The Upper Room

Prayer for Israel

A friend recently informed me of a  new site that targets prayer for Israel.  As readers of this blog know that prayer for Israel is heavy on my heart.  If you are like me, then this site has everything you are looking for.  Not only is there up to date information but audio and video messages as well.

You can visit the Israel Prayer center Here.

Pray for Europe

Peter Greig (24 -7 Prayer) gives us a wonderful call to prayer.  These are the things that are very much on my heart.  Please be in prayer and keep watch for future vids on the 24 - 7 blog.

Prayerful thoughts

I came across this thought in the book, Red Moon Rising:

"So much of our faith, if we are not careful, can be second-hand experience. We listen to talks that tell us what to think. We read books that inspire us with other peoples experiences of God. But alone with God in a prayer room, it's time to get the bible open for yourself, going straight to the source."

What do you think, is your faith largely second-hand experience?

A conferance worth attending: 24 by 7 prayer

This year the 24 by 7 national prayer gathering (U.S.A) will be in Minneapolis (May 21st to 24th).  The location will be Northwestern college. This looks like it will be a cracking event.  If any blog friends are planning to attend please let me know. I would love to get together.

If you are interested in attending click HERE.

Campus America

Could this be a nation changer?  Check out this vid on Campus America.

Air Strikes in Gaza

As many of you are aware Israel has finally responded to the months of missile attacks from Gaza.  On the Sabbath when Hamas was not expecting it a massive Israeli air assault took place.  It has clearly caught Hamas by surprise.  Even as I type the Israeli army is moving it's troops into positions that could be used for a ground offensive.

Our guest blogger from Israel has kindly given us an update. Clearly this is a call to pray.

Living on this earth, balancing our citizenship in heaven with that of our nations, we know that we are given much responsibility to pray. 

 

Less then 10 minutes ago I began to hear a constant 'roar' overhead that sounded like heavy planes.  I went out, and sure enough it was.  I checked YNET.  Nothing.  While I scanned the articles the update popped up "11:46 - Report: Israeli air force attacks Gaza City".  6 minutes had passed since I heard the planes.

This is such a complicated prayer need and I am not being thorough; I know that He will lay on your heart what your part might be:

 

          There has been MUCH debate over 'what to do' since the collapse of the 'somewhat' cease fire.  Hamas appears to be 'egging us, on 'Come and get me, just try after you failed so miserably in Lebanon'.  The 'International Community' is writhing with animosity toward Israel and is poised to stand with those who have been shelling our southern communities daily.  The government itself is weak and divided.  (there go more planes) 

           

           Iran (our sworn and mocking enemy, the prince of Persia) launched a 'shipment of humanitarian aid' to Gaza this morning stating that it will break the sea blockade imposed by Israel.  The ship is scheduled to arrive on our shores in 12 days.

           Our soldiers, young, our children, many of them believers, 6 from our kehila, are on the front lines, and Gilad Shalit, the young soldier who was kidnapped by hamas at the beginning of the Lebanon war, remains in Gaza.

We also do not forget the lives and salvation of our enemies.

 

I know that The Holy Spirit will direct those of you called to pray for Israel, into His direction in prayer.    

 

UPDATE: FLORIDA HURRICANE

Below is a recent update from our friends Pastor Paul & Sandy Golden from Alvin, TX  (Houston area). Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to minister to hurricane victims.  Thank you.

UPDATE:

"...Freddiesville... was devastated by Hurricane Ike. Freddiesville sits off of SH-6 just North of where SH-6 meets Interstate 45 and our church has become very involved in helping them since just after the storm up to the present time.

My church, Light Christian Center, in Alvin was introduced to this community as they assisted Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse International Relief organization (http://www.samaritanspurse.org) as a relief center beginning immediately following the storm. Our church served by gathering applications for relief assistance from the citizens, going out and assessing the damage to determine the work force needed to meet the needs and then assembling teams to help the citizens of the Alvin/Gulf Coast area recover from the storm.

I have been so proud of how our small church has stepped up to make a big impact and help meet the needs of Alvin and the surrounding area during and after the storm. Our church slogan is "People Touching People" and that is what they have been doing literally everyday since the storm.

