Intercessor - Breakthrough - International Ministry of Intercessory
Transcription
Intercessor - Breakthrough - International Ministry of Intercessory
Intercessor the S pr ing 2012 BREAKTHROUGH A new season of Spiritual Renewal The M AGAZINE God blesses His children in prison with an inheritance | p. 6 ABOUT PRAYER Gracy had to learn to let go so God could be glorified | p. 18 CONTENTS | Spring 2012 the Intercessor BREAKTHROUGH Bringing together anonymously those needing prayer and Christians willing to pray for them; calling, equipping and encouraging people for this work. FOUNDERS Catherine Marshall Leonard LeSourd BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN VICE-CHAIRMAN Tom Myers Dave Dittmeier SECRETARY Elizabeth Smith TREASURER Michael Smith MEMBERS Becky Cooke Jami Dittmeier Claudette Ammons Brian Wells ADVISORY BOARD Everlasting Light by Luanna Cheney In the dark places of this world You bring light To open our eyes and restore our sight When we tremble in fear, You carry peace and love On wings of hope to turn our attention to heaven above There is absolutely no place where we can go That will stop Your mercy and love Because a brave, virtuous Jewish maid Surrendered her life, our sin pardon price was paid Because You were born fully God, yet fully man You came to do what no mere human can Darkness can’t hide Your light Nor fear a prison be For God in love, through You, has set mankind free Jesus, shine upon these earthly lives You have given Until the day we can rejoice with you in heaven. MEMBERS "I didn't want to get involved... but God kept pushing me forward" | p. 10 Volume 33 Issue 1 [18] Alfred Archer David Mercado [6] STAFF DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY PRAYER COORDINATORS Delouis Pace Kaitlyn Czajkowski Tracy Horton Gabrielle Ryan BOOKKEEPER Susan Nicholson FACILITIES CARETAKER Virginia Payne IT SUPPORT Larry Bohlayer John Felts PRODUCTION MANAGING EDITOR EDITOR & DESIGNER ASSISTANT EDITOR Becky Cooke Gabrielle Ryan Kaitlyn Czajkowski Saved for Royalty My Yoke is Easy, and My Burden is Light By Roy Borges By Gracy Howard [9] Lord, Can You Hear Me? by Jean Roach [22] [10] [26] The Unforgettable Angel From Prison to Praise By Lashaun Evans Prayer for Healing By Erin Kaschub By Susan Beckman [14] EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Claudette Ammons Becky Cooke Jami Dittmeier OFFICE ADDRESS Lincoln, VA 20160 (540) 338-5522 PRAYER FAX LINE (540) 338-1934 breakthrough@ intercessors.org All material © Breakthrough, Inc. Lincoln, VA 20160 www.intercessors.org By S.T. Mann cover photo by Gabrielle Ryan P.O. Box 121 PHONE EMAIL In the Valley R egulars: 5 From the Chairman 28 Catherine Marshall Meditations 32 Answers to Prayer About Breakthrough our mission B reakthrough Intercessory Prayer Ministry is here for anyone who wants prayer. Prayer requests may be sent to us by mail, phone, email, fax, or through our website. Your prayer request is sent anonymously to six of our nearly 4,000 intercessors around the world who agree to pray for 21 days for each request they receive. You will have your own prayer team of dedicated intercessors holding your needs up before the Lord. People often report an increased sense of peace during the prayer period. As you read this magazine, you will learn about many prayers that have been answered. Catherine Marshall was given the inspiration for Breakthrough 30 years ago. She was a best-selling Christian author who became concerned about the many prayer requests sent to her by her readers. At the same time, other readers were writing to tell her that they longed to be used by God but had no idea what they could do. God gave Catherine the vision of matching these two groups of people: those with prayer needs and those Christians who wanted to be part of a ministry. Thus Catherine and her husband, Leonard LeSourd, began the Breakthrough ministry. Prayer requests are identified by first name only and are never sent to intercessors in the same geographic location as the prayer requester. The 21-day prayer period was arrived at based on the story in Daniel Chapter 10. Daniel was praying for three weeks before the angel of the Lord was able to come and help him. The angel had been detained by spiritual forces from the first day of Daniel's prayer. Our intercessors may receive scriptural insights from God for the prayer requester. Those messages, in the form of Scripture verses, are sent to the office and then forwarded to the person requesting prayer. In turn, prayer requesters send their answers to prayer to the staff which are then forwarded to the intercessors as encouragement for their faithfulness in praying. We want to hear from you. Pray about becoming one of our intercessors. It is a small expenditure of time compared to how it will impact your life and change the lives of others. As you read this magazine, think of your own stories of answered prayer that you would like to share. Our editorial committee will consider them for publication in The Breakthrough Intercessor. Remember also to send us your prayer requests. It is our privilege to pray for you. 4 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 From The Board I new goals am honored to have been elected as the chairman of Breakthrough's Board of Directors in November 2011. Congratulations to Dave Dittmeier for his outstanding leadership as outgoing Chairman. Dave will remain on the board as Vice Chairman and be present to guide me through this transition of responsibility. I am proud to have served on the board for many years and to now have the opportunity to guide Breakthrough for the next three years. I have been in much thought and prayer about Breakthrough's future. Here are three areas that will receive my attention: 1) mission, 2) vision and 3) outreach. Mission: God has blessed the original purpose for Breakthrough that was initiated by Catherine Marshall and Leonard LeSourd – to bring together anonymously those needing prayer with Christians who pray, and calling and equipping people for this work. Your participation and support in this ministry is confirmation that it is worth continuing. We will be committed to this purpose as long as we see that God's purpose is being fulfilled. Vision: Breakthrough was founded over 30 years ago using 3x5 note cards, phone calls and letters. The work of connecting those willing to pray with those who needed prayer was very labor intensive and time consuming for our staff and volunteers. We now use high tech printing machines, the internet and computers to do much of the work. We will take advantage of modern methods but not at the expense of providing loving, caring, personal attention to each of the prayer requests that we receive. Outreach: As our intercessor base changes, we wish to attract and nurture a new generation of prayer warriors. We also need to explore ways to finance our ministry expenses so that it can continue as long as there are those in need of prayer support...indefinitely. This is an ongoing challenge because of the downturn in our economy, but we know that God will provide for those things for His work. We start off this new calendar year with new energy and focus on what we believe is important