The Sovereignty of God

Developing friendship

John, a friend of mine working overseas, wrote and told me about a school teacher he’s got to know.  A good friendship has developed and John has been able to talk about his faith.  Apparently the school teacher has known Christians for years and has heard them speak of their Christian experience, and even done Bible studies with them.  However, he’s never been able to move past the objections he’s always had.

The unexpected

Recently, the school teacher had to move to another city for further training.  As it turned out, his roommate was a committed Christian who shared his faith with him, gave him good Christian materials, and even took him to a church (it’s easier to go to a church in a city where you’re not known).

I know that John had been disappointed to see his friend move to another city - their conversations and times of Bible study had come to an end.  But John couldn’t have imagined what would unfold.  John doesn’t know whether his school teacher friend has become a Christian yet, but a move that seemed like a step backwards has been used by God for good.

Unseen fruit

John commented to me, that he prays for the people around him, for the crowds who don’t know the Gospel.  John’s observation was that God is at work.  He said, “Our prayers are worthwhile, though we may not see or hear about the fruit that comes from them.”

Churches together in prayer

24-7 Prayer Room

Praying for the community

Last weekend was ‘National Prayer Weekend’, an initiative to encourage local churches across the UK to pray for the communities around them.  The churches in the area where I live co-operated in a variety of ways.

Firstly, flyers were delivered to the houses in the area which simply asked if there was anything they would like prayer for.  Any requests sent in are now being prayed over.

24-7 prayer room

Secondly, a special prayer room has been set up for two weeks of 24-7 prayer focussed on the local community.  Folk from across the local churches have signed up for hour long slots in the prayer room.  Most of the slots have been filled (the 1:00 am – 5:00 am slots are usually the last to be filled!!)  This largely uninterrupted flow of prayer for the community will continue until Sunday 11 October.

On the streets

Thirdly, a small group were on the High Street on Saturday, asking those passing if there was anything they would like prayer for and, where appropriate, praying with them there and then on the street.

I was interested by how people responded to the question, “Is there anything you would like prayer for?”  Some people carried on walking with a simple, “I’m alright, thanks.”  Others commented, “I’m not religious.”  One person walked past briskly saying, “You don’t like our lot!” but was gone before anything further could be said, and left me wondering what was behind the remark.  Other people paused and then said, “Well actually, yes, there’s . . .” and then shared an obviously painful situation for which they were grateful to have someone pray.

It’s great to have had the National Prayer Weekend to encourage prayer.  Were you involved at all?

Praying as it happens

Once in a lifetime

In Islam there are five pillars.  One of these pillars is the pilgrimage, or Hajj, which should be performed at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime if they are physically and financially able to do so.

All the pilgrims wear two, very simple, white garments which they see as stripping away all distinctions of wealth, status, class and culture so that they stand together equal as they perform the various rites associated with the pilgrimage.

In 2014, over 2 million Muslims from all over the world gathered in Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. 

Grace not works

A friend of mine performed Hajj a few years ago and it was fascinating talking with him afterwards about his experience.  He explained that through performing Hajj he had been forgiven of all the sin in his life up to that point – that’s what he understood anyway.

However, we know that the way of forgiveness and reconciliation with God is not through our ‘works’.  “For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.”   Ephesians 2:8-9 (GNB)

Happening now

This year’s Hajj is now underway.  There is a webcam showing live what’s happening at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.  Why not take a few minutes to have a look and to pray for those taking part.

http://live.gph.gov.sa/

Two Rows by the Sea

Intended to harm

On 15 February 2015, a video was released showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians by supporters of Islamic State in Libya.  The video shocked the world.

In response, the Bible Society of Egypt produced a simple tract called ‘Two Rows by the Sea’. It has five short passages of Scripture and a poem.  Millions of copies of the tract have been distributed in Egypt and around the world in different languages.  Here’s the poem . . .

