prayer – Page 14 – Dobra Family Ministry

Household Prayer 1/5/2021

Prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood summer 2020

Happy new year, Brothers! Had a great sermon at Bethany Baptist to kick the new year off, we have a mission: to be Jesus’ witnesses to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). As an adult convert, 18 years ago now, I contemplated “if I am ‘saved’, why am I still here in this fallen world?” The answer is there in Acts 1:8 as Jesus left His disciples behind, “you will be my witnesses… to the end of the earth.” So today I am praying for each of you and your families and for our CC community, that we would actually be witnesses sharing the truth and grace of our King Jesus Christ, and that we would find fulfillment and joy in our mission, that we would pass it on to our children as we disciple and educate them, and as we prepare them to be Jesus’ witnesses in an increasingly dark culture. Read Acts 1:1-8

Why is the culture becoming so dark? Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn summarized “the reason for the Russian Revolution that resulted in the slaughter of 60 million people” as “Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.” (The Forgotten God)

As America has watched protests, riots, and calls for revolution in the streets of many cities over the last few months, political pundits, Christian leaders, and regular, peace-loving citizens have entertained the same question of “why is this happening.” None of the proposed answers, from “because of systemic racism,” to “it’s the voice of the unheard,” to “disenfranchisement,” have come close to the profound, simple accuracy of the explanation offered by Solzhenitsyn.

America has forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened…

May the Lord impress on His people once again our desperate need to know Him and make Him known in these increasingly godless days.
The Forgotten God https://founders.org/2020/10/03/the-forgotten-god/

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38

The Church is not in a losing battle, on the defensive, in retreat. Rather, the church is laying siege to the kingdom of Satan. The Church is on the offensive. The ladders are at the walls, the battering ram is at the gates, and we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that those gates will not stand. A Christian victory is inevitable.
The Inevitability of a Christian Victory https://founders.org/2019/12/16/the-inevitability-of-a-christian-victory/

Reform the Church and ReEnchant the World with God’s Truth and Grace!

Enchant (latin: encantio): to speak meaning into.

If the church is not reenchanting this fallen world with God’s truth and grace, then it is being disenchanted with the lies of Satan!

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
– Romans 10:14-15

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

What message are we sharing and bearing witness to?
There is a God that created the heavens and the earth.
We humans are created in His image.
We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, and justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation.
But God is merciful and loving.
Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place.
Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.
We need only confess our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and repent and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after!
Romans 3:10-18, 23
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
John 3:16-21
Ephesians 2:1-10

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Household Prayer 12/16/2020

“How long, O Lord?” Oh how we long as we wait for Jesus’ return! Brothers, I pray for you all and your families. It has been a joy this first semester to pray for you and your families by name.

As we celebrate the Advent, the arrival, of our Savior, I pray your homes are full of the fruit of the spirit. I pray there is a joyful celebratory longing for His next coming! I pray for good health and safety and warm relationships in fellowship as we celebrate the birth of the savior. Go tell it on the mountains, Jesus Christ is born!

I hope you have plenty of devotionals and reading for the season, so take just a minute and read Psalm 13.

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalm‬ ‭13:1, 5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.13.1,5-6.esv

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Prayer walk December 10, 2020

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

Thursday December 10, 2020 from 12:00 to 12:30.

Planned Parenthood 2709 N Knoxville Ave, corner of Knoxville and Hanssler Place.

Backup up plan in case of bad weather: meet at the Dobra’s and we will pray together.

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace. Also a good time for family instruction and discipleship!

