"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!”

 

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FROM THE TRENCH:

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

 

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PRAISE REPORTS:

-  Praise God for the safe return of 17 students, a Pastor, and several adult chaperones from a mission trip to Haiti. Though they landed shortly before the horrific earth quake that devastated much of Haiti not one hair on their heads was harmed!  The Slocan Valley, BC youth were inspired to help, giving their spending money away to buy food for the Haitians and helped clean up debris before their return to Canada. Despite their ordeal, many of the students plan on raising the funds to return again. “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8

-  Give God the glory for favor and provision for Scott Mission in Toronto, ON. One year ago they had a million dollar deficit but today they have a surplus!  God is moving through their worship services and they have witnessed God’s healing and power. A staff member reported that he followed Gods’ leading down an alley way and surprised a man who was assaulting a woman, he chased the man away only suffering a cut on his arm. A 77 year old woman suffering with a broken foot received prayer and amazed her doctors at her speedy recovery. Another woman received prayer for cold symptoms and she reported the symptoms went away.

- Praise God for what the Holy Spirit is doing in the lives of youth at a church in North York. Testimonies are coming in of young people prophesying, having visions and experiencing deliverance. These youth are so on fire for God that they are boldly witnessing their faith in restaurants and on the subways!

-  Give God praise for the awesome things He is doing in Pangnirtung, NU. Youth are now praising God together with their elders. Traditional strongholds are being broken!  God is revealing His glory to the youth with signs and wonders!

- Celebrate with a Messianic congregation in Toronto, ON, that also experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence over their young people. 2 Chronicles 20:17 “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem.” This is the word the Lord gave them!

-  Give God the glory for the 7,000 people that attended the “One Heart” Gathering in Winnipeg, MB. The Lord stirred the hearts of Manitobans from various churches as they came together in unity to gather in His presence. Extra sections had to be opened to accommodate the overflow of people!  God poured out His Spirit and drew the body of Christ together in unity and love.

-  Praise God for the turnout to Ryerson University’s evangelistic campaign called “Something’s Broken”. Over 225 students attended filling the room to over-flowing. Testimonies from non-Christians shared how the message changed their lives!

- Rejoice with what God is doing in Burlington, ON, as reports are coming in of physical healing. A woman who suffered from vertigo in her ear and swollen lymph nodes received prayer and reported immediate healing!

-  Praise Jesus for churches across Canada that took part in Awakening; 21 days of Fasting and experienced a deeper intimacy their Lord and Savior!

- Give God the glory for the many reports of prayer events happening all across Canada. Give God praise for the faithful who are taking up the banner of prayer!

 

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Prayer Driven Evangelism

- Pray for the outreach ministries of “More Than Gold” in Vancouver, BC that will be organizing outreaches at various Olympic sites. Pray for God’s favor that many will be reached with the gospel and revival will break out on Olympic ground!

- Intercede with a gathering on February 19^th – 20^th in Etobicoke, Ontario as they meet for 24 hours of worship, praise and prayer and a seminar on evangelism. Pray that God will raise up labourers for the harvest with boldness of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. (Matthew 9:35-38)

 

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Prayer Requests

Prince Edward Island

- Lift in prayer a couple’s seminar called “10 Great Dates” in Charlottetown beginning on February 12^th. Pray for marriages to be rekindled with a divine love for each other.

New Brunswick

-  Lift in prayer The Truth Project, a 12 week bible study in Stellarton that begins in February. Pray for believers that their faith will increase and become firmly grounded in God’s truth. “..the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18)

-  Intercede with believers as they meet for prayer events in St. Andrews, Petitcodiac, Moncton, and Hillsborough on February 10 – 15^th. Pray for God’s agenda to direct them as they intercede and cry out for their cities.

Nova Scotia

- Lift in pray “Pearls of Wisdom” a women’s gathering in Dartmouth on February 12^th. Pray for the women that they will receive a download of God’s wisdom and discernment.

