Pray more specifically for Government

by Richard Long,

   Often our prayers for our government are quick, simple “bless them” prayers.  I believe that all prayers count.  But I also believe that some prayers are more effective than others.  There are lots of factors: faith, holiness, passion, etc.  But one important factor is specificity.  At NHOP we call these targetted prayers, or “accurate arrows”.

  This is why we go to the work of researching and presenting some specific information on a Parliamentarian every day on our Parliament Prayer Post.

Check it out today.  Did you know that one of the most recently appointed Senators is a renowned and much-awarded former president of a university?

2010: A Year of Prayer

by Richard Long,

The new year is only two weeks away. (Yes, I know that Christmas is only one week from today)  Many national prayer movements are joining together to make 2010 a special year of prayer. 

One of those initiatives is called Unite Canada:24-7-365-2010.  It’s aim is to mobilize Canadians to pray for every hour of the next year.  No small goal.  You’ll be hearing much more about it on this blog and from many directions.

The 24-7 Prayer movement carried an article about it on their international website today written by Daria Tomiuk.

“Canada has been given some great opportunities for 2010, such as hosting the winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC in February and the G8 Summit in Huntsville, ON in June. During such a strategic time and after ten years of 24-7 Prayer activity in our nation, we think it’s time to come together.
 
Our hope and dream is to unite Canada in prayer right across the nation, including all generations, denominations, cultures, cities and ministries.  Each church or community can sign on to pray 24-7 for a period of time picking up the baton from the church before and passing it on to the believers following them.”

Here’s the link to the full article.

Pray for Vancouver and the Olympic effort

by Richard Long,

  As a follow up to yesterday’s blog and the NHOP newsletter that went out to a few thousand intercessors across Canada …

We are creating a Vancouver Olympic Prayer Network to begin targeted prayers for this opportunity.  Even now, we are being sent critical prayer requests for the preparations for the outreach efforts of More Than Gold.

Our plan is to send weekly and then daily prayer bulletins as we get closer to the Games.

If you would like to receive this special Vancouver Olympic Prayer Bulletin please send me a note at richard@nhop.ca.  You will then be added to our email distribution list and begin receiving prayer information.

  Thanks for your interest!

Prayer Central

by Richard Long,

   In our various trips around the World Wide Web we run across a myriad of interesting resources.  The Holy Spirit is inspiring many people to harness the power of the internet for the purposes of the Kingdom.

Prayer Central is a website hosted in India, that serves a global community.  You can pray for all kinds of targets, including the Mission in Afghanistan, or missions work in different parts of Asia, or even the nation of Israel.  As well there are lots of prayer teaching, inspirational articles, and a daily devotional.

Check out Prayer Central for more information.

Praying in the Streets of Halifax

by Richard Long,

Here’s a great report from a bunch of folks in Halifax who are taking prayer to the people.

From 24-7 Prayer Canada

Church amongst the People

  Jesus got downright venomous with religious leaders who put obstacles between people and God.  I believe that He would be cheering on loudest those who make a point of connecting people on the outside with Him. 

 “What are you doing out here?”

 Late Saturday nights in Halifax, Nova Scotia now sits a corporate type tent in the middle of the city’s public square with a few beach chairs, some lights and a sign that says “How can we pray for you?”  The time and place are strategic as the city is well known for abundant night life, with partiers starting at the bottom of the hill, on the harbour, working their way up the hill, from bar to bar, as the evening progresses.  Parade Square sits in the middle of the progression, within earshot of one of the most notorious of the bars.  It is nicknamed the Liquordome.  No kidding.

 My house shall be called a house of prayer

 There at the tent are a team of volunteers.  Not a big team, mind you,…  … but a handful of volunteers ready and willing to pray for matters trivial and weighty.  Each prayer made at the request of a passerby includes not only the matter at hand, but also a petition that God would reveal Himself to the person in their life and through the situation.  Their act of requesting prayer taken and offered as an invitation for God to work in their life.

