Without ceasing...

Yesterday was Sunday, yes.  And it was Pentecost Sunday, yes.  And it was the Global Day of Prayer, again.  For many years I have organized and led prayers gatherings for this day that the whole world prays, so I was not surprised to be asked to give leadership to yesterday morning's time of worship.  I was also asked to share a short message, a meditation of sorts.

Here then, is what I shared:

The grounding scripture for The Global Day of Prayer has always been:

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Lord gave me words to a poem or maybe it is a song without melody:

What we sow in tears
we shall reap in joy
if we humble ourselves and pray.
Casting out our fears
we are in Your hands
when we humble ourselves and pray.
We are quickened by the rhythms of Your heart
and strengthened by the power of Your love.
We are welcome to come boldly to Your throne
to hear the words that only You could say.
Freedom waits for us
in Your presence Lord
when we worship You day by day.
You will hear our cries
and will heal our land
if we humble ourselves and pray

I’ve known a lot of people however, who are not sure if they really know how to pray. The whole thing seems somehow mysterious and complicated. Sure, it’s not too hard to recite a prayer that has already been prepared, like what we’ve been doing this morning, and indeed the words are powerful, especially when millions of people join in the same prayer.

In the New Living Translation, Ephesians 3:12 says:

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence

I really sense that our loving Lord wants us to know that praying is not so much about ritual and formula but all about relationship and time spent with Him. About boldly coming into His presence…

Brother Lawrence wrote the book called Practicing the Presence of God. He spoke about how he had chosen to spend every minute of every day aware of the Lord’s presence with him, whether he was worshipping, praying, or washing the dinner dishes. He said:

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.

A continual conversation. I think that might be what Paul meant when he told us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to Pray without ceasing

While I was spending quiet time with the Lord, asking Him what He wanted me to share today, He led me back to something He had told me a couple of years ago about prayer time…

Listen - less talking - more listening - even as the quiet waiting may feel strange or uncomfortable.
I sometimes find it hard to be heard in all of your chattering.
If you come to Me filled with your own understanding, how can I teach you?
If you already know what you're looking for, how can I show you something new?
Listen. Wait. Let My Spirit move you. Laugh. Weep. Pace. Dance. Release the words The Holy Spirit gives you - even if only the Spirit can understand. For I tell you, the Holy Spirit will interpret the mysteries of your prayers.
The Spirit works to both explain Me to you - and explain you to Me - a conduit working in both directions - a highway you can choose to travel straight to My heart.
Are you willing to come?

 Henri Nouwen said:

Why is it so important that you are with God and God alone on the mountain top? It's important because it's the place in which you can listen to the voice of the One who calls you the beloved. To pray is to listen to the One who calls you "my beloved daughter," "my beloved son," "my beloved child." To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being

Let’s take a moment then, right now, to come before Him, not only as a group, but as individuals, to listen to what His heart wants to share.

Lord, we love you and are always filled with wonder at the thought that You would desire to talk with us. I know that You know the things that are concerning us this day, the people we know that are hurting, or lost or sick. For now, we leave that list of needs and requests in Your capable hands and simply come, as You requested, to allow You to speak into the centre of our beings. As we take this time in silence, speak Lord, for indeed Your servants are listening.

Even though it was my own voice doing the speaking, my spirit heard...
So I'm joining with Michelle today, praying that I use what He chose to share

 

Your 100 Day Prayer by John I. Snyder

There is nothing magical about praying for 100 days, but as author of Your 100 Day Prayer The Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God John Snyder says:

This sustained, stubborn, never-give-up spirit of prayer is not so much to persuade God to give us what we want, but rather to transform us in the process.

I live in a world that teaches us to want quick results and instant answers, yet I find myself hearing, more and more often, the quiet voice I recognize as my Lord, asking me to “Be still.” He doesn’t want me to rush through the drive thru lane at a fast food place, but rather to sit down and enjoy a nutritious full course meal with Him.

This is not just 100 days of reading, although the scriptures and stories Snyder shares would stand alone as a fine book of devotions. This volume is a both a challenge and an opportunity to draw close to God in a deeper way.

Snyder asks you to choose a need and gives you space to express that need as you begin your journey. Then each day, he offers words, the Word, a suggestion for your daily prayer and space to make notes about progress in your 100 day prayer.

