Blog - Do Not Depart

Created By God & For God

September 3, 2010 by ScriptureDig 20 Comments

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16 (NASB)

OK Scripture Diggers, I’m so excited! I wish I could sit down with you all – coffee in hand, Bible and study books spread across the table – because I really want you to see this with me! We all know that it is foundational to our faith that we were created by God. But the Lord structured His Word in such a way that we could never attribute our existence to anyone or anything but Him.

In Genesis 1:1, we find these words, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” And in Genesis 1:27, the Bible says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

The very first verb we come across in the Word of the Living God is the word , “created.” But, because the English language does not convey the complete essence of this word, we can’t really fathom its magnitude. Go with me for a minute, because I think this will blow your mind! I know it did mine. :-)

The original word for created (Gen 1:1) is the Hebrew word bara’. It means exactly what you think it does…to create, to form, shape or fashion. But the beautiful surprise is that in the 40+ times this specific form of the word create is found in scripture, it is not combined with any other subject but God. If grammar isn’t your thing, let me clarify it. God (subject) created (verb) man (direct object). Whenever you find bara’ (created) – God is the One doing it.

Think about that! God’s choice of words leaves no room to doubt the nature of our existence. Only God can bara’ (create). Don’t you just love how God makes Himself known to us in ways we have yet to discover! There is no mistake about it – He is our Creator! He is THE Creator! (Oh, please tell me that rocks your world like it does mine!)

As the world tries desperately to deny the creation of you and I, the Living God made sure we knew it could have happened no other way.

We did not just ooze from a jillion year old slime pit, nor did we morph from a monkey into a man. We were created by God – and we were created for God.

Knowing we were created by God reminds us that we are so much more than some random cosmic collision of molecules. We were the intentional, well-thought-out masterpiece of the Creator of the universe. He personally fashioned each one of us and placed us on planet earth the exact time and the exact way He wanted to – and that defines our lives as significant while also holding us accountable to the One who created us.

There’s comfort and confidence in knowing we were created by and for the Living God. But there is also the sobering realization that we will one day stand before our Creator and give an account for our time here on planet earth.

You see, if He created us for Himself – for His good pleasure, then He is also our Judge and He makes the rules. We can’t just pass our time on earth and acknowledge Him as our Creator if we never submit our lives to His plan. So, what are His rules? What’s His plan?

RULES: Absolute Perfection – Pure & Holy “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

PROBLEM: Sin – We’re all sinners by nature and by choice – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 – “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a

PLAN: The Cross of Christ – The Perfect Sacrifice of His Son on the Cross to Pay for Our Sins – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 – “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” 1 Peter 3:18

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Trusting Christ as Our Savior, Surrendering to Him as Our Lord – “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 – “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” John 1:10-12

I really am so excited by the way God reveals Himself to us in His Word! I love how He loves us and longs for us to know Him personally.

He is our Creator. He is our Savior. He is our Lord.

We were created by Him. We were created for Him.

Do you know Him? Have you ever called upon your Creator to save you, forgive you of your sins and help you live your life to please Him? Have you surrendered to Him as Lord of your life? If not, will you do that today? If you have, will you share a word of testimony in the comment section?

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 (KJV)

Do you know why you believe what you believe?

September 2, 2010 by ScriptureDig 9 Comments

According to a December 2008 poll by the Pew Forum, 52% of Americans who call themselves Christians believe that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life. Did you catch that? Let me say it a different way: A majority of American “Christians” believes that you can make it to heaven without Jesus. Does that shock and sadden you? If not, it should. (Read the full Pew Forum report here.)

Do you know what God teaches about salvation? About how you can know Him? Do you know why you believe what you believe? The poll I mentioned above clearly shows that many Christians do not. Our culture – and sadly even our churches – has watered down God’s Truth to make it politically correct and socially acceptable. In fact, one of the most well-known preachers in the southern US says he does not use the word “sin” in his church because it makes people feel bad.

Believers, we must know the Truth so we can stand firm in it. We must ground ourselves in God’s Word so we will not be swayed by the winds of society. And we must “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Their eternal future depends on it.

