Filled

Outside my office window stands a maple tree. It was a seedling, a gift from another tree in the neighborhood, that grew in our backyard for a few years and then was moved to the side yard. When autumn comes, the leaves change from green to golden and red.

 

But, there is a stage, a process if you pay attention, when some of the green leaves are edged in red. Then, that red slowly fills in completely, sometimes while the leaf is green and other times while it is turning gold.

 

This is not unlike the process that happens to followers of Jesus. There is a process, sanctification, which happens from that first step of faith to the time when we are completely filled with Jesus Christ. It’s a process the Apostle Paul called of faith to faith, glory to glory. (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJ)

 

This is important to remember as we pray for our children. They are being grown “up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”

 

But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.

Ephesians 4:15 (NET)

 

So, praying moms, keep praying the Word of Life over your children’s lives. And multiply your prayers by gathering with other moms to carry your children together to Jesus. Your faith and His Word will bring His work into your children’s lives. (Mark 2:1-12)

 

Moms in Prayer International impact children and schools worldwide

for Christ by gathering mothers to pray.

 

It’s easy to join or start a Moms in Prayer group. Just go to the website, https://momsinprayer.org/, and click on “Get Involved.”

 

Houses of Prayer

It’s pretty clear that it didn’t take long for our enemy to realize what deception he the deceiver fell under when he orchestrated the crucifixion, especially thinking it was “his” plan. When Christ rose from the dead, the gift of redemption became a reality to all who follow Him. And that means that no longer was the Temple the one “house of prayer.” Instead, spreading all over the world are individual temples, houses of prayer—in homes, in businesses, in parks, in cars, in schools, in shopping centers—nowhere that the people of the Lord walk is immune. It also means that the enemy has to fight harder and go after individuals who take the Lord’s command seriously—of whom you are among.

 

Take this most seriously:

A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven.

What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this.

When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it,

my Father in heaven goes into action.

And when two or three of you are together because of me,

you can be sure that I’ll be there.

Matthew 18:18-20The Message (MSG)

 

Yes! Lincoln Brewster’s song, “There is Power,” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=8&v=UoOJwel1CQU] echoes Christ's words that speak to why we take it seriously to gather together and not go it alone. More power!! Just like Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” But, it’s also another reason why the enemy fights one accord prayer. It's a battle.

 

Remember, so you are not in despair or disheartened, that because you take being a “house of prayer” seriously, to abide in your strength of life—your Forza di Vita—and keep yourself under His good hand. It will make all the difference and help you fend off the enemy’s darts with your shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). You’ll be able to keep on keeping on as Ezra and Nehemiah.

 

My prayer, Father, for us is that we will follow the example of these two men, Ezra and Nehemiah. I ask that Your good hand be over us all as we study Your Words and then seek to do them and teach them as Ezra modeled. May we have courage through Your steadfast love amidst difficulty to take it seriously to gather to pray, remembering who You are. May we build up the wall of prayer around the next generation and know that "the hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him" (Ezra 8:22 ESV). In the Name above all names, Jesus, amen. So be it.

My house shall be a house of prayer

Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46 (ESV)