I am anxious to return to page 1 and begin, not simply reading, but praying and expecting God to change not just my circumstances but my heart.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Together in one place

Last Sunday I was blessed to be asked to share what God has placed on my heart, and to lead in the Prayer for the World that is at the core of Global Day of Prayer each Pentecost Sunday.  Here, then, though longer than my usual blog post, are my sermon notes:

I am always awed at the timing of Global Day of Prayer. It is not by accident that the organizers chose Pentecost Sunday. It is as if every participant, from all corners of the world are gathered together in upper room, waiting, as Jesus commanded:

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5 NKJV

As I have been preparing to speak, The Lord has been revealing some similarities between 2 Chronicles 7 in the Old Testament and Acts 2 in the New Testament. We step into 2 Chronicles to find that Solomon has completed the building of the temple and holds a special time of offerings and prayer to consecrate it to the Lord.  We read:

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 NIV

It is after this, that we find the key scripture for many who dedicate themselves to the Lord and to prayer:

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 NIV

So here we find the people of God, gathered together, in one place, the new temple, offering prayers and sacrifices, and God comes in fire, His glory fills the temple ---  Suddenly, the account of what happened in New Testament times doesn’t seem so strange.  We already read Acts 1:4-5 where Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for the Father’s promise, and they did as He asked.  To begin the next chapter we read:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
 Acts 2:1-4 NIV

So, here again, the people of God were united, devoting themselves to prayer and God showed up in power. He didn’t send His Holy Spirit just to tickle them, just to create a big show, just to tantalize emotions. He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within His own so they would be empowered to change the world around them. He asks no less from us today.

There’s something key about being united as one, devoted not simply as individuals, but as a body of believers.  There were no denominations in the days of the early church. There were simply people who believed in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, those willing to dedicate themselves to living as He had taught.

I don’t know what God has in store for His Church (big C) and our churches – perhaps we are to return to the practices of the early church in the days following Pentecost. We are told: 

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NIV

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved – isn’t that the desire of our hearts? And if it isn’t – shouldn’t it be?

Somehow, we have made things much more complicated than I believe our Lord intended. We build doctrines and theologies and look for those who will agree exactly with what we perceive as truth. Jesus asks us to believe that He came from the Father, become one with Him and each other, and share that truth with others.

Jesus prayed for us. Before He gave up His life He spoke the words to His Father:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:20-23 NIV

It’s time for us to return to the simplicity of what Jesus asked. Its time for us to become the body He was broken for. Its time for us to become the bride He longs to return for. Jesus commanded us:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 NIV

United in mind and spirit, may the world look upon us and know that we belong to Him so that more and more and more will come to a saving knowledge of His love and grace.

Frivolity of flowers

Corn and squash Summer 2005

Yesterday, after work, in the midst and mist of storm clouds and drizzle, Rick made long trenches and buried seed potatoes in the dirt, the last planting of this year's vegetable garden.  It is a time to rejoice in what has been accomplished, a time to pray and commit the harvest to the Lord.  What grows here will feed not only us for the year ahead but more than enough to share with others.  The vegetable garden is serious and practical as it nourishes our bodies. 

Now that the work of seeding is done, it is time to move on to the frivolity of flowers.  Shapes and sizes and colours that spill joy and beauty around our home.  These nourish the spirit and cheer the heart.  They are no less important in reflecting His glory.

This years flowers waiting to be planted

Pray with me that the weather will at last cooperate and we will be able to give all of these that are waiting homes; in flowers beds, planters and hanging baskets.  May they turn their heads to the sun, prosper, grow and shout out praise to the One Who designs all.

His heavens

As part of the 10 Days of Prayer leading up to Global Day of Prayer we are called to gather and pray in the high places of the areas where we live.

Yesterday we journeyed to the Duck Mountains Provincial Park and climbed the lookout tower on Baldy Mountain, the highest point in Manitoba.

We declared the sovereignty of God:

O Zion,

You who bring good tidings,

Get up into the high mountain;

O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings,

Lift up your voice with strength,

Lift it up, be not afraid;

Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

Isaiah 40:9 NKJV

Yes, Manitoba.. behold your God. Canada, behold your God! We prayed for awkening in the hearts and spirits of the people in our region. In one unified voice we cried "Awake. Awake."

