Kids of the King, Arise!

Over New Years a few years ago there was a LARGE gathering of mostly youth that came together to pray for the United States, in Kansas City, U.S.A.

One young man, a 12-year old, shared a vision he had in prayer several days earlier, in which the Lord showed to him that on Dec 31 God was going to “pour out all the bowls and let them run over”. Then yesterday, on Dec 31, the front-page headline of USA Today, speaking of the football “bowl” games, declared “The Bowls Runneth Over”. Here was a regular newspaper saying what this young boy had sensed in prayer.

In 1996 while praying for reconciliation between people groups and regions in Canada, a nine-year-old girl had a picture of “a huge bowl filled with rainbow colored liquid that was about to be poured out, over a dry area.” This was at the beginning of an outreach to Mexico and on that outreach a pastor at one of the venues we were at mentioned. “Ever since you have been here there have been rainbows in the sky every night! This really reassures us that God has not forgotten us!” In the following years we were involved in numerous other reconciliation events and VERY often there would be a double rainbow either at the start or end of the mission.

Now these prayer pictures are they scriptural?

Well, check out. Numbers 16: 41-50. Here is a story of a time that the Israelites sinned, and God punished them. Moses instructs Aaron to take a censor (or bowl) and fill it with incense and fire and run into the midst of the dying people holding the bowl up as a symbol of prayer, and as Aaron stood between the living and the dead the Plague stopped!

And again Revelation 5:8 …

the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and was holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints….

When it speaks of the bowls being poured out it means that God is answering the prayers of those praying.

Last year a lady Jan Aijahn showed me a picture of a huge Metal sculpture that she had made. It was called “the prayers of the saints”. I thought this would be a good picture to have to remind us of the importance of filling up these bowls in prayer. The next while we will be posting a number of prayer initiatives, such as the Global Day Of Prayer, Children at Risk and the Ears 2 Hear prayer alert. So as you join in think of these bowls that are being filled up in heaven in response to your prayers.

OPEN YOUR EYES AND FOLLOW THE LIGHT

Here are some things to pray for this month.
1. WAKE UP:
When you wake up each MORNING ask God to help people to wake up and be able to tell what is good and what is not good. Pray that they would have the courage to speak out for what is right

2. BE SALTY: Jesus told us that we were to be salt in our world. That is a funny thing to say. BUT did you know salt was used to keep food from going bad. It also puts flavor into food. AND in some countries Salt was used to show that you PROMISED to keep your word. So maybe it isn’t such a funny thing to say. So each time you reach for a salt shaker this month;
-pray that God would use you to bring God’s flavor wherever you go.
-pray that He would help you keep your promises.
-pray that moms and dads would keep their promises to each other and to their kids.
-pray that God would use you to speak out for truth and purity wherever you go.

3. Praise and Thanksgiving: Think of all sorts of things you can be thankful for when you go to bed at night. Find some verses in the book of psalms and make up a song to sing before you go to sleep. (eg: s. 33 1-3)GOOD NIGHT

You Are the Watchman
God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people. Tell them, ‘If I bring war on this land and the people take one of their citizens and make him their watchman, and if the watchman sees war coming and blows the trumpet, warning the people, then if anyone hears the sound of the trumpet and ignores it and war comes and takes him off, it’s his own fault. He heard the alarm, he ignored it—it’s his own fault. If he had listened, he would have saved his life.

“‘But if the watchman sees war coming and doesn’t blow the trumpet, warning the people, and war comes and takes anyone off, I’ll hold the watchman responsible for the bloodshed of any unwarned sinner.’

“You, son of man, are the watchman. I’ve made you a watchman for Israel. The minute you hear a message from me, warn them. If I say to the wicked, ‘Wicked man, wicked woman, you’re on the fast track to death!’ and you don’t speak up and warn the wicked to change their ways, the wicked will die unwarned in their sins and I’ll hold you responsible for their bloodshed. But if you warn the wicked to change their ways and they don’t do it, they’ll die in their sins well-warned and at least you will have saved your own life.

WOW That is a powerful message isn’t it!. YOU are a watchman Ezekiel!

In Canada in our national Anthem we sing…

That is a prayer right in the middle of our anthem with a promise that we will stand on guard for our nation. Have you ever really noticed that?
That includes having border guards at our borders to make sure terrorists don’t come in. It includes security guards at our airports. But it also includes guards at old people’s homes to watch over them that they don’t go out of the building when they are confused and get lost. Can you think of some others?

