Annyoung ha se yo- or hello from Dr.Torres, Pat Day and myself.
It is Wednesday night, May 30th and I am currently sitting at my hotel desk on the 10th floor where I can look out over the night skyline of Seoul. In the night you can see the light coming from so many neon crosses and by day you can see church steeples everywhere- big churches, little churches, churches on the corner and churches on the hilltops.
In Seoul there are over 5,000 churches alone!
Today we participated and experienced an incredible day with the Lord and with our great brother in Christ and our host guide- Brother Kim of the Korean Racing Authority. He arranged to take us up to the DMZ where we would be able to look into North Korea.
Depending on traffic the DMZ is within an hour's drive of Seoul. The massive multi-lanes of the modern superhighway slowly begin to roll into three lanes and then two and then to one lane heading north.
As you head north the mountains rise up and the flanking forests are a bright green. The river appears with islands and wetlands and all along the roadside you see razor wires on fences and guard posts and stations every few hundred yards.
We are told that is because the north used to send down commando teams in river subs to penetrate into raids on South Korea. Though for the most part the two Koreas are divided along the 38th parallel there is a part of western Korea held below that line by forces of North Korea and a great deal of territory held by the forces of South Korea that is north of the line.
In between is this incredible strip of bright green and naturally wild land that is 4km wide and runs 150 miles across Korea called the Demilitarized Zone or the "DMZ". It may look peacful and serene- but the South holds 2km and the North 2km and everything in between is blocked off by wires and stations and giant minefields. Armies amounting to several million are facing each other within a 50 mile radius with massive amounts of firepower and missiles aimed at each other.
We arrived at a "Reunification Peace Park" where we would board a bus to take us into the DMZ. At the park there is a section of the old train tracks and bridge that used to run between the north and south. As you walk the bridge toward the north it comes to an abrupt stop.
Along the fence you see draped cloth with writing on them. It covers everything from top to bottom. It looks similar to memorials we as a nation have placed in areas of tragedy such as occurred in Oklahoma City and New York after 9/11. But on this spot since 1953 people in the south have been coming here to place their written wishes and more importantly their prayers-prayers for peace., prayers for reunification, prayers for those lost to war and prayers for families shattered and divided by the DMZ.
It is a powerful place and as I looked up I saw a large, wooden cross that was attached to the razor wire, hanging above all the prayer clothes and requests. It said so much to me in such a quick way. It stirred me and humbled me. It reminded me of the folly of man and the suffering we can all unleash on each other by our own desires and agendas and political aims- great blood was spilled in an incredible conflict and the ramifications of it still go on in the cost of divided families and a divided nation.
But there was the cross on the wire. The one that we can unite under, Love under, bring peace to one another, forgive one another under- because that is what Christ did on the cross.
Dr. Torres and Pat Day and Brother Kim and I joined arms in a circle and prayed for the peacful reunification of the two Koreas and the opportunity to bring the Love and Grace and Truth to the North and to help them prosper spiritually, physically and mentally.
As we continued to tour the DMZ and went down into the tunnels the North had dug in the hopes of striking with thousands of troops and looked over the fortifications and minefields over into North Korea- our souls and hearts were again stirred- and we all prayed again for peace.
As we drove back into Seoul we saw the Full Gospel Church just over the river- the largest church in the world with over 750,000 members! We drove over to it, parked and walked inside. We walked down in the sanctuary, which we had to ourselves- and looked over the huge worship hall that held tens of thousands of seating areas- the organ pipes, the balconies and the pulpit from which 7 services are preached from on Sunday alone.
Beneath the giant cross behind the pulpit and in front of the altar- Dr. Torres led us in a prayer of thankfulness, a prayer for our chaplains, a prayer for the ministry in Korea, a prayer that revivals would be launched in race tracks all over the world as from the spot we were standing on- thousands of missionaries were sent out from this church- to evangelize in the name of Christ!
We felt the spirit of God surge through us as we held hands in the circle beneath the cross.
