prayer invasion 2012

PRAYER INVASION 2012

2012PRAYERINVASION

7 DAYS OFPRAYER, FASTING & SPIRITUAL FEASTING

JANUARY 8 - 14, 2012

MAKE DISCIPLES PLANT CHURCHES

PRAYER INVASION 2012 PRAYER INVASION 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR

GUIDE

SCHEDULE

DEVOTIONALS & PRAYER JOURNAL

THEME : STRONG GOD (PSALM 46:1 - 3)

DAY 1: GOD ISDAY 2: A PLACE TO SHELTER

DAY 3: GOD IS STRENGTHDAY 4: PRESENT HELP

DAY 5: YOU ARE ON HIS MINDDAY 6: DO NOT LOSE HOPEDAY 7: TRUST IN THE LORD

PRAYER LIST

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FROM THE SENIOR PASTORMy beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

In 2012, there’s so much to look forward to. In fact, the leadership has declared this year to be “GREATER, STRONGER, HIGHER!”

In the Old Testament, God is known by the name Elo-him. The name occurs more than 2,000 times and empha-sizes that He is above all. He stands unique. It was God who promised Jacob descendants, a great nation, and possession of the land that He had promised to his forefathers. Jacob could have hope in the future because his God was strong.

Whether it be in the LJOR Church, our families, our businesses, places of work, schools, or homes, we, too, have hope that this year will be filled with miracles. However, as we get ready for the many blessings, let us draw closer to the source of great power and strength – our Strong God.

As we all spend the next 7 days praying and fasting, let our hearts be filled with expectation that the same God who resolved seemingly insurmountable obstacles for His people in the past can resolve our difficulties in the present.

BISHOP CHITO AQUINO

By His name Elohim, God has revealed Himself as a strong God, able to help His people amid troubles. Are you carrying your own burdens today, or are you allowing God to carry them for you?

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WHY FAST?“Let fasting be done unto the Lord with our eye singly fixed on Him. Let our intention herein be this, and this alone, to glorify our Father which is in heaven.” – John Wesley

1. God expects us to fast

Matthew 6:16-17 - 16”And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their ap-pearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17”But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face

Jesus said; “When you fast”, not if you fast. This means that fasting, like prayer, is not an option. Fasting is something that is part of the Christian life.

2. Jesus fasted

Matthew 4:2 - And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

Before He began His ministry, Jesus fasted for forty days. He knew He was going to need spiritual strength to fulfill His pur-poses. Fasting may make us feel physically weak but we will become physically stronger and more prepared to do God’s work.

3. The early Church fasted

Acts 13:3 - Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Also see Acts 14:23)

The Church fasted for Saul (Paul) and Barnabas whom the

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PRAYER AND FASTINGConsecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. - Joel 1:14

Throughout history, God has called on His people to humble themselves through fasting and prayer. As a spiritual family we practice prayer and fasting to deepen our intimacy with God. Fasting is a spiritual weapon God used to advance His kingdom, move nations, spark revival and ultimately bring vic-tory to the lives of His people.

Fasting and Prayer are the only disciplines that fulfill the re-quirements of 2 Chronicles 7:14: If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If you fast, you will find yourself being humbled. You will dis-cover more time to pray and seek God’s face. And as He leads you to recognize and repent of unconfessed sin, you will experience special blessings from God.

Fasting is part of a believer’s life of faith in Christ. In a fast, the believer chooses, for a set period of time, to do without something that is hard to do without.

Biblical fasting is not just “not eating”, but it is abstinence from food with a spiritual goal in mind. It always occurs together with prayer in the Bible and is also a form of worship. Luke 2:37c says that fasting is a way of serving God, while Acts 13:2 says that fasting is ministering to the Lord.

As we begin our fast this year, let us all be reminded that whatever we do, we do for the glory of God.

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

Daniel 9:3 - So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Fasting prompts revival to an individual and to the country. It brings forth a stirring that will heal and change us and prepare us for greater things in God’s kingdom.