What do you think? That is a whole other way of looking at “Stand on Guard” isn’t it.
- Can you think of some places that need guards or watchmen to speak out?
-Now ask God how or where He would like you to “Stand on Guard”.

ACTION:

While this is Canada’s anthem, because there are SO many people from so many nations living in Canada I would like to share the thoughts in that song with you wherever you are and invite you to sing along and pray for your nation as well as for Canada.

O Canada! Our home and native land
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise
The true north, strong and free
From far and wide, O Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all.

One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The Other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The Old Cherokee simply replied, “the one you feed.”

A man by the name of Chuck Pierce sent out a weeks worth of prayer ideas today. The title was “7 days to change your brain.” Hmmm interesting. Below is an adapted version for you to follow.

Day 1: Read, meditate on, and memorize Isaiah 26:3-5:

“People with their minds set on you, (GOD) you keep completely whole and steady on their feet because they keep at it and don’t quit.” (The Message)

Do you have a hard time staying focused? Is there one area in your life that is keeping you from becoming whole? (being at peace and whole is the same thing) Is there an area you really struggle with, like in the bad wolf?

Day 2: Read, Philippians 4:4-9:

“Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.

“In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy. Keep doing what you have learned and received from me, what you have heard and seen me doing; then the God who gives shalom will be with you.” (Complete Jewish Bible)

Are you full of joy? Do you show the fruit of gentleness? Do you feel God’s nearness? Are you Thankful?

Write out the scripture above either as it is written there or from your own Bible and tack it in a place so that you will see it first thing in the morning when you wake up as a reminder. In a little while you will have it memorized too.

Day 3: Read, meditate on and memorize Joshua 1:7-9:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (New Living Translation)

Do you live in a way that brings joy to God’s heart? Do you feel like you are on track right now or are there things you need to stop doing or start to do?

Day 4: Read, meditate on and memorize Psalm 1:1-3:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.“ (New King James Version)

Who are your best buddies? Who or what influences you the most? Are you allowing your mind to go back to things that God has spoken to you from the Bible during the day?

Day 5: Read, meditate on and memorize Proverbs 3:1-10 (Amplified Bible):

“MY son/daughter, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of a life (worth living) and peace (inward and outward and continuing through old age till death), these shall they add to you. Let not mercy and kindness (shutting out all hatred and selfishness) and truth (shutting out all deliberate lies) forsake you; …

“So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight of God and man.”

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn (entirely) away from evil.”

Do you rely on your own way of thinking or do you wait for the Lord to show you the ONE THING that will change everything?

Day 6: Read, meditate on and memorize Psalm 27:1, 3, 14:

“The LORD is my light and the one who saves me. I fear no one. The LORD protects my life…I am afraid of no one. If an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. If war breaks out, I will trust the LORD.” (New Century Version)

“Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” (Amplified Bible)

What is the number one fear in your life? Do you feel more hope and faith when you read your Bible? Are you expecting and trusting the Lord help you with your fear and see a way out and new way of thinking?

Day 7: Read, meditate on and memorize Romans 12:1-2:

“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs), but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude), so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you).” (Amplified Bible)

Do you have a part of your body that refuses to submit and become holy? For example Do you have a hard time pulling your eyes away from a T.V. program that is violent and not something you would watch if Jesus sat beside you? It this program shaping the way you think? What are some other examples? Make a descision today to present your body totally to the Lord.

When Louis was a young boy he was a very sensitive caring young boy with a passionate spirit and zero tolerance for bullying. “noting irritated him as much as an abuse of strength against the week” one of his friends commented.

He also spent much time in prayer and fasting and in his journal wrote: ‘fasting and prayer are the two great keys to success in time and eternity…nothing can resist fasting when it is done with humility, and sincerity. Fasting opens prisons and releases the most hardened criminals…three or four days of fasting can accomplish more than an army on a field of battle.”

He stood up for the rights of the Metis and woke up the sleepy nation of Canada at that time. He also championed the French and Indian people during a time of hunger because of poor crops. He successfully forced Prime Minister Macdonald to recognize Metis land rights and to accept Manitoba into Confederation as a full province. On May 12 1870 the Manitoba act was passed based on the Metis ‘list of rights’ by the Canadian Government.