The forcast called for rain and thunder storms, and indeed the road to the park was littered with puddles, clouds surrounded us on every side. As we reached our destination the skies opened and sunlight streamed down upon us. We all sensed that God was opening a gateway to the heavens, confirming that He is well pleased with our passion to pray.

Tonight may we gather for Day 5 with a spirit of rejoicing.

Unified Prayer

Today begins an intensely busy but rewarding ten days of prayer that go before and prepare the way for The Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday.

To quote from the GDOP Strategy:

The primary purpose we gather is for the glory of Christ and the blessing of the nations. To seek God and exalt His Son for one reason only, because He is worthy. The day is approaching when everything will be subject to His glory. We are motivated by who He is not what we will get from our coming together

As the coordinator for this region of Manitoba it is easy to feel as if I am run ragged and stretched thin, but I turn again and again to the words of Paul which remind me:

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV

I am excited to see where the Lord will lead us this year as we gather in His name.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing— Life forevermore. Psalm 133:1-3 NKJV

I will be updating with reports of our gatherings, but instead of just reading, why not find out where there might be gatherings in your area. For those of you in the Parkland Region of Manitoba, please contact me and join us.

Talking about Communication at Exemplify Online

On Sunday I was swept away by my beloved for a tenth anniversary getaway, and today I'm leaving for a two day trip with a dear friend.

While I'm away for a couple of days, you can find me sharing about Seven Warning Signs That You're Talking Too Much over at the Marriage Channel of Exemplify Online.

While you're there, read some of the other wonderful articles and check out the exciting romantic giveaway.

I'll be back with something new on Thursday as I prepare for the 10 days of prayer leading up to this year's Global Day of Prayer.

A Year Gone By

As this year is coming to a close, I wanted to take a moment to share some memories of 2009.

In early Spring, Rick and I enjoyed a brief retreat in the Whiteshell Provincial Park in Southeastern Manitoba. We had time to connect with each other and with God as we enjoyed a cozy cabin.

Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday found us joining with the world in worship and repentance and petition. Prayers were recited in many languages as the body of Christ united.

My mother's battle with cancer began and family drew closer as we made plans to love and support her in whatever ways each of us could. Trips down to the states grew more frequent.


It was a year of bounty in our garden. Our cold storage room is filled with jars of multi coloured delights that I spent hour upon hour preparing.

It seemed that everywhere I looked there was yet another reason to praise God for His creative powers and the beauty that surrounds us.

In late Autumn we staked out the land the Lord has provided for us, anointing and blessing and burying scripture.

We raised a twelve foot cross built by a dear friend near the barn, overlooking our valley. The land is His, as we are, and I love this constant reminder.



I challenged myself to write 50,000 words in the month of November. With God's help, I completed the task.
So as another new year dawns, I will continue to seek to do the will of the One Who created heaven and earth and little old me

and I will continue to look at the world around me through eyes of faith.

May His richest blessings litter the path before you in the year to come.

Word Filled Wednesday - If My people

"If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14 Amplified

This photo was taken one evening during the ten days of prayer leading up to the Global Day of Prayer 2009. A group of us journeyed to the highest places in our region to pray and declare that Jesus is Lord over all.

To see more Word Filled Wednesday posts come visit Susan at Forever His Why not add a post of your own?

Our 2009 Global Day of Prayer gathering

Here is just a small taste of our worship, rejoicing, prayers and declarations as we joined with the rest of the world in prayer on May 31st. We had people pray in Afrikaans, Nigerian , Korean and Norwegian, as well as Canada's three languages - English, French and the aboriginal Ojibway.



"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

Global Day of Prayer 2009

10 days of united and focused prayer concluded Sunday evening with our Global Day of Prayer gathering. The Spirit of the Lord was moving in our worship, and in our prayers and declarations. This year I was able to find people to read parts of the "Prayer For The World" in different languages. We began with Afrikaans, to honour the nation of South Africa where the vision was birthed.

I knew that God was at work when unexpectedly an Aboriginal Pastor, his wife and friends joined us. We were blessed to have him pray in Ojibway and release a word about revival over our area.

