Prayer Update 585
EVEN THOUGH …
· the fig tree does not blossom
· there is no fruit on the vines
· the olive harvest fails
· the fields produce no food
· the flock is cut off from the fold
· there are no cattle in the stalls ...
... yet will I rejoice in the LORD, the God of my salvation, for the LORD God is my strength. He has made my feet like hinds’ feet and makes me walk in high places! (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
The above words could well have been said by Job too, for there are times when everything seems to go wrong; wherever we turn there are problems and disasters. But God is still the LORD God of our salvation and He still makes us walk in high places – if we will let Him, and if we will keep our eyes fixed on Him and not the circumstances around us! Praise the Lord for His presence, help and goodness to us, even in dark and difficult times!
JOHANNES FACIUS
Way back in the late 1960s Johannes Facius and Denis Clark used to organise Prayer and Bible Weeks in Britain and Europe, to gather praying Christians together to intercede for their nations. Later, Intercessors for Britain, Intercessors for Denmark (Johannes was in Denmark), Intercessors for South Africa and Intercessors for New Zealand were formed, all with the same vision of interceding for their nations and the nations of the world – for the Church and for the Governments. Tragically, about a week ago Johannes suffered a severe stroke which has paralysed one side of his body and he is unable to communicate verbally with people. His condition is quite critical and he will be monitored for the next two weeks before a decision is made as to how to help him best. Please pray for Johannes, his wife, family and friends, that God’s perfect will for all concerned, will be done.
WAITANGI DAY – Monday 6 February
As we once again celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi 172 years ago, let us continue to pray for racial harmony within our country, which is increasingly becoming more and more multi-racial, and the proportion of immigrants in our country continues to increase. The Treaty may not be perfect, and people will always have different views on it, but we need to pray for love and harmony to prevail. Pray too for the seabed and seashore issues which have been debated vigorously over recent years, and, more recently, the proposed partial sale of some of our State assets. Again, while some people will have very strong views one way or the other on these issues, ultimately we need to learn to live together in peace and harmony, even if we disagree – and maybe disagree quite strongly. One of the things marriage should teach us is that two people may differ in many different ways and have very different views, but they can learn to live together and show Godly love, care and consideration to one another. The same is true in the Church – people have widely different views and opinions on all sorts of matters, but we must let Godly agape love prevail between us. After all, God has to live with every one of His children – in a loving relationship!
Pray for unity, harmony and Godliness to prevail both in the Church and in the nation. Pray that families, different racial and cultural groups, churches and people in general will live as God intended us to live – not in hatred and factions, but in respect, love and consideration for one another.
PRAYER FOR NEW ZEALAND
Last week we encouraged people to join in special prayer for Australia as they celebrated Australia Day. Please pray over those same issues as we did last week, this time applying them to New Zealand as we celebrate our national holiday – pray for God’s blessing on Aotearoa New Zealand. “God defend New Zealand” in every way!