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Join us in praying for the following world needs this week:
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The Paradox of Prayer
In chapter two of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon seemed to be expressing frustration at the futility of life. This may cause us to take pause since we would expect this King, who was endowed with wisdom and riches, to have only positive things to say about life. But when we look closely at what he was trying to convey, we see what appears to be a paradox. A paradox, according to an initial Google search, "is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement in logic that, superficially, cannot be true but also cannot be false." We understand that the Word of God is true, and that Solomon's words present us with what could be a conflicting view of God's goodness and provision. But what he was saying is that all things are vanity unless we enjoy what we have worked for, and what God has blessed us with. A day void of prayer robs us of that ability.
As the cross is foolishness to those who perish, so may prayer seem absurd and a waste of time to those who don't believe. Faith is hoping for those things we cannot see as if they were already there. And prayers must be prayed with expectation based on our knowledge of God's goodness. Our prayers must be prayed as more than spoken words, but as actual words of life. All things hoped for must be realized in the spiritual realm before they can exist in the physical realm. If we choose to worry, instead of focusing on the good things God has given us, we will be robbed of our joy and our prayers will be in vain. Thanksgiving is an integral part of productive prayer. We are admonished to "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2).
Prayer is more than paradoxical, it is a reality where dreams live and flourish; where hope is found and given; and where the love of God is demonstrated through the everyday miracles of life, which are so often taken for granted. Prayer goes beyond logic or human understanding, and is a force to be reckoned with. Consistent, daily, unceasing prayer is the most powerful activity believers can participate in. Praying without ceasing is "God consciousness". A continual awareness of God may also seem paradoxical, but has eternal results, and is necessary to be what God has called us to be. Walking that narrow path that leads to life requires us to have the ability to hear God's voice, to know His ways, and to walk in the Spirit. To really appreciate all God's goodness, and live an abundant life, we must know Him. Consistency is the key to have all we need, and an eternal foundation to build on. The true paradox of prayer is that even though God may seem far away, He is in reality very close to those that call on His Name.
Beth Marie Evans
International Christian Fellowship
Brookfield, Illinois
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Confronting Goliaths Through Prayer
Jesus instructed us to pray for the harvest. He also told us that we wo
uld be
witnesses to the uttermost parts of
the earth. Surely, then our prayer influence extends to these regions as well.
Besides praying for world missionaries and tangible needs in many nations, we shouldn't shrink back from, but instead wage spiritual battles against spiritual foes active in regions around the globe. Beyond praying daily for a powerful end-time awakening, we can pray against spiritual forces of the enemy at work on the earth.
If this is done by a few, that's good. But how much more powerful would it be if millions of people were praying regularly against specific strongholds of the enemy that oppose end-time revival? Suicide and the heroin/opioid addiction epidemic seem to be some of the "Goliaths" of our day. I believe we're soon to have such a massive move of God that we'll see these spirits dealt severe blows. Before the end of this age, I believe we'll see people powerfully delivered, and the world will look to God for healing, salvation, and deliverance.
Jesus is soon to return and is counting on us to reach the broken, spiritually-diseased people in the world who desperately need His help. Now is the time to pour our hearts into God's work as never before. God will use us in supernatural ways as we totally surrender to Him and stay continually full of His Spirit. We have powerful influence in the spirit realm through prayer and spiritual warfare. I've prayed against the spirit of suicide for some time that has waged war on our veterans and military personnel, but now it's becoming a greater problem in the population at large. There are many strongholds we can pray against to help dismantle the work being constructed by the enemy. There are others you may add to the list, but with God's help we can pray to bind the spirit and the strongman of the
following:
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Suicide and euthanasia
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Mental illness
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Islam and Catholicism
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Atheism
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Cancer/COVID-19
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Heroin /Opioid addiction
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Abortion
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Human trafficking
Allison Gaff
Alexandria, Louisiana
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Spring 90 Day Prayer Journey
It is almost time again for our Spring 90 Day Prayer Journey for our beloved prodigals.
As in the past, we will begin on Wednesday, April 1. Our theme this year is 'Welcome Home.'