7. Fasting is good for our Health

Fasting improves our physical condition. Many impurities in the body are burned up when the body is denied food, thus, clearing the mind, cleansing and healing the body. “Even people who are underweight who fast for spiritual purposes have been known to gain weight after completing their fasts”. Many Bible teachers say that a three-day fast is especially beneficial for spiritual cleansing and also for breaking addic-tive habits (What Does the Bible Say About Fasting?, Christ Unlimited Ministries, www.bible.com).

PREPARING TO FAST

“My spiritual drought ended, but this taste for the majesty of God only made me thirst for more of HIM.” – John Piper

1. Set your objective and commit to a type of fast Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. Once you know the reason you have for fasting, you must make a commit-ment. Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake.

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Holy Spirit had set apart for His use. Later, Paul and Barnabas appointed leaders in various churches and then fasted and prayed before commending these leaders to the Lord.

4. Fasting demonstrates humility before God

Psalm 35:13 - But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer kept returning to my bosom.

(See also 1 Kings 21:27-29; Ezra 8:21)

Humility allows us to experience the grace of God, who de-lights in answering the prayers of His children. When we hum-ble ourselves in prayer and turn from our wicked ways, God promises to hear us and answer us according to His perfect will.

5. Fasting makes us sensitive to the leading and pow-er of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:1-2 - 1And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate noth-ing during those days; and when they had ended, He became hungry. (See also Acts 13:2, Luke 4:1-2, Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29)

We are prone to forget our priorities. Fasting is a visible re-minder to us that God takes precedence over all our needs. Fasting lifts up the matter at hand to God who is able to bring about awesome works that bring Him great glory.

6. Fasting brings about Personal and National spiritu-al revival

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supervision. For example:• Persons who are physically too thin or emaciated• Persons who are prone to anorexia, bulimia, or other eat-

ing disorders• Those who suffer weakness or anemia• Persons who have tumors, bleeding ulcers, cancer, blood

diseases, or who have heart disease• Those who suffer chronic problems with kidneys, liver,

lungs, heart, or other important organs• Individuals who take insulin for diabetes, or suffer any oth-

er blood sugar problem such as hyperglycemia• Women who are pregnant or nursing• For people taking prescription drugs, do not abruptly stop

without consulting your attending physician. Consult your doctor before you begin your fast but be aware that many doctors have not been trained in this area and so their un-derstanding may be limited.

DURING A FAST

The greater the satisfaction you experience from God, while still in this world, the greater your desire for the next. - John Piper

1. Seek the Lord

Commit to prayer and Bible reading during the times you usu-ally allocate for meals. Remain accountable to your small groups, for what you don’t eat physically you should compen-sate for spiritually. One way is by attending the daily evening prayers in LJOR Churches at 7-8 pm. Be ready to respond when you hear from God.

2. Commit to change

Whatever God tells you or puts His finger upon, apply it im-mediately. If you need to make restitution, immediately contact

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• Choose the type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often).

• Determine how much time each day you will devote to prayer and God’s word.

2. We should be expectant Be reminded that the Lord listens to a prayer from the heart. Be true and contrite as we expect results from our God.

3. Prepare yourself spiritually The very foundation of fasting is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

4. Prepare yourself physically Fasting requires physical precautions. For those who are taking medication or have a chronic ailment it is advisable to consult your physician first, before beginning the fast.

5. Lessen physical activities Limit your physical and so-cial activities during this period. You need to conserve physical energy and you need to devote more time to prayer and read-ing the Bible.

6. Be in Faith Be strong and vigilant in prayer as you dedicate more time in fellowship with the Father. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Be clear and specific about your faith goals in your personal life, family, finances, and church. These are what you will be believing God for during the fast and the entire year. Expect God to answer. Maintain a thankful heart through-out and after the fast.

