Mark 2:18-22 “On that day they will fast”...

Greetings Canada’s Kneeling Army,

I pray that you are flying high in Christ, even as our country is basking in the after-glow of an incredible exhibition of athletic excellence following the 2010 Winter Olympics. Although the Olympic flame has been extinguished, the spirit has not gone out.  Collectively Canadians joined Nickelback, William Shatner, K-OS, Michael J. Fox and many others to declare that we are “Champions” – a nation of champions. This historic “Own the Podium” accomplishment has released an infectious national unity and patriotism not otherwise experienced in present times. 

Intercessors, I believe the Church in Canada is also being summoned to “Own the Promise”.   Like our athletes, we are called to train not for a prize that will tarnish, but in preparation for perilous times when supernatural strength will be needed (2 Timothy 3:1).  Friends, like all great athletes, we must be aware of what season of training we are in. Mark 2:20 reminds us that, “On that day they will fast”. On this First Friday, in the 2010 Lenten season, I would like to turn our attention to one of our most potent and under-used exercises – fasting.

Over the years I have personally witnessed great power in the practice of prayer with fasting. As a pastor, I have learned that many people have one or both of these reactions when fasting is spoken of: 1.) They ignore it (“it’s not for me”) and/or 2.) They misunderstand what it is all about, and what is required for true Christian fasting.   This saddens me because, as your “cheerleader”, I want each of you to win, and I am absolutely certain that many of you have prayer concerns that you encounter that are particularly resistant and tough; obstacles that have a whole different spiritual dimension of difficulty about them. Jesus reminds us that there is a way to gain the spiritual power to break through such needs …Mark 2:20, “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast”. Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil, and entered into a prolonged season of prayer and “fasting” for 40 days in all. The Gospel of St. Luke records in chapter 4:14 that Jesus returned “in the power of the Spirit”.  It is undeniable that Jesus was continuously anointed of God, however, something was clearly released in a whole new dimension through that period of prayer and fasting.

Throughout the gospels, there are numerous references to the fact that Jesus modeled a lifestyle of prayer and fasting for all generations. One that continues to stand out is the incident with the demon-possessed boy after Jesus came down from the meeting on the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9).  He cast out the demon and told his disciples that the reason He had been able to do so was because, “this kind only come out by prayer and fasting”. What’s the implication?  Obviously, Jesus had been fasting and praying before he attempted this display of His authority. 

Why is fasting so productive in releasing spiritual power?  

1. Fasting reminds us of our humanity. Fasting jogs our memory of our helplessness to change our circumstances.  It makes us dependent and, oh, how most of us hate to feel dependant! A Holy handicap!

2. Fasting humbles us. We deny the physical appetites of our body for a time, to humble ourselves before God who has all the answers for our lives.

3. Fasting expresses our seriousness. We are saying, when we fast, that seeking God is more important to us than our personal agendas and the daily routine of finding food for ourselves.  At this point it is important to state the obvious; we cannot shoehorn God into our plans, but God does respond to the importunity and genuine prayer.

In closing, please be reminded that fasting with prayer is a gift from Almighty God that should never be used for dieting or hunger strikes.  Friends, it should be exercised with the greatest of humility, most often in secret, unless it is a corporate fast involving several others.  My hope is that each of you will take a step of faith and begin to “Own the Promise” through this most special gift.  My steadfast belief is that prayer with fasting is one of God’s most generous provisions, and he has proven time and time again in my personal ministry that mountains crumble into the sea when I have disciplined my body and spirit through prayer with fasting.

Intercessors, I give this personal witness because, like you, I am an ordinary person who is connected to an extraordinary God.  If He, in His mercy, has seen my sacrifice of prayer with fasting, I expect He’ll do no less for you as you turn your faith and your heart to Him, desiring greater intimacy, clarity and authority.  This Lenten season, let us together “Own the Promise”!

Own the Promise,

Executive Director, CIP

P.S:  CIP is thrilled to be in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON from March 26 - 28 as we launch Ignite Canada!; a clear sound on the trumpet in the land that “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns” from coast to coast to coast!  Please stay tuned as we will be sending out specific Prayer Directives in the weeks to come.  As well, if you are in the area please join us!   For out-of-towners, the event will take place at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo (30 Fairway Road South at Hwy 8), so accommodations are available onsite.

For further information, reservations, or if you would like flyers to distribute to your churches, prayer groups, friends or family, please contact the CIP office at 1-888-320-8844.  This is a free event, and all are welcome!

