Monthly Archives: August 2016

Prayerwalking (Week 4: Day 3)

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Ministry through Prayerwalking

As you head out today, it is unclear at this moment what or whom you might encounter. You may take a usual path / journey or today might be unique. There are people who have needs. Will we see them?

Yesterday, we read in Luke 7:11-17, where Jesus and the disciples were walking. Read those verses again. Jesus and the men encountered a funeral procession. Jesus had compassion on the grieving mother. Today, we would call that empathy: feeling what someone feels.

Throughout Today:

  • Be mindful of hurting people. Some of these people have chosen the lifestyle causing the hurt. Some are being held captive by sin and the enemy.
  • Pray for the people God causes you to see.
  • Be willing to pray for them especially if you do not approve of their lifestyle choice.
  • Be aware of any bondage in your own heart where you need release from bondage.
  • Tell our Lord you are willing to pray anywhere He leads you to pray and then follow His lead.

Evening Reflection:

  • What did God say and do in you today?
  • Did you notice any hurting people?
  • Pray for them again and as you do, give Him thanks and praise for your salvation.
  • Rest in His freedom tonight.

Prayerwalking (Week 4: Day 2)

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Perspectives

As you begin (or continue) your day, open your Bible and read Psalm 34. What do you see? What jumps off the page and into your heart?

From there, turn to Luke 7:11-17. Here we have two perspectives; an earthly perspective and a heavenly perspective. Do you see the two? As we prayerwalk, the tug of the flesh would have us see things from an earthly perspective (hopeless and limited). The Spirit would have us see things from a heavenly perspective (hopeful, eternal, expectant, faithful).

Many times our perspective determines our response and in turn determines results. Read Matt. 13:58 and 1 Cor. 2:16. How do these verses relate to perspective?

Throughout Today:

  • Look at things from a heavenly perspective
  • Take note of the times your flesh would have you look at things from an earthly perspective
  • Pray again for the person or place where evil is allowed to flourish
  • Ask someone to join you in praying for this person or this place all the while claiming Psalm 34:3

Evening Reflection:

  • Did God stretch you today? How so?
  • Did you struggle in any way today? In what way?
  • As you prepare for bed, ask to God show you His perspective.
  • Rest in Him

Prayerwalking (Week 4: Day 1)

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Our Prayerwalk Focus

As we prayerwalk there are simultaneous things happening. That might concern us or cause us confusion. Rather than seeing these as “not this but that” our perspective should be “this and that but this is the priority.” Let me explain. Prayerwalking is primarily …

  • A way of life but sometimes it is an event
  • Before the heavenly community (Heb. 12:1a) and sometimes seen by earthly people
  • Looking to God while seeing what He would have us see in the lives of people
  • Giving ourselves to Him (in praise, thanksgiving, worship, blessing) as we pray for others not really expecting to get anything from them
  • Our service to God first and then to others

According to Psalm 22:3, when we pray, God comes and inhabits that place. He enthrones Himself there. His presence is there in powerful ways. Where we pray (even where He is not wanted and not welcome) somehow through our prayers He comes and takes up residence in that place. Without letting this go to our head but to our heart, we can and should see our prayers as the entry point for His presence. When He comes near, people are affected.

Throughout Today:

  • Pray based on your knowledge of God
  • Ask the Holy Spirit to illumine (even familiar) Scriptures that reveal who He is
  • Continue to pray in light of this new knowledge of Him

As You Go Throughout Your Day

Think of a place or a person where God is not wanted or welcome. This person or place may openly reject God. It may be where ungodly or vile things take place. Go there (physically if possible) and pray to God for that person or that place. See your prayer as God’s fresh entry point in that place or for that person. Pray in the knowledge you have of God. Lift up His glories. Pray the people there would acknowledge Him and give Him worship. Resist the temptation of thinking, “This will never work. They are too far gone.” Ask God to work in their hearts that they might realize His love and open their hearts to Him.”

Evening Reflection:

  • Did God give you any special insight today?
  • Did you learn something about Him that you did not know before today?
  • Praise Him for His abundant goodness.

The Value of Your Testimony

Thoughts,

Recently, I shared a message from the book of Ecclesiastes. This book in our Old Testament was written as a journal of the things Solomon tried in his search for meaning and purpose in life. After trying all that he tried, his summary word to us would be, “Do not do what I did. Do not try what I tried.”

At the end of the journal (book) he wrote, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: In the context of remembering, I want to ask you a question and issue a challenge.

