Maybe Prayer Could Help?

15 08 2024

Dry Bones prayer

Controversy erupts every time Jews visit the Temple Mount, even though Israel has freedom of religion. Intimidated by Muslims and western nations, Israel restricts prayer for Jews and Christians there. Yet, prayer is the best hope for all concerned. Prayer is not the last resort, but the first priority. Human effort has always been a substitute for relying on and trusting Yehovah God.

Blinken Criticizes Ben-Gvir’s Visit to Temple Mount– This week, on the day that Jews mourn over the destruction of the two Temples, over 2,000 years ago, 2,663 Jews had the audacity to ascend the Temple Mount and dared to pray there. This little act caught the attention of the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who criticized Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av, labelling it a “blatant disregard for the status quo.”

Prayer is War! Prayer is not the last resort; it is the shortest route to complete victory. Remember Jehoshaphat sending the worshippers ahead of the troops by God’s instruction? Concerning the Temple Mount, Jesus was quite clear quoting Isaiah.

Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”  Mark 11:17

“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to Yehovah, to serve Him, and to love the name of Yehovah, to be His servants— Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant— Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”  Isaiah 56:6-7

The world is on fire. Israel is at war. Ceasefire talks continue their futility for the umpteenth time. Isn’t it about time to seek God and His Messiah for supernatural help? Prayer is mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds!

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, victory over her enemies, and salvation for all who believe.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                   (Read more – Not Iran’s Time!)


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Free Money = End of Democracy

19 01 2021

Monopoly for socialists

This statement below is a remarkably accurate observation of the demise of democracies when voters start voting money to themselves. It is a quote from Chapter Eight of my book, Speak to the Dirt! (available in Kindle or soft cover.) What stage of transition do you think the United States is in now?

“More than 200 years ago, while the original 13 colonies were still part of great Britain, Professor Alexander Tytler wrote of the Athenian republic, which had fallen 2000 years earlier: ‘A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves a largesse from the (public) treasury. From that moment on, the majority will always vote for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy and is always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From BONDAGE to SPIRITUAL FAITH; from SPIRITUAL FAITH to GREAT COURAGE; from GREAT COURAGE to ABUNDANCE; from ABUNDANCE to SELFISHNESS; from SELFISHNESS to COMPLACENCY; from COMPLACENCY to APATHY; from  APATHY to DEPENDENCY; from DEPENDENCY back again into BONDAGE.” (attributed to Tytler)

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” Matthew 25:31-34

Pray for our nation. Pray for repentance! Pray for the mercy of God and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit on our land.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for Israel rains.

Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists                         (Read more)


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Idaho Ministry Itinerary

7 09 2020

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Doreen and I leave for Idaho Wednesday morning. We would appreciate your prayers for our ministry there. We have nine scheduled meetings (including tomorrow night’s Bible study in Raleigh) and numerous individual contacts. Here are the public meetings. If you are near any of these meetings, please come and see us.

  1. Tuesday  7 PM – Raleigh Bible study at Barbara McCurdy’s home.
  2. Wednesday 6:30 PM – Challis Idaho AG Church & Living Waters Ranch.
  3. Friday 6:30 PM – Sandpoint New Life (Christian Center).
  4. Saturday 8:30 AM – Hosted by Larry Book at River of Life Church.
  5. Saturday Noon – Leadership Luncheon (or Sun. PM).
  6. Saturday 7 PM – Sandpoint River of Life Church.
  7. Sunday 10 AM – Post Falls Oasis Church.
  8. Sunday 10? AM – Blackfoot Father’s House Church.
  9. Sunday 2 PM – Idaho Falls Eagle Rock Vineyard Church.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” Ephesians 6:18-19 NLT

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)


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Lawlessness Will Abound

20 06 2020

US-POLITICS-RACISM-STATUE-UNREST

Where the police stand down, lawlessness will abound. We see this across our nation. The very first window broken should lead to an arrest. Once it is allowed without consequence it multiplies into lawless riots.