 Read the rest of the report …

“Gonna Change My Way of Thinking”

by Richard Long,

  Regular readers of this blog will know that I especially like the gospel songs of Bob Dylan.  I was really encouraged today to hear that in his new tour (Bob Dylan is always touring) he is opening with a song from way back in the 70’s from his “Slow Train Coming” album entitled  ”Gonna Change My Way of Thinking”.  It’s apparently getting rave reviews.  The youtube video that I have seen has him singing some revised lyrics, but he emphasizes the lines about Jesus coming back soon.

Here’s the last two stanzas of the original song.

Jesus said, “Be ready,
For you know not the hour in which I come.”
Jesus said, “Be ready,
For you know not the hour in which I come.”
He said, “He who is not for Me is against Me,”
Just so you know where He’s coming from.

There’s a kingdom called Heaven,
A place where there is no pain of birth.
There’s a kingdom called Heaven,
A place where there is no pain of birth.
Well the Lord created it, mister,
About the same time He made the earth.

Copyright ©1979 Special Rider Music

   I find that Mr. Dylan has prophetic timing in a lot of his songs.  So I am not suprised, that as the Church is beginning to talk a lot more about being ready for the Lord’s return, we are hearing various artists echoing back the theme to the larger culture.

   You may not be a Bob Dylan fan, but perhaps this blog will cause you to say a prayer for an artist that you are reminded to pray for today.  God uses the Arts!

The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus

by Richard Long,

  Our Muslim neighbours are currently observing a special season in their year during the month of Ramadan.  One way you can bless them is to increase your prayers for them.  Not sure how to do that?  Fortunately there is a global prayer movement focused on this effort and a great website to help you.

Here’s the summary of the vision taken from the website …

The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus coincides yearly with Ramadan (a holy month of fasting in Islam).

This prayer movement is currently coordinated out of France (previously from Australia), and has been operating since 1993.

It calls upon Christians to make a concerted but respectful effort during that month to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbors—across the street and around the world.

As Christians we resist the temptation to be caught up in generalizations, anger, hate or fear toward anyone. In the climate following the 9/11 tragedy, here is a proven tool to direct our focus more prayerfully, Christ-like and constructively. 

    It is not our intention with this prayer focus to disparage Islam or Muslim sentiments in any way. We recognize that humans and the Muslim world are far too complex to simply or easily condense or explain with a mere booklet.

At the same time, as Christians, we long for all the world’s people to have an opportunity to understand the grace of God incarnated in Jesus Christ.

To this end we inform ourselves, pray for, and support respectful opportunities to make that grace also known among Muslims.

Here’s the website.

Hope-Vancouver’s Torch Run

by Richard Long,

   I was talking earlier today with Pastor Kevin Cavanaugh who is leading the Hope-Vancouver effort in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games.  They are looking for a breakthrough to be able to organize a parallel torch run across Canada which would stir up Christians of all denominations to pray for revival.  You can learn more about the Torch Run here.

Here’s the general description on their website…

“HopeVancouver is an inter-denominational, Pastor led, Kingdom movement seeking to bring Pastors together for the purpose of prayer and working together to reach and influence their municipalities and in reaching our municipalities we will influence the whole region from  Hope to Vancouver. 

We are believing that the 2010 Olympics provide us with an excellent opportunity and great motivation to rally the troops to rise up and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. We are working in partnership and under the umbrella of More Than Gold.”

One Goal – Gerry Organ

by Richard Long,

  Our good friend Gerry Organ (he of field goal kicking fame and coaching of Christian buisness men, now part of the One Way Ministries team) has just published a wonderful book entitled “One Goal: A Prayer and Praise Journal”.  It is filled with umpteen quotes, insights, prayers and comments that will stir you up to be faithful in prayer.  Gerry has organized it so you can use it as a weekly journal that will remind you to pray daily for different themes.  It is very visual and user-friendly.  I’m already keeping my copy handy on my home desk.

Here’s more about it and how you can get a copy.

Prayer as Justice: Kelly Greene in Boystown, Mexico

by Richard Long,

  I love the video shorts that the 24-7 Prayer movement is creating.  You’ve got to watch the new one about “Prayer as Justice”.

Here’s the description …

“In the mafia-run walled city of Boys Town, Kelly Greene is praying with women and men caught up in cycles of prostitution, poverty and drugs. She knows that prayer is a dangerous, dirty business, but she’s modeling Christ’s love, mercy and justice and lives are being changed. “