My mind kept racing back to the cross on the wire in the DMZ, the crosses we saw lining the hill tops and river banks all around the DMZ and throughout Seoul- and back to the cross beneath the largest church in the world.
I thought of Dr. Torres as he preached at church on Sunday to over 2,000 people telling them first about the race track ministry and then to the calling of God that all of us are missionaries and challenging the people to go out into the world or in their backyard and proclaim the Good News!
I thought of Pat Day as he shared in the Sunday afternoon service about his life story and inspired so many people and that opportunity I had to follow him and read from Galatians 3:28 and bring them a word of unity and global calling- for as the theme of all three of us was- Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel of Christ!
The crosses displayed here mean so much. Christians have paid for their faith in blood and persecution in Korea and now they have helped transform South Korea into a powerhouse on both the economic and spiritual levels.
Think of the cross on the wire, think of the cross in the biggest church in the world, think of the cross in your heart. Pray for the peace and reunification of Korea, pray for the ministry here and around the world, pray for Pat Day as he is opening doors for the race track ministry.
Pray, pray and pray!
Edward
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Kyoungma in Korea!
Hello or "Ann young ha se yo!" from Korea. I send greetings to the RTCA family from Dr. Torres, Brother Pat Day and myself.
How or where should I get started...um.
There is so much to tell and to share great news from the RTCA mission team. Kyoungma is the Korean word for Horse Racing. (I will share more Korean to English words at the bottom of this report) On Saturday the 26th of May we spent an incredible day at the Seoul Race Park. A combination of a family theme park complete with horse and buggy rides, childrens playpark and gardens highlighted with gorgeous waterfalls, modern airport terminal and shopping mall.
The Seoul Race Park was originally built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics Equestrian Games and in 1989 was given over as a full horse racing park that holds over 50,000 people easily and is under the management of the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) that also overseas operations at the other two tracks in Pusan and Jeju Island.
On this day, with full press coverage, we met with the President of the KRA and got a full facilities tour and a VIP lunch hosted by the KRA Director of Racing- at a nearby theme park. During this time, due to the fame of Brother Pat Day we handed out hundreds of Pat Day Testimony Tracks, many of which Pat took the time to autograph and pose for pictures.
But the real joy of the day came our faithful servant of the Lord, Brother Kim, guided us through the backstretch facilites where we visited with vets at the equine hospital, trainers and spent time talking to jockies who came to meet Pat and this allowed one on one time for Pat to share about the Lord.
In the early evening we attended the "Junma Church" which is located in the race track backstretch and it means "The Great Horse Church". It is a large room dedicated to the chapel and has pews that can seat up to 80 or so people, a sound system, keyboard and a podium in front of a large cross on the wall.
The church has been in this location for the last 6 years but the race track has had services under the faithful guidance of Pastor Shin Giwhan for 24 years! The racing events are held year round but only on Saturdays and Sundays. Paster Giwhan is pastor of another church but has been leading services at the Race Track on Saturday evening.
On this evening we met with the pastor before the service and talked about the ministry partnership opportunities that the Lord was presenting to all of us. We were soon worshipping with 40 or so regular members of the race track church that came to hear Pat Day give his testimony.
Following the his testimony and the message from the pastor it was a joy to take pictures of all the race track workers that wanted to pose with Pat and to thank him for speaking that night.
The church was so kind and gracious to host a dinner for all of us down in the racing cafeteria where we again enjoyed fellowship and a typical and delicious Korean meal that included Kim Chi, Rice, and a unique beef stew cooked on portable grills in the skillet along with squid and fish that you could again place in lettuce and eat with your hands.
It has been interesting to watch the progress Dr. Torres has made with operating his chop sticks! Pat and I told him it is amazing what hunger will do to get one used to eating with chop sticks!
I will be bringing you up to date with the incredible day that we had at church the next day at one of the largest churches in Seoul and the fantastic job of preaching Dr. Torres did in one service and the great job Pat Day did at an afternoon service!