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Household Prayer 12/02/2020

#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

Will we choose Liberty or “become prey of that more desolating and more cruel spoiler than war, pestilence, or famine – absolute rule and endless extortion… our parent state will think us worthy of her, when she sees that with her liberty we inherit her rigid resolution of maintaining it against all invaders. Let us give her reason to pride herself in the relationship.”
Speech in General Congress of America 1775, unknown, “The Christian life and character of the civil institutions of the United States” Benjamin F. Morris. 2007,1864

Brothers, this week I want to pray for America. We do not have a President Elect yet. However, there is a lot of media mis-information and censorship. The election matters to Christians and in particular Christian homeschoolers. I sat in on the Family Research Council prayer tonight (https://prayvotestand.org) and it was really powerful. I pray God’s will be done. I pray that if there is corruption lying and cheating in this election that God would reveal it, and that He would bring the wrong doers to justice. Truth and justice, God, is what we desire. God, may the events of this year awaken the church to renewed faith, discipleship, and evangelism.

Read 2 Samuel 23 and Psalm 82

FRC Pray Vote Stand https://prayvotestand.org
FRC Biblical Worldview Series
Can We Trust the Election Results? It’s Not Just About Trump…It’s About Truth
Eric Examines the Sidney Powell Investigation https://youtu.be/-gXtMD8oDqc
John Zmirak from The Stream & Author Nate Wilson talk Election Fraud & More https://youtu.be/EoV6HGl9tf8
News Source: The Epoch Times https://www.theepochtimes.com/election-2020

“The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.”
2 Samuel‬ ‭23:3-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/2sa.23.3-4.esv

“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!”
Psalm‬ ‭82:1-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.82.1-8.esv

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Household Prayer 11/24/2020

Brothers, I’m praying this week for us fathers. In our family’s urban and SafeFamilies ministry activities over the years we have seen the devastation of fatherlessness in our community. A recent communication from the youth ministry at my church has me worried it’s happening in the church too! I pray we fathers of our CC community see our duty and responsibility to instruct, discipline, and disciple our children. I pray for wisdom, zeal, and joy for the work. God has ordained the family for this purpose, we should not neglect it and depend on the church to do it for us. Fathers, we will stand in judgement for this role, not youth pastors. I pray for us and for the men of God’s church. I pray for awakening, for revival, for zeal, and for joy among the fathers of the church in this regard.

Read Psalm 78, Psalm 127, Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:6-7, and ‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:4

Every day [faithful members of the church] are bombarded with false claims [“by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Ephesians 4:14)] Without a firm conviction in God’s Word, they face these challenges unprepared. [The Saints] need the best training our churches can offer from shepherds [“and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11,12) so that fathers are equipped to “bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)]

“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which – he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, – that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and – tell them to their children, – so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.”
Psalm‬ ‭78:4-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.78.4-8.esv

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Household Prayer 11/17/2020

Brothers, today my prayer thought comes from the book “By what standard? God’s world… God’s rules” from Founders Ministries. Chapter 1 is titled “Hollow and deceptive philosophies,” and walks through Colossians 2:6-10. So, my prayer is that by the education and instruction of our children we prepare them to live in and evaluate this world from God’s standard. I pray that our children will come to understand that the powers of this world seek to take us captive to godless ideologies, and I pray that they would be alert and rooted in Christ Jesus! Lord Jesus, bring them to a saving faith and fill them with the Holy Spirit.

Read Colossians 2:6-10

“By What Standard? God’s World… God’s Rules” by Founders Ministries https://press.founders.org/shop/by-what-standard-gods-world-gods-rules/

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Colossians‬ ‭2:6-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/col.2.6-10.esv

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Household Prayer 11/09/2020

“Karl Marx, an apostle of evil, and Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” were evangelists with messages that couldn’t have been more different—and they lived in the same city at the same time.” https://ministry.family.blog/2020/09/03/marx-vs-spurgeon/

Brothers, Let’s pray with ICHE this week for grace, energy, and endurance to pass on a Godly legacy. Pray that we, our spouses, the tutors, and all of our community’s families will continue into the new year with God’s grace and endurance instructing and discipling our children, shaping them like arrows to be launched into the future for God. https://iche.org/resource/blog/fill’er

Read Psalm 127.

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.”
Psalm‬ ‭127:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.127.4.esv

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…

But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…

If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan

Household Prayer 10/28/2020

“Pastor, Rebel, Prophet, Monk”

— Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric Metaxas
https://a.co/bCDhftE

Brothers, two prayer focus areas this week: The election, and reformation day!

