"You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed." - John Bunyon

A businessman moved into a small town that prided itself on being a "dry" community.He decided to open a bar. He went through all the proper channels and got it ready to open. Then the church gathered together to pray that the Lord would not let this bar open. One day before the drinking hole was about to open, while the church was at prayer, a violent storm arose, and lightening struck the bar burning it to the ground.The businessman sued the church. The church hired a lawyer to argue they had nothing to do with it. After reviewing the case the judge made a preliminary statement, "Whatever the outcome of this case is, one thing has been established very clearly.The bar owner believes that prayer works. The church doesn’t."

 

Greetings Canada’s Kneeling Army,

This month, we once again pause and remember the price that was paid and is being paid for the enormous freedoms that we experience in this great nation of ours today. On this “Remembrance” First Friday, let us reflect on the Canadian heroes of the Great War, World War II, and the many other wars which have paved the road to the war inIraq, and the war that is now being fought in Afghanistan.

Soldiers in the past, as well as today, who were stationed in far away battlefields, were faithful in their generation, but there was not a day when their hearts were not turned homeward bound. Friends, this is also true of you who have been called to intercede. God has placed us here for a brief deployment, and on our watch we serve the purposes of the government of the kingdom of heaven here in Canada, so that Christ’s kingdom will come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Like all of the generations before us, we must remember our mission as stated in Ezekiel 22:30: “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.”

For many of us, it is not that we have abandoned this mission, but we have forgotten the rules of engagement. However, Jesus has not. In Mark 3:14-15, we are reminded, "He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons." In this powerful verse, Jesus gives His disciples authority and power over demons. But now we discover in a short period of time, in chapter 9:14-29, these same disciples arguing with the scribes instead of performing miracles.

What happened? The nine couldn’t do what Jesus had given them authority to do. The scribes began to argue, looking for ways to discredit Jesus.  Ever have that happen to you? The world is watching us to see if we will make similar mistakes. The church is watching us to see if we, like the disciples, will be accused by Jesus of being an “unbelieving generation”.

"Unbelieving" indicates a real lack of faith to heal. When they were apart from Jesus, they lost something. "How long shall I stay with you? How long do I have to be around you? What is it going to take before you get it? But Jesus never gave up on them. He wasn’t condemning them. He was teaching them. Jesus goes right to the heart of the dilemma.He returns from the mount of transfiguration and asks the million dollar question? What are you arguing with them about? A man steps out of the crowd and tells Jesus what is going on. My son is demon possessed. It has robbed him of his speech; Throws him on the ground; He foams at the mouth; Gnashes his teeth; He becomes rigid. It had tried to kill the boy by throwing him into water or fire. In other words, “I brought my boy to the Church ‘BUT’ (behold the underlying truth) the Church could do nothing!!!” Wow! When the disciples couldn’t do anything, this man could have gone home with his boy. But he wanted to see Jesus. Similar to Canadians today, I expect the demons were feeling a little emboldened about this time. Verse 20, "When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth." The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus comes that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Look at the compassion Jesus has for humanity. "How long has he been like this?" Apparently, when the man had brought his son to the nine apostles, he was expecting him to be healed. Now he isn’t so sure. "I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not." Verse 22, “But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.”

Now we get to the whole point of the matter in Verse 23, "If you can?" Jesus’ emphasis here is not on his power but on the man’s faith. "Everything is possible for him who believes." You must have faith to receive. There is also an emphasis on the disciple’s faith. Faith is an active force in the accomplishment of healing. We all believe that Jesus is the healer. But we don’t see everyone healed. But Jesus said everything is possible for him who believes. "I do believe; help me in my unbelief." Who has never experienced faith mixed with doubt? The good news is that Jesus is our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. If we confess our weakness to Him and ask for the faith that is required to accomplish what we ask for, he says in Matthew 17:20, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Even now, intercessors, as your faith has overtaken your fear, before beginning to intercede for the prayer requests this month, stop and confess any unbelief that remains in your heart. Then turn and confess your faith in Jesus – the Author and Finisher of your faith. Now, rise up on His wings and position yourself in the gap, and watch the enemy flee!

Co-labourers, I am confident that you will see miracles, by faith, as you intercede this month. Please let us know here at CIP what you have received personally or have seen happen in the lives around you. Be assured that God is the same yesterday, today and forever!

I Believe,

Brian Warren
Executive Director, CIP

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FROM THE TRENCH:

Dear Friends,

This month, as we move beyond Thanksgiving and into the season of Remembrance, remembering those who have died for our country, I believe we also need to be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate gift that was given for Canada and for its people – Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and his resurrection that brought us from death to life. Let us not forget to remember! Yet, in remembering Christ, it is also necessary that we forget about ourselves. And this is often one of our greatest challenges!