Here are some interesting Korean words for you to experience-
Horse- Mal or Ma
Horse Park- Kyoungmajang
Chaplain- Kyohoi
Jesus loves you- Jesu nim eun dangsin
Hello- Ann young ha se yo
Good bye- Ann young hee kye se yo
Thank you- Kamsa ham nida
The churches here are incredible and the Christians are a powerful and respected community with some 11,000,000 believers with more everyday and thousands every month!
Stay in prayer for us, for the favor God is granting to us, the doors He is opening and that we may be a blessing for the work of the Lord on the racetracks in Korea.
More soon!
Edward
How or where should I get started...um.
There is so much to tell and to share great news from the RTCA mission team. Kyoungma is the Korean word for Horse Racing. (I will share more Korean to English words at the bottom of this report) On Saturday the 26th of May we spent an incredible day at the Seoul Race Park. A combination of a family theme park complete with horse and buggy rides, childrens playpark and gardens highlighted with gorgeous waterfalls, modern airport terminal and shopping mall.
The Seoul Race Park was originally built for the 1988 Seoul Olympics Equestrian Games and in 1989 was given over as a full horse racing park that holds over 50,000 people easily and is under the management of the Korean Racing Authority (KRA) that also overseas operations at the other two tracks in Pusan and Jeju Island.
On this day, with full press coverage, we met with the President of the KRA and got a full facilities tour and a VIP lunch hosted by the KRA Director of Racing- at a nearby theme park. During this time, due to the fame of Brother Pat Day we handed out hundreds of Pat Day Testimony Tracks, many of which Pat took the time to autograph and pose for pictures.
But the real joy of the day came our faithful servant of the Lord, Brother Kim, guided us through the backstretch facilites where we visited with vets at the equine hospital, trainers and spent time talking to jockies who came to meet Pat and this allowed one on one time for Pat to share about the Lord.
In the early evening we attended the "Junma Church" which is located in the race track backstretch and it means "The Great Horse Church". It is a large room dedicated to the chapel and has pews that can seat up to 80 or so people, a sound system, keyboard and a podium in front of a large cross on the wall.
The church has been in this location for the last 6 years but the race track has had services under the faithful guidance of Pastor Shin Giwhan for 24 years! The racing events are held year round but only on Saturdays and Sundays. Paster Giwhan is pastor of another church but has been leading services at the Race Track on Saturday evening.
On this evening we met with the pastor before the service and talked about the ministry partnership opportunities that the Lord was presenting to all of us. We were soon worshipping with 40 or so regular members of the race track church that came to hear Pat Day give his testimony.
Following the his testimony and the message from the pastor it was a joy to take pictures of all the race track workers that wanted to pose with Pat and to thank him for speaking that night.
The church was so kind and gracious to host a dinner for all of us down in the racing cafeteria where we again enjoyed fellowship and a typical and delicious Korean meal that included Kim Chi, Rice, and a unique beef stew cooked on portable grills in the skillet along with squid and fish that you could again place in lettuce and eat with your hands.
It has been interesting to watch the progress Dr. Torres has made with operating his chop sticks! Pat and I told him it is amazing what hunger will do to get one used to eating with chop sticks!
I will be bringing you up to date with the incredible day that we had at church the next day at one of the largest churches in Seoul and the fantastic job of preaching Dr. Torres did in one service and the great job Pat Day did at an afternoon service!
Here are some interesting Korean words for you to experience-
Horse- Mal or Ma
Horse Park- Kyoungmajang
Chaplain- Kyohoi
Jesus loves you- Jesu nim eun dangsin
Hello- Ann young ha se yo
Good bye- Ann young hee kye se yo
Thank you- Kamsa ham nida
The churches here are incredible and the Christians are a powerful and respected community with some 11,000,000 believers with more everyday and thousands every month!
Stay in prayer for us, for the favor God is granting to us, the doors He is opening and that we may be a blessing for the work of the Lord on the racetracks in Korea.