- Intercede for believers and non-believers who will be attending a 3 day service with a guest speaker on February 20^th – February 22^nd in Dartmouth. Pray for God’s Spirit to lead the service and cry out for hearts to be thirsty for God’s word and hearts will be transformed.

- Pray for believers attending a prayer seminar titled Intercessory Prayer on February 13^th in New Glasgow. Pray that they will receive a greater revelation of the Spirit of God and the power of prayer. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought...” (Romans 8:26)

Newfoundland & Labrador

-  Pray for the various marriages enrichment events that are going on throughout the province on February 12 – 14th. Pray for relationships to be deepened in love, and soaked in forgiveness.

Quebec

-   Pray with believers who are meeting on February 13^th and February 27^th in Westmount for an evening of intense prayer. Cry out for strongholds to be broken over their city. Pray that there will be no divisions in the body of Christ but that the Church will be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1Corintians 1:10)

-  Cry out for the Muslims of Quebec that Jesus will reveal Himself to them through signs and wonders

Ontario

- Pray for the Narrow Road Conference in Toronto on February 12^th – 13^th. Intercede for those attending that they will receive a greater revelation of the narrow road that leads to life. Pray that the speakers will be lead by the Holy Spirit and that the message will go forth unhindered.
- Intercede for a men’s campus ministry at a university in Toronto. Pray that the student’s theological convictions will be deepened in faith and that they will form bonds and relationships with each other as they share their faith. Ask God to give wisdom and direction to the leaders and that they will hear clearly the Holy Spirit’s leading. Pray that the students will have boldness of faith and courage to share Christ with their friends in love and gentleness.

- Please join in prayer with intercessors throughout the Kitchener – Waterloo area on February 13^th for a Day of Prayer for the twin cities. Cry out to God to touch the city in a mighty way and lift up the saints in prayer that they will “…in gentleness, with longsuffering, bear with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)
- Cry out to God for the National Christian Law Student Conference on February 18^th – 21^st in Ottawa. Pray Colossians 3:2 over our future representatives of our legal system that they will “set their minds on things above.” Pray that God will give them a divine perspective and greater discernment of God’s wisdom.
- Pray for “Being Evangelical in a Complex World” a Christian Leaders Conference taking place in Belleville on February 16^th. Cry out to God for the leaders attending that they will be refreshed and rekindled in their faith and filled with a greater anointing of the Holy Spirit.

- Please pray for the teens and youth workers who will be attending “Today’s Teens Conference” in Oakville on February 20^th. Pray that they will receive the training they need to reach a higher level of commitment in serving God and presenting the gospel of Christ.

Manitoba

-  Pray that the fire that was ignited in the hearts of Manitobans who attended the “One Heart” Gathering in Winnipeg will continue in greater measure to burn brightly. Declare and believe that there will be future gatherings and pray for the Lord’s strategies for the leaders. Pray that God will raise up intercessors to lift the banner of prayer and believe for a great awakening across the nation.

-  Lift in prayer a church in Winnipeg, which suffered substantial water damage to their sanctuary. Pray that the two churches that use the facility will find an alternate gathering place. Praise God for how God is drawing the body of Christ together in greater unity.

Pray that the church will receive greater revelation of His love and purpose in their lives as they experience the faithfulness of God.

Saskatchewan

- Pray for the saints in Smeaton that they will “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)

-  Cry out to God for a Youth event in Hepburn called Fixated on February 5 – 7. Pray for the high school aged youth attending that they will fix their eyes on Jesus, and allow Him to be the author and perfecter of their faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

-  Lift in prayer “Make it Count” Youth Quake in Caronport on Feb. 19 – 21. Pray that the youth will experience God’s presence as they press into Him in worship. Cry out to God that they will be lead to repentance and surrender fully to the will of Christ for their lives.