  • What would you like your family and friends to know or remember about you after you are with the Lord? There may be many things. Record them.
  • I challenge you to write your personal salvation testimony. Write it, rewrite it, refine it, and rewrite it in its final form where it could be read by someone in three minutes or so.
    • Leave a copy with your personal affects
    • Leave a copy at the funeral home where you have made your final arrangements
    • Leave a copy at the church office where you are a member
    • Give a copy to the minister who will do your memorial service

Your personal, handwritten testimony will be a powerful word to those who are too young to know of your spiritual life now (children, grandchildren, etc.) and those who never knew you but will attend your service because they are friends of a family member. Leave a word for those who will come behind you. This could be very powerful.

Prayerwalking (Extra)

Thoughts,

As I write this, it is Saturday morning. Over the past few days, you have prayed for different people. You were already acquainted with some of these people. Some of these people you still do not know but they were brought to your attention during a prayerwalk. Pick one (or more) of these people and pray a prayer of blessing over them. In preparation for this, read these passages of Scripture: Num. 6:24-27; 1 Kings 8:56-61; 1 Thess. 5:23-24. Have a great day!

Come back Monday where we will continue with Prayerwalking (Week 4: Day 1)

Prayerwalking (Week 3: Day 5)

Thoughts

The Power to Bless

As you travel through life today, pick an area to prayerwalk. A great place to do this would be where you live. Whether you actually walk through your area or drive that area or get out a map and place your hands on that area, pick an area to “prayerwalk” today. As you do so, consider adding this dynamic to your prayer.

  • Pray prayers of blessing over the people in that area; God Blessings like
    • Let there be light
    • Let them see truth
    • Let them be released from bondage
  • See your prayers as saturating the ground upon which they walk with the power of God for Him to reveal truth

If you wonder whether you have the authority to do this and “bless” people, consider this. Now that we are believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are also called “priests” unto God; a royal “priesthood.” Did you ever or do you see yourself as a priest? (See Rev 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). You do not have to wear a robe or a ceremonial garment to be a priest because you are robed with the righteousness of Christ.

Throughout Today:

  • Prayerwalk your area
  • See if you can think of other blessings to pray over the people in your area
  • Consider this definition of a blessing: Verbal engagement in agreement with God regarding His desires (which should be our desires) for people.

Evening Reflection:

  • Did you have the opportunity to bless someone or several people today?
  • Whom did you bless?
  • Were they with you or did you do this long distance?
  • Was this your first time to actually bless someone in light of the truths we discussed earlier?

If so, write me at tom@tomsavage.us. Thank God for the joy of blessing someone. Reflect on and even journal your experience. Ask Him to continue to give you eyes to see and a sensitive heart to discern people who need to be blessed.

Prayerwalking (Week 3: Day 4)

Thoughts,

How Do We Get His Life to Flow Through Us?

A thoughtful read of Ecclesiastes tells us that Solomon sought many things for meaning and purpose in life. Some of the things he tried were gardens, orchards, and various kinds of fruit trees. Along with these, he constructed watering pools to feed and nourish those trees. How do we get the free flow of God’s power and His life to flow through us to nourish and feed us spiritually? Read the following and see if you can see some tips:

  • 1 John 5:14-15
  • 2 Pet. 1:2-4
  • Rom. 4:20
  • Heb. 11:6
  • 2 Cor. 1:20

Throughout Today:

Select one or more of the passages below and ask God to bring to light the promise(s) stated.

  • Psa. 37:4-5
  • John 6:47
  • John 14:21
  • Heb. 11:6
  • Rom. 10:13
  • James 1:5

As you prayerwalk today, ask God to show you where you should prayerwalk. Watch for a person or people He would have you engage in conversation. Claim the promises from the Scriptures above. Also, claim Luke 12:12 as you walk today.

Come back tonight for some Evening Reflection

  • What promises did God highlight for you today?
  • How did it feel knowing you were praying in God’s will?
  • What answered prayers did you experience today?

 

Some tips for the free flow of His power and life

  • Praying in His will
  • Knowing and claiming His precious promises
  • Being confident in God to keep His promises
  • Continually walking in believing faith
  • Knowing that the promised are assured

Prayerwalking (Week 3: Day 3)

Thoughts,

Cross Purposes v. cross purposes

Let’s consider the difference between the two items in our title for this session. Let’s use “Cross Purposes” to describe the things are on God’s agenda, His will, and His plans for you, me, and others. It is a Cross Purpose that we follow Jesus. We began our focus on that at the outset of our prayerwalking adventure.

We will use (the lower case) cross purposes to describe those things are opposite or contradictory to the will of God; they run crossways or cross grain to His will. This includes things like selfishness, self-centeredness, loving the world, etc. What do you see in the following verses that speak to this difference?