Two rows of men walked the shore of the sea,
On a day when the world’s tears would run free. 
One a row of assassins, who thought they did right,
The other of innocents, true sons of the light. 
One holding knives in hands held high,
The other with hands empty, defenceless and tied.
One row of slits to conceal glaring-dead eyes,
The other with living eyes raised to the skies.
One row stood steady, pall-bearers of death,
The other knelt ready, welcoming heaven’s breath.
One row spewed wretched, contemptible threats,
The other spread God-given peace and rest.
A Question… Who fears the other?
The row in orange, watching paradise open?
Or the row in black, with minds evil and broken?

The impact of this tract, and the verses of Scripture, and the forgiving attitude of the people of the cross’ has been amazing.

Used for good

When you hear about terrible things happening around the world, what’s your response?  Let’s be among those who turn to prayer, knowing that, that which was intended for harm can be used by God for good (Genesis 50:20)

For more details of ‘Two Rows by the Sea’ have a look at this website, from where you can also download copies of the tract in a variety of languages:

http://www.unitedbiblesocieties.org/two-rows-men-poem-faith-face-adversity/

What do you think?

Holding the rope for my daughter

En route to Uganda

I’ve just been tracking my daughter’s flight.  She’s heading to Uganda with others from her church youth group.  It should be an amazing trip for them all, as they visit various projects supported by the church.

We’ve been through all the preparations – jabs, buying insect replant and a mosquito net, getting suitable clothing.  And now they’re off, to see what God’s doing in that part of the world.  They will see situations very different from what they are used to.  They will learn so much.  They will see poverty - but perhaps be made aware of their own poverty.

Never let go

How do I feel as my daughter flies off?  OK.  I’m reminded of something that William Carey said when he was preparing to go to India.  His leaders said that his mission to India was like a man going into a deep, dark mine.  William Carey responded, “Well, I will go down, if you will hold the rope.” 

William Carey’s supporters knew that they should never let go of the rope – the rope of prayer.  William Carey went to India; they prayed.  My daughter is flying to Uganda; I pray. 

I thank God for the privilege of prayer.  Is there anything more precious than being able to pray for someone else, to be able to hold them before God and seek His best in their life?

Who are you holding the rope for?

It's happening today

Dreams and Visions

Like me, have you come across the request to pray for ‘dreams and visions’ for those in the Muslim world?  I regularly read this.  And I do pray for dreams and visions.  I pray that God would intervene directly in people’s lives, get their attention through a dream or vision, and show them the right way.

I recently read the following true account, and want to encourage you with it . . .

Finding Life

“A Muslim lady had a dream in which she saw Christ.  He showed her a house and gave her the address of the house, which was in her city.  He said to her, ‘This is where you'll find Life.’ 

The next day, although feeling a little unsure and awkward, she went in search of the house she had seen in the dream.  She went to the district, and then found the street.  When she arrived at the correct house number, she immediately recognised the house as the one she had seen in her dream. 

She tentatively knocked at the door.  A woman opened it.  As they spoke together, the woman of the house said, ‘Oh yes, I've been expecting you.  The Lord told me you were coming!’  The lady went inside, and there she discovered the Life she had been searching for.”

Keep praying

Wow!  Two women brought together through God’s sovereign intervention.  And the Gospel that brings life is shared and embraced.

Perhaps you’ve prayed in a general way for ‘dreams and visions’.  Well, this is what’s happening!  Let’s keep praying!

Korean Prayer Mission

Prayer walking

Not for selfies

Did you hear about the recent Korean Prayer Mission to the UK?  Nearly 400 Christians from South Korea came to the UK to pray.  They didn’t come to see the sights and do the ‘touristy thing’.  They didn’t get lots of selfies in front of famous landmarks.  They came to pray.  They paid their airfares and took time of work in order to come and pray.

Feelings of gratitude

Korean Christians look to the UK with gratitude.  They see the UK church as their ‘mother church’, because it was a missionary from the UK, Robert Thomas, who in 1866 was martyred taking the Gospel to the Korean peninsula.  He was martyred, but from this the church in Korea grew.  And today the church in Korea is strong, has a keen focus on prayer, and is sending out many missionaries around the world.

Heavy hearts

Korean Christians also look to the UK with heavy hearts because of the current state of the UK church.  The Korean Prayer Mission is a response to this.  They want to pray for the UK and the church here – it’s like “coming to help a sick mother”, as one of them said.