- Intercede for “The Journey Saskatoon” on February 17^th, 2010 that forgiveness will flow and release the First Nation people to forgive the government of Canada for past abuses in residential schools. Pray for the Leaders representing First Nations as they travel coast to coast to promote an official acceptance of Prime Minister Harper’s 2008 forgiveness speech.

Alberta

- Intercede with believers who will be attending Missions Fest Alberta on February 19 – 21^st in Edmonton. Pray that they will receive God’s direction and leading as they submit to serving Him to the nations.

- Lift in prayer One Heart Calgary which will be gathering on February 22^nd. Pray for the pastors, leaders, and intercessors attending that God will bring them together in unity and love for one another as they seek His will and direction in prayer.

- Cry out to God for In Vision Citywide Youth Rally on February 25 - 27 in Edmonton. Pray that the youth will encounter God’s Spirit in a powerful way and be stirred to walk out their faith boldly fully surrendered to Jesus.

- Pray for a Ministers District Conference on February 9^th – 11^th in Banff. Pray that the leaders will be spiritual refreshed and encouraged.

- Cry out to God for marriages to be strengthened at a Marriage Retreat in Canmore on February 5 – February 6^th. Pray for couples to receive clear teaching and tools to help them thrive in their relationship, and allow God to be the head of their marriage.

British Columbia

- Intercede with the Keats Island International Prayer Centre outreach ministry as they prepare outreach efforts during the Winter Olympics from February 12 - 28th in Vancouver. Pray for God’s favor as they plan worship events and prayer opportunities throughout each day and for other. Cry out for the 300,000 plus expected visitors and athletes from all over the world that they will respond to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Pray that the nations will put their hope in His name. (Matthew 12:21)  Believe and declare for a harvest of souls for the kingdom of God.

- Cry out for Burn 24-7 a global movement of 27 non-stop hours of worship and prayer in Burnaby on February 17^th – February 18^th. Intercede with them as they cry out to Jesus to awaken a hunger for the Lord’s presence in the region and in our nation. Pray for the fire of revival to be stoked and pray for revival to break out as God’s people humble themselves and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, then will they hear from heaven and God will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

- Please pray for a teaching ministry that will be hosting a teaching school on intercession in B.C. on February 25-27^th. Pray for the word to be anointed of God and that fresh revelation of prayer and teaching will re-kindle prayer for revival and to see a harvest of souls.

Nunavut

- Please pray for ‘It’s Time’ Arctic Ladies Conference in Iqaluit on February 26^th – February 27^th. Cry out for God’s Spirit to be free to flow and minister to the many women attending. Pray that God will fill those who thirst. “…I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water” Isaiah 41:18

North West Territories

-  Cry out for believers that their faith will be strengthened and not be discouraged. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11)

Yukon Territories

- Pray that the walls of apathy and cynicism will come down so people will see the truth of the gospel. Cry out for the church body that they not grow weary but in due season will reap a harvest. (Galatians 6:10)

Canada

-  Intercede for the First Nation people of Canada. Pray that all the plans of the enemy will be cut off and that God’s plans will succeed. Cry out for a team of first nation representatives travelling from coast to coast speaking on reconciliation to the First Nation people that forgiveness will flow and bring healing to the generations. Pray for hearts to be softened to receive an official government apology which will take place in Ottawa in June. Intercede that they will have success, favor and continual open doors throughout the land.

- Lift in prayer the many Canadian relief organizations that are distributing food and medical supplies for Haiti. Pray God’s protection over the workers and doctors who have responded to this disaster. Ask God to give them wisdom and pray for favor and provision. Declare that Canada will be a healing to the nations. (Revelation 22:2)

- Pray with Unite Canada 2010 24/7/365 a National Prayer initiative that has committed to 24 hour prayer for 365 days for Canada!

- Let us together stand on guard for our nation and believe for God to do incredible things in our country. “Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.” Zechariah 10:1

- Cry out for this nation for revival. Reports are coming in that people are being stirred by the Holy Spirit to press in to God with a greater fervency in prayer for a great awakening.