Daughters of Zion Newsletter

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UPCI Ladies Ministries Daughters of Zion Newsletter December 2008

The Privilege of Prayer

By Kathy Brott

We are so geared to live in the moment. That is quite convenient for the enemy of our soul. If he can make us think that nothing is more important than us being able to do what feels right, he can derail us from doing what's important for Eternity.

Do you have a "whatever" attitude when it comes to the things of God? It is a spirit that tries to attach itself to all of us at one time or another. We can shake that attitude off in prayer and ask God to help us establish spiritual disciplines in our lives that will help us.

If you have trouble praying and reading the Bible in the morning before starting your day, go to bed ten minutes earlier and set your alarm to get up for ten minutes earlier to pray and read. Start doing something and go from there, but by all means, start!

If we are faithful with our daily devotions, then we will eventually draw closer to God and desire more. As that happens, He will then help us do more. But if we never learn to consistently pray and read God's word, then we will be weak and frustrated in our walk with God. We can sincerely ask God to help us in this area of devotion to Him. He will hear and He will answer.

Mike Macintosh's book, Falling in Love with Prayer states this: "The Apostle Paul said: "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (1 Tim. 6:8). In our society, with its wealth and free-enterprise system, we can work to obtain nearly anything. If the material world has a draw for us then we can work hard and accumulate all kinds of toys and luxuries. But in societies with more oppressive forms of rule and less abundance, acquiring "goodies" is not even an option. Christians in that kind of situation are free to pray because they love God, not because they view prayer as a catalog to present to the "great Santa Claus" in the sky.

The bottom line is this: Prayer really does pay off for us personally, but it depends largely on what payoff we are expecting. If we are expecting a new car, a new house, a new wardrobe and other such new "stuff", we may not get that kind of payoff. But if we are expecting joy and contentment, we can count on those things."

Personally, I have found prayer to be liberating, exhilarating, and tremendously adventurous! I didn't start out feeling that way. As a young woman, I desired to pray more because I honored God and knew I should pray. Just duty, period. As I began my prayer journey the enemy of my soul attacked me from all sides. I was unaware of the spiritual ramifications of prayer at this point. I thought of myself as a nobody. Not realizing that as a child of God, His indwelling spirit within me was making the devil tremble.

Satan made prayer seem unattainable and hard. What a difference in the way I feel about prayer now that I have broken through that erroneous picture the enemy had painted for me!

When one discovers firsthand what prayer can do for the well being of their own mind, body and spirit and they experience their prayers making a difference in the lives of others and where they will spend Eternity, that changes everything, including the way you see prayer!

We have this express privilege, as a child of God, to influence eternity. Through prayer we can help our family, friends and those we haven't even met. Prayers reach around our home, neighborhood, city, nation and the world. They work now and will continue to work in the future.

Invest in prayer--the dividends are out of this world!

Preserving UnderstandingRenewing Embracing

Seeking God's Righteousness
Day by Day Prayer Points to Humble Ourselves Before God

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray--- 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

If we want God to answer our prayers our hearts must first be right!

Dear Lord,

1.    Help me to seek You first every day and to be thankful.
2.    Give me wisdom to know when I am deceived and open my heart to all truth.
3.    Create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit.
4.    Don't let anyone lead me astray with empty philosophy and vain deceit.
5.    Give me a spirit of humility.
6.    Give me a strongdesire for righteousness and holiness.
7.    Soften my heart that I may have a teachable spirit.
8.    By Your power help me to cast down all strongholds in my life.
9.    Reveal the true condition of my heart and cultivate a right spirit within me.
10. Let my actions reflect Your values and not those of the world
11. Place a burden of prayer and fasting in my heart and in my lifestyle.
12. Break me from the need to be in control that I may submit to my spiritual leaders.
13. Show me when I am rebellious and do things that are contrary to Your will.
14. May I always be reminded that I will reap what I sow.
15. Help me cultivate a desire in my heart to be obedient to Your Holy Word.
16. Help me forgive those who hurt me and to show mercy as You have shown mercy to me.
17. Fill my heart with peace, happiness, and joy and help me focus on heavenly things.
18. Fill me with Your goodness so that it becomes a natural way to treat others.
19. Give me strength to resist temptation and harmful habits that might control me.
20. Open my ears to Your voice as Your Spirit leads me.
21. Fill my heart with repentance for the things I have done that grieve You.
22. Please remove bitterness in my heart that causes me to harbor unforgiveness.
23. Let my words and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight.
24. Please remove the pride that keeps me from seeing myself as You see me.
25. Give me the desire to obey You and the power to please You.
26. Help me to bless You at all times and let Your praises continually be in my mouth.
27. Because there is power in words, help me to speak only good things.
28. Help me to never grieve Your Spirit.
29. Empower me with Your strength so that the enemy's tactics won't entice me.
30. Help me to always know and recognize truth.
31. Transform me into Your likeness.

> Unite with us each evening at 8:00 pm (CST) for one minute of prayer as we come before God with humility to seek the paths of righteousness and holy living.

Coming soon-Spanish Doz eNewsletter!

Focused Prayer: Heart Conditions

Week 1 - Conditions of the Heart
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray

Keep us from being envious of others or their possessions.
Grant us a forgiving spirit in every situation we confront.
Set us free from strife and anger.
We desire to heed Your Word and walk in humility.
Help us to maintain healthy relationships with family & friends.
Keep our hearts fixed on You and Your Word.
Let the power of forgiveness reign in our hearts.