to our Breakthrough family. May God bless you as you work with us to honor and support those things that God would lead us to do. Tom Myers Breakthrough Chairman SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 5 Cover T he world doesn’t rank anyone in prison very high in its value system. But my status before God is not based on the world’s evaluation of me. The only thing that ultimately matters to God is whether I am “lost” or “saved.” Jesus said, “What profit is it to man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) What I believe is far more important than what I achieve. What I believe changes my whole outlook on life. I used to think this life was all I had; but when I realized it was just an introduction to eternity, everything I believed changed. The idea that I could spend an endless existence with the Son of God who loves me goes beyond anything I’d ever imagined. Now I view my circumstances with an eternal perspective. Prison is not where I want to be, but it is where I have come to know Jesus Christ, the hope that anchors my soul. He gives my life meaning and purpose, not in the things I achieve, but in the things I have received. God’s “amazing grace, how sweet the sound,” saved a wretch like me. That change in direction altered my whole life, transforming me and putting me on the road to true freedom. It’s a narrow road, but it takes me to God. Not because I am good or because I have earned or deserve it. As the apostle Paul says, “there is no righteous, no, not one; there is none who understand; there is none who seeks after God.” (Romans 3:10-12) That does not mean, however, that 6 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 we are not valuable to God. He created us in His image and He loves us. But no one is righteous (no one can earn right standing with God) “for we have all sinned.” (Romans 3:23) But God, through His Son Jesus, has redeemed us and offers to forgive us if we return to Him in faith. Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son teaches me that my status with God is unconditional. The wayward son expected his father’s love to be diminished. But the parable is all about a Father who doesn’t give people what they deserve. He doesn’t focus on past failures, faults or sins. He doesn’t see me as I see myself. He sees me “in Christ,” that’s my position. Through Christ’s death, I have become a son of God and Jesus is my Lord and Savior. No matter how far I may wander from the Lord’s perfect will for my life, I am always welcomed back. God’s love cannot be lost, regardless of sin or poor decisions (though we may have to live with the consequences). Our Father’s arms are always wide open. Saved for Royalty by Roy Borges The parable teaches me something else about God’s love. God knows what is best for me. That’s why He has established principles and rules to guide me. He won’t force me to obey Him. He will let me go to the “far country” if that’s what I want to do. But it always grieves Him when I choose my way instead of His. Faith, however, takes time to develop and sometimes it takes sorrow and regret. But a commitment to obey God will always bring unimaginable rewards. To become a Christian is easy; to be one often seems difficult. But to know Christ is the greatest privilege you can ever have. It will give you a desire to do whatever is necessary to experience the most satisfying and rewarding life in the entire world. I went into this life changing expe- rience uncertain that I could live the Christian life and conquer all the bad habits and tendencies of my character. Conscious of my weaknesses and repeated failures, I realized that I was my own worst enemy. I wanted to fulfill God’s will for my life, but I was full of selfish desires and often wondered why God saved me. Some people even wondered if I was really saved. Studying God’s Word became vital to my growth and understanding. Before I was saved, the Bible was irrelevant and lifeless. Now, I see that it is alive. It was the knowledge and instruction that guided me. It gives me many examples from which to garner wisdom and strength. For example, Romans 8, a stalwart chapter, gives me confidence and assurance that I am truly saved. The apostle Paul, who wrote it, is a potent example. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 7 Feature This great chapter begins with the statement, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) This assures me that God has forgiven and accepted me with all my faults, character defects; and even though the wretch I used to be still has potential. The chapter ends with an amazing truth. Nothing can ever separate me from the love of God. These reassuring responses are actually Paul’s answer to his own spiritual struggles in chapter 7 and earlier chapters. “I do not understand what I do, for what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do… I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out, for what I do, is not the good I want to do; no the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing.” (Romans 5:5-18-19) Paul was not only describing his own struggles with sin; he was describing mine and any Christian struggling against sinful desires. God’s Holy Spirit helps me every day. The Spirit is there when all I can pray is, “Lord, please help me.” God understands and His Spirit makes sure my prayers are acceptable and effective. (Romans 8:26-27) Nothing will ever prevent God’s will from being carried out to fulfillment, not even my own failures. For 8 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 nothing is greater than the sacrifice of God’s son. If God is for me, who can be against me? Nothing in the entire world can defeat us. It was true in the first century; it is true now. “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) The world will never rank a child of God very high on its social scale, whether you are in prison or not. But Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made all of us who believe in Him members of His royal family. (Revelation 1:6, 1 Peter 2:9) It places a great responsibility on us to bear a resemblance to the King of Kings. For we are saved for royalty and therefore we should make sure our conduct shows it. Help me, Lord, to be all that You want me to be. Help me to be “more than a conqueror” through You who love me and accept me as an heir to Your magnificent inheritance. Roy's articles and stories have appeared in many Christian publications. He won AMY Foundation awards in 1998, 2002 and 2003. Roy's book "Faith and Love Behind Prison Fences" was published in 2002. Lord, Can You Hear Me? by Jean Roach L ord, if You can hear me… was the preface to all my prayers. As a child, I had been taught that God hears every prayer. Still, I was never really sure if He heard me. Sometimes it appeared that God might have answered one of my prayers, but I still wasn’t convinced that He heard me and I always chalked His answers up to coincidence. Then one day, I was reading in Scripture the story of Lazarus. Just as he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, Jesus raised His eyes and said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I know that You always hear me; but