During the early part of last month, I went through a very challenging two weeks where Almighty God was “readjusting” and “realigning” me in a lot of areas. To be honest, it felt like I was in the middle of a storm and my instinctive reaction was to run to the safety of my spiritual ‘cave’ – away from all civilization where I could just focus on myself and nurse my wounds! But God showed me in the midst of it that not every storm is bad, and not every storm is the cause of something we have done wrong, or an attack of the enemy. Sometimes God brings storms into our lives to lift us up to the next level in our walk with him and in the purposes He has for our lives. As I believe Job learned, God tests us not to prove us wrong, but to prove us righteous! Yet in the midst of these storms, I know that I’m not the only who is prone to becoming a “cave dweller”!

Many times when we go through challenging seasons, however short or long they are, it just means that God is dealing with a part of our character, or our communication, or our thought patterns, or our perception, so that He can be glorified in our lives. Though it doesn’t often feel like it, sometimes bad situations are actually good situations in disguise! But in order to bring forth the results that God desires from these seasons and allow Him to move us onward, we’ve got to come out of the cave and into the light (John 3:19-21)!

Many of us have become comfortable in our dark caves, but we’re really missing the big picture. Caves are good for a variety of reasons and serve a purpose for a season, but we can’t stay there. The most common thing we see in caves today is the remains of artifacts and dead men’s bones! There is no life in your cave!

So why do so many people – even we as Christians – end up as cave dwellers? Many times we are driven there by fear. The enemy’s greatest weapon is what many of us have referred to as “condemnation”; those lies in our minds that say, “You’ve failed!” and that cause us to end up feeling sick, tired, anxious, and downright horrible about ourselves. But what is this “condemnation” really associated with? The Bible refers to it as PUNISHMENT. And what does the Bible say about punishment? 1 John 4:18: “…fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

So, punishment is connected to fear, and fear is a result of not being made perfect in love. What is love? Jesus who laid down his life for His friends (1 John 3:16). So if it’s love that we need – the love of Jesus – what are we afraid of that keeps us from knowing and walking in that love?

The most common fear that almost every person on the planet either struggles with or has had to overcome is the fear of man. And it is the fear of man that prevents us from knowing true love – God’s perfect love – and keeps us in our cave. The Cave Dwellers Manual, if there were such a thing, would say that a requirement for cave dwelling is to become so focused on yourself that you can no longer see God or anything else around you. So often we get into this place, and then we can’t seem to get out. We lose sight of who God is, causing us to lose our ability to worship. And when we lose our ability worship, we lose our intimacy. When we lose our intimacy, we become isolated and even more fearful. We care more about what others think than about what God says or what His word promises. That’s when we truly become cave dwellers!

So, what is the solution? Let me give you a few tools to get yourself out of the cave and into the light:

1. Pray Hard! 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to, “Pray without ceasing.” God is looking for those who will humble themselves, confess their need of Him, and cry out for His help. We need to pray like everything depends on Him – because it does!
2. Worship Relentlessly! If you’re having trouble remembering who you’re worshiping, meditate on Psalm 103 and be reminded of how great your God is and all that He has done for you. Speak to your soul like David did, and command it to praise God! Praise takes our eyes off of ourselves and puts them on our Almighty Creator. This breaks the yoke of the enemy and lifts us beyond our situation!
3. Stay in Communication! Don’t let the enemy drive you to isolation. He knows that if he can separate you from the body, then he can weaken you much more easily and get you to believe his lies that much quicker. Seek fellowship with other mature believers, and encourage others (Hebrews 10:25; James 5:16) – you’ll be surprised at how quickly your breakthrough comes when you help someone else get theirs!
4. Keep Working! One of the worst things you can do in the midst of the storm is stop. You’ve got to keep forging ahead! The calling hasn’t changed and there is still work to be done. Don’t give up! Instead of letting your situation distract you from your work, let your work distract you from your situation! (Proverbs 24:33-34; 1 Corinthians 4:12)
5. Don’t Forget to Play! (Psalm 16:11) Often we get so focused on our circumstances and trying to fix or solve them that we forget to enjoy the journey. The enemy wants us to believe that we are not worthy to have joy and that we don’t deserve to have fun. But it’s a lie! Instead of sitting on the couch and wallowing in your woes, get out and do something fulfilling. Don’t ignore the problem, but after you’ve prayed about it, leave it in God’s hands and trust Him with it!
6. Rejoice and Remember! Even before you come out of your cave, praise God for rescuing you! Give Him the glory and rejoice in the victory as He brings you out, and then don’t forget where He’s brought you from. Remember what got you there in the first place and remember what it was that got you out, so that you won’t go there again! (Luke 17:11-19)

Friends, you are settlers in the Promised Land, not cave dwellers! You will have seasons in the cave, but don’t stay there. The purpose for the cave is to discover who you really are. God uses these seasons of “visiting” the cave to show us the truth about what is in our hearts, and to help us break free from that and move us into the greater purposes He has for our lives – the spacious land that He desires us to settle in.