The Scripture Dig team has dedicated the month of September to “Salvation.” Many of you may have known these truths your entire lives. But come dig deeper into those truths with us. Here are a few of the topics we will cover:

What is sin? And what is the result?
What is God’s heart for sinners?
What does not save you?
Is Jesus the only way?
Why the cross?
Why the cross is not enough? (Or, The Power of the Resurrection)

We will also share our testimony stories with you and give you a chance to share yours with us. I am so excited to talk about the Gospel here on Scripture Dig. What could be more important?

To get our theme started, let’s talk a bit today about misconceptions. What are some things many people believe about salvation that do not line up with what Scripture says?

Couple of quick resources:

“What Christians believe” – brief overview of basic, core beliefs of Christianity. Includes Scripture references for the nature of God, the Bible, Jesus, salvation, and eternity.

“How to know Jesus” – if you have never entered into a personal, saving relationship with Jesus you can do that right now!

Striving for a Heart for Him

September 1, 2010 by ScriptureDig 8 Comments

Hi! I’m Sandra Peoples and I am so excited to be the newest member of the Scripture Dig team!

Teri Lynne and I talked months ago about her vision for this site. She asked me to consider coming on board, but it was a busy time for my family (we are in the process of adopting a son from Ethiopia and were doing some major fundraising this summer). But I am thrilled to now be a full time writer! After spending time with my Scripture Dig blogging colleagues at She Speaks, I can truly say this is a special team of ladies, who are passionate about equipping, encouraging, and empowering you to dig into God’s Word!

A little bit about me–I’m a pastor’s wife and mom to two boys, five years old and three years old. I’m originally from Oklahoma and Texas, but now live and serve a wonderful church in Pennsylvania. I have a Master of Divinity degree in Women’s Studies and Biblical Languages. I am passionate about encouraging women to grow in godliness. I also like to read, cook, and have fun with my husband and boys (like celebrating fun holidays like Clash Clothes Day).

You can find me blogging at Heart for Him. I also blog about our family life at Celebrate Every Day and with friends at Today’s Housewife. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. I look forward to getting to know you all as we dig deeper in God’s Word together!

Aloe for the Soul

August 31, 2010 by ScriptureDig 3 Comments

I’ve known Tammy Nolan for almost 20 years and had the privilege of watching her from a distance become a young woman who is passionate about living her life out loud for Jesus. Tammy lives to refresh people. Her ministry of energizing others starts at home. She is a home schooling mother of four children and the helpmate to her husband, Tony Nolan. She is Vice-President of TNT Ministries, Inc. It’s core purpose is sharing the good news of the Gospel and ministering to various Christian music artists, including Casting Crowns, Sanctus Real, Building 429, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, and Nicole Nordeman. She also pours into others through song with her CD project, entitled The Great Exchange. {I know you will be encouraged by her “My Time to Dig” ~ Stephanie}

“Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight,

a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.”

Proverbs 27:9

Each year we take a vacation to the beach. Everyday is spent enjoying the sun, splashing in the salt water, riding the waves, and playing in the sand. We soak up this fun from the time the sun comes up in the morning until it sets beyond the horizon in the evening, and even then we are usually taking nightly walks on the beach looking for crabs with flashlights.

By the end of the vacation, we have all usually gotten a little too much sun. Now for those of you that are already thinking, “Why wouldn’t you wear sunscreen”, let me assure you, we do. However, it wears off, and we all tend to forget to reapply it fast enough and then the damage is already done. Most of you can probably mentally take yourself to a place where you were exhausted, sticky from salt water, and stinging from the combination of salt and sand rubbing against your skin. It isn’t until you get cleaned up and are able to apply what we call “the green goop”, but is commonly called Aloe Vera, that you begin to feel relief. This green slimy stuff (that we keep in the refrigerator) can actually be some of the most refreshing stuff in the world after a long day on the beach. It soothes, heals, and even sometimes anesthetizes your skin.

This week, I was reminded how friendships can be the lotion that heals the sunburns of our hearts. There are times when the heat and irritants of our world can really get to us. We can find ourselves feeling exhausted emotionally, mentally irritated, and our spirits can often have a painful sting. I can think of so many times in my own life where I’ve felt this way and God would use a friend to come alongside and refresh me. Sometimes it happens through a phone call, an email, or perhaps a letter in my mailbox. Whatever it may be, it always comes at just the right time (after a long hard day) and it has a way of bringing comfort and can even invigorate me to keep going in this journey of life.