More soon!
Edward
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Greetings from the Soul (Seoul) Korea!
On Wednesday the 23rd of June- Pat Day and I met up in Los Angeles International with Dr. Torres after taking our flights from Louisville and Dallas Ft. Worth. After long check in lines, long baggage screening lines and even longer lines to enter the terminal and waiting to board our Asiana 747 flight- we lifted off the ground to begin our 13 hour non-stop flight to Seoul.
We had a wonderful time of fellowship on the flight. We had a time of prayer before we departed and Dr. Torres led us in an on-flight devotional based on Psalm 120:1 starting with-
"I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?" We prayed to the source of our power- our heavenly Father- to continue to prepare the way as the RTCA was coming to South Korea for ministry support and opportunity to establish a ministry to the horse racing community.
Over 7,000 miles later we shot across Japan, made our way over the East Sea and thirty minutes later we dove through a blinding rain storm to land on Incehon Island at the new international airport that serves Seoul.
We were met by three Christian brothers led by our team organizer and head of the Korean Jockey Guild- Brother Kim. We loaded all our bags in the van and drove nearly two hours in the rain to Seoul.
We were extremely tired- being up for over 24 hours. But we enjoyed their company at a Korean cafe and sampled Korean grilled meat mixed with vegetables that you placed in lettuce- it was delicious.
We slept in a while on Friday morning and will begin an extensive travel schedule that will carry us all over Seoul, up to the DMZ where we will look over into North Korea, then to the southern tip to the port city of Pusan and then out to the island of Jenju and then back up to Seoul before leaving on the 3rd.
We will be visiting 3 race tracks, speaking a numerous churches, appearing on tv stations and holding a conference with 600 people that are the industry and press leaders for the Korean racing community.
I will be blogging as often as possible, so stay tuned!
Pray that we will be used by the Lord to help in the establishment of a race track ministry with our Korean brothers and sisters and be given the opportunity to proclaim the Good News of Christ wherever we go!
From the Soul of the South Korean Capital city of Seoul.
Edward Smith
We had a wonderful time of fellowship on the flight. We had a time of prayer before we departed and Dr. Torres led us in an on-flight devotional based on Psalm 120:1 starting with-
"I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from?" We prayed to the source of our power- our heavenly Father- to continue to prepare the way as the RTCA was coming to South Korea for ministry support and opportunity to establish a ministry to the horse racing community.
Over 7,000 miles later we shot across Japan, made our way over the East Sea and thirty minutes later we dove through a blinding rain storm to land on Incehon Island at the new international airport that serves Seoul.
We were met by three Christian brothers led by our team organizer and head of the Korean Jockey Guild- Brother Kim. We loaded all our bags in the van and drove nearly two hours in the rain to Seoul.
We were extremely tired- being up for over 24 hours. But we enjoyed their company at a Korean cafe and sampled Korean grilled meat mixed with vegetables that you placed in lettuce- it was delicious.
We slept in a while on Friday morning and will begin an extensive travel schedule that will carry us all over Seoul, up to the DMZ where we will look over into North Korea, then to the southern tip to the port city of Pusan and then out to the island of Jenju and then back up to Seoul before leaving on the 3rd.
We will be visiting 3 race tracks, speaking a numerous churches, appearing on tv stations and holding a conference with 600 people that are the industry and press leaders for the Korean racing community.
I will be blogging as often as possible, so stay tuned!
Pray that we will be used by the Lord to help in the establishment of a race track ministry with our Korean brothers and sisters and be given the opportunity to proclaim the Good News of Christ wherever we go!
From the Soul of the South Korean Capital city of Seoul.
Edward Smith
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Global Hoofbeats to Korea!
May is the designated month of prayer for the RTCA and the RTCA is asking for prayer as Dr. Torres, Pat Day and myself leave for Korea on a ministry and mission trip May 23-June 3rd. Since the close of the chaplains school in Louisville prayer has been instrumental in the incredible things and programs that have been accomplished. And the Lord not only provided for the opportunity to present the RTCA ministry with fellow Christians in South Korea but the Lord also provided that all of the expenses required to travel to Korea and back were covered!