CAUTION

In spite of the absolute safety and benefits of fasting, there are certain persons who should not fast without professional

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6. Attend and Fellowship

Try to attend the daily evening prayer time at 7-8 pm in all dis-tricts of LJOR. Pls. ask your local pastor for service details.(Cell Group meetings during the fasting period are at the dis-cretion of the Cell Leader in order to give the members the option to attend the evening services.)

Join the culmination of the Annual Fast on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 in all LJOR Districts. There shall also be a whole day culmination service at the LJOR-Cubao Church, 4/F CRB bldg. 597 EDSA, Cubao, Quezon City (9AM-4PM).

BREAKING THE FAST

1. End your fast gradually Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintro-ducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks…If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health. You may start with fruit, fruit juice, salads, and soups then gradually eat more solid food such as: vegetables, fish, meat, etc.

2. Continue to pray Don’t let your prayer end on the day you finished the fast. Build from the momentum you gained during the fast. Let it transform your prayer and devotional life. Carry the newfound passion with you throughout the year.

3. Expect greater intimacy with God If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God’s face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experi-ence a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21)…A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all…A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians…It takes time to build your spiritual muscles. If you fail to make

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people you have broken relationships with. If there are habits that need to change, make the adjustment immediately. Ask your cell group leader to hold you accountable.

3. Pray for suggested items

Pray for the items on your prayer list and other items as the Spirit leads. Let us use this time to intercede for our family, for LJOR, our country, the government, our Cell Group and Cell members, Christians around the world, missions, etc.

4. Saturate your mind with the Word of the Lord

We must fill our mind with the Word of God and saturate it fully. Although our body may hunger, our soul must be filled with the spiritual food that we crave and that is enough to strengthen us to deny our flesh. Consider a fast from food as a spiritual feast.

5. Put yourself on a Schedule

For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

• Praise and worship.• Confession and Repentance of Sin• Read and meditate on God’s Word, preferably on your

knees.• Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His

will.• Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community’s

and nation’s leaders, for the world’s unreached millions, for your family and special needs.

• Take a short spiritual walk.• If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer. • Avoid television, computer games, internet entertainment

surfing, movies, parties or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.

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SCHEDULE

DAY 1 (Jan 8)Fasting Options

Water FastLiquid FastEat one meal onlyOther: ___________













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it through your first fast, do not be discouraged…As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.

4. Experience the Joy of God’s Presence Let us bask in the fullness of joy in the Lord as we abide in His glorious pres-ence. Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever. - Psalm 16:11

When we have denied our flesh, empowered our spirit with prayer, and solely depend on God for nourishment, there is a joy in the moment we experience God’s magnificent power.

CONCLUSION

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

“Fasting in the biblical sense is choosing not to partake of the food because your spiritual hunger is so deep, your determina-tion in intercession so intense, or your spiritual warfare so de-manding that you have temporarily set aside even fleshly needs to give yourself to prayer and meditation.” – Wesley Deuel

Our seven-day prayer and fasting gives us the opportunity to realign our lives according to His will and consecrate the rest of the year to Him. As we humble ourselves corporately before Him in prayer, we can expect Him to move mightily in our midst.

God’s will is for each and every one of us to experience break-through and victory in our lives. Be in faith for God to move miraculously in your life this year beyond what you can ask or imagine. You have a fresh mandate. Be ready to accomplish greater things for the glory of God this year.

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DEVOTIONALS AND PRAYER JOURNAL

These selected devotionals and a prayer journal will serve as your guide through 1 week of Prayer, Fasting and Spiritual Feasting.

Please be reminded that this fast is not focused on our sacrifice but on our hearts, Let us make this fast unto God. Keep God as the center of the Fast. Let us not be distracted by things that are mere benefits, instead let us focus on the real reason why we fast.

Each devotional has a corresponding page which would serve as a prayer journal where one can record scriptures, experi-ences and insights during your fast. This guide also contains a prayer list that you may also fill up with your concerns.