Week 2 - Examine Your Heart
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray

"Search me, O God, and know my heart."
Set us free from a judgmental spirit.
Help to sow seeds of kindness.
Convict us when hypocrisy tries to creep into our hearts.
Draw our hearts close to You.
Save us from deceitful hearts.
From the depths of our hearts, we honor You as Lord & Savior.

Week 3 - Open Heart Surgery
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray

Teach us moderation in all things.
Fill our hearts with praise.
Set us free from a complaining spirit.
Open our hearts to the needs of others.
Renew us daily as we follow after You.
Fill our hearts with zeal that yearns for You.
Let the joy of the Lord abound in us.

Week 4 - A Recovering Heart
In The Name Of Jesus Christ We Pray

Let kindness rule our hearts when we're challenged.
Fill us with compassion for people.
Help us to forgive, even as You have forgiven us.
Give us compassionate hearts for the needs of others.
Bestow on us a caring heart that reaches beyond our own circle of friends & family.
Quicken our hearts to depart from evil and not be deceived.
Let purity abide in our hearts.

Week 5 - A Healthy Heart
In the Name of Jesus Christ We Pray

Deliver us from iniquity and fill us with goodness.
Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
Bind Your Word in our hearts so we will not sin against You.
Teach us to pray always, knowing our sufficiency comes from You.
Grant us discipline to fast and pray.
Fill our hearts with great desire for You.
We rejoice in knowing the joy of the Lord is our strength.

-Brenda Hudson, Riverside Apostolic Church (used by permission)

LM President LM Secretary

Sis. Oaks DOZ Prayer Bear

Gwyn Oakes Linda Gleason

Connections DOZ Director DOZ Coordinator

Wanda Fielder Ruth Harvey Debbie Akers

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Bind	Loose	Weapon Of Warfare
apathy	desire	Isaiah 26:9
bitterness	forgiveness	Luke 6:27
carnal mind	Christ-like mind	Romans 8:6
discouragement	hope	Matthew 24:13
excuses	dedication	Colossians 1:9
exhaustion	restfulness	Mark 2:27
frustration	spirit of rejoicing	Romans 15:13
grudges	unity	Ephesians 4:2-3
heartlessness	charity	Acts 4:32-35
indifference	praise	Revelation 5:5; Psalm 150:1-6
jealousy	brotherly love	Genesis 37:8
lack of caring	personal involvement	Matthew 25:31-41
malice	goodness	Psalm 7:14-16
negative thinking	positive thinking	Proverbs 23:7
oppression	worship	Psalm 146:1
prayerlessness	praying spirit	Matthew 14:23
resentment	forgiveness	Luke 6:37
sickness	health	3 John 1:2; Matthew 9:28-30
terrorism	security	Psalm 61:3
untamed tongues	control	James 1:26
vengeance	brotherly love	Romans 12:19-21
weariness	fresh anointing	Isaiah 40:28

-Brenda Hudson

Praise Report

Greetings from Guam where America's day begins! The first DOZ prayers uttered in America are prayed on Guam, U.S.A, and with pleasure I announce that the island has launched DOZ-Guam! What a privilege it was to bind together in a Prayer Clock prayer for our children! One woman testified that she later used the prayer for her unsaved husband. "You know that Prayer Clock prayer we prayed, and inserted our children's names?" she asked me. "The next evening I used that prayer to pray an hour for my husband, and I inserted his name instead. I trust the Lord to hear and answer!" We greatly appreciate the ideas and suggestions which other DOZ coordinators have shared. To God be all the glory! -Kelley Dibble, WNOP/DOZ Prayer Coordinator, Micronesia (West)

DOZ Prayer Meeting Idea

Our DOZ prayer leader got some inexpensive glass ornaments that could be written on with a permanent marker. Each lady took one and wrote the names of her children on them. These were exchanged among the ladies during the prayer meeting at the beginning of December so each lady could focus on those children during the holidays. At the January meeting the ornaments were turned back in and could be used again next year. -Ruth Harvey, UPCI DOZ Director

From the Mail Box

>Thanks so much for the newsletter. I do believe in DOZ. I know prayer works. I have a son that I want to see restored. -Joyce Dykes

>Thank you for the newsletter. In our Daughters of Zion meetings when a sister has a need we have her sit in a chair and the rest of the ladies pray for her. We've had miracles, healings and the list goes on. Prayer changes things sisters, God hears and answers our prayers. -Norma E. Metz, LM Pres., Faith Tabernacle, Tucson, AZ

>You will never know how much this newsletter and the articles mean to me. I receive it at work, and it is so nice to take a "praise break" when I am stressed. I just take a moment to open up the DOZUPC email and read these articles, and I know I am not alone. Not only do I have a great and wonderful God, but I have sisters across the land facing the same battles and gaining the same victories that encounter. -Mary

>I just wanted to thank you for emailing me the DOZ Newsletter. It is a wonderful tool to use for our prayer group. I appreciate it very much! -Audrey Sullivan, Pastor's wife, Mesa, AZ

Please send in your Praise Reports and DOZ Prayer Meeting Ideas to: DOZUPC@aol.com

Also, please share this FREE newsletter with friends and family. Help us spread the word, encourage your Daughters of Zion prayer group and/or church members to sign up to receive this DOZ eNewsletter. It's for everyone who is interested!

Teddy Bears

Sweet dreams for a child who has one of these bears to snuggle as they are reminded they are covered in prayer. These adorable Daughters of Zion (DOZ) cuddly bears come either for the grandmother or the mother. Buy one for each child. Teenagers love them too! 12 inches tall.

Excelent Christmas gift!

My Mom Prays for Me #17754 / My Grandma Pray for Me #17755 Sale Price: $10.00 each

PentecostalPublishing.com Under Quick Search select KEYWORD. Enter DOZ Bears