Fellow prayer warriors, this month as we remember those who have fought and died for our freedom in this country, let’s make an effort to take our focus off of ourselves, step out of our cave and into the light, and remember our great and mighty God who has fought and died for our freedom in His kingdom. When we finally see the big picture, we’ll realize that Jesus has been in our boat the whole time (Matthew 8:23-26)!

4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

 

(2 Corinthians 6:4-10)

Out of the Cave and into the Light,

Karen Warankie
News Director, CIP

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PRAISE REPORTS:

- We remember those Veteran’s who faithfully served Canada in wars past, and continue to thank God for those who are currently serving our nation overseas. We pray that Almighty God will protect them and watch over their families at this time.

- Praise God for what is taking place at the Scott Mission in Toronto, ON! He has shown Himself faithful to move through the various departments that reach out to the lost in the community, and the results are astounding. There have been over 80 salvations in the past month, including many people from different cultures andreligious backgrounds! Their youth department has seen God’s spirit moving in a mighty way; a Muslim accepted Christ as his savior, a gang member gave his heart to the Lord and an atheist now believes in God! They are also seeing God’s Spirit move in the hearts of many homeless in the morning chapel services, and He is restoring hope to the hopeless and mending hearts! The Spirit of God is restoring men through the arts as well. Praise God for the vision that He is instilling into all of the staff members. Please continue to pray with them that God’s love will transform the hearts and minds of everyone in their region and that they will see revival in their community.

- Rejoice in the Lord with believers from Truro, NS who are thankful that God has shifted their focus off of themselves and on to Christ and His assignment for their church and community. God has been bringing people across their path that need to hear the gospel message of God’s love toward sinners!

- Give glory to God for three major events that took place in Winnipeg, MB last month. There was a powerful display of God’s unity and many experienced His joy and healing at the various events. Believers were equippedon how to reach the lost, and also went deeper in their worship to God.

- Rejoice in the Lord for the new YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base that launched in Steinbach, MB. Many believers from the South Pacific Islands came to impart what has been happening there, here. Praise God that manyChristians are revived and trusting and believing God for breakthrough! Pray that the convergence of the events will continue to have a lasting impact on Manitoba for decades to come.

- Celebrate what God is doing among young people at a local High School in Burlington, ON. He is raising up a generation of students who are willing to pray! Every Monday morning, groups of students participate in prayer walks around their school, and many are excited to see how God is moving. They are seeing positive changes in their classrooms and in other student’s lives as well. The students continue to pray and stand boldly for Him, and now others are beginning to notice their daily efforts!

- Praise God for believers in Pangnirtung, Nunavut that continue to be transparent at church. They have been sharing stories of how God is moving in their lives, and it is encouraging the body of Christ. They report that the Holy Spirit wants to flow in and through them, and He is doing it!

- Praise God for a local church in Ottawa, ON that is having their 5th Water Baptism service in the past 3.5 years.Many people are making public declarations of their faith in Christ Jesus.

- Praise God for believers in Victoria, BC who have seen 21 people come to know the Lord in the past few months, and most of them have been men! They have also reported that miracles are taking place and souls are coming to Jesus for the first time! They are so thankful for His goodness at work in their lives and region. Please pray that God will continue to draw more men from every sector of society into His kingdom for His glory this year.

- Praise God for 2 former Muslims baptized in a local church in Richmond. The testimonies were so amazing that many were touched and encouraged in their faith and stirred to make a commitment to receive Christ and be baptized.

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Prayer Driven Evangelism

- Intercede with Focus On The Family’s leadership team as they host their Parenting Simulcast Conference onNovember 14th. Pray that many parents and church leaders will gather together to receive wisdom and practical insights on how to overcome the challenges of parenting in today’s culture.

- Stand in the gap for Global MissionFest that is taking place in Montreal, QU on November 13th – 15th. Cry out the event will assist the Church in Québec to gather in the harvest and celebrate what God is doing.