because of the crowd here I have said this, that they might believe that You sent me.” (John 11:41-42) Wow! What confidence and intimacy Jesus displays in His prayer with the Father. It dawned on me that I was one of the people in the crowd Jesus was praying about to His Father… that I might believe. From that point on, I decided to stop saying “if You can hear me” as the preface to my prayers. Instead, I came with the words of Jesus, “Father, I come in Jesus’ name. Thank You for hearing me, for I know that you always hear me.” The first time I tried it, my voice was barely a whisper. I knew in my heart that I really didn’t believe what I was saying and I was sure that if God could hear me, He knew it also. But, I kept on saying it every time I prayed. One day, I was facing a difficult situation. I knew that no one but God could work it out, so I prayed, “Father, I come in Jesus’ name. Thank you for hearing me, for I know that You always hear me.” Then I told Him all the details of what was going on and what needed to be done as if He didn’t already know. I didn’t tell another soul about my need. When this situation worked out in such a marvelous, wonderful, perfect way, I knew that the Father had heard me. I lifted my arms high in praise and I shouted, “FATHER, THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME! I KNOW THAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME. AND I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT I KNOW THAT YOU ALWAYS HEAR ME!” Since that time, I have never doubted that God hears every prayer and is concerned about every detail of our lives. My prayer life entered a new dimension. I felt a new freedom and a confidence and boldness when I prayed. There was closeness with the Father that I had never known before. “So let us confidently approach the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace for timely help.” (Hebrews 4:16) Jean lives in Florida and has five grandchildren. She has been involved in intercessory prayer groups for 35 years. Jean believes the Holy Spirit is calling her to lift up the name of Jesus through her writing. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 9 Feature Feature the unforgettable angel by Susan Beckman O n a coal-black, moonless night, my brotherin-law and I are on our way home. We spent a long, grueling day at the hospital visiting my husband. We see brake lights ahead. Both lanes are blocked. The cars are at a standstill. We are exhausted. All we have on our mind is getting some sleep. “I wonder what happened,” I said. “I can’t see anything without street lights. Maybe there was an accident.” After sitting a few minutes, watching other people exit their cars, I reluctantly open the car door and get out. This is the last thing I need tonight—something keeping me away from my comfortable bed. I walk between the cars. When I get into the open roadway, illuminated only by headlights, I see teenage girls scattered across the highway in 10 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 varying degrees of injury and pain; moaning, screaming and crying. I look at the people standing around and wonder why no one is doing anything. I don’t want to get involved—I just want to lay my head on my pillow. If I get involved, we will be delayed in getting home. I keep repeating out loud to no one in particular, “What happened? Does anyone know what happened?” I continue walking, tripping over and stepping around multiple pieces of debris: purses, school books, a bottle of cologne, papers, a single shoe, chunks of crumpled metal, a bottle of nail polish. The acrid smell of gasoline and burnt rubber hang in the air, mixed with occasional whiffs of cologne. An SUV is overturned in the ditch—one tire slowly spinning—with scant clouds of dust swirling in the air. The windows are broken and shattered. The doors and mirrors are hanging haphazardly. In my mind I pray, Lord, help me. Being an EMT, I know I need to find the most severely injured girl. I start moving from girl to girl, each one sprawled on the ground in different locations. I note their injuries are not life-threatening. I continually pray, Lord, please help me find the worst one. I almost miss the last girl lying in dark shadows off the roadway. I only know she is there by the deathlike sounds of gurgling and suffocating. I can barely see that she is lying on her side with her back facing me. I briefly hesitate; fearful of what I will find when I see her face. I kneel down next to her. I wonder if she will even be able to hear my voice above her strangely loud gurgling and gasping sounds. “Don’t move. I’m here to help you. Hold on, honey. The ambulance will be here any minute. Don’t move.” Her grunting and wailing become steadily louder as she kicks and fights to move. I resort to lying on top of her, using all my strength to hold her steady, despite her constant struggling and thrashing. Her petite body is wet and sticky with blood. The rough, grainy tar pebbles on the road are gouging into my knees. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 11 I adamantly yell to the growing crowd, “When the ambulance gets here, send them over here. Tell them this is the worst one.” As I am praying for this girl, I become aware of another voice next to me. It is a calm, soothing voice, praying in the heavenly language of tongues. The surrounding area slowly becomes bathed in a luminous glow of hazy, white fog—even though no one had come any closer to us with lights. I turn my head to the right. A man is kneeling next to me, his hands laid upon the girl. He is persistently praying. He is dressed in all white clothing, from head to toe: a white baseball cap, white shirt, white trousers and white tennis shoes. My initial impression is that he is a painter. I thank God for sending a Christian. Somewhere in between praying and concentrating on keeping the girl from moving, I realize the man has disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. I was not aware of him physi12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 cally standing up and walking away. The ambulance finally arrives and the paramedics take over. The Life Flight helicopter lands in the median of the highway. I watch as they transfer the girl into the helicopter. I stand in awe as it slowly lifts off the ground and up into the sky, the headlights eerily shining brightly, reminding me of a similar scene out of the ET movie. I need to find the man in white and thank him for praying. I want to let him know that I am also a Christian and it was comforting to have another Christian by my side. I start wandering around the multitude of people now gathered. “Did you see the man dressed in all white? Where did he go? Did anybody see him? Where is he?” “No, we didn’t see anyone like that.” I anxiously and eagerly glance over the crowd, looking for the man in all white. “He was right there next to me with that girl. Where did he go?” “There wasn’t anyone like that around here.” He was nowhere to be found. No one else had seen him. Weeks later, I learn the girl has survived. She incurred multiple injuries, including a punctured lung. The paramedics said someone kept her from rolling onto her back, otherwise