We pray and fast for our prodigals to return, but have we thought about the personal responsibility and commitment of loving them home and then loving them to complete restoration?
Loving prodigals requires a cost; a complete trust in Our Heavenly Father and submitting fully to the process within us and them.
As the rooster crowed the second time on that early morning in Jerusalem, the Apostle Peter realized what he had done.
He had failed Jesus.
We can only imagine how he must have felt.
Jesus knew.
He didn't send a word of reprimand, or "Remember what I said you would do," or "I told you so." He didn't put him through steps of earning back his place with the eleven.
Peter didn't need to be told how wrong he was.
He already knew, just as our beloved prodigals know.
Jesus simply had the young man dressed in white by the tomb that day to include Peter by name when he announced the instructions to the women where they could go to find Jesus.
That was His 'Welcome Home' sign.
He could return and he would be safe.
Just come home.
Your welcome is waiting.
He even trusted him with the message of The Gospel on The Day of Pentecost.
Having the heart of Jesus with our prodigals takes time in His presence and The Word.
It takes much intentional preparation and commitment.
It takes spiritual warfare and rest; rest in our minds and bodies.
It takes persistent childlike faith and trust.
We love them when they do not deserve to be loved just as Jesus loved us and sacrificed His all for us when we were yet in sin and unlovable.
The heart of Jesus says you may not feel you deserve to be loved but, "I want you home.
You are welcome.
I am here until you are healed and whole.
I won't preach to you.
I won't quote or send scriptures in text.
I won't re-preach sermons.
I won't look for opportune times to manipulate your thoughts.
I won't judge or condemn you when you fall.
I won't try to change you.
I'll trust Jesus to do that.
I'm just going to love you.
His Spirit within you will lead and guide you.
We can trust that process.
You and He will do this together.
With healthy boundaries understood by both of us, I commit to love you until..."
As we approach the eleventh 90 Days of Prayers For Our Prodigals Prayer Journey, let us think and pray about The Father in Luke 15.
His heart had been in preparation while waiting for his wayward son.
We don't know how long the son was gone.
We just know that 'gone' can mean anything.
Praying and preparing in trust takes intentional focus; not on just the son but also on The Father. When the son returned, the Father's heart received (Greek: dechomai...warmly receptive, welcoming) him. He had no fear of the days ahead or the restoration process. His heart was perfectly aligned and prepared.
Lord, prepare our hearts as we pray for Your covenant children's return to You. There has been no greater or more important time on God's timeline up to this time for bringing home Your Covenant Sons and Daughters!
Let us be mindful of the work You desire first in us. Help us to align our 'Welcome Home' with Yours. In Jesus Name, amen.
With a deep longing for the harvest,
Don and Dy Anne Long
POA HOPE Prayer...for prodigals and those who love them.
Pentecostals of Alexandria
Email: hopejer3117@aol.com
FB: HOPE2HOPE15
IG:
HOPE2HOPE15
Notes:
*
We will pray the book Prayers For Prodigals, 90 Days of Prayers For Your Child, by Dr. James Banks in unity. These prayers will be prayed for ALL prodigals.
* United 90 Day Prayer Journey begins 4.1.20.
We will conclude 6.30.20.
* United Fast Days are Day 1, 4.1.20.
Day 45, and Day 90.
We will send notices of these days on FB and IG.
Returned prodigal,
Rick Colbert,
Alexandria, LA, sharing hope and encouragement with Rev. and Sis. J. H. Osborne at BOTT20.
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Returned prodigal after 12 years giving praise to God. Restoration 7 years. God is good!
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Returned prodigal, giving his testimony to HOPE Prayer. He is now running three Sober Living Homes in Alexandria, LA.
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We've been praying, we've been sowing.
Now we're crying, heaven send the rain.
We're hungry, we're thirsty for YOU. We want YOU.
We're patiently waiting for YOU.
We need YOU.
Song by William McDowell
What an exciting time for Apostolics, Christians, believers of God!
I
f you're afraid, read God's promises again.
Read the prophecies of His Holy Word.
Re
m
ember
how God took care of His people.