"I feel the Holy Ghost is in this house. I want you to know, saints of God, the Spirit of Revival is hovering over Dauphin. And each church is going to receive a special visitation by the Spirit of God and everyone's needs are going to be met. The spiritual needs."

With a part of the prayer also being read in French, we had all 3 languages of Canada declared into the heavens!

Prayers were also read in a Nigerian dialect and in Norwegian. A Korean minster was in attendance with a group from another church in our region, and though he did not speak from the pulpit, Asia was also represented through his prayers.

On two occassions we broke off into small groups to spend time in repentence and to pray for the lost. These moments of prayer were intense and powerful, and I wished I didn't need to break them up and call us all back together.

Lord, we love You. Lord, we adore You. Lord, continue to break our hearts over the dis-unity in the Church and lead us along the paths You desire, roads that bring us closer to You and to each other, that we might truly be the Body of Christ, the bride You will return for,

"The one who is testifying to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" Revelation 22:20

A clear sign

A significant part of the Global Day of Prayer vision is 10 days of focused and united prayer leading up to the one day when the whole world gathers. We have been enjoying great blessings for the Lord has been faithful to join with us by His Spirit each evening as we meet to pray.

"O you who bring good tidings to Zion, get up to the high mountain. O you who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God!" Isaiah 40:9

This word of God commands us to go to the “high places” and proclaim the name of our Lord - - so last night we went as a group to our National Park to pray on the tower that is the highest point in this part of our region.

We have been talking about making the trip Saturday evening to pray in like manner at Baldy Mountain, the highest point in Manitoba. Baldy is in a provincial park called “The Duck Mountains” commonly referred to as “The Ducks”

Being blessed to live out in the country on lots of land affords us opportunity to see a variety of creatures passing through, but this is the first time we have seen these sitting in our yard. Those who know me understand that I delight in God’s way of speaking to us in prophetic signs and pictures, and what Rick caught on film this morning shouts out a loud confirmation to our plans.

Yes, Lord, I hear You. Yes, Lord, we will answer Your call!

Cafe Chat Week of May 16

This week I am finally able to particpate again, and Kim asked us:


"If Fear or Finances (or any other stumbling block) were not a problem, is there something you have always wanted to do or try that you have not done? Do you think eventually you will do the thing you mentioned above? Explain your answer."


Fear has hindered me in many ways. It certainly has kept me silent many times when I know God's will is for us to speak of Him and share His love. I dream of reaching out to people in need, in all corners of the world, not only speaking of Christ's love but also being His hands and feet and showing them. I dream of preaching the Good News, so I am taking ministry courses through Christian Leadership University.


The Lord has also spoken into my spirit that I will write books that will minister and teach of His amazing love. Has fear gotten in the way of writing? You bet. The enemy persists in whispering lies into my heart, saying that no one would be interested in reading my words. I will however stand on the Word and "Submit therefore to God: resist the Devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7


I know my husband and I will return to Africa for a longer mission term, and we will also travel to other far places in the service of our King. My job now is to be still and wait to hear what He will say, then without hesitation, step out in radical obedience.


When I gave my heart and life to Jesus, the friends who led me to that profoundly life altering step said "Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime." What an understatement! What a wild ride! I have not yet been disappointed in that choice.

Join us at Cafe Chat and share your answer to Kim's question.

The day the world combines in one voice

May 31st is Pentecost Sunday and also the Global Day of Prayer 2009. I have been involved with organizing a yearly gathering in our area for the past several years in obedience to God's request.

This year we will be combining our event with our monthly ACTS 2:46 Cafe and Rise Up Community Prayer.

In November 2008 Christians in our area joined together to share meals, fellowship and prayer during the “Touch of God Crusade”. The Acts 2:46 Café was a visionary response from that experience and beginning on the eve of the New Year we have gathered once each month.

This monthly meal is for people who want to get together like Christians in the ancient Church described in Acts 2:46 who:

“regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their home they broke bread. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts”

A simple and good meal is served. If one can, they bring a dessert to share and make a donation to offset the cost.

Consider attending a Global Day of Prayer gathering in your community, or if there is nothing planned, perhaps you are the one who can step out and sound the call to prayer!