her lungs would have collapsed and she would have died. I had been exhausted that night. I honestly did not want to be bothered with helping anyone. I did not want to give up my time. I did not want to get involved. But God pushed me forward into a surreal setting. I could have stood by like others in the crowd, but He gave me the strength to confront a disastrous situation. I felt isolated with no one else helping. I thank God for helping me remember my EMT training. I thank Him for guiding me to the most severely injured girl. But I thank Him specifically for sending one of his awesome angels, whom I will never forget. Susan is an active member of her church along with her husband of 38 years. She shares true-life experiences through her writing. She also enjoys Bible studies, quilting, candlemaking, cooking, herbology, genealogy, and gardening. National Day of Prayer May 3, 2012 Join us and thousands of others across America for a day of prayer for the nation Find out more about the National Day of Prayer at www.ndptf.org SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 13 Feature I t was a deep valley. Sadness and shame. Just a few days previous, I had been abandoned by my best friend. My partner. A very godly person. Because of my own actions, my request for forgiveness was denied. On this Saturday night, at the bottom, I could have used a friend. But I didn’t seem to have one - they all sided with my partner. I was the "guilty party,” everyone said. I had repented, but I wondered if God had abandoned me too. How long Lord? Will you be angry forever? Anyway, I guess I wasn’t as much depressed as I was hungry! I called my favorite buffet restaurant. Closed. It was getting pretty late. I called some others too. Closed. I called all of the buffet restaurants in the entire metropolitan area. Closed. Even the Chinese ones. Closed. Except one. A Golden Corral. As long as I arrived before the doors were locked I could stay to eat as long as I liked. It sounded like a plan! A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. I arrived with a few moments to 14 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 spare. Patronage was sparse. Almost as many waiters as diners - certainly I would receive great service from my waiter. He was a confident young man. Built like a very serious football player – over six feet tall and maybe 225 pounds. Maybe more. Wide shoulders. Strong. A w ise man is strong. He gave me a plate and one paper napkin. Charles then hurried away to resume a conversation with some folks waiting over in the corner. Obviously more interested in talking with his friends than in doing his job of serving me. I got my food. Sat back down. And spilled some beet juice. It looked like blood. I hoped to wave down Charles so he could bring me more napkins. I searched the restaurant and saw him over in another corner. Talking with still other friends! Just a few days previous in my days of darkness, I would have been peeved. Make that ‘more than peeved.’ What’s it called when you kick over tables and stuff? Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly. But now, after my repentance, in the light, by the grace of God, my outlook had changed. I was curious to see what God had in the works. Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know… Charles eventually returned to my table. I asked for more napkins. And rather than complain about his seemingly inattentive service, I kidded him a little. In a good natured tone, with a smile, “You sure seem to have a lot of friends!” A merry heart does good, like medicine… To explain his unusual conversations, this hulk of a man leaned over, moving his face close to mine so I could not possibly miss the gravity of his conviction: SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 15 "Blessed be God… the Father of mercies… Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." “I’m sorry you had to wait, sir. But, you see, I am a Christian. Those people I was speaking to over there were not old friends. They were folks I had just met. But they had not yet met Jesus.” I was astonished! Partly because of his boldness and conviction. But mostly because I realized God had led us together. In my time of need. My valley. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…my cup runs over… I told him I was also a believer. And of my sadness. And sin. And repentance. I told him I thought God wanted him to pray for me, thinking he had a prayer list. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you will be healed. The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ‘Stand up!’ Charles ordered right away. He embraced me, hugging me powerfully as he prayed God’s comfort and joy on me. Out loud. Right there by my table. By the buf- 16 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 fet of food. Right away, I received God’s comfort. And then joy. Both flourishing to this day! Blessed be God…the Father of mercies….Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Charles was a waiter. And even more so, Charles was a witness! While ministering to me, someone else, no doubt, had to wait a few moments for a plate or fork or extra napkins. While I was being fed. It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." S.T.Mann is a 50’s vintage sojourner for Jesus and founder of a prison ministry. He lives on a farm in the Canadian Rockies, and has written dozens of inspirational true short stories based on his own experiences, as well as other works. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 17 Cover I t was a warm day in May, the beginning of summer break. A friend and fellow Patrick Henry College student, Grace, sent me a Facebook message. “We should organize a benefit concert to support International Justice Mission and raise awareness on human trafficking!” she wrote. “We could host it at PHC. I think it’s time we do something to make a difference.” I agreed wholeheartedly to an April date. In retrospect, it all sounded so easy and gratifying. We would get a great band to perform, excite the students, and watch the crowd pour in. People would give thousands to support IJM. Immediately, my friend and I began calling bands. This was new terrain for both of us—we had never coordinated an event before, and knew nothing about contracts or fundraising or design. I should have had my knees plastered to the floor, seeking God’s direction and help. But instead, I knitted my brows, pushed up my sleeves, and began making phone calls. I was convinced that, with a little determination, I could make this happen. As summer gave way to fall, we were still penniless, without a website or graphics designer, and searching for that magical band with an affordable booking rate. Grace’s efforts were halfhearted, as she struggled with a 18 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 hectic work and school schedule. I was pouring well meant but fruitless persistence into the concert. This was God’s concert after all. Christmas break arrived. A band had expressed interest in participating, but we had no money. Disheartened, Grace suggested that we postpone the concert; I grudgingly agreed. So we found ourselves in December starting from scratch, six