5 Things to Do When the World has Gone Crazy

Wow. The news has been crazy lately.

It seems we have lost our moral compass and the world is going to heck in a hand-basket. Each new day seems to bring a new disaster. Maybe we should all dig a shelter in the back yard and go hole up for the next decade or so. Crackers. Distilled water. Army issue blankets.

But that is not what God has called us to do. Jesus has told us we are the light of the world; a city of refuge on a hill. Christians are to engage, impact and transform the culture, not cut and run, happy that we have our fire insurance.

Not out, but in.

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

John 17:14-19

Verse 15 is kind of rough. Jesus does not pray for God to take us out of the danger and turmoil; He prays for us to be sent in.

Why?

To bring hope. To bring help. To bring Truth. To bring the Gospel. We are the rescue squad. We are of the Word, not the world.

He has placed us here on purpose.

Now read the following verses.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. – Acts 17:26 (NIV)

The exact times and places. Think about that. You didn’t just happen to live where and when you live. God has placed you on this planet, in your town, in your workplace, in your family, in this time, with your specific skill set for such a time as this. God knew all your days before he fashioned you. When God laid the foundations of the earth, He CHOSE to strategically place you here and now, knowing exactly the conditions in which He created you to live, work and minister. He placed you here because you have work to do and you can make a difference.

“The restoration of America will not come through our next President– if it happens it will be through people like you.” John Stonestreet

“Christians in the West are living in a grand clarifying moment … In many ways we are in the Thursday evening of Holy Week. The cock has not yet crowed, but the angry crowd who would like to see the end of our Lord in the Western world has already seen and heard enough of our early betrayals to believe that it can count on more, and harry us toward ignominious surrender. So this is no time for cowards, for fence sitters or for those who wish to hedge their bets until they hear the judge’s verdict on the contest.” Os Guiness

When hard times hit, take encouragement from the Word of God.

From the pages of Scripture we learn God never sleeps. He is constantly at work behind the scenes, strategically placing His people for “such a time as this.” We may argue what can one believer amid such great opposition? We need only look back and read how God used Joseph, Daniel or Esther. God only needs ONE willing person to stand in the gap and change the destiny of a nation.

It’s up to you and me. There is no one else. We are the now generation. Will those who come after us find us faithful? Will we step up? Will we do our part? Will we hold our ground and stand in the gap for this generation?

5 things to do when the world has gone crazy.

Speak. Speak up. Speak out. Speak truth. Speak love. We must speak the truth in love about every cultural issue or risk being forever silenced. Yes, we need to pray for wisdom and discernment to speak wisely and in God’s timing. Always pray before you open your mouth. And resolve to NOT speak in a vulgar manner as we see so much on social media. But, find a way to get involved. Click on the link to get involved: Citizens for Community Values
Learn. We must become informed about what is happening in our cities, states and nation. We can no longer afford to sit back and let someone else do the right thing. We can no longer ignore what is happening around us. Click on the following link to get educated: Politics and Current Affairs
Seek: Seek God with all your heart. The only way you can affect the culture for the kingdom of God is if you know His will. You will only learn the will of God from the word of God. Make a commitment to spend time with Jesus each day. Click on the link and start seeking: Seeking God
Pray. Pray about everything. Pray for our government leaders. Pray for wisdom to know how to act and speak. Pray for God to make you willing to take a stand. Keep a prayer journal to help you remember what to pray for and to record answers and thoughts/impressions from God. Don’t wait to get involved until you feel ready. Act today. Please click on the link the join our latest prayer group: 5 Days to Fast and Pray. Finally …
Live. I believe God spoke to me in my sleep the other night. He showed me there is nothing Satan would love more than to shut down the influence of God’s people by scaring them into hiding. Do something beautiful and leave a legacy of hope amid the chaos. Overcome evil with good. Use your gifts. Read your Bible. Continue to minister. Worship God and thank Him for all the good things He’s given you and your family. Help the hurting. Live your life the way God is calling you to live.

By Mary Kane and Jane Vanosdol

5 Days to Fast and Pray

So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.

Ezra 8:23

Prayer and fasting. Powerful stuff. Together they are spiritual dynamite ignited by power of the Spirit. Prayer and fasting are game-changing disciplines for desperate times.

Can anyone deny times are desperate? Everyday the news reports escalating chaos and violence—brother against brother, religion against religion, and nation against nation. God has called to be His hands, His feet, and His voice to a lost and wounded world.He has anointed us to speak the hope of the Gospel to every tribe, tongue and nation.

Will you answer? Join us August 1-5, for a week of prayer and fasting. Let’s pray for our people, our leaders, and our world to wake up, repent and follow God.

You will need a Facebook account to participate. It’s always free! Follow the link to sign up and get a Facebook account if you don’t have one yet: www.facebook.com

Action Steps:

Click on the link below and sign up for 5 Days to Fast and Pray.
After you sign up, check your email and accept the invitation to join our 5 Days to Fast and Pray Facebook Group.
Decide how you will fast (see below for more info on fasting).
Join us each night at 8:30 Eastern Time to pray via Facebook.
Invite your friends to join us.