The July 1988 issue of the Southern Medical Journal published a scientific study that indicates that God exists, and that he had interceded in the recovery of a group of coronary care unit patients! In his article entitled, "Positive Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer in a Coronary Care Unit Population," Randolph C. Byrd, M.D., a San Francisco cardiologist, endeavored to answer these questions: (1) Does intercessory prayer (IP) to the Judeo-Christian God have any effect on a CCU patient's medical condition and recovery? (2) How are these effects manifested, if present? The study took place between August 1982 and May 1983, when 393 patients signed informed consent papers upon admission to the San Francisco General Hospital CCU, and were entered into a prospective, double-blind, randomized study (The remaining fifty-seven patients admitted during this period cited various reasons for refusing to participate).

A computer-generated list randomly assigned patients to either the IP or the control group, and neither they, nor the CCU doctors and staff, nor Randolph Byrd were aware of which patients were assigned to which group. Intercessors chosen to pray for the IP-group patients were "'born again' Christians (according to the Gospel of John 3:3) with an active Christian life as manifested by daily devotional prayer and active Christian fellowship with a local church." Each IP patient "was assigned to three to seven intercessors ... The [IP] was done outside of the hospital daily until the patient was discharged...each intercessor was asked to pray daily for a rapid recovery and for prevention of complications and death."

The IP group consisted of 192 patients, and the control group of 201. Analyses revealed no significant statistical differences between the health of the two groups upon admission. "Thus it was concluded that the two groups were statistically inseparable and that results from the analysis of the effects of [IP] would be valid." The mean age of the IP patients was two years younger than that of the control patients, a difference deemed statistically insignificant.

Each patient's hospital course was given a severity score of "good," "intermediate," or "bad," based upon the degree of morbidity experienced by the patient. In his introductory abstract, which was also reproduced in the "Domestic Abstracts" section of the Journal of the American Medical Association on January 20, 1989, Byrd concludes that the "data suggest that [IP] ... has a beneficial therapeutic effect in patients admitted to a CCU." In the final paragraph of his article, Byrd says, "Based on these data there seemed to be an effect [from IP], and that effect was presumed to be beneficial." (emphasis added)

Mark 2:18-22 “On that day they will fast”...

Greetings Canada’s Kneeling Army,

I pray that you are flying high in Christ, even as our country is basking in the after-glow of an incredible exhibition of athletic excellence following the 2010 Winter Olympics. Although the Olympic flame has been extinguished, the spirit has not gone out.  Collectively Canadians joined Nickelback, William Shatner, K-OS, Michael J. Fox and many others to declare that we are “Champions” – a nation of champions. This historic “Own the Podium” accomplishment has released an infectious national unity and patriotism not otherwise experienced in present times. 

Intercessors, I believe the Church in Canada is also being summoned to “Own the Promise”.   Like our athletes, we are called to train not for a prize that will tarnish, but in preparation for perilous times when supernatural strength will be needed (2 Timothy 3:1).  Friends, like all great athletes, we must be aware of what season of training we are in. Mark 2:20 reminds us that, “On that day they will fast”. On this First Friday, in the 2010 Lenten season, I would like to turn our attention to one of our most potent and under-used exercises – fasting.

Over the years I have personally witnessed great power in the practice of prayer with fasting. As a pastor, I have learned that many people have one or both of these reactions when fasting is spoken of: 1.) They ignore it (“it’s not for me”) and/or 2.) They misunderstand what it is all about, and what is required for true Christian fasting.   This saddens me because, as your “cheerleader”, I want each of you to win, and I am absolutely certain that many of you have prayer concerns that you encounter that are particularly resistant and tough; obstacles that have a whole different spiritual dimension of difficulty about them. Jesus reminds us that there is a way to gain the spiritual power to break through such needs …Mark 2:20, “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast”. Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil, and entered into a prolonged season of prayer and “fasting” for 40 days in all. The Gospel of St. Luke records in chapter 4:14 that Jesus returned “in the power of the Spirit”.  It is undeniable that Jesus was continuously anointed of God, however, something was clearly released in a whole new dimension through that period of prayer and fasting.

Throughout the gospels, there are numerous references to the fact that Jesus modeled a lifestyle of prayer and fasting for all generations. One that continues to stand out is the incident with the demon-possessed boy after Jesus came down from the meeting on the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9).  He cast out the demon and told his disciples that the reason He had been able to do so was because, “this kind only come out by prayer and fasting”. What’s the implication?  Obviously, Jesus had been fasting and praying before he attempted this display of His authority. 