months later than we had originally planned the concert. The concert would take place in late October and we needed a new band. A fitful war between discouragement and determination grappled in my heart. Months had passed, and we were getting nowhere. I did not want my pride to be bruised by failure. My puffy self-esteem wanted a gold star for its efforts. So I kept going. By April, we had received interest from two bands for the date we wanted. Excellent. A fellow student designed us a beautiful website. Fantastic. But we still had no money, and therefore could not move forward. May arrived. A year had passed, but we had hardly made ground on the project. We had lost our original date and band, and could not proceed further. In addition, Grace continued to struggle silently. Weeks passed when I did not hear from her or see her. I sensed something was wrong, but did photos by Gabrielle Ryan not know what to do. This is when God began setting the stage for His takeover. I was oblivious, still bubble-wrapped in self-confidence. But He had greater plans in store. First, He sent us Stephen, a quiet senior with a heart of gold. At our first meeting, he helped me write a fundraising letter to mail to potential donors. But obstacle after obstacle stood in the way of sending those letters. I wrestled to pull everything together while Stephen was in Texas and Grace was interning full-time; but I was beginning to lose confidence. One day, I shoved about 25 fundraising letters through the mail slot. Hopefully, this would mean money. But after two weeks passed, we still had no replies. Just a few days later, the band contacted me. They had signed another contract—we were too late. At the end of June, we had to go back to the drawing board, yet again. I sat at my desk, realizing that everything had fallen apart. We had no money, so we had to start over again with only three or four months to raise funds, find a band, sound equipment and an audience. That’s when I realized, for the first time—this was impossible. I could not do this. I looked at the pile of remaining fundraising letters and envelopes on my desk, ready to be sent out. But what was the use at this point? It was time to give up. This event couldn’t happen, wouldn’t happen. I had failed. That was a dark, overwhelming night. The darkness haunted me with SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 19 reminders that I was too weak, too small, too inexperienced to try something like this. The next morning, I sat reading my Bible, watching the cool morning light seep through the blinds. I turned to Matthew chapter 11, verse 28– “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” I stared at the words on the page; re-read them a few times. All I had done for the past year was labor. This concert had been nothing but a heavy burden, that never eased, that never brought victory. It was discouragement after discouragement. And yet, we had tried to make this God’s event. This was His concert, not ours. Why hadn’t He made it easy? Then I realized: This concert has been heavy, because it has been my burden, not His. It has been my concert, my responsibility, my striving and my work. When have I given up and let Him take control? When have I stopped fretfully planning and plotting, and allowed Him to direct? Sitting at that desk, I faced two options. I could give in to the pressures and discouragement, and quit. Or I could give in to God, and let Him take over. I decided to choose the latter option. Hands open, head bowed, I gave up. Suddenly the blessings began to flow. Over the next few days, I talked to Stephen and Grace about a new date —October 1, during the college’s Homecoming week. First, we had to get permission from the Dean of Student Life. I walked to her office, whispering prayers under my breath because I had heard that she might not like the idea…but she gave her wholehearted approval. Not only that, she said the Homecoming committee would give a portion of their budget to the concert. During my lunch break, I called and e-mailed two separate bands that were recommended to us. Both responded in a matter of minutes, saying they would love to participate—and for an affordable fee. I checked my mailbox. We had about $500 worth of donations. In one afternoon, God gave us a date, two possible bands, faculty approval, and the beginning of our funds. A year of my efforts was blown away by a few hours of His direction. The next week, we received a $2,500 donation. We signed a contract with the band Reilly, and they offered to bring all the needed sound and lighting equipment. In August, our designer finished the posters and the website. Throughout September, students helped distribute promotional materials throughout the community and in local churches. Over half of the student body bought tickets. People I did not know steadily supported us with prayer and donations. My sister and brother flew to Virginia, to help with last-minute organizing details. My little brother even gave all his hard-earned mowing money to the cause. October 1 arrived. I ran around like a crazed ADD puppy, excitedly checking off the last details. Occasionally, the questions would probe, “What if no one comes? What if it doesn’t work after all? What if the band is late? What if the sound system doesn’t work?” But God had brought this concert to pass, in spite of my efforts and failures. He had proven Himself faithful. Before the concert started, I prayed with Reilly in the green room. One more time, we gave the concert into His reliable hands. One more time, He answered our prayers. The artists sang their hearts out. Dr. Barnard, our speaker from IJM, brought truth and a challenge. The students responded with raised hands, bowed heads, tear-filled eyes. I sat with my sister and brother watching, awe-struck. None of this was supposed to happen…none of it would have happened if not for God’s incredible grace. I messed everything up. As long as I persisted, we failed. But the Lord created something beautiful. In my weakness, He showed Himself strong. The Christian life is not about us achieving great victories for God. It is about Him achieving great victories through us, by His strength and grace. He guides us away from our comfort zones, and into places we never thought we would be. In that place of potential fear or potential trust, we have the opportunity to surrender and serve. Through utter dependence on Him, He makes the impossible work possible. “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Gracy is a 20 year old Junior at Patrick Henry College in northern Virginia. She is currently the president of the student IJM club on campus. IJM is a Christian organization that is fighting to end human trafficing worldwide (www.ijm.org). all photos by Gabrielle Ryan 20 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 21 Feature From Prison to Praise by Laushaun Evans H ow was I to press on when others in similar situations all around me were drowning in despair? In the summer of 2000, while everyone else was out with family and friends, I was in a court with reporters and 12 jury members. Fighting for my life. My name is Lashaun Evans and this is my story of how I overcame, held tight to God’s word and prevailed in the end – even when man said I was guilty. 