At church Louis sometimes was overcome with weeping and deep sadness and sometimes with intense joy. He tired to hold it in but said “my pain is sometimes as great as my joy” as he prayed for the things God placed on his heart. He said. “My life belongs to God. Let Him do with it as He wishes.“

However as time went on not all believed in his cause. The English who had a large vested interest in the province saw things differently and when one of their members, Scott was executed, Louis was forced to flee as he had not stood up to prevent the execution. He was on the run for 15 years but at the request of the French, Indian.and Metis peoples came back.

When he came back he was arrested by the English as a traitor and after a few months hanged.
Before he died he wrote this in his diary “ Jesus, author of life! Sustain us in all the battles of this life and on our last day, give us eternal life. Jesus give me your grace to really know your beauty! Grant me the grace to really love you. Jesus, grant me the grace to know how beautiful you are.“

Thus lived and died a man whom we acknowledge today as the founder of the Province of Manitoba and defender of the rights of the Métis and of French Canadians

If you want to read more on the biography of Louis Riel go to
http://www.shsb.mb.ca/Riel/indexenglish.htm

• What does Louis say is a key to success?

• What unlocks prison doors? Is there a story in the Bible that would agree with that? (look up Acts 12)

• Do you know someone else who wept over a city? Check out Luke 13:34

• Is there a way that you can stand up for what is right today? Is someone in your class at school or home being bullied or picked on? Ask Jesus to open your eyes to injustice and then ask Him what he would have you do. When He does, DO IT and ACT.

Have you come to a place in your walk with Jesus where you can say:

“My life belongs to God. Let Him do with it as He wishes”?

If not would you like to?
Just pray and tell Jesus something like this:

“Lord I really want to make a difference for you in the world today. Today I give my life to you and ask you to lead me to what ever you have placed me on earth to to for you. I want to be totally obedient to you from this day on. As You only did what you saw the Father do, I want to do only the kind of things you do. Let me feel the pain you feel for a lost world and help me make a difference no matter what” Amen

Let us join in the Prayer that Louis penned this week:

Jesus, author of life! Keep us strong in all the troubles we face in this life and on our last day, give us eternal life. Jesus give me your grace to really know your beauty today! Grant me the grace to really love you. Jesus, grant me the grace to know how beautiful you are.“

* Quotes taken from the book “Stand On Guard” By Fayteene Kryskow

Jessie Robitaille,
Ottawa

Jessie, a few years ago in a time of prayer saw a picture of God’s hand coming down. He put all sorts of cars on a football field and they all fit (she was a bit surprised at that) and everyone in the cars opened the doors, got out and began to praise God.

Then God’s hand came down once again and this time He put all the churches that worship Him on the field and then He brought them all together and made ONE church. Everyone praised God without eating or sleeping for two days.

The next impression she had came while she was eating Cheezies. She saw God’s hand again come down onto the field. This time He was holding one Cheezy straight up and everyone (probably in Canada) ate from it and there was enough for all.

O.K. this is not quite the right picture but you try and find one large enough that LOTS of people can eat of it.

Anyways….

In each of the pictures that Jessie saw, people came together and praised God, and God took care of them.

This sounds like a picture about unity doesn’t it? It also sounds like God is taking care of His own. ( we’ll talk about that later)

Lets Read Psalm 133. It is called “A Psalm of ascents” that the Jewish people would read when they went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts of the Lord. You can read about these feasts in the book of Numbers.

When you read this psalm you may wonder at the picture that it brings. “It is pleasant when someone pours oil all over you?” OKAAAY….

However to a Jew these were powerful pictures. It would be like me describing a scene to you:

The scene is one of you coming home in a Corvette, or a Porsche Boxter, on a cold winter day. You go in, and your mom or dad greets you with a cup of warm apple cider and has ordered your favourite pizza. They carry your books for you to your room. as you settle down to watch your favourite video, in a comfy lazy boy, toasting your toes by an open fire.

How does this make you feel? Well that is what this psalm did for a Jew.

As they journeyed to Jerusalem, they would be glad for the company of their fellow worshipers; both to pass the time in conversation, and for protection on the way. When they arrived in the city, they would see the place packed out, and they would enjoy meeting their friends from outlying areas again. It would have a holiday, camp-like feeling to it all. They would look at all this and say, “How good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity.”