Why is fasting so productive in releasing spiritual power?  

1. Fasting reminds us of our humanity. Fasting jogs our memory of our helplessness to change our circumstances.  It makes us dependent and, oh, how most of us hate to feel dependant! A Holy handicap!

2. Fasting humbles us. We deny the physical appetites of our body for a time, to humble ourselves before God who has all the answers for our lives.

3. Fasting expresses our seriousness. We are saying, when we fast, that seeking God is more important to us than our personal agendas and the daily routine of finding food for ourselves.  At this point it is important to state the obvious; we cannot shoehorn God into our plans, but God does respond to the importunity and genuine prayer.

In closing, please be reminded that fasting with prayer is a gift from Almighty God that should never be used for dieting or hunger strikes.  Friends, it should be exercised with the greatest of humility, most often in secret, unless it is a corporate fast involving several others.  My hope is that each of you will take a step of faith and begin to “Own the Promise” through this most special gift.  My steadfast belief is that prayer with fasting is one of God’s most generous provisions, and he has proven time and time again in my personal ministry that mountains crumble into the sea when I have disciplined my body and spirit through prayer with fasting.

Intercessors, I give this personal witness because, like you, I am an ordinary person who is connected to an extraordinary God.  If He, in His mercy, has seen my sacrifice of prayer with fasting, I expect He’ll do no less for you as you turn your faith and your heart to Him, desiring greater intimacy, clarity and authority.  This Lenten season, let us together “Own the Promise”!

Own the Promise,

Executive Director, CIP

P.S:  CIP is thrilled to be in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON from March 26 - 28 as we launch Ignite Canada!; a clear sound on the trumpet in the land that “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns” from coast to coast to coast!  Please stay tuned as we will be sending out specific Prayer Directives in the weeks to come.  As well, if you are in the area please join us!   For out-of-towners, the event will take place at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo (30 Fairway Road South at Hwy 8), so accommodations are available onsite.

For further information, reservations, or if you would like flyers to distribute to your churches, prayer groups, friends or family, please contact the CIP office at 1-888-320-8844.  This is a free event, and all are welcome!

The July 1988 issue of the Southern Medical Journal published a scientific study that indicates that God exists, and that he had interceded in the recovery of a group of coronary care unit patients! In his article entitled, "Positive Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer in a Coronary Care Unit Population," Randolph C. Byrd, M.D., a San Francisco cardiologist, endeavored to answer these questions: (1) Does intercessory prayer (IP) to the Judeo-Christian God have any effect on a CCU patient's medical condition and recovery? (2) How are these effects manifested, if present? The study took place between August 1982 and May 1983, when 393 patients signed informed consent papers upon admission to the San Francisco General Hospital CCU, and were entered into a prospective, double-blind, randomized study (The remaining fifty-seven patients admitted during this period cited various reasons for refusing to participate).

A computer-generated list randomly assigned patients to either the IP or the control group, and neither they, nor the CCU doctors and staff, nor Randolph Byrd were aware of which patients were assigned to which group. Intercessors chosen to pray for the IP-group patients were "'born again' Christians (according to the Gospel of John 3:3) with an active Christian life as manifested by daily devotional prayer and active Christian fellowship with a local church." Each IP patient "was assigned to three to seven intercessors ... The [IP] was done outside of the hospital daily until the patient was discharged...each intercessor was asked to pray daily for a rapid recovery and for prevention of complications and death."

The IP group consisted of 192 patients, and the control group of 201. Analyses revealed no significant statistical differences between the health of the two groups upon admission. "Thus it was concluded that the two groups were statistically inseparable and that results from the analysis of the effects of [IP] would be valid." The mean age of the IP patients was two years younger than that of the control patients, a difference deemed statistically insignificant.

Each patient's hospital course was given a severity score of "good," "intermediate," or "bad," based upon the degree of morbidity experienced by the patient. In his introductory abstract, which was also reproduced in the "Domestic Abstracts" section of the Journal of the American Medical Association on January 20, 1989, Byrd concludes that the "data suggest that [IP] ... has a beneficial therapeutic effect in patients admitted to a CCU." In the final paragraph of his article, Byrd says, "Based on these data there seemed to be an effect [from IP], and that effect was presumed to be beneficial." (emphasis added)

FROM THE TRENCH:

Dear Friends,

I can feel it…March is upon us and spring is in the air!  Some of you may think I’m being a little premature, but I see the sun shining and I can hear the birds singing, and to me those are telltale signs of greater things to come!