I will be writing a blog whenever possible from Korea to give you a "live time" feeling of what we are experiencing in South Korea. So please visit our website repeatedly over the next few weeks to "catch up" on the Good News from South Korea.
Some Interesting Christian Facts on South Korea-
Christianity was introduced via Catholic missionaries in Korea in 1784 followed by Protestant missionaries in 1884. Christians played a pivotal part in resistance and independence movements against Japanese invasion and suffered tremendous persecution in North Korea during the Korean War of 1950-1953.
Over the last 50 years Christianity has exploded in South Korea! With a population of 45,000,000 there are over 14,000,000 Christians. The largest Christian church in the world is located in Seoul with over 500,000 members and after the USA, South Korea sends the most missionaries out into the world! In fact it should be noted that South Korea sends the most missionaries into the Muslim world and are active as I write this in reaching out in Iraq.
As you are aware this is a time of great tension as North Korea is confronted both by massive famine and the nuclear standoff with China, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States. The largest minefields and the most mass of artillery are located between the huge armed forces of North Korea, South Korea and the United States- anything good trigger a rain of firepower not seen since World War II and could well lead to World War III.
Be in prayer for the people of all Korea, that the Lord will make a way possible for the peaceful reunification of this strategic corner of the world where families have been divided by the 38th parallel since 1953.
Many people have actually been praying for ministry work to come to the race tracks of Korea (very similar to our trips to Oceania and South America!) and we have the opportunity to give the attentions and startup to the horse ministry work in South Korea!
We will be covering South Korea from end to end, visiting three horse tracks, speaking at churches and at horse industry and press functions. We will experience the country from the DMZ to the north to Pusan to the south and a South Korean island out in the Pacific!
I look forward to reporting to you via the "Global Village Blog" on our trip.
God Bless you and keep us in prayer-
Edward Smith
President of the RTCA
Director of Evangelism and Missions
I will be writing a blog whenever possible from Korea to give you a "live time" feeling of what we are experiencing in South Korea. So please visit our website repeatedly over the next few weeks to "catch up" on the Good News from South Korea.
Some Interesting Christian Facts on South Korea-
Christianity was introduced via Catholic missionaries in Korea in 1784 followed by Protestant missionaries in 1884. Christians played a pivotal part in resistance and independence movements against Japanese invasion and suffered tremendous persecution in North Korea during the Korean War of 1950-1953.
Over the last 50 years Christianity has exploded in South Korea! With a population of 45,000,000 there are over 14,000,000 Christians. The largest Christian church in the world is located in Seoul with over 500,000 members and after the USA, South Korea sends the most missionaries out into the world! In fact it should be noted that South Korea sends the most missionaries into the Muslim world and are active as I write this in reaching out in Iraq.
As you are aware this is a time of great tension as North Korea is confronted both by massive famine and the nuclear standoff with China, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States. The largest minefields and the most mass of artillery are located between the huge armed forces of North Korea, South Korea and the United States- anything good trigger a rain of firepower not seen since World War II and could well lead to World War III.
Be in prayer for the people of all Korea, that the Lord will make a way possible for the peaceful reunification of this strategic corner of the world where families have been divided by the 38th parallel since 1953.
Many people have actually been praying for ministry work to come to the race tracks of Korea (very similar to our trips to Oceania and South America!) and we have the opportunity to give the attentions and startup to the horse ministry work in South Korea!
We will be covering South Korea from end to end, visiting three horse tracks, speaking at churches and at horse industry and press functions. We will experience the country from the DMZ to the north to Pusan to the south and a South Korean island out in the Pacific!
I look forward to reporting to you via the "Global Village Blog" on our trip.
God Bless you and keep us in prayer-
Edward Smith
President of the RTCA
Director of Evangelism and Missions
Friday, May 11, 2007
A Global Prayer of Thanks!