Does someone come to your mind that’s been a refresher in your life recently? Did you take the time to thank them and communicate just how God used them to bless you? What about you? Are you consciously being a refresher to others? Can you think of someone this week that you called, emailed, wrote a letter to, or text with the sole purpose of encouraging them? We all have moments where life just seems too “hot” to handle and the irritations seem to be rubbing in ever direction. Let’s be conscious this week to not only thank those who are used by God to rejuvenate us, but to also take the time to reach out and be that soothing lotion to another parched and weary soul!

Lord, thank You for sending people in my life at just the right time to remind me that You love me and care for me. Thank You for the gift of friendship and for the way You use it to energize and refresh every part of our life. I praise You that You are The Friend that sticks closer than a brother, and no matter how scorched my soul may feel, You are always there waiting to be my Ultimate Refresher.

Tammy, thank you for reminding us of the need to refresh one another on this journey called life.

Do you look for opportunities to sooth and refresh others? Do you know someone who needs to be encouraged today?

Prayer Theme Recap

August 30, 2010 by ScriptureDig 3 Comments

In case you missed any of these incredible posts, here is a recap of the past month here on Scripture Dig.

What is Prayer? Introductory post to this series.

Jesus’ Prayer Lesson: Kathy spent three days examining the Lord’s Prayer. Part One gave us some general principles about prayer. Part Two covered three of the six components of the prayer – Our Father, Hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom Come. Part Three discussed the remaining three components of this prayer – Give us each day our daily bread, Forgive us our debts, Lead us not into temptation.

Using Prayer Cards: Sandra shared how she uses prayer cards to guide her prayer time.

Write … in a Prayer Notebook? Julie gave some counsel about using a prayer notebook to organize your prayer life.

Double Whammy: Teri Lynne shared how to gain the power of using Scripture as a foundation for prayer.

Prayer: Graphic Organizers: Julie offered four different organizers – downloadable as PDF files – to use as tools for praying for others.

The Type A Person Prays: Teri Lynne shared how she uses a prayer calendar to organize her prayer life.

Praying for Your Spouse: Kathy gave insight into the types of prayers we can offer for our husbands and the significance of doing so.

Praying for Your Children: Stephanie shared parental prayers for children of all ages and situations.

Praying for Your Church: Kristi encouraged us to remember how necessary our prayers for our churches are.

Repentance: The Power of Painful Prayers: Examination of David’s prayer in Psalm 51 by Teri Lynne.

Confidence: Finding Rest in the Sovereignty of God: Looking at Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 with Kristi.

Intercession: Pleading for Undeserved Mercy: Kristi gave insight into the reality of intercession by studying Nehemiah’s prayer.

Jesus Prays for You: Sandra took us through Christ’s prayer in John 17.

Which of these posts was your favorite? Any ideas you have put into practice yet?

Jesus Prays for You

August 26, 2010 by ScriptureDig 18 Comments

Do you know someone who seems to have a direct line to God? Maybe her prayers are so full of praise and adoration, you instantly feel better when you hear her pray. Or maybe she’s the church prayer warrior–the go-to person when anyone has a request because everyone knows she will pray and keep praying. These people are a blessing (especially to those of us who sometimes struggle to find the “right words”).

I believe there is no more precious prayer that has been prayed over me (and you!) than Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-26. In the hours before His betrayal, trial, and crucifixion, Christ prayed for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers.

What did Jesus Christ pray on your behalf?

He prayed for unity among believers (v. 21).
He prayed that we would point others to Him (v. 21).
He prayed that we would be made perfect (v. 23).
He prayed we would be with Him, so we can behold His glory (v. 24).
He prayed that the world would know God through our witness (v. 25).
He prayed that the love He has with the Father would be in us (v. 26).

His prayer that evening stretched years and miles to reach you! He prayed for your unity with others, your love, and your witness. Hearing His words for me motivates me to want to live His words!

This isn’t the only prayer Christ prayed for you. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Consequently [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” He continues to pray for you–seated at the right hand of God!

Just as you feel empowered by the words a friend prays over you, realize the power of Jesus’ prayer for you. Live in unity, love, and with a burden to tell of God’s love to others today!