A Word About Fasting

There are many types of fasts. We are trusting that you can determine which type of fast is best for you. Some of you may want to fast from desserts for the week. Some of you may undertake a social media fast. Some may fast from one meal a day. The Holy Spirit will show you if you pray about it. The idea is to replace whatever it it you’re fasting from with a prayer time. The fast gives you a greater focus on God and His agenda, rather than our own.

Sign Up Here

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i pray: cultural war of words

ipray

i pray

short podcasts to bring the sacred into your everyday

Do you only have a few minutes for prayer today? You’re in the right place! Try one of our new i pray podcasts. A few minutes is all you need to pray God’s word into any situation by interceding for friends, family, and yourself.

Show Notes

I don’t think social media has improved our manners any. Our virtual, semi-anonymous world seems to bring out the worst in people, enabling them to say whatever nasty thing pops into their head. I’ve been horrified at comments from all sides. With controversial topics hogging the headlines and dominating social media, it feels that no matter what we say, we’re about to step on a landmine.

As I’ve prayed about how to handle this, this verse from Matthew 10:16 seems especially appropriate:

I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves.

To pray with Only By Prayer through this topic, just click on the arrow below.You can also subscribe in iTunes. Feel free to add any helpful suggestions in the comment section too!

Pray on!

i hear: stand firm

Do you only have a few minutes for Bible Study today?

Or do you have a few extra minutes and want to feed your soul? Try one of our new i hear podcasts. Three minutes is all you need to receive a little encouragement and refreshment from God’s word!

“Times are changing,” as the saying goes, but God does not change.

He is eternal and timeless. When the culture seems to shift like sand underneath our feet, God calls us to hold our ground. Commit today to stand on firm upon the Rock and affect the culture for Christ.

It’s time to stand firm.

Please leave a comment below on your experience.

Have a blessed day!

i pray: divine appointments

i pray

short podcasts to bring the sacred into your everyday

Show Notes

Sometimes I go through life oblivious to everyone and everything—except for my own agenda, my own schedule.

When I do that, I may miss the divine appointments and opportunities that God has scheduled for me that day. Will I take the time to look the homeless person in the eye and talk to her, or will I listen the the prompting of the Holy Spirit and smile at the person on the bus sitting next to me? I know we live in a dangerous world, but I need to be listening to the direction and guidance of the Spirit. At times He may move me along, but many times He would have me pause. I want to be alert to the work of the kingdom, not asleep on the job.

Today’s Scripture to Pray

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15,16

Just click on the arrow below to pray along with us today.

You may also subscribe on iTunes.

Thanks for praying and in the comment section below, feel free to tell us about a divine appointment you kept.

Pray on!

Short & Sweet: Prayer Giver

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” 1 Timothy 2:1

Nora is my text friend.

You probably have a text friend. Text friends (a.k.a. virtual friends) are people with whom we share our lives, but due to conditions and circumstances we rarely see. When Nora and I lived in the same city, we were facefriends. Heart to heart friends. Lunches, Bible studies, prayers, conferences, family dinners, heartaches, victories—we shared a lot of life. Eventually, God called Nora and her family to Florida, Indiana and finally Texas. Thank goodness for technology!

I was catching up with Nora the other day. My dear friend asked about my family so I filled her in on the latest with my twenty-something sons and the status of my mother.

“My mom is quite ill,” I texted “Now, I have the privilege of being one of her primary prayer givers.”

Primary prayer giver.

I meant to text primary caregiver, but out came primary prayergiver.

God had my attention.

My mind began processing this new phrase I had inadvertently coined, primary prayergiver, and I drew meaning from original phrase. What do primary caregivers do? According to Wikipedia, “A primary caregiver is the person who takes primary responsibility for someone who cannot care fully for themselves. It may be a family member, a trained professional or another individual.”

What do primary prayergivers do?

A primary prayergiver is a person who stands in the gap and takes primary responsibility to pray for someone who cannot fully pray for themselves. Primary prayergivers don’t pray exclusively for the sick and elderly. They pray for anyone who cannot pray for themselves such as:

the lost
the unborn
little ones
those who have fallen away

Who is a primary prayergiver?

If you pray and you are a true Christ-follower, you are a primary prayergiver in at least three different spheres of influence:

Your family: the people who live under your roof
Your work/ministry: the people you serve and work with each day
Your world: the people you meet and see each day, people you pass on the street, people in your town, state and nation and elected officials

Prayer deeply affects the daily lives, health and destiny of individual people, families and nations. If we don’t pray for our families, our coworkers our nation, our world, who will? Prayer can be the difference between success and failure, strength and weakness, victory and defeat, and life and death. God has given us the responsibility, privilege and blessing of being primary prayergivers. We must pray continuously for those under our care.

Action Points:

Get a time: Consistent prayer usually won’t happen unless we plan for it. I like to pray while I’m driving and in the evening for 10-15 minutes.
Get a list: I used to keep prayer requests on little pieces of paper, which scattered across my vanity confetti! STRESS. Then I discovered Prayer Notebook, an inexpensive prayer app, which changed my life. You’ll love it too! You can download it at the link below.
Get praying: When someone has hurt you, be a prayergiver. When someone is hurting, be a prayer giver. When it seems there is no hope, and everything is lost, be a prayergiver. When someone is sick, lost their job or lost their child, be a prayergiver.

Prayer Notebook

Life is sweet. Be a prayergiver!