Go Before the Throne

Originally published on July 8, 2005

Harold Paxton of The Great Separation says:

With the events in London, I think it would be a great idea if we brothers and sisters in Christ were to hold a day of fasting and prayer for all those effected by this horrible event. I think we should also pray for those who organized it.

I’m calling for Monday 7/11 to be that day….I think this is a great opportunity for the Blogdom of God to act with one voice and go before the throne of our Heavenly Father and come against those “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Emphasis added)

Update (7/11):

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

As befitting of children of God, retreat, and lift up your voices in prayer and supplication not just for the brethren in London. Remember the suffering of the saints worldwide.

Ask God to strengthen them at a time when their faith may be weakened the most, for this is the essence of faith: believing in the risen Christ even though we didn’t see him rise, and believing that he, in fact, died to pay the penalty for our disobedience.

God set his law before the people, and they proceeded to break each and every one. But as the men of God prophesied and as he promised, a Savior was sent to bear the sins of the people. So retreat on your lunch hour today or whenever you can, express eternal gratitude for his sacrifice, and remember what the Lord said:

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:5-8)

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (16-18)

And lastly, don’t be discouraged. Take comfort in Christ and be bold for the faith. He loves us and cares about our lives right down to the tiniest detail. Christ said he’d never leave nor forsake us. Believe it.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6: 10-19)

Pray for one another.