Knee Deep in Prayer
Yesterday in our men's class, some of the guys were sharing their experiences with God as they engaged in extended fasts last week. Then as we began to go through the new book we're reading together, in comes Jim Voss. He had e-mailed all of us earlier in the week, telling of how close to the Lord he had felt after fasting for six days. As he sat down, we all stopped our discussion, turned to him and waited for him to share his testimony with us face to face. Jim startled us when he said, "I don't want to talk about the fast now, maybe later in an e-mail." Then he got up, walked over to the corner of the room and picked up a bulletin board with photos of our kids pinned to it. He placed the bulletin board in the center of our circle and said, "Guys, I want us to get on our knees and go to the Father on behalf of our children. As we know, our kids are facing a huge battle against Satan."
Within a few seconds we were all on our knees and for an extended period of time we cried out to God to interecede on behalf of our children. Jim's prayer was especially fervent, brought on by his extended fast. He passionately pleaded with the Lord to draw our children to Him and to drive Satan far away. I don't think I've ever been in a men's prayer session that was so intense.
I just wonder what a church service would be like if we periodically got on our knees and cried out to God for revival, for the salvation of lost friends and loved ones, for prodigals. I have a feeling that the Holy Spirit would once more shake that room and shake our hearts as He did in Acts 4 after the first century disciples cried out to God.
Thank you, Jim, for the sacrifices you made in going without food for all those days and then calling us all to fight in prayer for our children. You reminded us all that we are in a war, that the Lord has given us the tools of prayer and God's word to wage battle against the enemy of our souls, and that ultimately the battle belongs to the Lord.
I believe that we'll never be the same after our yesterday morning. Nor will our children.
Jim
posted by Jim Clark @ 7:57 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I wanted to share how important it is too tell your kids you love them. During small group last night while serving each other communion, we usually turn to the person on our left and offer them the bread and then we say some encouraging words to that person. We repeat the cycle to the right with the juice. Last night, my son was seated to my left and I got to tell him how much he meant to me and he was given the opportunity to speak words of love to me while serving the juice. We have been struggling alot lately and he specifically mentioned our struggles the last few months. After everyone left, he went over to United to pick up some water from the water machine located outside the store. He was putting in the last quarter when the lightening bolt struck about 50 feet away. He saw some sparks at the end of his fingers and felt the quarter quickly leave his hand. He seemed fine but the doctors recommended that we take him to the emergency room to get checked out. While waiting in the Emergency room, he turned to me and said, "Mother, what if I had died?" As the tears flowed, I reminded him that the last thing we said to each other would have been words of love. I know our relationship has changed and I know we will never be the same.
Jim
That is powerful! I agree that we should do that not just for our children but for our marriages, for our missionaries, for our ministries. Amazing what prayer does for us isnt it? No wonder God commands it, examples it and promises its success. It is important.
Good thoughts
Peace
Neva
Jim
That is powerful! I agree that we should do that not just for our children but for our marriages, for our missionaries, for our ministries. Amazing what prayer does for us isnt it? No wonder God commands it, examples it and promises its success. It is important.
Good thoughts
Peace
Neva
Jim
That is powerful! I agree that we should do that not just for our children but for our marriages, for our missionaries, for our ministries. Amazing what prayer does for us isnt it? No wonder God commands it, examples it and promises its success. It is important.
Good thoughts
Peace
Neva
Becky:
Tremendous story! Praise God that He protected your son -- and gave you that wonderful moment of exchanging words of love during communion.
Jim
I am not sure why that posted three times. Please delete two of them. :)
How weird.
Peace
neva
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