Thursday, March 31, 2011

Preparatory Prayer, Finish Strong

The Lord has impressed this writer with a couple thoughts that need to stick with him in the days ahead:

1. Finish Strong
2. Preparatory Prayer

Starting with item 2 above, we need to get out ahead of the events of our day with preparatory prayer. The Lord explains things to me in military terms because thats the way my brain processes things. Preparatory prayer is like sending out reconnaissance teams ahead of you so you do not get ambushed by events.

Preparatory prayer is like shelling an objective with artillery before sending in the ground troops so we minimize casualties. Preparatory prayer is like using a radio to order in more supplies before you need them.

The Lord has impressed this writer that we need to get out ahead of events with our prayers. This writer has prayed for example, that his family will not die of radioactivity. This writer has prayed that should the Lord tarry, he will not die a violent death from earthquakes, floods, tsunami, etc. This writer has offered preparatory prayer for peace and quietness. Get out ahead of events, PRAY. This writer is seeing daily answers to prayer. The testimony of this writer is this:

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.-James 5:16

Not that this writer is anything but God's Words are true. PRAY without ceasing. Take action, any action with the strength you have left today. The Lord knows we are weak, but dont give up. Fight the exhaustion and tiredness and confusion and everything else that hinders. Don't give up.

All of this^^ brings us to point 1 above-finish strong. How we finish strong is by prayer and the Word of God. Pray for the things you need. Pray anticipatory prayers. Do not wait for events to happen to you, through your prayer, you happen to events. Lay the groundwork of your future through preparatory prayer. Ask for what you need. Seek, knock, ask. We do not have because we do not ask.

Lean on the Lord. Try to wear Him out :-). Lift up a river of prayer to the throne room. Let all the angels be amazed at the river of prayer that never seems to stop coming up from the earth from your location. Impress the Lord with your persistence and faith. Remember, the Lord can be impressed:

Luke 7:1When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; 5for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” 6Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; 7for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8“For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 9Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” 10When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Let us finish strong. Let us run the race with persistence and perseverance and faith and love. Let us above all else pray and stay in the Word of God. Let us encourage one another as we are told to in the Word:

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other
up, just as in fact you are doing.

These are the things this writer hears the Lord God saying today. Grace and peace