God’s Word In Us, Through Us and Over Us.
Today, as the Underground, we come together in prayer and fasting. Every great move of God in the Bible and in history begins with Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting.
We will find from the other side of eternity that the most influential people were not, perhaps, Presidents or Prime Ministers but the people who walked with God through passionate prayer. This week we focus our prayer and fasting on the theme of God’s word in us, through us, and over us.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-9
Focus:
God’s Word in us, through us and over us.
Today’s Scriptures:
Joshua 1:7-9, Ephesians 6:14-15, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Opening Prayer:
As I enter prayer, I choose to be still and remember that you are God. Lord, I slow down and return all my attention to you. Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of my heart and illuminate my mind with understanding as I pray today. I pray this for all those who join me in prayer and fasting in the KC Underground family.
Pause and Praise:
Prayer of Praise:
Lord, your words have creative power to create something from nothing, in creation and in me. I praise you because your words are always true and always wise. I can trust ev- ery word you speak. Your words have implicit power; they are living and active. Your word never returns void and accomplishes what it speaks. I pray to you for your word. Lord, speak to me.
Move #1: God’s word in us.
Slowly re-read the passage below numerous times. Be open to see if a particular word or phrase stands out for you. Why does it stand out? Ask the Lord what He wants you to notice.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8
What stood out to you? Why? What did the Lord say to you? Take what the Lord told you and turn it into a prayer.
The ability of the people of God to be strong and courageous in their mission was contingent on them meditating on the Word, day and night, as well as participating in the Word by obeying immediately. Continue praying about your meditation upon and participation in the Word.
As you pray, consider the following:
What is my current pattern for Scripture?
How well does that pattern include the “day and night” pattern recommended here?
How well do my current practices include meditation of the Word and participation in immediate obedience?
Now, write an ‘I will…” statement based on what you heard.
Move #2: God’s Word Through Us
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:7
In Acts 12, James is martyred by Herod, who “laid violent hands” on him and had him murdered by the sword. Herod then arrests Peter and has him thrown in jail. But Peter is delivered by an angel! Herod, who was receiving worship as a god, is struck down by a judgment delivered by an angel. Such a conflict between heaven and earth is being played out in this passage! But the summary sentence at the end is simply this:
But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Acts 12:24
Pray now for:
The Word of God to spread in every context where the Underground has missionaries and microchurches.
Pray for the number of disciples rapidly increasing in those contexts and for large numbers of “unlikely suspects” to become obedient to the faith.
Pray for the Lord to send angelic assignments to every context where missionaries and microchurches of the Underground are engaged and that those assignments would be successfully completed.
Pray for the word of God to increase and multiply all over our city through DBS in new contexts.
Move #3: God’s Word Over Us
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Consider the following questions:
Who is that you need to share the Gospel with? Ask the Lord to show you specifically who He wants you to be ready to share the Gospel with, both those who believe and those who do not. Write those names down. Keep this list. Begin to pray for them daily this week.
Now, pray for each of them by name that they would be ready to receive the Gospel of peace with faith.
Pray you will be ready to share the Gospel with them, whether convenient or not.
Pray that every missionary in the Underground will be ready to share the Gospel in their context, whether it’s convenient or not. Pray that those who hear the Gospel from them will be ready to receive it with faith.
Prayer of Readiness #3: The Rapid Spread of Readiness for and Responsiveness to the Gospel across Kansas City.
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Pray for the following requests from this passage:
Pray for the Gospel to spread rapidly in every context represented in the Kansas City Underground!
Pray for the Gospel to be honored with a response of faith!
Pray for deliverance from wicked and evil people who will try to block the Gospel going forth. Pray the Lord to bless them and heal them!
Pray the Lord will strengthen and protect every missionary in the Underground.
Pray that we will continue to do the things the Lord has commanded.
Pray the Lord will direct our hearts into God’s love and Jesus’ perseverance.