The way forward

The 400 South Koreans divided into small teams and spread out around the UK, staying in 30 different towns and cities.  And they prayed – day and night.  Their example is a great challenge.  Do I, do you, pray for the UK, for the churches we attend, and the towns we live in, with the same concern and earnestness that our Korean brothers and sisters display?  They know and demonstrate that prayer is the way forward. 

What’s your response to this?

A house of prayer for all nations

GOfest

Were you at the GOfest mission festival last weekend?  A lot of people were.  It was a great weekend, despite a little drizzle on the Saturday.  There was so much information about what’s going on in the world and how we can all be involved in seeing the Gospel continue spreading.  

Every country

I had the privilege of helping to lead times of prayer for the world.  We prayed for the UK; for Bible translation needs; for the vast nation of India; for the Muslim world with Ramadan now underway; for the area of the world impacted by ISIS; for the persecuted church.  During one session we prayed while watching the flags of every country scroll before us on the screen – asking for God’s blessing, the strengthening of believers, the extension of God’s kingdom, the building of the church.

The cries of our hearts

On another occasion, as worship songs were being sung, people came forward to a large world map and placed a red sticker on the country that was on their heart.  The stickers were a tangible expression of the cries of our hearts.  Many red stickers appeared over the map – many countries were held before God in prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14

“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.”

If you were at GOfest, what are your reflections of the weekend?

Have you lived through a revival?

In the land of revival

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit the Isle of Lewis, off the west coast of Scotland, for some meetings.  I went there keen to be involved in the meetings, but also fascinated by the fact that the Outer Hebrides have seen a number of revivals, the latest being in 1949.  I stepped off the plane in Stornoway thinking, “it was here that it happened . . .”

The 1949 revival is well documented in books and videos, so I knew some of what had happened.  But it was a tremendous privilege to sit and chat with a lady who had lived through the revival – I hung on her every word.

Stepping aside

The revival is associated with the preaching of Rev. Duncan Campbell, but what I didn’t know was that he had been invited to Lewis by a minister on the island, Rev. James McKay.  This struck me - James McKay invited Duncan Campbell to come and preach in his church, and then saw Duncan Campbell have a very fruitful ministry.  How many of us are willing to step aside like that and see someone else be used by God in a significant way?  I was told that McKay didn’t care how revival came, so long as it came.

I was also struck by something else I heard, that James McKay was encouraged to invite Duncan Campbell by two elderly sisters, one of them blind, who had been praying faithfully for revival.  There it is – prayer!

Conviction of sin

Two elderly sisters praying.  Not in the limelight.  I can’t even tell you there names.  But faithfully praying.  They spoke to James McKay.  He invited Duncan Campbell, and humbly stepped aside to allow him to preach.  Duncan Campbell’s preaching was used by God and revival came to the Outer Hebrides with a supernatural conviction of sin.

It was D. L. Moody who said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” 

I was touched when the lady I was speaking with asked me, “have you lived through a revival?”  I replied, “No . . .  not yet.”

In the Job Description

In charge of the bread

I was reading 1 Chronicles, and came to these verses in chapter 23 . . .

“The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the Lord: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God.  They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size.”

Those are verses 28 and 29.  It’s all very practical.  The Levites had responsibility for the temple courtyards, for the bread, for the flour, and for other things to help the temple run smoothly.  Then we read in verse 30 and 31 . . .

“They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord.  They were to do the same in the evening and whenever burnt offerings were presented to the Lord on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals.  They were to serve before the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them.”

Part of their job

Their responsibilities included giving thanks and praise to God, it was part of their job.  They were to give thanks and praise at prescribed times – every morning, in the evening, and when burnt offerings were presented at different times.

They weren’t to give thanks and praise only when they felt like it, or only when something extra special happened.  It was to be routine, woven into their days and the patterns of their other work.

Practice the discipline?

So, what about you and me?  Do I practice the discipline of giving thanks and praise?  Of course, I’m free to give thanks and praise whenever and wherever I want to.  But sometimes being free like that, means that I never do.

What do you think?