In certain issues you might need an accountability partner (identify one in the Cell Group where you belong) then be sure to pray for each other.

We hope that the devotionals and prayer journal may guide you in this spiritual undertaking as we proclaim Jesus Christ Lord of our souls and of our flesh.

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&“If our fasting is not unto God, we have failed. Physical ben-efits, success in prayer, the enduring with power, spiritual in-sights—these must never replace God as the center of our fasting. – Richard Foster

DEVOTIONALSPRAYER JOURNAL

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Psalm 46:1-3“God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in time of trou-ble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Reflection1. The psalmist suggested that God is abundantly available for

help all the time and in tight places or situations, although other passages indicate that God is not so accessible (Ps. 10:1, Isa. 45:15, Lam. 3:44, Ezek. 20:3, 1Tim. 6:16, James 4:8).

2. The barrier that obstructs our connection to God is us. God is an omnipresent being, and there is no place where he is not near us (Ps. 139:7-12).

Application1. Let us long for that connection with God. Sin is the element that

makes us feel that God is not near. Our sin pushes us from him; God is holy and does not mingle with sin. His fellowship with us is pure and righteous. Do we feel that God is far away? Believe in His promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Heb.13:5).

2. Have you lost faith for a moment? All you need to do is first acknowledge where you are spiritually, acknowledge who God is, then repent and draw near to him. He will always respond to you! The enemy’s goal is to make you feel condemned. If you are in Christ Jesus, there is never any condemnation for you (Rom. 8:1).

3. Learn to trust God; he wants to be everything to you. Examine your thoughts about him being present with you; test to see whether the enemy has planted a seed of doubt in case you have given him access.

Take time at this very moment to listen to God’s voice as he confirms in your spirit the truth about him and your relationship.

1DAY GOD IS

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THEME:

“Strong God”God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

The term “God is” indicates that God exists by himself with-out anyone else. God is everything that Christian believers will ever need. To have God and desire another source to meet our needs is to question God’s ability to provide, care for, and deliver us in times of trouble. Also, it shows a level of doubt.

The name for the book of “Psalms” comes from the Greek psalmoi, which means “songs.” It was the first book in the third main division of the Old Testament, and in this poetic book, David wrote about God’s ability to do great and awesome things in the earth and for Israel, his chosen people. God has not changed or stopped doing great and awesome things. He is doing greater and more awesome things for his body, the church!

In Psalm 46, the psalmist offered a greater description of an ever-present God who, if we trust in him no matter what, we can feel safe because he is present. The key verse of this pas-sage of scripture is the first. The reason is, the psalmist seem-ingly drew from his experiences with God, and through them came to realize that God is. For everything man stands in need of during this life and in the one to come, God has already provided.

In addition, the writer described three characteristics of God: refuge, strength and present help. To the writer, God was al-ways in position to do for him what was necessary…and when needed.

“Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God’s saints have been held.” E. M. Bounds

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Psalm 46:1“God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble.”

Reflection1. God is our refuge, a place where one goes to hide from the

storms. The Oxford Dictionary describes “refuge” as “a shelter from pursuit, danger or trouble.” This can be a person, place or thing. God is the person and place of refuge for all who trust him as such, but again you must want this.

2. Most of the time when we have feelings of doubt, they came from thoughts we’ve held. From our thoughts come our feelings and behaviors.

3. The Father has positioned himself to be our sheltering place in the times of trouble; he can be your Rock of defense when enemies are pursuing you.

Application1. What has the enemy used to sow seeds of doubt in your life?

For this reason, we are encouraged to take every thought cap-tive and make it obedient to Christ.

2. We also must be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once our obedience is complete (2 Cor. 10:5-6).

3. Reflect on the life of Hannah. She, in times of pain, frustration, and false accusation, emptied her soul to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:15). Hannah opened up the floodgates of her soul before the Lord who is her portion forever. God responded to Hannah and he will certainly respond to you!