- Intercede with believers from Smeaton, SK who will be hosting a guest evangelist on November 1 – 4. Pray that all in attendance will experience the power of the Holy Spirit much like in “old-time revival” meetings in the past.Pray that many will come out and hear the good news of Jesus Christ and be saved.

- Please join in prayer with a student ministry at a local university in Toronto, ON. Pray that the Holy Spirit will grant the leadership team wisdom, understanding and the right words to share His truth with non believers. Pray that they will have creative ideas and witty inventions in communicating God’s truth to a dying world.

- Please pray with a local church in Ottawa, ON as they are making preparations with builders to settle a piece of land for their building project. Pray for God’s favour to be with them, that God will supply all their needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Pray for the harvest, that many will come to know the love of God through the acts of kindness this local church is showing, and be lead to repentance through Christ.

 

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Prayer Requests

Prince Edward Island

- Call on God for the saints across P.E.I. to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that they may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might according to His glorious power” (Colossians 1:9-11)

New Brunswick

- Pray for the many youth attending the Superbowl Youth Rally in Moncton on November 6^th. Cry out to God that the gospel message will go forth unhindered and all unsaved youth will receive Christ as their Savior.

Nova Scotia

- Stand in the gap with believers at a local church in Truro. Agree with them that God’s light will dispel the darkness, and that the Holy Spirit will rise up inside of them and declare the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness and into His glorious light. (1 Peter 2:9) Pray that their focus will be on Christ and His mission.(Matthew 6:33) Pray that God will increase in the lives of believers and that they will decrease.

- Pray for the body of Christ in Nova Scotia that many will shake off the weights that so easily entangle them, and that they will run the race that God has set before them with patient endurance. (Hebrews 12:1) Pray that many will respond to God saying, “Here I am Lord, send me,” and that through their obedience the king of glory will be lifted high and draw many unto Himself.

- Please stand in agreement with believers in the Cumberland, Colchester and Musquodoit Valley area as they head to the polls to vote on November 9^th. Pray that God’s righteousness will prevail and that God’s perfect will to be done in Nova Scotia as it is in heaven.

Newfoundland & Labrador

- Please pray for a Ladies Enrichment Evening in St. John’s on November 10^th. Intercede that many young women will attend and receive Jesus’ love for them. Pray that hearts will be encouraged and enriched and strengthened in faith.

Quebec

- Cry out to God for the Woman Alive Conference happening in Montreal on November 7^th. Pray that God willpour out His Spirit over this conference and that many lives will be changed by His glory.

- Pray for the Extraordinary Women’s Conference taking place in Montreal on November 14^th. Pray that God willbring refreshing to many women, and that His Holy Spirit will speak to them, empower them and surround them with the right people that will help them carry out their callings.

Ontario

- Cry out to God for the Unite In Worship Conference taking place in Toronto on October 31 – November 1. Pray that many believers will be educated, equipped and ready to lead their churches to a deeper revelation of who God is, and that they will take the gospel message to their communities.

- Please continue to lift up students who attend an after school Christian group in Burlington in prayer. Pray thateveryone will continue to experience growth in their personal walk with God, and that revival will spread to others from every background and age group. Pray for wholehearted devotion to God, and that God will continue tostrengthen them in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

- Please pray for MissionFest’s annual meeting that will be happening in Toronto on November 7^th. Pray thatGod’s Spirit of wisdom will be present as the committee gathers.

- Intercede for the benefit concert with MissionFest that is happening on November 20^th in Toronto. Pray that everyone in attendance will celebrate God’s goodness for the past 15 years of ministry.

- Please pray with believers at a local urban mission in Toronto. Agree with them that they will see the poor healed and the homeless saved. Cry out to God that all of the workers will be filled with the Holy Spirit and that they will have the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace as they continue to make the Kingdom of God their primary concern. Ask God to do a quick work in the lives of many addicts and that the power of God will be poured out to heal many who are wounded. Cry out with them for transformation to take place in many lives for the glory of God, and pray that the joy of the Lord will be their strength in times of suffering, producing much growth and fruit.Intercede for the arts that God’s spirit will rise up with power in the hearts of those involved in the arts to display and proclaim His glory to a lost and dying world around them. Praise God in advance for the truth that He is depositing into hungry hearts, that it will produce a harvest of righteousness in the GTA!

Manitoba

- Stand in the gap and intercede for the city of Winnipeg, declare that God’s light will shine through the darkness and never be extinguished. (John 1:5) Pray that believer’s will unify together, standing strong in the Lord with His mighty power. (Ephesians 6:10) Praise God in advance for His righteousness to increases in their region. Pray that God will grant Christians more boldness, hope, joy, and love as they minister to those in their region. Stand in agreement for a tsunami wave of His Spirit to flow through this province until we see a great harvest come into the kingdom of God for His glory.