Faithful saints, last month we talked about the most important commandment – love. This month, Almighty God has been reminding me about the importance of another of the three things He said now abide – FAITH. And this faith is not of itself, but it produces within us righteousness. Romans 4, one of the well-known “faith chapters”, reminds us in verse 4 that, “It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.” What does God view as righteousness?  Who are those that God deems righteous?  Not the ones who perform great works, get everything perfect, or always do everything right, but those who have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. I don’t know about you, but for me it is a comfort to be reminded that my performance does not determine my righteousness!  It is unwavering faith in Jesus that will set me apart from the world and identify me as a righteous woman of God – not leaning on my own understanding, but trusting in the LORD with all my heart and acknowledging him in all my ways, knowing he will make my paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Friends, it’s not our performance that Almighty God is looking at – it’s our trust. It’s not what we can do, rather it’s what we admit we can’t do but declare that our God can do!  His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). If we try just to boost our performance in order to build our faith, we will fail. BUT, if we build ourselves up in faith (Jude 1:20), our performance – our actions – will automatically line up to reflect that!

So how do we build our faith?  Scripture tells us clearly where faith originates, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)   It’s so vital to not only discipline ourselves to spend time reading and meditating on His word, but we have to activate the word that is already within us. Many of us have been believers for years and have been more than filled with the word of God. But when those situations come that threaten to steal our peace or displace our joy, we have to choose to pull out that word that’s in us and declare it and stand on it. We must always have our weapon, the sword of the Spirit, at hand!  It takes effort on our part but, if we don’t do it, we may not make it home from the battle!  Our faith, built on the word of God, is our only defense against the schemes of the evil one whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). We can’t let our faith fail us!

So, dear intercessors in the trench, let’s remember this month to keep the main thing the main thing. Let’s not focus on how much we can do or how much harder we need to work – we’ll only end up weary, frustrated and ready to throw in the towel…and we still won’t be any more righteous!  Instead, let’s just focus on the most important thing – putting our faith in Christ. As our faith grows, everything else will follow. As we know the word of God and live it out in our lives, we will be convinced of His character, ability and PROMISE to make all things work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Remember, it is our faith that makes us righteous, and God credits this to our heavenly account (Romans 4:3)!  It is the righteous whom He listens to and on whose behalf He acts (James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12). In the words of Andre Crouch, “Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God; Through it all, Through it all, I've learned to depend upon His word.”

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Righteous By Faith,

Karen Warankie
News Director, CIP

PRAISE REPORTS:

- Praise God for the many people that were reached for the gospel of Jesus Christ during the Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler. Testimonies have come in that people were led to the Lord by chaplains, street evangelists, hospitality workers, and prayer teams!

- Give the Lord all the glory for His favour and grace for the success of the fine Canadian Olympics. Our Olympic Team excelled in winning medals and set an Olympic record!

-  Praise God for answered prayer in regards to stopping human trafficking in Canada. A Toronto man and an Edmonton man have been arrested!  Pray that God will continue to rid the nation of human slavery.

- Praise the name of Jesus as approximately one thousand people gathered across Canada to pray specifically for the military. As they prayed Proverbs 25:5, “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” God has exposed the darkness! A high ranking colonel has been arrested for murder, and an ex-chaplain for sex-crimes. Unity in prayer releases authority!

-  Give God the glory for what He is doing in Pangnirtung. Reports have been received of healing and divine protection. A woman’s house was set on fire but it did not burn! A man tried to commit suicide but an angel intervened and stopped him! God word says He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)  Many people are being saved and are testifying of the Lord in their lives. One elder was stricken with depression and strife after mourning the death of many family members but God delivered her and at the age of 90 she began to dance and praise the Lord with no difficulty!  The pastor of the church was healed of a kidney condition and gives God all the glory!

-  Praise God for manifesting His presence in such a mighty way at The Burn in Burnaby. Worship continued for a recorded 27 hours and the presence of God was reported to be like a thick cloud hovering under the ceiling!

-  Give Jesus all the glory for the continued reports of healing at a Toronto Mission. One client experiencing tremendous pain in her back received prayer and instantly the pain left and she felt like dancing!  A DVD presentation of “The Finger of God” touched the hearts of many as five street people came forward to ask for prayer for healing. One woman said it changed her life!

- God continues to pour out His spirit upon a church in Toronto and even the unsaved are feeling the presence of the Lord. Give God the praise!