The metaphor (remember from language arts… a comparison of two things using like or as) of oil goes back to Exodus 29. Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil to be priests for Israel. To anoint someone with oil was a common practice in those days. It was a bit like a coronation (when someone becomes a King) ceremony today. It marked a person set apart for a special task.

Do you know what the Oil is a symbol of ? It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, of God’s presence being upon the person.

It would also symbolize the softening and perfuming of the person. As God’s Spirit works upon us, he softens our hard hearts, and brings a new fragrance to us. Can you think of an example of how the Holy Spirit can help us change some of our rough edges? Look up Gal. 5; 19-23

What is another use of Oil?What about in a car, what is oil used for?
Right, it is for lubrication, or to help things run smoothly.

Anointing someone with oil would be done to mark someone as priest. It set them apart to serve the Lord. Normally, when someone was anointed, they would pour just a little oil on their head. But this is a picture of them pouring a large amount on Aaron, so much so that it ran down his beard, down onto his clothes, and all over him. In this case it would mean the oil running over him from head to foot. It symbolized a great amount of God’s blessing.

Now what is interesting, Aaron as a priest would wear a breastplate with stones representing all the tribes of Israel whenever he would do his duties as a priest. This was a reminder that he was bringing the people of Israel before the Lord. So when the oil was poured over him it would also go over these stones, and symbolize a blessing for Israel as well.

The “dew of Herman” in this psalm paints a picture of life brought to dry areas. Herman was the highest mountain in that area, some 9,000 ft. with a snow capped peak, there was heavy dew on the slopes of the mountain, and things grew lush and green. (A bit like the rain forests in British Columbia.) Mt. Zion was in the south where it was drier and rockier. So the picture here is of a dry region receiving the benefits of cool, fresh water, bringing life, and quenching thirst.

ACTIVITY:

1) Make a ‘breastplate ‘ like Aaron would have had. Use construction paper and:

• find a picture of all the flags, or flower emblems, or shields of each of the provinces of Canada if you live in Canada for example.
• Or ask God to highlight some different nations that he wants you to pray for this month and find their flags. You may like to go back to the previous post to check out some of the nations that Matt danced in for ideas.

Glue these on the construction paper that you have made into a rectangle about 4 inches by 6 inches. tack the “breast plate” on your bulletin board, or beside your bed. Over the next while keep your ears open to the news about and see if there is anything happening in these nations or provinces or states that you can pray for. Ask the Lord to lead you as you pray for these places.

2) Whenever you see disunity, pray God’s peace into these situations. For example, “Dear Jesus, please help me not to fight with my brother, help me to do my part and not hang onto my ‘rights’. Please fill me with your love and peace right now.“

3) Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. That is a command in the Bible. Right now there is a war going on in Israel and we need to pray that:

• God’s peace and unity, justice and truth would come out.
• protection for all the people in the land of Israel
• Pray Your Kingdom come Your will be done in Israel.
• We also need to pray that the people in Israel would seek the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob…and Ishmael…and desire to follow God and walk in His ways.

Right now in Canada there is a problem. A month ago there was an election and the Conservative Government came into power. Stephen Harper is the Leader of the conservative party. However, now about 6 weeks later the party put forth a plan to be voted on. One of the ideas in the plan was that each Member of Parliament would not get the $1.95 that they received for each vote that they had in the election. This money would be used for other things instead. Mr. Harper said that they wanted to lead by example in being more careful with money, because it is a difficult time financially and we all need to be careful.
The leaders of the other party didn’t like that so they came together and are trying to push the Conservative party out of power. They can do that if they all come together against him. This is not the way we act here in Canada and it has made a lot of people very upset.
Now there is another leader in Canada, a representative of the Queen of England who actually will have the power to say if they can bring down the government or not. Her name is Michaelle Jean. So we would like to ask you to pray for Canada.

1. Pray for Governor-General Michaelle Jean as she meets with her advisers about the important decisions she needs to make in the days ahead. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide her. Put your hand on the picture of Michelle Jean as you pray.

2. Take out a map of Canada, if you don’t have one just google image and ask for Canada map. As you look all over the map, pray for calm and safety throughout the land. There are many angry people and let’s pray that as various demonstrations take place that peace and order would be observed and that there would be no violence that would cause personal injury or property damage.

