Quote from Forum Archives on July 19, 2007, 12:27 pm

Posted by: hopechestnews <hopechestnews@...>

Dear friends,

 

I will send information on ordering books a little later today, but I have a more important announcement first.

 

I wanted to let you know that I am partnering with my dear friend Debbie Klinect, publisher of Along the Journey, in an intercessory prayer ministry for the readers of our e-mail newsletters.  Over the past year or so, we have come to see how vital this work is, especially as we receive notes from wives and moms who are struggling with the demands of life -- whether it marriage, exhaustion or frustration from raising young children, wayward teens, educational issues, depression, marriage, finances, schedule, or whatever.  

 

Debbie writes:

Prayer is the greatest weapon that we as Christians have.  It is a means to help us in times of trouble, to strengthen our faith, to combat the temptations that come before us, and the way that we are able to come to the Father to worship Him and praise Him and thank Him for all that He does in our lives every day.  Jesus said that there was no other way to the Father except through his son.  Jesus is there for us and when we don't know how to pray, his Spirit is there communicating to the Father on our behalf.  Our Bibles are full of verses that talk about prayer and the importance of it.  We are encouraged to pray without ceasing.  In constantly having our focus on talking to the Father, our lives take on a difference that no one can explain. 

 

Many times, though, we go through seasons when we just can't pray.  There is sickness that weakens us.  There are trials that seem so large that we don't have the strength to pray or know what to pray for.  During times of complete crisis we need other to be praying for us.  As the body of Christ, it is our privilege to be able to lift one another up and to go to the Father on behalf of those who need help.  It is our heart's desire to bring you and your needs before the Father, and to stand with you. 

Debbie and I would like to invite any of you who have prayer requests to send them to our special e-mail address according to the following basic guidelines:

• All prayer requests will be sent to [email protected], an account which is owned by Virginia Knowles.  Only she and  Debbie Klinect will have access to the original e-mails sent to this address. Debbie will personally approve and edit each prayer request to be sent out to the team of intercessors.  She will not include your e-mail address or your last name.  Your privacy is very important to us.
• Prayer requests must be for you, for someone you personally know well, or about something which will have a significant impact on the home schooling community, such as prayers for an upcoming home school event or a piece of legislation.  
• If your request is of a confidential nature (which would include marital problems, legal issues, wayward teens, etc.), please do not share identifying details which might embarrass or endanger someone else.
• We will generally not be able to offer any counsel in response to prayer requests, unless the Lord specifically lays something on our hearts to share with you.

If any of you who have a spiritual burden for intercession (or who would like to grow in it), you are more than welcome to join with us on a small team to pray for the requests sent in.  You can e-mail us at [email protected] to introduce yourself and let us know of your desire to be on the intercession team. 

 

I would also like to ask all of you to pray for Debbie and I as we write for you.  I was sharing with another friend recently that I often sense the intense pressure of spiritual warfare when I am writing, and she reminded me that this is because our enemy knows the power of what we are doing to change lives.  Leslie encouraged me to assemble a small team of prayer warriors to cover me with intercession during these times.

 

And finally, I want to share with you several Scriptures about the ministry intercessory prayer which have spurred me on.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  Ephesians 6:10-20

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-25

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:9-14

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.  1 Timothy 2:1-6

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. James 5:16-18

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

 

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  Romans 12:26-34

 

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.  Hebrews 7:25

 

Please remember to send your requests to [email protected] and not as a reply to this Hope Chest e-mail address.

 

Yours in prayer,

 

Virginia Knowles

www.VirginiaKnowles.com

 

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