David declared: “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (Ps. 62:7-8).

2DAY A PLACE TO SHELTER

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 1

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“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” - C. S. Lewis

Read: Psalm 46; 18:2; Psalm 91:2

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Reflection1. Strength is an attribute most men and women crave. The desire

to be physically, mentally and emotionally strong has pushed many to join health programs and fitness clubs. Some have made these decisions out of fear, anxiety and peer pressure. Whatever the reason, they are pursuing the path they believe will bring the results they desire.

2. Many go to the extremes to buff up their muscles. In sports, some players use performance-enhancing drugs to perform at higher levels. Similarly, many Christians are tempted to put their trust in sources other than God to find strength. Know this; what you need is within you.

Application1. Meditate on Psalm 46:1..notice the word “IS.” Is it a participle

indicating a now action? Or does it pertain to the future? The meaning of is in the above verse of scripture describes a now-present God. God is the present participle in the sentence of our lives, and our strength in times of trouble.

2. What is the Lord saying to you right now concerning his strength? And what is your response to him? Journal what the Lord is say-ing and respond accordingly.

“If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, liv-ing, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ.” - C. H. Spurgeon

3DAY GOD IS STRENGTH

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 2

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The purpose of fasting is to loosen to some degree the ties which bind us to the world of material things and our surroundings as a whole, in order that we may concentrate all our spiritual powers upon the unseen and eternal things. - Ole Kristian O. Hallesby

Read: Psalm 23, John 10:1-21

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Reflection1. There are keys to this statement that deserve special attention.

The phrase, “ever-present help,’’ can be restated as “abun-dantly available for help.” Also, “trouble” refers to “tight places.” Based on these two definitions, when life’s passages begin to close in on you, be encouraged to respond as David did. David responded to difficult experiences by declaring that God is the abundant, available help in tight places.

Application1. Have you ever been in a tight spot in life and needed some-

one to help get you out? According to David, God is the one on whom you can depend. Share your experience with your cell group or prayer group.

2. Now imagine this: You are a kid at a family member’s house playing with your cousins. You get hurt and cry, and when your dad or mom hears your cry, he or she comes running and call-ing your name. This is a typical response from a loving, healthy parent. Although your childhood environment may have been quite different, the fact remains that good parents know their children. They know the sound of trouble, and their hearts and ears are attuned to their children’s needs. If you have not yet experienced this type of love with God, it is recommended that you position yourself as a child of God and experience this awe-some blessedness of knowing the one who hears your cry. He is available to you!

Will you allow the Father to attend to your needs? Will you be still and watch him care for you like no none else?

He loves you too much not to respond to your cry.

4DAY PRESENT HELP

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 3

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________It is as if God the Father is saying to us: “Since I have told you everything in My Word, Who is My Son, I have no other words that can at present say anything or reveal anything to you beyond this. Fix your eyes on Him alone, for in Him I have told you all, revealed all, and in Him you will find more than you desire or ask. If you fix your eyes on Him, you will find everything, for He is my whole word and my reply, He is my whole vision and my whole revelation.

--Anthony M. Coniaris

Read: Ephesians 6:10, Philippians 4:13, Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 31:24, Psalm 105:4, Isaiah 40:28-31, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:14-19

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Psalm 139:17-18“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.”

Reflection1. David experienced something with God that many of us have

not yet experienced. When we experience something great, we are amazed by the wonder of it. David also had a headshaking experience in his relationship with God.

2. What kind of God is this that he thinks of sinful man who has practiced sin since the Fall? What kind of God pays attention to our every move, grieves when we do wrong, and is touched by our infirmities?

3. Incredibly, you and I are on the mind of God 365 days a year, 28 to 31 days a month, and seven days a week—not to mention every 60 minutes, every 60 seconds, and every millisecond. Our heavenly Father is thinking of you, although sometimes it may not feel that way.

