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Monday, March 12, 2012

When Jesus Wakes Up His Church

Matthew 26 : 36 - 41, Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." NKJV

We are living in a season of time that the giant called "The Church" has fallen asleep. We know this because of the signs which prove sleep has overtaken it. We see in today's scripture that Jesus told the foundation of His church to watch and pray for one hour, lest they enter into temptation. Therefore, we can conclude that prayer will keep us awake, alert, and remaining on watch in the spirit against the enemy that creeps about in the night. On the other hand, we will know that the body of Christ has drifted into a slumber when she begins to be seduced and succumbs to the ways of the world and enters into temptation.

We know that while Jesus prayed and brought His will into subjection to His Father's plan, the disciples all fell asleep. It was because Jesus remained in prayer and submitted to God's will in the garden that He was given power over His flesh to obey. However, the disciples decided to sleep, even though in their spirit that desired to pray; consequently, they lacked the power to overcome their flesh nature, and they entered into temptation... and all of them denied knowing the Christ.

It's time the body of Christ wakes from its slumber and begins to pray so that we will receive the power needed to overcome our flesh and resist temptation. Prayer will keep our spirit man awake and in control over our flesh. Prayer will empower us to obey God, which, in turn, will keep us from entering into a sinful lifestyle. If you're a believer, who struggles with temptation to the point of committing sin, then begin to look very closely at your prayer life, or lack of prayer life. The power of prayer will empower you to crucify the flesh nature that is too weak to obey God; and it will strengthen your spirit man to lead your body in obedience to God and His plan for your life. 

I want to invite you to join in prayer with the congregation at World Harvest Church North as we are about to embark on a season of non-stop prayer for ten days. During our prayer time, the Lord directed us to launch a move of prayer; and we are gathering believers from around the world to join in with us. In light of what I have taught today, the Lord must want us to pray so that we don't enter into temptation in the coming months ahead. Below is the information you will need to become a part of this great prayer movement. If you read Acts 1, you will discover how long the 120 people continued in prayer in the Upper room. Jesus walked with His disciples for forty days after His passion. We know that the Day of Pentecost came fifty days after the Passover of the Jews. Therefore, there were ten days remaining when the 120 followers of Christ entered into the Upper room and began to continually pray. Will you please consider agreeing with us in prayer?

It's Time...

10 Day Prayer Gathering
March 28 - April 7, 2012


Psalms 102: 12 - 17, But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. NIV

The Purpose:

The Spirit of the Lord has instructed us to call on the body of Christ to come together for a special season of prayer for our region, our nation, and the world. Consequently, World Harvest Church North is hosting ten days of continual prayer. The purpose of this holy convocation is to call all believers to prayer so that together, we can see the Lord rebuild the church and appear in His glory. God has promised us that as we seek Him, He would respond to the prayer of the destitute and would not despise our plea. 

The Plan:

Please join forces with us as we seek to fulfill the calling of God to assemble His people for 10 days of continuous prayer. We are asking believers to commit to praying for a period of 2 hours. There will be a calendar posted on our website at http://www.whcnorth.org/intercessory.html  We will post the blocks of time that people have committed to praying on that calendar. 

There will be 12 blocks of time for each day; this will ensure that there is someone praying throughout the day and night. Spouses, families, churches, co-workers, and students can pray together. The 10 days of prayer will begin at 6:00 p.m. on March 28th and will conclude April 7 at 6:00 p.m. If you decide to take a block of time either once, or daily you may also contact Lydia Long, Lead-intercessor at World Harvest Church North via email at prayer@whcnorth.org or (706) 374-6175 ext. 302.


The Promise:

The Lord has promised us from His Word that as we pray, He will rebuild Zion (the Church) and appear in His glory. He promised to respond to our prayers and not to despise our plea. Will you make a commitment to pray with us, so we can see the hand of God move on our behalf in our nation and world? 

Thank You and May God Bless You,
Pastor Asa Dockery

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