There has been so much going on since we last spoke. There was a young pop star killed in Orlando, Florida. A shooter killed 49 people in Orlando, Florida and injured nearly as many. A 2-year-old was snatched from near his parents by an alligator and taken to his death. Now, England has pulled out of the EU.
Where I live in Memphis, Tennessee, crime is becoming ridiculous. Yes, it is time to pray but it is also time for drastic measures. My church recently had a shut-in. A shut-in is where people of faith gather to pray overnight. It started at 9 p.m. and ended at 6 a.m. I felt compelled to participate since I had been asking why isn't the church doing anything about crime, etc. Obviously, prayer is the most effective method of getting things done. I would like to share with you a link on shut-ins.
http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/prayer/9497-keys-to-all-night-prayer-that-releases-god-s-power
Now, our church doesn't have shut-ins every few months. I can remember with clarity over a few years the number of shut-ins held. That is one thing that I never really felt compelled to attend. When I think of shut-ins, I think of the church mothers getting together and petitioning God on their knees. I didn't really think the Bishop or First Lady was showing up.
I did attend. The Bishop or Pastor of our church and the First Lady were there. I saw lots of folks from the church who I deem as regulars in Sunday School, Tuesday night service and in regular Sunday service. I also saw people in various levels of ministry like elders, deacons, ushers and choir members. Now, we did get an email in the choir and were encouraged to attend. It was a great experience even though we sacrificed sleep. We all came together in unity petitioning God for our city, county, nation, the world, neighborhoods, communities, family members and yes our own personal needs.
Don't leave your church hanging when they petition the body of Christ to participate. If your church doesn't have shut-ins, I think it's okay to participate in other ministries. I felt like I had made a personal investment in my spiritual life. I wasn't expecting all of that. I was just expecting to pray and sacrifice sleep.
I don't feel like giving the devil any ground. I feel that God will make as much room in Heaven for as many people as He needs to. I also feel that we shouldn't give up on people. Some folks you can't really advise them, but you can pray for them. They don't even have to know you're praying for them. We are to pray without ceasing.
It's time to tell the devil this far and no farther in your home, this far and no farther on the job, this far and no farther in our schools, this far and no farther with your finances, this far and no farther with your children, and this far and no farther in your mind. I have set some boundaries for the enemy and he has got to go.
