PRAYER EMAIL - JAN. 28

 Greetings,

"And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed."  Numbers 16:48
"And the plague was stayed."  Numbers 16:50
"So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel"  Numbers 25:8

US and world covid cases are as worse this week, matching the other high stats of cases and deaths in previous years.  And deaths in the US have skyrocketed again.  Thousands went out into eternity this week. Far too many in the church and among Christians want to simply dismiss this; argue over cause, vaccines, rights, etc.  However, in Bible readings  this week, I was coming through Numbers, and the Lord was speaking and reminding again of plagues and their purpose and remedy.  This was set forth before, early in 2020, of Scriptures on plague of cause and affect, but it seems a reminder is needed.   

You would think that after years of all the wrangling over covid; its cases, deaths, impact, shut downs, restrictions, vaccines, boosters, travel, etc. that the church would seek the Lord for mercy.  And they do, especially for those that are near and dear to them, or they themselves.  Much prayer is offered when its someone we know; but not so much when we don't know them.  We still have an empathy/apathy issue.  Yet the church largely is at the same point as society.  Half wish to just go on and grin and bear it; and the other half want to continue to wrangle over issues.  But few, do I hear and that I know of, that would fall in suit with the above verses, 'The Lord stayed the plague."    Every one has been impacted by covid, this continuing plague upon our world right now.  Either we have had it, severe or minor symptoms; and almost all of us have lost a loved one or friend that has died from it.  

Here are the stats, most recently this past week:
Worldwide deaths - 5.6 million in 3 years;
US deaths - just over 900,000;
Cases had shrunk to world wide a few 100,000; but this past week, back up to millions daily;
Death had shrunk world wide to 10,000 daily, if not less;  but this past week, well over 10,000 daily;
US cases had minimized to under 100,00; but now are seeing 500,000 daily;  
US deaths that were down under 1,000 per day, are now running 2,000 - 3,000;
World wide deaths  per day was an average of 150,000;
US deaths per day was 8,000 per day; but add on 2000 - 3000 that is 25 % increase;

Blessed be God for each of you, that He has heard the prayers and cries of those greatly afflicted with covid and He healed you.  But do you see the greater picture, not only of our nation, but of the world?  This many deaths and issues from this plague, should be compelling men to run to Christ.  But we don't see this.  God sends the plagues, I cannot alter the Word of God.  His allowance and directives brought this forth.  And it is the response of the people, to see it stayed or continued.  I quoted the above verses, because as not only God causing the plague, but God is able to stay, stop it.  But God only stayed the plague after the people dealt with what caused the plague.  The nation/world has not done this.  But the church should have a better understanding and plan to deal with it.  For the Word is our example, directive and leading.  

So if we are to see the plague stayed, perhaps we should begin to speak the word of the Lord over this & about this.  Perhaps we should remedy what caused this great affliction from the Lord.  Perhaps we should be much moved by the 1,000's going into eternity without Christ.  The increase of deaths, should make us very much aware and moved, as God is moved, to reach one and all before this time of death comes.  And it is hasting and increasing.  Perhaps we should humble ourselves greatly as Daniel did in Daniel 9; as Ezra did in Ezra 9; as Moses did numerous times.  O God, in wrath remember mercy!  Stay the plague and forgive us for our great evils and sins against You that has caused this!  Pardon, help, heal, deliver and STAY!   

One thing that I believe is on much of our minds about covid, 'teach us to number our days'.  We all know that our breath is in His hands, and He knows how many days and hours we have.  Are we prepared to be the vessels for this hour?  He has appointed us this time and place, for such a time as this.  Arise and be doing brethren, for where much is given, much is required.  

My prayer and desire for you, is that at the end of this first month of 2022, you are right with the Lord.  And all is well in your service to Him and for Him.  As I say, to the churches, 'You are prayed up, read up and serving Him faithfully."  Be much about the Lord these days brethren, for we know not what awaits in the next month.
The hour is late, the need is great; pray so as to prevail.

Prayer Conference in Keyser:  You can go to brokenbeforethethrone.com and under 'watch live' find those sessions;  Greg Gordon on his youtube channel also uploaded those sessions with Carter Conlon and Doug Small.   It was a blessed time.  And the only thing that was not recorded, but as much as a blessing as anything, was Saturday morning, we had an informal sit down with Carter and Doug, and we had about 2 hours of prayer, and conversation.  

Brokenbeforethethrone.com  - we have added a 'Giving/Donation' button;  Those of you that support this ministry, we greatly appreciate it.  But in stead of writing out checks, we have added this for your convenience.   This will also allow me to have a mass text access to send out prayer concerns, updates and information.   Blessings!

SBC Prayer Leaders -  continued work with this group of 45 prayer leaders throughout SBC life; This past Tuesday, I led a zoom call to bring us back together.  Overwhelming response to continue.  Focus is simple - make the 46,000+ churches to be houses of prayer; and the pastors and parishioners to be men and women of prayer.   Simple task - encourage, edify, support, promote and engage prayer.  

PRAYER TARGETS:

1.  DRUGS/ALCOHOL - coming off of 2021 record setting deaths of over 100,000;  continue to see and hear this great plague upon our society, homes and lives;  

2.  CHILDREN - continued abuse, neglect; next generation to be reached with Gospel; far too many growing without Christ or any knowledge of God; abuse in the homes, schools and churches;

3.  LGBT - this evil has been quiet, but understand its acceptance in society and larger path of advancement upon younger generation;

4.  PESTILENCE - covid crisis; this week has seen shattering stats for US and world in cases and deaths; new variant now moving world wide;

5.  GREAT EVIL - first 2 mass murders recorded;  4 police officers; and 2 a day murder-suicides;  all of this has escalated in the last week;

6.  NATURAL DISASTERS - minor drought conditions in 2/3 of US; earthquakes minimal, averaging around 100;  

7.  ECONOMY - continued signs of collapse and upheaval; 

UPDATES:
--bible readings up through end of Numbers;  have not really set or doing a word/phrase study this time; first time in long time without doing one of these;
--The Activity of God - up to Romans 10; just under 130 pages to go; looks like finishing this 4 year project this summer;
--A Word - Jeremiah 13 - maintaining a good flow, with one per day and all in chapter 13 are finished;
--Thursday Hour of Prayer broadcast;  coming up in a couple months we will hit 2 years doing this;
--church services have taken a hit this month with sickness and weather; live stream has sustained  us;
--Pastors Prayer continues as we start this new year;

Until,
Dan 

Started:  January 28, 2022

Finished:  January 29, 2022