This week we will focus our prayer on asking God to make His gospel clear to those whose eyes are currently veiled to it. 2 Corinthians 4:3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish
The word “veiled” is translated from the Greek word kalupsis, which means “to hide, cover up, wrap around.” It is important to realize that unbelievers don’t see the gospel because they can’t see it. There is a veil, or covering, over their minds that prevent them from clearly seeing the light and truth of the gospel.We havebeengiven a part to play in lifting this veil off their minds. Related to this concept of the veil is the Greek word for “revelation,” apokalusis. This word is simply the prefix apo, which means “off or away,” added to the word kalupsis. Literally, then, a revelation is an unveiling, or uncovering. Until believers have an unveiling, a revelation they can’t,understand the gospel because the veil prevents them from comprehending it. Satan’s goal is to hide the truth of the gospel in order to keep unbelievers in his grasp.
How does Satan, (2 Cor 4:4) blind the minds of the unbelieving? The word “blinded” in this verse comes from the Greek word tuphloo, which means “to dull the intellect; to make blind.” Satan has an ability to dull the unbeliever’s thinking where the gospel is concerned. The root word of tuphloo, tupho, has the meaning of making smoke. Therefore, the blindness in this passage can be compared to a smoke screen that clouds or darkens the air to the point that a person cannot see clearly. From this same root comes the word tuphoo that is used for being high-minded, proud or inflated with self-conceit. The picture is of one who is “puffed up,” much like smoke puffs up or billows. The blindness of the unbeliever to the gospel is directly linked to the root of pride that resulted in the fall of humankind in the Garden. Most rejection of Christ, whether from the “works” motivation of false religions or the simple fact that most people don’t want to give up lordship of their lives to another, is due to the veil of pride. This satanically initiated stronghold is the ultimate enemy of Christ and will be dealt with in finality when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Christ is Lord. Pride will be dealt its final blow!
Paul prayed :Ephesians 1:17-1 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
If the Ephesians, (already born again), needed revelation and enlightenment to grow in Christ, how much more it needed for the unbeliever?
Ephesians 6:18 mentions prayer in the context of the warfare we’re in: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all.” Your task this week is pray that Father will reveal the truth of the gospel, making it clear to those you are praying for. Ask Him deal with the root of rebellion and pride that keeps men and women from submitting to His Lordship and blind to His offer of salvation.
Monday, 11 June 2007
Week 2 - Strengthen
This week the focus is on building up faith in our personal lives AND asking God to sow faith into the lives of the people we are praying for. This is about building faith so we feel strong enough to act (i.e. to speak to the people we are praying for) and asking God to begin to develop a faith seed in those we are praying for.
Our faith can grow to a point where we become assured of seeing God's salvation come to those whom we pray. There are some principles of faith that are essential for us to understand: Remember faith is of the heart it is not of the mind -- it is not just
positive thinking. It is possible to convince ourselves of something mentally and allow no thoughts of doubts to enter our minds without it being true biblical faith. (There are many people in the world who don’t doubt they are wrong and they are not Christians!) biblical faith is an attitude of the heart, not the power of a stubborn mind.
Mk 11:23 I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Rom 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (or evidence) of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The word "assurance" comes from the Greek word hupostasis. This was Greek word for a title deed. Biblical faith is knowing with certainty deep in our hearts that we have what we ask God for, just as surely as a title deed proves that we own a piece of property. "Evidence" is from the Greek word elegchos, which literally means the proof of the charges in a legal case that results in a conviction. In other words, our faith in God's word or His promises is all the evidence we need to validate our conviction.
Faith needs to grow
Jesus teaches that we need faith like a mustard seed that starts out tiny but grows into a tree.
Matt 13:31-32 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
Matt 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. 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."
Rom 12:3 teaches that each of us is given "a measure of faith." The Greek word metron, which is translated "measure" means a limited portion.
Rom 1:17 however, states that we go from faith to faith. In other words, our faith can and must grow.
Faith Grows By The Word Of God
Faith grows by a revelation of the Word of God as we feed on it claiming and speaking out the words of God. Josh 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Rom 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the message,and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Ask Father to grow your faith so it goes from strength to strength,.
Ask that Him to plant a seed of faith in each of the people you are praying for
Our faith can grow to a point where we become assured of seeing God's salvation come to those whom we pray. There are some principles of faith that are essential for us to understand: Remember faith is of the heart it is not of the mind -- it is not just
positive thinking. It is possible to convince ourselves of something mentally and allow no thoughts of doubts to enter our minds without it being true biblical faith. (There are many people in the world who don’t doubt they are wrong and they are not Christians!) biblical faith is an attitude of the heart, not the power of a stubborn mind.
Mk 11:23 I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Rom 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance (or evidence) of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The word "assurance" comes from the Greek word hupostasis. This was Greek word for a title deed. Biblical faith is knowing with certainty deep in our hearts that we have what we ask God for, just as surely as a title deed proves that we own a piece of property. "Evidence" is from the Greek word elegchos, which literally means the proof of the charges in a legal case that results in a conviction. In other words, our faith in God's word or His promises is all the evidence we need to validate our conviction.
Faith needs to grow
Jesus teaches that we need faith like a mustard seed that starts out tiny but grows into a tree.
Matt 13:31-32 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
Matt 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. 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."
Rom 12:3 teaches that each of us is given "a measure of faith." The Greek word metron, which is translated "measure" means a limited portion.
Rom 1:17 however, states that we go from faith to faith. In other words, our faith can and must grow.
Faith Grows By The Word Of God
Faith grows by a revelation of the Word of God as we feed on it claiming and speaking out the words of God. Josh 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Rom 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the message,and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Ask Father to grow your faith so it goes from strength to strength,.
Ask that Him to plant a seed of faith in each of the people you are praying for
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