Surprisingly, the word lawlessness does not appear in the KJV. Instead, iniquity is used. Lawlessness is clearer to the 21st Century reader. The word occurs eleven times in the NKJV. We are now in such a period of history in America. Law and order must be restored. Meditate on these verses:

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!‘” Matthew 7:23

“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,” Matthew 13:41

“Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:28

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12

“I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” Romans 6:19

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7

“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Hebrews 1:9

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4

Is there any doubt we are seeing this in our culture today? Isn’t is ironic that these lawless protests are about “slavery?” We must pray for our leaders to have the courage to stand up to the lawless acts or it will get worse and worse. It is not easy to pray for evil leaders. We must pray while not dishonoring their God-given placement in leadership. Paul, the Apostle, spoke accidentally against the high priest and repented, even though Paul had spoken the truth. Remember that the battle is not against flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness.

Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” Acts 23:5

“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Exodus 22:28

It may be tricky to thread the needle of praying with the right Spirit and attitude, but we must rise up and pray! We know the end of the book. We win! So, don’t lose heart. Yehovah has the final say!

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and thank God for Israel showers this week.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Are You a Watcher?

12 05 2020

shofar-

Can you “see” something when someone is speaking words? There are degrees of seeing and hearing from God, that most never realize. Yet, we are called to “see” what God is saying. My friend, Sharon Sanders, of Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem, recently shared a profound truth. Her prophetic intercessors prayer letter referenced a Hebrew scholar with great insight, which I quote in this excerpt:

According to Chaim Bentorah, a Biblical Hebrew Studies teacher, we can “see” what someone “says.” He states that the word ra’ah means a physical and spiritual seeing… This takes a close guarding according to Chaim, something like a bodyguard or secret service agent whose entire attention and focus are on observing things that everyone around him are not observing. It’s like looking for any subtle hint or movement, which may signal a threat to his mission of protection. 

Our goals in prayer are to discern the situation before us, through prayer and to determine whether Israel might be in danger. We need to be focused in our watch time when praying for Israel. … We need to watch to see if God is saying something specific to our hearts. Sharon Sanders, CFI Jerusalem (March 2020)

When we use the phrase “God’s word,” we usually mean Scripture, but every Bible verse was first spoken by God. The power of words is in the speaking, or the saying of what is on God’s heart. Do you “see” what He is saying? There is way more in His words than the simple grammar. What is God saying to you, to us? Can you see it, and really hear it?

I will stand my watch
And set myself on the rampart,
And watch to see what He will say to me,
And what I will answer when I am corrected. Habakkuk 2:1

Dear Heavenly Father, Yehovah God, please give us ears to hear and eyes to see what you are showing us when you speak.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for seasonal rains for Israel.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists


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Prayer for Travel

4 10 2019

Living Waters Ranch

Living Waters Ranch Challis, Idaho

Here is my travel update and request for prayer as I leave today to minister in Idaho, New Hampshire and Kenya. My prayer request is simple:

And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:19

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:19 NLT

Notice that I pray as Paul did, not for boldness, but that utterance would be given by God. Anyone can be bold, but we need to hear from God so we speak the right words. God has opened doors for me to speak in seven of the next ten weeks, ending with two weeks in Kenya speaking to 3,000 high school and college age future leaders of Kenya. I have also been scheduled to speak to several dozen pastors in two weekends on the subject of Kenya standing with Israel. Finally, I will speak each Sunday in local churches.

This week is Sandpoint, Idaho, at River of Life Church, Saturday morning and evening. Cocollala Cowboy Church  Sunday morning, and Sandpoint Christian Center Wednesday night. The following weekend is Challis, Idaho at Living Waters Ranch. The third week is in Boise at a week long Feast of Tabernacles One New Man Conference in Meridian led by Brian Harrison (details: 208-899-0888).

Doreen and I will be in New England Oct 25-Nov 5 at Milton, NH the first weekend with Pastor Jim Weedon at Milton Christian Fellowship; and then with Pastor Henry Snyder at River Church in Conway, NH the second Sunday.

Doreen is also going to Kenya with me (along with Patrick Kennedy) for two weeks from Nov 27-Dec 11. Michael Masambu leads the Kenya Purpose, Destiny, Achievement Conference. Michael and I will also be together in Challis and Boise. Praise God for His open doors. Your prayers are gratefully appreciated. Thank you.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for the latter rains to fall this season.

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists                  (Read more)


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Melania and the Lord’s Prayer

20 02 2017

Here is a post from my favorite writer (who happens to be my wife). Doreen was really inspired by Melania last Saturday at the Melbourne, Florida Trump rally. She also responded to horrible criticisms of Melania. I hope you enjoy.

