God still answers prayers. To prove the point, Roman Downey is involved with hosting and producing a new TV series on TLC called ‘Answered Prayers.’ Here’s the story from the  Christian Post:

Roma Downey’s riveting new six-part series “Answered Prayers,” which features real-life stories of people in potentially life-threatening situations who experience divine intervention, says she’s “thankful” and “humbled” by fans’ support for the show.

“We are humbled by the support of so many national prayer leaders, and thankful for how this show is inspiring so many to pray again,” said Downey about the series which has now moved to primetime at 8 p.m. ET Sundays on the TLC network.

As one of the show’s executive producers, Downey hosts each one-hour episode that incorporates actual footage and interviews paired with powerful reenactments.

<Read the whole article>

Response: A few years ago, Roma and her husband were able to convince TV executives to air their Bible series and that was a real demonstration of answered prayer. The success of that series has now led to this new one on TLC that shows God still working miracles and saving people today. A great uplifting series for family viewing. 

This is also a message that our secular culture really needs to hear and be exposed to. I am hoping that the series will pave the way for us to share our own answered prayers and miracles with our friends, neighbors, and family.              

(Image by Violentz via Flickr)

Wednesday morning at the Marketplace Prayer Group at VCC Laguna Niguel, Pastor Mike Hudgins reminded us that we should be praying for President Obama and his administration.

Lately I must confess that I have forgotten all about praying for the President. In fact most of what I have been saying about him lately is not all that pleasant or edifying.

I did sign up and commit to pray for the new President for the first six months and followed through but after that..well let’s just say that I can’t remember the last time I really prayed for him and his family.

Pastor Mike reminded us that the President and his key advisers were making decisions for better or worse that affect all of us — the entire country and even the world. We are in the midst of a major recession and the world is getting more dangerous as we speak. We really should be praying for our leaders to receive wisdom from the Lord and pray that they pay attention to it. Not only that, but they make the right decisions in spite of themselves.

Our best President ever would be having difficulties right now in our present state and …well anyway it is time to pray.

Then Pastor Mike reminded us that we should be praying for our state leaders. I almost want to draw the line with the ‘Govenator’ but the State of California is nearly bankrupt and many key businesses are leaving the state because of the over-the-top corporate taxes and regulations.

Therefore out of self interest it is important to pray for my least favorite governor and state legislators. Maybe they can finally come up with a new budget before the summer is over.      

I’ve read a number of different blogs which call for Christians to actually pray against the new President with all sorts of reasons why this is a good idea. I won’t link any of them because I don’t believe that their approach is Biblical. In fact I know it isn’t!

Then I have also found several other sites who rightly called for believers to intercede for the New President and his administration. Most have cited 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

1Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Response: The way I read it–It will actually please God if we offer prayers and intercede for the new President and his administration. After all, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give counsel to his folks to pray for the Roman emperor and his henchmen and be thankful.

Wow–we may end up disagreeing with the new President over some important issues but I doubt that he’s going to burn Rome and blame it on the Christians and crucify Peter and Paul! Regardless, according to the scripture it will actually please God if we pray for him and be thankful anyway.         

Are ‘imprecatory prayers’ justified? Should Christians pray against their enemies?

The following story has been bothering me ever since I read it. It was posted by the LA Times Online sometime in August, unfortunately the link no longer works.

The Rev. Wiley Drake, Pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, California, asked his congregation (August) to pray an ‘imprecatory prayer’ against the leaders of an opposing organization. He listed Psalm 109 as a reference.

The Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based group had asked the IRS to investigate the tax-exempt status of Drake’s congregation because the Pastor had sent out a letter supporting Gov. Mike Huckabee for President on a church letterhead.

All heck broke loose when the Pastor asked for ‘imprecatory prayers’ against the AUSCS and it somehow became public knowledge. Even those who profess to have little or no faith in God were offended and became upset with Rev. Drake, which is surprising to me. It has became the subject of numerous news articles including an article in the LA Times which sought out responses from several religious leaders and scholars, who came across with mixed opinions.

Comments: One of the more interesting things that you run into when you are going through the Psalms in the Bible are the prayers of David asking God for justice and to take action against his enemies. I have always appreciated the candor of David and his ability to talk truthfully about his feelings with God. I have always thought that it is a good example for all of us.

However some of things that David prays for should also be shocking to Christians especially in light of the teaching of Christ to pray for our enemies:

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt. 5:44)

I have no problem praying against the real enemy, Satan and all of his minions and plans. However, I hope and pray for everyone to find Jesus, even those I disagree with and those who consider me their foe for some reason.

I guess what bothers me about this story, the Christians here (the Pastor and his congregation) come across as unforgiving and seeking retribution rather than bearing a positive testimony of Christ and hoping, praying, and expecting for the best. For me, to pray against a bunch of people in an organization is tantamount to performing a curse and way to close to witchcraft. Am I wrong?

Personal Testimony:

Here’s a personal story: On one occasion I was bothered by one of my business rivals who had obviously stepped over the line and personally cost me over $2,000. I was driving down the road praying and calling upon the Lord for justice and as I remember, I felt justified to pray against the person and cried out that judgment should be upon him since he had ‘moved the stakes’ and violated his contractual obligations.

Immediately the Spirit spoke to me and told me to retract it or I would be under the same curse and judgment since the company that I represented had years before broken their word with this man.

Immediately a huge truck pulled into my lane and I miraculously avoided a major accident (I took that as a warning).

Then the Holy Spirit asked me to pray for blessings to heaped upon him. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done. However, I have personally prospered ever since and my rival not so much. So the Lord Himself took care of it.

Pastor Ed Piorek gave an incredible message this morning at VCC. He talked about and demonstrated ‘the Jesus prayer’: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me“. Words can’t really describe what happen today at church, but the Holy Spirit fell on the place and about 80% of the folks ended up front.

He quoted both Henri Nouwen and J.P. Moreland (Biola), and then later Heidi Baker, (what an interesting and varied combination) about the importance of this basic prayer:

“In the expression, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me’ we find a powerful summary of all prayer” -Henry Nouwen

” Here are three activities that have proven helpful to us in our engagement of prayer as a spiritual discipline, helping us develop the habit of ongoing prayer… First, we recommend that you begin by saying the ‘Jesus Prayer’ about three hundred times a day… Derived from Luke 18:38, the Jesus Prayer has had a powerful impact on people at various times in Church history.” -J.P. Moreland

” ‘Lord Jesus Christ beautiful Son of God have mercy on me your beloved.’ I pray it for hours a day.” -Heidi Baker

Pastor Ed gave a number of testimonies of how this prayer was effective in bringing quite a few people to Christ, quite a large number of healings, and quite a few miracles. He told about a conference in Toronto last year where he gave a message about the Jesus Prayer and the holy Spirit fell on the place. Afterward, Heidi Baker handed him a note containing the quote above. But most important to me, he talked about how this prayer helped him to ‘pray unceasing’ (like Paul suggests in IThess. 5:17) and keep in touch, and to relate and receive from God all day long.

This actually gave me hope. I try to start of every morning with prayer but sometimes I get distracted and I’m half way to work before I remember. Then it’s difficult to pray while your driving and fighting bumper to bumper traffic. When I do remember, it’s like I’m in a hurry to get it done while the coffee is brewing. Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.

Then I get to work, and some of my orders are not ready yet and it’s going to make me late to every appointment, then customers start calling wondering where I am. My thoughts need to be redeemed by then–Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.

Yes this prayer is going to be a blessing for me and for everyone I have contact with all day long. Thank you Lord. Come Holy Spirit.