This is a time to pray, be wise, obey, and walk ci
rcumspectly.
The Godly men and people of the Bible went through trials.
They submitted to the ruler over them.
God brought them through and He b
rought them OUT!
He'll do it again!
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Prayer Requests for Prodigals
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"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:" Isaiah 46:9,10 (KJV)
Spring POA HOPE PRAYER Team is READY!
We will again pray together the book, PRAYERS FOR PRODIGALS ...90 Days of Prayers For ALL prodigals, by Dr.
James Banks
:
April 1- June 30.God's Word will be fulfilled. What He's done before, He will do it again. Our theme is WELCOME HOME. "And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border." Jeremiah 31:17 (KJV)
Get your 'welcome' ready.
Freshen the best robe.
Fatten the calf, shine the ring and shoes!
Set the table in great anticipation.
Speak of the glorious things God has done and is already doing.
Look out the door and down the road with an expectant heart!
Align your spirit and will with The Father to give a
Luke 15 'Welcome Home' to your beloved prodigal.
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*Names above are continually being updated as changes are reported.
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Missionaries
Global Missionaries
Chris & Paula Richardson (Madagascar)
Leonard & Ping-Lan Richardson (Taiwan
)
Randall & Theresa Richardson (Mauritius; Reunion; Seychelles)
Rusty & Adriane Riddick (Sierra Leone)
Terry & Cheryl Riddick (
Cameroon)
Henry & Sharon Ritchie (Windward Islands; French Guiana)
Paul & Stephanie Rivero (Puerto Rico)
North American Missionaries
Joseph Romero Family (Tecumseh, Michigan)
Michael Lynch Family (Bad Axe, Michigan)
Antonio Velez Family (Port Huron,
Michigan)
James Guerrero Family (Detroit, Michigan
)
Joumeel McLaurine Family (
Sterling Heights, Michigan
)
Jared May Family (Marquette Michigan)
Jeremy Baldwin
Family
(Alpena, Michigan
)
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Access Challenged Nations
Join the World Network of Prayer and Global Missions in praying for the nations that currently do not have an apostolic work. We will focus on one nation each week.
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The umbrella of Multicultural Ministries encompasses 16 ministries focused on specific nationalities/ethnic groups, 3 ministries with a special cultural focus, 2 resource ministries and 1 missionary program, each dedicated to effective strategies for evangelism, discipleship, and training. Multicultural Ministries provide materials and resources to help people reach into the many cultural groups of North America. Multicultural Ministries is led by Brocc Chavis, MCM Director. Ministries for prayer. Please join us in praying for these important ministries.
Deaf Evangelism
UPCI Deaf Evangelism Ministry is to evangelize and empower the Deaf with the gospel. To teach and train interpreters in a manner that demonstrates a respect for Deaf culture and language.
Wesley Swanson
Director
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It is imperative that we pray for evangelists. We will focus on praying for evangelists each week. The
Evangelist Ministry recognizes and promotes the Biblical role of evangelist as stated in Ephesians 4:11-12, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." The Evangelist Ministry is dedicated to preaching the gospel and effectively ministering by partnering with pastors worldwide to gather vision, faith, and harvest, saving the lost, and edifying the church. Pastors can confidently book a licensed, enrolled evangelist that will bless their church. Doug Klinedinst is the ministry coordinator. This week let's pray for all evangelists!
UPCI Evangelists (C-E):
| Joel Carver |
Shane Chance |
Timothy Chandler |
Stanley Cook |
| Gregory Coon |
Felix Crowder |
Michael Easter |
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The mission of the Occupational Chaplains Association (OCA) is to equip and credential United Pentecostal chaplains to present the Gospel in a compelling fashion to occupational and communal America.
The vision of the OCA is to equip and ecclesiastically endorse United Pentecostal chaplains to reach beyond the closed doors and separating barriers of Corporate America. We are professional caregivers coming along side of today's workforce and their families to be the bridge of spiritual and emotional help to those caught in the machinery of life. We assist employers to retain workers and defusing workplace violence by presenting the Gospel through a ministry of presence. William Dillon is the Director of OCA. Click on the link, and let's pray for all of the following Chaplains listed this week!
