Prayer Results...

A couple of things I was reminded of as I prayed and interceded tonight -

The Power of ONE...
We are all "our brother's keeper" whether we want to be or not... what we do matters. What we do makes a difference for eternity... Do not doubt that you are being seen, watched --overtly or subtly. Do not doubt that your words have impact -- directly or indirectly.

When you do good, people notice...When you do bad, people notice and tell everyone about it.

Someone is always "measuring you up" by what you say...no matter what it is. If you always give a "bad report" they will hear it, shake their heads and beware of you. They will discount what you say when they are tired of hearing the negative.


If you always give a "good report", they will look for you to have the optimistic outlook on everything, while at the same time investigate to see if you are real...if you really are that happy.

And in the END, they will judge your life...whether or not you truly lived up to what you did or said...whether it was good or bad.

Do not doubt that you are beeing seen, watched -- overtly or subtly. Do not doubt that your words have impact -- directly or indirectly.

I'm not being paranoid, or trying to cause fright. I 'm just reminding myself and those of us who are called by HIS name, that our TESTIMONY carries weight. WE no longer live for ourselves...but for HIM and for others who might come to know him because of us. "

"Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19 (NLT)

Even though there was only one ONE Adam - One Fall and ONE Jesus- ONE act of GRACE for mankind...we still see this principle in practice in our everyday lives. Don't forget that you can influence for good or evil. I pray that you are an influence for GOOD, for the cause of Christ and not against it.

The LOVE of Travail

In the circles of intercession, we often talk about "travail" and "birth pangs". We compare the intensity of intercession - of the expectation of God's will being done on earth in the lives of others to that of a mother preparing to give birth to her child.

I "saw" myself "expecting" and growing larger with "child" as I interceded and pleaded to the FATHER on behalf of...so many. I sensed the travail, the expectation, the pain...and I also sensed...

THE LOVE. An expectant mother, generally, has a deep, deep love for the new LIFE growing inside. And even though there is an anticipation of "travail" and "pain", there is joy and love for the outcome -- the birth!!! Travail was conceived out of LOVE. Months prior to the birth, one often sees the mother, rubbing and touching her belly - many times as a way to "connect" to the beautiful life inside that she will, one day, "travail" to see and to hold. A life for which there is hope of a good future, of joy and peace. A connection has been made.

When we "travail" in intercession - is it with LOVE and HOPE for something good? Have we made a connection - do we really care about whom or what we are praying? When a mother travails, she has expectation of a "beautiful" delivery...and hope of a good life. She knows that heartache may follow, as well as pain and frustration...but overall - there is hope for something good, for being able to make a difference in the life that will live outside of her. Caring has taken place.

We travail ...in intercession for a hope, for the return of that "baby", all grown up and ready to proclaim HIS KINGDOM. We travail ...in hope that many will be "born" anew, refreshed and recharged to follow HIM whole heartedly.

We travail ...in LOVE, knowing that it is because of HIS great love for US, the Intimacy we have in KNOWING HIM that we can EXPECT Him to do something great in and through us for HIS glory.

We travail...because we have made a connection with those around us and we care...they are not just strangers, but lives/souls LOVED DEEPLY by God! And because we LOVE God, we LOVE them. They are people with faces, with names whether WE ourselves know them deeply or not...GOD knows them, God has seen them - even before they were born - their lives counted and mattered to HIM...just like the life of the child for whom the mother travails.

Yes, to travail is hard and difficult, but may we not just see it in that fashion. May we see it as the culmination of the LOVE we have of KNOWING the Father so intimately that he shares "his very heart and mind" with us. May we recognize the privilege to be a part of the "deliverance" and remember that it's worth the PAIN to experience the sweet victory!!!