Intercession: Pleading for Undeserved Mercy

August 25, 2010 by Kristi Stephens 9 Comments

We serve a holy God.

In our day, so far removed from bloody sacrifices and curtains and priests, we sometimes overlook the true weight of our sin and its consequences. Our God is holy, holy, holy – and we are oh, so very sinful. God, in His incomprehensible grace, has offered us spiritual restoration through Jesus Christ – but sin still has consequences.

I am often burdened by the glib way we approach our holy God in prayer. We have been taught that we can have intimacy, access, friendship with God – and these things are true. However, our God is still holy, and sin is serious.

In Nehemiah chapter one, we find Nehemiah responding to terrible news about the state of God’s people and God’s city {a situation which was a direct result of God’s punishment for their continued rebellion} in a beautiful prayer. We are in very different circumstances than Nehemiah – a different land, a different people, a different covenant… but we have the same God, and sin is still ever-present! There is much we can learn from Nehemiah about godly intercession.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Then I said:
“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. (v. 4-7)

Before approaching God on behalf of his people, Nehemiah mourns, fasts, humbles himself – for days! This man has a tremendous sense of the holy and awesome nature of the God he approaches. There is no “name it and claim it” attitude here. Nehemiah is preparing to plead for God’s mercy, and he understands something that we seem to too often miss: mercy, by definition, is undeserved. Mercy is not something we can “claim;” it is something we can only humbly ask for from the ashes of true sorrow over sin.

And so, Nehemiah humbles himself. He mourns over sin – his own sin (no self-righteous attitudes here!), the sin of his family, the sin of his people. He confesses these things before God in humility and doesn’t mince words; they have acted “wickedly.”

I have shared on my personal blog in the past that I find it very difficult to join in boisterously singing “God bless America.” It seems to me that American Christians sometimes display a sense of entitlement to the blessings of God… as though we have earned it. My friends, we have not earned blessings, and we do not deserve mercy. Before approaching God with open hands glibly asking Him to bless us, we must consider seriously how to mourn over sin, humbly pray, and confess our own sins and those of our countrymen.

Remember, mercy is not something we can claim.

As we intercede on behalf of our children, our churches, our country, and our world, we would be wise to remember Nehemiah’s model of true humility and personal repentance.

We need to dig into the Word and seek to develop a proper perspective of our God.
We need to take sin seriously. We need to mourn over it, repent from it, and cling to what is right and good in God’s sight.
We need to approach our holy God with sober respect, rather than glib and demanding attitudes.
We must remember: mercy isn’t deserved, it isn’t earned.

As we read on through Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter one, we do find him praying God’s promises back to Him and recalling God’s faithfulness. We find him asking for favor and seeking to act on behalf of his people, pleading for God’s favor and blessing as he went forward. It is often these “later” steps of intercession that we think of – but true intercession begins in a broken heart of humility.

Who or what are you bringing to God’s throne today? What would it look like to do so with a humble spirit like Nehemiah’s?

Confidence: Finding Rest in the Sovereignty of God

August 24, 2010 by Kristi Stephens 11 Comments

: Image via Wikipedia

I frequently talk with other believers who seem to be struggling with a deep fear of the future. Their confidence in the government has been rocked, the security of their 401K has been shaken, they watch the news fretfully for updates about the latest Supreme Court decision or word from Iran.

Are these things serious? Of course- but they need not shake our confidence. If we truly believe that our God is sovereign, that absolutely nothing has escaped His notice or is out of His control, then there is a deep sense of calm in our hearts even as we write letters to our senators, seek financial counsel, cast our ballots, and urge those around us to know and obey the Truth.

In 1 Samuel chapter 2, we find Hannah praying a prayer we would do well to emulate.

Recount and Rejoice!

Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (v.1-2)

There is no Rock like our God! Oh, the hope and promise of those words. One of the best ways to battle fear and worry is to praise Him – to recount truths about His character, His ways, His promises. Have you noticed how many times throughout the Bible God’s faithfulness to His people is recounted in prayer and public praise? If you find yourself fretting over the news or the “what ifs” in your head, you must make a choice to replace those thoughts with truth. Rehearse truths of God’s character and ways to yourself, fill your mind and mouth with Scripture and praise – choose to rejoice in who our God truly is.

