Category: Intercessory

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men 1 Timothy 2:1 (NASB)

When we pray we come before God seeking personal transformation but as intercessors we put aside our own needs and intentions and pray for the transformation of the world around us. As concerns and needs of others are shared with the MCF we will post them here and ask that you join with the body of military believers and pray.

Offering prayer in November

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

As we continue with the theme of prayers, we ask that you join us and start the month of November by offering prayers as a Christian community seeking God’s grace and blessing on the military community.   Below are a few items to remember in prayer.  
The November Edition of the Shield also provides you with daily prayers. Please take time each day to pray His will be done. 

Let us remember:

1. As we remember those who fought for our freedom, pray that God reveals Himself to those in our military family who do not know Jesus so that they may be freed from the bondage of sin that seeks to destroy their eternal freedom. 

2. Remember those who struggle with injuries, both physical and psychological, caused by their involvement in conflict while serving their country. We pray for their healing and ask God to remove their distress.  
 
3. Remember the families of our military brothers and sisters who gave their lives in the line of duty. We ask the Holy Spirit to bring them peace. 
 
4. Remember those serving worldwide today who are exposed to all kinds of risks that interfere with their physical and mental well-being. Pray their relationships are not strained by this separation 

5. Pray for the Association of Military Christian Fellowships as they seek to bring the gospel to military communities worldwide. 

6. Pray for the ministry of the MCF in this upcoming year as we desire to make a difference in our military community. Pray for our finances, asking that our needs are met. Pray for our programs that they may be developed and made available. Pray that God brings us more workers so we can have an MCF presence on every military base or station wherever our military serves.  
 
“Heavenly Father, we commend to you the safekeeping of our brothers and sisters who serve the world for peace and harmony. We ask that You reveal yourself to them so that they may know your desires for them. Let them sense You wherever they are. Holy Spirit, give them strength to guard their souls. Protect them from the evil who wants to turn them from the truth. Be with them in their trials and temptations. We ask this in Jesus’ precious name. AMEN”

Stand-To!

Posted on By MCF President

Military Basic Training was a culture shock. Before, I was a student at university working part-time as a janitor in a seniors’ residence in Wolfville, NS. After two years, I had run out of funds and decided to apply to the military; after all, my dad was a former military pilot, and my brother was a serving aeronautical engineer.
 
Going on exercise was part of Basic Training, as it is part of the military experience in general. Part of the military exercise was a routine called “Stand-to.” The practice of “Stand-to” was a hold-over from WWI when at just before dawn and shortly after dusk, soldiers would stand by their trench with their weapons loaded and ready to fire in the event of an enemy attack, which routinely came at just before dawn or just after dusk. It was part of being ready.

Several months ago, I was on a course led by Dr. Steve Brown, which was entitled “Jesus Centred.” The course was named after the book that Dr. Brown wrote. To me, the book’s gist was about being ready to share and live the gospel in a non-permissive environment. A vital element of the course was focused on Luke 10:2
 
Dr. Brown emphasized that the number of “harvesters” was diminishing in Canada. I note that local churches and mission agencies are echoing the same message… Gospel messengers are fewer and fewer, and this is when the spread of secularism is increasing. Generally, the Canadian population, including the military community, has little to no information about who Jesus is or the opportunity for eternal life that is available only through Him. 
 
I shared with Dr. Brown the ministry of the MCF and our mission to bring the gospel to the military community. He was intrigued and asked how it was going. “Not very well,” I responded. Dr. Brown reminded me of Luke 10:2 when Jesus was sending out missionaries and explaining to them the dilemma that many were ready to hear the gospel, but there were too few messengers. Jesus’ solution was to pray for an increase in labourers. Dr. Brown told me he had set the alarm on his phone for 10:02 am every day when he prayed for labourers. This resonated with me, so I set the alarm on my phone for 10:02 am daily. I pray for three things:

  1. Lord, please spread Your gospel throughout the military community.
  2. Lord, please use the MCF as an instrument of your messaging.
  3. Lord, please use me as one of your harvesters.

