Praying for the US
A call has gone out for believers worldwide to pray and fast for America. Those who have called for the fast have set apart April 30 this week through May 6. And the most fascinating thing about the call is this: it comes from Australia. Wise men and women across the globe realize that if the US fails in its unique global leadership role, the rest of the world will likely fall as well.
A year ago, in early April, I was minding my own business, just enjoying fellowship with the Lord, when He spoke something very clearly to my heart.
I posted what He showed me in a series last year, and I think it’s a good time to rerun it in preparation for the fast and during the time of prayer.
Before I do, however, I want to address an obstacle most of us face, not only when we reach out to the hurting people we meet every day, but also in living our day to day lives freely and unfiltered as generations of Americans have before us. This obstacle is the climate of “political correctness” in which we live. Another name for it would be “the fear of man.” It is that intense pressure that compels you to conform to the status quo, to not rock the boat, to avoid making anyone uncomfortable at all costs—especially if you long to inject Jesus or His Word into the conversation. The J.B. Phillips paraphrase of the New Testament describes this pressure from our “culture of correctness” as “the world around you squeezing you into its own mould” (see Romans 12:2, JBP). And, as the Apostle Paul urged, “Don’t let the world do that” (ibid).
The majority of believers are considerate and respectful to those around them; but due to our current climate, so many of us have become extremely cautious about what we say when it comes to our love for Jesus, morals, or biblical truth because we have been trained—steeped—in the consciousness of the new “right and wrong” in today’s culture. My witness might be “marred” if someone thought I had anything but acceptance toward societal standards and current trends, we may worry. Heaven forbid that someone would think I’m intolerant!
So here we are, in an age in which the power and wisdom of God are so desperately needed but are so defiantly “barricaded” or squelched. And since it is to this generation that we have been sent, we have a job to do—to boldly minister the power, wisdom, salt, and light of the gospel to all of them and to address the forces that seek to prevent this from happening.
All of us are called to be ministers of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:18), and all of us are called to stand firm against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (see Ephesians 6:12), praying for all men, for kings and all who are in authority (see 1 Timothy 2:1-2). Without prayer for all men, kings, and all who are in authority in conjunction with standing firm against all the strategies of the enemy, the ministry of winning men and women to God through Jesus Christ gets squeezed into a bland worldly mould, becoming a mere shadow of its original power.
I believe this is why God is leading so many of you to cry out to Him on behalf of the United States now. This nation has been wonderfully instrumental in sending out hope, help, and the gospel to people all around the globe throughout her history, and Satan hasn’t liked it one bit. Therefore, the enemy has planted a big bull’s eye on America as he strategizes how to squeeze this nation economically, culturally, politically, educationally, and militarily. His goal is to silence her spiritually, morally, and ethically, in order to render any ministry of reconciliation—whether a large operation or small—weak, fearful, tepid, ineffective, and eventually extinct.
And so, I asked God last year if I could share the prayer directive He gave me then, and I received the go-ahead. His instruction is simple and allows you the lee-way to proceed as you feel led. This is not a “V-line of geese” type of prayer where one leads and everyone else follows; such prayer has its place, but our current situation in this nation requires all hands on deck and around-the-clock readiness, each one alert to pray about whatever drops into his or her heart at any given moment. (It’s that critical—a small blip on your “radar” prompting you to pray as you go through your daily routine may change the course of history: it may thwart a massive attack; it may save millions of lives; it may correct a huge error of judgment on the part of national or world leaders in the nick of time.) Your prayer can be private, quiet, short and sweet; it can be corporate, impassioned, and of long duration. Whatever, God wants to use all of us to affect the United States of America in prayer, and He’s ready for us to pray those prayers on her behalf.
If God has an assignment for you and me in prayer for this nation, then doesn’t that signify that He wants to answer that prayer as well? It is my hope that you will be encouraged to pray bold prayers for the United States of America. I believe that He is not through with us yet. Obviously, the Australians don’t think He is. 🙂
Stay tuned,
Dorothy
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14a
Read MoreJames 5:19-20—In closing: Concerning those who have strayed
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
- A believer is capable of straying from the truth.
