Last week, Suzanne and I  joined 4,200 Christians from all 50 states in Washington, DCfor the CUFI Summit.  CUFI stands for Christians United For Israel, andafter only five years, it has grown to over 430,000 members.   The purpose for the DC Summit was topray for the peace of Jerusalem and tellour Congressmen that the United Statesmust stand with the nation of Israel, now more than ever.The week was highlighted by a live address to the CUFI delegatesfrom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  (Simulcast livefrom Jerusalem) cufi.org

 As I see it…. (of course, don’t hold me to this, because hopefullyI will continue to grow in my understanding)…. There are two main ways we asChristians can obey Psalm 122 in praying for the peace of Jerusalem. 

 

1.PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM means: inour time, pray that the city and nation of Israelwill be protected from attack by hostile countries such as Iran.  Intelligence estimates reveal that Iran has enoughenriched uranium to produce two nuclear weapons, and that could happen within ayear, unless something is done to stop them. The Iranian president hasrepeatedly said he intends to wipe Israel off the face of themap.  So,  we are at a critical time in our nation.

2.   PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEMmeans:  in the future, when Jesus(Jeshua) returns to earth, then TRUE PEACE WILL COME.  In other words, since Jesus will not returnto Jerusalemand set up His millennial kingdom until the Jewish leaders of that cityrecognize Him and welcome Him as Messiah, this prayer is for salvation to cometo the Jewish people.  It means prayingfor a second Pentecost  (outpouring ofthe Holy Spirit) to come to Jerusalem,as Acts 2:17 declares willhappen.    

 

BOTH OF THESE ARE VALID ANDIMPORTANT WAYS TO PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM. 

 

Welive in an amazing hour of human history.Let’s be watchmen on the wall for Jerusalem!  Isaiah 62

Well... once again another fascinating day in the RITH prayer room.  I was struck by some words Misty Edwards was singing that seem to come straight from the heart of God right into my heart... and I'm sure many thousands worldwide who were tuned into the webstream like I was.   Wow... think about these words from the Father's heart to us....  "I define you by what men cannot see.  And I define you by your heart reaching for Me.  YOU'RE A LOVER, AND YOU'RE LOVED..........THEREFORE YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL."  

In our microwave society, I often forget the power of taking extended periods of time to consider, meditate, and consciously dwell upon God's Word and Who He is and How He sees us as His redeemed people.   For me... it's like 20 minutes before God in the Prayer Room seems like enough.   My body is ready to get up and check  my blackberry or get a drink of water or something.... ANYTHING BUT SIT HERE.  IT SEEMS SO UNPRODUCTIVE!  

Prayer Room Moment -- #1

The words to a prayer they’re praying in the Prayer Room today arrested my attention and captured my heart for at least 25 minutes straight this morning.    As I meditated on these words, I felt like I was wading into the kiddie pool of the fascination of God's love. I think I replayed this prayer about  50  times.  I guess I'm a slow learner! 

 

HERE IS THE PRAYER:   "I want to be everything YOU dream when YOU saw my frame. So Lord help me to fix my eyes on what YOU see. Because the only thing that matters is what YOU see.  The only thing that matters is what YOU think about me.  The only thing that matters is what YOU say at the end of my days." 

“And my delight is living in Your eyes…. And my delight is living in thefear of the Lord.”  

 "So, I take a little time to hear what's on YOUR mind.   I make a little space to get to know YOUR face." 

 

*The Prayer Room is a 24/7 prayer meeting that began at the International House Of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP) over ten years ago.  It is a prayer meeting that has not stopped since Sept. 1999.  The River in the Hills Prayer Room is connected via webstream to this prayer meeting.  RITH Prayer Room hours are Monday through Friday (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.  Everyone's invited to wade in the kiddie pool!   Sometimes the water's cold and refreshing, sometimes the water's hot and  therapeutic --- ALL I CAN SAY IT'S DEFINITELY NOT LUKEWARM! 

Since yesterday afternoon, I have had a sense of grieving in my spirit regarding our President.  It's NOT what you may think.  

Every Tuesday, the International House Of Prayer in Kansas City holds 2 hour long prayer sets for the nation of Israel.  They pray fervently for God to pour out the power of the Holy Spirit upon the Jewish people in Jerusalem like He did at Pentecost.   They often quote Acts 2:17-21 in this time of prayer. 

Until recently, this  prayer topic wasn't really HIGH on my agenda.  I found it hard to get passionate about it.  Don't me wrong, I prayed for Israel, but i did it more out of obligation than fiery anticipation.  THAT IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE.  During these past months and years.... I am beginning to see how the prayers of the Gentile Church ACTUALLY HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON GOD'S TIMING AND PLAN FOR THE CITY OF JERUSALEM.  

It's fascinating to me to think that the city of Jerusalem will one day be  the geographical location from which Jesus will establish His throne and literally, physically, rule the nations of this planet for ever and ever.   Now, instead of Israel being a fringe obligation, IT HAS BECOME A MOTIVATIONAL TOOL FOR ME TO PRAY AND LIVE FOR GOD IN HOLINESS LIKE NOTHING ELSE I'VE EVER KNOWN.

I always appreciated coaches and motivators.... i guess cause i know how much i need external motivation to really go for it.
And now, whadayaknow..... THIS MYSTERIOUS THING CALLED FOR PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM HAS BECOME MY GREATEST MOTIVATOR TO DATE!  (i'll keep you posted... but as of now.... a walled city halfway around the world causes me to get up in the morning with fire in my heart!)     Yeah God!!!   Isaiah 62:6

As I was in the prayer room today.... watching and listening to those who had been worshipping and praying for 10 years at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.... the following thoughts came into my heart.

Tuesday -- September 15, 2009   1 Peter 5: 5-7..... In prayer today the thought came in my heart.... "When I worry about the future, I am being tested in the area of humility."  According to this passage, I  humble myself by casting my cares (rolling my cares) upon God.
   
Here's the thought that provokes me:     The amount of time I spend worrying is a valid measure of unperceived pride in my life. In other words, if I am pre-occupied for 20 minutes about something before I cast the care, (humble myself before God).....then I have 20 minute pride.  If, the next time, I cast that same care after 10 minutes, I have made significant progress. (Now I have 10 minute pride).   

Of course, we see where this is headed, don't we?  Phil 4:6... "don't worry about anything, but instead, pray about everything".  Not that I'll ever get there completely on this side of eternity, but by God's grace,  I can make progress!  I like that!
glenn

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