This prayer takes me about one minute. 
 
Can you imagine if you were to join me at the same time and pray the same thing every day? Can you imagine if five, or 10 or 50 or 100 of us pray the same thing every day at the same time? I think that God would be moved to answer our requests.
 
Would you join me at 10:02 am every day to “Stand-to” and pray for these three requests? 
 
Are you with me?
 
Gerry Potter
Colonel (Ret’d)
President

Don’t give up!

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. Romans 12:12

The song “Que Sera Sera” was first introduced to the public in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1956 film The Man Who Knew Too Much.  Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart.  In the movie, Doris Day’s character sings “Que Sera Sera” to her son at the film’s beginning.  After her son is kidnapped, she again sings the song while trying to find the boy. Hitchcock intertwines the idea of “ques sera sera” throughout the movie, suggesting the couple’s chaos and danger is unavoidable no matter what they do.

Too many people have this type of fatalism when they pray. They think that regardless of what they do or say, God has made his mind up, so whatever will be will be. What does it mean to pray? Does it mean throwing your arms up in the air, resigning yourself to an uncertain fate, or are there more profound promises we can hold onto when we pray? 

Some have skewed ideas about prayer. The problem is that some of these ideas (such as those listed below) aren’t only wrong and can derail your prayer life altogether.  

  • No patience is required.  
  • Prayer comes naturally. 
  • Prayer is like a wish list for Santa.  
  • Prayer is a one-way conversation.  
  • Prayer is a silver bullet.  
  • My way is the right way to pray.  
  • I’ll live my life the way I want to (also known as the Frank Sinatra syndrome).

Prayer can be spoken spontaneously in response to events going on around us. But we must also make time to talk with God intentionally. Prayer must include listening and watching. If we trust God is listening, there will be a response; it may come sooner or later. When we pray, we must expect to get an answer, as prayer is a two-way conversation in which we talk and listen for God. Prayer does not come naturally, especially to the Western culture, which struggles with the idea of talking with someone who can’t be seen yet is omnipresent. Or those who believe they are self-made and all they own, or desire is because of their efforts. They may talk with God so He can address things they can’t seem to obtain or achieve in the desired time frame.  

Life has a purpose, and we can make decisions that influence the outcome of that life. We are not saved to give up when it gets tricky, as Jesus came so that we could live life to the full. Prayer is simply making time to be with God. We make time for many essential things, so we must make time for God. When we pray, and God seems quiet, we continue to pray, trusting God is always listening. Persistent prayer is about trusting God to lead and guide us knowing we are not forgotten or forsaken. 

Pray for our children.

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

B – BODY 
Pray for their physical health, safety, and protection from harm in their workplaces, schools, or training rooms. Pray for their participation in physical activities such as sporting events or outdoor activities. Pray for their time on the road, whether it is going to and from their work or school or whether they are going on a trip. 
Pray that the evil one does not use an illness or injury to cause them to doubt or question God.

L – LIVELIHOOD
Pray for their jobs, the decisions they make and the lives they interact with during their day in their workplace or school. If they are going to school or are taking training, pray for their training and the need to focus, prepare, and participate. Pray for their finances and their financial decision-making skills. 
Pray that the evil one does not use temptation to put them in dire financial situations.

E – EMOTIONS
Pray for their happiness. Pray their day is not overwhelming; it takes away from their rest and leisure. Pray that if they experience sadness, loneliness or self-doubt, they seek out someone who is a positive influence. Pray that the Holy Spirit reminds them of God`s presence and desire to comfort them. 
Pray that the evil one does not use busyness to drain their physical and emotional health. 

S – SOCIAL
Pray for their relationships and friendships. Pray they can be a positive influence on those they interact with and that they use both heart and mind when choosing friends or places to hang out. Pray they choose appropriate entertainment and leisure activities, including what they watch and read and the sites they choose for entertainment.   
Pray the evil one does not use their friends to place them in situations or circumstances they should not be. 