3.Pray that the potential divisions in our land would actually be healed at this time. Hold hands together and pray in the opposite spirit for unity instead of division.

4.Pray that all party leaders and members would learn and grow through this crisis. Pray that God would give them a love for each other and help them see the BIG picture. Ask the Father to stop every attempt that the enemy is trying to use to harm our nation and the government. STOUT STOP

5. Pray for each of the party leaders that they would resist the desire for more power and not be greedy. Pray that they would be an example of humility and servant hood.
Today give something you value away to someone else to act out this prayer.

6. Let’s stand in the gap for the leaders in Canadathat each one involved would be able to receive godly wisdom and act in a responsible manner.
Pray that righteousness and justice and peace would win out in the end.

7.Pray that the things in Canada that are not right would be shaken out.

(You know the song, shake your sillies out? Well God wants the sillies to be shaken out of Canada so that only what is good remains.) Sing this sing now and ask God to do just that.
Then sing the song. “We want to see Jesus lifted High” and make it a prayer for Canada.
Read 2 Chronicles 20: 18 and 2.1What did Jehoshaphat do when he was confronted with a BIG problem? He sent out worshipers at the head of the army. Pretty strange tactic. BUT it let everyone know WHOM they trusted. So sing again and think of another chorus that declares who God is!

8. Pray for the media, the news reports on T.V. and the radio and newspapers. (Take out a newspaper and pray these prayers for the people that write and report the news.)

Pray that they would:

• be careful to
• represent the truth and
• not take advantage of the situation.

9. Especially pray for the Speaker of the House - the honourable Peter Milliken as he presides over the debates. Pray that M.P.s who are followers of Jesus Christ would set a higher tone and be a good example in their conduct and conversation.

September-October always begins a new year for the Jewish people, but the Bible never calls these special days “Jewish ” feasts. in Leviticus 23 they are called the “Feasts of the Lord”. So they are feasts for anyone that believes in the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and as well anyone who also believes in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. So I thought it would be a neat idea to look a bit as to what these feasts are all about and join in celebrating.

The fall holidays begin with the celebration of Rosh Hashannah. It means the “head of the Year”. It is also known as the “Feast of trumpets” and the “Day of blowing“…the shofar… which is blown all over Israel and anywhere else that these days are remembered.

Today, marks the beginning of the holiest time of year in the Jewish Calendar. The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) are called the 10 days of Awe. These 10 days are a time to ask God to search your hearts and to make everything right between you and God as well as your brothers and sisters and friends. Are there relationships that need fixing? Do I need to apologize to someone? What is God speaking to me about? The good and bad times of the previous year are remembered, much like at our New Years where we think about the good things of the past year and the ones that are not so good and make New years resolutions. It is a time when God “Judges”.

The passage of the Bible that is read on the first day of Rosh Hashanah illustrates the idea that God is in control and answers prayer and also is a God of Justice.

It tells the story of Samuel’s mother Hannah who couldn’t have children and how her husband’s other wife Penina tormented her about this fact. And then it tells how her prayers were finally answered on Rosh Hashanah when she was informed by the prophet Eli that she would be blessed with her first child. (1 Samuel 1)

As with all holidays there are special food eaten that day. Like at Thanksgiving many people in North America eat turkey right? What kinds of special foods do you eat on special holidays?

The foods eaten on Rosh Hashannah are symbolic or have a meaning..Sweet foods are eaten, usually apples dipped in honey, to indicate the wish that the next year be sweet. Round foods are eaten to symbolize the cycle of the year, and there is always LOTS of food to symbolize the hope for a good harvest and prosperity in the following year. Fish cooked with the head left on is often the main course, symbolizing the head of the year. Hmmm.

This week set aside time in your secret place to ask God to search your hearts and get things right between you and God and your friends. Follow through on what He shows you.

ACTIVITY:
Take some apples and cut them up and dip them in honey. Greet each other with L’shannh tovah tichatevu (may you have a good year and your name be inscribed in the book of life) Pretty neat greeting hey? That is in Hebrew, and what Jewish people say to each other all over the world. If you know a Jewish person, surprise them and give them this greeting today. When you greet someone that way, let them know what it means too.

*Material taken from “Bridges For Peace magazine Oct 2008