Subscription Lists
The Focus
by Dennis Wheeler
For several weeks in late February, 2003, there were quite a few email letters being passed from computer to computer encouraging Christians across the land to pray for our nation and our world on March 03, 2003. These emails stressed the significance of this date because of it's numerical sequence - 03/03/03 - which reminds Christians of the Trinity. One email asked folks to pray at 3:03 p.m.
Jeremiah 33:3 (again...note the 3's) was cited an important passage of Scripture..."Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
One email really caught my attention...it encouraged Christians to send "prayer missiles" and "cruise & scud prayers" to target enemy plans; "Patriot prayers" to shoot down incoming threats.
Wonderful idea! A day of prayer...Christians from all walks of faith coming together in prayer.
Our church auditorium was open & available on 03/03/03 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It was encouraging to see a constant stream of folks (college age, older adults, singles & married couples) coming into the worship center and kneeling in prayer and raising their hands and asking for the Light of God to shine brightly in this dark world! I'm confident that our loving God heard millions of petitions presented to His throne by His children.
Special days of prayer are so uplifting, comforting, fortifying and unifying.
But, as His children, let's be careful to not reserve our intensity for prayer to special events throughout the year. Let's heed these challenging words from 1 Thesalonians 5:16..."Be joyful always; PRAY CONTINUALLY; Give thanks in all circumstances." (NIV)
In fact, we are told to...
- Pray for the saints (Ephesians 6:18)
- Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)
- Pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28)
- Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation (Luke 22:40)
- Pray for someone you know who is in trouble (James 5:13)
- Pray for each other (James 5:16)
As I originally wrote this on Tuesday morning, March 04, 2003 . . . nothing was really significant numerically about that day. In fact, as I glanced at my calendar for the next few days I don't see any signficant days.
BUT...the call for His church to pray remains!! Our desire and inclination to prayer should not come from an email suggestion...but from the personal invitation of our incredible loving heavenly Father who desires to listen to us, talk to us, and provide for us!
Claim the promise of Philippians 4:6 - "Don't worry about anything! Instad, pray about everything! Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done!"
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "The Focus" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.