S – SPIRITUAL
Pray for their spiritual health and growth. If you know they are unsaved, pray that the Holy Spirit seeks them out to reveal the truth and that they respond to the calling and decide to follow Christ. Pray the Holy Spirit uses someone or something to provoke thoughts or questions about God. 
Pray for protection against the evil one stealing their day and that they make and take the opportunity to grow closer to God through prayer, reading and meditating on the word, and attending corporate worship. 

KEEPING A PRAYER JOURNAL

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

We can talk to God any time, but it helps to set aside a specific time for prayer. Consider using a prayer journal as a reminder of who and what to pray for.

Keep a list of people and needs you want to talk to God about. Pray for particular needs and areas each day. For example; on one day, pray for family members (their needs, salvation, etc.); on the next day, pray for friends (their needs, salvation, etc.); on another day, pray for your church; and on another day, pray for the world (world leaders, missions, and the spread of the gospel) In your prayer journal, record the date you began praying for your need or that of a friend. Then record the date it was answered. Learn to celebrate answered prayer.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God”. (Romans 8:26-27)

A while ago the MCF posted spiritual practices on this website with the aim of assisting people grow their understanding of God. One practice was called Contemplative prayer which is a means to connect with God, without giving Him information about what we would like to see happen. In contemplative prayer we sit and wait and depend on God to initiate communion and communication. It requires patience. To understand and enjoy its benefits we do need to try this type of prayer often. 

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

The practice

  • Set aside a time of quietness with God.
  • One way to quiet our minds it to quiet our bodies.
  • Spend 5 minutes intentionally relaxing your body and breathing deeply. 
  • Afterwards, spend 5 minutes noticing where your mind wanted to go. 
  • Offer what you noticed to God, then let go and open yourself to God’s love. 
  • Be receptive to a prayer God may be giving you to say. (Remember that contemplative prayer is more receptive than active). 
  • If it is difficult for you to sit still in God’s presence, then go for a walk. 
  • Say to God “Here I am. I am with you.” 
  • Be with God and welcome Him. 
  • Try to not to control or influence the situation and just give God your attention.
  • End your prayer time breathing in God’s love by being aware that your every breath is God’s gift.

Prayer for a peace within

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

Oh Lord, sometimes my insides feel like a battle zone, where missiles are falling too close to home. Other times I’m caught in an endless storm, with thoughts flying out of control. Confusion reigns and defeat creeps in to steal my joy. I need your peace—the deep-down-in-your-heart kind that stays with me day and night and speaks confidently into the wind.
Calm my anxious spirit, Lord; all the attacking “if-only’s” and “what-ifs” fill me with needless worry.

I know that trust is a big part of experiencing peace and that fear has no place in my life. Most of the things I worry about or dread don’t even happen.

So I’m declaring my trust in you. I’m releasing the reins of my life again and asking you to take control.

I may need to pray this same prayer daily, but I’m tired of the frenzy of life that leaves my schedule and my thoughts without any margin. I need more of you, Lord, and less of me.

I surrender and admit I can’t control people, plans, or even all my circumstances, but I can yield those things to you, and focus on your goodness. Thank you today for every good gift you’ve given, every blessing you’ve sent, all the forgiveness I did not deserve, and, yes, for every trial you’ve allowed into my life. You bring good out of every circumstance if I’ll only let go and believe you. I know that when I pray and give thanks instead of worrying, you have promised that I can experience the kind of peace that passes all understanding. That’s your kind of peace, Lord. And it’s the kind I crave.

Whenever I’m stressed, anxious, or afraid, help me remember to run to you. You’re the only one that can calm my fears and end my fretful behavior.

Whether in trivial or heavy matters, I know you will not only give me peace; Lord, you will be my peace.

And when I draw close to you—in prayer, in reading your Word, in helping another, in taking my mind off myself—you will be there, up close and personal.