- Other believers have the capacity to turn him back to the truth.
- The reward is in the knowing:
- If you turn someone from error, you will save his soul from death.
- You will cover a multitude of sins.
A believer is capable of straying from the truth. The bulk of James’ letter deals with the straying capacity of believers. On one hand, his letter is a warning to avoid detrimental lifestyle choices, and on the other, it is a corrective rebuke to those who have already entangled themselves in carnality. Because of this, I think of the book of James as a reality check.
Other believers have the capacity to turn straying ones back to the truth. Much of this letter deals with the tongue. The capacity to slip with the tongue seems to be the greatest area of vulnerability among believers. Therefore, James closes his letter by reminding his readers of the correct stance to take concerning those who have strayed from the truth: Seek to turn them back. Don’t spin your wheels by incessantly analyzing their falls and flaws with others; go to God and seek Him for their restoration. Make it your mission to win them back through prayer and godly behavior and words.
Don’t let it be said that you preferred dissecting your brethren to seeking their deliverance.
The reward is in the knowing. Let your greatest reward be this: Knowing that by your love, prayer, and self-restraint someone was restored to fellowship with Jesus. Knowing that someone is now blessed and living for Christ because of your prayers and refusal to belittle, bemoan, or besmirch them when they behaved badly is reward in itself.
…he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death…
Instead of broadcasting his error, you sought the Lord so he would turn from his error. And you obeyed God as you interacted with this one. As a result, he did not run further away from the Lord but was wooed and won back to Him by your steadfast, loving presentation of the Truth—demonstrated by both your words and your deeds. Because of your caring involvement, he has been spared devastating loss on that Day.
…and will cover a multitude of sins.
Though his sins stacked up like a pile of rotting carcasses, by of your gracious intervention, those sins have been covered. They no longer weigh him down or pollute the very atmosphere around him. They are buried and are no longer attached to him—or to his account.
It is fitting that James ended such a corrective letter in this way. As he closed, he refocused his brethren, ensuring that they would make adjustments among themselves with clean hearts and right motives.
I pray we embrace the wisdom in this short letter and be empowered to walk in it before the Lord for the rest of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dorothy
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
Read MoreThe Suffering Servant—Easter Series Part 1
Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were astonished at you, My people, so His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men. Thus He will sprinkle many nations, kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand. Isaiah 52:13-15
As I was researching the prophecy in Isaiah about the sufferings of the Messiah on behalf of mankind, I discovered something I never knew before. I learned that there are four sections in the book of Isaiah commonly known as “The Servant’s Songs”. They are:
- Isaiah 42:1-4 about the chosen Servant
- Isaiah 49:1-6 about the mission of the Servant
- Isaiah 50:4-9 about the steadfast, obedient Servant
- Isaiah 52:13-15 through Isaiah 53:1-12 about the suffering Servant
Jesus was that Servant. He was the chosen Servant (see Isaiah 42:1). He was the Servant given the mission to redeem Israel and all the nations of the earth (see Isaiah 49:6). He was the obedient Servant even in the face of being struck and having His beard pulled out (see Isaiah 50:5-6). And He was the suffering Servant, submitting unto death, even the death of the cross (see Philippians 2:8).
Behold, My servant will prosper…
God’s Servant would prosper. This kind of prosperity had far more to do with prudence, wisdom, and spiritual impact than it did with acquiring great wealth. However, as you view the span of twenty centuries since Jesus’ death and resurrection and consider all of the souls He has since rescued from a fiery, destitute eternity—millions upon millions of us—possibly billions—each one of us is a bounty credited to His account. His scale tipped over a long time ago, and more and more souls are still being heaped up upon it every day. He has indeed prospered.
He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.
This verse speaks of the honor and exaltation this Servant would so richly deserve. Ironically, it also speaks of the manner by which He would die—high and lifted up on the cross at Calvary. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14; see also Numbers 21:8-9).