Remind Yourself of His Omniscience

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” (v. 3)

As I shared last week in our discussion about praying for our churches, I find great comfort in two simple words: “He knows!” He knows your heart, He knows your thoughts, He knows what is around the corner of your life. While we might find ourselves shocked and taken aback by current events, nothing ever comes as a surprise to Him – for the LORD is a God who knows.

Not only does He know, but He is the only one able and worthy to weigh our deeds and the deeds of others. He knows the motivation behind each act, each word; He knows every thought. I find myself often praying, “O Lord, you know!” What a comfort it is that His ways are higher than mine, His understanding is deeper, His thoughts are purer- it gives me great confidence as I offer my trust and the words, “Thy will be done.”

Remember He is the One Who Raises Up and Puts Down

“The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.

Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.

The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up.

The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; upon them he has set the world.” (v. 4-8)

No one is alive who has not been created by the hand of our God. Both wealth and poverty are in His hands. No world ruler sits in his office by his own power and doing – we serve a God who raises up and who puts down.

Do I understand everything He does and allows? Absolutely not! But I trust that His plans are much grander than I can comprehend. I can pray for God’s direction for those in authority over me – be that my husband, my church leadership, my government, my employer – and I can pray with confidence, knowing that there is no one who is out of the sphere of God’s control.

Rest in His Ultimate Victory

“He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the LORD will be shattered.
He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.
He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (v. 9-10)

When everything seems to be spinning out of control, we rest in this: we know the end of the story, and our God wins! One day there will be full and final justice. One day every knee will bow to Him. One day Satan and all those who rebel against God’s name will be completely defeated.

Feeling fearful today? Perhaps it is time to prayerfully recount and rejoice, remind yourself, remember, and rest. Our God is firmly on His throne – and He has invited you to approach that throne with confidence.

Supplemental Reading:

The God Who Raises Up and Puts Down – a look at how Hannah’s prayer ties the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel together

Fear God, Honor the King – a gentle challenge to my fellow believers who disagree with Obama’s administration: when belief in God’s sovereignty gets real

Worthy is the Lamb – an ongoing series on the book of Revelation to fix our eyes on the end of the story!

Repentance: The Power of Painful Prayers

August 23, 2010 by ScriptureDig 9 Comments

Perhaps the most gut-wrenching of all the Psalms, David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 offers us a glimpse into the power of our most painful prayers.

Repentance can be the most challenging aspect of a disciple’s life. Turning from our sin and embracing the grace of forgiveness … that’s the hard work of faith. Far easier for most of us is simply saying, “I’m sorry.” The words come easy, gliding off our tongues … the heart-change however is far more complex.

David’s tawdry affair, cowardly behavior, vindictive murder … vile as it all was … are not the issues. And so within our own lives we must come to this same realization … our lies and greed, selfishness and pride, those attitudes and actions, words and thoughts, they are not the focal point of this need for repentance. The need for repentance stems from one thing only: A heart separated from God.

Repentance is the cry for reconciliation, restoration. And David understood that while his behaviors most assuredly hurt others (and would lead to consequences he could never have dreamed), it was his heart that needed healing.

In this Psalm I note three types of power.

The Power of Sin

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:3 NASB

We can never underestimate the grip of sin in our lives. Sneaky and subtle, sin in the believer’s life – any sin – causes shame, guilt, and fear … and when we allow it to remain unchecked, unconfessed, that sin grows in power in our hearts. The voice of God, His whisperings and beckoning, fade as the call to sinful self shouts and promises greater things.

The prayer of repentance breaks the power of sin as we cry out truth over lie, life over death: “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; then my tongue will joyfully sing of Thy righteousness” (Psalm 51:14 NASB).

The Power of Grace

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 NLT

Grace … the precious gift of that which we do not deserve. Did David deserve a clean heart after all he’d done? After the deceitful and insidious acts he had committed? No. He did not deserve that cleansing, that renewal. But do I deserve forgiveness for my own lying tongue? My own prideful heart? My selfishness? Absolutely not. Grace … amazing, wonderful grace. “Grace that exceeds my sin and my guilt,” the old hymn promises.

