    Friend 1: 1

    Friend 2: 20

    Friend 3: 4

    Specialty Store: 5

    Place of Employment/School: 11

    Hair Stylist: 3

    Massage:  6

    Library:  8

    Safeway: 3

    Cutsforth’s grocery store:  once a week

    Hotel visits: 2

    Clenched fists.

    By April 2021 I felt that I’d relinquished enough.  No teaching in a real classroom.  No visits to relatives.  No in person church. No worship leading with my friends. No restaurants. No Portland. Even walking down the street in Canby was different.  I’d walk across the street if I was to meet anyone on the sidewalk. 

    On the other hand, I’d only lost one dear one. Many people lost their livelihoods. I’m somewhat embarrassed to put it out there that I felt loss during COVID. I’d escaped without even experiencing COVID itself. BUT my life changed.  I thought that growing up relatively poor was my big lesson in life. It wasn’t.

    Giving up life experiences during COVID helped me understand what relinquishment means.  It is heart wrenching.  It is leaving dreams behind.  It means not being in control.  It means expectations be dashed.  Which means that I may or may not be prepared to relinquish anything ever again. Have I shut down after COVID?  Do I no longer trust God because He let COVID happen? Do I ignore the need for relinquishment because I’ve had enough?

    True relinquishment takes us to the garden of Gethsemane. “Not my will but yours be done,” Jesus taught us.  God’s choice.  But before God’s decision, it was Christ’s. Christ made the choice to relinquish His right to life and be crucified.  We can’t possibly understand all that Jesus gave up while in the garden.  We suppose He was facing grisly death.  We suppose that He was torn in two with the knowledge that, in death, He would be separated from His Father. He may have also been thinking about leaving his relatives and friends.  He may have been fearful of the loss of control. He may have been thinking about some of the things we leave behind when we mourn.

    Jesus was able to trust God during difficult times because He spent much of His the rest of His time worshiping and listening for His Father’s voice. Christ was sure of His Father’s devotion to Him. Jesus was sure of His (and our) future, though sweating blood because of what He’d have to experience in His near future.

     And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Ephesians 12:1b-2

    If Jesus experienced all sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) before He beat it, He goes before us, understanding both the good and bad things that we’d rather not give up.

     For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

    Richard J. Foster describes the prayer of relinquishment:

    Struggle is important because the prayer of relinquishment is Christian prayer and not fatalism. We do not resign ourselves to fate. We are not locked into a pre-set, determinist future. Ours is an open, not a closed, universe. We are  “co-laborers with God” as the Apostle Paul put it – working with God to determine the outcome of events. Therefore our prayer efforts are a genuine give and take, a true dialogue with God. And relinquishment is our full and wholehearted agreement with God that his way is altogether right and good.

    The Prayer of Relinquishment is letting go, a release with hope, a confident trust in the character of God. Even when all we are able to see is the tangled threads on the backside of life’s tapestry, we know that God is good and is out to do us good always. And that gives us hope to believe that we are the winners regardless of what we are being called upon to relinquish. God is inviting us deeper in and higher up. There is training in righteousness, transforming power, new joys, deeper intimacy. Besides, often we hold so tightly to the good that we do know that we cannot receive the greater good that we do not know. And God has to help us let go of our tiny vision in order to release the greater reality he has in store for us.

    Assignment:

    Where are you struggling?  What are you worried about? How have your prayers been left unanswered?  Is there something that you need to relinquish?  Here is this week’s assignment> 

    Palms Up, Palms Down*

    Sit in a comfortable position.

    Invite the presence of God.

    Palms down

    Place your palms on your legs facing down:  symbolic that you are giving your requests to God. 

    Name your worries or anxieties.

    Imagine yourself releasing them to God. You may picture the hands of the Father’s hands receiving. 

    Pray:  Not my will, but Thine be done.

    Listen.

    Palms Up 

    Turn your hands palms up. Ask Jesus for His peace, courage, presence, love or a plan of action. 

    Notice the quiet. Rest. Receive peace and power in the presence of God. Receive a particular promise from scripture. Accept reassurance, clarity, direction.  

    Believe in God’s active and powerful love in you and allow His presence to be more than enough.

    *Palms Up, Palms Down:  The Prayer Course.  https://downloads.24-7prayer.com/prayer_course/2019/resources/pdfs/9%20Palms%20Up,%20Palms%20Down.pdf

    Perspective:  Growing Edges, Richard J. Foster, https://renovare.org/articles/the-prayer-of-relinquishment