Just as many were astonished at you, My people…
This indicates both the historical hatred toward the nation of Israel and God’s miraculous intervention time and again—in the face of that hatred—on their behalf.
…so His appearance was marred more than any man and His form more than the sons of men.
Like the race to which He was born, Jesus would be hated. His appearance, or visage, would be marred more than any man to the utter disfigurement of His face. His form—His shape, outline, or figure (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H8389&t=KJV)—would likewise experience disfiguring beatings to a far greater extent than that sustained by any man. And all of this took place after His arrest and before He even reached the cross.
Thus He will sprinkle many nations…
This was His mission. His blood was shed on behalf of many nations—for Israel first and for the rest of the world as well—for whosoever would believe on Him.
“Sprinkle” is an interesting word. The word used here is not a gentle, delicate thing such as I received when I was “baptized” as a seven-month-old—a bit of water was sprinkled on my forehead as I grabbed at the minister’s black-rimmed glasses. No, the Hebrew word is nazah and means to spurt and spatter as well as to sprinkle (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H5137&t=KJV). Think opened arteries. They don’t sprinkle. They spurt. Opened veins ooze—not a little, but copious amounts of blood.
As Jesus’ blood spurted and spattered throughout His agonizing trial and crucifixion, nations were being sprinkled by His blood. The way was being inaugurated for whosoever would believe in Him to enter through the veil—that is, His torn flesh—to be cleansed from their sin and receive everlasting life (see Hebrews 10:19-20).
…kings will shut their mouths on account of Him…
The day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (see Philippians 2:10-11). On that day, man’s agendas will cease; man’s wisdom will be silenced; kings will shut their mouths. Everything will be summed up in Christ (see Ephesians 1:10).
… for what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand.
This gospel must be preached to all the nations (see Mark 13:10). There may be individuals among the nations who never hear; others will be among those of whom Jesus spoke: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” (Matthew 13:13, NIV); the truth just doesn’t register with them. But a third category of humanity is the group spotlighted in this verse—those who did not know the gospel, but upon its entrance into their lives, they both see and understand the good news of salvation. Many of us are in that group.
Every man, woman, and child who has ever lived throughout the earth’s long, rolling generations, will one day see and understand the truth about the Servant who came to suffer and die for them.
May God help those of us who are privileged to know this truth to live our lives with one main purpose in mind—that multitudes more will see and understand the message of the Suffering Servant—Jesus—on this side of eternity.
Dorothy
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. John 3:14-15
Read MoreChecking in
I wanted to touch base and let you know that I will be taking one more week away from the blog here at www.firstofallpray.com to spend a bit more time seeking God with fewer distractions.
It’s obvious that the world out there is in desperate need of prayer—whether any of them realize it or not! You and I are the ones called to that assignment—we are watchmen. As we seek God for those in our lives, those in the news, and folks all around the world—in short, for ALL men, for kings, and for all who are in authority (see 1 Timothy 2)—we can trust that He will hear from Heaven and act on behalf of those for whom we pray.
While you pray, be sensitive to any adjustments, corrections, or leadings from the Holy Spirit He may reveal for your own life—and then trust Him to help you as you yield to these things. You see, Habakkuk 2:1 states, “I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved.” In other words, as you seek God on behalf of others—doing the job of the watchman—quite often He will also speak to your heart about you and your ways. This is not a cause for fear but for increase and growth as you receive intimate, personalized discipleship and mentoring from the Holy Spirit Himself.
Like the groundhog, I plan to emerge from underground and be back online February second. That’s when I intend to resume with the study of the Book of James. But will I see my shadow?
Enjoy God,
Dorothy
Read MorePressing on to know the Lord
So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth. Hosea 6:3
People all over the church world are taking time now at the beginning of the year to seek God for direction and wisdom, correction and clearer vision for their lives.
We are called to spend time with the Lord on a daily basis, but there are also seasons in which God draws His children into a more targeted, prolonged, and concentrated time of pressing in know Him on a deeper level.
When you press on something, you are focusing your energy, attention, and strength on that particular object. When you press on to know the Lord, you are focusing your energy, attention, and strength on Him and what He has said in His Word.