I can’t handle these times alone, Lord. Will you speak peace and calm my storms, or hold my hand while we walk through them together? Will you bring the reassuring wisdom of those who have come through similar times into my life? Thank you, Lord. I’m trusting you. In the name of the One who makes the wind and the waves stand still, Amen.
~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

40 Days of Prayer 2019

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

Prayer is not only the cornerstoneof the MCF, but it is the foundation and wall that supports us. We believe strongly in prayer because our Lord and Saviour modelled it and taught us that before we seek to do anything in God’s name, we should talk with Him.

We know our ministry’s mission to take Jesus’ truth into our military community is ordained by God. We can boldly say this because we have recognized His presence time and time again over the past year affirming, we are doing His will. As we move forward in 2019, we invite you to join us on our quest to bring the Gospel to our military family. One way you can do this is by joining with us in 40 days of prayer and fasting. Starting 13 January and ending at our Annual General Meeting 16 February 2019.

Provided for you are daily suggested thoughts and scripture. You can download them for daily access.  They will also be posted on our FACEBOOK page each morning during these 40 days. You may note that the verses and thoughts take on the tone of personal revival. This is no accident. We want you to have a blessed life and ask that you consider your relationship with God.  We want you to clean out your closet and talk with God about past sins, arrogances and mindsets so He can use you to bless others. We want you to recognize that being a disciple of God requires sacrifice, repentance and gratitude on your part. Our Saviour loves us and will forgive us for all our transgressions, past and future, so we encourage you to talk with Him.

Join our MCF team as we seek to impact our serving and retired military members and their families.  Please indicate subject is “40 days of prayer 2019”

Prayer practices May 2017

Posted on By MCF Office Manager

MCF - RECENT ARTICLES 2016-11-04 at 6.45.15 AM

*Praise/thanksgiving* Praise God for…

  • His provision, encouragement, and the developing vision for the MCF
  • Those who lead and participate in Bible studies in the military for God’s glory in the workplace
  • Those who support the MCF in prayer, finances and wise counsel
  • Opportunities to show love to colleagues within the Canadian military in Jesus’ name, both in action and by sharing the gospel of hope
  • 
Include your own praise items & thanksgiving…

 

*Petition* Ask God to…

  • Heal those in the MCF with injuries and disease of every kind (physical, emotional, psychological, etc.)
  • Provide discernment for and empowerment to act on His unique desires for and leading of the MCF
  • Move believers in the military to desire and seek unity and authentic, Jesus-focused camaraderie with each other
  • Empower believers already in the military to step into the Great Commission of making disciples of Jesus
  • Encourage, refresh and equip those already in leadership in the MCF
  • Raise up more unified, Spirit-empowered, humble leaders and disciplers within the MCF
  • Richly provide time and financial resources for the MCF and its staff and volunteers for training, teaching, etc.
  • Prepare the MCF as a vessel of unity, such that its membership base grows as a reflection of the Spirit’s work drawing believers together for the Great Commission
  • Create and protect excellent relationships between the MCF and the military chaplaincy and local churches
  • Move local churches to catch a vision and desire to intentionally minister to the military community with love and respect for the people and for other churches who are doing the same
  • Provide opportunities, bold witnesses and open hearts for the gospel to reach and be received by every person working in the Canadian military
  • Bring many in the military community to Jesus this year
  • Include prayers as the Spirit leads for the MCF, CAF, and your local workplace/ community…

Call it “favour & power of God’s Spirit”

Posted on By Prayer Coordinator

Zachariah (2:5) called it a “wall of fire” – Job (1:10) called it an “hedge” – King David (Psalm 91:4) called it a “shield and rampart” – Isaiah (51:16) called it a “covering.” MCF – it is the favour and power of God’s Spirit that we write about on these pages. We desire to cement hearts in prayer as we invoke the prayer covering of Almighty God for the military men and women of this country.

It’s time MCF to wield a weapon the world does not understand as we wage war for the eternity of our military brothers and sisters. E.M. Bounds stated “The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.”

Will you pray goodness and grace into someone’s life today? Will you share their name with God and claim them for Him?