Application1. The universe was created with you in mind. Before God made

the universe, he planned it, and you were in his plan. List down some of the moments that left you in amazement of how good God is to you.

2. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness and ask the Holy Spirit to always remind you of His faithfulness whenever you feel down.

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5

5DAY YOU ARE ON HIS MIND

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 4

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I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming convic-tion that I had absolutely no other place to go. -- Abraham Lincoln

Read: Exodus 33:14, Psalm 27:1-5, Psalm 145:18-19, Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 12:2

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2 Corinthians 4:16-18“Therefore we do not lose heart though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is un-seen is eternal.”

Reflection1. The scripture records words such as “many are the afflictions of

the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.” Noth-ing is wrong with this quotation, but there is something missing from the interpretation. Many people believed this to mean God will heal or restore everyone’s circumstances to their original state during this life. All of us must remember that deliverance has many avenues and the choice is the Lord’s.

2. Understanding God and his will are vital when we process events in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones. As our bodies age and lose optimal function, as circumstances often do not turn out as we hoped, and as we experience failure in relationships, we endure these temporary things that challenge us. We must be intentional and not lose hope in our God’s ability to use these circumstances for a greater weight of glory—al-though that glory may not be in this life, but in the one to come.

ApplicationDiscuss these 10 Practical Steps on How NOT to lose Hope (by: Melissa Taylor of Proverbs 31 Ministries):

1. Begin by living in the light. (Aside from living in Christ, light up your world! Take a walk in the sunshine. Turn on some lights in your house. Listen to music that brightens your mood, not dampens it. Get rid of the misery around you and let light surround you. Invite hope into your life.)

2. Spend time in God’s Word. The knowledge of the Scriptures af-

6DAY DO NOT LOSE HOPE

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 5

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You are on his mind. Don’t let the devil or anyone else lie to you and tell you otherwise.

The Father loves you too much not to think of you!

Read: Job 37:16, Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 55:9, Job 28:24, 1 John 3:19-20, Isaiah 46:9, Matthew 10:30, Psalm 139:4

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 6

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“Do not fear, for I have REDEEMED you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1b

Read: Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 23:18, Proverbs 24:14, Proverbs 24:20, 1 Peter 1:21

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fects our attitude toward the present and the future. Attitude is half the battle in gaining a hope perspective that leads to peace.

3. Dismiss depressing thoughts quickly. Be aware of what you are thinking. Do your thoughts tend to be negative, condemning, or gloomy? Not much room for hope in the company of those charac-ters.

4. Here’s a practical one. List 5 things that bring you hope or 5 things you are hopeful for. Read them when you need to. Can’t think of 5? Then make them up. You gotta start somewhere.

5. Don’t give up. Choose to persevere long enough to find hope.

6. Choose to be hopeful even when you don’t feel it. Do what-ever it takes, but don’t live life based on your feelings. They can be so fickle. Choose hope. Live in peace. Don’t settle for less.

7. Thank God for your trials and hardships. Romans 5:3b-5a, “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…” (NIV)

8. Take a time out for yourself. When life is chaotic and peace seems far away, get quiet where you can hear God and God alone.

9. Pray hope and peace for yourself. Like this:“Lord, when my peace is broken by problems that come, remind me that You are always there caring about anything and everything that concerns me. I want to praise You through the painful places I walk through so I can rest in Your perfect peace. Thank You for giving me hope and being my peace. Please help me have hope and peace today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen (portions of this prayer are from Prayers to My King by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

10. Accept God’s plan for your life.

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A PRAYER OF TRUST

“MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my troubles alone.”

FILIPINO TRANSLATION:

“PANGINOON KONG DIYOS,wala akong higing man lamang kung saan ako papunta.