-  Celebrate the mercy of God! Team members at a church in Toronto prayed for three days for a woman in a coma. The doctors were about to pull out the life support for this woman when she suddenly sat up in bed! The doctors were amazed and asked for the prayer team to come in and continue praying for her full recovery!  Another man experienced a painful hand that was seized up so bad that he had to wear a brace on his fingers. He was prayed for but didn’t notice a change right away. Later that day he was using that hand again to pick up coins and realized he was healed! Praise God!

-  Praise God for the awesome gathering of prayer warriors from different areas of Manitoba on February 19. The river of God flowed as they interceded for families, marriages, the youth, and also the Muslim community. Many experienced a greater intimacy with Christ!

-  God continues to reveal His spirit across the campus of a Toronto University. Give God the praise that the doors are being opened to reaching their Hindu brothers. One Hindu student exclaimed that he wants to continue more enlightening conversations about God. Thank the Lord for the breakthrough and pray that they will come to accept Jesus as their savior. Praise God for a student who returned from a mission trip to Scotland. After witnessing the apathy of the people towards Christianity, he is even more zealous to return to preach the Gospel!

-  Praise God for a Canada In Prayer meeting in Waterloo. Many pastors and prayer leaders attended and shared their passion and desire to see the greater Waterloo area ignited in passion for the Lord. IGNITE CANADA! was well received and the  Lord is stirring excitement for a city wide gathering. God is bringing revival to Kitchener and Waterloo!

Prayer Driven Evangelism

-  Lift in prayer IGNITE CANADA! and the team of Canada In Prayer as they set up a three day gathering in Waterloo, Ontario on March 26,27, and 28, with teaching and prayer. Pray that God will ignite the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo for the glory of God. Intercede for those attending that they will find freedom from bondage and receive tools for prayer and intercession.

-  Cry out to God to water the seeds that were sown into the thousands of lives that heard the gospel of Jesus Christ during the Olympic Games. Pray that the fruit will go forth for eternity.

Prayer Requests

Prince Edward Island

- Lift up in prayer a Youth Spring Retreat being held at a local church on March 26 – 27. Cry out for the hearts of the youth attending that they will be men and women after God’s own heart and repent and turn from the sins and rebellious ways of their generation.

New Brunswick

-  Pray for those attending a service with a speaker on March 4 in Moncton, that their faith will be strengthened and stirred to radical obedience. Pray for revival to break out throughout the city.

-  Intercede with prayer warriors who gather on March 10 in St. Andrews. Pray for the prayers to bear fruit bringing God glory. Pray for a prayer event on March 14 in the Hillsborough area and on March 15 in Moncton. Cry out that God’s spirit will move powerfully in the meetings. Pray that they will be like-minded, having the same love, and in one accord. (Philippians 2:1)  Pray for the faithful prayers of the saints to bear fruit and sweep revival throughout the province. Prayer is being lifted up like a banner!

-  Lift in prayer a musical presentation called Freedom beginning on March 28 in Fredericton. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal the mystery of Christ to the unsaved and they will receive the good news of Christ’s salvation into their hearts.

Nova Scotia

- Lift in prayer the many prayer events that continue to meet faithfully across the province; In Truro on March 8th, Dartmouth on March 12, and Halifax on the 21st. Intercede with them as they cry out for their cities and communities and believe with them for God to manifest Himself powerfully across the province. Pray that God will give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and that the eyes of their understanding will be enlightened to know the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His might power.” Ephesians 1:17-19

-  Cry out for hearts to heed the call of take Jesus to the nations as they attend a Missions conference at a local university in Halifax on March 26 – 28. Pray that hearts will have a greater love to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give them boldness and enable them to fearlessly testify about Jesus Christ, and they will be strong in the LORD and in the power of His Might. (The Bible, Ephesians 6:10,19,20)

Newfoundland & Labrador

- Cry out for a mighty wave of the Spirit to sweep across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pray that apathy and discouragement will be broken and that a greater fervor to pray will ignite believers to cry out for God believing for a revival.

Quebec

- Cry out for a Leaders Conference in Waskagonish on March 26 – 29. Pray that God will perfectly join them together in the same mind and that their will be no divisions among them. Pray that God will grant them perfect peace and that they will eagerly wait upon the revelation of Jesus and respond to His leading. (1 Corinthians 1:3-10)

-  Intercede for the province of Quebec that the spirit of independence will be broken. Pray that the unity of the Holy Spirit and the bonds of fraternal agape love will be strengthened throughout the body of Christ.