When they went out to this community they could not believe what they saw. Freddiesville is a low-income to middle class subdivision community right on the coast that received a pounding from the storm surge. There are many homes in this community that are still without utilities due to the extensive damage. Government assistance has been slow or non-existent for many of the families. Many homes that did survive intact were badly flooded and the home owners lost most all of their possessions. For example, one family that we have grown particularly close to is living in what’s left of their tool shed, with a generator since their home was destroyed. The wife drives to Houston to work in the Galleria area and her husband is fighting cancer of the esophagus."

PRAY FOR:

"… On Christmas Eve we are hoping to bless this community with door to door delivery of at least 150 Crock Pots and a box of non-perishable groceries to go with each. In addition, we are currently gathering a wish list from the community kids in hopes of getting them all a Christmas present - we have 225 names of kids to purchase for. One little seven year old girl said she wanted a light bulb for Christmas. Her home is still without power so you can imagine the darkness has been traumatic for a young girl that age.

In addition to the 150 pots and groceries we are also collecting the following: Coffee Pots, Irons, Heaters, Silverware, Washer/Dryer, Dishes, Pots/Pans, Towels/Wash Cloths, Blankets, Tables/Chairs, Microwaves, Refrigerators, Stoves, Sofas, Bedding/New pillows, Beds, Household Decorating Items (pictures, mirrors), etc..."

PRAISE REPORT:

• "What started as a desire by our church to feed a few families a meager meal for Thanksgiving turned into a huge Thanksgiving feast paid for by Valero and cooked by the Lighthouse Charity Team for 400 people. "

• "Local 10 year old boy told guests not to bring him gifts for his birthday party but instead bring items for us to distribute to the Freddiesville community."

• "A local Chiropractor clinic took all payments for one day in the form of food and items and donated for us to use for this community."

• "GAP handed out 250 bags of personal hygiene items with us to this area."

• "Sunday, 11/30, a family drove from The Woodlands to deliver to our church in Alvin some bedding supplies and clothes for this community. A 120+ miles round-trip drive."

AREA PRESS COVERAGE:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ike/galveston/6130822.html http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8a160fe137ad4940 http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=e01cc9af98484a49

Nairobi Prayer Spotlight: Pastor James & Pastor Elijah

A number of weeks have gone by since the last prayer update for our dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ in Kenya.   At this time, your prayers are greatly appreciated. 

Please pray for the following:

Pastor James  (Light Christian Church)

• Financial support for the food program for students and orphans.

• The means to build a fence (as required by the local government), around the church compound to protect the children from further attacks.

• Due to the economy, many parents have not been able to pay a small fee for their children to attend the church school - therefore, the teachers have not gotten their allowances and may not return for the New Year term.

• The church school has a good reputation in the community and more children are expected to attend, however, there is a shortage of building space and even basic materials like chalkboards, books, etc.

• PRAISE!!!!  Thank you to those praying for the students who took their national exam for secondary education.  Pastor James said that some of the 8 students passed their exam.  This is vital as there are limited openings for secondary education.   And succeeding in the secondary education will give them a chance to go to university - and perhaps move beyond poverty...  Those failing have one more chance in a year's time to retake the exam, otherwise they will have to have vocational training.

• PRAISE!!!  Pastor James is feeling better.  He had been suffering a severe infection due to the poor water conditions.  In the slum they are not on city water (which must still be boiled to be drinkable...), but instead have borehole water, which could bring the onset of cholera.

Pastor Elijah  (Christian Grace Ministries)

• Presently, Pastor Elijah has enough funds to last for only a few weeks to provide food for the widows and orphans in his ministry - and his own family.

• The widows continue to make paper bags to sell to the markets for shoppers, however, that money will also be non-existent in a few weeks.

NOTE:  As in the rest of the world, the economical crisis is taking it's toll, especially on those already living in poverty.  Currently the price of a 2kg (4 lbs.) bag of flour is 120 Kenya shillings - or $1.51 US dollars.  This may be inexpensive to us, in the West, however it is the equivalent of 1-2 days pay for them.  (Over 50% of Kenyans live on less than $1 per day.)  People in poverty-stricken countries lose many family members due to AIDS and other diseases.  Unemployment is high and life expectancy is short (approx. 50 years in Kenya).  Therefore, most families may have no other working relatives to help.

