Lord's Watch, Second Tuesday of the Month

March 2008 edition - Concerts of Prayer Greater New York

Excerpt from Revive Us Again Devotional Guide 2007. To order, please call 718-721-2626.

THE SPIRIT HELPS US WHEN WE PRAY

By Carl Johnson

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;

for we do not know what we should pray

as we ought, but the Spirit makes appeal for us

with inarticulate groanings…

Romans 8:26.

We are praying for revival, reformation and renewal in New York and in other major cities of the world. Paul states that the entire “creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22 NLT). There is no place where the “groaning” is seen more than in the cities of the world. Pollution, crime, drug addiction and AIDS all contribute to the “groaning” of creation and of mankind. This passage in Romans 8 makes it clear that the groaning will not cease until the day of redemption at the end of time when there will be freedom from death and decay.

Meanwhile we are called to enter into this groaning in our intercession. We experience in our prayer life a sense of helplessness. The needs are enormous. We don’t understand how these needs can possibly be met. “We don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray” (v. 26 NLT). But Paul makes it clear that we are not left in this feeble and hopeless condition. Rather, “the Spirit helps us in our distress.” Obviously, the Spirit knows what the solutions are, what the will of God is, and thus He knows what we should be asking for. God wants us to enter into prayer even when we don’t know what to pray for - sharing his concerns and communing with Him.

The renewal we long for will come one day. The groaning will cease one day. But for now, as the travail of creation continues, so must our travail in prayer. Let us not faint, but let us receive the assistance of the Spirit of God as we plead, even allowing Him to plead through us. The Lord says through the prophet Zechariah “I will pour out a spirit of grace and intercession” (12:10). This implies that intercession is not simply a human endeavor but one that must originate with and be assisted by the Spirit of God.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Uniting the Body of Christ in Greater New York

Call Beatrice at 718-721-2626 x11 for details

Lord’s Watch Prayer Outline– March 2008

Pray for those who have lost sons and daughters in the continuing strife in Iraq. Spend 10 minutes on each segment. If you pray for a ½ hour, cut the times to five minutes.

I.       Rejoice – (10 Minutes)

         READ – Romans 8:26

REJOICE – Rejoice! God invites us to partner with Him in prayer.

REPENT – For not making ourselves available when He calls.

II.     Revival in the Church - Jesus, give us your tears for our cities.

PERSONAL – Pray for God to stir up our passion for Him.        REGIONAL – Pray for pastors in our region and their families for physical health and well-being. Pray that God will knit pastors together as they take time to pray with each other within our region.

NATIONAL – As Hollywood writers get back to work after a three month strike, pray God will infuse their writing with positive, biblically-based themes. Pray that key people in the entertainment industry will find the Lord and develop programming resulting in millions of television viewers being challenged to discover who Jesus really is.

INTERNATIONAL – The World Health Organization said that a 15 year old girl from Indonesia whose mother tested positive for bird flu has also contracted the disease. There is no definite proof that this is a case of human-to-human transmission. As we face many health issues that are not fully understood, pray for a cure and that this will cause people to turn to God who understands and knows all things.

III.       Reconciliation - Jesus, be our peace between races & churches.

REGIONAL – Pray for regional pastor’s meetings, that pastors will unite to implement initiatives that God places on their hearts.

NATIONAL – Pray that the land just west of the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, now on sale for $22 million, will be used in a way that will glorify God and further His purposes.

INTERNATIONAL – From Jerusalem, CNSNews.com reported that Sderot has been hit by more than 1,000 Kassam rockets launched by Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip over the last 5 years. In a recent assault two brothers, ages 8 and 19, were seriously injured. One had his left leg amputated. Doctors are trying to save the other leg. Please pray that increased tension between Palestinian factions would be handled with diplomacy instead of warfare. Please also pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Lord’s Watch Prayer Outline

IV.          Reformation in Society - Jesus, be the protector of our cities. REGIONAL – Sol Stern of the Manhattan Institute research group has been a strong supporter of school vouchers “as a way to give poor and minority children better educational choices and to create competition that would help improve public schools” (New York Times). Recently he completely changed his position. Pray for God’s transformation of our education system.

NATIONAL – The Boy Scouts of America have won court battles against the ACLU, which attempted to force the organization to accept homosexual scout masters and abandon adherence to a belief in God. Please continue to pray for the Boy Scouts and other organizations that uphold biblical values.

INTERNATIONAL – Pray for Kenya, East Africa. More than 800 people have died and more than 250,000 displaced in post-election violence. Pray for God to raise up the Church internationally to stand with the local church in Kenya.

V.           Reaching Outward - Jesus, blessed is the King who comes!

REGIONAL – Pray for church planters throughout the region trying to locate and obtain meeting facilities consistent with their vision and mission. An example is a church plant in Harlem trying to obtain space in a multiplex cinema. Pray for God’s provision for all of their needs and for His fruit.

                NATIONAL – CNN reports that “a senior Hezbollah commander implicated in some of the most high-profile international terrorist attacks of the last 25 years died in an explosion in Syria. Pray that individuals such as this will find Christ and be transformed.

INTERNATIONAL – Pray for healing and recovery for those affected by the Rwanda/Congo earthquake and that relief workers will be able to effectively meet all needs encountered. Pray no further tremors take place.

VI. Reflect – Wait – Listen

REFLECT – upon the Scripture verses you have read and how that has guided your prayers. REMAIN -- in the presence of the Lord allowing His Spirit ample time to speak and impart. RECORD -- what God says to you. REPORT – testify of answered prayer.