Ontario

-  Agree in prayer with a Christian website in Kitchener that they will receive the financial and technical help they need to continue to provide up to date information of fresh material and events as the number of hits of the site continues to grow.

-  Lift in prayer a Promise Keepers gathering called Forever More on March 5 – 6 in London. Pray for the men who will be attending that they will receive a greater awareness of the will of God and that their hearts will be impassioned to seek His will with great fervency.

-  Please pray for God’s protection and covering for a group of staff members from a Toronto Mission and a church as they travel to Haiti on a mission trip. Pray for the presence of God to be upon them and lead them as they minister and care for orphan children.

-  Intercede for those attending a prayer group that meet in Toronto. Pray that God will keep the spirit of unity as they group continues to grow. God is calling His people to unite in prayer!  Pray for greater power and authority in prayer as they continue to meet and lift up the city.

-  Pray for God’s anointing upon a documentary video covering a Spanish Church in Toronto. Cry out for God to be glorified and His purpose to be accomplished as this video is revealed at a national church conference.

-  Cry out for Vintage Conference, a youth movement on March 4 – 6 in Grimbsy. Pray for the many youth attending that they will experience the raw uncut presence of God and stir hearts to fall deeper in love with the Creator.

-  Lift in prayer Regional Worship Night meeting on March 6 in Cambridge. Intercede with those who will be attending an evening of worship, prayer, and scripture reading as they cry out for the region for God to move mightily upon the land. Pray that the Lord will unite the body of Christ will a greater love and purpose to fulfill the will of God.

-  Pray with those gathering to pray for the greater Toronto area on March 6th. Stand in the gap with those and petition for revival and God’s kingdom.

-  Stand in the gap with the many prayer groups through out the Toronto area who meet for prayer:  On March 13^th in Thornhill and on March 19 – 20 in Toronto as prayer warriors gather to pray for 24 hours.

-  Cry out for God to move powerfully as Pastors and Leaders gather to pray on March 16 in the Toronto City Hall. Pray for direction and discernment in prayer as they cry out together for God’s will for the city.

-  Lift in prayer the United Through Worship gathering taking place on a university campus in Toronto on March 19^th. Cry out that God will convict hearts and refresh those who are dry and weary. Believe for those attending that they will encounter a deeper infilling of the Holy Spirit.

-  Pray for the youth that will be gathering for Keep it Real Party on March 27^th at a church in Burlington. Pray for the youth that they will witness a dynamic interaction with Jesus.

Manitoba

-  Intercede with the many pastors and intercessors who continue to gather and pray for the city of Winnipeg and the province. Pray that the watchmen who not keep silent until God establishes His kingdom on earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)  Cry out that the fire of God will burn even brighter.

-  Lift in prayer a Promise Keeper’s Gathering in Winnipeg on March 12 – 13. Cry out for the 2,000 expected men to attend that God’s purposes will be released into their lives, their marriages, families, workplaces, and churches.

Saskatchewan

- Lift in prayer a Church Leadership Conference in Saskatoon on March 6 – 8. Pray that the word of God will go forth uncompromised and that many will rise to a higher caliber in their personal relationship with the Lord.

-  Pray for the youth of Saskatchewan that a love for God will break through the pull of teenage rebellion and stir hearts to a radical faith in Jesus.

Alberta

-  Cry out for the men who will be attending Discipleship Training Unleashed a Promise Keepers conference on March 12 – 14. Pray that the men will be build up in their identity in Christ to walk in confidence and purpose with a greater increase of faith.

British Columbia

-  Pray for a weekend retreat in Vancouver called Renewal Mission & Christ Awakening on March 5 – 7. Cry out for God’s glory to be released and that believers will be enriched in everything by God’s Spirit and in all utterance and all knowledge. (1 Corinthians 1:4)

-  Lift in prayer the many souls that were won for the kingdom of God through the Olympic outreaches in Vancouver and Whistler. Pray that they will take the good news that they received back to their homelands. Cry out for those impacted with the seed of God’s word that it will take root and stir them to seek Jesus with all their hearts.

Nunavut

-  Cry out to God to continue to pour out His spirit on the land. Cry out for the good news of Jesus to reach the lost, the broken-hearted will be healed, and captives set free from bondage. Pray for the believers that they will be strengthened in their faith and that God will raise them up like trees of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

North West Territories

-  Pray for God’s power to transform and renew the body of Christ across the territories. Cry out to Jesus to break off isolation and bring restoration and unity to the body of Christ. Pray for the goodness of God to overflow throughout the north and praise reports will be heard throughout the land.