Thank you again for your prayers! 

Dawn

Below 3 photos:  Widows' ministry called "Grace & Mercy Self-Help Group". Pastor Elijah & Ireen & family. (Children now ages 15-6 years old.) 

Nairobi Prayer Spotlight: Students

Please pray for these 8 children who will be taking a National Exam the third week of November. They have had 8 years of primary education in the church, and now it is time to take an exam to pass to secondary education. The secondary level is vital to these children in order to continue their education and ultimately go to university. There are only a limited number of secondary schools for which they must compete, and must core high marks in order to secure a place. Not only that, but their fee will be based on how well they do. The Government only subsidizes a very small amount.

If they do not pass the exam, they are able to take a remedial year and retake the exam. If they fail again, only vocational schooling would be available. This would include classes in carpentry and masonry. Some children only end up as lowly house and garden workers. Others end up on drugs and in poverty, and the girls marry very young.

The teachers in this church have done an amazing job to get these children to this point! Three of these eight students are orphans, and all of them live in extreme poverty. God has truly shown his Father heart to them!

As you pray for them, please remember to continue to pray for Pastor James’ health. He will be having more tests, but at this point, the doctor at the hospital has diagnosed him with serious infections due to the unclean water. Most water in the slum comes through bore-holes. If the water from the city system must be boiled in order to drink, how much worse must this bore-hole water be?! The doctor has recommended he move to a better accommodation. Next door to the church is a house for rent which pipes in city water. However, it is more expensive than the $140USD they pay for the house they are in now. As Pastor James stated in his email “Remain on your knees for my sake”.

Please consider leaving a comment to encourage the children and Pastor James.  Even a Scripture or "I'm praying for you!"  would mean so much.  Thanks!

GREETINGS FROM THE CHILDREN TO OUR BLOG READERS!!

PRAYER SPOTLIGHT NAIROBI: Erick & Christine

This is the latest prayer request from Pastor James.  For those of you who would like to pray for these people, please also consider leaving a comment of encouragement, scripture, or just a comment saying that you are praying for them.  Pastor James will print out the comments later and read them to those in the request as he may need to translate into Swahili for them.

For those of you who were praying for Brother Hamilton (from Oct. 2nd post) - not only was Brother Hamilton encouraged to see your comments, but God has already begun to answer prayers!!!

Pastor James said:

"Bro Hamilton got a job,in fact more than three jobs came at ago until the bro.was asking the congregation during a Sunday service last week......... which one to take !!.... he was walking miracles and jobs were following him. He is now working in an office furniture shops and one of the best shops in the field of office furnitures here in Nairobi.  He is so happy but so shocked on what God can do. I also printed out the comments by those who visited your web,upper room."

NEW REQUEST: Eric & Christine (pictured below)

"Erick and Christine will be joined together as Husband and wife in holy matrimony on 1st Nov,2008 at LCM here in Nairobi. Erick has served as our youth leader for now 2 years and Christine children ministry. Both of them are devoted believers in our congregation.  They will be sharing their pledge of love to one another in the presence of many witness and since this is a start of a long journey in life and with unknown challenges,they would like your spiritual participation. 

Because marriage, the oldest institution on earth by God, has continued to suffer some major threats and attacks from satan.  High divorce rates across the borders, Millions of children are sufferng as well as unhealthy families due to unresolved conflict in most families leading to weak churches and ministries,among other issues.  All these has been due to lack of adjustments once a vow has been made. 

It is in this respect,they are asking for your continued prayers to be able to overcome every challenge that comes their way in life.  Not leaving out wisdom that comes from the true God. Above all, to be vigillant and committed to serving the lord all the days of their life because it is only in God man can find the best for the best in life.  To be blessed with offsprings for a healthy family in the knowledge of Him. 

Just like Apostle paul likened marriage to the relationship between Christ and His church, as one of perfect unity, tender care, and loving sacrifice even until death. As the scripture hold this vow as sacred covenant, sealed and permanent binding, that what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen."

Pastor James