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17

The prayer of repentance calls on the power of grace.

The Power of Faith

“You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering, you would not accept it. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:16-17 NLT

The greatest power in these painful prayers of repentance is not the words we say. After all, “talk is cheap.” No, the greatest power in these prayers is that of faith. The honest acknowledgment of the power sin has gained in our hearts and the humble acceptance of God’s grace and forgiveness for that sin is meaningless if we don’t ever move out of the pit. If we wallow in our shame and guilt, continuing to confess a sin that God has forgiven, continuing to move as though we were in the shackles, then we never experience the power of faith! For it is faith that moves us into the freedom of repentance … that moves us to change, to make that 180 degree turn and walk in obedience.

The sacrificing and burnt offerings are easy … outward, seen. But God is looking at our hearts … broken, contrite, repentant. David knew this, for he had been chosen by God not for what was visible. Remember the Lord’s words to Samuel as he looked over Jesse’s sons, “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT).

Friends, the power of these painful prayers is when we are moved, changed, and heart-well.

Is there a need for some painful prayers in your life?

Praying for our churches

August 19, 2010 by Kristi Stephens 18 Comments

The local church is near to the heart of God. Throughout the New Testament Scriptures, we find God working in and through small assemblies of believers. We find Paul laboring to start and establish them, writing to them, praying over them. The book of Revelation begins with chapters of short letters to specific local churches full of praise and reproof from the One who sees their inner workings.

Life in the local church should be near to our hearts, as well. (We’ll be spending the month of October addressing this topic here at Scripture Dig, by the way!) But life in the local church is rarely easy- while God may look at us with eyes of grace and see us as saints, we still can act very un-saintly. Life in the church can be fraught with wounds, strange inter-personal politics, misunderstandings, frustration, lack of direction, overburdened workers, and sin in all its lovely forms.

So, what’s a believer to do?

Often what I want to do is talk. I want to make my opinions known. I want to explain my side of the story and my theory on the best way to approach a ministry. I want to get more information (which is usually something I don’t really need!) Obviously there are times to speak up – there are situations that need to be wisely and carefully dealt with, sin that needs to be lovingly and directly confronted, lines of communication that need to be opened, appropriate times to share counsel.

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

But you see, those are the hard conversations I don’t like to have. Other kinds of talking, the sinful and destructive kind, come far too easily.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

Satan wants to tear apart our churches. He wants believers to be divided and distracted. He wants us to turn on one another. Spiritual warfare is oh-so-real and present even within the whispered conversations happening in the halls of your church building.

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” Proverbs 18:8

One major thing, the most important thing, we can do to combat it is to stop talking to others and start pouring out our hearts to God.

“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Acts 14:23

You see, dear one, He knows. He knows how you have been wounded in your church (and we all have.) He knows the major needs that must be addressed. He knows what happens behind the closed doors of offices and meetings. He knows. You can talk all you want to Him. You can pour out every thought, every burden on your heart.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

What your church needs from you more than anything else is your prayers.

“What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men, men of prayer.” -E.M. Bounds

If you’ve been following the prayer series here on Scripture dig, hopefully you’ve found some useful “how-to” tips for organizing your prayer life. Perhaps you were drawn to Teri Lynne’s prayer calendaring, Julie’s graphic organizers and prayer notebook, or Sandra’s prayer cards. Whatever method you use, I want to challenge you to consider how to turn all those words you speak about your church into prayers for your church.

What should you pray? In addition for praying for specific needs and situations in your church, as well as for your pastors, leaders, and their families, I definitely echo Teri Lynne’s encouragement to pray Scripture. For example, I went on BibleGateway.com and searched for the word “pray” in Paul’s epistles – read through these passages and find some great patterns for your own prayer life for your church! Recently I compiled a list of 23 ways to pray for your church from the letters to the churches in Revelation. Teri Lynne also has a free ebook with a 30 day challenge to pray for your church with passages from the book of Acts.

Life in the church is challenging. It is sanctifying. It reveals to us our sin, our selfishness, our pride – and because it does this for all of us, it can be painful. More than your offerings, more than your hours of service, your church needs your prayers. Bring your burdens to the throne today – and rest in the truth that Christ is the Lord of His church.