The fact that God will go forth is established. First, He will go forth in drawing near to you as you draw near to Him (see James 4:8). And then, He will watch over His Word as you place yourself in agreement with it to perform it (see Jeremiah 1:12). But in all of it, your primary focus as you press in is to know Him and to cooperate with His will in your life. The blessings and the promises that result from your concentrated time of seeking Him are gravy—good and glorious stuff, but the best part of pressing in is getting to know Him better.
In the dead of winter, what better endeavor can you pursue than to press in to know your God more intimately? Winter, as long as it seems to be, will be over soon enough. The ground will start teeming with life and the days will grow longer as the chill starts to fade away. And the rains will start falling—the warm spring rains which saturate the thirsty earth and pour out promise of new life, blessings, and more active days. As you press on to know the Lord now, in a concentrated way, He promises to send the rain in due season to your life—the rain of promise, blessing, and renewal. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.
I will be spending the next few weeks in a more focused way with the Lord, so I have decided to suspend my First of All Pray blog for this time period. As it stands now, I will return to the blog on Monday, January 26, 2015.
Be blessed, and take some time in your schedule to press on to know the Lord.
Dorothy
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First of all, give thanks—Part 1
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
The rest of this week I will be posting excerpts from my book, First of All, Pray. Paul urged in 1 Timothy 2 that the people of God place prayer for others as a top priority in their lives. The giving of thanks is included in that list of “first of all” ways to pray.
Excerpt from Chapter 1:
Thanksgivings
“You may not think of thanksgiving in and of itself as a type of prayer, but it is. In fact, if you look at all the scriptures using this word, you can clearly see that thanksgiving is to be involved in everything you do. And because the plural for thanksgiving is used in 1 Timothy 2:1, you are to present unlimited thanksgivings to God.
“Philippians 4:6 states, ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God’ (emphasis added). As you pray and supplicate about the stressful situations in your life, the Bible commands you to thank God as you pray. This addresses two very important truths about living life. The first truth has to do with life’s anxieties—no one is guaranteed a charmed, easy-going life. Your life will have its share of stress and conflict. If this were not the case, you wouldn’t find so many verses in the Bible about praying when difficult times arise. If you look at the condition of our nation and your stomach starts to churn with worry, the only healthy recourse is to pray. Pretending that nothing is wrong in order to protect yourself from anxiety will not bring the power of God on the scene. God made prayer available to you during your time here on earth in great part because of the prevalence of anxiety-causing conditions.” (Excerpt taken from pages 19-20; First of All, Pray: Prescription for a Nation in Crisis; © 2013–Dorothy Frick)
In American history, the first Thanksgiving followed a time of extreme hardships for those who celebrated it. The Pilgrims left their homeland in England, and then Holland, primarily to escape religious persecution. Of the 120 passengers who set sail in 1620, only 53 were still alive for the first Thanksgiving, November, 1621.
You would think that the exposure to the elements, disease, and death which stalked the group, wiping out half of their number, would shroud the rest of them with hopelessness and despair, but despite the harsh trials, these believers chose to thank God instead. They knew how to lift up their eyes from the daunting circumstances surrounding them to fix their gaze and adoration on the Lord and Savior who had never left them without comfort. Such was the caliber of the men and women who left their homes to secure for themselves a new homeland where they could be free to worship God as they saw fit. These dear souls, by their heartfelt love of God and perseverance, blazed a trail that the rest of us privileged to live here could follow.
You, also, may be facing extreme difficulty in your life. The region where I live is being battered by rage and an unnerving level of chaos and destruction. The nation itself is suffering under escalating levels of discord, disillusionment, and despair. Despite all that is going on around us, though, the witness of that little band of Pilgrims and their native guests has stood firm throughout the centuries ever since. Here is their message to you, alive in 2014:
Give thanks to the Lord. Give thanks, and do not cease to give thanks. Do not ask your circumstances, your body, your bank account, or the daily news if you should give thanks to God; give thanks, and when you are finished—give thanks!
Dorothy
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