Friday, March 30, 2012

Please Join in prayer....

The following letter was sent to me from Women at Risk International, they are seeking prayer for a beautiful daughter of God who is caught in horrid situation, along with her mother. Please join in prayer that God will be working mightily and save this child from truly a life of prostitution. And please don't forget to thank God for the amazing doors that He has opened for WAR. As you read this letter you will see just how powerful our God really is. He is sending His children into places that most would not dare go and most are not permitted to go. Praise Him for His goodness. 

- I have omitted parts of the email, including the location and some of the information for sake of the child and others involved, since this blog is open to the web, unlike a personal email. -
 
Dear Broken Hearted Prayer Warriors:

Some of you have been following my emails about the baby in captivity.  On this circle tour, we learned from WAR partners about a baby being raised in the red light district.  She was placed in a box and is not allowed to be held so that she will "grow up to be a prostitute" and not expect normal affection.  Her mommy is also in captivity and bought and sold between different areas of the country so that she is constantly in a state of upheavel.  Her baby is owned along with her.  They call her "Sweetie" because she is fair of skin.  The red light districts of the world are very racist.  The whiter the skin, the higher the price on the market. 

My partners have been going to a red light district where no others are allowed in.  You have to get there by crossing a bridge and no one is allowed across the bridge that isn't "buying".  With the amazing blessing of a brothel there, they led 9 women to Christ (told you that before) but there is an infant baby there named "Sweetie".  Sweetie is a newborn that is chained and put in a box and not allowed to be held because it is being raised to be a prostitute.  They want no touch so she'll learn to be accustomed to a lack of love.  The brothel owner allows our team to rock her when they come.  So we have all been praying over her frantically while we rock and while they rent a "room for sex" but use it for a Bible study with the owners permission.  No other groups are allowed in the brothel.  The mom (a trapped prostitute scared to death of the owner) came to them today (putting herself at risk) and showed them "Sweetie" all black and blue from a beating because she cried.  They asked the owner if they could take the baby and she said, "no she should not become a Christian". 
 
I tell God "this is now Your problem...You are a Father to the fatherless...You have to be true to Your name and hear the cry of Sweetie AND her mommy....not much more than a child herself."   As I prayed, "Okay God...it's all up to You"....I suddenly heard myself.  Then I repented, because it was always God's problem.  It's not like God needs me and my efforts.....like it was ever anything but up to Him.  I just want to be His hands, His feet, His tender arms of love to rock a baby that deserves to grow up and be all God created her to be. 
 
So, I have an idea.  I am setting aside every Tuesday from now till end of April as a fasting and prayer day.  I want anyone that is interested in fasting and prayer for the solution to the Sweetie and mommy problem to email the WAR website back.  We will make a circle of emails.  I will keep you posted if I know anything. 
 
This is not the time for me to give you my workshop on fasting and prayer.  Suffice it to say, several years ago I read every book on the subject and scripture and discovered interesting things about this long abandoned discipline.  It was after a period of fasting and prayer of other people for me when I saw dramatic results and God broke my heart and got my attention.    I returned home from a trip and began a serious study of this.   I am ashamed that we as Christians gave this up to the monks.  Shame on us.  I will attach a handout that I use when teaching this workshop....if you do not know about fasting and prayer I simply suggest you do the lent type fast where every Tuesday you give up something of value to you (coffee, tv, meals, whatever) and while you would be doing those activities...instead you fast and pray for Sweetie. 
 
The other night I was babysitting my 4th grandchild...now a few months old.  She is developing a sense of humor.  If you tilt your head and look at her the way her daddy does, she tilts her head forward and peeks at you with sparkle and mischief and makes the same pursed mouth as her daddy...she is a mimic with mocking intent and delightful humor.  She has also developed a dislike for bed  time.  Her happy disposition instantly goes ballistic.  She rears back and screams not with baby crying but in sheer undiluted frustration.  I've been at this chore of winning against a tiny person for a long time.  I know all the tricks and if there is one thing I can't survive it is a crying baby.   I instantly have boundless patience and empathy....No baby should cry, or so I tell myself.   Poor baby.  She didn't stand a chance.  I do love it that her daddy is getting his just desserts.  As I stood at her bed long after she was sweetly asleep, I sobbed for Sweetie.   I couldn't take my eyes off this baby in front of me. Al night I spent staring into her eyes, talking, singing, and rocking.  I prayed that God would not take his eyes off his Sweetie!  I wanted Him to quiet her screams with tender loving care, singing over her as I would, as a parent does, not black and blue beatings. 
 
So will you pray with me for a miracle for Sweetie.  I don't know what it looks like.  I leave that in God's hands.  I ask the Holy Spirit to groan with groanings that cannot be uttered (has it ever occurred to you that that is the way we cry and pray for our children....with deep groans...wonder if that is the eternal parent coming through?. 
 
I comfort myself with the words of Oswald Chambers, "When men work, men work...when men pray, God works."  I so want the work of the Miracle working God...not the puny work of my hands.  I hate not being "hands on" and that is always when God says, "sit back and let me work....you be still and know that I am God." 
 
Circle the Cradle with me:
 
Becky McDonald
President
Women At Risk, International
HOW TO FAST
“Preparing yourself for fasting”
Right Heart………
  • Ps. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will  not hear. 
  • Lev. 12:18-19  If you do not obey me…I will make your heavens like iron.  (When God’s people do not obey, he shuts heavens door)
         Make sure there is not known sin in your life.  May need to begin fast with a first fast of repentance.

Right Mind………

        Listen for that still small voice……..the Holy Spirit
  1. When God brings someone to mind….not coincidence
  2. Keep a journal when you are fasting or even other times
  3. When things press heavily on your heart don’t ignore.  Learn to follow up on those nagging thoughts.  Listen to Holy Spirit.
Right Time……….

        Choose a day when you are less busy and not as interrupted and others will not know you are fasting or be affected by it.
  • Matt 6:16-18…When you fast, anoint your head, Wash your face so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret, & your father who sees in secret will reward openly.
Right Fast………..
  • NormalFast…eliminating solid food-drinking liquids
  • Absolute Fast…Paul…3 days of nothing (Acts 9:9)
  • Yom Kippur Fast…sundown to sundown
  • Afternoon snack/no supper, no bkfst, or lunch…then supper
  • John Wesley Fast...only bread/water for 10 days
  • Partial or Daniel Fast…vegs/water for 10 days (Dn.)
  • Sexual Fast…New Testament…                                   
  • Include a friend…Matthew 18:19…2 or 3 agreed...gives accountability and encouragement
  • 40 day fast…eliminate deserts/meats/TV/particular food/every other day/like Lent…good  for diabetics or people with dietary issues
Right Practice…..
  • No rules related to fasts in the N. T. so make your own parameters. 
  • Have a realistic schedule for the time period of the fast.      i.e.  pray when hunger pains or temptation to eat during meal times / during meal prep time without ceasing and constantly as you go about your usual schedule.  But pick a day with a light schedule less demanding mind work and time to focus on the goal of prayer plan. 
Right Plan………
  • FOR HOW TO SPEND THE DAY IN PRAYER so you don’t bog down, lose focus and get bored with prayer. Use the 6 examples given for prayer time.    

No comments:

Post a Comment