- Please pray for pastors and intercessors who will be meeting for prayer on November 3^rd in Winnipeg. Pray thatGod’s Spirit will be poured out over them as they press in to God to see His purposes and plans established inWinnipeg.

- Please pray for the Niverville Prayer Centre (located in Niverville) as many Christians gather together throughout the month to seek God’s face and cry out for His glory to be poured out in hearts, the community and the nation for His glory!

Saskatchewan

- Cry out that God will be glorified through all the events and gatherings that take place at a local church in Smeaton.

Alberta

- Cry out to God for His mercy and grace to cover over Central Alberta. Pray that as believers are walking through aseason of pruning that they will endure to the end and reap a harvest of righteousness for His glory. Pray forbelievers in small communities, that God’s love will compel them to keep running the race that He has set before them. Pray that many will not forsake their times of meeting together, rather, that God’s Spirit will continue to draw them together in unified praise and worship. Pray that the righteous foundations that were laid in the past willcontinue to be built by believers today.

- Cry out to God for believers in Alberta, that they will rise up and be equipped to live out God’s purpose and plan for their lives. Pray that they will hunger after His word and stand on His promises until victory comes! Pray that God’s anointing will help sooth the wounds of the past and enable many to let go and move forward in the mighty name of Jesus. Pray that believers will be hunger for God.

- Cry out to God for many young people, that their eyes will be opened to the truth of who they are, and who’s they are - GOD’S precious children!

- Cry out to God for a Hutterite community in AB, pray that believers will have the opportunity to build relationships with those who do not know the Lord and that the Holy Spirit will continue to reveal the Father’s loveto these people.

British Columbia

- Cry out for God’s will to be done through the various government leaders and workers in British Columbia. Pray that God will strategically place the right people in the different positions to bring forth His righteousness in B.C.

- Pray that the Lord’s river of life will flow through this province, granting His Church wisdom on how to stand and fight for the victory.

- Cry out to God for the “One Voice Conference” that took place in Vancouver last month. Pray that churches will continue to walk in the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace and make His Kingdom their primary concern.

- Please pray for Cityscape Prayer Ministries and the National House of Prayer as they prepare to teach, ministerand impart wisdom at their conference on November 12 – 14 in Qualicum Beach. Cry out for those in attendance that they will awaken to what the Holy Spirit is saying to His Church in this hour, and be strengthened andmobilized to gather in the harvest. Pray that many will go to a deeper level of intercession. Lift in prayer a local church in Richmond who has been seeing many muslims come to know the Lord. Pray that He will be strong in the Lord and in power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10) Please cry out that Muslims will come to know the truth that Jesus is Lord and that they will taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:8).

Nunavut

- Praise God for believers in Pangnirtung who are going deeper in the walks with the Lord. Pray that they willcontinue to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and love their neighbour as themselves.(Luke 10:27)

- Stand in the gap for believers who are attending healing workshops from now until the middle of November, pray that the Holy Spirit will do a deep work of restoration in the hearts and minds of many in Pangnirtung.

- Cry out to God for many families in Nunavut that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction, correction and love to those who are seeking Him. Pray for the next generation, that they will take a step of faith to trust God with their lives and be amazed at what He will do with individuals who’s hearts are fixed on Him.

North West Territories

- Pray for Christians that the Holy Spirit will bring comfort, courage and peace as they serve the Lord. Pray that their love will abound more and more in knowledge and discernment and their walk in Christ will be sincere and without offence. (Philippians 1:9-10)

Yukon Territories

- Pray for the Yukon with the highest population of atheists and agnostics in Canada that God will send forth missionaries to reach them.

- Cry out to God that intercessors will rise up and ‘cast down their nets’ and believe for a harvest of souls coming to Christ.

Canada

- Intercede for the body of Christ that they will walk in the spirit and keep in step with the spirit. Pray that His Church will be moldable clay in the Potter’s Hands, and that they will remain sensitive to His heart and be willing to step out in faith and confidence in Him as He leads.

- Cry out for the body of Christ that God’s strong love will cover over a multitude of offenses, and that many willkeep no record of wrong. (1 Corinthians 13:5) Pray for God’s healing anointing to minister to those in need, and that many will get a fresh revelation of the great commission “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19 – 20)

- Pray that the Body of Christ in Canada will let go of the past and move forward to what lies ahead, and walk in thestrength and power that God has already given to us through Jesus Christ on the cross.