30 for 30 RESET – Day 8

Gatheringplace   -   September 8, 2024

One of the most discouraging things about prayer is when you are praying for someone you love to turn, to stop living a certain way, to turn to God, but they won’t. It is so easy to give up and believe that your prayers are not making any difference at all. But look at Jesus’ example.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 NLT

First, recognize that Satan is at play here. Clearly there is spiritual warfare over people’s lives. Paul said this:

 “For if the gospel we preach is hidden, it is hidden only from those who are being lost. 4 They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 GNT

Secondly, and here is the big insight – Jesus did not get caught up in where Peter was at, but where he was going to end up.

The Lord helped me with this truth one day when I was taking a walk and weeping over a couple of young people I had led to the Lord. They had fallen into sin. As I was feeling the pain in my heart for their condition I thought about how, if I am in this much angst over two Christians who have backslidden, how can God handle His children who have gone astray all over the world? So I asked Him. His answer? “By faith.” I didn’t understand.

At that moment a friend of mine saw me walking and caught up to me. I told him what the Lord said, and he asked, “Well, what is faith?” Immediately I thought of the Bible’s answer to that very question:

“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 GNT

That is when it clicked. God sees the end from the beginning. We can too – by faith!

In other words, God does not get caught up in where someone is at in the present moment. I know I do, especially with my kids! But God is looking at the end product. He is “continuing to do the good work until Jesus returns” Philippians 1:6.

This sovereign perspective saves my sanity. When I am getting unduly anxious over where someone is at in the moment, I think about God’s work in their life and how He is going to win in the end!

BUT notice that Jesus’ confidence that Peter would repent, return, and fulfill his divine destiny was because of His prayers for him!

This is where your prayers come in, my friend. Your prayers for your loved ones, neighbors, workmates, schoolmates, and backslidden friends, are the very thing God will use to open their eyes, to soften their hearts, to create the circumstances that will eventually draw them back!

Keep praying!

John

QUICK TIP ON HOW TO SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH GOD (REMEMBER: This 30 for 30 is a tool to help you, not a rule to shame you. Just do your best and let God do the rest.)

“Upward, Inward, and Outward”

  1. Upward: Get quiet. Settle down. Begin to thank God for Who He is – patient, kind, merciful. A God Who forgives sins – Who has forgiven your sins. A God Who cares, Who listens to your prayers, a miracle working God. (There are many other attributes you can thank Him for. Go HERE for a prayer guide as well as a list of God’s names that will help you thank Him for Who He is)
  2. Inward: Read a chapter in the Bible. I would suggest one Psalm per day. Start with Psalm 1 and go from there. Or read one chapter of Proverbs per day. Start with Proverbs 1 and go from there. And as you read, stop, and think about what it is saying. Take your time (even if you do not get through an entire chapter – it is okay!). Ask God to speak to you through it.

A deeper dive: For those of you who would like to read the Bible in a year, here is a fantastic way to do it. It will take more than 30 minutes per day, but it will be well worth it. It not only gives you a reading plan, but each day there is a short, very well-produced video explaining what you are about to read. Go HERE for your one year through the Bible reading plan.

  1. Outward: Ask God to show you how He can use you to reach those around you. Then begin to pray specifically for individuals. Pray for your family members, your boss, co-workers, classmates, friends, your church, its members, its mission, its leadership. Pray for our city and our nation – that God would rule and reign in every mountain of influence, raising up leaders who fear Him: Church, Family, Government, Education, Media, Entertainment/Arts, and Business. You will not be able to get to everything in 30 minutes, but that is okay, just pick an area or two per day.

PRAYER POINTS

Personal:

  • Closeness with God
  • Deeper devotion to Christ
  • Renewed vision
  • Renewed passion
  • Strength
  • Joy
  • A profound commitment to act as Jesus would during this election year.

Church:

  • And increase of God’s manifest presence.
  • To see more CHANGED LIVES!
  • An increase in Miracles
  • Salvation for those far from God (make a list and pray for them every day)
  • More young people joining the vision at GPC.
  • New building for GPC

World:

  • A mighty harvest in our city and nation.
  • That godly men and women will fill the seats of government at local, city, state, and national levels.
  • For our missionaries (Use the bookmark handed out at church, or go to our website and check out our Missions page HERE)