May 8th, 2007 I predict will go down as one of the most historic days in the illustrious history of the RTCA! It was the first time we had really mobilized not just the national RTCA body for prayer and devotions but were joined by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Kenya, Chile, Argentina, the UK and Puerto Rico!
Dr. Torres, Chaplain Waverly and myself began chasing the "Son" around the sun as we started dialing places around the world beginning at mid-night down in Oceania in Christchurch, New Zealand and then over to the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy in Sydney, Australia! It was also exciting to know that we had filled our 24 hour prayer clock and that prayer warriors were already on their knees lifting up their prayers to our Father in Heaven.
It was incredible to talk to nearly 40 chaplains from all of our regions in the USA and also to chaplains in Africa, Puerto Rico, Canada, Chile and Australia. It was also amazing to hear all the reports that Chaplains shared with us from their tracks. Many reported prayer walks with council members throughout their tracks and barns, bible devotions, a day of fasting, praying over the public address systems at the tracks and announcing the RTCA Global Day of Prayer! Some chaplains organized their own 24 prayer chains and had their entire tracks involved int he Global Day of Prayer!
In Kenya, our Brother John Kaoto had his congregation in a 24 hour prayer vigil as well as churches in Chile and Argentina. In fact when we called in to Chile we were put on their P.A. system where Dr. Torres led us in a bi-lingual prayer service with their church congregation!
The time with our chaplains was so special. Due to phone problems we would sometimes have 6 chaplains on the phone at one time or just one. But, the time spent in a time of unified prayer, devotions and encouragement gave me such a feeling of God's presence, love and grace!
I want to thank all of you who organized the Global Day of Prayer operations and programs on your tracks and ministries. I want to thank Robyn from the RTCA Home Office for keeping up with all the e-mail communications from me to you, a thank you to Chaplain Daniel Corte, Jr. for keeping the information current on the web site! Also a thank you to Chaplain Waverly for keeping the updates going out and for Dr. Torres sending his devotions and communications out to our chaplains, and for his unlimited support (as well as the Executive Council) in getting the Global Day of Prayer going!
Our RTCA brochure has Luke 11:9 stamped on the cover- "Ask, and it shall be given to you; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it will shall be opened to you."
I believe we have come in one RTCA accord and asked the Father for things on a wide range of requests and needs and I believe He will bless our prayers and open the doors wide for the RTCA to minister to those in the horse racing community!
May the Lord bless all of you and thank you for your prayers and participation in the RTCA Global Day of Prayer!
Edward Smith
RTCA President
Director of Evangelism and Mission
Dr. Torres, Chaplain Waverly and myself began chasing the "Son" around the sun as we started dialing places around the world beginning at mid-night down in Oceania in Christchurch, New Zealand and then over to the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy in Sydney, Australia! It was also exciting to know that we had filled our 24 hour prayer clock and that prayer warriors were already on their knees lifting up their prayers to our Father in Heaven.
It was incredible to talk to nearly 40 chaplains from all of our regions in the USA and also to chaplains in Africa, Puerto Rico, Canada, Chile and Australia. It was also amazing to hear all the reports that Chaplains shared with us from their tracks. Many reported prayer walks with council members throughout their tracks and barns, bible devotions, a day of fasting, praying over the public address systems at the tracks and announcing the RTCA Global Day of Prayer! Some chaplains organized their own 24 prayer chains and had their entire tracks involved int he Global Day of Prayer!
In Kenya, our Brother John Kaoto had his congregation in a 24 hour prayer vigil as well as churches in Chile and Argentina. In fact when we called in to Chile we were put on their P.A. system where Dr. Torres led us in a bi-lingual prayer service with their church congregation!
The time with our chaplains was so special. Due to phone problems we would sometimes have 6 chaplains on the phone at one time or just one. But, the time spent in a time of unified prayer, devotions and encouragement gave me such a feeling of God's presence, love and grace!