22 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 I was a baby in Christ, but my family had faith that could move a mountain. As my trial began, I constantly sent up little prayers that God would intervene and hear my cries, my pleas. But six months later, I was sentenced and found guilty. Any prayer or faith I had went out of my heart, mind, body, and soul. Here I was a mother of four girls and one on the way. I would have time to give birth, but 30 days after, I had to turn myself in to start serving a 30 year bid. I stopped praying, going to church, and hanging around at my grandmother’s house because all she talked about was how God was going to move on my behalf once I surrendered. I hadn’t seen God in my situation, my kids or all I had worked to achieve. If I had had a shorter sentence, and was going away for only a little while, then maybe I could have believed. But 30 years? The rest of my life? Nah, God wasn’t included in my day to day activities after I walked out of that courtroom. The day finally came. July 31, 2001. I had my baby girl and at a time where there should have been joy, smiles and happy tears, I sank into depression. As I started preparing to turn myself over, I had so much to get done. I turned bitter and heartless not just towards life, but towards God as well; continuing to ask “why?” August 31, 2001 came so fast. I explained to my two oldest daughters that mommy had to go to school and I’d be back. My heart shattered. Even though they were young, there was a look in their small eyes that said they knew more. At midnight, I turned myself in, walking into a life, a place, I’d never been or experienced. I couldn’t even turn around to tell my family goodbye as I entered the police headquarters. There was this nagging feeling inside saying, “I will never leave you. Hold on, Shaun. I am the Way.” But the coldness in my heart wouldn’t allow me to heed or listen. I held my head up high and stared out into space during the whole process, not knowing yet that God had a plan: one that would build me, mold me, strengthen me, and change my hardened heart. As I started my first year, I started to sink more and more into depression. There was this void that no mail, SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 23 visits or phone calls could fill. I finally attended a church service after about three years into my sentence. It was a trick, but turned out to be a huge blessing. That night I repented and got saved. I finally started to surrender. It wasn’t until I got into the New Testament and started reading about Paul’s journey that I saw, from beginning to end, how alike were our ways. What really stood out to me was Paul’s story of when he was in a Roman prison. He was stuck in a cell, chained to a solider 24 hours a day, waiting on a trial that was years away. It was then I started focusing on my faith and walk. Here is this guy who was facing the rest of his life in prison, but not once did he gripe or complain. He was carrying his challenges straight to God while I was crying like the newborn baby I had given birth to. I had allowed the devil to plant doubt and hatred in my heart, complaining and talking myself out of my own prayer life and blessings. That day, May 7, 2004, I started praying and rejoicing in what God was about to do, just as He did with Paul. It was then I found that God was bigger than this problem, this prison sentence and all the hardship I faced. I knew He was bigger than my own strength and that I needed His strength if I was going to rise above this 30 year sentence. I finally accepted that if it was God’s will, then I would accept it and allow His will to be done. As I continued to join prayer groups and completed a Bible study course, I finally won my appeal with the parole board. It had been five years and I’d been turned down three times. On April 1, 2008, my sentence was reduced from 30 years to 10 years. 24 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 This year is my ninth year in prison. I have six months left and whenever I see a new woman walk into the jail, I am there to encourage and build her up on what a real prayer life and a real relationship with God can do. I can feel God smiling down on me. This is my last year in prison – I made it! When I look back on all that the Lord has brought me through, all I can say is, “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving a sinner like me!” I made it through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. When man gave me 30 years, God gave me favor. Even when I gave up on Him, He didn’t give up on me. Like David in the Old Testament, I had to learn how to meditate and stay focused on God’s word and His promises. I had to align my spirit with the Word of God, not with what man was saying. I had to learn to obey and to stand steadfast in my prayers. If it wasn’t for having a praying family and a God who loved me unconditionally, I would have missed a blessing to travel into the prison system and give my testimony. I would have missed the blessing of being able to help lead a prayer group everyday. Even today, I still try to contribute and find ways for the Lord to use me – even here, in prison. I can finally say I found solace in the midst of the turmoil. By His grace, I have gone from prison to praise. This is my last year in prison – I made it! When I look back on all that the Lord has brought me through, all I can say is, “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving a sinner like me!” I made it through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. Lashuan has just completed her prison sentence and has returned home to North Carolina. She is using every day to show others the love of the Lord. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 25 Feature Prayer for by Erin Kaschub Healing W hen our ten year old daughter’s friend was awaiting an organ transplant, I began praying for healing like I never prayed before. Admittedly, I did not even pray as fervently for my own healing. Yet digging into the Bible and researching scriptures on behalf of the young girl renewed my own resolve. During my daily prayer and praise time, God led me to scriptures in Isaiah and the Psalms that I had never before associated with healing. Within the year my own 11 year old cousin was diagnosed with cancer, as well as the niece of a dear neighbor of mine. Isaiah 53:4-5 and 1 Peter 2:24 became the rock I stood on as I cried out for the needs of these precious ones. I hand wrote each new scripture God revealed to me on an index sized piece of paper and kept them in my Bible next to Psalm 34. A portion of my prayer time every morning was devoted to reading Psalm 34 and praising 26 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 God, followed by praying the scriptures over my loved ones. Although the original child’s name was written in each verse, I began to fill in other names as needs arose. Soon my “healing verses” were prayed for those who contacted me with prayer requests for depression and mental healing. Then I began to see how some of the healing scriptures could be used to