Yukon Territories

- Cry out to God to ignite a passion to see souls saved. Pray that God will stir hearts to reach out to the lost with a boldness and courage. Intercede that the body of Christ will be strengthened in their faith, walk in righteousness and be fully convinced of the promises of God. (Romans 4:20-21)

Canada

-  Lift in prayer Bill C-268 that has successfully passed through the House of Commons and is being considered by the Senate. If passed, Bill C-268 will bring stiffer penalties to anyone convicted of human trafficking. Pray that God’s righteousness will reign in senate. Pray that Canada will make a stand to eradicate human slavery in our nation.

- Cry out for the many victims of slavery that they will be set free and find healing through the love of Jesus.

-  Pray for the thousands of visitors who travelled from around the world to the Canadian Winter Olympics. Pray for those who have received Christ; athletes and visitors that they will continue to be discipled and grow strong in their faith. Lift in prayer and believe for the seeds sown will reap a harvest for the kingdom of God.

-  Keep in prayer the Journey of Freedom team of representatives travelling across Canada to release forgiveness to the aboriginal community. Stand in the gap for the Aboriginal leaders that they will receive supernatural grace to forgive. Pray that Canada will be blessed abundantly as healing and forgiveness is released throughout the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

- Cry out for our military and leaders of government that they will walk in integrity of conduct. Pray that our leadership will have a moral foundation.(Proverbs 16:12)

- Pray for revival to sweep through our armed forces and pray that all will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dear Friends,

It’s a great day to be dead to the flesh but alive in Christ!

Fellow prayer warriors in the trench, January has been a challenging month of growth for me, complete with lots of Vitamin D(-ying)  and a healthy dose of A(-ffliction)!  I say this with a smile now, but it wasn’t so easy in the process!  I understand more fully now what Jesus meant when he said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:24-25)

As God continues to test our hearts, He is also maturing us and shining His light on the standard He has called us to live up to.  I spent some time fasting this month, as I know many of you did, and the Holy Spirit spoke something very clearly to me through a fellow servant.  He said, “Karen, you’ve been convicted, but now it’s time you have to be convinced.”  I realized that there are many times I have thought, “I really should or shouldn’t do this” or “That’s not God’s character,” but I’ve ignored it and chosen to respond my own way.  I’ve not been convinced of the importance and necessity of walking in obedience to Almighty God in ALL things, and believing His character and what He says at ALL times.  The fact that I did not ‘feel’ guilty or experience negative consequences, or hear a loud voice from God saying “DON’T”, has led me at times to decide that I can just do what I choose, or allow myself to accept the way things appear in the natural as reality instead of standing on what I know to be true, even if I can’t see it or feel it.

So what does it take to be convinced?  “The greatest of these is love.” I have discovered that my greatest desire and my greatest motivator is LOVE.  And I believe that goes for all of us, whether or not we admit it.  It was Paul who said, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)  John said, “We love Him because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)  For me, when I am not convinced of the LOVE of Christ and my FAITH is wavering in that area, my confidence takes a nose dive and I get emotional, confused, and just plain frustrated!  Then HOPE runs out the cracks – I get leaky!  I feel like even my reservoir – my emergency tank – is empty; I can’t see the truth and I can’t hear from God.  And, ultimately, I just get plain tired.  But I’m reminded of what God commands us, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)   So, I realize how important faith, hope and love – and especially love – are.  I am discovering even more how vital it is to stay in the word and be convinced that what Jesus said is true.  We have to know the love of Christ and cannot waiver in our faith in Him that He will do what He said He would do.

In this season when the enemy is coming hard after the people of God and trying to make us weary in well doing, we can’t let our faith fail us.  We can’t forget the un-ending, unconditional, joyful, freeing, overwhelming love of God towards us.  We have to be convinced!   The first step is to humble ourselves and make the choice to afflict ourselves (die to our flesh and obey God).  But the second and most beautiful step is to spend time in the presence of the Lord. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before” (Acts 3:19-20).  I don’t know about you, but I want the Lord to send Jesus to meet me as I spend time in His presence!  So let me encourage you – don’t forget your intimacy!  Don’t forget your refuge and your source of strength!  Don’t forget to just be with Him; ceasing from your labours, your rushing, your striving, and just seeking and enjoying Him.  How can we experience the fullness of someone’s love for us if we never take the time to spend with them and receive it?