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- Pray for the 6 states and 32 people who died in those areas as a result of 40 tornadoes that were reported from Texas to South Carolina, some covering an estimated 100 miles of ground. The havoc and heartache that these storms caused were made worse by the pandemic. Pray for the recovery and health of all who have been affected by the depletion of food in the food banks, the taxing of first responders who have already been taxed with COVID-19, and the challenges of normal evacuation procedures that had to be altered because of the outbreak that made it unsafe to open emergency shelters.
- Pray for Nicaragua and the challenges that the country is facing while its President, Daniel Ortega, has not been seen for over 40 days. Also, pray for the people and the possible negative impact that COVID-19 and lack of direction could present to the country. COVID-19 has infected more than 2.4 million people worldwide and killed at least 165,000 worldwide, with over 40,000 people having died in the US.
- Pray for our world as French President Emmanuel Macron is leading the charge for a worldwide truce. He says he has backing from world leaders, including the US, UK, China, and possibly Russia. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was the first to mention a global ceasefire, saying the only fight that matters now is the shared battle against the pandemic.
- Pray for all family members who lost loved ones after 16 people died as a result of the rampage by a gunman in a small town in Nova Scotia.
- Pray for the Lord to draw in the prodigals, backsliders and the lost throughout our world.
- Pray for the Lord to speak to His Bride to give direction when it comes to keeping our house in order.
- Pray for our world as dozens of the world's top musicians and entertainers prepare to take part in a ONE WORLD Benefit Concert for COVID-19 relief. Jesus is coming, so we must pray the Body of Christ will be ready.
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2020 WNOP Events
- 30 Days of Prayer (January 2-31)
- New York Metro District Prayer Conference, St. Albans, New York (January 17-18)
- WNOP Leadership Retreat, Weldon Spring, Missouri; Scott Graham (February 5-7)
- Ministry And Prayer (MAP) Seminar, ABI; Oakdale, Minnesota; Lee Stoneking (March 4-6)
- School of Prayer, Ijamsville, Maryland,; Jason Sciscoe (March 19-21) Postponed
-
Apostolic Day of Prayer (March 27)
- Advanced Prayer Seminar, Del Valle, Texas; Chris & Danielle Green (April 2-4) Postponed
- Northwest Regional Summons, Renton, Washington (April 30 - May 2) Postponed
- National Day of Prayer (May 7)
- National Apostolic Day of Prayer (May 8)
- Global Day of Prayer (May 31)
- International Summons, Bridgeton, Missouri; David/Connie Bernard, Cortt Chavis (June 18-20)
- "Operation Switzerland," (June 28 - July 7)
- "Operation Turkey," (July 23-30)
- "Operation Jamaica," Trelawny, Jamaica (August 10-16)
- New England Territory Summons, Tiverton, Rhode Island (August 20-22)
- UPCI World Day of Prayer (September 16)
- South Texas District Regional Summons, Houston, Texas; J. Sciscoe (September 10-12)
- UPCI General Conference Prayer Seminars, St. Louis, Missouri (September 24-25)
- YM WNOP Youth Explosion Summons (YES!), St. Charles, Missouri (September 26)
- Ontario District Regional Summons, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (November 5-7)
- Georgia District Regional Summons, College Park, Georgia (November 12-14)
- Detroit Regional Summons, Romulus, Michigan (November 19-21)
- New England Summons, London, England - Pending (Dates TBD)
Note:
More 2020 event dates to be added to the WNOP Calendar later as approved by the Board throughout the year.
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Consider supporting WNOP with a tax-deductible donation. Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving...PRAYER.
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WNOP Personal Prayer List
To join WNOP in praying for the
personal needs submitted by email,
phone and website,
please click
here
.
You may submit requests by email at pray@wnop.org.
"If you received an answer to prayer or have a victory report, post it on WNOP's Facebook page. We would like to hear from you."
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World Network of Prayer | United Pentecostal Church International
36 Research Park Court, Weldon Spring, Missouri 63304
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