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A CALL TO PRAYER

A CALL TO PRAYER

My good friend Jeff Brooks is an evangelist and revivalist out of Knoxville TN. Jeff is a passionate preacher, a man of prayer and a man with a burden to see revival in our time. Each week he publishes a e-letter called “E-Word.” Today I received his “E-Word” reminding us that the solution to the world’s problems are much bigger than us and there is certainly a great need for us in North America to return to God.

Jeff’s article outlines the size of the U.S. debt and though our’s in Canada is not to the same proportion the attitude is the same. In our quest for wealth and the good life, we have left God behind. It has been my belief (though not based on anything biblical) that the economic down turn we saw in the past year is nothing compared to the total collapse that is coming soon. The staggering weight of the national debt of both the U.S. and Canada are simply symptomatic of the greater spiritual poverty both inside and outside the church.

May God grant us the spirit of prayer that His Spirit may descend upon our nation in a powerful revival.


(From E-Word by Rev. Jeff Brooks)

As of today, January 28, 2020 the US national debt is $12,315,689,138,048.00 ($12.3 trillion) and is increasing at a rate of $3.88 billion every day. These numbers are so astronomical that most folks, including the politicians in Washington, cannot fathom them. We simply can’t wrap our minds around such figures.

• 12 trillion gallons would fill Lake Superior 4 times over.
• 12 trillion miles would reach to Jupiter and back 500 times!

Had enough? There’s more.
• A million seconds is 12 days.
• A billion seconds is 31 years.
• A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.
• 12 trillion seconds is 380,256,000,000,000,000 (3.8 Quadrillion) years.

That means that if you made one dollar every second, it would take you 3.8 quadrillion years to make 12 trillion dollars and consider this, the national debt is expected to nearly double in the next ten years. If every person in America were to pay $500 a month on the national debt the debt and continue paying forever, it would never get paid off.

To say that America is healthy is absurd. To say that the present course our government is taking is the right course for us is insane.

Another terrifying thing about this debt is that it is largely owed to China, Russia and Saudi Arabia, nations who hate our guts; nations that are interested, not in our welfare, but in what they can get from us and how much they can cripple us, and nothing more.
I think we would have to agree that only God can understand those numbers and only He can save us from the mess we are in. Man can try to solve his own problems, but this is beyond man’s ability. It’s like the old saying, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”The term “impossible”comes readily to mind.

This is just one illustration of the condition of our beloved country. Space will not allow the rest of the story of the increase in horrific crime, abortion, terrorism, greed, lust….I could go on and on. Needless to say, we are in big, big trouble! Trouble, out of which only God can deliver us! Will the President call the nation to prayer and repentance? Don’t hold your breath. Will Congress or the Senate or Homeland Security? How about the ACLU? Of course we don’t expect any one of these to call a nation to prayer and repentance; but, what about the church? Should
the church be calling the nation to prayer and repentance? YES!! Is the church calling the nation to prayer and repentance? NO!! A few are, thank the Lord for the few that are, but by and large the church is still asleep. Listen to the words of Paul recorded in Romans 13:11-14 “And do this,
knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

I pray that the church will wake up before we hear Jesus say what He said to His sleeping disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal, “And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” Mark 14:41

PRAYER IN TIMES OF TRAGEDY

A PRAYER GUIDE FOR TIMES OF TRAGEDY

None of us who see the images or hear the stories of this weeks earthquake in Haiti can be unmoved. As followers of Jesus we share His compassion for the weak, the dying, the poor and in this case those who experience the pain of such tragedy. Such compassion makes us want to do something. We want to help. We want to make a difference.

Even as I write, a massive relief effort is underway. Plane loads of equipment, food, water, medical supplies and other essentials are being flown into Haiti. Relief agencies are raising millions of dollars in aid. At Parkway Bible Church we will be taking a "Love Offering For Haiti" as part of our worship on Sunday January 17. As followers of Jesus, we are compelled to use our resources to help the poor and the broken hearted. However, there is nothing we can do that will make more of a difference than prayer. Sometimes when we can’t think of anything we can do, we say, "Well, at least I can pray." It’s as if prayer were the least you could do. The fact is prayer is the best thing you can do.

The tragedy in Haiti is just one manifestation of evil in the world. It reminds us that we are in a great cosmic conflict, a spiritual battle with the powers of darkness that seek to kill and destroy. I don’t believe that earthquakes and natural disaster were part of the original creation. The curse of sin has impacted all of nature and all of nature groans for ultimate redemption (Romans 8:22). Our battle is a spiritual one and thus prayer is crucial.

I would encourage you to pray about four things as the tragedy in Haiti unfolds.

1. Pray For The Victims And Their Families.
The emotional turmoil, human pain and suffering not only now but for years to come will be tremendous. Pray that God would comfort the people of Haiti (and Haitians around the world including the large Haitian population in Montreal. The AGC has several Haitian churches there and 12 in Haiti). Pray that Jesus the Great Physician would heal them. Pray that Jesus the Counsellor and the Holy Spirit the Great Comforter would console them. Pray that God might use this tragedy to bring to Himself, those victims and family members who don’t have a personal relationship with Christ.

2. Pray For Our National Leaders And World Leaders
Pray for our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and Cabinet as they lead Canada’s response to this tragedy. Pray similarly for world leaders as they respond. Just the logistics of coordinating the aid from the nations of the world is a huge undertaking. Pray for those leaders who are making decisions around the world and pray that relief efforts would run smoothly and efficiently.

3. Pray For Rescue Efforts
As I write this, it is the last day that rescue workers hope to find anyone alive in the rubble. Pray for the rescue workers, counsellors, doctors and medical people who are working to find survivors, treat the injured, and provide food and housing for hundreds of thousands of people. The threat of the spread of diseases such as dysentery, cholera and malaria in the aftermath of the quake are very real. It is potentially possible that as many people could die from these as from the quake itself in the days ahead. Rescue workers put their lives in danger as they seek to help others. Pray that God wold give them incredible courage, wisdom and safety. The emotional scars on the Haitian people from this tragedy will continue long after the news reports have stopped. Pray for those counsellors, pastors and spiritual leaders who will guide people through the lingering questions, fears and anxiety.

4. Pray For The Nation Of Haiti
Haiti is a nation of unbelievable poverty and political instability. Pray for the government of Haiti and for political stability, for law and order and for the safety of survivors. Pray that God would use this tragedy to bring stability and social justice to this troubled nation. As painful as it is to watch the devastation, the reality is that God may use this to bring about a greater good in Haiti.

We are not untouched by the tragedy of others. We join with all the human family around the world, believers and unbelievers who are responding with compassion to this tragedy. But, as followers of Christ there is one thing that we bring to this tragedy that the world cannot, and that is the power of prayer. Brothers and sisters, let us pray for the people of Haiti.

Pastor Rick
January 15, 2010

REVIVAL THOUGHTS

Okay, now that we're up and running with a blog we've got to give it some teeth. Something to make it worth reading. So, here's the plan for the next little while.

Beginning - Friday October 9

- the blog will be updated every Friday with a new article for your interaction.

Revival Thoughts
- each week I will post a new thought about Revival - what it is -- why we need it - what it means -- how it would impact us etc.

Purpose
- The purpose will not be to fill your head with more learning, though I hope we learn. The purpose will be to get us thinking about revival and longing for it and to cry out to God for it. Our country and our world is in desperate need of a visitation from God.

Something To Stimulate Your Thinking

A friend sent me this video clip from David Wilkerson. You might remember him as the author of "The Cross and the Switchblade" that came out back in the 70's. He is still on the go and this video really griped me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGMG_PVaJoI

STAY TUNED