pray over friends with relational problems, financial problems, job losses, or those needing salvation. God was so good to give me the references on which to take my stand in prayer and fight the spiritual war for people dear to my heart. God continues to instruct my heart when to pray for friends and then later reveals to me why He burdened me to pray so fervently for them. To God alone be all the glory. If you want to pray the same prayer for your family, simply insert the name(s) in the blanks: “Dear Lord, You live! Blessed be my rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted (2 Samuel 22:47). Father, I come humbly before Your throne of grace now, asking for the lives of my loved ones. Please redeem ________ from the power of the grave (Psalm 49:15). O LORD, I implore You, deliver ________ (Psalm 116:4). Loose _______’s bonds (Psalm 116:16). Answer ________ (Psalm 118:5). Be ________’s strength and song (Psalm 118:14). Don’t let ________ die; let ________ live and declare Your works (Psalm 118:17). Don’t give ________ over to death (Psalm 118:18). Let ________ become Your chief witness (Psalm 118:22). When all others have given up (such as the medical community) save now, I pray, O LORD (Psalm 118:25). Revive ________ according to Your word (Psalm 119:25). Strengthen ________ photo by Gabrielle Ryan according to Your word (Psalm 119:28). Let Your word give ________ life (Psalm 119:50). Make haste and do not delay (Psalm 119:60). Let Your tender mercies come to ________ that _______ might live (Psalm 119:77). Strengthen ________ on ________’s bed of illness; sustain ________ on ________’s sickbed (Psalm 41:3). God, give _______ rest from all this adversity (Psalm 94:13). Do not forsake _________ (Psalm 94:14). Rise up for ________ (Psalm 94:16). Rise up for ________ and be ________’s miracle (Psalm 94:16). Raise________ up in righteousness (Isaiah 45:13). But ________ shall be saved by the Lord (Isaiah 45:17). Make ________ stronger than this disease (Psalm 105:24). Father, give strength to ________ and bless ________ with peace (Psalm 29:11). I declare that ________ shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace (Isaiah 55:12). Praise You Jesus for lifting up a standard against this enemy that is coming in like a flood against ________ (Isaiah 59:19). Thank You Lord for Your promise in Matthew 8:16, “They brought to Him many who were demon possessed, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.” Amen Erin facilitates a support group for caregivers in GA. She has been an intercessor for 11 years. She cherishes her time alone with God and worshiping Him. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 27 Feature When Answers to prayer by Catherine Marshall A photo by Gabrielle Ryan 28 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 are delayed friend tells me, “For eight years, I’ve been praying that my son John, now married with three children, will become God’s man. I know that what I am asking is His will and John’s three children need a Christian father. So why such a long delayed answer to prayer?” Another friend writes me, “Ted’s affair with that ‘other woman’ still goes on. I love my husband and this is devastating our teenage children. I’ve prayed every way I know to pray. My spiritual skies are leaden. God doesn’t seem to hear me. Help!” Is there in your life a cherished heart’s desire taken to God over and over in prayer, yet still unfulfilled? Then link hands with my two friends, and with the rest of us, and with all prayer warriors across the centuries! No wonder Jesus had so much to say about persistence in praying, along with His clear teaching that sometimes we will have to wait for God to move… Thus the requirement of patience on our side (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-8; Matthew 15:22-28). Jesus’ actions were always consistent with His teaching. In the miracle where He raised his friend, Lazarus, from the dead, Jesus acted out His teaching on the necessity of our persistence in prayer and the patience needed in a situation where the answer was so slow as to seem even too late. The drama of this occurs in the eleventh chapter of John. The first few verses set the scene: Lazarus’ home in the village of Bethany, less than two miles from Jerusalem. It was the Master’s favorite retreat spot where He could relax with His friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus. These people were dear to Him. The sisters had sent an urgent message to the Master: “Lord, he whom you love is desperately ill. Please come quickly.” One morning in re-reading this story, the transition word between verses 5 and 6 was not only underscored, but leapt off the page: Jesus loved this family so much, “Therefore, even when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He still delayed two days longer in the same place where He was.” (Amplified Bible) And Lazarus died! Verse 5: He loved this little family especially. Verse 6: Therefore, He delayed in going to them in their distress. How odd! Why? Martha and Mary did not understand either. Separately, each sister verbalized the same thought, “Lord, if You had been here, our brother would not have died. You could have prevented it.” Distressed by their grief to the SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 29 point of tears (verse 35), Jesus gave two reasons for His deliberate delay: first, this experience was going to increase their faith (i.e., their ability to trust Him in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances); and second, they were to have an even greater first hand demonstration of the glory of God (verses 15 and 40). In reading again the Lazarus story, the Spirit would give you the same message that He gave to me: Jesus loves you so much. You are His special friend. Therefore He delays. The “therefore” has wrapped in it the limitless love of God, with Jesus experiencing to the full, along with us, our concern, agony of spirit, and sorrow. Meanwhile, where do we get the needed patience? When our situation shows no change or even grows worse (as in the Lazarus account), how do we hang onto the faith that God’s love is working out our problems? Recently Marge, a dear friend of 30 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 mine, shared an experience where the Lord spoke to her directly about the “how.” She and her husband had just learned that he had Parkinson’s disease. It was the sort of dreaded disease which Marge had always especially feared. The entire family gathered, anointed their father and husband with oil, and asked the Lord for His healing, then made a deliberate act of turning the situation over to Him. Marge’s heart questioned, “Until such a time as our family sees this prayer answered, how can I keep enough peace of mind not to let fear and worry impede or stop my daily work? God answered her question directly in an experience Marge had aboard a plane bound for Cleveland, waiting for takeoff. As she settled into her seat, Marge noticed a strange phenomenon. On one side of the airplane, a sunset suf- fused the entire sky with gorgeous color. But out of the window next to her seat, all Marge could see was the sky, dark and threatening, with