Friends, we already know what we need to do.  But now is the test of our hearts to see if we will continue to do it even when the enemy tries everything he can to throw us off track and convince us not to be convinced!  So this month, let’s discipline our hearts and minds to work continually at being convinced of the truth of Christ and His incomparable love for us.  And let’s take some time to give the same love back to Him. In His presence we will find the love, the peace, the truth, the direction, and the JOY that will be our strength for the journey.  Remember…

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Convinced by His Love,

Karen Warankie
News Director, CIP

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him." - Hudson Taylor

Greetings Canada’s Kneeling Army,

I pray that this letter finds you prospering and abiding in the all-sufficient grace of Almighty God’. As we prepare to go into our prayer closets and prayer gatherings, praying with fasting this First Friday February 2010, let us continue to reflect on what “The Fear of the Lord” really means for the spiritual transformation of Canada.

Intercessors, Proverbs 1:7 teaches that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction”. It is therefore   to conclude that the Fear of the Lord is literally a spiritual key opening the door of defining moments; they give witness to the fact that Almighty God is active and working in and through our lives!  Each and every one of us, I am certain, can find at least one or more moments in our lives which bring us back to a full focus on Jesus Christ; a time when our faith is strengthened in the possibilities that are found in the person of Jesus Christ.

Elijah, arguably Israel’s greatest prophet, arrives on the scene when devotion to the true and living God was at an all time low and the “Fear of the Lord” non-existent. Friends, are you having problems imagining Israel at this time?  Just look around our nation today and you will have a pretty good picture of what was taking place. Now let’s keep in mind the prophets of Baal numbered 450 to one faith-filled obedient prophet of the (at the time) unpopular God of Israel. From that defining moment, without contradiction, history proves once again that, “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro through out the whole earth to show Him-self strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

Yes, I know how difficult it can be and how isolated and alone that it feels on the front lines of spiritual warfare. However, this is your “defining moment”. Yes, when you pray by faith and see little or no results it can be “dis-couraging”, but remember that your history is being written and you are literally carving out a defining moment in time. That is exactly why the prophet Elijah’s testimony is so relevant in this decade. I love the way The Message bible conveys James 5:16-18; “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.” The Apostle James, the half-brother of Jesus, also reminds us in James 1:2-8 (The Message), “ 2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. 5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

My brothers and sisters, our faith must be strong enough to “finish the course” to cross the "finish line"!  Almighty God lovingly gives us “divine tests” allowing us the privilege to make "defining moments", which victoriously produce “divine faith" enabling us to accomplish the "divine task". Intercessors, the devil played with Elijah’s mind as he does with so many sincere God-fearing prayer warriors (1 Kings 18:41-46). I can almost imagine the conversation that went on in the prophet’s head:

“You went and told Ahab that God was sending rain and now nothing is happening.” You didn’t really hear from God. This drought is going to continue.”

Sound familiar? You ask, “So what do we do now that we know what’s taking place?”  The first thing we need to do this First Friday is confess, according to James 5:16, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed”, the sin of being more certain about what the devil has been suggesting than the truth of God’s word. Second, as we corporately pray with fasting all over Canada, let us purposely give the Holy Spirit our “earthly license for heavenly intervention”. We have been given authority in Canada; we must also give God a permit to work through our lives. It’s as simple as declaring, “Lord I give you my permission to rule, release revival, and route the enemy in my home, in my church, in my community, and in my country, through “me”! Heaven is waiting for our cooperation and obedience. And finally, we must send our faith up the mountain of “Canada must be Saved” and know on the other side of nothing…there…is… something!

Elijah did not pray just three times, not just four times, not just five times, not just six, but it was on the seventh meeting with God that his servant came back with a little encouragement. He said, “I didn’t see much, but I did see a tiny little cloud, about the size of a man’s hand coming out of the sea.” My friends it was something small, but Elijah knew he had prayed until something happened. Sometimes our "defining moments” are difficult, harsh, and hurtful; sometimes, our "defining moments" are easy, pleasant, and peaceful; but, "Through It All,” Andrae Crouch tell us "we learn to trust in Jesus, we learn to trust in God, we learn to depend upon his Word!" Defining moments are designed to let us know where our hearts are; they are aimed at letting us know where our faith lies! Each defining moment, is also a "deciding moment!” Almighty God is asking us, "Where will we place our faith?”  Are we willing to serve the Lord no matter what?  Friends, it is in these "deciding moments" that we must make a choice that we alone can demonstrate these truths; Greater is He that is and the Lord Omnipotent reigns in Canada!

“Going Again!”

Executive Director, CIP