Pray that there would be peace and safety around election day and through the inauguration in January. Pray for law, order, and justice.

Pray that this reformation day Oct. 31 would renew the church’s zeal for the truth and the Scriptures.

Read Jude

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:3-4

40 Days for Life Family Prayer Vigil
Friday Oct. 30 at Noon, Planned Parenthood
2709 N Knoxville Ave, corner of Knoxville and Hanssler Place.

Backup up plan in case of bad weather: meet at the Dobra’s and we will pray together.

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace. Also a good time for family instruction and discipleship!

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

What message are we sharing and bearing witness to?
There is a God that created the heavens and the earth.
That we are sinners and justly deserve our due punishment.
But God is merciful and loving.
Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place.
Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.
We need only confess our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and repent and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after!
Romans 3:10-18, 23
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
John 3:16-21
Ephesians 2:1-10

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace.

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Leviticus 18:21; Matt. 5:17-19; Acts 2:37-41

We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…

But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…

If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan

Household Prayer 10/19/2020

Brothers, let’s pray for the larger Bethany CC community this week. For good health as we enter cold and flu season. Pray for successful logistics around the holidays. Pray for the fruit of the Spirit to dwell in our households and our community: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And that our community and families would bear witness to God. (Gal. 5:22-24)

40 Days for Life Family Prayer Vigil
Friday Oct. 23 at Noon, Planned Parenthood
2709 N Knoxville Ave, corner of Knoxville and Hanssler Place.

Backup up plan in case of bad weather: meet at the Dobra’s and we will pray together, and try again on Friday Oct. 30.

Prayer, public witness of the church, and proclaiming God’s truth and grace. Also a good time for family instruction and discipleship!

Why are we here (in this sin fallen world)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:18-20

Why are we here (on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic)?
To bear witness to God and His truth and grace.
To love the captive soul and to preach the good news!
Romans 10:14-15

Read Romans‬ ‭10:13-15

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””
Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/mrk.1.14-15.esv

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!””
Romans‬ ‭10:13-15‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/rom.10.13-15.esv

We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…

But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…

If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan

Household Prayer 10/14/2020

https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/hellbent-education.html

Brothers, 2 prayer thoughts this week.

First, that our children would find their value and self esteem in God. I pray that our children understand that they are actually God’s workmanship, that they are actually created in Christ Jesus, and that God has actually created them for good works that God prepared for them! (Eph. 2:10)

Second, that we would not depend on the church to disciple our children, as good as church youth programs are, but I pray that we would discipline, instruct, disciple, and model the Christian walk with God in our lives before our children. (Eph. 4:1-6:4) I pray that they would see us carrying out the great commission as we teach them “to observe all that” Christ has commanded us. And I pray that God would use them in mighty ways for His kingdom in the future. (Matt. 28:18-20)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/59/eph.2.10.esv

Teaching resource: “In an effort to combat America’s rampant biblical illiteracy, Family Research Council has launched the Biblical Worldview Series. The series debuted earlier this year and is currently comprised of four publications that explain in accessible, straightforward terms how Christians can think biblically about some of the most pressing and controversial issues they face today.” FRC.org/worldview

We have been told that we people are the chance result of impersonal chaos working its dark magic on the universe… The outcome of such thinking? Humanity is disenchanted…

But this is not the biblical account of man… God, the beautiful one, made the human race as his capstone work, his corporeal masterpiece (Ps 8:3-6; 27:4) … The imago dei marks out humanity as an enchanted race. Tragically, humanity disenchanted itself by following the anti-wisdom of the serpent…

If we have assumed… that our children learned what they needed to know simply by ecclesial and cultural osmosis, let us be clear that we may hold this assumption no longer. Now is not the time to play down our doctrine of mankind; now is the time to teach it with confidence and with joy, seeking to be witnesses to fellow sinners and guides to all God’s flock.
“Reenchanting Humanity: a theology of mankind” by Owen Strachan