  • Luke 9:23
  • Gal. 2:20
  • 1 John 2:15
  • Phil. 2:13

Throughout Today

  • Consider what His Cross Purpose are for you today.
  • Watch for things that are at cross purposes with Him and His will.
  • Think of a place in your area (a religious place, a business, an organization) that is at cross purposes with God’s will (because they hate Christians, they practice evil or unethical behaviors, they teach falsehood). Prayerwalk or prayer drive that place. Acknowledge those things that are a cross purposes with the will of God and then pray God’s will (Cross Purposes) for the people there.

Evening Reflection:

  • Did the Lord show any areas that are at cross purposes with His Cross Purposes?
  • How did you respond?
  • What Cross Purposes did you pry for yourself or another person today?

Answers

  • Luke 9:23 calls for us to deny ourselves (cross purposes) and take up our cross daily (walk in Cross Purposes) and follow Him. The natural thing is to indulge ourselves (a cross purpose). The Cross Purpose of God is to do His will. With this action, we are and seek to be at Cross Purposes with Him always.
  • Gal. 2:20 reminds us we are crucified with Christ. Since that is so, we have and are to have a new direction in life – Cross Purposes
  • 1 John 2:15 tells us “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” They are at cross purposes with God and His will.
  • In Phil. 2:13 we find God is working in us.

 

Prayerwalking (Week 3: Day 2)

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Have you ever missed God or failed to obey God due to stubbornness, preoccupation, or time constraints? I would have to admit I have. Maybe we all have.

Randy Sprinkle shares a sad story about a lady who was driving to a prayerwalking practicum. She was running late. If anything interrupted her drive to the event, she would be late. As she left her house, she noticed a neighbor a few doors down; working in his front yard. She sensed the need to stop and talk to him. Running late, she did not stop. It wasn’t until the next day she learned that later in the evening of the previous day (a few hours after she was prompted to talk to him) the man took his own life. She was devastated.

God has spoken in many ways; thunder, a still small voice, dreams, and even through a donkey. Two good questions to ask ourselves would be: (1) Am I ready and willing to obey Him at all times? (2) How can I know it is God speaking? It would be good at this time to review a few truths about God.

  1. What is His #1 goal for us as found 2 Pet. 3:9?
  2. How did God speak to people in time past according to Heb. 1:1-2?
  3. How does He speak now?
  4. According to what Jesus said in John 16:7 & 13, what are two other ways He speaks to us?
  5. In Psa. 106:13b, there is a word about something Israel did that we can all relate to. What is that?

We need to maintain fellowship with God in the five ways we have discussed previously to know it is God speaking and not our ideas. What could the woman in the previous account have done that might have produced a different result?

  • She could have rolled down her window and said, “Hello.”
  • She could have asked, “Are you okay?”
  • She could have asked, “Would you mind if I stop by later or tomorrow and talk to you?”

Throughout Today:

  • Seek to listen to the promptings of God as you walk with Him.
  • Tell Him of your willingness and readiness to hear Him.
  • Ask Him to make it clear in your heart so you do not miss Him.
  • If and when you have moments of resistance repent of that as it happens.

Evening Reflection:

  • What did you experience during your prayerwalk today?
  • Did God speak to you / reveal Himself to you in anyway today?
  • How did you respond?

 

 

Answers:

  1. That no one would perish. That everyone would be saved.
  2. Through the prophets.
  3. Through Jesus.
  4. Through His written Word (the truth) and through the Holy Spirit.
  5. They failed to wait for His counsel. They rushed ahead.

Prayerwalking (Week 3: Day 1)

Thoughts

Some questions to begin your week:

  • Are you on a mission field?
  • Where is your mission field?
  • How would you describe your mission field?
  • Do you feel like you are alone on your mission field?

Read John 5:17-20 and see Who is always at work before you, around you, and with you. Rather than seeing ourselves as alone on this journey, read 1 Cor. 3:9 for a better way to see ourselves. As we serve on our mission field, how can we discern where the Father is working?

  • We see Him working in the lives of others
  • We sense Him working through us

Throughout Today:

  • Be sensitive to notice where the Father is at work
  • Be sensitive to notice when and where He is working in and through you
  • Pick a definite place or street to prayerwalk today
  • Pray in light of these dynamics and see what He leads you to see and walk forward in His will doing what you sense needs to be done

Evening Reflection:

  • Where did you prayerwalk today?
  • Did you pray for anyone specifically?
  • What else did you experience during your prayerwalk?
  • Did God show Himself in any powerful way today?
  • How did you respond?

Answers from the initial questions this morning:

  • Yes
  • Our mission field is where we are right now
  • Your personal response
  • Your personal response but you are not alone

email me: tom@tomsavage.us