My heart hurts today for a very lovely lady, the First Lady of the United States.I was not on the “Trump Train” in the beginning of the primaries, but before long, I recognized that God’s hand was on a Trump presidency. He was moved forward through a very difficult process to final victory. It had to have been an act of God. But this post is not about President Trump. It is concerning his wife who has been faithfully supporting him all along the way.

I know nothing, really, about Melania’s past. I do know that she is a legal immigrant who speaks five languages, that she is devoted to her husband and her son, and she loves the United States of America. I also know that she is a woman, and she is human, and I can imagine how devastated she must be under the weight of the horrible things that have been said about her this past week. She has been called ugly names, mocked for her (very charming) accent, and criticized for saying the Lord’s Prayer at the Rally in Melbourne, FL yesterday. She was mocked for reading the prayer instead of saying it from memory. How miserably critical and malicious does one have to be to do this to her? One poisonous tweet actually said she couldn’t possibly be a Christian if she couldn’t say the prayer from memory. Seriously? I would address these detractors and ask: “How many languages do you speak?” “Could you stand in front of thousands of people and speak without notes?” “Have you been given the authority to say who is a Christian and who is not?”

My respect for Melania Trump soared after seeing her step forward after being thus maligned, and with grace and humility, lead with, “Let us pray…” I was so proud of her! She continued:

“Our Father in heaven,  Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever (and ever). Amen.”

She said this with sincerity and feeling. The crowd joined in with her, and it was truly a holy moment.

I would like to speak a warning to those who feel it is their duty to tear down another. The scripture that includes this prayer (Matthew 6) doesn’t stop with “Amen”. Jesus felt it necessary to explain one part of this prayer. Do you know what the next verse says?

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

I never pray this prayer anymore without thinking about this passage. If I DO NOT FORGIVE, I will not be forgiven. The way I forgive is the way I AM ASKING GOD TO FORGIVE ME! Is the way I forgive the gold standard I want God to use towards me? Lord, have mercy on us all!

Melania Trump is a beautiful, gracious, classy lady. I’m sure she is not without sin, as none of us are. I admire our First Lady greatly and I pray for her. I pray that the weight of her new position and the ugliness of the attacks against her will not crush her. May these experiences, good and bad, serve to drive her further into the loving and accepting arms of Jesus. I believe she will serve us well in the White House.

profile pic You can read other blogs by Doreen here: Happyendtimer

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists            (Read more)


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So…, Trump. Now What? How to Pray.

18 11 2016

trump-prayer-shawlPraying for President-elect Trump is an opportunity for me to explain a wider concept of intercessory prayer. Have you heard of prophetic intercession? It is a completely different approach to prayer. A friend and brother recently asked for my thoughts on the subject; and it seems worthy of sharing more widely. Contrast prophetic intercession with what I call “pathetic” intercession. Please don’t whine when you talk to God. Prayer is conversation with God; so be adult about it. He has made certain promises which He expects us to remind Him about, and hold Him to them. Pray with a basis for expecting Him to do what we ask because He said He would.

Praying for the new President and “leader of the free world” is a sobering assignment and is not for the faint of heart. The future of our country, Israel and indeed the world is at stake. So, let’s look at a few simple ideas about prophetic prayer.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1-2

Prophetic Intercession – a Twelve Step Plan

  1. Pray into what God has already declared He will do.
  2. Prayers are answered if you pray what God wants.
  3. Don’t whine or beg; but agree with God.
  4. Authority is from above; God’s heart, not your heart. (King David Acts 13:22)
  5. Pathetic intercession is about what I want (general, all about me).
  6. Prophetic intercession is targeted (specific, God’s plan). Example: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    May they prosper who love you. Psalm 122:6 This is a prayer God will answer.
  7. What do you see God doing? Pray into that.
  8. What do you hear God saying? Pray into that.
  9. What has God already said and done? Base your request accordingly.
  10. Requires scriptural foundation.
  11. Requires hearing the Holy Spirit
  12. Requires seeing by the Holy Spirit (Elisha and his servant 2 Kings 6): eyes to “see”.

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21

Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists         (Read more)

 

 


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