no sign of the sunset. The plane’s engines began to roar and a closed-in feeling came over Marge. Long since, she had learned at such moments to be still and listen within. Then the gentle voice spoke, “You have noticed the windows,” He said even in the roar and thrust of takeoff. “For awhile now, your life will contain some beautiful, happy times, but also some dark shadows.” “Here’s a lesson I want to teach you, to save you from much heartache and to allow you to abide in Me with continual peace and joy. You see, it doesn’t matter which window you look through. This plane is still going to Cleveland.” “So it is in your life. You have a choice. You can dwell on the gloomy picture, or you can focus on the bright things in your life and leave the dark, ominous situations to Me. I alone can handle the dark ones anyway. The final destination is not influenced by what you see or feel along the way.” “Learn this, act on it, and you will be released, able to experience the peace that passes understanding and even My joy.” Marge’s sharing is helping me to handle my own “meanwhiles.” No one of us finds it easy to put our problem into His hands that completely. But only in that way does our trust in Him grow. You and I will yet have our own demonstration of the glory of God and we will be thankful in the meanwhile, for His assurance when the skies are darkest. Reprinted from The Breakthrough Intercessor Volume 24, number 4 Fall 2003 photo INTERCESSOR by Gabrielle Ryan SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH | 31 A Prayer nswers to PRODIGAL DAUGHTER You have prayed long for my prodigal daughter. She has fully returned to the Lord! Donna MIRACLE UPON MIRACLE PRAISE FOR CHILDREN In January, I requested prayer for my children. I asked for a godly husband for my daughter, Karina, and spiritual restoration for my son, Dan. There are signs of spiritual renewal in Dan and a fine, godly young man has come into my daughter’s life. Thanks be to God. Lois HEALING PRAISE Thank you for your prayers for George, who had a blood clot in his leg, and the real possibility of an amputation. Good news! The doctor said that smaller capillaries are now carrying blood and the sore on the ankle was healed, indicating blood flow. Next appointment is not for another three months. The family is so relieved. Thank you all! Bill 32 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 All through the years when Breakthrough has prayed, I’ve seen miracle after miracle in my life. It is profound. Praise God for Breakthrough. Judy DREAM JOB My son Cean has been out of work for over two years. He began work today on a probationary basis for a major animation company – his dream job! Vickie GRATEFUL I submitted a request for my motherin-law who is battling colon cancer. She is doing better with a ways to go yet, but we were so grateful for your prayers. Julie SURVIVED SURGERY GIFT OF LIFE It is a gift of the Lord that I am still alive. When I was in the hospital, they thought that I would need a heart transplant. Because of grace, they were proven wrong. At the time I sent you a request, someone had made false charges against me. As of right now, I have been proven innocent. Thanks to the grace of the Lord! Edward My 92 year old grandfather came through the pacemaker surgery after many cliff-hanging moments. Thank you so much for praying. Suellen SALVATION Praise God! My cousin gave her life to Jesus after I submitted a prayer request! Tracey SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 33 LORD'S HEALING RECONCILIATION BEAUTIFUL RECOVERY Thank you so much for praying for me. I had experienced vertigo and it was debilitating, putting me on the couch, depressed, and wondering if I would walk by myself again. Well the Lord has healed me. I’m back to all of that and more!! I’m dancing with joy! And NO dizziness. Thank you all for your faithfulness in prayer and love. You all are a gift to the body of Christ. While I was incarcerated, I submitted prayer requests to Breakthrough on behalf of the men at the prison. Just yesterday, I met one of the brothers with whom I was imprisoned. He had been out ten days and he has reconciled with his wife! I had called and requested prayers for a niece who was having brain surgery to relieve seizures. It was a very serious major surgery and recovery process. I am pleased to tell you all went well and she is recovering beautifully. Praise God and your prayer team for your awesome prayers! Thank you. Cyndy Don will celebrate two years of sobriety in July. God is to be praised! Jim SOBRIETY SUCCESS JOB PRIASE Sybil Praise God! My sister who was out of work for two years got a job in May – three days after the three week prayer period had ended. Thank you all for praying! Ellen CANCER REMOVED Your intercessors prayed for my daughter, Carolyn, who had breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy, and all of the cancer was removed. Thank you very much. Sara O h, give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the people... talk ye of all His wondrous works. Psalm 105:1-2 34 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | SRING '12 PRAYER BLESSING I was not expecting the postcard from you, saying that you would be praying for me for a three week period. That was a pleasant surprise that warmed my heart. The following week I underwent a much dreaded spinal injection in hopes of numbing some of the pain I’ve experienced for two years. Now 10 days later, I’m joyous to say that the injection was successful. About 90 percent of the pain is gone and I can sit down and get up without shooting pain down my leg. Thank you all for the comfort and strength of your prayers. MEMORIALS Lester and Carole Werling in memory of Dorothy Werling We welcome gifts in honor of loved ones. Connie GOD'S PROVISION AWESOME GOD I requested prayer for my financial situation, particularly because I wanted to go on a mission trip but the tickets were expensive. I am happy to report that the Lord has provided an amazing ticket price so that I could buy my ticket today. Praise God! Nicole Praise God! My husband has been offered a job and will be training all this week to see if he has the skills and abilities to do it. Our awesome God is already moving in this situation! Thank you for your wonderful ministry Debra Diana GOD MOVES Every time I request prayer God has moved on them. Thanks much for this ministry. Frances Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in PRAYER, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. // Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in PRAYER. // Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by PRAYER and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. // Devote yourselves to PRAYER, being watchful and thankful. // I always thank my God as I remember you in my PRAYERS. Answers to Prayer are edited for publication. SPRING '12 | THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERCESSOR | 35 Join us for the National Day of Prayer on May 3! Find Breakthrough on FACEBOOOK Address Service Requested P. O. Box 121 Lincoln, Virginia 20160 www.intercessors.org Spring 2012 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Aberdeen, SD Permit No. 200