I want to thank all of you who organized the Global Day of Prayer operations and programs on your tracks and ministries. I want to thank Robyn from the RTCA Home Office for keeping up with all the e-mail communications from me to you, a thank you to Chaplain Daniel Corte, Jr. for keeping the information current on the web site! Also a thank you to Chaplain Waverly for keeping the updates going out and for Dr. Torres sending his devotions and communications out to our chaplains, and for his unlimited support (as well as the Executive Council) in getting the Global Day of Prayer going!
Our RTCA brochure has Luke 11:9 stamped on the cover- "Ask, and it shall be given to you; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it will shall be opened to you."
I believe we have come in one RTCA accord and asked the Father for things on a wide range of requests and needs and I believe He will bless our prayers and open the doors wide for the RTCA to minister to those in the horse racing community!
May the Lord bless all of you and thank you for your prayers and participation in the RTCA Global Day of Prayer!
Edward Smith
RTCA President
Director of Evangelism and Mission
Friday, May 4, 2007
Nehemiah- The Model of Prayer!
“Always be prayerful” (Romans 12:12)
I came across an article written in the December/January issue of the “Christian Focus” magazine by Rev. Rick Warren entitled “A Leader’s Prayer Life”. And with the focus on the RTCA Global Day of Prayer on May 8th I thought it timely to give you the highlights of the article.
His article said that for Christian Leaders there is a model prayer from the first chapter of the book of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah heard about the downfall of Jerusalem, he prayed for four months. This was not just a casual prayer. It gives us a pattern for successful praying.
Here are the 4 secrets to answered prayer from the life of Nehemiah:
- Base your request on God’s character.
Pray like you know God will answer you: “I’m expecting you to answer this prayer because of who you are. You are a faithful God. You are a great God. You are a loving God. You are a wonderful God. You are a God that can handle this problem! (By doing this first Nehemiah was acknowledging whom God is- and that is praise! Nehemiah is starting off with the right perspective of God. You base your prayer on God’s Character.)
- You’re great- that is God’s position
- You’re awesome- that shows God’s power
- You keep your promises- God’s covenant
- Confess the sin in your life.
After Nehemiah based his prayer on who God is, he confessed his sins. He says, “We’ve sinned.” Look how many times he uses the word “I” and “we”. He says…”I confess…myself…my father’s house…we have acted wickedly…we have not obeyed.” He was asking forgiveness for things that caused his nation to go into exile and for the sins of his father- but he recognized all have sinned and that he needed to humble himself before God and ask forgiveness. He confessed on a personal level and on a national level. Which is exactly how we need to approach the RTCA Global Day of prayer on the sins of ourselves and for our national ministry and for our national governments.
- Claim the promises of God.
Nehemiah is praying to the Lord and saying, “I want you to remember what you told your servant Moses.” Can you imagine saying- “remember” to God? God had told Moses that if Israel was unfaithful they would lose their land, and they did. But God also said if they would repent, He would forgive then and restore the land to them- and God did! All through the bible you will find God’s people reminding God what He said He would do. David did it. Abraham did it. Moses did it and the prophets did it!
Does God have to be reminded? No! Does God forget His promises? No! Then why do we do this? Because it helps us remember what God has promised and that He never breaks His promises or covenants with us- we are the ones that do all the forgetting and breaking!
- Be specific in what you ask for.
If you want specific answers to prayers you need to make specific requests. If you make general prayers, how will you know if they are answered? Nehemiah is not hesitant to pray for success. He is bold in his praying. Have you ever prayed, “God make me successful?” There is nothing wrong in praying for success if what you are doing is ultimately for the glory of God! If you can’t ask God to make you a success at what you are doing in your ministry, family, business and life, you should be doing something else. God does not want you to waste your life.
So read the following first chapter from Nehemiah and I pray it will help in your prayer life. Blessings to you and on your life, family and ministry or business!
Edward Smith
Then I said:
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you.
We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,
But if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.
O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)