Hindi ko po nakikita ang landas sa unahan ko. Ni hindi ko tiyak kung saan ito patungo. Hindi ko po talaga batid at ang

katotohanang iniisip kong sinusundan Kita ay hindi po nangan-gahulugang tunay na Ikaw nga ang aking sinusundan. Subali’t

nananalig po ako na ang pagnanais kong ako ay Iyong kalugdan ay nakakalugod nga sa Iyo. At umaasa akong dala ko ang pagna-nais na ito sa lahat ng aking pinagkakaabalahanan. Umaasa po akong wala akong isasagawang walay sa pagnanais kong ito. At

batid ko na kung ito ay aking isasagawa, papatnubayan Mo ako sa tamang landas kahit hindi ko ito namamalayan. Kaya’t lagi Kitang aasahan kahima’t pakiwari ko’y, naliligaw ako at nalulukuban ng kamatayan. Hindi ako matatakot, pagka’t lagi Kitang kapiling at

hindi Mo ako kailanman papabayaang humarap sa panganib nang nag-iisa.” 2

1 By THOMAS MERTON, Thoughts In Solitude Part 2, Chapter II, Farrar, Straus and Giroux Paperbacks, November 19992 Translated into Filipino by Luciano P. Galman

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Isaiah 26:3-4“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, be-cause he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”

Reflection1. Isaiah, the evangelistic prophet, called Israel to return to God

from its apostasy to a place of restoration. In this chapter, Is-rael is at a place of restoration after conversion, and this song recorded by Isaiah was sung by Israel as a testimony of God’s trustworthiness.

2. This song will encourage the hearers to trust in God and to do so forever, because he humbles those who sit on high, and he lays low the lofty city; he also makes the path of the righteous level.

3. The lofty city and the high people are those who trust in their flesh and not in God. Israel tested God’s loving-kindness and experienced his wrath. This song warns us to be careful of how and how long we test God.

4. After running away from God, and experiencing his judgment and the consequences of their actions, the Israelites composed this song to the Lord.

Application1. Do you trust the Lord with all he has entrusted to you? Are you

grateful for his loving-kindness toward you?2. Reflect on Genesis 22:1-14 and discuss how Abraham trusted

the Lord.

7DAY TRUST IN THE LORD

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A. THE PHILIPPINES 1. Righteousness and Peace in the land 2. Economic prosperity 3. Protection from calamities 4. Government officials (1 Timothy 2) 5. Peaceful, honest and orderly elections 6. Evangelization of the country

B. THE CHURCH 1. Successful implementation of Mission and Vision 2. Effectiveness of LJOR ministries 3. The Leaders (Council of Elders, pastors, cell lead ers, and spouses) 4. Staff and Volunteers 5. The Body of Believers – growth in love, humility and holiness 6. Project 1:8 building fund – faithfulness of pledgors and more large-scale donors to meet P40M target soon 7. Campus Invasion of YouthRED 8. LLI, LRT, & LTP schedules for 2012 9. Church planters, missionaries and families 10. International Missions and Church planting efforts 11. National Convention on Apr. 6-9, 2012 12. Other concerns

C. ISRAEL 1. Peace and protection from hostile nations 2. Evangelization

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PRAYER JOURNALDAY 7

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“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”Oswald Chambers

Read: Isaiah 26, Psalm 9:10, 1 Chronicles 5:20, Psalm 9:10, Psalm 22:4-5, Psalm 32:10, Psalm 37:3-6, Psalm 91

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D. PERSONAL BREAKTHROUGH 1. Spiritual Revival 2. Physical Healing 3. Breaking of Bad Habits, Curses… 4. Others

E. FAMILY 1. Restoration of Relationships 2. Household Salvation 3. Purity 4. Other Concerns

F. FINANCES 1. Freedom from Debt 2. Prosperity and Abundance 3. Rich Generosity

G. OTHER PERSONAL PRAYER ITEMS

“And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

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PRAYER INVASION 2012

prayer invasion 2012

Documents

god isday

strong god psalm

fast matthew

jesus fasted matthew

face jesus

spiritual strength

ljor church

early church fastedacts